Agenda, decisions and minutes

Personal interest declared by Councillor Carolyn Thomas on Agenda Item 4 - Year End Service Performance Report.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas declared the following personal interests on Agenda Item 4 - Year End Service Performance Report:

·         Husband employed by P&A Mold who had entered into partnership with the Council’s Building Control to check applications for the building of timber-framed classrooms;

·         As Secretary of Treuddyn Community Association, applied and received grant funding for Treuddyn Fun Day event;

·         Interim Chair of Areas of Natural Outstanding Beauty (AONB) Joint Action Committee; and

·         Director of Cadwyn Clwyd (not appointed by the Council) and member of Flintshire Rural Partnership - Rural Development Plan funding - managing schemes and grants listed, assessed applications for Cadwyn Clwyd Flintshire Enterprise project and Community Key Fund.

(a)       That the initiative be supported; and

(b)       That Members utilise the engagement packs (when available) to promote the Cyd Cymru fuel switching scheme, and promote energy efficiency when doing so.

The Energy Manager introduced the report to update the Committee with information on the Welsh Government’s (WG) sponsored collective switching scheme called ‘Cyd Cymru’.

Following reports submitted to the Committee in March and September 2013, it had been agreed not to take up the scheme in Flintshire at that time due to concerns on costs.  However, support from WG for a scheme developed by Cardiff City and Vale of Glamorgan Councils and confirmation of funding for the foreseeable future had led to renewed interest by Flintshire.  The two fuel switches which had taken place to date had proved successful, with the first enabling 870 households to achieve average savings of £155 each by switching suppliers.  The second switch had collected 1,962 registrations of which 34% had switched suppliers, representing a significant achievement, and a third switch was anticipated for the Autumn 2014.  A report was being produced by Cardiff City Council, indicating that a combined 1,500 households had achieved an average saving of £180 per household as a result of the two fuel switches.

The Energy Manager said that whilst the initiative aimed to help achieve savings, the energy efficiency measures were of great importance to safeguard households from fuel poverty.  Given the minimum resource implications and with support from WG, it was the Council’s intention to sign up to the scheme, with no cost implications other than officer time and a small amount of funding taken from the existing budget for engagement packs to be promoted by Members and officers.

In response to a question from the Chair on the cost of producing the engagement packs, the Energy Manager estimated these to be around £2K but agreed to provide confirmation when available.

Councillor Paul Shotton said that the initiative was well-intentioned but commented on the take-up rate and suggested that loft/wall insulation and a different approach by energy companies may be more beneficial to households.  In responding, the Energy Manager confirmed that the scheme was open to low-income households with pre-payment meters.

Councillor Nancy Matthews acknowledged the increased number of households which had achieved savings from the second fuel switch and asked if interested residents could seek advice by telephoning the Energy team or were able to receive assistance in registering online at Flintshire Connects offices.  The Energy Manager explained that this was a specialist area and that the Energy team, through agile working, could advise residents or refer them to the Energy Advice Centre where appropriate.  Officers would work alongside the Centre to help promote the scheme, with engagements packs to be made available at local events and to Members and Town and Community Councils.

Councillor Chris Dolphin commented that the scheme may not suit everyone but that those with pre-payment meters should be encouraged to participate.  He felt that promotion of the scheme should emphasise that this was a Council initiative to encourage greater take-up by residents and that the services and help available at Flintshire Connects offices should be more widely publicised to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

(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.

(a)       That the Committee endorse the Improvement Plan progress together with those elements to be addressed, and look forward to the responses on matters of detail which had been offered; and

(b)       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 elements of the 2013/14 Year End Improvement Plan Monitoring Report relevant to the Committee for the period January to March 2014.

The responsible officers each gave a short presentation on performance within each of the sub-priority areas, highlighting work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within each report.

Business Sector Growth in Deeside

On supporting the growth of the existing business on Deeside to safeguard jobs, Councillor David Evans queried the year end outturn in comparison with the target.  The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) explained the need to review this performance target due to a reduction in the number of businesses facing challenges in the current climate, which impacted on the ‘RAG’ status showing the level of work by the Council to safeguard jobs.  The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment commented on the impact of interventions by the Welsh Government (WG) and the Council to help some businesses.

Town and Rural Regeneration

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) agreed to check that information on the forthcoming meeting on Town Centres had been circulated to all Members.  She gave assurances that Town Centre Action Plans were under review including those in rural areas.

Social Enterprise

No queries were raised.

Apprenticeships and Training

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment questioned whether this sub-priority area should be under the remit of the Lifelong Learning Overview & Scrutiny Committee, as the lead officer was the Chief Officer (Education & Youth).  The Member Engagement Manager agreed to ask the Facilitator to look into this.

Traffic and Road Management

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change) provided explanation to Councillor Cindy Hinds on a 40mph speed limit warning sign located near a bend near Pen-y-ffordd.

Councillor Ian Dunbar thanked the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment for his support of the reduction of speed limits outside schools.  It was reported that generally signage would be located on the approach to schools.

Following a query from Councillor Haydn Bateman on the increase in failures of lamps and photocells during Quarter 4, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment said that this may have been due to a batch of rogue lamps which had subsequently been replaced, but would ask officers to clarify and respond to Councillor Bateman and the Chair.  He was not aware of any cost implications arising from the fault.

On the review of speed limits on A and B roads, Councillor Chris Dolphin referred to previous discussion on the possibility of reviewing adjacent C roads at the same time, as this would be more cost-effective.  The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment was unable to give a commitment that this would be looked at, due to financial constraints and other priorities.  He added that any issues on specific C roads would need to be considered on their own merits with consideration of cost implications.  The Chief Officer (Organisational Change) said that it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

That the Facilitator liaise with the Chair and Vice-Chair to schedule items for the next meeting of the Committee on 17 September 2014.

Following discussion earlier in the meeting, Members were reminded of the meeting on Town Centres to be held at Clwyd Theatr Cymru on the morning of 14 July 2014.

The Member Engagement Manager also gave a reminder of the workshop in September 2014 to consider the Committee’s Forward Work Programme and sought agreement that the Facilitator would liaise with the Chair and Vice-Chair on items to be submitted to the next scheduled meeting on 17 September 2014.

RESOLVED:

That the Facilitator liaise with the Chair and Vice-Chair to schedule items for the next meeting of the Committee on 17 September 2014.

There was one member of the press in attendance.