Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors W.J. Lemon, K.P. Thomas and W.G. Thomas. 

No declerations were received.

There were no declarations of party whips.

No public questions were received.

RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on Thursday 12th November 2015, be noted.

The Chair welcomed Councillor P.A. Palmer (Chair of the Community Safety Partnership) and Chief Inspector C. Templeton (Dyfed-Powys Police) to the meeting.

The Committee received the annual report from the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership (CSP) which was presented by the Executive Board Member with responsibility for Police Liaison, Community Safety, Social Justice / Crime & Disorder (and Chair of the Partnership). The report included progress made in tackling crime and disorder during 2014/15 and updates from two key partners, namely the Mid & West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Probation Services. It also highlighted key areas of partnership working and current priorities for the multi-agency action groups which were driving forward the community safety agenda.

The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:

Reference was made to safety risks in and around inland waterways and it was asked who had responsibility for leading on such matters as the RNLI did not have sufficient manpower to carry out this work. The Executive Board Member for Communities informed the Committee that she had recently held a meeting with a new group in Carmarthen (the Carmarthenshire Water Safety Partnership) and the matter was due to be discussed at the next Community Safety Partnership meeting. Issues that needed addressing included clarifying which organisation took responsibility for maintenance of safety equipment such lifebuoys. She reassured the Committee that the various organisations would work in partnership to address this and was happy to provide an update at a future meeting of the Committee.

In response to a question about the amount of data from CCTV cameras had been used to solve crime, the Community Safety Manager informed the Committee that this information had previously been included in the annual report. However, as of June 2015, there was no longer any statistical collation following the end of live monitoring.

It was asked whether volunteers could be used to monitor live CCTV cameras from their own homes. The Community Safety Manager stated that operators had to abide by Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) and Data Protection requirements and that it would be inappropriate for untrained volunteers to view live images of members of the public. However, discussions were on-going with Police representatives as to the future and best use of the cameras.

A question was asked about the ‘#PaulsPledge’ campaign and clarification was sought as to what support Paul Pugh was receiving from the Partnership. The Community Safety Manager informed the Committee that Dyfed-Powys Police were leading on this campaign and that the Authority provided travelling expenses for Mr. Pugh when promoting his campaign at events throughout the county. Other charities were also supporting Mr. Pugh’s work.

The reduction in most categories of crime was welcomed but concern was expressed about seasonal crime in rural areas (e.g. sheep rustling during lambing season), as it was suggested that many residents in rural areas felt somewhat alone in facing these problems. The Chief Inspector acknowledged that whilst crime figures had reduced, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee considered an update on the visits made by the Executive Board Members, with responsibility for substance misuse and health and social care, to substance misuse service providers. The visits had been undertaken in response to a recommendation by the Committee’s Task & Finish Group, following its review of Substance Misuse Services during 2013/14. 

The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:

It was suggested that it was those individuals who did not ask for assistance, were the ones causing the most disruption in communities. The Council was applauded for recently utilising new legislation to tackle ongoing anti-social behaviour at a property in Pen-y-Groes by issuing a Closure Notice to safeguard tenants and residents next to the property. The Executive Board Member for Communities agreed that it was important to show that unacceptable anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated but also to remind individuals that assistance such as that provided by the substance misuse treatment services, was available.   

The Chair suggested that for future visits, the Chair of the Task & Finish Group which undertook the review of substance misuse services, be invited to attend alongside the relevant Executive Board Members. The Committee agreed to the proposal.

RESOLVED that:

7.1       The report be received

7.2       That the Chair of the Task & Finish Group (during the Substance Misuse Review) accompanies the Executive Board Members on future visits.

?

Cllr. D.E. Williams declared and interest in that he is the legal owner of Cystanog Bends (on B4300, Capel Dewi).

The Committee considered the Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report for the Environment Department, Public Protection Services and the Community Safety Team, as at 30th June 2015 in relation to the 2015/16 financial year. The following issues were raised in relation to the report:

In response to a question about the current status of the transfer of public conveniences, the Group Accountant noted that the £44,000 variance was related to the costs still being incurred as part of the three-year rolling programme of transfers.

Reference was made to the variance of £50,000 in the Civil Design service and clarification sought regarding the source of income. The Group Accountant informed the Committee that the income came from both internal and external clients and that a review of hourly rates and productivity was currently being carried out to try and make good the possible shortfall in income. The Interim Director of Environment informed the Committee that the Highways and Non-Highways Design Teams were being brought together at present. This had been proposed by the previous Director and the restructuring was being undertaken to pool skills and knowledge, lessen the reliance on external consultants and address the peaks and troughs in demand.

In response to further comments regarding income generation and costs associated with vacancies, the Interim Director of Environment agreed that the work of the Design Service was an opportunity to generate income for the Authority. One example of this was the work being undertaken with external public sector organisations to manage regional contractor frameworks. The costs associated with vacancies showed that all posts in this service created income for the Authority and that employing staff was a risk when demand for work reduced. This was another reason that the Local Authority was working with other public sector organisations, thus ensuring better planning of future work programmes. 

It was asked why there was a variance of £393,000 in the Property Services budget due to an unachievable income target, when it was known that the Carmarthenshire Home Standard work would eventually decrease as the project was completed. The Group Accountant and the Interim Director of Environment informed the Committee that the Service was considering various efficiencies and that the matter was being looked at by senior officers as it was a long recognised issue which was now coming to a head.

It was asked whether earmarked reserves (corporate or departmental) would be utilised to address the forecasted end of year variance of £379,000. The Group Accountant informed the Committee that there were departmental and specific reserves which could be used to meet the overspend but that the most recent budget monitoring exercise for the end of August 2015, had shown that the overspend had reduced. The Interim Director of Environment noted that reserves were often held for projects that would save the Authority money in the long-term (e.g. upgrading public lighting network with energy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the reasons for the non-submissions of the Impact of Local Authority Trading Standards in Challenging Times report, the Street Lighting Review report as well as the Protection Services Annual Report 2014/15, be noted.

Councillor D.C. Evans requested that the minutes be amended to reflect the fact that he had been present at the last meeting.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Friday 26th June 2015 be signed as a correct record, subject to the amendment noted above.