Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber - Port Talbot Civic Centre. View directions
No. | Item |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 56 KB Minutes: That
the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 May, 2019, be approved. |
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Minutes: Members
discussed the circulated report which gave the first yearly update on the Japanese Knotweed Management and Treatment Service operated by
Environmental Health and Trading Standards, from April 2018 to March 2019. The treatment of Japanese Knotweed on Council
owned land was discussed, and it was noted that before April 2019,
Environmental Health Officers would treat areas on a reactive basis, when
alerted by a complaint. Since April 2019, when a small allowance was built into
the budget, Officers had begun to proactively map areas of the County Borough
and identify hot spots in order for comprehensive treatment plans to be put in
place. Members noted that currently the Council was
only mapping areas of Japanese Knotweed on Council owned land, and not areas
owned by housing associations. Officers confirmed that the Council was only
currently treating their own land, however they also offered the chargeable
service, which may be of interest to Housing Associations. The continuation of
this treatment programme was reliant upon the continued availability of a
budget. Officers explained that a briefing note would
shortly be distributed to all Councilors in order for them to identify areas of
Knotweed growth in their Wards. It was hoped that treatment of Japanese
Knotweed on Council owned land could be treated at the same time as
appointments for the chargeable service, in order to avoid duplication of work
in the same area. Other areas for discussion included: ·
‘Adverse possession’ of
land ·
Homes bordering Network
Rail land ·
Japanese Knotweed management plans for mortgage purposes It
was hoped that Members would promote the chargeable service, where relevant, to
their constituents. Officers had also spoken to local estate agents about the
service and would
soon be releasing more social media publicity. There
were a number of factors that affected how effective the treatment was,
including whether the homeowner took on board the aftercare instructions; the weather
and the volume of spray. Small to medium areas of Knotweed treatment had proven
most successful. Several treatment options were available under the chargeable
service, including stem injections. Members
noted that this was the first annual update report on the treatment of Japanese
Knotweed, and subsequent reports would be built into the Streetscene and
Engineering Scrutiny Committee forward Work Programme going forward. Following
scrutiny, the report was noted. |
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Pre-Decision Scrutiny Minutes: The
Committee scrutinised the following Cabinet Board item:- Key
Performance Indicators 2018/2019 – 1 April 2018 – 31 March 2019 (Full Year) Members
queried the figures relating to Stage 2 complaints which had been upheld, as
they felt that the percentage reported in the circulated report should be
representative of more than the one complaint detailed. Officers would provide
further details to Members as soon as they were available. Road
safety was discussed, including the process following a serious injury or
fatality, in order to prevent this from reoccurring. It was noted that the
current Road Safety Plan was due to be revised in 2020, and the way in which
investigations into accidents were dealt with could be subject to change. Members
also discussed: ·
Current budget pressures in relation to performance ·
How targets were set Members
noted that safety critical repairs and health and safety issues were given
priority, and unexpected complications such as replacement of safety barrier
protection; edge fails and collapses all created extra pressures on maintenance
budgets. Officers would circulate details concerning how roads were tested and
the four criteria of road surfaces to Members. Following
scrutiny, the monitoring report was noted. |
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Forward Work Programme 19/20 PDF 54 KB Minutes: Following
today’s meeting, Members of the Committee would take part in a Streetscene and Engineering Scrutiny Committee Forward Work
Programme (FWP) workshop session, which would allow the opportunity for Members
to identify items they would like to add to the FWP and scrutinise in 2019/20. The
Committee noted the Forward Work Programme. |