Agenda, decisions and minutes

                        Councillor Peter Curtis declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 (West Flintshire Community Enterprises – presentation) as he was the Secretary of the West Flintshire Community Enterprises.  

                        Councillor Carolyn Thomas declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 (Improvement Plan Monitoring Report) as she was on the Board of Cadwyn Clwyd. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2014.

That subject to the suggested amendment, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 September, 2014 had been circulated to Members with the agenda.

Matters Arising

            Councillor Carolyn Thomas asked that it be noted that she strongly supported the staffing structure for Planning and Environment and requested that the minutes be amended to reflect her comment. 

            RESOLVED:

That subject to the suggested amendment, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

            That the presentation be received. 

The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) introduced Mr. Nick Taylor, Chair of West Flintshire Community Enterprises (WFCE) and Mr. Mike Dodd, Social Enterprise Development Lead Officer to Communities First.  

Mr. Taylor and Mr. Dodd provided a detailed presentation on the WFCE  the main features of which were:-

·         Background

·         Current and Planned Projects

·         Arts & Crafts Mill

·         Bubble Gum

·         Artisan Shop

·         Future Plans and Opportunities

·         Greenfield Docks

Councillor Nancy Matthews sought clarification on how WFCE was funded  and the sort of grants that could be applied for.  Mr. Dodd explained that £100,000 funding had been provided to set up West Flintshire Community Enterprises (WFCE).  He added that WFCE charged rent on the office space above the Artisan Shop and for delivery of training in the IT suite/training room which would provide WFCE with an income.  Mr. Dodd said that it was more important to break even in the first year rather than make a profit and it was hoped that the revenue from the Artisan shop would increase in line with increases in the rent for the shop.  Mr. Taylor explained that bids were submitted in association with other partnerships which was a positive way of submitting an application.  Mr. Dodd confirmed that WFCE did not employ a grant funding officer. 

Councillor Chris Dolphin referred to his ward and felt that he would like to discuss issues relating to Social Enterprise in Carmel and Whitford with Mr. Taylor and Mr. Dodd.  He commented on the work undertaken in the Greenfield Docks area and asked whether it was problems with planning permission that were preventing the work progressing.  He supported the proposals suggested in the presentation but queried why the process was taking so long.  Councillor Dolphin also felt that the issue relating to the transfer of the asset of the Old Gatehouse needed to be resolved. 

The Cabinet Member for Environment raised significant concern about the comments of Councillor Dolphin in relation to the Planning Department and referred to the process that needed to be followed when submitting a planning application.  Mr. Dodd indicated that discussions had taken place with Planning Officers and progress had been made.  The Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) advised that officers would undertake discussions with any potential developers and added that he was happy to address any problems which had arisen. 

Councillor Joe Johnson asked for further information on the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and where the cards could be obtained from.  Mr. Dodd said that the cards were currently only available from offices in Rhyl or Sandbach but that he was to apply for a licence to deliver them in Holywell.  He also commented on the fee for the cards and how this could be funded for those unable to afford it. 

The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) commented on the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) programme and suggested that the proposed CSCS Testing Centre could be used to deliver the contractual training requirements for the programme. 

Councillor Peter Curtis spoke of his background  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

(a)       That the progress of the CPE Service in the first year since its launch be noted; and 

(b)       That a further report providing feedback on the pilot Residents Parking Scheme is brought to a future meeting once a full evaluation has taken place.                             

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced the report to provide Members with an update on the progress of the Civil Parking Enforcement (CPE) arrangements since the launch of the service in October 2013.  He introduced Joanna Jones, the Parking Services Manager to the Committee.     

The Parking Services Manager detailed the background to the report and explained that five Civil Parking Enforcement Officers (CPEO) were employed by the Council.  The CPEOs worked a flexible 37 hour week with a Summer/Winter shift pattern which covered seven days of the week.  They were provided with personal video monitoring equipment and they carried a lone working personal safety device.  The Police had been required to provide assistance to deal with verbal abuse from members of the public on three occasions, one of which was still ongoing. 

The daily routes of the CPEOs were created from information/complaints gathered from Councillors, Police, Headteachers and members of the public and every effort was made to ensure that where possible each town in the County was visited each week? .  Specific problem areas were patrolled more regularly and this included patrols around schools at the start and end of the school day.  The income received from on-street enforcement was allocated within the CPE financial model to offset associated costs and it was important to ensure that the model was sustainable and reported a break-even financial position on an annual basis.  The Parking Services Manager also referred to the Wales Penalty Processing Partnership (WPPP) which was hosted by Denbighshire County Council to process the penalty notices that were issued.  There had been a significant increase in usage in all car parks across the County over the past year and the number of penalty notices had fallen in certain areas. 

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) advised that it was proposed that a pilot Resident Parking Scheme be introduced in an area of the County, which had not yet been identified, where such parking problems were currently being experienced.  A report would be submitted to this Committee on the outcome of the pilot scheme once it had been completed to establish whether the scheme would be rolled out across the County.  He also advised that a report on the Blue Badge scheme was to be submitted to Cabinet in November 2014 with details on the assessment criteria and the proposals of the service by the CPEOs. 

Councillor Haydn Bateman thanked the Parking Services Manager for the report.  He sought clarification on how prevention of parking on grass verges and pavements was being undertaken.  The Parking Services Manager explained that CPEOs could only issue a penalty notice if there was a traffic restriction in place in front of the vehicle and that it would be a matter for the Police if a traffic restriction was not in place.  On the issue of the location for the pilot Resident Parking Scheme, Councillor Bateman suggested that Stanley Street in Mold be considered.  Councillor Dave Mackie, on behalf of Councillor Mike  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

             That the reports be received. 

                        The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) introduced a report to consider elements of the 2014/15 Improvement Plan Monitoring Report relevant to the Committee for the period April to July 2014. 

                        Representatives from each of the service areas gave a short presentation on the Improvement Plan progress, outlining the progress status, how the achievements would be measured and the actions/arrangements in place to control the risk.  They also answered questions, as shown below, on each of the following service areas:-

·         Business Sector Growth

·         Town and Rural Regeneration

·         Social Enterprise

·         Traffic and Road Management

·         Transport Infrastructure and Services

·         Carbon Control and Reduction

Business Sector Growth

            The Chair sought clarification on the number of new jobs that had been created and the Enterprise Manager explained that the total was made up of full and part time posts. 

            On the Implementation of the “masterplan” for the Northern Gateway site to facilitate development of a key part of the Enterprise Zone, the Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) advised that funding had now been confirmed for the flood defence works and it was anticipated that the work, which had been delayed slightly, would commence shortly.  It was hoped that the completion of this work would allow housing and economic development schemes to progress. 

            Councillor Paul Shotton welcomed the commencement of the works and the creation and safeguarding of jobs within the Deeside Enterprise Zone (DEZ).  The Cabinet Member for Economic Development indicated that the 60% conversion rate in businesses investing in the area was the best result in the country for Enterprise Zones.  Councillor Ian Dunbar welcomed the progress of the work on the DEZ.   

            The Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) advised that a diversion order for the right of way on the site was being finalised.    

            Town and Rural Regeneration

                        Councillor Nancy Matthews sought clarification on the supported renewal projects and the sustained community facilities which were referred to on page 29.  The Economic Development Manager advised that he would provide full details following the meeting. 

                        Councillor Paul Shotton gave congratulations on behalf of residents on the Vibrant and Viable Places programme which was underway across Deeside towns which had enhanced overgrown and tired areas. 

            Social Enterprise

                        The Environment and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator advised that this area was led by the Chief Officer (Social Services) who was not able to be in attendance at this meeting.  The Cabinet Member for Environment raised concern at this.   

                        Councillor Carolyn Thomas requested that a report on Social Enterprise be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee.  The Cabinet Member for Economic Development indicated that it was reported that a workshop event on Social Enterprise was to be held in October 2014.  

            Traffic and Road Management

                         In thanking Cabinet for the proposals for safer routes to schools and the 20 mph signs outside schools, Councillor Ian Dunbar sought clarification on whether the speed limit was compulsory.  The Cabinet Member for Environment confirmed that some of the limits were mandatory and the Chief Officer (  ...  view the full minutes text for item 27.

That the Forward Work Programme be noted and amended to reflect the above suggestions. 

            The Environment and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report to consider the Forward Work Programme for the Committee. 

            She advised Members that the site visit to Talacre and North Wales Food Project had been arranged for 2pm on Monday 17 November 2014.  A letter providing details of the visit would be circulated to the Committee.  The Chair suggested that a meeting could be held prior to any future site visits to encourage attendance on the visits. 

            The Environment and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator detailed the reports to be considered at the meetings scheduled for 3 December 2014 and 14 January 2015.  She explained that a site visit to a Household Recycling Centre (HRC) would take place in early January 2015 and in response to a query from Councillor Nancy Matthews, the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) advised that a report on all HRCs could be considered prior to the visit. 

            During earlier discussions, it had been agreed that reports on the following be submitted to future meetings:-

·         Update on Flood Alleviation Scheme

·         Renewable energy

·         Blue  Badge Scheme

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) advised that he would be submitting a report on the Winter Maintenance Review to the 23 April 2015 meeting.  Councillor Cindy Hinds asked that a workshop for Members be arranged on Community Enterprises.  Following a query from Councillor David Evans about enforcement of alcohol free zones, the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) agreed to provide a response following the meeting.    

            RESOLVED:

            That the Forward Work Programme be noted and amended to reflect the above suggestions. 

                        There was one member of the press in attendance.