Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D. Owen, M. Palfreman and M. Thomas together with Councillor H.A.L. Evans (Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Leisure, Culture and Tourism).

There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.

The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.

The Committee, in accordance with the decision made at its meeting on the 26^th January 2023, received a monitoring report on the effectiveness of the new Emergency Social Housing Allocation Policy developed by its Task and Finish Group. It was noted the content of the report included data for the previous period relating to:

1.     Proportion of properties directly matched and those advertised,

2.     Banding of clients directly matched,

3.     Number of properties directly matched and advertised by each community area, type of property and landlord,

4.     Proportion of direct matches that were successful,

5.     Number of direct matches where the client requested a review of the allocation and the outcome of those reviews,

6.     Number of direct matches where the client refused the allocation but didn’t request a review.

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

·       In response to a question relating to the 131 unsuitable matches made during the period April to September 2024, it was confirmed that whilst tenants could refuse what they considered to be an unreasonable offer (One refusal for those on the higher Banding and Two for those on the lower Banding) they were encouraged to accept the offer wherever possible. While the reasons for refusal could be numerous for example, a change in circumstances since the original application for inclusion on the Housing Register was made, the new Social Allocations policy required prospective tenants to confirm every six months that they still wished to be considered for housing and retained on the Register. They were also encouraged to advise the Housing department of any changes in their circumstances as early as possible in order for their housing needs to be properly recorded/met and to avoid unsuitable offers being made.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the monitoring report be received.

(NOTE: Councillor R Sparks having earlier declared an interest in this item, re-declared the interest and remained in the meeting for its consideration)

The Committee considered the 2024/25 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring reports for the Housing, Economic Development and Property, Place and Sustainability and Leisure and Recreation Services for the period up to the 31^st August, 2024. It noted the revenue budget was forecasting a £401k overspend, the capital budget a £7,835k underspend, whilst the Housing Revenue Account was forecasting a £1,975k overspend.

The following questions / issues were raised on the report:

·       The Head of Leisure in response to a question, confirmed the existing Outdoor Education Centre at Pendine would close at the end of Autumn 2025 and the new offer to be provided based in Pembrey Country Park would open in the spring of 2026.

·       In response for clarification on the reference within appendix C to the leisure services being unable to achieve a ‘vacancy factor’ in a number of its service areas, the Head of Leisure advised that related to the savings that could be achieved through a delay in filling vacant posts. However, with regard to the service areas in question, those related to the filling vacant front line posts within leisure such as lifeguards, and it was essential those were filled as soon as an employee left in order to maintain service continuation. Failure to achieve that continuity, could result in a service having to be temporarily withdrawn, with a subsequent loss of income.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report be received.

(Councillor R. Sparks having earlier declared an interest in this item re-declared that interest and remained in the meeting during its consideration)

The Committee received for consideration the Council’s Draft Annual Report 2023/24 produced in accordance with the requirements of both the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Local Government and Elections Act (Wales) 2015

The following questions/issues relevant to the Committees remit were raised on the report:

·       Reference was made to the thematic priority within the report on ‘Tackling Poverty’ and clarification was sought on what measures the Council was taking to inform Carmarthenshire residents of the support available to them.

The Committee was reminded that the Council had previously established a Tackling Poverty Group to address poverty within the County and the importance of imparting information on benefits and support available to those in need was integral to its role. That information was currently provided by the Council via a number of different avenues including at its hwbs, both fixed in town centres and the mobile rural hwbs, correspondence, and social media with every department having a responsibility to provide help and support. The Council’s efforts were also supported by other partner agencies including Citizens Advice and the Department for Work and Pensions. In addition to the above, the role of County Councillors was equally important in spreading the message within their communities at meetings of Town and Community Councils and other events they attended.

While all the above measures were in place, members were encouraged to share any ideas they may have for further extending these to widen the coverage of support available to residents.

·       It was confirmed that the reference within the report to the Council applying a Council Tax premium related to private properties and the point would be fed back to the department. It was also noted that the premium was benefitting the authority in its efforts to return empty residential properties back into the housing market.

·       In response to a question on regeneration within Llanelli, the Economic Development Manager confirmed the Council was working closely with its business networks to ensure full occupancy of the former YMCA due to high demand. It was also confirmed that in relation to the wider redevelopment both within Llanelli and the County, the regeneration unit was actively working with its development partners to explore and maximise all regeneration opportunities.

·       With regard to the redevelopment of the Tyisha and Glanymor wards within Llanelly, the Head of Housing advised the authority was currently undertaking competitive dialogue on its proposals for those areas, and it was hoped to be able to announce a development partner in the new year.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the Council’s Annual Report 2023/24 be received.

The Committee received a report detailing the progress achieved in relation to requests or referrals emerging from previous meetings.

Reference was made to the Committee’s recent Task and Finish Group on Adaptations and a suggestion made that the Committee receive an update report in 6 months’ time on the operation of the new Adaptations Policy

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:

The Committee received a list of forthcoming items to be considered at its next meeting to be held on the 13^th December, 2024.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting on the 13^th December, 2024 be approved.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 1^st October, 2024 be signed as a correct record.