Agenda item

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the the details of the proposed Part-Night Lighting proposal.

The Cabinet Member for Streetscene Cllr Scott Jones gave the committee some background on the report. Members were advised that there was a substantial energy rate rise in the last two years which has put a large pressure on departmental budgets. Members were informed that that during 2023/24, the Public Street Lighting Department highlighted 3 potential energy saving strategy to limit the overspend.

3-Watt trimming of power levels was applied to every street light column and following cabinet approval on the 22nd of March 20, 2024, 25% dimming was implemented across 10,000 LED lanterns. Prior to cabinet approval of 25% dimming a public consultation was then undertaken alongside a successful trial in 2024.

The Cabinet member advised that the third option of part night lighting was postponed pending a pilot study to gain a better understanding of the impacts of saving strategies and thereby to enable evidence-based decisions to be made in the future, if need be.

Members were reminded that they as a committee, prior to a trial taking place, had requested to the Cabinet Board that a further report containing details of geographical locations, duration of the trial period and the off and on times of the lanterns as presented in the report.

The Cabinet member noted that in the March Scrutiny meeting members had advocated concerns around turning street lighting off at 9:00 PM in the evening, which could impact the vulnerability of women and girls and explained that concern had been taken that on board, and that it is reflected in the timings and reflection of the concerns that was raised previously.

It was also stated that the consultation would be undertaken as part of a pilot study prior to the commencement of the trial and will include an assessment of the impact upon women and young girls in terms of violence, domestic abuse and sexual violence.

The Cabinet member confirmed that consultation with those partners has commenced and that if the proposed part night lighting pilot is approved by the cabinet it will run for the duration of November, which includes in its totality of 133 lanterns over seven locations.

The lanterns will be switched off between the hours of 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM and following completions of the pilot results and feedback from stakeholders will be gathered ready for any future discussions or any larger trial.

Members were advised that as part of the consultation process that agencies and affected residents will be informed prior to the start of the pilot scheme and Scrutiny and member feedback will also be considered as part of the finalised report due in September.

Officers explained that picking the locations have been a difficult process as it is a sensitive issue but has had to be done as a part of the trial.

Members were advised that this could be a prequel to a further trial at a later date of more lighting switch offs and that will incur further consultation.

Officers explained that they have also arranged meetings with a local group called ‘Thrive’ commencing next Friday and officers have been in discussions with the community safety team which have provided officers with antisocial behaviour hotspots which officers have tried to keep away from during the trial.

Members were advised that if a further trial and or a larger trial was deemed appropriate, it would likely be more widespread because it would be 133 lights total which is on average 19 lights per location.

Officers noted that most people would not want their lights switched off and that makes it difficult to choose the locations. Officers stated that they have tried to do it honestly and openly with a good heart and without any intervention from anybody.

Members suggested that the trial should be done in some very rural areas to get the proper reflection and asked how it will affect those areas.

Officers advised that they have spoken to the police and believe that to make this a worthwhile trial they have looked at more urban areas rather than rural areas because they believe there potentially could be more problems with urban locations rural.

Members noted that there is only one valleys community included in the trial and asked how that will produce a geographical spread view of the authority of 34 wards when there's mainly urban areas chosen? Members also noted that locations 5 & 6 in the trial are within the same ward of Margam and Taibach and asked if there is there any reason behind this?

Officers stated that they had been in consultation with the police, and they indicated through that there was more likelihood of problems associated with the urban areas and there are a lot more lights to be switched off in the urban areas and because of this, officers have decided on an even split throughout the county borough.

With regards to the scenario of the two areas in Margam, it was advised that it is an officer decision there's been no reason other than they feel that it's the right thing to do at that location.

Members asked where was the data established from for the crime rates and enquired if by choosing low crime areas, did that mean there is no confidence in the policy and if implemented in full and if so, could the authority be putting the safety of its residents at risk?

Officers stated that they wouldn't want to put anybody at risk and that the trial must be placed at certain locations throughout the county. Officers are in consultation with the community safety team, and they will be in communication with Thrive. Members were informed that the trial makes up less than 1% of the lights within the authority.

Officers stated that the outcome of the trial and the information gathered will factor into what happens next. Members were also informed that the benefit of the scrutiny meetings prior to cabinet, gives officers 7 weeks to make things more robust and try to come back to the committee in September with some details of the consultations that officers have taken place.

Members asked if any other factors been taken into consideration relating to location 6 (Margam and Taibach) because the cul-de-sac in particular has an elderly demographic where a lot of outreach staff and ambulances attend. Members also asked how that could impact those residents if there is no lighting during their most vulnerable hours of the evening?

Officers noted the information and advised that possibly between now and September following feedback they may be able to tweak the appendix slightly.

Members asked for more detail in terms of the consultation, specifically on how residents will be contacted and what form officers will be going to collect the feedback from residents.

Officers advised they intend to do a letter drop to all the residents to inform them of the proposals and on the letter, there will be information of how they can feedback and if necessary, there will be face-to-face discussions with them.

Members asked if residents affected will have a discount on their council tax as they're having a reduction in service? Officers advised that they do not think so.

Members asked who will be monitoring the effect of the trial and what is in place if necessary for it to be halted if bad weather does occur leading to an accident or anything similar in the trail areas.

Officers explained that once these potential switch offs become a reality, officers will have ongoing discussions with the Police, Community Safety Team and Thrive. A lot of the areas that have been chosen are not high-speed roads, and it will be stopped if needs be.

Officers noted that switching the lights off for even for a short period of time, means it's going to be difficult for officers to understand whether an incident or a crime may have been committed because of the light switch off or whether it would have happened anyway. Officers will have close consultation with all concerned parties and if anything needs to be done, it'll be done, and it will be reported back as necessary at the end of the trial.

Members asked if there will there be a fund set up for victims of any consequences of the council's actions in relation to these trials? Officers weren’t aware of one.

Members asked the Cabinet member if this was a case of the council playing Russian roulette with the lives of residents to save money and stated that it doesn’t bode well when the residents of Godre'r Graig, are looking for a new school to be built and the authority is in the process of switching lights off up in that village to save money.

The Cabinet Member Scott Jones replied that this is to do with money, and it's been very clear from day one that this is part of a savings exercise. The Cabinet member advised that he would much rather be spending his time working with the scrutiny committee, looking at ways of how they all can improve the quality of services as opposed to be spending time of what needs to be cut across the authority.

The Cabinet member noted that there has recently been a change in government, and stated that he hoped that at this stage in time, not expecting miracles within a matter of weeks, that between now and the next budget settlement that councils across Wales will receive the investment that they need and therefore maybe we'll be having different discussions in scrutiny meetings going forward.

Members asked how much work has been done with other councils who have trialled this, for example Powys and what feedback have they had and how was that affected the plan?

Officers explained that consultation has commenced prior to the Cabinet meeting in September with local authorities throughout Wales and officers are waiting on information to come in on that.

Officers explained that there is quite a high level of activity delivering projects. This along with the Officer only taking charge of the Lighting section in April, means that things have been a little bit slow, however, officers advised that they have got another eight weeks to go until the finalised report and they will have a lot more information by the Cabinet meeting in September.

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations.