Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following matters:
Cabinet
Board Proposals
5.1 Quarter 3 Performance Monitoring, Education, Leisure and
Lifelong Learning.
Members received information in relation to the Quarter 3
Performance in Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning as contained within the
circulated report.
Members noted the slight increase in the number of people
using the public libraries during the year and praised the extra work the staff
are doing to attract audiences to activities and events.
The decrease in the number of materials issued and the number
of reserved items supplied within 7 days was noted.
The use of e-readers and digital services was
discussed and Members commented that the public are looking to use library
services in different ways.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.
5.2 Quarter 3 Performance Monitoring, Economic
and Community Regeneration.
Members received information in relation to the Quarter 3
Performance in Economic and Community Regeneration as contained within the circulated
report.
The Committee observed that the performance in the
percentages of householder planning applications and all other planning
applications determined during the year within 8 weeks had improved. It was
hoped that this improved performance would put Neath Port Talbot into the top
quartile but this has not yet been realised.
It was noted that the number of new business start-up
enquiries assisted through Business Services had reduced.
The Committee commented overall that there is difficult job
market locally with losses at this Council and at TATA steel and their wider
supply chain and considered the effect that this is likely to be having on
staff morale generally.
Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report
be noted.