Issue - meetings

That the report be noted.

The Facilitator introduced the regular update report to consider progress towards the delivery of the impacts set out in the 2015/16 Improvement Plan, focussing on the areas of under-performance relevant to the Committee during the second quarter of 2015/16.

In response to a request from the Chair, the Chief Officer for Streetscene gave a brief update on the development of community transport arrangements, following the consultation workshops held in September 2015.  Having taken the feedback on board, the approach was to formulate key routes such as Mold to Flint supported by community transport routes.  Cabinet Members had asked that officers liaise with town and community councils early in the New Year to speak about joined-up proposals, following clarity on the budget settlement.

Councillor Kevin Jones explained that various transport options were included in years 2 and 3 of the plan but that the budget outcome needed to be resolved first.

The Chief Officer stated that plans for 2016/17 would allow some flexibility to introduce community transport arrangements across the county, with more detail to be shared at the Committee’s budget consultation meeting the following week.

On Mold to Flint routes, Councillor Paul Cunningham commented on the recent withdrawal of a particular service and asked about plans for the remaining service and whether this was subsidised.  The Chief Officer agreed to check and provide a separate response, adding that the Council had no jurisdiction on non-subsidised routes.  He explained the need to get the right balance of core routes which would be brought to the Committee for consideration on completion of the consultation process.

The Chair commented on the need to encourage older drivers to participate in advanced driving sessions.  Whilst the Chief Officer shared this view, he pointed out that Welsh Government restrictions did not permit use of the funding for other purposes or for advertising the sessions, which meant that the Council had to rely on its own communication channels.  Councillor Nancy Matthews, who had taken part in the sessions, recommended them to others.

The Chair requested that more details on this particular initiative be circulated to enable Members to share with their older constituents.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.