COMMUNITY LIAISON
COMMITTEE
MINUTES of a meeting held on 14th
March, 2007.
Present: Councillor E.T. Williams
(Chairman); Councillor Mrs. V.M. Hartrey (Vice-Chairman);
Councillors R.J. Bertin, G. John, Mrs. A.J. Preston and Mrs. M.R.
Wilkinson.
Representing Town and Community
Councils:
Mr. D. Wolfe (Barry Town Council); Councillors
Mrs. S. Hodges (Barry Town Council); D. Hookus (Barry Town
Council); J. Germon (Barry Town Council); Ms. M. Williams MBE
(Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council); L. Price (Llancarfan
Community Council); P. King (Llandough Community Council);
S. Murton (Llandow Community Council); Ms. A.
Pryer (Llanmaes Community Council); E. Hacker (Llantwit Major Town
Council); D. Jones (Michaelston-le-Pit Community Council); Ms. J.
Marks (Michaelston-le-Pit Community Council);G. Roberts (Penarth
Town Council); G. Thomas (Pendoylan Community Council); R. Preston
(St. Brides Major Community Council);
K. Griffiths (St. Donats Community Council);
Ms. S. Allen (St. Georges and St. Brides Community Council); Ms. S.
Palmer (St. Nicholas and Bonvilston Community Council); A. Foyle
(Welsh St. Donats Community Council;
I. Moody (Wenvoe Community Council);
Councillors P. Thomas (Wick Community Council).
Also present: Councillor N.P. Hodges
(Vale of Glamorgan Council); Inspector A. Rice (South Wales
Police); Ms. B. Noon, R. Hughes, Ms. J. Black and Ms. M. Williams
(Vale of Glamorgan Council officers).
937
ANNOUNCEMENT -
The Chairman welcomed to her first meeting,
the Vice-Chairman since her appointment at the Council meeting on
14th February, 2007.
938
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -
These were received from Councillors Ms. M.E.
Alexander, J. Clifford, R.F. Curtis and K.R. Stockdale (Vale of
Glamorgan Council); Councillors C. Curran (Penarth Town Council);
T. Stenstrom (Barry Town Council); Mrs. O. Cash (Barry Town
Council); D.M. Thomas (Llantwit Major Town Council); S. Wilson
(Ewenny Community Council); R.J. Skinner (Penllyn Community
Council);
G. Jenkins (Welsh St. Donats Community
Council); E. Jervis (Wenvoe Community Council); and Mrs. M. Roach
(St. Georges and St. Brides Community Council).
939
MINUTES -
AGREED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting
held on 23rd January, 2007 be accepted as a correct
record.
940
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -
No declarations were received.
941
POLICE MATTERS -
Inspector A. Rice (Barry Sector), informed the
Committee that reports of crime statistics had shown a reduction in
the number of offences over the period December 2006 to February
2007. There had been 2,236 reported offences for that period
and for the previous three months 2,480 offences had been
reported. Inspector Rice also advised Members that should
they wish to receive specific statistics in relation to their
Wards, this could be provided and suggested that they contact the
office with the request.
An incident in the Dinas Powys area, which had
resulted in significant media coverage, related to the recovery of
870 individual cannabis plants with a street value of over
£137,000. A number of arrests had been made to date but no
details on convictions were as yet available.
Inspector Rice also advised Committee that the
South Wales Police were undertaking a project known as “Project 7”
which was to improve the quality of service the Police delivered to
the public. As a result, two new computer systems had been
purchased for the Control Room. Some initial “teething
problems” had occurred but it was the intention of the Force to
utilise the service for the public’s advantage.
AGREED - T H A T Inspector Rice be thanked for
attending the meeting and presenting the statistical
information.
942
SOUTH WALES FIRE AND RESCUE MATTERS -
The Chairman advised Committee that as a
result of an urgent matter, the Fire Officer was unable to attend
the meeting.
943
DEVELOPMENT OF A CHARTER BETWEEN THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL AND
TOWN AND COMMUNITY COUNCILS (CX) -
The Operational Manager for Corporate Policy
and Communications, advised the Committee that the purpose of the
report was to propose the establishment of a working group to
progress the potential development of a Charter between the Vale of
Glamorgan Council and Town and Community Councils within the Vale
of Glamorgan. The Welsh Assembly Government had been developing
guidelines for good practice in respect of Charters and had
previously attended a meeting of the Community Liaison Committee to
discuss the guidelines in detail. As part of the Making the
Connections Delivery Beyond Boundaries Agenda which emphasised
“Putting the Citizens First and Working Together to Deliver”, it
was noted that in order for these responsibilities to be fulfilled,
public bodies including Community and Town Councils would have to
work together to build effective relationships and networks in
order that they could continuously and consistently enhance the
services to their local communities. The development of a
Charter could assist with these responsibilities. Members of
the Committee considered that there were various aspects detailed
in the Charter where Town and Community Councils could work
together with joint arrangements. However, for smaller
Community Councils Members considered that a Charter may not be as
successful as for larger Councils.
However, having considered the report and the
recommendations therein, the Committee
AGREED -
(1) T H A
T the Community Liaison Committee supported the Chief Executive of
the Vale of Glamorgan Council establishing a working group to
investigate the development of a Charter between the Vale of
Glamorgan Council and Town and Community Councils.
(2) T H A
T Clerks of Town and Community Councils be apprised of the Welsh
Assembly Government Guidance at the meeting scheduled to take place
on 16th April, 2007 and that the Clerks also be invited
to take part in the working group.
(3) T H A
T the working group initially consists of officers to explore the
Charter proposals and that a report be prepared for Members’
consideration in due course.
(4) T H A
T the above views / recommendations of the Community Liaison
Committee be forwarded to Cabinet.
944 NO SMOKING BAN IN
PUBLIC PLACES -
The Principal Environmental Health Officer
within the Vale of Glamorgan Council, advised on the Smoke Free
Premises etc (Wales) Regulations 2007. Committee was informed
that the aim of the new law was to protect workers and the general
public from the harmful effects of environmental tobacco
smoke. Proven research had identified that there was hard
evidence that environmental tobacco smoke had severe detrimental
health affects on those who breathe it and the risk increased with
increased exposure. The Act itself outlined three main
offences:
·
Offence of smoking in a smoke-free place
·
Offence of failure to display appropriate no-smoking signage
·
Offence of failing to prevent smoking in a smoke-free place.
The Health Officer reiterated that even if
non-smokers and smokers in a company did not mind their colleagues
smoking, the legislation was such that you could not smoke within
an enclosed public space as defined under the legislation.
The smoke-free place referred to premises which were “enclosed and
substantially enclosed” and were open to the public or used as a
place of work by more than one person. Enclosed or
substantially enclosed premises were defined as premises which had
a roof and walls on more than 50% of the perimeter. A vehicle
would also be considered to be smoke-free if it was used for the
transport of members of the public or for work by more than one
person.
The failure to prevent smoking in a smoke-free
place would be an offence under Section 8 of the Health Act 2006
and if a person was found guilty on summary conviction, would be
liable to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale
(£2,500). There would be no fixed penalty ticket alternative
to the offence. Enforcement of the law would be implemented
by Enforcement Officers working for the Local Authority and they
would have power to enforce and inspect all smoke-free
premises. Enforcement Officers would work closely with local
businesses to build compliance through education, advice and
support. It was recommended that those in management control
of no-smoking premises undertake the following:
·
develop a smoke-free policy
·
develop a procedure for dealing with any people who smoke
(preferably written)
·
communicate to staff in both the policy and written procedure
·
keep a written record of any incident (and outcome) where a
responsible member of staff confronted an individual for smoking on
the premises.
Organisations were also advised to ensure that
all their staff including new members of staff were made aware of
the No Smoking policy of the organisation and that all staff were
made aware of the member of staff or management person who had been
deemed the responsible officer for dealing with any person
smoking. A national confidential telephone line existed for
members of the public to notify local authorities of premises which
were not complying with the Smoke-Free legislation.
Questions were raised in respect of venues
that Town and Community Councils controlled, for example village
halls, and how the policy was to be interpreted for those
facilities. They were advised that as owners or trustees of
such accommodation they would have to develop a policy to deal with
the issue and they could not shift the responsibility to the hirer
of the hall to relieve them of their liability. They should
in the first instance, provide the hirer with a name of a nominated
officer that could be contacted to discuss matters if required.
Concern was also raised in respect of
enforcement and the Committee was advised that it was the intention
of the Authority to adopt a ‘softly, softly’ approach in respect of
enforcement, but that hirers etc., of the legislation should be
advised and the results if they continued to smoke. They
should also be directed to the nearest place where they would be
able to smoke legally, and their attention drawn to the No Smoking
signs as well as informing them that they will be committing an
offence if they continued to smoke.
AGREED - T H A T Mr. Hughes be thanked for his
informative presentation.
945
WASTE MANAGEMENT UPDATE -
Nicola Williams, Waste Development Manager for
the Vale of Glamorgan Council, provided the Committee with a
presentation on the changes to the Garden Waste Collection
Service. Members were advised that pre-2003, Vale of
Glamorgan customers had purchased bags for 80p each to dispose of
their garden waste on a landfill site.
In 2004, compostable bags were introduced and
the garden waste was composted for the first time in the Vale via a
ring and request service.
In 2005, there was a buy one get one free
promotion and in 2006 the charge for compostable bags was 3 for a
£1 or reusable bags @ £1 each.
The reason why the Vale of Glamorgan Unit had
decided to change, was due to the fact that customer opinion stated
that the compostable bags were splitting and many of the customers
considered the service should be free and they disliked having to
ring and request a collection. The current legislation from
the Welsh Assembly Government Composting Targets required that the
Local Authority should have a target of 10% by 2006/07 and 25% by
2010. To date, the current target was 7%.
Nicola Williams further advised that the new
improved service would commence in April and end in October and the
collection would take place every two weeks. Members were
advised that if a customer put a non-Council bag out to be
collected, the garden waste would not be collected. A
postcard would either be put through the door or in the bag to
inform the customer why the bag had not been taken. This was
due to the fact that the farm where the compost would be taken
could not cope with plastic. Should a bag be lost, customers
would be advised of a telephone number to call, being 029 20673000
and would be issued with a voucher. The idea of the voucher
was for audit purposes. Other options for customers, if they
did not want to use the service, were to compost waste at their
home and composters would be available from £10 from Original
Organics on telephone number 01884 841515. They could also
take the waste to the recycling centres in Sully and Llandow for
free and if they wished to encourage composting throughout the
Vale, they could assist in promoting the service by displaying
leaflets and posters in their area. The Waste Management Unit
could also undertake a roadshow and visit each area concerned if
required and the local Community Council could sell re-usable bags
on behalf of the Council and by doing this they could make £100 for
their local community. The aim was to ensure positive
promotion of the service.
AGREED - T H A T Nicola Williams be thanked
for providing her presentation and for agreeing to regularly update
Committee on initiatives in the Vale.