Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D. Phillips and Cabinet Member for Resources – Councillor A. Lenny.

There were no declarations of any prohibited party whips.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

The Committee considered the 2024/25 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring reports for the Place & Infrastructure and Public Protection Services falling within its remit.  The Head of Financial Services, in the absence of the Cabinet Member for Resources presented the report which provided the latest budgetary position as at 31^st August 2024.

The following queries were raised in respect of the report:-

• Reference was made to Appendix B – Waste Collection.  An explanation was sought in regard to the attributed comment – ‘£84k vacancy factor not achievable.  The Head of Financial Services explained that as part of the balancing the budget for the 2024/25 financial year, an overall corporate figure of £2m to be met in respect of vacancies across all Council services.  Within the corporate figure, divided across all departments, it was forecasted that this division would have experience a shortfall of £84k.  The Head of Environmental Infrastructure further added that in terms of the waste collections budget, the reason for the overspend was due to the turnover of staff and maintaining open posts.  The challenge was attributed to the fact that keeping open vacancies on the frontline service meant that the service would not be delivered as expected.

• In regard to Appendix B - Electric Cars Charging Point running costs, congratulations was expressed in respect of making a modest £16k revenue from electric vehicle charge points.

• Reference was made to Appendix B – Highway lighting, an observation was raised that there had been an overpayment, more detail was requested.  The Head of Financial Services explained that the Council had a corporate energy contract which covered many meter points across the County which inevitably was subject to annual energy cost fluctuations. 

It was reported that following an increase in energy costs, 2024/25 a significant reduction across the corporate energy accounts enabled the budget gap to be reduced.  There were differences in the levels of cost reduction across individual meter points.  The finance team were currently working to investigate this and identify where the differences lay. 

• Reference was made to off target aspects within Appendix G (iv). 

-   In respect of Parking Services, the Head of Waste and Environmental Services in confirming that the second enforcement vehicle was now in place it was acknowledged that some savings and not the full savings would be achieved this year.

-   In respect of Cleansing, it was confirmed that the rationalisation of litter bins had commenced with 150 litter bins having been removed from the road network thus far.  Information was due to be circulated to all Councillors highlighting which bins had been identified for removal within each ward between now and April 2025.

• Responses to the following queries would be circulated to members by e-mail due to officers having to gather the required data outside of the meeting:-

-   Appendix B - In reference to Licensing Division and the variation of £175k, it was highlighted that 40% of the income was prescribed since 2005. It was therefore asked if the Council had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

[Note:  Councillor Neil Lewis having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, in accordance with the granted dispensation took part in the deliberations but did not vote.]

The Committee received for consideration, a report which provided detailed information on what the Council is doing to accelerate the uptake of renewable energy across its asset base.  The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability in introducing the report explained that the report outlined the progress made, included the current barriers and provided future potential development of the installation of renewable energy technologies. 

The report was supported by a presentation which in the main provided detailed information on renewable energy generation, which covered the following areas:-

-   Moving Towards Net Zero Carbon

-   Current Solar – Non-domestic buildings

-   Example – Ysgol y Bedol

-   Re:Fit Cymru Framework

-   Decarbonisation of Heat Programme

-   The Domestic Estate – Renewables Programme

-   The Industrial Estate

-   Renewables potential

-   Nant y Caws

-   Constraints

-   Renewable Energy in Carmarthenshire

The following queries were raised in relation to the report / presentation:-

·       In response to a comment raised regarding the potential of using Council owned sheltered accommodation for solar panels, the Corporate Energy Officer, explained that these could be captured within the scoping of phase two of the re:fit project.

·       Several suggestions were provided to officers highlighting a number of various initiatives which could be considered by the Council for potential development of renewable energy within its estate.

·       Members thanked officers for the comprehensive presentation and their work towards engaging in renewable energy.

UNANIMOUSLY Resolved that the report be noted.

The Committee received a report on the Tree and Woodland Strategy for Carmarthenshire County Council.  Appended to the report was the draft Strategy which was seeking the views of the Committee prior to being considered for approval by the Cabinet.

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability informed members of the purpose of the strategy which was initially prepared in response to Action 23 of Carmarthenshire County Council’s Moving Forward in Carmarthenshire.  It was reported that the strategy was now far wider in its remit than that set out in Action 23.

The report highlighted that that the strategy sets out the Council’s responsibilities for trees and woodlands, how trees and woodlands are managed, and why, how, and where the Council could establish more trees and woodlands on the land it manages.

It was reported that since the progress update on the development of the Strategy which was presented to Scrutiny Committee in February 2023, further minor changes had been made.

The following queries were raised in relation to the report / strategy:-

• Suggestions were provided in regard to the various opportunities the Council could utilise to generate additional woodland e.g surrounding river areas and fencing areas off to enable nature to take its course which would be easy methods to achieve biodiversity.  In response, the Coed Cymru Officer, thanked Members for the suggestions and explained that the conditions specific areas would require to be ideal circumstances for a successful outcome.

• In learning about the Tree Planting Project and the successful involvement and engagement of Bynea Primary School, it was suggested that these projects be mirrored across the schools in Carmarthenshire via the Town and Community Councils.

• It was asked how much of a cost impact does Ash Dieback disease have on the Councils estate?  The Head of Place and Sustainability stated that each year the highways inspections team would undertake a highway assessment along the A, B & C roads throughout Carmarthenshire.  It was reported that last year 4000 trees were identified which displayed signs of having Ash Dieback disease.  Most of the trees identified were located on private land.  158 trees had been identified on Council land which would be removed.  In addition, Members were informed that the team consisted of an Ash Dieback officer and a recent appointment for an apprentice Ash Dieback officer had been made.

• In response to a query regarding unstable trees and dangerous trees on private land that are a danger to the highways the Head of Place and Sustainability explained that the team had the powers to intervene.

• In response to comments raised regarding deforestation, the Coed Cymru Officer explained the following points to Members:-

-   It was acknowledged that natural degeneration can take longer than tree planting however it heavily depended on the situation in that tree planting could provide for a faster woodland development, but natural regeneration would provide for a natural biodiverse woodland.

-   In terms of tree species, the Council was trying to maximise the benefits that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Committee received a report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services which provided an update on the Implementation of the seven recommendations of the Fly Tipping Task and Finish Group Report. 

It was reported prior to the Task and Finish Review in 2021/22 fly tipping incidents had peaked at 4,800, since the Review a number of actions had been undertaken by way of enforcement activity and improved communication and at the end of last year the fly tipping incident rate had significant reduced to just over 3,000 incidents.  Furthermore, it was reported that in the first quarter of this year just over 780 incidents of fly tipping had occurred, which was on track to match the previous year.  Therefore, it was pleasing to note that these figures denote a marked reduction in fly tipping incidents in the last 12-18 months.

Members of the Task and Finish Group thanked officers for their work on this matter.

UNANIMOUSLY Resolved that the report be noted.

The Committee received a list of forthcoming items to be considered at its next meeting to be held on the 28^th January, 2025.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items for the Committee meeting to be held on the 28^th January 2025 be agreed.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 31^st July, 2024 be signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 7^th October, 2024 be signed as a correct record.