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 (a) That the action log updates be noted. (b) That the Committee be provided with copies of the letters sent by the Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations to Natural Resources Wales (NRW), D?r Cymru Welsh Water and Welsh Government to highlight the urgency of the water quality issues. (c) That the Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations be requested to arrange the round table discussion, to underline the importance of water quality issues in Pembrokeshire, before 2027.
RESOLVED (a) That the ‘Homelessness and housing Support’ report and the update on the ‘Homelessness service, including ongoing work with Third Sector organisations’ be combined into one report, to be considered at the November meeting. (b) That the Housing Strategy update be deferred for consideration at the January 2027 Committee meeting. (c) That ‘Delivery of Planning Service (performance)’ and ‘Waste and Recycling Services’ to be removed from the work programme entirely. (d) The Disabled Resident Parking Bay Scheme (Pilot) to be added to the work programme for consideration at the November 2026 meeting.
RESOLVED That the Housing Building Maintenance Service Annual Update be noted.
RESOLVED That the Service Performance Data be noted.
RESOLVED (a) That the Property Service Update be noted. (b) That further updates be provided to the Committee every six months, and for the updates to include the latest Minutes of the Strategic Asset Management Group (SAMG).
The following declaration of interest was made in relation to Agenda Item No. 10 – Property Service Update. · Councillor Mark Carter declared a personal interest by virtue of being in the process of purchasing land from Pembrokeshire County Council and therefore dealing with the Property Service.
8 June 2026 – Extraordinary meeting. Moved by Councillor Di Clements; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting held on 08 June 2026 be approved as a correct record. [Councillors Viv Stoddart and Mark Carter abstained from voting as they were not present at this meeting.] 25 June 2026 Moved by Councillor Di Clements; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2026 be approved as a correct record. [Councillors Viv Stoddart and Mark Carter abstained from voting as they were not present at this meeting.] 20 July 2026 – Extraordinary meeting. Moved by Councillor Mark Carter; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 July 2026 be approved as a correct record. [Councillors Viv Stoddart and Di Clements abstained from voting as they were not present at this meeting.]
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED (a) That the action log updates be noted. (b) That the Committee be provided with copies of the letters sent by the Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations to Natural Resources Wales (NRW), D?r Cymru Welsh Water and Welsh Government to highlight the urgency of the water quality issues. (c) That the Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations be requested to arrange the round table discussion, to underline the importance of water quality issues in Pembrokeshire, before 2027.
The Committee considered a report by the Senior Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer on the actions arising from the meeting held on 25 June. It was noted that correspondence had been sent to Natural Resources Wales, D?r Cymru Welsh Water and the relevant Welsh Government Minister regarding water quality concerns. Acknowledgements had been received and responses were awaited. Copies of the correspondence would be provided to a future meeting (AP). The Committee was also advised that a request had been made to the relevant Welsh Government Minister to visit Pembrokeshire and participate in a stakeholder round table discussion on water quality issues. A positive initial response had been received, and the request had been submitted in writing. Members requested that updates on both matters remain on the Action Log for ongoing monitoring. Moved by Councillor Di Clements; Seconded by Councillor Elwyn Morse. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED (a) That the action log updates be noted. (b) That the Committee be provided with copies of the letters sent by the Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations to Natural Resources Wales (NRW), D?r Cymru Welsh Water and Welsh Government to highlight the urgency of the water quality issues. (c) That the Cabinet Member for Young People and the Well-being of Future Generations be requested to arrange the round table discussion, to underline the importance of water quality issues in Pembrokeshire, before 2027.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED (a) That the ‘Homelessness and housing Support’ report and the update on the ‘Homelessness service, including ongoing work with Third Sector organisations’ be combined into one report, to be considered at the November meeting. (b) That the Housing Strategy update be deferred for consideration at the January 2027 Committee meeting. (c) That ‘Delivery of Planning Service (performance)’ and ‘Waste and Recycling Services’ to be removed from the work programme entirely. (d) The Disabled Resident Parking Bay Scheme (Pilot) to be added to the work programme for consideration at the November 2026 meeting.
The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme and the prioritisation of items for the November meeting, and the key points were noted as follows: • Councillor Mark Carter expressed concern that the Environmental Crime Task and Finish Group Update had already been delayed and should be prioritised for the November meeting to ensure it was considered before issues associated with the forthcoming beach season arose. Councillor Carter also emphasised the importance of the Fly Grazing Update, noting the potential increase in issues during the winter months and the need for the matter to be addressed as a priority. • Councillor Di Clements queried the inclusion of two homelessness-related items on the work programme, namely the annual update on homelessness and housing support and a separate report on the homelessness service and work with third-sector organisations. Councillor Clements questioned whether the two items were sufficiently distinct to warrant separate consideration, particularly in light of a recent seminar which had provided Members with a comprehensive update on homelessness services. • The Head of Housing and Public Protection responded and advised that Housing Strategy covered all housing sectors and was therefore much broader than homelessness-related matters. She explained that, whilst the reports were linked, the Housing Strategy Update would remain a separate report due to its wider scope. • The Chair sought the Committee’s views on retaining the homelessness-related reports within the November programme. Members indicated their support for retaining the homelessness service update and associated third-sector information, whilst recognising that the Housing Strategy Update would remain a separate item. • Councillor Tony Wilcox commented that housing and homelessness issues were substantial subjects which could warrant a dedicated meeting. Councillor Wilcox highlighted the ongoing housing crisis and shortage of one-bedroom accommodation and supported maintaining homelessness-related matters as a priority within the work programme. Councillor Wilcox also supported retaining the Fly Grazing Update and expressed the view that, if necessary, a longer or separate meeting should be considered to ensure priority items were addressed. • Councillor Michelle Bateman, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing, suggested that the Housing Strategy Update be deferred until the New Year. Councillor Bateman noted the significant officer workload associated with preparing homelessness reports and the forthcoming rent-setting process, which would be considered by the Housing Revenue Account. Councillor Bateman considered that postponing the Housing Strategy Update would assist officers in managing these commitments. • Councillor Chris Williams expressed support for bringing forward consideration of the Fly Grazing Update and Environmental Crime Task and Finish Group Update matters as soon as possible given the importance of the issues involved. • Councillor Mark Carter suggested that the EnviroCrime and Fly Grazing matters continue to be progressed through their respective Task and Finish Groups in advance of the next Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. • The Committee then considered whether the Delivery of PlanningService Report should remain on the November work programme. Councillor Di Clements observed that planning performance information had already been provided within the performance monitoring reports considered at the meeting and queried whether a separate report was still required. Councillor Di Clements similarly questioned the need for a separate Waste and Recycling report, noting that recent performance information was already available to Members and showed improvements. Councillor Jon Harvey concurred with this suggestion and noted that Members had already received performance information relating to planning and waste services and advised that, whilst nutrient neutrality remained an issue affecting planning services, Members had opportunities to discuss that matter separately. • Following discussion, Members indicated support for removing both the Delivery of Planning Service Update and Waste and Recycling Update from the November work programme. • Councillor Anji Tinley raised a query regarding the proposed item on Disabled Resident Parking Bays, noting that the report referred to November 2027 and asking whether this was an error. Officers confirmed that the reference was a typographical error. • At the Chair’s request, the Senior Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officer summarised the proposed amendments to the Forward Work Programme. It was noted that: (i) The EnviroCrime Task and Finish Group Update and Fly Grazing Update would remain on the November agenda, with Task and Finish Group meetings to be held beforehand where possible. (ii) The Homelessness Service Update, including information relating to third-sector organisations and housing support services, would be combined into a single report for November. (iii) The Housing Strategy Update would be deferred to January. (iv) The Delivery of Planning Service Update and Waste and Recycling Update would be removed from the November programme. (v) The six-monthly Vandalism Reports Against Council Assets Update would remain on the November agenda. Moved by Councillor Mark Carter; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman. The Chair then introduced a separate proposal to add consideration of the Disabled Resident Parking Bay Scheme Pilot to the November meeting. The Committee was advised that the matter had last been considered in November 2025 and that updated legal advice was awaited prior to Cabinet’s consideration of the scheme. Moved by Councillor Viv Stoddart; Seconded by Councillor Anji Tinley. The vote, undertaken by way of a show hands, was carried. RESOLVED (a) That the ‘Homelessness and housing Support’ report and the update on the ‘Homelessness service, including ongoing work with Third Sector organisations’ be combined into one report, to be considered at the November meeting. (b) That the Housing Strategy update be deferred for consideration at the January 2027 Committee meeting. (c) That ‘Delivery of Planning Service (performance)’ and ‘Waste and Recycling Services’ to be removed from the work programme entirely. (d) The Disabled Resident Parking Bay Scheme (Pilot) to be added to the work programme for consideration at the November 2026 meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the Housing Building Maintenance Service Annual Update be noted.
The Committee considered a report by the Director of Social Care and Housing on the Housing Building Maintenance Service Annual Update. The Chair welcomed Councillor Michelle Bateman, Cabinet Member for Housing; Gaynor Toft, Head of Housing and Public Protection; and Rhys Jones, Chief Building Maintenance Officer, to the meeting to present this item of business. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing introduced the report, providing an overview of service performance, repairs activity, and future priorities. The Committee then debated the contents of the report and the key points were noted as follows: • Councillor Tony Wilcox sought an update on the apprenticeship programme and asked whether apprentices recruited in recent years had been retained. The Chief Building Maintenance Officer confirmed that all apprentices remained in post, were progressing well through their training programmes and had become an important part of the workforce. • Councillor Mark Carter sought clarification on the availability of the responsive repairs service and evening appointments. The Chief Building Maintenance Officer confirmed that a 24/7 service remained in place for emergency repairs and that evening appointments could be arranged to improve accessibility for tenants. Councillor Carter also asked about tenant cooperation in facilitating repairs. Officers advised that levels of cooperation were generally good, although access difficulties continued in a small number of cases. Councillor Michelle Bateman added that legal action was occasionally required where tenants repeatedly denied access for mandatory safety and compliance inspections. • Councillor Viv Stoddart queried why the Council retained responsibility for certain pumping stations, septic tanks and treatment systems. The Chief Building Maintenance Officer explained that some systems served Council-owned properties only and therefore remained the Council’s responsibility, with specialist maintenance arrangements in place. • Councillor Di Clements welcomed the report and sought clarification on a number of performance measures, including responsive repairs, significant risk repair categories, damp and mould cases, contractor performance and future plans to increase the proportion of work delivered in-house. In response, The Chief Building Maintenance Officer advised that increases in non-urgent repairs partly reflected improved management and categorisation of repair requests. He explained that revised regulatory requirements required the separate recording of significant risk repairs, many of which related to damp and mould. Environmental sensors were increasingly being installed to identify moisture issues at an early stage, contractor monitoring arrangements were being strengthened, and the service aimed to increase the proportion of repairs undertaken in-house where practical. • Councillor Di Clements also requested information regarding the Vanguard initiative. The Chief Building Maintenance Officer outlined how the pilot scheme had improved the customer journey by involving technical staff earlier in the repairs process and ensuring more accurate diagnosis of repair requirements. Early results indicated potential service efficiencies and improved customer satisfaction. • The Chair sought clarification on the impact of Welsh Housing Quality Standard compliance works on void property turnaround times. The Chief Building Maintenance Officer advised that whilst compliance and improvement works could increase void periods, carrying out the work while properties were empty reduced future disruption and ensured homes met required standards before re-letting. • The Head of Housing and Public Protection, highlighted the increasing complexity of the Building Maintenance Service arising from Welsh Housing Quality Standard requirements, stock condition surveys, energy efficiency targets and wider housing responsibilities. She noted that service growth in recent years reflected increasing demand and the need to strengthen operational capacity. • Councillor Di Clements asked how building maintenance priorities were coordinated with wider corporate property asset management. The Head of Housing and Public Protection explained that maintenance priorities were considered through corporate asset management arrangements, with significant works progressed through the Council’s capital programme process. • Councillor Anji Tinley queried the proportion of properties meeting Welsh Housing Quality Standards and requested further information regarding reported failures and complaint levels. The Chief Building Maintenance Officer explained that reporting requirements had expanded significantly and reflected a large number of individual compliance measures. Councillor Michelle Bateman also noted that reported failures varied considerably in significance and could range from minor issues to more serious compliance concerns. The Head of Housing and Public Protection added that further contextual information could be provided in future reports and advised that communication issues remained the most common cause of customer complaints. • Councillor Mark Carter sought an update on the programme to replace oil-fired heating systems and asked how the Council supported tenants struggling with energy costs. Officers explained that replacement programmes were linked to end-of-life heating systems and wider decarbonisation measures. Where affordability concerns were identified, tenants could be referred to income maximisation and support services for advice and assistance. • Councillor Steve Alderman welcomed progress on decarbonisation measures and asked about the long-term maintenance implications of newer heating technologies. The Chief Building Maintenance Officer advised that additional staff training was being undertaken to ensure the service could maintain and repair such systems effectively in future. In concluding the item, the Chair thanked the Cabinet Member and Officers for the report and commended the Building Maintenance team for its work. Moved by Councillor Mark Carter; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Housing Building Maintenance Service Annual Update be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the Service Performance Data be noted.
The Committee considered a report by the Director of Resources on Service Performance Data. The Chair welcomed Councillor Jon Harvey, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies; and Dan Shaw, Corporate Planning Manager, to the meeting to present this item of business. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies introduced the report and highlighted service performance across key areas including leisure, libraries, revenue collection, waste services, housing and planning. The Committee then debated the contents of the report and the key points were noted as follows: • Councillor Di Clements welcomed the increase in leisure centre memberships and the strong performance of waste and recycling services. Councillor Clements observed that libraries were increasingly functioning as community hubs and questioned whether future performance measures should better reflect this wider role. She also welcomed the reduction in missed waste collections and improvements in planning enforcement performance. In response, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies agreed that the role of libraries was evolving and noted that community activities and digital services were becoming increasingly important alongside traditional book lending services. • Councillor Mark Carter sought clarification regarding communication issues affecting some car park payment machines and whether this had resulted in any loss of income. The Corporate Planning Manager explained that whilst some older machines were experiencing connectivity issues affecting the recording of card transactions, payments continued to be collected and there was no loss of income to the Council. Councillor Carter also queried planning appeal performance, and Councillor Harvey confirmed that all planning enforcement appeals during the reporting period had been successfully defended. • Councillor Di Clements welcomed the continued reduction in planning enforcement cases and asked about the percentage of planning applications determined contrary to officer recommendation. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies explained that decisions ultimately rested with the Planning Committee and that there could be legitimate reasons for Members to depart from officer advice. However, he commented that if the trend continued to increase, careful consideration should be given to the rationale for such decisions to ensure they remained consistent with the relevant planning policies and the Local Development Plan. • Councillor Tony Wilcox questioned the purpose of the Planning Committee if Members were expected simply to approve officer recommendations. In response, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies highlighted the significant improvements achieved within the Planning Service in recent years, attributing this to additional investment and resources. He noted that while Members were entitled to reach decisions contrary to officer recommendations, it was important that decisions remained supported by sound planning reasons and policy considerations. • Councillor Mark Carter supported this view, observing that planning applications often involved matters of judgement and interpretation, particularly in relation to issues such as conservation areas and farm diversification proposals. He commented that Planning Committee debates had become more detailed and robust in recent years. • Councillor John Cole reiterated that planning applications were thoroughly debated by the Planning Committee and, where necessary, supported by site visits. He stressed that alternative decisions required clear planning grounds and were not made arbitrarily. • Councillor Viv Stoddart reflected on the role of elected Members within the planning process and commented that there was an argument for planning decisions to be considered outside the political arena. Members acknowledged the point whilst noting the existing safeguards within the planning system. Moved by Councillor Mark Carter; Seconded by Councillor Di Clements. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Service Performance Data be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED (a) That the Property Service Update be noted. (b) That further updates be provided to the Committee every six months, and for the updates to include the latest Minutes of the Strategic Asset Management Group (SAMG).
[Councillor Mark Carter declared a personal interest in this item of business by virtue of being in the process of purchasing land from Pembrokeshire County Council and therefore dealing with the Property Service.] The Committee considered a report by the Head of Property, Economic Development and Regeneration on the Property Service Update, including an update on the Strategic Asset Management Group (SAMG). The Chair welcomed Councillor Aaron Carey, Cabinet Member for Communities; and Catrin Mathias, Head of Property, Economic Development and Regeneration, to the meeting for this item of business. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities introduced the report and provided an overview of the Council’s strategic approach to asset management and the ongoing review of its property portfolio. The Committee then debated the contents of the report and the key points were noted as follows: • Councillor Mark Carter sought an update on the performance of Riverside Quay, expressing concern regarding vacant commercial units and the financial impact of business rates on unoccupied properties. In response, the Head of Property, Economic Development and Regeneration, advised that interest in vacant units had increased and that a project board had been established to review the future of the shopping centre. She reported that enquiries from potential tenants had risen and that the scheme was moving in a positive direction. She undertook to provide Members with information on business rates liability for vacant units. • Councillor Di Clements expressed frustration at the length of time taken to develop a comprehensive asset management approach and sought assurances that meaningful progress would now be delivered. Councillor Clements emphasised the importance of understanding the Council’s asset base, associated costs and opportunities for disposal, repurposing or income generation. In response, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities acknowledged previous shortcomings in the management of the property portfolio and advised that significant work was now underway to establish a complete and accurate understanding of the Council’s assets. He highlighted the progress already made in collating asset information and reviewing property holdings. · The Head of Property, Economic Development and Regeneration explained that a detailed review of the portfolio had commenced on a locality-by-locality basis, beginning with Pembroke. The review would examine ownership records, asset costs and future use, with the intention of determining whether assets should be retained, repurposed or disposed of. Members were advised that this exercise was expected to be completed within two years. • Councillor John Cole shared concerns regarding the length of time required to complete the review and stressed the importance of ensuring progress was maintained. • Councillor Mark Carter queried progress on rent reviews for Council-owned commercial properties. In response, the Head of Property, Economic Development and Regeneration advised that rental income had increased by approximately 5% in each of the previous two years as a result of rent reviews being completed, although some reviews remained outstanding. • Councillor Viv Stoddart reflected on previous work undertaken through the Strategic Asset Management Group and welcomed the re-establishment of governance arrangements to support improved management of the Council’s assets. In response, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities confirmed his support for the Strategic Asset Management Group and recognised the value of local Member knowledge in identifying asset-related issues and opportunities within communities. • During discussion, Members requested regular progress updates on the asset review programme. Councillor Di Clements suggested that updates be incorporated into the Committee’s Forward Work Programme to enable scrutiny of progress. · Councillor Anji Tinley acknowledged that both the Cabinet Member and Head of Service had only recently assumed their roles and welcomed the progress outlined within the report. Councillor Tinley supported the provision of regular progress updates to the Committee. · Councillor Mark Carter requested that Members be provided with details of Council-owned assets located within their individual wards, noting the value of local knowledge in informing future decisions (AP). · Councillor Steve Alderman highlighted examples of long-standing vacant former school buildings within his ward and emphasised the importance of progressing decisions on surplus assets to minimise deterioration and associated costs. In response, the Head of Property, Economic Development and Regeneration advised that vacant properties were subject to regular inspections and that information gathered through the asset review programme would support future decision-making regarding investment, retention and disposal. Moved by Councillor Di Clements; Seconded by Councillor Viv Stoddart. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED (a) That the Property Service Update be noted. (b) That further updates be provided to the Committee every six months, and for the updates to include the latest Minutes of the Strategic Asset Management Group (SAMG).
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.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.