Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting.

The Chair noted that agenda item 14 of the Cabinet agenda pack, which is the private report relating to the Proposed Mynydd Fforch Dwm Wind Farm Development, has been deferred from this meeting due to the need for further consideration of the report.

The Chair noted that the Members of the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to scrutinise the following items from the Cabinet Board agenda:

-      Item 9: Streetscene Capital Funding 2022/23

-       Item 11a: Addition to Streetcare Fees and Charges 2023/24

The Chair welcomed members to the meeting.

The Chair noted that agenda item 14 of the Cabinet agenda pack, which is the private report relating to the Proposed Mynydd Fforch Dwm Wind Farm Development, has been deferred from this meeting due to the need for further consideration of the report.

The Chair noted that the Members of the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to scrutinise the following items from the Cabinet Board agenda:

•         Item 9: Streetscene Capital Funding 2022/23

•         Item 11a: Addition to Streetcare Fees and Charges 2023/24

Councillor Goldup-John indicated he had a personal interest for Item 9 on the Scrutiny agenda as he works for Transport for Wales. He has dispensation to speak and vote.

Councillor Goldup-John - Personal interest for Item 9 on the Scrutiny agenda as he works for Transport for Wales. He has dispensation to speak.

For the Committee to approve the accuracy of the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd June 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd of June 2023 were approved as an accurate record of proceedings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd of June 2023 were approved as an accurate record of proceedings.

The report was noted.

Members received an update on Active Travel as presented within the report circulated. Officers also explained that there have been some organisational changes in the Environment directorate from April 1^st 2023 and Active travel has been consolidated under the Head of Engineering and Transport service portfolio area.

The Active travel network map and policy driven areas were under planning previously. These functions are now integrated under the engineering consultancy area. Officers advised that the report is a transition report and covers last year and taking things forward from now.

Members commented that in the corporate plan it was set out for the need of a 5-year plan on active travel within Neath Port talbot. Members wanted to know when this plan would be available to view.

Officers explained that there are short, medium, and long-term plans and officers have been trying to establish how to how to prioritise the program. There are 400 Active travel routes in the active travel network maps with 100 given a high priority. Transport for Wales are developing a system to help authorities prioritise these further, once this is available officers will be able to start to develop the plan.

Members expressed the importance of promotion of active travel. Members also pointed out that on the Active travel map, the link takes you to a map with no Key or details. Members suggested that this could be changed to a different page that provides a key and additional information as well as a link that takes you to the NPT page.

Officers agreed that they would get this link updated. Officers also highlighted that they are working on different ways to promote active travel and are intending to go out to events to promote it. Officers also advised that they are open to ideas and suggestion on promotion.

Officers further explained that embedded in the road safety teams and primary education teams is the promotion of walking and cycling. Over 12 months these teams get to nearly all the primary schools and work is also done in secondary schools. This aids in the promotion of walking and cycling.

Members also suggested that officers pass on the information to community councils so they can promote it in the local community. Officers agreed that this was a good idea and that they would send it out to the town councils when the link had been updated so they too could add it to their websites or share the link.

Members asked for an update on the 2 new posts that the budget had allocated for active travel. Officers explained that in June the Active travel manager position was filled by someone from another team. A position as Active Travel officer is being job evaluated and has taken longer than expected.

Officers also added that with the Active travel roles they, want to respond to the plan and implement mores schemes on the ground. If they are successful in securing grants, then the consultancy service area has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)

Streetscene Capital Funding 2023/23

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Addition to Streetcare Fees and Charges 2023/24

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Streetscene Capital Funding 2023/23

Members received information on Streetscene Capital Funding 2023/23 as presented within the report circulated.

Members pointed out that it isn’t great that half the budget is going to the highways and engineering works programme even though it is essential work. Members advised that anyone looking at it would not expect to see this money being spent on repairing roads etc.

Members suggested that this should be changed in relation to presentation in the budget, either subsuming it all into the highways and engineering works programme or making a more realistic allocation between the two.

Officers advised that they take that on board about the public perception of it being spent on highways while being necessary and priority work. Officers will see how this can be presented in the future and advised that things may change in Autum following assessments. Streetcare officers are coming up with a prioritised programme which is challenging.

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Addition to Streetcare Fees and Charges 2023/24

Members received information on the Addition to Streetcare Fees and Charges 2023/24 as presented within the report circulated.

Members wished to clarify if this was a new service?

Members were advised that it was a new charge for any commercial operation, such as landscapers, horticulturalists etc who may wish to use the facility at the Burry Port site. Now they can use this for a fee.

Members wanted to know where these businesses have been taking this type of waste until now. Officers clarified that any waste that goes to the recycling centres, goes to any one of numerous composting facilities across South Wales.

Officers weren’t able to comment on where these companies take this waste to currently.

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There was none.

There was none.

For the Committee to receive the Forward Work Programme and Committee Action Log of the Environment, Regeneration & Neighbourhood Services Scrutiny Committee for 2023-24.

The Members of the Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

The Members of the Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

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.

That pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following items of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

That pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded for the following items of business which involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

The report was noted.

Members received information on the Neath Integrated Transport Hub as presented within the report circulated.

Following scrutiny the report was noted.

To select appropriate private items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members).

Members did not scrutinise the private items on the Cabinet Agenda.

Members did not scrutinise the private items on the Cabinet Agenda.