Minutes:
3.
PRE-SCRUTINY
The Committee chose to
scrutinise the following items:
Cabinet Board Papers
3.1 Swansea Bay City Deal
The Committee received
information in relation to the Swansea Bay City Deal as contained within the circulated
report.
Members welcomed the report
and thanked officers for their hard work. Members added that the deal was good
for the County Borough, particularly as the borrowing cost for the Authority
had been reduced from £21 million to £6.3 million. Members commented that
working on a regional basis would help create jobs within the County Borough.
Members referred to the section contained in the report regarding the Authority
being the main Scrutiny lead, and questioned whether the membership would mirror
that of the current Regeneration and Sustainable Development Scrutiny
Committee. Officers informed Members that the arrangements were not known at
this stage, and that the Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Digital Officer
and the Head of Legal Services were making enquiries into this. Officers added
that scrutiny arrangements were different across the four authorities,
therefore consideration would be required regarding the preferred model.
Members queried whether there
was any flexibility in relation to the projects identified in the report and
whether they could be subject to change in the future. Officers confirmed that
projects could be changed as the framework made provision for this. Officers
stated that some projects could have stronger business cases than others, and
priorities could change in the future. Officers added that some projects were
also at a more advanced stage than others that were in their infancy.
Members questioned whether
the Steel Science/National Innovation Centre project was in a strong position,
as this was an important initiative which would help support and sustain the
local steel industry. Officers stated that conversations were ongoing with
Swansea University where the project would be based on the Fabian Way campus.
Officers reported that the Leader had been in discussion with Ken Skates,
Assembly Member, regarding the matter. Officers informed Members that another
related project was being explored outside of the City Deal.
Members stated that good
public relations and effective communication was essential to keep the public
updated on developments. Officers concurred, and stated that communication with
the public was a high priority. Officers added that the benefits of the City
Deal would be communicated widely.
Members raised concerns that
the deteriorating local transport arrangements could exclude and isolate
citizens, and prevent them from receiving the benefits of the City Deal.
Members added that many transport providers were withdrawing their local services.
Officers stated that transport issues were not being addressed under the remit
of the City Deal; however officers agreed that a transport project should be
undertaken separately to underpin the deal, with strong governance arrangements
established. Officers informed Members that this issue was widely acknowledged
by all partners. Officers added that the Authority were undertaking various
pieces of work to address the issues being encountered within the county
borough.
Members queried whether it
was proposed to combine the Scrutiny and Audit functions. Officers stated that
the Audit function would be the responsibility of Carmarthenshire County
Council, and that the Scrutiny function would sit with the Authority, and there
were no plans to combine the two. Officers explained that even though Audit and
Scrutiny sat under the same heading in the agreement, they would be separated
out. Officers informed Members that the terms of reference would provide
further details, and that there were existing models for Scrutiny in place that
could be replicated such as the Education Regional Working (ERW) model.
Members queried whether there
would be an emphasis on reducing the carbon footprint under the Steel
Science/National Innovation Centre project, and if National Resources Wales
(NRW) be involved. Officers stated that this element was outside the scope of
the project and the city deal framework, but the Flexis
project which was set up separately and was based on Fabian Way was
incorporating this element. Officers informed Members that the Flexis Project worked in partnership with Tata Steel, Welsh
Government (WG) and three universities. Officers added that a presentation on
the project would be brought back to the Committee in the future. Members
questioned whether NRW should be involved at the early stages of the projects.
Officers informed Members that NRW would have to be involvement in the projects
as they were the regulatory body. Officers stated that issues with air quality
in the area were well documented; however robust analysis was needed in light
of inaccuracies with the recent World Health Organisation data. Officers
explained that the steel works alone were not responsible for the air quality
issues encountered in the area, and that the motorway was also a contributor.
Officers added that the Flexis project would provide
the opportunity for an informed debate.
Members queried whether the
City Deal could help existing projects within the county borough such as the
acquisition of the former Carnaud/Metal Box building.
Officers stated that the City Deal could help indirectly as existing projects
being undertaken by the Authority were outside the framework for the deal, but
being part of the city region could attract interest from businesses wanting to
invest and start up business in the county borough. Officers added that risks
around Brexit needed to be factored in and clarified.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were supportive of the proposals to be
considered by Cabinet.
3.2 Corporate Risk Management Register
The Committee received
information in relation to the Corporate Risk Management Register as contained
within the circulated report.
Officers informed Members
that the intention in future was for individual Cabinet Boards to monitor the
relevant sections of the risk register on a six monthly basis.
Members queried why the
opencast east pit was no longer monitored or included on the register. Officers
stated that this was included on the operational risk register instead.
Officers explained that Cabinet dealt with the strategic element of the risk
register, while the relevant Cabinet Boards reviewed the operational and
detailed registers reported by the relevant officers. Officers added that the
review of the arrangements for assessing and managing risk were carried out at
Audit Committee to ensure that the process was fit for purpose.
Members queried whether the
method for assessing risks and concerns were the same. Officers stated that the
mechanisms were the same but the way that they were scored and evaluated were
slightly different, and was set out in the report.
Following scrutiny, the
Committee were supportive of the proposals to be considered at Cabinet.
3.3 Valleys Action Plan
The Committee received
information in relation to the Valleys Action Plan as contained within the
circulated report.
The Committee welcomed the
report and thanked the Task and Finish Group for their hard work.
Members commented that the test
track to Onllwyn was a positive move and that there
was a train track from Cwrt Sart
to the Dulais Valleys which was still in good
condition that could be utilised. Members suggested that a conversation with WG
on the matter could be useful. Members added that if instated, the train could
transport people to and from the metal box for employment in the future
potentially.
Members commented that the WG
have a Valleys agenda, and queried whether it would be possible to dove tail with them in order to increase the impetus before
the focus of WG changes. Members added that some elements could be Authority
led, while others could be WG led. Officers stated that there was a role for
the Council and a role for WG with regard to the Valleys agenda, particularly
on transport issues. Officers commented that there was a need to put pressure
on WG to look at transport policies, but it was also important for the
Authority to deliver on this front also. Officers stated that the Authority
would look at their transport policies from a Valleys perspective. Officers
referred to the issues around planning which were highlighted in the action
plan, and explained that it was very difficult to persuade developers to build
in the Valley areas, and that the Authority would welcome initiatives from WG.
Members commented that the
Valley areas were experiencing a change of dynamics with regard to population
levels, with younger people moving away because they were not confident with
the future of the Valleys. Members stated that partners such as Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University
Health Board were providing support in these areas, but it was becoming
increasingly difficult to sustain services in the Valley areas with a
decreasing population. Members suggested that the Public Service Board needed
to provide a firmer direction on the future of the Valleys.
The Leader commented that the
Authority had recently been successful in negotiations with a transport
provider to keep a bus service in operation in the Afan
Valley following a petition from citizens. The Leader explained that the
Council had to work with the private transport providers and the constraints
that they were experiencing but emphasised the importance of providing
transport options for citizens to access work, education and hospitals. The
Leader stated that anchor organisations and third sector organisations all had
a part to play in the Valleys. The Leader informed the Committee that a number
of schemes and initiatives had already been launched which demonstrated the Council’s
commitment to the Valleys areas, such as the Canolfan
Maerdy child care service in Tairgwaith
which was a long term scheme, and the DANSA community transport service which
was due to be reviewed. The Leader added that the Rhondda Tunnel opening would
provide benefits for Neath and Port Talbot, and the Onllwyn test track was also a positive step. The Leader
raised concerns that Goytre and Pelenna
were not mentioned in the action plan, and stated that this would need to be
reviewed. Officers informed the Members who led on the Task and Finish Group
that an item regarding Community Transport was on the agenda at the Streetscene and Engineering Cabinet Board on the 20th July,
and that their views from a Valleys perspective would be welcomed.
Members emphasised the
importance of building on the work carried out by the group and bringing it to
fruition. Members reminded the Committee that similar pieces of work had been
carried out previously and had become short lived initiatives. Members stated
that it was important to keep the public engaged and up to date with
developments as their input would be required.
Members questioned how the Council would progress with the priorities
identified in the action plan. Members added that the work carried out needed to
form the basis of a core strategy. The Leader informed the Committee that the
Leader and Deputy Leader would review the action plan with the aim of
incorporating as many action points as possible into future strategies. The
Leader stated that the Task and Finish team would remain in place in a
reviewing capacity. Members queried whether a group could be set up with Valley
ward Members to review the action plan on a six monthly or a yearly basis. The
Leader stated that legal advice would be sought on the matter.
The Committee made a
recommendation to Cabinet that a Valleys Consultation Group be created to
review the action plan periodically, and for Ward Members from Valleys areas to
be included in the group.
Following scrutiny, the
Committee were supportive of the action plan, and recommended that Cabinet
oversee and monitor the progress on the action plan.
3.4 Quarterly
Performance Management Data 2017/2018 – Quarter 4 Performance (1st April 2017 –
31st March 2018)
The Committee received
information in relation to the Quarterly Performance Management Data 2017/2018
– Quarter 4 Performance (1st April 2017 – 31st March 2018) as contained within
the circulated report.
Members commented that the
Waste Management figures were positive, and that the Social Services
Unqualified Staff Reviews were now at 100% which was also very positive.
Members stated that it was good to see a compliment received regarding
Licensing staff.
Members mentioned that given
the staff shortages and pressures on the service, the Planning Department were
performing reasonably well.
Members queried the purpose
of school exclusions. Officers stated it allowed space and time for pupils to
reflect, and for the schools to assess the situation and look at any underlying
problems effecting pupils.
Members referred to indicator
103 on p.223 and queried why the number of calendar days had increased for the
provision of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), and raised concerns that
without additional funding performance could decrease further. Officers stated
that £3 million a year was allocated to DFGs, but there needed to be a better
use of resources. The Leader commented that the cost for equipment and
adaptations was expensive, and the demand on the service outweighed the
resources available. The Leader added that the Council needed to look at
recouping costs when people moved property, and that equipment needed to be
recycled.
Members raised concerns in
relation to the Statements of Special Educational Needs, and queried whether
performance needed to be reviewed. Members questioned whether there had been a
decrease in psychologists. Officers explained that there had been no decrease
in the number of psychologists; however the advice received from other agencies
sometimes was not provided in a timely manner. Members queried whether the
issues laid with Abertawe Bro Morgannwg
University Health Board. Officers informed Members that a draft statement may
require input from a number of agencies sometimes, and this was not always done
in a timely manner. Members stated that Neath Port Talbot were the lowest
performing compared to other Local Authorities. Officers stated that services
were now being more pro-active and were chasing up agencies more frequently.
Members referred to the
issues detailed on p.172 with regard to homelessness as a result of issues with
private land lords. Officers informed Members that private landlords was an
issue that Environmental Health could provide advice on and report to the
Committee in the future. Officers explained that there had been changes to the
framework around homelessness, and that the Director of Social Services Andrew
Jarrett could provide further information on the matter.
4.
URGENT ITEM
Because of the need to deal
now with the matter contained in the Minute No. 4(i)
below, the Chairman agreed that this could be raised at today’s meeting as an
urgent item pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.
Reason:
Due to the time element.
5.
PRE-SCRUTINY
The Committee considered the
following matter:-
Cabinet Proposal
i.
Welsh Language
Standards
The Committee received
information in relation to the Welsh Language Standards as contained within the
circulated report.
Officers updated the
Committee that there was still a lot of work in progress to implement the
standards, and that work will continue through the established Welsh Language
Standards Task and Finish group.
Following scrutiny, the
Committee were supportive of the proposal to be considered by Cabinet.