Agenda item

The Committee received for consideration sections of the draft new Corporate Strategy 2018-23 relevant to its remit. It was noted that the New Strategy would replace the current one published in 2015 and would consolidate the following plans into one document:-

-  the 2015-20 Corporate Strategy;

-  the Improvement Objectives, as required by the Local Government Measure

   2009;

-  The Wellbeing Objectives as required by the Wellbeing of Future

   Generations (Wales) Act 2015 – these did not have to change every year, or be deliverable within one year and it was perfectly legitimate to set objectives which spanned more than one year;

-  Carmarthenshire County Council’s Executive Board key projects and

   Programmes for the next 5 years, as set out in “Moving Forward in

   Carmarthenshire: the next 5 years”.

The following questions/observations were raised on the report:-

·        Reference was made to the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Scheme, and clarification sought on whether the Council would be able to offer financial assistance to voluntary organisations/community groups which may wish to take over an asset for which no interest had been expressed by the 31^st March 2018 deadline.

The Head of Leisure advised that the Property Division were co-ordinating this work, and whilst he understood the Community Asset Transfer Scheme and the financial incentives associated therewith had expired, if any organisations expressed an interest in taking on one of those assets, the Council would work with them in an enabling role and signpost them to any grant assistance which may be available. That support would also extend to any organisation which had taken over / were in the process of taking over an asset.

·       Reference was made to the operation of the Council’s Library service in relation to the well-being objective of Promoting Welsh Culture and Heritage and information sought on the number of front line library staff who could speak Welsh.

The Committee was advised that arrangements could be made for it to be provided with information on the numbers of Welsh Speakers amongst the authority’s staff.

·       Reference was made to the promotion of the Welsh Language within businesses, especially, those starting up within the County and to whether there were any measures the Council could take to promote increased use of the Welsh language possibly, via Special Planning Guidance.

The Head of Planning confirmed that the authority was, wherever possible trying to promote the Welsh Language as part of the planning process for example, the provision of bilingual signs, with that approach being in the form of guidance at the current time. Consideration was also being given to the possibility of using Supplementary Planning Guidance as part of the LDP review as a means of promoting the language. Gwynedd County Council was also examining that possibility and the authority was liaising with that authority in that regard,

·       Reference was made on the issue of mental health within Wales and its impact on both adults and children. The Committee was advised that a link to appropriate organisations dealing with that issue would be included within the document

·       Reference was made to the issue of Childhood obesity with 30.7% of 4-5 year olds within Carmarthenshire being recorded as overweight or obese. The Committee was advised that the figures in question were compiled on a national basis by NHS Wales and that consideration could be given to providing a link thereto within the document. It was also confirmed that whilst Carmarthenshire had one of the highest rates of childhood obesity in Wales, including those classed as overweight, the authority was working in partnership with other organisations including the Public Service Board and the Health Authority in an endeavour to reduce those levels.

·       The Head of Leisure in response to comments, confirmed the difficulties encountered in encouraging children to retain an interest in sporting activities during their teens. Whilst proving difficult, work was being undertaken in partnership with external organisations such as Sport Wales and the schools to attempt to reverse that trend.

·       Officers advised that based on members comments a number of the ‘Actions and Measures’ in the Strategy would be strengthened prior to submission to the Executive Board.  

RESOLVED to recommend to the Executive Board that the draft new Corporate Strategy 2018-23 be endorsed