Venue: Committee Rooms A/B - Neath Civic Centre
No. | Item |
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Minutes of the Environment and Highways Scrutiny Committee held on 16 February 2017. PDF 87 KB Minutes: The
Scrutiny Committee noted the minutes. |
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Scrutiny Forward Work Programme 2017/18. PDF 70 KB Minutes: The
Committee noted the forward work programme. |
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Pre -Scrutiny Minutes: The
Committee selected the following Cabinet Board items for Scrutiny: 3.1 Japanese Knotweed Members
considered a report that highlighted the Council’s policy and procedures in
relation to Japanese knotweed. Members
asked whether there was an update in relation to the trial of
introducing a “superbug” that would kill the knotweed. Officers stated that the
trial in other parts of South Wales had failed over the winter and was not a
viable option. Officers
were asked if the policy would mean the Council would continue to give advice
if the problem was found on private land or would it absolve all
responsibility. It was confirmed that the Council will continue to offer advice
but it would remain the responsibility of the land owner/complainant to pursue. Members
asked whether there was a specific issue in relation to communication between
Network Rail and Natural Resources Wales. Officers confirmed that there could
be a species control put agreement in place between the organisations but
currently there was not. Members continued and asked whether there was a
process in place to put pressure on Natural Resources Wales and officers
confirmed that the Council could write to them to highlight their concerns. Members
requested data on where the locations of Japanese knotweed are within the
County Borough and officers agreed that as this was being developed this could
be shared with Members in the future. Officers
stated that in relation to private landlords the Council does not plan on
visiting but a report will be presented to the next meeting which will identify
potential income generation opportunities. Members
asked whether there are private companies in existence that offer this service.
Officers stated that there are companies in existence.. Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board. 3.2 Proposed No Waiting, Loading or Unloading to the rear of 21-41 Station Road, Port Talbot. Members
were advised that the report had been written following complaints from local
businesses. It
was suggested that a possible alternative may be to revise the traffic orders
on Station Road itself. Officers advised that orders on Station Road were to be
revised this year to accommodate a taxi rank following dialog between the local
members and taxi fraternity in Port Talbot and an additional loading area could
not be accommodated without the loss of further car parking on street. Following
scrutiny the Committee agreed to allow the Cabinet Board to take the relevant
decision. |
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Access to Meetings to resolve to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act. |
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Pre-Scrutiny Minutes: The
Committee selected the following private Cabinet Board items for scrutiny 5.1
Extension of Frameworks and Framework Agreements for the Occasional Hire of
Operative Plant and for the Occasional Hire of 180 Back Hoe
Loader Members
asked whether this was the most cost effective option or would the purchase of
a machine be more cost effective. Officers stated that they would undertake an
analysis and report back to the Member. Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board. |