To
select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny
(Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)
Decision:
WESP
Following scrutiny, members noted the item for
information.
Quarter
2 Performance Indicators 23/24 – Environment Directorate
Following scrutiny, the item was noted.
Minutes:
WESP
Members questioned whether the provisional rent
free dispensation for Welsh medium childcare facilities operating in Council
buildings was continuing.
The Early Years Coordinator confirmed that the
situation was currently being assessed and evaluated to ensure the arrangement
is equitable. A report will be brought back to the Cabinet Board in the New
Year. It was noted that the current arrangement has been beneficial in terms of
the WESP.
Members referred to page 182 of the report and
the reported decrease in the number of pupils studying in Welsh, post 16, and
asked whether consideration had been given to offering post 16 Welsh medium
education at the Bro Dur campus.
The Head of Support Services and Transformation
confirmed that consideration has been given to a post 16 provision at the Bro
Dur campus at some point in the future but no details can be provided at
present. There are a wide range of vocational and academic post 16
opportunities in Ystalyfera and staff at the Bro Dur campus work with pupils to
help them to transition.
Following scrutiny, members noted the item for
information.
Quarter
2 Performance Indicators 23/24 – Environment Directorate
Members referred to page 263
of the report and questioned what was being done to manage any risks in
relation to private water supplies until the new laboratory has taken over the
contract.
The Head of Planning and Public
Protection confirmed that there are a limited number of private water supplies
across Neath Port Talbot that require regular risk assessments on an annual
basis. The testing issue with regard to the laboratory has now been resolved
and it is anticipated that the target will be delived by the end of quarter
three/beginning of quarter four.
Members referred to page 264, item 5 of the
report, and questioned why the quarter two target of 55% was not reached and
for more information in relation to the lost staff member.
The Head of Planning and Public Protection
confirmed that the lost member of staff has recently been replaced. The KPI
relates to the food and feed standard work that is undertaken by the Trading
Standards Team; Animal Health Officers, have responsibility for inspecting the
feed hygiene systems on farms and Trading Standards Officers inspect, feed
manufacturers and retailers.
The Food Risk Assessment Pilot mentioned in
the report is being progressed by the Food Standards Agency with the aim of
rolling the new scheme out across Wales. The Food Standards Agency recognise
that capacity and resources within local authorities across Wales, are limited
and the new scheme aims for a more efficient and effective use of resources
with a targeted approach to high risk businesses. It is anticipated that once
the pilot scheme has been embedded there
will be longer term efficiencies of service that all local authorities will
benefit from, involvement in the pilot at this stage is a good opportunity to
influence how it is set up and rolled out in future. It was noted that in the short
term the pilot may have an impact on performance.
Following scrutiny, the item was noted.