Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)       That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.  

The Facilitator presented the current Forward Work Programme.  She reported on the items scheduled for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee to be held on 9 March.  She advised that updates on the Integrated Transport Plan and Climate Change would be added to the FWP as appropriate and a virtual site visit to Parc Adfer was also to be arranged.   She invited Members to put forward any further items they wished to be included on the Programme.  Councillor Chris Dolphin suggested that an item on Public Footpaths/Rights of Way be scheduled for future consideration and this was agreed by the Committee.

Referring to the item on borderland train services Councillor Dennis Hutchinson asked if there was any progress on the electrification of the Wrexham to Bidston line.  The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) provided a brief  update and advised that a number of options were being considered including battery operated trains. 

The Chief Officer suggested that a report on the Winter Maintenance Policy  be brought to a meeting of the Committee in September.

Councillor Joe Johnson asked that an update on litter and fly tipping be added to the FWP.

The Facilitator reported on progress on the actions arising from previous meetings.  Some actions were completed and progress ongoing on the remaining.  

Councillor Owen Thomas referred to work on Ash Dieback and expressed concerns around the closure of the A541.  The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) said he would arrange for an update on the Ash Dieback programme to be provided to Councillor Thomas following the meeting.

In response to a question from Councillor David Evans on the trial pot-hole programme the Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) explained that he would provide a report on the results of the trial to a future meeting of the Committee.  

Councillor Carolyn Thomas referred to a Welsh Government consultation - A Litter and  Fly-tipping Free Wales which was currently open until April.

Councillor George Hardcastle asked if the Authority could provide assistance to local town/community councils who had suffered flooding and asked that an item on this be scheduled on the FWP.  He asked if a one off delivery of sand and sandbags could be provided to be used by the response team at Hawarden Community Council. In response the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) provided an explanation on why the sandbag policy was brought in effect, the costs involved and also outlined the potential storage problems communities could face by storing the bags and large amounts of sand.  He reassured Councillors that in the event of flooding, assistance would be provided.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Paul Shotton and seconded by Councillor Joe Johnson 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)       That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.