Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted that the Members of the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to scrutinise item 3(a) from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme, and item 4(a) from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting and noted that the Members of the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to scrutinise item 3(a) from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme, and item 4(a) from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

There were none.

There were none.

Members considered item 3(a) from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Members considered item 3(a) from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to Cabinet.

Michael D. Jones Waste Services Manager introduced the report and explained that officers are looking to regularise an operational position and give the council a formal policy that will help officers operate going forward.

Members were informed that the report is concerned with approximately 3000 properties covered by the smaller vehicle collection rounds. The rounds are in outlying areas or difficult to access areas with larger refuse collection freighters.

Officers explained that the smaller vehicles do not have bin lifting equipment, and the council must make provision for manual collection of black bags. Some residents are presenting bins for collection, which is causing collection staff an issue to empty them. This report is to formalise a position on this.

The chair noted that only a few wards aren’t affected by this and referred members to the map with locations of the rounds that had been circulated before the meeting.

Members noted a contradiction: Recommendation D allows wheely bins for storage, but states bins presented for collection will be removed. Page 11 mentions health and safety concerns the council has with bins due to potential struggle of lifting them safely.

Members asked how staff will remove bins if they can't lift them because of these safety reasons.

Members asked if staff do remove the bins, will they put them onto the small wagons and is there a dedicated storage for the bins to stop them being damaged.

Members suggested that there would not be enough room to store them on the small waggons.

Members noted the report states bins may be reused on other collection rounds and asked who will be responsible for cleaning and ensuring they are disinfected and fit for reuse?

Members felt this indicated that further people need to be re-deployed to do this work.

Members asked how it will affect the residents who may have asked for a replacement bin but end up with a second-hand bin rather than a new one?

Officers advised there are a very small number of properties on the rounds presenting bins.

In relation to taking the bins away that are presented, officers have vehicles within the fleet with a tail lift that they use to deliver the bins. That vehicle can be used to collect any bins that have been inappropriately presented.

Officers suggested notifying residents in advance if their bins will be taken away, if they present them again, allowing them to pull the bins in to avoid removal.

Members were informed that officers collect inappropriately presented bins from properties such as those who present multiple wheely bins. They used the example of if two bins are presented then the additional bin will be brought back to the yard. This practice is applied across the borough.

Suitable bins are washed and reused. Damaged or dirty bins are recycled. Officers ensure only bins fit for reuse are put back into circulation.

Members asked if there is a van with a tail lift that could lift bins in the 1st place, why  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3a

Members considered item 4a from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

The Members of the Committee noted the Forward Work Programme.

The presentation was noted.

The chair reminded members that the regeneration strategy has been on the Cabinet's forward work programme for a while but has been delayed. Consequently, the chair asked officers to provide an update and background information.

Andrew Collins provided an update on the forthcoming regeneration strategy.

Members were informed that the regeneration and economic development is inextricably linked and as a result officers are making it ‘the regeneration and economic development strategy’. This is being worked on by SQW the councils’ partners.

Officers are waiting on the first draught of the report. Officers advised that they will be providing members with what they are proposing and what the strategy will provide.

Members were remined of the economic recovery plan produced two years ago which was in reaction to the COVID and the effect on the local economy. Since then, the TATA steelworks position and other events meant that the economic recovery plan is already out of date.

The report will update on the current situation, incorporating structural economic changes in the borough, including the negative impacts from Tata and the positive developments from the Celtic Freeport and Flow programme.

Members were informed that these will be integrated with existing local strategic strategies, including the Heritage strategy, Cultural strategy, destination management plan, and the emerging replacement Local Development Plan.

Officers will also be reflecting the UK and Welsh Government strategies and where this takes the authority.

Members were informed that the strategy aims to create a single strategy for all aspects of regeneration and economic development. Officers have stressed to consultants the need for a stronger area-based narrative that reflects the borough, unlike the previous economic development plan.

Officers don’t want to concentrate on the coastal fringes and the major industrial areas and want to reflect the valley communities and the challenges in those areas going forward.

Officers are currently gathering evidence for the strategy. Consultants have held workshops and consulted with stakeholders such as Swansea University, Neath Talbot College, the local health board, CVS, and others. They are now producing the draught strategy.

Officers acknowledged the delay from SQW and the amount of work they are currently having to do.

Officers will be bringing the strategy to members and from that they will have emerging project opportunities which will form their regeneration and economic programmes going forward.

Members were advised that the ambitions of the strategy will be that Neath Port Talbot will see a transition for the long term and be a leading centre for low carbon industrial production and innovation, a place of opportunity and choice, and a county borough of distinctive and thriving communities.

Officers noted that stakeholders were enthusiastic about developing a new strategy that addresses the county borough's challenges. There was strong support for the council's careful approach to ensure it is done right.

Officers felt they have taken too long but felt that it was due to the pressures that the consultants are under.

The chair asked to clarify what the time scale is now  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4a

There were no performance monitoring items.

There were no performance monitoring items.

·       Cabinet Forward Work Programme

·       Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme

Members noted the Forward Work Programme.

Members noted the Forward Work Programme.

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

There were none.

There was none.