SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (ECONOMY AND ENVIRONMENT)
Minutes of a meeting held on 2nd
September, 2008.
Present: Councillor C.J. Williams
(Chairman); Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen (Vice-Chairman);
Councillors J.C. Bird, R.F. Curtis, G. John, Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, W.C.
Vaughan and M.R. Wilson.
Also present: Councillor G.C.
Kemp.
275 APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE -
These were received from Councillors Ms. M.E.
Alexander, E.T. Williams and Ms. M. Wright.
276 MINUTES -
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the
meeting held on 30th July, 2008 be approved as a correct
record.
277 DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST -
Councillor R.F. Curtis declared an interest in
Agenda Item No. 7 relating to the collection and disposal of
clinical waste in that he worked for Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust,
and vacated the room during the consideration thereof.
278 CORPORATE PLAN
2006 - 2010 ANNUAL MONITORING (CMT) -
Progress made against the actions contained in
the Council’s Corporate Plan 2006 - 2010 was considered by the
Committee. Schedules containing "Key Targets" and "Actions"
in respect of those issues falling within the remit of this
Committee, namely and the Environment and Regeneration, together
with Community Leadership, had been forwarded prior to the meeting
under separate cover. Those schedules provided an update on
progress for 2007-08 and, as previously, the Cabinet Members and
officers had been identified with each target and action in the
Plan being shown as
· completed
or on track for completion within agreed timescales
· concerns
about outcomes not being achieved within agreed timescales
· significant risk of outcomes
not being achieved within agreed timescales.
The Director referred specifically to those
topics within the remit of this Committee, drawing attention to the
fact that most indicators were on target and that reasons where
they were not were contained within the document.
Discussion ensued on a variety of matters
including the following where a progress report was given as
outlined below:
R9 – Tourism, Marketing and Events Strategy:
latest draft currently being considered by the relevant Cabinet
Member
R13 – Penarth Heights: technical details in
respect of the Section 106 still to be agreed with the developer,
it being noted that the downturn in the market and the problem
associated with there still being tenants on site meant that it
would yet be some time before matters would be concluded
R14 – Barry Waterfront: having regard to the
principles for any development as previously made clear by the
Council, the Consortium was currently preparing a Masterplan in
readiness for the submission of a detailed planning application
when economic conditions had improved
R15 – former Holiday Camp site, Barry Island:
in accordance with an earlier Cabinet decision, the site would be
marketed over the coming winter
E9 – regional solution to waste
disposal: WAG was currently considering proposals put forward by
Consortia in Wales, including a draft document from Prosiect
Gwrydd; an announcement was expected later in September.
Following further discussion on other matters,
including coastal issues, it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the progress made in
implementing the Council’s Corporate Plan 2006-10 as indicated in
the schedules referred to above be endorsed.
Reason for recommendation
To ensure effective monitoring of the
Corporate Plan.
279 IMPROVEMENT PLAN
2008/09 (CX) -
The draft Improvement Plan 2008/09 had been
forwarded under separate cover prior to the meeting and was
presented to Members by both the Policy Officer (IDT) and the
Director. The draft Plan contained all available performance
information required by the Welsh Assembly Government together with
several local indicators which measured corporate priorities.
The Plan was continually evolving as information was provided by
managers and, as such, was not yet fully completed. Such
information would be included prior to the final draft being
presented to the Council in early October. The Policy Officer
reminded Members that Cabinet would need to be made aware of any
changes by 17th September, 2008.
Questions ensued on a variety of issues
falling within the remit of this Committee, including the
following:
· NSPI 15ii
– the Operational Manager (Waste Management and Cleansing)
explained that the target relating to the total percentage of
municipal waste composted or treated biologically not having been
met in 2007/08 was attributable to difficulties experienced at
civic amenity site; the Operational Manager confirmed that future
targets were realistic since there had been a change to the
contractor operating those sites.
· Penarth
Heights – community provision: the Director confirmed that
potential monies allocated in the Section 106 agreement would be
used to provide replacement community facilities in the area for
the benefit of all sectors of that community, the main objective
being to improve the facilities St Paul’s and that, whilst the
level of improvement would clearly be dependent upon the
amount of funding available, this would achieved through
consultation with the community and local Members.
· L350a –
in response to a query as to significant increase in the percentage
of customers satisfied with the condition of roads, the Director
indicated that the results had been obtained through an independent
public opinion survey.
A discussion on the condition of adopted /
unadopted roads then took place, with those Members having
questions concerning specific roads – including those relating to
certain roads where works likely to cause local disruption were
anticipated by utility companies - were asked to contact the
recently appointed Operational Manager (Highway Maintenance).
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the Improvement Plan for
2008/09 as currently drafted be endorsed.
Reason for recommendation
To ensure that actions are taken to improve
services and to agree the Plan within the required timescales.
280 REVENUE AND
CAPITAL MONITORING: 1ST APRIL, 2008 -
31ST JULY, 2008 (DEER) -
The Group Accountant deputised for the
Operational Manager at the meeting. She commenced by drawing
attention to the fact that the projected outturn for the 2008/09
Revenue Budget was for a balanced budget. Details were
contained within the report of current variances within that budget
together with the reasons therefore and the actions necessary to
correct any adverse position. As regards the Capital
Programme 2008/09 details were presented of funding in respect of
the Rights of Way Improvement Plan and Holton Road Public Realm
Improvements concerning both of which Cabinet was, on
3rd September, 2008 being requested to increase the
Capital Programme accordingly. As regards the Penarth
Headland Link, it was reported that following discussions with WAG
regarding the clawback on the grant awarded for the aborted Penarth
Headland Link project, it had now been agreed that the grant income
of £2.4m. which had previously been received by this Council would
be repaid over a 5 year period commencing 1st August,
2008 when the first instalment of £0.5m. was due. In
addition, consideration was given to the non financial information
on Capital Schemes with a budget of over £100k. appended to
the report. In response to questions, the Director reported on
various issues, including the fact that it was anticipated that the
bridge at Ewenny would comprise the main spend as regards Network
Rail highway bridge strengthening; and that a report on the likely
timescale for the Thompson Street footbridge would shortly be
submitted to Cabinet. The Director undertook to respond direct to
the enquirer in respect of progress made in identifying a
suitable surface to allow the completion of the Knap Shelter
refurbishment.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position with regard
to 2008/09 Revenue and Capital Monitoring be noted.
Reason for recommendation
That Members are aware of the position with
regard to the 2008/09 Revenue and Capital Monitoring relevant to
this Committee.
281 COLLECTION AND
DISPOSAL OF HOUSEHOLD CLINICAL WASTE (REF - C84) -
Cabinet had, on 23rd July, been
apprised of a regional review of local authority statutory duties
in respect of the collection and disposal of household clinical
waste and had approved the introduction of a charging policy for
that service with Local Health Authorities bearing the cost,
referring the report to this Committee for consideration.
The Operational Manager (Waste Management and
Cleansing) notified Members that a number of Councils had revised
their duties and practices on clinical waste collection and had
decided that the collection of household clinical waste could only
be made at the request of the local NHS Trust and then at a
reasonable charge. This Council did not currently charge for its
clinical waste collection service and, although only a limited
service was provided, the minimum estimated cost of such was £15k.
per annum. Adopting a similar charging policy to other South East
Councils could either result in a saving of at least £15k. were
both NHS Trusts within the Vale to take the service in-house (as
had been the case in Cardiff) or could provide additional income
were both Trusts to accept the charge.
Following consideration of the options
available and after receiving confirmation that the Council had to
be satisfied that adequate arrangements were in place for the
collection and disposal of clinical waste should changes be made to
the provision, it was
RECOMMENDED – T H A T the resolution of
Cabinet be endorsed but that the position be monitored and, should
any changes to the current arrangements result in complaints being
made to Council, a further report made to this Committee on ways in
which to address those complaints.
Reason for recommendation
To allow the introduction of the charging
policy to be progressed and monitored.
282 RECYCLING STORAGE
BOXES IN PENARTH (DEER) -
Councillor M.R. Wilson had requested that this
Committee investigate the position regarding the non supply of
recycling storage boxes in Penarth and look for an urgent solution,
thereby reducing the cost and carbon footprint to the Penarth
Council Taxpayer and resident. Such boxes were currently
issued only from the Alps, Civic Offices and the Cowbridge One Stop
Shop. Whilst a risk assessment undertaken at West House, Penarth
had shown that it was not possible to store and issue boxes from
that location, arrangements had now been made for the boxes to be
distributed from Penarth Leisure Centre. The Operational Manager
(Waste Management and Cleansing)
subsequently reported that a similar
arrangement would be put in place for Llantwit Major. Discussion
subsequently focussed on the synergy of health, fitness and
sustainability. The point made that this new service should be
widely publicised in order to attract a wider clientele than at
present to leisure centre premises and thereby increase the
potential take up of other facilities offered at leisure
centres.
Whilst the identification of a venue for the
distribution of the boxes within Penarth and Llantwit Major was
welcomed, it was accepted that the Leisure Centres in both towns
were not sited in a central location. It was considered that a risk
assessment of the One Stop Shop in Llantwit Major would indicate
that the venue was unsuitable, although it was accepted that the
viability of the Town Hall could be ascertained. The Operational
Manager also agreed to investigate the possibility of utilising
Holm View Leisure Centre as a venue for the collection of recycling
boxes to serve residents in the north of Barry. He reminded Members
that this Council was the 2nd best performing Council in
Wales as regards kerbside recycling and further explained that
whilst the majority of households throughout the Vale would already
have at least 1 such box, each household was entitled to more. He
referred to the Council’s aim of phasing out the use of plastic
bags for kerbside recycling and the need currently for recycled
materials to be collected separately; householders would
consequently be required to put out a box for each type of material
to be collected and would therefore require a minimum of 3.
Following further consideration of the above
and related matters, it was
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position be noted
and the proposed arrangements for the distribution of recycling
boxes in Penarth and Llantwit Major be endorsed.
Reason for recommendation
To introduce new more local arrangements.