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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 June, 2025 and 2 July 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 3 July, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – South held on 14 July, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – North held on 9 July, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – East held on 14 July, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – Central held on 11 July, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
RESOLVED: (a) That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee support the Older People’s Commissioner recommendations and the implementation of the enhanced action plan (Option B). (b) That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee refer the Access Denied: Older People’s Experiences of Digital Exclusion in Wales (January 2024) to the Governance and Audit Committee, to provide assurance that the content has been acknowledged and that proactive steps have been made to address the recommendations included within the report.
RESOLVED: That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the Local Toilet Strategy delivery update report.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Abdul Khan and Dave Jones. In addition, congratulations were extended to the newly appointed Chair of the Committee, Councillor Michael Smith and a warm welcome was extended to Councillor Harry Saville, who had recently joined the Committee.
Councillors Harry Saville, Alan Hunter, Sam Cotton, Louise Emery, Carol Beard, Paul Luckock and Hannah Fleet declared a personal interest in agenda item 9 (i) - Update on the delivery of the Local Toilet Strategy, as they are Town Councillors and their respective Town Council sponsors public toilets. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, the Councillors were able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Keith Eeles declared a personal interest a personal interest in agenda item 9 (i) - Update on the delivery of the Local Toilet Strategy, as he is a trustee of an organisation who sponsors public toilets within his Ward. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Eeles was able to speak and vote on the matter.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 June, 2025 and 2 July 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 June, 2025 and 2 July, 2025 were submitted for approval. In relation to Minute 97 (02.07.2025) – Venue Cymru Futures (VCF) Project, some Members believed the minutes failed to accurately reflect the debate, however, those Members present at the meeting when the matter in question was being discussed, considered the minutes a balanced reflection of the debate that took place. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 June, 2025 and 2 July 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 3 July, 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – West held on 3 July, 2025 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 3 July, 2025 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – South held on 14 July, 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – South held on 14 July, 2025 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – South held on 14 July, 2025 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – North held on 9 July, 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – North held on 9 July, 2025 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – North held on 9 July, 2025 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – East held on 14 July, 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – East held on 14 July, 2025 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – East held on 14 July, 2025 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – Central held on 11 July, 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – Central held on 11 July, 2025 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – Central held on 11 July, 2025 be noted.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme (FWP), together with the combined FWP. Members were advised that as a result of the annual FWP planning meeting, the FWP had been updated to reflect the reports that would come forward during the year. In relation to emergency planning / civil enforcement issues, the intention was to extend an invitation to the North Wales Regional Emergency Planning Service to attend a future meeting and provide an update. In addition, Members were informed that an update on Porth Eirias would be presented to the September 2025 meeting. RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee support the Older People’s Commissioner recommendations and the implementation of the enhanced action plan (Option B). (b) That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee refer the Access Denied: Older People’s Experiences of Digital Exclusion in Wales (January 2024) to the Governance and Audit Committee, to provide assurance that the content has been acknowledged and that proactive steps have been made to address the recommendations included within the report.
The Development Manager: Information, Culture, Libraries and Information introduced the Conwy County Borough Council’s strategic response to the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales’ report, Access Denied: Older People’s Experiences of Digital Exclusion in Wales (January 2024) and the Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT, Councillor Dilwyn Roberts, reiterated his support and thanked the Team for their work, particularly in terms of digital inclusion. Members were reminded that any action plan resulting from a regulatory report was submitted to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee for scrutiny of mitigating activities followed by the Governance and Audit Committee for future monitoring of the implementation of the action plan. In scrutinising the report and the actions put in place to respond to the external regulatory report, Members discussed the following: · The importance of consultation and engagement with Member Champions, external partners and community groups/forums, both digitally and face to face was highlighted. · In respect of access to paper copies of bus timetables and other such information, Members were advised that, upon request, libraries across the County had the ability to print off individual sheets. · In terms of mitigation measures in respect of accessibility/transport links for the proposed relocation of Llandudno Library to Venue Cymru, Members were assured that, in order to provide access to all, the service would look to support all users wherever possible. · The Carers Champion, Councillor Cheryl Carlise, expressed concern regarding the transition over to digital phones and the pharmacy migration onto a digital App and the impact such changes could have on older people and carers, in terms of digital access and power outages. In addition, disappointment was expressed that Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board (BCUHB) had failed to provide a response to the report as a consultee. In response, Members were advised that support for people who had digital devices was available in local libraries, however, it was acknowledged that further collaboration was needed, in consultation with BCUHB and partners, in terms of supporting those people without digital devices. Members were assured that the Library Service looked to work closely with all its partners. · The need for Council Services to offer a call-back facility was highlighted. · In terms of financial implications, Members were advised that, external grant funding and new initiatives were continually being sought. RESOLVED: (a) That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee support the Older People’s Commissioner recommendations and the implementation of the enhanced action plan (Option B). (b) That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee refer the Access Denied: Older People’s Experiences of Digital Exclusion in Wales (January 2024) to the Governance and Audit Committee, to provide assurance that the content has been acknowledged and that proactive steps have been made to address the recommendations included within the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the Local Toilet Strategy delivery update report.
The Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) – Infrastructure, Councillor Mike Priestely introduced the update on the delivery of Local Toilet Strategy and the actions detailed in the delivery plan and the Head of ERF provided the detail. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: · Members welcomed the progress of delivering the strategy and the actions achieved in the delivery plan. In addition, the positive collaboration/engagement with Town and Community Councils, Council Services and local businesses, together with the hard work of Gary Williams (the recently retired Facilities Manager), was praised. · In terms of financial implications, the Cabinet Member - Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) – Infrastructure stated that providing public toilets at a cost neutral basis was the aim of the strategy for 2025/2026 and going forward, it was hoped that the approach would become more sustainable, with a view to looking at longer term contracts with Town and Community Councils. In addition, the Cabinet Member advised that he would be happy to attend any Town / Community Council, alongside officers, to discuss the Community Scheme and / or further collaborative work. • Reference was made to public toilet facilities across the County, which included: × The public toilets in Llanrwst swimming pool and a suggestion to consider utilising the Youth Centre facilities × The need to further publicise/promote free toilet facilities e.g. Llandudno Paddling Pool × The disposal process for Water Street and Pentre Mawr Park, Abergele and the implications to the Town Council × The tendering process and subsequent delay in providing kiosks, toilet facilities and the late installation of parking meters on Rhos on Sea Promenade × Clarity was sought in terms of the proposal for toilet facilities in Kinmel Bay × The fact some areas of the County did not have any toilet provision and some had derelict buildings The Head of ERF advised that, whilst kiosk facilities fell under the responsibility of Asset Management, the retendering process for kiosks on Rhos on Sea Promenade had proven successful, allowing construction to proceed, albeit delayed and missing the summer season of 2025. In respect of Kinmel Bay, the proposal, was still in its infancy and consisted of a concessionary building with toilet facilities. · Utilising existing Council buildings across the County to provide accessible public toilets, which in turn, would enhance safety perceptions and reduce antisocial behaviour compared to standalone toilet blocks was acknowledged. · Clarification was sought in respect of Porth Eirias, Colwyn Bay in terms of why the facility was not included on the list as a Conwy public building / public toilet and grant funding for a new toilet block at Porth Eirias, particularly when there was already a public toilet block across the road. Members were advised that an update report on Porth Eirias was due to be presented to the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee in September, 2025, which could provide a response to the queries raised. · The need for better communication with regards to toilet locations and the importance of accessibility for all users, including disabled people and young families was highlighted. · In relation to questions surrounding closures, consultation and queries surrounding buildings suitable for operation and the income received / anticipated, the Head of ERF advised that he would provide a separate response to Members. RESOLVED: That the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the Local Toilet Strategy delivery update report.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
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