SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT)

 

MINUTES of a meeting held on 16th January, 2007.

 

Present: Councillor N.P. Hodges (Chairman); Councillors R.J. Bertin, Ms. L. Burnett, J. Clifford, Miss. J. Cole, G.A. Cox, E. Hacker, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, Mrs. A.J. Moore, Mrs. A.J. Preston, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, S.T. Wiliam and M.R. Wilson.

 

Also present:  Councillors R.F. Curtis, G. John, N. Moore and A.J. Readman.

 

 

696            APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE -

 

These were received from Councillors A.D. Dobbinson, W.C. Vaughan and A.J. Williams.

 

 

697            WELCOME -

 

The Chairman welcomed those Members attending their first meeting of this Committee and expressed his appreciation for the contribution made to the work of the Committee by former Members.

 

 

698            MINUTES -

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 28th November, 2006 be approved as a correct record.

 

 

699            DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST -

 

No declarations were received.

 

 

700            ALLOCATION OF DISABLED PARKING BAYS (REF - MINUTE NO. 634) -

 

The Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) had, on 7th December, 2006 received a report in respect of the above in response to a request from Councillor R.F. Curtis for that Committee to consider the most appropriate mechanism which should be used to allocate disabled parking bays.  Councillor Curtis’ contention was that the bays should be allocated on the basis of greatest need.  That Committee had been informed of the issues relating to individual disabled parking bays (IDPBs), the current procedure for dealing with such requests, and notified that demand far exceeded the available budget.  It had been further reported to that Committee that an extensive survey had been undertaken into the experience and policies of other Welsh Unitary Authorities and that, of the 19 respondents, 12 had a policy in relation to IDPBs but 7 made no provision.  The survey had highlighted the nature of issues that local authorities faced.  That Committee was also informed that this Committee had appointed a Traffic Task and Finish Group, the specific scope of which was to consider the provision of disabled parking bays.  In order to assist in the deliberations of what was essentially a complex matter, the Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) had recommended that this Committee consider inviting the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of that Committee to attend meetings of the Task and Finish Group. 

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of Scrutiny Committee (Community Wellbeing and Safety) be invited to attend meetings of the Traffic Task and Finish Group.

 

 

701     HOME TO SCHOOL TRANSPORT - SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL AND TENDERED SERVICES (REF - MINUTE NO. C2812) -

 

This Committee had, in July 2006, requested Cabinet to authorise a further assessment of various routes as early as possible in the new school year.  Cabinet, on 13th December, 2006 had received a report which contained the outcome of the independent assessor’s re-evaluation of the routes in question.  Cabinet had referred that report (which also gave information relating to the need to tender for further routes for the coming academic year) to this Committee for information.  At the same time, in summary, Cabinet had resolved:

 

·        to endorse the findings of the independent assessor in respect of the Michaelston-le-Pitt to St. Cyres Comprehensive School and the Llysworney to Cowbridge Comprehensive School routes, both routes failing to comply with the guidelines as a safe walking route to school

·        to defer consideration of the Eglwys Brewis to Llantwit Major Comprehensive School and St. Donats to Llantwit Major Comprehensive School findings for further information

·        to agree to implement changes in home to school transport provision in respect of Michaelston-le-Pitt to St. Cyres Comprehensive School and Llysworney to Cowbridge Comprehensive School with immediate effect

·        to agree with officers views that the provision of a new bus stop, as requested by Sully Community Council, between Burnham Avenue and Minehead Avenue, Sully would be inappropriate

·        to agree to the introduction of an additional service route from the Western Vale to Ysgol Bro Morgannwg and amendments to existing routes

·        to request the re-examination of the Hayes Road safe route to Sully School and a further report

·        to re-tender certain routes.

 

During the course of the subsequent discussion, attention was drawn to the fact that the views of this Committee had resulted in 2 routes of major concern now being reassessed as unsafe and in Cabinet calling for yet further information on 2 routes considered by, at minimum, the local Members to merit a similar reassessment.  Attention was also drawn to the fact that route evaluations were undertaken by an independent assessor in accordance with specified criteria and without benefit of local input.

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the resolutions of Cabinet in respect of the above be endorsed.

 

(Note: Councillors N. Moore and A.J. Readman spoke on the above matter with the consent of the Committee).

 

 

702     TOWN CENTRE TASK AND FINISH GROUP OF THE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT) -

 

The following report of a meeting held on 21st November, 2006 was presented:

 

Present: Councillors Ms. L. Burnett, J. Clifford, G. John, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen and Mrs. A.J. Moore.

 

 

(a)            Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman -

 

AGREED - T H A T Councillors Ms. L. Burnett and Mrs. M. Kelly Owen be appointed Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.

 

 

(b)            Declarations of interest -

 

No declarations were received.

 

 

(c)            Identification of Subject to be considered and Scope -

 

Whilst the wider remit of the Task and Finish Group extended over all four town centres, a draft of the Holton Road Regeneration Action Plan had been appended to the agenda as an aid to identifying subjects for consideration which could be considered and result in achievable outcomes within the specified time period.  Given the particular pressures in Barry (also the largest town in the Vale) and the current opportunities in terms of there being a draft Regeneration Plan in place and likely grant availability, the Task and Finish Group agreed, following discussion, to focus on Barry but considered that it might be useful to look at other town centres at a later date.

 

The draft Action Plan identified the following five priorities for action:

 

·               Character enhancement - public realm and shop front improvements;

·               Accessibility - public realm and traffic management improvements;

·               Consolidation - town centre living study;

·               Branding - marketing and events programme;

·               Partnership approach.

 

Further discussion ensued, including matters pertaining to ways in which to encourage the removal of unsightly roller shutters; car parking, pedestrianisation and related traffic issues; accessibility to/of the town centre; and attracting new businesses.  Of particular importance, too, was the branding of the town centre and the marketing and events programme.  Further details in respect of the above, including a timetable for implementation, were contained within the report and the appendix thereto.

 

The need for an holistic approach to promote sustainable development within the town centre was fully accepted.  Given, however, the limited timescale within which the Task and Finish Group was required to report back to its parent Scrutiny Committee, it was

 

AGREED -

 

(1)       T H A T two meetings of the Task and Finish Group be held prior to the Christmas break.

 

(2)       T H A T, given the paramount importance in the regeneration of any town centre of

 

·               branding - marketing and events programme, thereby encouraging new investment by communicating actions and challenging perceptions of investors and local residents, and

·               attracting and retaining vibrant businesses,

 

consideration be given at the next meeting to

 

·               raising the profile of the town centre through the identification of an appropriate brand and innovative marketing and events programme, and

·               identifying barriers to business (for example, prohibitive business rates),

 

and that evidence be sought from representatives of the business sector (either in person or in writing).

 

(3)       T H A T a further meeting of the Group focus on issues relating to accessibility, namely public transport/highways.

 

_____________

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the report of the meeting be accepted and that the deadline for submission of the final report to this Committee be extended to 13th March, 2007.

 

 

703            APPOINTMENT TO TASK AND FINISH GROUPS (CX) -

 

Following consideration of the vacancies which had arisen as a consequence of the changes in the political administration of the Council, it was

 

RECOMMENDED –

 

(1)       T H A T, for the remainder of the current municipal year, the membership of the undermentioned Task and Finish Groups be

 

·        “Rhoose Point” Review:                  Councillors Ms. L. Burnett, G.A. Cox, E. Hacker, Mrs. V.M. Hartrey, Mrs. A.J. Moore, Mrs. A.J. Preston and A.J. Williams.

 

 

·        Waste Management and Recycling Review:                  Councillors G.A. Cox, E. Hacker, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, Mrs. A.J. Moore, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, S.T. Wiliam and M.R. Wilson.

 

 

·        Traffic:               Councillors R.J. Bertin, J. Clifford, E. Hacker, N.P. Hodges, Mrs. A.J. Preston, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe and M.R. Wilson.

 

 

·        Town Centre:                  Councillors Ms. L. Burnett, J. Clifford, E. Hacker, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, Mrs. A.J. Moore, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe and S.T. Wiliam.

 

(2)       T H A T further advice be sought from the Monitoring Officer as regards  potential conflict of interests in respect of the composition of the “Rhoose Point” Review Task and Finish Group, and its membership reconsidered if necessary once the scope of the review had been identified.

 

 

704     VALE OF GLAMORGAN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN (LDP) - DRAFT SUSTAINABILITY APPRAISAL SCOPING REPORT (DEER) -

 

Cabinet had, on 13th December, 2006 considered the above matter and referred the report to this Committee as part of the consultation process.  Details were submitted of the work undertaken to date in respect of the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of the LDP, the first stage of which was the preparation of a Scoping Report.  The draft Scoping Report contained the following elements:

 

  • A review of relevant policies, plans and programmes
  • Gathering baseline data to get a “snap shot” of the environmental, social and economic issues in the Vale of Glamorgan
  • Drafting Sustainability Objectives against which the LDP’s policies and proposals can be assessed (the SA Framework).

 

The main Sustainability Issues for which Objectives had been prepared were summarised in the draft Scoping Report which also outlined how those issues had been derived, potential objectives to address them and possible indicators and  targets to monitor the effectiveness of the SA framework.  During the course of subsequent discussion, reference was made to, for example, climate change, quality of new development, and transport and accessibility.  The need too for account to be taken of the demand for affordable housing in certain locations (but not in others) and of a certain type would be addressed, as would the reuse of sustainable materials wherever possible in development or refurbishment works.

 

Cabinet had approved the above for a 5-week written consultation period, and agreed that the draft Scoping Report should be made available free of charge and that the outcome of the consultation process should be reported back, inter alia, to this Committee (Minute No. C2818).  Members were assured, in fact, that all matters pertaining to the preparation of the LDP would be reported to this Committee over the period in question.  Consideration could be given at a later date to incorporating any matters identified in that process in the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T the draft Scoping Report be accepted and the resolutions of Cabinet as indicated above endorsed.

 

 

705            DYFFRYN GARDENS AND ARBORETUM – REVISED ADMISSION CHARGES (DEER) -

 

The current admission charges had not been increased since 2004 and were applied only 1st April to 31st October. Appended to the report were revised admission charges for the Gardens for 1st March, 2007 (to coincide with the launch of the new facilities) and for the financial years 2007/08 and 2008/09. The income generated would support the operations at the Gardens and were essential for the sustainability of the Grade 1 registered heritage site, and it was noted that the year round operation and extended events programme would require additional staffing. It was also reported that visitor numbers had generally risen from 28,800 in 2003 to over 40,000 in 2006 (the centenary year).

 

It was considered that the pricing structure as appended to the report was comparable with existing rates charged by similar heritage sites. To encourage children and families, the proposed individual child rate had been lowered from £2.50 to £2.00 and  the family ticket redefined as 2 adults and 4 children (currently 2). Further discounts were proposed for disabled people.

 

The proposed pricing structure also included season tickets for various categories (valid for 12 months from date of purchase) with additional discounts. The introduction of season tickets was, however, a matter of some concern to the Friends of Dyffryn Society -  the membership of which currently offered free access to the Gardens over the charged season (April – October)  and certain other privileges (both at Dyffryn and at other gardens). Two thirds of the membership fee was paid to Dyffryn by the Society. It was explained, however, that the proposal was for the membership fee to be only slighter higher than the season ticket and that the added value of membership as opposed to being a season ticket holder would be actively promoted.

 

Given, therefore, that no increase had taken place since 2004, that the introduction of the revised charges had been programmed to coincide with the public opening of the new facilities and operations on the site, it was

 

RECOMMENDED - T H A T Cabinet be recommended to approve the proposed admission charges as outlined above and appended to the report.

 

 

706            REVENUE AND CAPITAL MONITORING: 1st APRIL, 2006 – 30th NOVEMBER 2006 (DEER) -

 

The projected outturn for the 2006/07 Revenue Budget was for a balanced budget. Details were contained in the report of variances within certain profiled budgets and the steps being taken to address those variances where appropriate. As regards the Capital Programme, details were submitted of those schemes which would not be completed on target. Cabinet was to be requested to approve slippage in respect of the following schemes: new facilities at Parc Bryn y Don, access road to Dunraven Bay, Dyffryn Gardens phase 1, replacement footbridge at Barry island Station, and Holton Road shop front improvements. Cabinet was also to be requested to increase the budget in respect of the Atlantic Trading Estate infrastructure scheme, WAG approval having been obtained for the use of receipts to fund the additional costs.

 

RECOMMENDED – THAT the position in respect of the 2006/07 revenue and capital monitoring be noted.

 

 

707            EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC -

 

RESOLVED - T H A T under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 4 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act, the relevant paragraphs of the Schedule being referred to in brackets after the minute heading.

 

 

708     VALE BUSINESS CLUB (DEER) (EXEMPT INFORMATION – PARAGRAPH 20) -

 

Councillor M.R. Wilson had requested consideration of the activities of the Vale Business Club and its contribution to the promotion of business and enterprise within the Vale.

 

By way of background, Members were reminded that the Club had been established under Minute No. C1965 (June, 2005) with a reserve of £30,000 over 3 years. The first meeting had taken place in May, 2006 and membership had already almost reached the target figure of 100 for the first year of operation.  An £18,000 spend was anticipated in that first year.  Business in Focus (BIF) had been engaged following a competitive bidding process to deliver the Club in partnership with the Council.

 

Discussion ensued on the way in which the Club was run, the level of the involvement of the Council and the entire business community within the Vale in the Club, and the finances of the Club.  There was general support for the Club and it was recognised that there was a need to pump prime its establishment albeit it would need to be self-financing within 3 years.

 

Following further consideration of the above, it was

 

RECOMMENDED -

 

(1)       T H A T, to maximise accessibility to the Club for those businesses not already listed in the Vale Business Directory or BIF database and ensure inclusivity, publicity material relating to the opportunities afforded through the Club and to meetings / events thereof be also disseminated in Vale Waves and appropriate media and through press releases.

 

(2)       T H A T any interested Members of the Council be invited to attend a meeting of the Club in an observer capacity.