Issue - meetings

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme be approved;

(b)     That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair 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 Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking report.  She drew attention to the items included for the February meeting which were the Woodlands Strategy, Climate Change update, Welsh Water Draft Water Resources Management Plan 2024 (Public Consultation), and Wepre Park Management Plan.  She then referred to the Communities for Work item which had been withdrawn and she invited the Chief Officer to provide information on this.

            The Chief Officer (Planning Environment & Economy) said this item had been included in the Forward Work Programme because of concerns around Welsh Government (WG) funding.  He was pleased to announce that funding was secured for next year which was why it was being removed.  He said that a report would be provided within the next year outlining the work undertaken by Communities for Work employability programme.

            The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator confirmed that the Education Youth & Culture O&S Committee had a meeting arranged for the 2 February which would include a joint item on Parking Outside School and Enforcement. Members of this committee would be invited to that meeting for the item.   She then explained that Bereavement in the Countryside Policy was now scheduled for the February meeting. 

            The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator then referred to a  workshop being held on the 24 January on “Open Space Management, Grass Cutting and Nature”.  There was also the Exceptions Criteria for 20 mph implementation in February and the Progress on the implementation of the conversation of the FCC Fleet to electric and alternative fuels in October.

The Facilitator then referred to the Action Tracking report and invited the Chief Officer (Streetscene) to provide an update on the network review by Transport for Wales.  The Chief Officer (Streetscene) explained that Welsh Government (WG) were reviewing bus legislation in Wales which had been presented to committee and said the network review was part of this.  It was still unclear when this would be implemented and that this would stay on the Action Tracking until the review took place.  It was suggested to remove this for now until more information was available and this was agreed by committee.

The Facilitator then referred to Town Centre Markets and reported that Niall Waller would be sending a briefing paper to committee members later that day.  Referring to Litter from food outlets the Chief Officer (Streetscene) clarified that this was a WG directive and suggested that a letter be sent from this committee highlighting the issues being experienced.   The Chair and committee members agreed for the Chief Officer to write to WG for an update.

The Facilitator then referred to the workshop on the 20mph implementation would now take place in March.

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme be approved;

(b)     That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair 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.