State of the Area Debate 2008 –
Llantwit Major
Date: 3 March 2008
Venue: Llantonian Hall
Start: 6:00pm
Finish: 8:00pm
Attendance: 37
Present:
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Councillor Margaret Alexander
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Leader
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Councillor Neil Moore
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Deputy Leader
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Councillor Rob Curtis
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Cabinet Member for Visible & Building
Services
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Councillor Chris Williams
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Cabinet Member for Planning &
Transportation
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Councillor Nigel Gibbs
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Cabinet Member for Education & Lifelong
Learning
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Councillor Stuart Egan
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Cabinet Member for Social & Care
Services
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Councillor Margaret Wilkinson
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Cabinet Member for Housing & Community
Safety
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Councillor Gwyn John
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Cabinet Member for Tourism & Leisure
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Councillor Val Hartrey
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Cabinet Member for Legal and Public
Protection.
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Councillor Clive Williams
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Mayor
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Apologies for Absence –
These were received from Cllr. Margaret
Randall.
The Mayor welcomed all present and thanked the
audience for having attended the State of the Area in Llantwit
Major which as an event is in its sixth year. Also stating that we
are one of only a few Local Authorities that stage this type of
event. He then introduced the Deputy Leader to speak.
The Deputy Leader also thanked everyone who
had attended on the night then set out the itinerary for the
evening based upon the previous consultation exercise and the more
recent Public Opinion Survey. The Deputy Leader introduced the
Cabinet Members and the Officers present then set out the house
rules for the evening’s debate.
The following areas were highlighted as the
main points of concern:
1.
Waste & Recycling
The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG)have given
the Vale targets for recycling and composting 2009 – 2010 which is
40% of municipal solid waste, of which 15% must be
compostable. To meet to these targets the Vale has set itself
targets in 2007 – 2008 of 35% with 11% of this percentage for
composting which is very close. The Deputy Leader stressed that we
are currently on target to reach the total set by WAG but can only
attain this figure with the public’s help.
A pilot exercise for kitchen waste will be
trialled in Llantwit to increase our targets.
Garden materials also need to be increased at
the kerbside which is due to commence on the 17 March 2008 and
fortnightly.
A new recycling centre will be build in the
Atlantic Trading, Barry during 2008 costing roughly 1 million
pounds to replace the existing facility in Hayes road, Barry.
2. Roads &
Traffic
The Deputy Leader mentioned the criteria that
influenced Council policy; namely accidents, speed data and the
proximity to schools plus traffic calming measures. The Police help
determine these areas but stressed. The works undertaken locally
are: vehicle activated signs in two locations at Llan Maes Rd and
Boverton Rd installed by the end of this financial year. We are
waiting for confirmation that funding through the ‘Safe Routes to
Schools’ initiative which will incorporate a 20mph zone at St
Illtyd’s School and relocating the existing zebra crossing and
roundabout. We are looking at a new footway at the Great House.
3. Crime &
Community Safety
The Deputy Leader mentioned the PACT meetings
and the prospect of introducing Youth PACTS in Llantwit, Barry and
Dinas Powys. He also encouraged the setting up of Neighbourhood
Watch Scheme for residents to help eliminate or reduce local
crime.
We have invested £5000 in a youth room which
local youths helped design. The Pulse team; which are a detached
team of youth workers are based there to help encourage sporting
opportunities and divert youngsters away from trouble.
The Deputy Leader then spoke about the new
initiative called; ‘Breaking the Cycle’ which is related to under
age drinking. We are trying to discourage shops to sell alcohol to
young people by proxy sales where we send in young people to try
and buy alcohol in the shop. We have also purchased some headcams
to help us carry out surveillance in the area.
We have carried out a feasibility study in the
Vale on CCTV which looks at existing cameras in the Vale. We are
also looking at car crime and have introduced a scheme called ‘Clip
your Wings’ where we encourage car owners not to leave anything on
display in the vehicle..
4. Other Issues
The Deputy Leader spoke of the Llantwit Major
school rebuild within the School Investment Strategy which we are
still looking at starting in Cowbridge first followed by St Cyres
and Llantwit.
The recent Public Opinion Survey showed that
there was an overall increase in satisfaction levels throughout the
Vale and increase in satisfaction levels of the services provided
by the Council. However, the Deputy Leader stressed that we
appreciate that there are still areas for improvement and we want
to hear about them from you this evening.
There were also areas for improvement that
came out of the study;
- The perception and fear or crime;
- The ability to influence decisions, which can be addressed at
meeting like this;
- Communicate information. (A new Website has been developed and
improved considerably from a very low position previously to one of
the best in the country. The website is still being developed and
improved upon.
The open mike session followed which allowed
the audience to pose questions to the Cabinet.
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Question
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Answer
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I would like to make two points if I may.
1. The discussion previously mentioned Network
rail, drinking and the precinct were brought about by the ex PACT
group last year under the supervision of Jane Hutt AM.
Under the safety committee in Llantwit Major
that Gwyn John and Inspector Patterson were part of. So please
don’t claim that which is not yours to claim.
2. Not one thing you have talked about tonight
mentions the disabled. You can’t go to Barry as a disabled person
and back to Llantwit Major because the railway station. They can’t
go to Rhoose, Llantwit, Bridgend or Barry, they have to go to
Cadoxston or Cardiff and get a train back to Llantwit. What is the
council going to do about it?
I’ve been fighting this issue for two
years.
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Cllr. John. Thank you for your question. I
will take the first part of the question and like to correct the
gentleman because this was first raised by the late Cllr. John
Readman some 5 years ago relating to drinking on the street in this
town and he mentioned this to the previous administration. Yes we
can claim this as a Vale Council because it was started by a Vale
Councillor.
Cllr. C. Williams. I am unaware of the issues
that you raised but I’ll do my best to take them forward if you
give me your details. We are doing are best to comply with the DDA
on this Council.
Cllr. Moore
Can I say that it is an issue that we are
aware of and we are working with Network Rail and Arriva trains and
it is something that we will take up.
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I would quickly like to address the previous
query. I’ve noticed that in Cardiff they have a ramp that the guard
can use to get wheel chairs on and off the trains.
The Government are encouraging supermarkets
and other traders to dispense with the use of plastic bags, but
plastic bags seem to feature quite prominently in the Vale’s
recycling operation. What are you proposing to do regarding this
issue.
Is it also possible to recycle batteries?
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Cllr. Curtis
Thank you for the question on recycling
because it is a crucial area for all. If we don’t get it right we
will incur massive fines from Europe and WAG. We have the green
boxes and you do not need to use the plastic bags but except that
the lighter plastics and cardboards can blow away. I would like to
say the issue of recycling will be changing dramatically over the
next following years and consequently we will be changing the ways
that we collect these materials from you. We will look at every
technology that is available. I completely agree with the phasing
out of the plastic bags
Cllr. Moore.
We have said in the past that if you wish to
use the plastic bags to separate items you can because our
operatives will separate.
Ideally we would like a container that
everything could go inv and separated later on. We are working on
this issue at present.
In terms of batteries they can be taken to the
recycling centre and also garages will recycle them for you.
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I have been assured that items do not have to
go into plastic bags but found that my recycling has been left
behind. Can you tell your operatives?
What about foil?
Can I ask where in Barry is the tin foil
recycling?
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Cllr. Curtis. We recycle foil at Penarth and
Barry; it is a charity that collect the foil. The money raised from
the foil goes towards the deforestation in Africa and trees are
planted. I will speak to the Head of Service to get one in Llandow
which is much closer for you.
Tesco’s on the Port Rd, Barry
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Since the recycling started my area has been
covered in cans, plastic, bottles etc. The refuse people will leave
a lot behind. I have phoned up the Vale up to 20 times for officers
to pick up the refuse. What are you doing about it.
Why are bulky items free for collection?
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Cllr Curtis. If you give me your
specific details I can get your street cleaned up quickly.
Cllr. Moore. We do advertise the dates for the
recycling and these dates can also be found on the website.
Additionally we exercise a routine day after clean up.
Bulky collections can also be taken away by
appointment. We can also issue enforcement notices to litter
offenders.
The collections are free because in the past
people would just dump it anyway and avoid payment.
We ask people to co-operate with us regarding
bulky items and litter mess. If you see anything – phone us and we
will pick it up.
Cllr. John. I get very few complaints about
litter and recycling problems in Llantwit and if they are they are
addressed immediately as you are fully aware. The big thing that we
forget is that the Council do not drop the litter. Many people put
out the black bags far too early, up to 5 days in some cases. If
you have any further problems can you speak to me afterward
please.
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What is Cllr Curtis’s opinion on biodegradable
bags and how long do they last?
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Biodegradable bags do not last that long and
also give off potent CO2 emissions in the production
process.
Also because they are degradable the bottom of
the bag will at some point fall out. The use of long term bag use
is really the way forward.
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The timings for recycling in Llantwit Major
are not consistent.
There is a bath and settee outside a property
in Eagleswell Rd full of rubbish.
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Generally the collections are at the same
time. Can you supply me with the details, this should not
happen.
Environmental Health will take action with
this issue.
Cllr. Moore. Give us the details and we will
investigate this issue to see if there is anything we can do.
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There has been excellent service regarding fly
tipping in the past but not at present. Things have slipped in
recent years. Has there been a policy change?
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Cllr Curtis. There has been no policy change
or slippage that I am aware of. Can you give me the specifics and I
will take the issue forward.
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There has been inadequate consultation on the
LDP – no notice and people may not know about this. We had 6 six to
deal with a very large document. I went to a meeting and told that
we could not speak. What can we do that is better?
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Cllr. C. Williams. We have complied with the
regulations. We have advertised the LDP extensively.
R. Quick. This is very much the start of the
plan as far as consultation goes. In our opinion we wanted to start
this substantial issue moving. I apologise if you think you haven’t
had much time. But you will have plenty more opportunity to raise
issues.
We have had numerous responses.
We haven’t held any meeting with land owners
as yet.
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There were 8 or 9 names on the register in
Llantwit. The team at the presentation seemed very ill informed on
the Llantwit area. A new supermarket was mentioned and the officers
didn’t know of it. Neither did they know of the Military Academy.
There could be many more people coming to the area soon.
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Cllr. Moore. We are still talking to
Metrics on exactly what the academy will be like and thus address
any potential future developments to highlight any future needs of
the town.
Cllr. John. I spoke to the officers in
question and they are fully aware of the training academy and
current development.. They could only speak on the LDP.
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Would there be money for the road link and is
it going ahead?
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We are in daily contact with Metrics and the
Welsh Assembly. It will also feature heavily in the LDP looking at
precisely these things being mentioned.
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Are there any plans for fortnightly waste
collections?
Metrics have no plans to improve road
infrastructure outside of the camp. What is the council going to
do?
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Cllr. Curtis. It is the people of the Vale
keeping these figures up and it is they who should be
congratulated. It may be an option or consideration in the
future.
Cllr. Moore
At no meeting that I attended did we say that
Metrics were going to pay for it. Road improvements need to come
from Central Government.
R. Quick. Whoever pays for it, road issues
will be part of the plan.
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I have a petition from 250 local residents who
have signed up for a bowling alley in Llantwit Major.
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B. Jeffreys. It boils down to 3 things; the
need, the use and the sustainability. You have provided the list to
start the process to debate and comment more widely.
Cllr. Moore. It is not something that we could
provide, but we could take it to the private sector.
Cllr John. I would like to speak to you
afterwards with your group. We were discussing new developments in
Llantwit town recently.
Cllr Moore. We will look at this issue.
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Can you do all you can to support the Theatre
Royal in Barry.
Local Health Board have recognised a problem
with falling over for the elderly due to medicines being taken
incorrectly.
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Leader. The Theatre Royal happens to be in
mine and Cllr Egan’s ward and we are taking a lead with the action
group to keep it open and raise as much support as possible as we
can for it. There are certain businesses that are interested in it
at present. It serves young and old and it would be disappointing
to loose this gem.
I will take up your second point with the
Local Health Board.
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There is a requirement by the Council by 2009
that you have to bring in a scheme under the disabled rights act
that you are currently working on. How far have you got?
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Cllr. Moore. In general terms we are aware of
the DDA Act and its requirements. Is there anything particular that
you wish to ask?
B. Jeffreys. The plan is being developed and
the function has been moved into the Chief Executive’s division to
receive more corporate attention.
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I am a Governor at Llantwit School and at a
recent meeting was told that the funding was being withdrawn for
the new school. Can you confirm that the school will be community
focused?
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Cllr. Gibbs. The issue about the Community
focused schools and how we deliver it – there is good news that the
Assembly are continuing the funding.
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I would like to congratulate you on the money
you spent or rather the money that the previous administration lost
on the council houses.
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Cllr. Thank you for that.
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Is there anybody on the Council who deals with
Integrated Transport Services?
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Cllr. C. Williams. I think you are referring
to the Bus Users Forum who are devising a comprehensive report
which we will act on.
If you would like to write to me I deal with
your question by post.
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The Leader ended the night by thanking the
Mayor for chairing the meeting and all the people who attended the
meeting and stressed that if anybody was dissatisfied or had any
problems with this administration they should contact us by email,
letter or telephone.
The Mayor thanked the Cabinet and everyone for
coming.