Agenda, decisions and minutes

At the Annual Meeting, Council determined that the Labour Group will chair this Committee. The Committee is advised that Councillor David Evans is the Chair of the Committee for the municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That the appointment of Councillor David Evans as Chair of the Committee be noted.

The Democratic Services Manager advised that It had been confirmed at the Annual Meeting of the County Council that the Chair of the Committee should come from the Labour Group. The Committee was advised that Councillor David Evans had been appointed to this role for the municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That the appointment of Councillor David Evans as Chair of the Committee be noted.

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the Committee.

Penodi is-Gadeirydd

Penodi Is-Gadeirydd ar gyfer y Pwyllgor.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ray Hughes be appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee.

Councillor Mike Peers  nominated Councillor David Richardson as Vice-Chair of the Committee and this was seconded by Councillor Glyn Banks. 

Councillor Ryan McKeown nominated Councillor Ray Hughes.and this was seconded by Councillor Mel Buckley

There were no further nominations.

On being put to the vote Councillor Ray Hughes was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ray Hughes be appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024  be approved as a correct record..

Matters arising

Page 9 (resolution c) - in response to a request for an update on the further report which was to be presented to the Committee in June outlining the Council’s proposals to increase recycling waste in line with Priority 2 and the draft Resource and Waste Strategy, the Democratic Services Manager explained that the report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee to be held on 16 July 2024.

Councillor Glyn Banks referred to the concerns which had been expressed by Councillor Richard Lloyd regarding recycling waste collection points and locations. Councillor Richard Lloyd had suggested there should be more detailed consultation with the local Member for the Ward around the need and siting of recycling waste collection points in local communities.  The Democratic Services Manager said he would make enquiries and provide feedback to Councillor Banks.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2024  be approved as a correct record..

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED:

(a)    That subject to the above amendments 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 

(link to recording)  

The Committee was asked to consider the Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking report.  Forward Work Programme

The Democratic Services Manager explained that the meeting of the Committee scheduled on 9 July 2024 had been moved to 16 July 2024 due to the preparatory work which had to be undertaken by Democratic Services in advance of the General Election.  He advised that Members had been sent notification of an update to items on the Forward Work Programme for future meetings.

It was agreed that an item to consider the revised operating hours of the Household Recycling Centres be added to the Forward Work Programme for consideration at the next meeting.

Councillor Glyn Banks suggested that the following further items be included on the Forward Work Programme:  pot-holes, root control, recycling data/figures, grass cutting, Deposit Return Scheme and conversion of the fleet to EV/alternative fuels

In response to a question on the item on Streetscene Standards - to consider feedback from the Task & Finish Group, at the meeting on 12 November 2024, the Chair explained that he would contact the relevant Officer to request that further meetings of the Task and Finish Group be arranged and said that the membership of the Task and Finosh Group needed to be confirmed

The recommendations in the report were supported subject to the above amendments.

RESOLVED:

(a)    That subject to the above amendments 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 

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Committee supports an unsubsidised salary sacrifice scheme which provides employees an affordable and accessible means to transition from petrol or diesel vehicles to zero and ultra-low emission vehicles that provide sufficient range per charge.

(b)      That the Committee supports the review of the Council’s Cycle to Work

scheme and its promotion; highlighting the benefits and information on

local infrastructure.

(c)      That the Committee supports the investigation and suitability of

existing car-sharing platforms that are employee-led and identify ways in

which using such a platform can be incentivised.

(d)      That the Committee supports the investigation by officers of how

the barriers to using Active Travel (safer routes) and public transport (bus

services) can be addressed seeking to remove current limitations.

(e)      That the  Committee supports the review and updating of the methodology

used to calculate employee commute carbon emissions, improving

accuracy by including employee commute distances and modes of

transport highlighted in the survey.

(link to recording)

          The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) introduced the  report   He provided background information and referred to the Employee Travel Survey which took place between 14/11/2023 – 22/12/2023. The Survey questions were determined to improve the Council’s data and understanding of how staff travel and the levers we can utilise to help influence more sustainable travel behaviours. The Council has a target within the Mobility and Transport theme of its Climate Change Strategy to reduce emissions by 80% by 2030.  The Climate Change Programme Manager reported on the key points as detailed in the report and responded to the concerns and questions raised.

It was proposed that Recommendation 1 in the report be amended to read that the Committee supports an unsubsidised salary sacrifice scheme.  This was seconded and agreed.

Recommendations 2 and 3 in the report were agreed without amendment.

It was proposed that Recommendation 4 in the report be amended as follows:  the word “despite” be removed and replaced with the words “seeking to remove”.  This was seconded and agreed.

Recommendation 5 in the report was moved and seconded without amendment.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Committee supports an unsubsidised salary sacrifice scheme which provides employees an affordable and accessible means to transition from petrol or diesel vehicles to zero and ultra-low emission vehicles that provide sufficient range per charge.

(b)      That the Committee supports the review of the Council’s Cycle to Work

scheme and its promotion; highlighting the benefits and information on

local infrastructure.

(c)      That the Committee supports the investigation and suitability of

existing car-sharing platforms that are employee-led and identify ways in

which using such a platform can be incentivised.

(d)      That the Committee supports the investigation by officers of how

the barriers to using Active Travel (safer routes) and public transport (bus

services) can be addressed seeking to remove current limitations.

(e)      That the  Committee supports the review and updating of the methodology

used to calculate employee commute carbon emissions, improving

accuracy by including employee commute distances and modes of

transport highlighted in the survey.

RESOLVED 

That the Committee notes the outcome of the Audit Wales report and supports the actions to be taken to address the four recommendations made for Local Authorities.

(link to recording)

          The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) presented a report  to consider the Audit Wales “Cracks in the Foundations” report and the recommendations made within the report and how key elements of the Building Safety Act 2022 are being implemented in Wales.  The Chief Officer provided background information and reported on the main points as detailed in the report.  He advised that eight recommendations were made by Audit Wales; four directed at Welsh Government and four directed at Local Authorities.

Concern was expressed that  the actions the Council was undertaking do not fully comply with the recommendations in the Audit Wales report and the regulations.  The following  question was asked: “What steps does the Cabinet Member (Planning, Public Health and Public Protection) propose to take to lobby the Welsh Government (WG) to introduce the Local Authority in England and Wales report to the Scottish model in Wales”.  The Cabinet Member spoke in support of the Scottish Model.

A recorded vote was requested on the recommendation in the report.  On being put to the vote the recommendation was carried

RESOLVED 

That the Committee notes the outcome of the Audit Wales report and supports the actions to be taken to address the four recommendations made for Local Authorities.

RESOLVED:

That the draft Destination Management Plan be endorsed.

(link to recording)

          The Chief Officer (Planning, Economy and Environment) introduced the report to seek approval of the draft Destination Management Plan and provided background information.  The Development Officer gave an overview of Destination Management and presented the key points which were detailed in the report 

The Development Officer agreed to discuss with officers the suggestion that, if not already applied, charges be made for parking in tourism/recreational areas and feedback provided to the Committee.  The Development Officer also agreed to contact Councillor Glyn Banks following the meeting to discuss some of the matters raised. 

The recommendation in the report was carried.

RESOLVED:

That the draft Destination Management Plan be endorsed.

There were no members of the press or public in attendance.

(The meeting started at 10.00 a.m. and ended at 12.02 p.m.)