Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED that 4.1 the Briefing Paper on HMOs be noted. 4.2 the Committee establish a Task & Finish Group of six members, drawn from the Committee, to oversee this work and make recommendations to Cabinet on key policy decisions. 4.3 officers be given authority to contact political group leaders to agree membership of the Task and Finish Group on a politically balanced basis.
RESOLVED that the report be received.
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted and the revised submission dates be agreed.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.E. Evans (Chair), W.R.A Davies, and A. Evans. The Vice-Chair extended the committee’s best wishes for a speedy recovery to Councillors R.E. Evans and W.R.A. Davies respectively, from their current periods of ill health.
Councillor Minute No (s) Nature of Interest A.C. Jones 4. COUNTY WIDE UNDERSTANDING AND REGULATION OF HMOS She owns a property used as a HMO. There were no declarations of prohibited party whips.
The chair confirmed that there were no public questions received.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that 4.1 the Briefing Paper on HMOs be noted. 4.2 the Committee establish a Task & Finish Group of six members, drawn from the Committee, to oversee this work and make recommendations to Cabinet on key policy decisions. 4.3 officers be given authority to contact political group leaders to agree membership of the Task and Finish Group on a politically balanced basis.
NOTE: Councillor A.C. Jones redeclared her interest and left the meeting for the duration of this agenda item. The Committee received a report which set out the context around Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and explained how the authority will gather the necessary evidence and start to develop a balanced, county-wide approach. It also highlighted the role of the Scrutiny Committee in overseeing this work and shaping informed, evidence-based policy decisions, in the form of the proposed Task & Finish group. The Cabinet Member for Homes introduced the report and noted while that it was a controversial topic it was important that HMOs form part of the private housing stock in the county. These are currently managed through the planning and licensing departments, but the Committee was advised that it was important to have a joined-up policy – which the proposed Task and Finish group would look at. The Cabinet Member noted that the Task & Finish scope in the report included investigating the strengths and weaknesses of the current approach, the community impact versus the housing need for these properties and ensuring the properties’ safety for residents. The Committee had the following questions or comments on the report: - The proposed Task & Finish review was welcomed and the impact of HMOs on some of the most deprived wards in the county was noted. - It was emphasised that the Task & Finish group would take an evidence-based approach with no demonisation of tenants in HMOs, or responsible landlords. - It was noted that the Task & Finish group would have the opportunity to address myths about HMOs that spread when the regulation is perceived to be lacking. - The Cabinet Member for Homes advised in response to a question on the scope of the Task & Finish group’s work, that, while the proposed scope was set out in the report, the group would be able to choose additional avenues for enquiry if it felt it necessary. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that 4.1 the Briefing Paper on HMOs be noted. 4.2 the Committee establish a Task & Finish Group of six members, drawn from the Committee, to oversee this work and make recommendations to Cabinet on key policy decisions. 4.3 officers be given authority to contact political group leaders to agree membership of the Task and Finish Group on a politically balanced basis.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee received a performance management report for the period up to 2025/26 Quarter 3 (01/04/25-31/12/25) to monitor progress on the authority’s Corporate Strategy and Well-being Objectives in respect of the areas falling within its remit. The Committee had the following questions or comments on the report: - In response to a question on the percentage of planning ecology responses made to planning consultations within 21 days, and the additional help received for this, the Head of Place and Sustainability advised that this help came through internal reorganisation. It was confirmed that the target set by the authority was higher than the one set by Welsh Government and that the department was on target to reach it by the end of the year. - The Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs, Communities, and Welsh Language advised in response to a question on a piece of work done to evaluate the Welsh Language Skills Strategy that she did not have the information regarding this but would advise the committee by email at a later date. - A question was asked about the average time taken to take positive planning enforcement action and the percentage of planning enforcement cases with ‘Positive Action’ taken, regarding the lack of remedial action proposed despite the fact they were both below target. The Head of Place and Sustainability advised that this was an error in wording in the report, and that this meant there was no additional remedial action proposed, but that there was remedial action already ongoing. This error will be rectified in future reports. Regarding the average time taken, one of the remedial actions was to close some historic applications that had taken a long time and were skewing the results. The remedial action on ‘Positive Action’, which consists of action through the courts, included redeploying staff to that area from the investigation stage. - The Committee asked a question on delays and cost overruns to the project at the former Debenhams store in Carmarthen. The Head of Economic Development and Property advised that the authority was working closely with the contractor to understand the position and making every effort to ensure no more costs due to unforeseen additional works. - The Head of Housing responded to a question about practical homelessness support other than just financial, and advised that preventative work was a key focus, including working with tenants to manage their income, claim benefits that they are due, practical help around white goods, as well as working with private landlords to ensure continued tenancies. - The Committee noted the good work in bringing empty properties in the private sector back into work, and congratulated officers on this progress. - In response to a question on the governance of Pride in Place funding, the Head of Economic Development and Property advised that Neighbourhood Boards would decide what this funding was used for and the authority would seek to align projects to make sure there was no duplication. - The Committee asked about the potential expansion of the car park at Canolfan Pentre Awel and was advised that feasibility work on this was proceeding and that further information would be provided via email at a later date. - The Committee congratulated officers on the continued work on Welsh language learning across the authority. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted and the revised submission dates be agreed.
The Committee received an explanation for the non-submission of the following scrutiny reports - Homelessness Wrap Around / Floating Support - Supported Housing Schemes Update Report UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the explanation for the non-submission be noted and the revised submission dates be agreed.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 21st January 2026 be signed as a correct record.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
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Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.