Minutes:
The Scrutiny Committee
scrutinised the following matters:
Cabinet Board Proposals
7.1 Enforced Sale Policy
Members
considered a report in relation to an Enforced Sale Policy that had been
developed to deal with long term problematic empty properties and bring them
back in to use.
Officers
advised that this policy was not being developed in isolation but there was an
additional policy in development that linked and that was the Empty Property
Strategy.
Members
were advised that the officers had identified a specific number of properties
that would be dealt with in the first instance and this would be circulated
outside of the main meeting. Officers continued that once there had been
successes in dealing with the empty properties it will hopefully act as a
deterrent and spur property owners to sort out their empty properties.
Members
raised concern in relation to the demand for this and whether it would be a
budget pressure. Officers confirmed that any successes would see any monies
reinvested in the service. Officers asked Members to note that generally the
empty properties were not owned or ownership could not be identified and this
makes the process longer.
Members
asked whether there was a problem in relation to squatters in the County
Borough. Officers confirmed that there was not a problem and there were only
isolated cases.
Following
scrutiny the committee were supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
7.2 Environmental Health and Trading
Standards Food and Feed Service Delivery Plan 2016/2017 the Food and Feed Law
Enforcement Review 2015-2016.
Members
considered the report from the manager of Environmental Health and Trading
Standards.
Officers
advised that the review was required to be undertaken by the Food Standards
Agency and had been sent on to them in the summer of 2016.
Members
asked what the link was with the Port Health Authority and Officers stated that
the Council works with many agencies within the County Borough and in relation
to the Port Health Authority there did not appear to be any day to day contact
but there was communication when required.
Members
asked for clarity on what constitutes a “food registered premise” and officers
confirmed that it could be places such as school kitchens, burger vans and
community halls for example. If Members wished to have a list of the registered
food premises for their ward then the officers will circulate information
outside of the meeting.
Following
scrutiny the committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
7.3 Bus Services Support Grant Agreement
Members
considered the report in relation to a joint agreement with the three South
West Wales Authorities for the administration of the Bus Services Grant.
Officers
stated that this was previously undertaken by the South West Wales Integrated
Transport Consortium (SWWITCH) and was purely an administrative function.
Officers stated that the scheme would be administered by the City and County of
Swansea.
Members
asked whether there would be an impact on contracted services and officers
confirmed there would be none. However, Officers stated that Councils must
maintain costs within the grant.
Concern
was raised in relation to fraudulent claims that could become a possibility and
officers stated that transport officers do check the routes and that any fraud
generally is not in relation to length of routes but on the use of
concessionary bus passes although it should be noted that this has not been a
particular problem for Neath Port Talbot.
Officers
did state that there had been an occasion to withhold a payment to an operator
due to discrepancies.
Following
scrutiny the committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
7.4 List of Approved Contractors
Members
considered a report in relation to the amendment of the Approved List of
Contractors.
Officers
advised that the previously the list would need to be re-advertised every 4
years but this has subsequently changed and contractors can be added on an ad
hoc basis.
Members
asked was there ever a reason why someone should be precluded from the list and
it was stated that on occasions contractors could not be considered due to
issues such as insurance e.g. a small contractor may not be able to undertake
works on major developments because they do not have sufficient insurance
cover.
Officers
stated that it would be beneficial to consolidate the list down. Currently
there are 111 categories and some suppliers who have not undertaken any works.
Officers continued that they required advice from Legal and Procurement before
the list can be amended and once this work has been completed a further report
will be brought back to the Committee.
Following
scrutiny the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.