COMMUNITY LIAISON COMMITTEE

 

 

MINUTES of a meeting held on 18th July, 2007.

 

Present: Councillor E.T. Williams (Chairman); Councillors J. Clifford,

A.M. Ernest, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, G. John, Mrs. A.J. Preston and

K.R. Stockdale.

 

Representing Town and Community Councils:

 

Councillors Mrs. S. Hodges (Barry Town Council); J.R. Harris (Cowbridge with Llanblethian Town Council); D. Lane (Llantwit Major Town Council); Charles S. Curran (Penarth Town Council); Robert G. Thomas (Colwinston Community Council); M. Hartrey (Dinas Powys Community Council); S.A. Wilson (Ewenny Community Council); L.H. Price (Llancarfan Community Council); A.S. Murton (Llandow Community Council); G. Thomas (Pendoylan Community Council); C.M.W. Ride (Pendoylan Community Council); C.M. Evans (Peterston-Super-Ely Community Council); C. Rauch (St. Athan Community Council); R. Preston (St. Brides Major Community Council); D.J. Jenkins (Welsh St. Donats Community Council); S. Palmer (St. Nicholas and Bonvilston Community Council); I. Moody (Wenvoe Community Council).

 

Also present: Inspector M. Taylor (South Wales Police); Assistant Divisional Officer N. Brown (South Wales Fire Service); Mr. K. Jones, Mr. K. James, Mr. R. Hughes and Ms. K. Thompson (Vale of Glamorgan Council Officers).

 

 

227     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -

 

These were received from Councillor Mrs. J.E. Charles (Vice-Chairman); Councillor R.J. Bertin (Vale of Glamorgan Council); Councillor G.C. Kemp (Vale of Glamorgan Council) and Councillor Mrs. M.R. Wilkinson (Vale of Glamorgan Council); and B. Graham-Woollard (Colwinston Community Council); Councillor Mrs. A. Pryer (Llanmaes Community Council), Councillor E. Hacker (Llantwit Major Community Council); Councillor R. Skinner (Penllyn Community Council); Councillor S. Hayes (St. Athan Community Council); Councillor K. Griffiths (St. Donats Community Council); Councillors S. Allen and M. Roach (St. Georges and St. Brides-Super-Ely Community Council); Councillors E. Jervis and A. Foyle (Welsh St. Donats Community Council).

 

 

228     MINUTES -

 

AGREED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 30th May, 2007 be accepted as a correct record subject to it being noted that Mrs. A. Pryer represented Llanmaes Community Council.

 

 

229     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -

 

Councillor A.M. Ernest declared an interest in Agenda Item No. 11 in that he had a personal family interest.

 

 

230     POLICE MATTERS -

 

Inspector Taylor advised the Committee of the following:

 

·   The rise in recorded crime for the last quarter had been negligible;

 

·   The detection rate for the Vale of Glamorgan in June 2007 was 31%;

 

·   Neighbourhood policing teams had been proactive in the area which was a new scheme within the Force, in order to assist with deterring crime;

 

·   In Barry over the previous weekend, the Barry sector had carried out a multiple warrant exercise;

 

·   On 11th July, 2007, an ANPR exercise had been undertaken.  This was an auto number plate recognition detection initiative which detected whether cars were taxed and insured;    

 

·   Dinas Powys area - fifty ASBOs had been granted in the last few months.  Some had however, been issued for low level crime;

 

·   A robbery had taken place in Dinas Powys and three people had been placed on bail;

 

·   In relation to “drinking on the streets”, the Officer could confirm that youths were not congregating in the areas at present, which could be due to the current weather climate;

 

·   Terrorism was a priority action activity for the Police and they were asking the public to be extra vigilant.  A call had been received that day that a brief case had been placed in a bin in Dow Corning, which was, however, found to be harmless.  As a direct result of terrorism activities in the UK increased policing of Cardiff Airport had been undertaken.

 

Members of the Committee raised concerns in respect of the amount of speed car racers.  The Officer confirmed that in a number of areas throughout Barry, the car racers were on private property and  they were working with private owners to deal with the matter.  Reference was also made to scrambler racing in the docks and 4x4 quad bike racing.  The Inspector responded by stating the Force was aware of the situation and it was being monitored.  He had also requested that a speed camera be placed on Western Hill and he was waiting for information on this.  A Member raised concerns in respect of the camera on the Rhoose Point Station which did not appear to be in use.  It was agreed that the matter would be looked into and the Member advised accordingly.

 

AGREED - T H A T Inspector Taylor be thanked for his report and that the Committee welcomed the initiatives that were being undertaken to combat crime in the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

 

231     SOUTH WALES FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE MATTERS -

 

The Fire Officer, Neil Brown, reported the following:

 

In the last quarter May to June, the following statistics were available for the Vale of Glamorgan:

 

Establishment Fires

 

·   total deliberate dwelling fires in the Vale of Glamorgan - 1 in April, 2 in May, 0 in June;

·   fires in education establishments - 0 in April, 0 in May and 1 in June - the one in June being a school in Wenvoe.  The Officer could report that the fire had caused limited damage and the Arson Reduction Officer was currently working with the LEA.  A request had also been made for CCTV in the school.

 

Deliberate Vehicle Fires

 

·   8 in April, 4 in May, 4 in June.

 

Grass Fires

 

·   25 in April, 4 in May and 5 in June.

 

The Fire Service was also working with schools to educate the youths in relation to the matter.

 

Hoax Calls in the Vale of Glamorgan

 

·   8 in April, 4 in May and 3 in June.

 

Road Traffic Collisions

 

·   5 in April, 13 in May and 6 in June.

 

Attacks on Fire Fighters

 

·   0 in the Vale of Glamorgan.

 

A Member asked why the gates at Colcot School were always open and the Fire Officer agreed to look into the matter.

 

In relation to the possibility of flooding within the Vale, the Fire Officer confirmed that the Fire Service was sufficiently equipped to deal with the issue.

 

AGREED - T H A T Assistant Divisional Officer Brown be thanked for his report and the statistical information provided.

 

 

232     TOURISM STRATEGY (REF) -

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Economy and Environment) had, on 20th June, 2007, referred the Tourism Strategy document and the report to the Community Liaison Committee as part of the consultation process.  The Tourism Strategy was in its third draft; it was a document that was produced in-house within existing resources and it was the Department’s intention to consult widely in relation to the Strategy.  The purpose of the document was to consolidate all of the Council’s Tourism Initiatives and subject to resources, seek to implement the strategy over the next five years.  A number of consultation exercises had been earmarked to take place, in particular, on Tuesday, 17th July, 2007, an event had been held by the Chief Executive’s Department and a further event for trade operators was scheduled to take place at the end of September 2007.  Key objectives had been identified  in the strategy and there were 84 in total.  Since the production of the document, a number of sections required updating and the Committee was advised that the strategy was an evolving document which would be updated on a regular basis.

 

Members raised the following concerns:

 

·   that there was insufficient money to improving the infrastructure for towns which would have an effect on the strategy;

·   there needed to be further reference to lanes and roads within the strategy;

·   the Council should ensure that signs were placed in order for foreign visitors to know that driving was on the left side of the road;

·   the Transport Public Inquiry referred to on page 24, 6.5 required updating as the public inquiry had recently taken place;

·   the document should be made available on the website;

·   page 43, paragraph 9 18 - the words “not upgraded” be amended to read “non-graded”.

 

Officers noted the concerns of the Members and agreed to update the Strategy as appropriate.  However, in relation to funding issues, it was noted that these would be challenging times and that the Council had to work within the resources it had.

 

Members welcomed the document and were pleased that the Council now had a strategic document that was available to show the Council’s commitment for the development of tourism services within the Vale.

 

AGREED -

 

(1)       T H A T the draft Tourism Strategy be endorsed.

 

(2)       T H A T it be noted that further consultation in relation to the Strategy would be undertaken.

 

 

233     ROAD SURFACES IN COUNTRY LANES IN THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN (DEER) -

 

Pendoylan Community Council and Welsh St. Donats Community Council had requested that the item be discussed at the Community Liaison Committee and the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration had prepared a report relating to the matter.

 

Keith Jones, Operational Manager for Highway Maintenance within the Vale of Glamorgan Council, presented the report.  The Committee was informed that all roads in the Vale of Glamorgan were inspected at the set frequencies as contained in the National Highway Maintenance Code of Practice - ‘Well Maintained Highways’ and any defects in excess of the Council’s intervention criteria were repaired.  As part of the project to address the considerable backlog of highway maintenance works across all Wales, the Vale of Glamorgan Council had been allocated £582k. by WAG per year for the next two years to enable a programme of surfacing to be carried out.  This money would be in addition to the Council’s own programme of which some £29k. was allocated in the Capital Programme (Asset Renewal) for surfacing in 2007.  The surfacing programme would be based upon a technical assessment using machine based surveys called a ‘SCANNER’.  The assessment would measure the various defects, cracks, ruts, potholes, trips, surface deviation etc. and by using a computerised module would allocate a numerical value to the defects in order to determine the overall condition.  Roads would be graded as Red, Amber and Green and the Assembly had set a target of 8% as the maximum backlog in each category of roads A,B,C and unclassified.  The condition of the roads in the Vale of Glamorgan was noted as follows:

 

A

7%

B

12%

C

9%

Unclassified

6%

 

 

These results had been determined from surveys undertaken for 2005/06.

 

Appended to the report was a full survey of the roads across all Wales.  A further survey had recently been carried out for 2006/07 and the results were awaited.  However, it was noted that because the majority of the roads in the Vale of Glamorgan were ‘C’ classification or unclassified, it would be some time before there was a true reflection of the condition of the roads in the Vale of Glamorgan.  Due to a lack of available finance to resurface all the roads that would require treatment, the current backlog that had been assessed in the Highways Asset Management Plan in the Vale of Glamorgan was noted as follows:

 

Asset

£m

Carriageways

19,679,587

Footways

14,791,466

Streetlights

10,456,950

Traffic Signals

386,000

Signs - Illuminated

664,526

Signs - Non illuminated

1,361,091

Drainage (pipes and gullies)

594,021

Structures

7,599,000

Public Rights of Way

1,441,384

 

TOTAL

 

34,471,053

 

 

Committee was further informed that priorities would be given to the roads showing less than 8% failure and carrying the most traffic.  Both Community Councils recorded their thanks for the report and the Chairman of Pendoylan thanked Keith Jones for the information and the positive aspects in the report however concern was raised in respect of the volume of traffic in the rural lanes and the weight of articulated lorries etc.  He requested a copy of the survey report 2006/07 and was advised that any member of the Community Liaison Committee who wished to view the document could make arrangements with Keith Jones.  Further requests in relation to utility services who have access to highways and roads was discussed and Keith Jones advised that that there was a requirement for the utility companies to notify local authorities when any works were to be programmed and as such these works would then be tabled into the Council’s own work programme.  The Council was also urged to be pro-active in relation to overhanging trees that hang on the highway however the Committee was advised that this was an area which had suffered under the cuts to the budget.  In relation to trees that were the responsibility of the local authority these were dealt with under a planned programme but in respect of trees that were landowners property the Council could serve a notice on the landowner whose responsibility it is to deal with the issue.  Concern was also raised in relation to the number of principal road signs that were being covered by foliage and members of the Committee were requested to notify the Department advising of the problem areas.  The Council was requested to ensure that Community Councils were advised and involved in any discussions in relation to utility services undertaking work on lanes and roads, it being noted that the Council itself had a planned programme which was available on the Council’s website for the public to view.

 

AGREED - T H A T Mr. Keith Jones be thanked for his most informative report and that updates be presented to future meetings of the Committee as and when appropriate.

 

 

234     SPONSORSHIP OF ROUNDABOUTS (DEER) -

 

Wenvoe Community Council had raised a number of questions in respect of sponsorship of roundabouts as detailed below:

 

(1)       Are there any restrictions on the size of adverts?  Is the size of the roundabout a consideration:

 

(2)       How many signs are permitted per roundabout?

 

(3)       Who is allowed to advertise their name / business?

 

(4)       Advertising hoardings on roads are generally not permitted, while advertising on roundabouts appears to be condoned.

 

(5)       What benefit does the Vale derive from permitting these adverts?

 

In relation to the specific queries raised the report provided the following answers to the questions:

 

“(1)      There are two sizes of signs 1500mm wide by 600mm high or 1000mm wide by 500mm high.  The size of the roundabout determines the appropriate size.

 

(2)       One per ‘leg’ of the roundabout in general although in some cases this is not feasible and the adjacent verge is utilised.

 

(3)       All companies are vetted; a system is in place to ensure that only appropriate and viable companies are offered the opportunity to sponsor.

 

(4)       These signs are not advertisements, they are erected pursuant to Regulation 6, Schedule 3 to the regulations made under Section 220 of the Town and County Planning Act 1990.  Neither planning consent nor advertising consent is required.  The layout and format of the signs are also very carefully vetted.  Advertising hoardings fall under different regulations and other non approved signs on the highway would contravene Section 130 of the Highways Act 1980.

 

(5)       Each roundabout generates income and half of the net income is received by the Council  i.e. the gross income less the cost of the manufacture and erection and less the rates payable.  Generally the income received is of the order of £2,000 per roundabout per annum.”

 

The Community Council thanked Mr. Jones for the response and during the meeting discussion the following matters were also raised:

 

·   the town hall in Cowbridge.  On a number of occasions they exhibited up to 6 / 8 signs without holding a licence to do so. 

The Committee was advised that currently the Highway Maintenance Division did not have a highway enforcement officer and the current arrangements were that in recognising the commercial benefits of such advertising the Division, on a number of occasions, had a purge on such advertising but due to budget constraints was unable to advocate a daily check on the areas 

·   in relation to income generated from roundabouts the officer advised that on as many occasions as possible the money received was spent on the area concerned.  However if there was limited work that required to be undertaken the money was moved around the Vale for more urgent priority areas 

·   in relation to the concern that some signs were dangerous and they distracted the motorists, the officer confirmed that there had been no recorded accidents as a direct result of the advertising.

 

AGREED - T H A T Mr. Keith Jones be thanked for his report.

 

 

235     APPLICATIONS FOR STREET TRADING LICENCES (DLPPHS) -

 

Penarth Town Council had requested the item be considered due to the fact that the Vale of Glamorgan Licensing Section had advised the Town Council that they could no longer apply for a single licence on behalf of participants for their town festival.  Individual participants were now required to apply for separate licences, the cost of which was £90 per application.  In previous years the town had been able to obtain a licence which covered the whole event.  The Committee heard that the Council had been required to change its procedure following enquiries from the Inland Revenue who had advised that applications should be required from individual traders and that the Council should change its procedure.  The Council’s legal department had also corroborated this view.

 

The Operational Manager for Public Protection advised that she was aware of the concern of the Town Council and the fact that the requirement for individual traders to make applications and pay the application fees could impede small traders who may not make enough money to cover the application on the day.  The Council’s licensing team and legal department were currently considering how this matter could be taken forward in order to satisfy the requirements of the legislation in respect of street trading whilst also not over-burdening small businesses and temporary / charitable events.  Members of the Committee were concerned that the new procedure could affect all local events throughout the Vale and hoped that the matter could be resolved as soon as possible.  It was suggested that a sliding scale of fees may be a way forward and the Officer advised that she would be submitting options to the Licensing Committee for consideration in due course.  Members suggested that there should be different considerations for commercial and community events. 

 

AGREED -

 

(1)       T H A T Kate Thompson be thanked for her informative report.

 

(2)       T H A T the Council’s Licensing Committee be requested to consider the implications of the requirement for individual traders to make applications and pay application fees to the Council in relation to such community events.

 

(3)       T H A T the concerns of the Community Liaison Committee be conveyed to the Council in relation to the over-burdening of small businesses when undertaking temporary / charitable events.

 

(4)       T H A T the Council be requested to carry out a review of the current streets that are designated prohibited and consent streets

 

 

236     AIRCRAFT NOISE (DLPPHS) -

 

Cowbridge Town Council had received a letter in relation to the increased aircraft noise resulting from the flight paths used by planes taking off from Cardiff International Airport in the Llanblethian area.  The Council had sought fit to refer the letter to the local authority for the matter to be considered.  The report before the Committee provided an overview of the powers that were available to local authorities for the control of noise from aircraft and airports.  The representative from the Community Council advised that at a meeting the previous night the Cowbridge Council had agreed to recommend that the local authority be requested to write a letter to the complainant detailing the regulations as they considered it was not an issue for the Town Council.  The officer confirmed that he would write to the complainants as requested.

 

AGREED - T H A T Kristian James be thanked for his report and that a letter be forwarded to the complainants detailing the process and responsibility of the local Authority.

 

 

237     SCORES ON THE DOORS (DLPPHS) -

 

The Community Liaison Committee was informed about an innovative scheme that was being considered to be piloted in the Vale of Glamorgan to make information relating to food hygiene standards at local food premises easily accessible to the public.  The report highlighted the aim of the scheme and the officer provided a power point presentation to the Committee which highlighted that the Foods Standards Agency (FSA) was currently supporting a number of national pilots with a view to launching a National Scores on Doors Scheme within the next 18 months.  The Vale of Glamorgan Council together with Swansea Council had been selected by the Food Standards Agency to pilot the Scores on Doors Scheme in Wales.  The Scheme was also being piloted by 33 London boroughs and 15 other local authorities across the UK.  Due to the fact the FSA supported the pilot there had been minimal development costs to the Council and the FSA had agreed to provide Materials, publicity to create national and regionally consistent messages, to evaluate the pilot, provide training for the pilot and encourage links.  Evidence from countries such as USA, Denmark and Canada had indicated the publicity of food hygiene scores could bring about improvements in the levels of hygiene and the consumer group Which? had also found in a recent survey that there was a strong public interest for such schemes and consumers welcomed information that could help them choose where to eat.  The publishing of such information had also been backed by both the Information Commissioner and the Government.  The Scheme would operate under a rating system whereby each business would be allocated a star rating ranging from no stars (very poor) to five stars (excellent).  The scoring would be based on compliance with the National Food Safety Code of Practice and three areas being scored in accordance with the Code:

 

(a)     Confidence in Management

(b)     Compliance - Hygiene and safety

(c)     Compliance - Premises structure.

 

The report was presented to the Community Liaison Committee in order for consultation to take place and that any comments received could be relayed back to the Council.  The Cabinet had endorsed the report on 4th July, 2007.  However, the Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Resources) would be considering the matter under the Council’s call-In procedure on 24th July, 2007.  Members of the Community Liaison Committee stated that they recognised the value of such schemes and were reassured that the costs to the Council were minimal in relation to officer time and that the FSA had provided support in the forms as detailed above.  It was reiterated by the fact that the Scheme was a voluntary scheme and that there was no power to force anyone to comply.  It was stated that the display of window stockers and certificates was voluntary but that scores would be displayed on the website and that this was the involuntary aspect of the scheme.  Throughout the UK a number of schemes currently existed for example Smiley Faces, H’s, 3 star and 5 star, etc. and the whole idea of the Scores on the Doors Pilot Scheme with the FSA and London steering group was to seek to ensure consistency existed.

 

AGREED - T H A T Mr. Rowan Hughes be thanked for his presentation to the Committee and the Committee’s approval of the pilot scheme be noted.