Agenda and draft minutes

Place, Sustainability & Climate Change Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday, 31st July, 2024 2.00 pm

Venue: Chamber - County Hall, Carmarthen. SA31 1JP and remotely. View directions

Contact: Janine Owen  01267 224030

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

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Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P.Cooper and G.B.Thomas.

 

2.

DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST INCLUDING ANY PARTY WHIPS ISSUED IN RELATION TO ANY AGENDA ITEM.

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There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of any prohibited party whips.

 

3.

PUBLIC QUESTIONS (NONE RECEIVED)

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4.

PLACE, SUSTAINABILITY & CLIMATE CHANGE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 118 KB

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The Committee received its Annual Report on the work undertaken during the 2023/24 municipal year. It was noted that the report had been prepared in accordance with Article 6.2 of the Council’s Constitution and provided an overview of the work programme and key issues addressed, whilst also incorporating any issues referred to, or from, the Cabinet, Task and Finish reviews and development sessions.

 

An expression of gratitude was provided to Committee members for their work and commitment throughout the year and to officers for their invaluable assistance and support.

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Place, Sustainability and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2023/24 be received.

 

5.

END OF YEAR - PERFORMANCE REPORT 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 110 KB

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The Committee received the end of year performance report for 2023/24 for their consideration.  The report showed the progress as at the end of 2023/24 of the deliverables (Actions and Measures) linked to the Corporate Strategy and the Well-being Objectives within the remit of the Scrutiny Committee.

 

The following observations were raised in relation to the report:-

 

  • Reference was made to page 3 of the report.  In response to a query regarding stage 2 complaints, the Business Improvement Manager explained that whilst the department strives to resolve matters within the 21 day target, the nature of some cases are complex and requires additional time to investigate/resolve.

 

  • Reference was made to the flood risk management plan on page 6 of the report where an update on the progress was requested.  The Head of Place and Sustainability explained that the plan had been developed and was currently being finalised.

 

  • In reference to the action relating to the flytipping recommendations from the task and finish review on page 6 of the report, the Head of Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that a number of the recommendations had been delivered however, work continued on the development of the Flytipping Strategy with a view to complete at the end of March 2025.  It was reported that there had been a significant reduction in flytipping over the last 12 months since the completion of the actions.   In addition, there had been an increase on social media regarding flytipping as well as reporting the Fixed Penalty Notices and the successes on the enforcement actions.  Discussions were taking place with the Communities department in regard to the single point of contact/team for flytipping taking into consideration the resources and the staffing implications.  Furthermore, work was progressing in the consideration of the single platform for the public to report flytipping.

 

  • An update was requested in relation to action on the development of a Community Transport Strategy, page 9 of the report.  The Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that work was ongoing in terms of the development of the strategy and was currently awaiting the outcomes of the public consultation on the Regional Transport Strategy.  The implications of the Regional Transport Strategy would have an impact on the Community Transport Strategy.  Members were informed that Carmarthenshire County Council would be undertaking a public engagement exercise in September October this year to help inform and refine the Community Transport Strategy.

 

  • In response to a query regarding the Towy Valley Cycle path, the Head of Environmental Infrastructure, updated the committee stating that the public inquiry had been received and which had concluded that the Compulsory Purchasing Orders (CPO’s) were able to proceed.  Confirmation was provided that the funding was secure.

 

  • Reference was made to the % of Recycling contaminated on page 8 of the report.  Concern was expressed that a large percentage of the recycling undertaken remained contaminated.  The Waste Transformation Project Manager stated that there was an education enforcement process in place within the service which was managed by the operational  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

UPDATE FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION ORDER (PSPO) FOR CARMARTHENSHIRE DOG ORDERS pdf icon PDF 139 KB

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The Committee received for consideration an update for the consideration of Additional Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for Carmarthenshire Dog Orders.  The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability in presenting the report reminded the Committee that it was recommended at its meeting held on 24th November 2022, to introduce a County wide ban of dog’s entering a marked-up sports pitch and the introduction a Fixed Penalty Notice for the offence of not having the means of cleaning up after their dog.

 

The report provided members with an update and the options available to the Authority based upon legal advice given

 

The following comments and queries where raised in relation to the report:-

 

  • In respect of the proposal to give a Fixed Penalty Notice for the offence of not having the means to clean up after a dog, it was asked how it was intended to be enforced?  The Cabinet Member stated that whilst the Police were the only means who were able to spot check and enforce, it was hoped that the dog walkers would comply with the additional PSPO and a promotion would remind dog owners of their responsibilities in connection with the existing current PSPO and this additional PSPO.  In addition, there was a reliance on members of the public to report irresponsible dog owners accurately to the Council.

 

  • It was suggested that Officers work with Town and Community Councils to design standard signage for use across the County to inform the public about the PSPO areas and what is required.

 

RESOLVED:-

 

6.1      that the report be received;

6.2      to recommend to Cabinet that the recommended option to tackle Dog Related ASB issues within the report be approved.

 

7.

CARMARTHENSHIRE EQUESTRIAN STRATEGY pdf icon PDF 132 KB

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The Committee considered the Carmarthen Equestrian Strategy which provided an update on the development of the forthcoming Equestrian Strategy and included a suite of proposed actions to be included in the final document.

 

The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Decarbonisation and Sustainability in presenting the report expressed his thanks to the team for providing the report and sought members comments.

 

The following comments and queries were raised in relation to the report:-

 

  • It was acknowledged that the provisions for equestrianism was patchy throughout the County.  There were very limited areas where horses could be ridden safely.  There was an appreciation of the concerns raised by the horse riding community in terms of safe passage ways to ride horses.

 

  • Whilst recognising the reason and rational of the strategy, there was concern regarding the financial aspect in its implementation which would need to be considered and budgeted.  The Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that the Strategy was being developed with the consideration of financial resources. The actions within the report must be proportionate and demonstrate best value as well as being within the current budget within its portfolio. Furthermore, outcomes would be required to fall within the existing budgets if not, they would be subject to grant funding or additional funding being made available.

 

  • Reference was made to paragraph 7.5 of the report - 7.5 Access Reform in Wales in particular regard to the sentence which cited ‘One of the proposed reforms would see the extension of rights to ride a cycle or horse to public footpaths.’  Concern was expressed that the connection between paths would require a horse to travel on a public highway.  The Countryside Access Manager confirmed that one of the proposals within the Access Reform Wales was to allow cycling and horse riding on public footpaths.  As this was still in the very early stages of development it was not possible to determine the outcome.

 

RESOLVED that the progress made on the development of the Equestrian Strategy be noted.

 

8.

CARMARTHENSHIRE WASTE STRATEGY - BLUEPRINT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN pdf icon PDF 151 KB

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The Committee considered a report on the Carmarthenshire Waste Strategy - Blueprint Implementation Plan.  The report, presented by the Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services outlined the proposed transition of the Welsh Governments recycling blueprint collection methodology.  It was reported that the Authority had narrowly met its 70% recycling target for 2024/2025.  Reference was made to the significant financial penalties that would be imposed should the Authority fail to meet the statutory recycling targets.  Furthermore, in considering the Authority’s moral obligations to reduce its carbon footprint, the efforts made thus far to move towards a system based upon the principles of a circular economy was highlighted.

 

Accordingly, to achieve the anticipated 80% target by 2030, address contamination issues and provide a cost-effective service, the Council was required to implement the second phase of its Waste Strategy which would introduce a new collection system to increase recycling rates, reduce waste, and align with Welsh Government objectives. 

 

Consideration was given to the rationale and a suite of options detailed within the report.

 

The following comments and queries were raised in relation to the report:-

 

  • The Head of Environmental Infrastructure responded to a number of queries raised on the report as follows:-
  •  

-   Ongoing discussions were taking place with South Wales Trunk Road Agency to provide immediate safety improvements along the A48 in regard to the access and egress to the Nantycaws recycling plant.

 

-   This proposal does not impact upon the Household Waste Recycling sites.

 

-   Following the conclusion of Phase 1, a lot was learned particularly in terms of implementation, planning and the deliveries.  It was acknowledged that there were challenges in respect of the glass boxes, therefore the planning of the delivery of new containers would be key.  A full lessons learned report had been compiled together with the Transformation team which outlined what the challenges were and how to overcome them in future.  In addition, the support from WRAP Cymru was invaluable in regard to the implementation, roll out of the crews and delivery.

 

-   A detailed financial risk register was in place which was continuously monitored.  Any increase in costs would be communicated accordingly.

 

-   In terms of a 4-day working week, it was explained that a business case was currently being developed within the Waste Service for the new working pattern. 

 

  • Clarification was sought in regards to the centralisation of service to Nantycaws.  The Head of Environmental Infrastructure explained that currently, waste collected in Llanelli was delivered to a transfer station at Trostre which was then transferred to Nantycaws by way of bulk haulers.  It has been proposed to transfer staff based at the Trostre depot, vehicles to be based at Nantycaws eliminating the process of the transfer of waste from Trostre to Nantycaws.  It was confirmed that there the provision of the HWRC in Trostre would remain in situ.

 

9.

FORTHCOMING ITEMS pdf icon PDF 87 KB

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10.

TO SIGN AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE HELD ON THE 6TH JUNE 2024 pdf icon PDF 92 KB

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