Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Committee welcomes the update and progress in addressing the recent audit report recommendations;

(b)       That the Committee’s congratulations be conveyed to all involved in making the changes;

(c)        That a press statement supporting the progress be drafted; and

(d)       That a meeting of the Committee, to include a further update on addressing the Greenfield Valley audit report recommendations and a tour of the valley facilities, be held in six months.

                        The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) introduced a report to provide an update on the work carried out to deliver the recommendations arising from the audit on the governance, funding, and operating arrangements at Greenfield Valley, and the current operational position.  He provided background information and advised that following the audit, all actions had been completed with the exception of signing the Management Agreement. All interested parties had commented on drafts of the Agreement and the Trust had given a commitment to sign the Agreement at their Board meeting on 7 May 2019.  The Chief Officer invited the Access and Natural Environment Manager to provide an update on the operational position at Greenfield Valley.

                        The Access and Natural Environment Manager reported on the operational highlights for the last six months, as detailed in the report.  He referred to a number of recent successful events and activities which had been held, and the woodland management, development and maintenance works undertaken.  He also reported on the initiative to revise admission fees to encourage people to buy annual passes throughout the year and reported that an Outdoor Learning Conference for education professionals would be hosted in the Valley on 4 April. 

The Access and Natural Environment Manager advised that the Council’s Streetscene service had been successful in securing almost £700k through the Welsh Government Active Travel Grant for the Valley which would improve links and communication.  He explained that the first phase would be to resurface the path along the old railway line to the coast road car park.  Further applications were to be submitted which would include proposals to improve the links from the Valley to Ysgol Treffynnon and from the Valley to Greenfield Dock.

In concluding his update the Access and Natural Environment Manager commented on the dependence of the Valley on the regular volunteers that assisted with the management of the site and explained that Greenfield Valley had registered to distribute Timecredits to volunteers.  The scheme was funded by the Welsh Government (WG) as part of a specific project in Flintshire and Wrexham for the next two years.  The initiative enabled volunteers to receive paper credits in exchange for their time which could be spent in registered facilities and businesses across the UK.

The Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) suggested that the Committee may wish to hold a future meeting at Greenfield Valley and take the opportunity to have a tour of the Valley and the facilities provided at the same time.

Councillor Chris Dolphin congratulated the Chief Officer and the Access and Natural Environment Manager and his team, on their excellent work and the progress achieved regarding the recent audit recommendations.   He commented on the Council’s annual budget for management of the site which was in the region of £300k and said this was good value for money, however, he expressed disappointment that the Management Agreement had not yet been signed by Greenfield Valley Trust Limited which he said was unacceptable.  Councillor Dolphin also congratulated Officers on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58