Issue - meetings

(a)       That the report be endorsed;

(b)       That the Cabinet Member and officers be invited to take away the comments and provide responses; and

(c)       That the comments/observations of the Committee are fed back to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee who are responsible for the overview and monitoring of performance.

The Committee received a report to note and consider the 2013/14 Year End service performance report produced under the adopted business model of the Council.  The responsible officers each gave a short presentation on performance, outlining work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within the report.

Public Protection

Councillor Paul Shotton welcomed the appointment of two additional Environmental Crime Officers and intelligence on dog fouling received from members of the public, but felt that more could be done on education.  He noted the significant increase in fixed penalty notices issued during 2013/14 and asked about the ‘Doggy Do’ presentations at schools.  The Interim Public Protection Manager confirmed that presentations at local schools were part of the long-term strategy to help educate pupils to encourage their parents on responsible dog ownership.

On work to tackle domestic violence, the Chair said that a DVD highlighting this issue had been well received at a meeting of the Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee and gave her view that appropriate discussion on this topic should take place in schools to raise awareness about behaviour from a young age.  The Interim Public Protection Manager replied that the ‘Cat’s Paw Theatre’ company were delivering an annual presentation to high schools and that this had been well received last year.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment reminded Members that the Council was the first in Wales to sign up to the White Ribbon campaign to tackle domestic violence and that a Cabinet Member from each Authority would be appointed as an ambassador.

Clarification was sought by Councillor David Evans on fly tipping on private land, particularly rented properties.  The Chief Officer (Organisational Change) agreed to follow this up with the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) but said that communication channels should be in place to ensure that any fly tipping identified by Council officers was appropriately reported to engage with relevant outside bodies.

The Chief Officer (Planning & Environment) advised that the Council had legislative powers to serve Section 215 Notices to owners of untidy land.  The Chair felt that all Members should be made aware of this.

The Interim Public Protection Manager agreed to provide separate clarification on a query from Councillor Ray Hughes on whether action could be taken if incriminating evidence was found on fly tipping on private land.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas pointed out that the increase in fixed penalty notices issues related to litter as well as dog fouling, and that it was important to enforce both.

In response to queries raised by Councillor Haydn Bateman, the Interim Public Protection Manager expanded on work undertaken by the Substance Misuse Co-ordinator to tackle discarded needles and the partnership between the Council and P&A Mold.

Following a question from Councillor Cindy Hinds, it was noted that the Community Safety team included an anti-social behaviour officer who worked in partnership with Police and other agencies.  Alternatively, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment said that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11