SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT)
MINUTES of a meeting held on 4th
September, 2007.
Present: Councillor N.P. Hodges
(Chairman); Councillors, J. Clifford,
Miss. J. Cole, E. Hacker, Mrs. M. Kelly Owen,
Mrs. A.J. Preston,
Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, W.C. Vaughan,
A.J. Williams and M.R. Wilson.
Also present: Councillor R.F.
Curtis.
291 APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE-
These were received from Councillors R.J.
Bertin, Ms. L. Burnett, G.A. Cox, A.D. Dobbinson, C.P. Franks, Mrs.
A.J. Moore and S.T. Wiliam.
292 MINUTES -
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the
meeting held on 17th July, 2007 be approved as a correct
record.
293 DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST -
No declarations were received.
294 HOME TO SCHOOL
TRANSPORT POLICY AND MONITORING UPDATE 2007 (REF. - MIN. NO. C3153)
-
Cabinet had, on 25thJuly, 2007 been
advised of the intended changes to Home to School Transport Policy
and approved the same for their formal adoption into the main body
of the Policy. Cabinet had further resolved that copies of
the document be issued to all schools for information and had
referred the Policy to this and the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong
Learning) for information.
Whilst particular attention was drawn to the
aforementioned changes, subsequent discussion focused primarily on
various other issues contained within the policy including matters
pertaining to catchment areas; costs; distances; drivers; free
transport entitlement; pupil behaviour / misconduct; and
training. It was noted that any points raised which fell
within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee (Lifelong Learning)
could be addressed at the meeting of that Committee next
week. Reference was made to the ground breaking work of the
School Transport Task and Finish Group established by the Council
in March 2004 in formulating the original Policy - which had
subsequently received national recognition. It was also noted
that the Policy was now reviewed annually, although much remained
as initially drafted.
Following further consideration of the above
matters, it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the resolutions of
Cabinet as contained in Minute No. C3153 be endorsed.
295 REVENUE AND
CAPITAL MONITORING: 1ST APRIL, 2007 -
31ST JULY, 2007 (DEER) -
The projected outturn for the 2007/08 Revenue
Budget was for a balanced budget although it was noted, as at the
previous meeting, that it was extremely early in the financial
year. Reference was also made to the fact that the
Directorate was required to find £1m. efficiency savings.
Details pertaining to the Capital Programme were appended to the
report. It was also noted, amongst other issues, that Cabinet
would be requested to approve an increase in the Capital Programme
of £109k. in relation to capital improvements relating to the
Coastal Access Improvement Programme 2007/10 and £50k. to carry out
additional works in the Buttrills and Cadoc wards in respect of
Alley Gates.
Responses to subsequent questions relating to
progress on Barry Central Station, Knap Lake Shelter Refurbishment
and Cogan Hall Farm Landscaping would be dealt with by the relevant
officers, it being agreed that a site visit would be held at Barry
Central Station to view the works once completed.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position with regard
to the 2007/08 Revenue and Capital Monitoring relevant to this
Scrutiny Committee be noted.
Reason for decision
So that Members are aware of the position with
regard to the 2007/08 Revenue and Capital Monitoring.
296 BUILDING AND
VEHICLE SERVICES - APPOINTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT OF APPRENTICES
(DEER) -
By way of background, it was explained that a
Craft Apprentices Scheme had commenced within Building and Vehicle
Services in September 2004, the first intake consisting of two
Plumbing Craft Apprentices. The selection process adopted
considered service need in respect of recruitment and retention and
had been based upon trade type and the commitment and aptitude of
applicants. Consideration then progressed onto the current
apprentice scheme which was a collaborative arrangement between
Building and Vehicle Services and the Vale of Glamorgan Training
Association (VGTA). It was further explained that the VGTA
was under contract to WAG to provide a number of training
opportunities and that the apprenticeship scheme was jointly funded
from the Corporate Training and Development Budget and the Trading
Account of Building Maintenance. The current funding levels
supported the recruitment of two apprentices per year. The
requirements of developing employees and diversity were addressed
through consideration of Service need in respect of the trades
chosen and a strategy to employ as many different trades as
possible. The report then detailed the methodology for
selection and the training route adopted thereafter.
Throughout the duration of the apprenticeship regular appraisals
were undertaken with further reviews of the information being
undertaken by the VGTA Training Co-ordinator, Service Manager and
the apprentice’s Line Manager.
It was accepted that the reintroduction of the
craft apprentices in 2004 had proved to be challenging but
successful. The number of apprentice posts was currently two
plumbers (commenced September 2004), two electricians (commenced
September 2005) and two carpenters (commenced September
2006). The scheme had shown that the Council provided
excellent opportunities to individuals who were willing to develop
their careers. Particular reference was drawn to two cases
whereby the principles of the Council’s Equal Opportunities Policy
were well evidenced. Attention was also drawn to the reasons
for the 2007 intake having been delayed, although progress was
being made towards meeting the September deadline. To that
end, the Service was adopting an innovative approach in overcoming
the difficulties encountered in covering the desired training
modules for the preferred trades considered for the 2007 intake
through discussions with sub-contractors for short-term apprentice
placements. It was also the intention to re-evaluate how the
apprenticeship scheme and other training initiatives were taken
forward from 2008/09 onwards. Initial assessments had
identified issues such as:
·
investigate options for employing apprentices straight from
school;
·
tailor training development specifically for the Council’s
requirement to enable the employment of apprentice plasterers;
·
investigate the options of additional / alternative training
partners;
·
increase the scope of apprenticeships to include other trades;
·
consider the inclusion of adult training schemes within the
training programmes.
In conclusion, the Service was commended for
its implementation of the Equal Opportunities policy and its
proposals for the future, the development of apprentices being seen
as an important public sector initiative by investing to save.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the current arrangements for the selection and development of
apprentices in Building and Vehicle Services be noted.
(2) T H A
T the intended review and proposals for revised / additional
training schemes within Building and Vehicles Services be
endorsed.
(3) T H A
T the feasibility of utilising actual examples of apprentices
selected in publicity material for new recruits be investigated in
order to help attract as wide a range of interest as possible from
all sectors of the community.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
ensure that this Committee is fully informed of the current
arrangements.
(2) To
seek the support of this Committee for future training
initiatives.
(3) To
attract as wide a range of interest as possible.
(Note: Councillor R.F. Curtis spoke on the
above matter with the consent of the Committee).
297 THE POUND,
LLANBLETHIAN (DEER) -
Authority was sought to declare land at the
above site surplus and to agree the reasons for disposal. The
land in question comprised 132m2 and an electricity
sub-station, and had been transferred to the predecessor Council as
one of a number of parcels of land which included the Commons in
and around Cowbridge. The land was, until recently,
cultivated by a tenant who had now relinquished occupation of the
site. It was noted that The Pound had no public access and
was thought to be subject of an easement for the electricity
company to access the sub-station which was at the east of the
property. The site was also enclosed by limestone with lime
mortar walls, 1.8m. high. Maintenance of the aforementioned
walls would be high and Committee was therefore asked to declare
the property surplus which would ultimately result in a capital
receipt being received upon its disposal. No adverse comments
had been received from local ward Members but attention was drawn
to the desirability of protecting the Council’s long-term interest
by imposing a suitable condition to ensure that, in the event of
any development taking place on the land in question, there would
be some clawback to the Council.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T Cabinet be asked to declare the property known as The Pound,
Llanblethian surplus to requirements and that the Director of
Finance, ICT and Property subsequently advertise and dispose of the
property in consultation with the Director of Environmental and
Economic Regeneration and the Director of Legal, Public Protection
and Housing Services.
(2) T H A
T, prior to any disposal of the property, Cabinet agree that
matters relating to the easement be fully investigated and an
appropriate legal condition drawn up to safeguard the Council’s
long-term interest in respect of any subsequent development taking
place on the land.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To
facilitate disposal and to reduce the maintenance liability of the
Directorate and to enable the advertisement for the disposal of the
property to take place.
(2) To
safeguard the Council’s interests.