Welcome to the
Vale of Glamorgan Council

Councillor Ms. M.E. Alexander

(Leader) - Vale of Glamorgan Council

Councillor N. Moore

(Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member Finance, ICT and Property) - Vale of Glamorgan Council

Councillor Mrs. V.M. Hartrey

(Cabinet Member Legal and Public Protection)

Councillor S.C. Egan

(Cabinet Member Social and Care Services)

Councillor C.J. Williams

(Cabinet Member Planning and Transportation)

Councillor N.J. Gibbs

(Cabinet Member Education and Lifelong Learning)

Councillor Mrs. M. Wilkinson

(Cabinet Member Housing and Community Safety)

Councillor G. John

(Cabinet Member Leisure and Tourism)

Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen

Question

Answer

Mrs. Hayley stated that she lives at the top of Britway Road and that several weeks ago, the Council had installed traffic-calming measures even though the road was a dead-end.  She recommended that the Council did not have such traffic-calming measures because of their affect on the use of emergency vehicles, and Mrs. Hayley recommended the use of flashing signs that said “slow-down”.

Mrs. Hayley was informed that this part of Britway Road fell within a zone that related to the Safe Routes to Schools Initiative.  The cost of installing the traffic-calming measures had been funded by the Welsh Assembly Government as part of its Safe Routes to Schools Initiative.

A member of the audience stated that they lived in Mill Road.  There were two such road-narrowing structures along the length of the road and the measures had no impact on traffic speeds whatsoever.  The resident stated that they were pleased that the Police had a mobile speed-camera even though the resident had not seen much evidence of it being used.  There were a minority of the public who had no regard for public safety.

Mr. B. McParkin thanked the Members for holding the State of the Area Debate in Dinas Powys.  It gave the residents a chance to challenge the Councillors.  Mr. McParkin stated that he lived in the village and referred to traffic problems at Pen-y-Turnpike Road.  Mr. McParkin believed that Dinas Powys was the forgotten village in that the residents paid high taxes but received very little in return.

Councillor Moore stated that the Cabinet was relatively new and the Members were keen to identify what were the problems facing the communities of the Vale.

Mr. Trainer, in referring to traffic-calming, stated that he travelled from Leckwith to Dinas Powys regularly and had seen the flashing warning lights in operation.  He stated that traffic only slows momentarily until it has passed the flashing lights at which point the traffic speeds up.  Mr. Trainer enquired where was law enforcement?

Councillor Moore stated that Mr. Trainer had the opportunity of raising his concerns at the Dinas Powys PACT meetings.

Jean Roderick enquired when the Safe Routes to Schools Initiative would be subject to consultation and when it would be submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government.

The Council’s proposals would be considered by the Planning Committee very soon and would then be submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government for approval.  The proposals in the main comprised speed humps and table structures.

A resident referred to the state of the street lighting in Sunnycroft Lane.  He referred to a light standard having fallen over recently.The Council had responded immediately to make the structure safe.

The resident was informed that officers attending the meeting were  unaware of this particular incident but  the Council’s first response in such matters would always be related to public safety and the Council had responded immediately to cut the electrical power supply.

Catherine Jackson stated that her son attends Ysgol Pen-y-Garth and asked the Council to consider the installation of crossing points along the route.

Carol Hockley stated that she lives on the Murch side of Dinas Powys and asked the Members if they had tried to travel through Dinas Powys between 3.pm and 5.pm.  Ms. Hockley asked if the Council could try to persuade parents to walk to school to collect their children from school.

Keith Hatton asked if the Vale of Glamorgan Council shared his concern that ultimately the Vale would be grid-locked especially in view of developments in Cardiff Bay.  Mr. Hatton stated that Cardiff Council should consider the construction of a peripheral road which crossed the River Rhymney.  Mr. Hatton enquired if Cardiff Council and the Vale of Glamorgan Council could come to some agreement on this matter.

Councillor Moore agreed with Mr. Hatton’s comments and referred to the pinch-points on routes entering the Vale.  The Vale of Glamorgan Council had opposed the developments at Culverhouse Cross but the Council’s objections had been overturned by the Welsh Office.  Furthermore, the developments on the western side of Cardiff such as the development of the Sports Village, IKEA and the development of the Cardiff City Stadium together with the proposal to develop the Wiggins Teape site would all impact significantly upon the Eastern Vale.  The Vale of Glamorgan Council had asked the Welsh Assembly Government to adjudicate on the planning applications in view of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s belief that the developments were of regional significance and should therefore have been taken on a national level.  The Vale of Glamorgan Council’s approach to the Welsh Assembly Government were ignored.

Question

Answer

A member of the public enquired why recyclable materials had to be separated.  For example, tins had to be disposed of separately from cardboard / plastic.  The resident enquired why there was a need for the materials to be separated.

Plastic / cardboard materials were easily separated.  The Council’s contractor was prepared to process plastics / cardboard, but not other products.  The Council was negotiating a new contract and would be looking for a process whereby all materials were collected as one and would be separated later in the process.

Regarding fortnightly collections, the Council had yet to consider this formally, although officers had been considering this matter.  It was important for the Council to look at radical measures with regard to the collection of waste if it was to meet the targets that were imposed on it.  It was appreciated that the issue of fortnightly collections may not be favourable with the residents but it was an issue that the Council would be required to consider in the near future.

A resident referred to the amenity site at Hayes Road and enquired if the access road could be widened to avoid cars queuing up onto the highway.

The Council is aware of the deficiencies within the site at Hayes Road.  The Council was hoping to move this facility to a new site at the Atlantic Trading Estate which would prove much more suitable to users.

In referring to fortnightly collections of refuse, a resident enquired as to the existence of a report that had said that; on health and safety grounds, this should not be undertaken.

In reply, it was stated that two recent reports had been produced.  One report had said that it was perfectly acceptable for fortnightly collections to be held.  The other had said that it was not acceptable.  The concept of the fortnightly collection of waste related to the life cycle of the bottle-fly.  This could represent a hazard in cases where black bags were used.

Question

Answer

A resident enquired where, in Dinas Powys, were the points at which youths congregated.

The Police representative responded by stating that youths tended to congregate near to the Community Centre, near to the Spar Shop and at the railway station.  The Police representative further pointed out that there were no instances recorded of any member of the public being assaulted by any of the youngsters.

A resident stated that he would not take his car for petrol during the night as a result of youths congregating near to the petrol station.  Youths also congregated at Fairoak.

The Police were investigating this matter.

A resident stated that he lives at the top of Sunnycroft Lane and that a few bus shelters were nearby.  Recently, youths had been congregating in those bus shelters but he had experienced no trouble whatsoever.

Mr. B. Weston stated that he attends his local Baptist Church.  The Pastor regularly speaks to some 70 youngsters in the Dinas Powys area.  People say that he is doing a good job.

Councillor C.J. Williams urged the residents of Dinas Powys to attend their local PACT meetings.  Should there by any instances of youth intimidation, residents should attend their PACT meeting and advise accordingly.  The next PACT meeting was due to take place on 2^nd July, 2007.

A resident referred to a feeling of intimidation and apprehension when confronted by large groups of youths.

Ms. Annie Jones referred to a recent attempted burglary at her premises.  The Police had attended and had pointed out  an unlit back lane to the rear of her property.  The Policeman had stated that the installation of street lighting would reduce the risk of further attempted burglaries.  Ms. Jones stated that she had been advised that the budget for street lighting this year had been reduced to £5,000 as a result of the overspend within the Social Services Department.  Ms. Jones stated that she, along with her neighbours, was prepared to pay for lighting to be installed along the back lane.

Councillor Moore replied that the overspend within the Social Services budget would not affect other services.  A recovery plan had been developed for the overspend on the Social Services budget and any further overspends this year would be meet from within the Council’s balances.

Regarding the lane to the rear of Ms. Jones’ property, Councillor Moore stated that should the lane be unadopted, the Council would not be able to install lighting.

The Police representative advised that there had recently been four burglaries within two days in the Dinas Powys area.  Normally there were far  less burglaries.  In this particular instance, somebody had been recently arrested (from outside of the area).  The Police representative further stated that Dinas Powys was a safe place to live.

A resident stated that the residents of Dinas Powys need to see more Police Officers.

The Police representative stated that there was a Police presence in Dinas Powys for 20 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Question

Answer

Mr. B. West stated that he was getting nowhere with regard to funding for the elderly.  Mr. West had written to the Interim Director of Social Services some three weeks ago, but was yet to receive a response.  It was stated that, whilst the Council wanted partnership with voluntary organisations, it offered nothing in return.

Councillor Moore replied that the new administration had only been place since December.  It was his wish that the Council would go forward in partnership with voluntary organisations.

Councillor Egan stated that he would be meeting with the Director the following day and would enquire as to what had happened with respect to Mr. West’s letter.

The Council faced severe financial problems that would not disappear overnight.

Tom ? requested an outline of the Council’s plans to amalgamate St. Cyres School onto one site.

Councillor Gibbs in reply stated that the Council had considered a priority order for the replacement of the three secondary schools within the Vale, i.e. Cowbridge, St. Cyres and Llantwit Major.  An advert had been placed in the European Journal recently seeking a Design Team.  The Council would then be developing a timetable for the development of the required works.  It was also necessary for the Council to investigate how the developments would be funded.

Councillor Moore stated that the School Investment Strategy had been in existence for a long time.  It was necessary for the Council to ensure that any strategy was robust and was the correct decision.  The answer to the questions was that, yes, the Council wanted St. Cyres to be established on one site.  However, it should be borne in mind that there was a massive shortfall in the funds.

Colin Cill asked what would happen to the Dinas Powys site if St. Cyres School was amalgamated with the site in Penarth.

Councillor Moore stated that the use of the site would be subject to planning conditions etc.  The Council was aware of the fact that should the land be sold for housing purposes, there would be an increase in the volume of traffic in the area.

A resident enquired if there were any plans for moving the surgery from the main road.  The vacant St. Cyres site would be perfect for a new surgery.

Councillor Moore agreed that this was an option, but was not one that he was aware of.

A resident stated that she had tried to make an appointment with the Occupational Therapist.  She had been told that only people who had booked before November 2005 could have an appointment.  The resident enquired if people were generally aware of this.

Councillor Egan stated that the new administration did inherit quite a few problems.  The Social Services Joint Review had revealed problems with the Occupational Therapist service.  The only way of dealing with the problem was to introduce new staff.  Councillor Egan agreed that delays of this nature were unacceptable.

A resident referred to problems with blocked drains.