The meeting is scheduled to receive an update on the Sustainable Communities for Learning (SCfL) Programme, the final annual report for the 2020-2024 Strategic Equality Plan (SEP) and the 2023-2024 annual report from the Gwent Regional Partnership Board (GRPB).

Sustainable Communities for Learning Strategic Outline Programme

The most significant topic for discussion in the meeting, in terms of its impact on Torfaen residents, is the Sustainable Communities for Learning Strategic Outline Programme¹.

The current programme for improving school buildings in Torfaen was due to finish in 2025. This report sets out the priorities for investment beyond that date. The programme has four main objectives for investment. They are:

• Transforming learning environments and learner experience
• Meeting demand for school places
• Improving condition and suitability of the education estate
• Developing sustainable learning environments

The council's long term objectives are listed as:

• To create safe learning environments for schools and communities.
• To achieve greater economy and efficiency through appropriately sized schools.
• To develop a sustainable education system with all schools.
• To achieve high quality inspirational buildings.
• To provide an outstanding resource for the whole community
• To achieve inclusive settings.

The report notes that £91 million of investment, in partnership with Welsh Government, was invested in improving school buildings in Torfaen between 2014 and 2019². It notes that just under £30 million of investment is currently underway at two schools, Maendy Primary School and Crownbridge School, and that two projects, the refurbishments of Ysgol Bryn Onnen and Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran, had to be put on hold because of increasing construction costs.

The report sets out three groups of projects that the council hopes to fund.

Group 1

This group lists the two schools that were put on hold. These are:

• Ysgol Gymraeg Cwmbran - Refurb - estimated cost £5.8 million
• Ysgol Bryn Onnen - Refurb - estimated cost £5.9 million

It also lists a proposal for a new school in Mamhilad to be funded by Section 106 contributions from developers of new homes in the area. The estimated cost is £10 million.

Group 2

The projects in Group 2 are:

• St Albans RC High School in Pontypool - New build - estimated cost is to be confirmed.
• West Monmouth School in Pontypool - Refurbishment - estimated cost £27 million
• Abersychan School - Refurbishment - estimated cost £17 million
• A proposal to expand Welsh-medium school places in south Torfaen to achieve the target set out in the Welsh in Education Strategic Plans (WESP)³ - the report suggests that this could be either a new 315 place school or a conversion of a current English-medium school - the estimated cost and location are to be confirmed
• A proposal for a new building to house the primary and secondary Pupil Referral Units (PRU) on the same site - the estimated cost is £12 million and the location is to be confirmed.

Group 3

This group contains the following proposals:

• Cwmbran High School - refurbishment - estimated cost £38 million
• Llanyravon Primary School in Cwmbran - refurbishment - estimated cost £4 million.
• Pontnewydd Primary School in Cwmbran - refurbishment - estimated cost £8.7 million
• Coed Eva Primary School in Cwmbran - new build of the junior block - estimated cost £17.4 million
• Croesyceiliog Primary School - a refurbishment or new build, depending on the outcome of the new Local Development Plan - estimated refurbishment cost £4.7 million - new build cost to be confirmed.

The report estimates that the total cost of delivering the proposed schemes is in the region of £140 million. It notes that the council currently has very limited funding to support its proposed post-2024 programme and that it is in discussions with Welsh Government to discuss options for increasing funding.

Torfaen Council's Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report 2023-2024

The report summarises the council's activity in working towards the five equality objectives set out in the 2020-2024 Strategic Equality Plan, these being:

1. Torfaen County Borough Council is an equal opportunity employer, with a workforce that is aware of and understands the importance of equality and diversity
2. Ensure that people and communities have their rights respected and feel safe from violence and abuse
3. Work to eliminate the disadvantages and barriers that make it hard for people to access the same opportunities as everyone else
4. Involve people and communities in matters that are important to them and the decisions that we make.
5. Ensure the council complies with its statutory equality and Welsh language duties.

The report highlights the council's activity in working towards these objectives. It includes details of:

• The implementation of the Thinqi e-learning platform to provide staff with training on a range of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) topics
• A review of recruitment data to ensure that the council's workforce is representative of Torfaen's population
• The development and implementation of a workforce strategy
• Work to support schools to review and update their anti-bullying guidance, in order to ensure they are able to identify and tackle prejudice-based bullying
• The delivery of anti-racism training to elected members and council officers
• Partnership work to improve the support available to victims of violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence
• Work to promote and celebrate diversity, including support for the new Torfaen Pride event, the running of a social event for Ukrainian guests and hosts, the hosting of an exhibition to celebrate Windrush and a range of awareness-raising activities to mark key dates, including Hate Crime Awareness Week, Black History Month, Interfaith Week, LGBT History Month and GRT History Month
• Ongoing work to ensure there are no barriers to residents accessing services and facilities, including ramps, lifts, accessible toilets and improved access to council buildings
• The completion of the Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA)
• The work of the Financial Inclusion Team to help prevent residents becoming homeless because of financial hardship
• Work to improve access to assistive technology for people living with dementia, including the provision of HUG by LAUGH, Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities (RITA) and the Happiness Programme
• The development of a new internal Participatory Advisory Group to provide advice and support to officers on engaging with relevant communities and stakeholders
• Work to ensure young people are able to have their say on issues that affect them, including the first Torfaen Young People’s Take Over Day, the relaunch of the Torfaen Youth Forum and plans to establish a junior youth forum

The report contains an appendix with data about the make-up of the council's workforce, detailing staff disclosures on age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, sexual orientation, religion or belief and disability.

Gwent Regional Partnership Board (RPB) Annual Report 2024

The report seeks to update councillors on the work of the Gwent Regional Partnership Board. It is required by the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and includes the Area Plan Summary for 2023-2028 and the 2023-2024 Annual Report.

The report notes that the purpose of the Gwent Regional Partnership Board is to:

• Improve the quality and delivery of health and social care services across Gwent
• Understand the needs of communities and work with people to build on existing practices
• Seek opportunities for innovation and change

It lists the following key successes of the past year:

• The Gwent Adult Strategic Partnership (GASP) successfully supporting the ‘1000 beds’ initiative
• The Carers Strategic Partnership developing a number of ways to support unpaid carers, including support with hospital discharge processes, the provision of short breaks, activities, and grants
• The Children and Families Strategic Partnership working to deliver the NEST/NYTH planning tool to ensure a ‘whole system’ approach to supporting children and young people’s mental health
• The Dementia Strategic Partnership continuing to implement the All-Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards and supporting Dementia Friendly Communities across Gwent
• The Health & Housing Strategic Partnership focussing on developing a regional response to the Rapid Rehousing agenda
• The Mental Health and Learning Disability Strategic Partnership continuing to develop the Melo Cymru mental wellbeing website and delivering the Gwent Connect 5 mental wellbeing workforce training programme
• The Autism and Neurodivergence Strategic Partnership evaluating the impact of implementing the Autism Code of Practice in Gwent

The report provides case studies to demonstrate the difference that the Partnership is making to people's lives. For example, the report notes that:

Following the loss of [her husband] Ron, Julie became very isolated and after some persuasion came back to the club, now becoming a volunteer at Sporting Memories clubs across Gwent. It has given her a new a new lease of life and a wider support network following the passing of her husband.

The partnership has engaged with members of the community in a number of ways, including:

• Relaunching and expanding the Gwent Citizen Network
• Holding “Coproduction Luncheons” across Gwent to hear the views of residents
• Holding a Gwent-wide Coproduction and Engagement event titled “Decisions Made Together: Inclusion and Experience”

A number of key developments are also highlighted, including:

• An increase in the number of times people access detailed information about services and support via the Dewis website
• The development of the Gwent Joint Strategic Assessment to provide a comprehensive view of health and wellbeing across the Gwent region
• The continued expansion of the Micro Care service in Monmouthshire

The report notes that the RPB is working to refresh its Communication and Engagement Strategy. It notes that the RPB website has undergone a redesign to improve accessibility and make it easier for people to find information. It also notes that the Partnership is working to establish new regional forums to support providers of domiciliary care, care home providers, and third sector organisations.

The report provides details of the new Regional Innovation Co-ordination (RIC) Hub, which was launched in partnership with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. It lists a number of successful projects that have received funding, including the development of a regional approach to assessing older people with dementia in care home settings and the completion of a feasibility study to develop a new community-based dementia service for Gwent.

The report concludes by listing a number of key priorities for 2024/25, including:

• Supporting people living with dementia and their carers
• Addressing recruitment and retention issues within the health and social care workforce
• Continuing to support people who are awaiting an Autism/ND assessment
• Developing more flexible and timely respite solutions for unpaid carers
• Further strengthening its partnerships to deliver the objectives set out in the Area Plan

Updates on actions

The report pack confirms that there are no outstanding actions from the previous meeting.

Amendment to The Constitution - Licensing Matters

The report pack confirms that a review has taken place of the part of the council's constitution that deals with licensing and that a number of changes are being proposed. The report notes that the changes aim to make the scheme of delegation clearer and that there are no changes proposed to the functions of the Statutory Licensing Committee and the General Licensing Committee.

Update to Political Balance, Committee Chairs & Membership of Committees

The report pack confirms that the political balance of the council has changed following the resignation of Councillor Sue Malson⁴ from the Labour group. This has resulted in a number of vacant seats on council committees, which will need to be filled. It is noted that the outcome of the by-election for the Trevethin & Penygarn Ward will necessitate a further review of the political balance.

Cabinet Decisions

The report pack confirms that the Cabinet met on 3 December 2024 and that it made the following decisions:

• To approve the initial revenue estimates for 2025/26
• To approve the council tax base for 2025/26
• To approve an adjustment to the projects allocated funds within the Shared Prosperity Fund Town Centre work programme
• To adopt and implement a new Waste Education and Enforcement Policy
• To award the contract for managing the Household Waste Recycling Centre and Transfer Station at New Inn
• To approve the Community and Wellbeing Strategy: Sports and Leisure
• To approve the reviewed Housing Support Programme 2022-2026 Strategy
• To adopt the expanded Project Apollo Energy programme
• To amend the statement of intent for the ECO4 scheme to include the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

The report pack notes that the decisions made by the Cabinet can be challenged until Wednesday 11 December 2024. Any challenge will be considered by the Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Member Question Time

The report pack contains replies to questions previously submitted by councillors on the following topics:

• Traffic calming measures on common land in Blaenavon
• Trauma-informed training for social workers in Torfaen
• The potential transfer of Arthur Jenkins Care Home from Hafod Care to Spectrum
• Lessons learned in relation to the proposed closure of Arthur Jenkins Care Home
• Whether residents will be able to return to Arthur Jenkins Care Home if Spectrum becomes the new provider
• Officer communication with councillors about ward issues
• Classroom standards at Cwmbran High School
• The decision to contract a private care provider to operate a new children's home in Torfaen
• Funding for coal tip safety in Torfaen
• Carbon Dioxide levels in schools
• School attendance
• The implementation of recommendations made in Welsh Government's White Paper on ending homelessness
• The suitability of accommodation being provided to homeless people in Torfaen
• The support being provided to children looked after in Torfaen