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: The minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the 25th January 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting
RESOLVED that the comments and observations be reported to Cabinet prior to their consideration of the Annual Equality report
RESOLVED to: • Acknowledge the information contained within Appendix 1 Include short, medium and long term flood risk management strategies to the future Work Programme.
Cllr S Evans declared a personal interest in item 4 as she works for the University of South Wales and they are referenced in the report Cllr J Edwards declared a personal interest in item 4 as her employer, Interlink is referenced in the report
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the 25th January 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting
RESOLVED: The minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the 25th January 2023 were approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting
The Principal Scrutiny Officer advised of the open consultations that members are able to feed into. Members were reminded that if they had any queries they could contact the Scrutiny Team via the Scrutiny mailbox
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the comments and observations be reported to Cabinet prior to their consideration of the Annual Equality report
Members were presented with the Annual Equality Report 2021/22 by the Diversity and Inclusion Manager for the purpose of undertaking pre-scrutiny and providing feedback and comments in advance of Cabinet’s consideration of the report. Members were advised that the Annual Equality Report has been developed to fulfil the Council’s legal duties and obligations to report on its progress in delivering the General and Specific Equality Duties. Members were asked to consider whether the report has captured the relevant information required to fulfil the Council’s legal duties and obligations to report on how it has met the General Equality Duty set out in the Equality Act 2010. Members welcomed the Annual Equality Report and the following comments and observations were made Members asked how the impacts in the report are evaluated and how this will inform future practice. Members also commented on the disparity of female staff in senior positions, and the high numbers of female workers on low pay in comparison to the number of employees The Equality and Diversity Manager commented that the objectives and impact are built into service delivery plans. She added that the team has a meeting with Senior Leadership Team to discuss and propose how we review data to be better informed in measuring the impact. The Equality and Diversity Manager continued that we hope to have more targets around race diversity and gender equality within the council. In relation to female members of staff in senior positions, she added that progress has been made in this area but more is needed, the progress has been hindered by freezes on recruitment due to current budget pressures. A Member questioned if officers had confidence that Equality Impact Assessments are carried out when the council develops new strategies. The Equality and Diversity Manager advised that the Equality Impact Assessments had been a focus over last 18 months, and these are carried out on all major decisions. She added that she has every confidence in the process as a Review Panel has been developed, of which she is a member of that is made up of Council officers from various departments who advise on the impact assessments A Member commented that they were pleased to see a detailed report and were reassured to see progress being made in the Equality and Inclusion agenda, particularly in increasing the diversity amongst elected members, with RCTCBC having one of the best male/female representation in Wales as well as some of the youngest Members and the Council’s first BAME representative in the Chamber. Another Member commented that they were pleased to see engagement in the Youth Engagement and Participation Service going from strength to strength. The Chair referred to feedback received from an Autism session where officers engaged with families and carers of individuals living with autism. The Equality and Diversity Manager confirmed that this will be taken forward with the service area in question and can report back to Committee. Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED that the comments and observations be reported to Cabinet prior to their consideration of the Annual Equality report
The Head Of Community And Welsh Language Services presented the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy 2022-2027 Action Plan to members to seek the Committee’s views, comments and recommendations in respect of the action plan before its consideration by the Welsh Language Cabinet Sub Committee A Member commented that they were pleased to see that an Eistedfodd Officer has already been working with a number of partners to increase engagement and participation. They asked if targets will be set around this, such as increasing the number of welsh speakers. The Member also asked if engagement on the Strategy and Action plan had been sought from the Welsh Language Commissioner. The Member commented that they would like to see more opportunities and more references for welsh as a living language, they commented that when welsh speakers leave welsh language education they lose confidence in their skills and therefore do not continue to use welsh language. The Service Manager, Welsh Language Services advised that whilst RCT has seen an increase in the number of welsh speakers it has been difficult to see the impact in every area, but reassured that the Local Authority is doing its best to mainstream the welsh language. He commented that there aren’t any specific targets at this stage for the Eistedfodd and that these will be given in business and action plans. He added that the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan is a strongly promoted which builds on work that has been undertaken already and will be reflected in the action plan. The Service Manager, Welsh Language Services concluded that the commissioner would not normally give formal feedback on a five year plan, though they have advised that they are pleased to hear we have put this strategy together. We have also received an independent report through NICO which is a statutory requirement A Member asked what approach will be offered to ensure the whole community feels they can be included in welsh language activities, particularly in local libraries. The Service Manager explained that the Library Services is captured in the Action plan and we will continue to build on engaging with our partners to encourage those links in the Community. He added that we encouraging that all activities offered should be offered on a English and Welsh Language basis. A Member referred to the number of learners choosing to leave welsh medium education and recommended that the Authority closely monitors this data and the reasons why they are leaving. The Member was aware of instances such as the provision of ALN in welsh medium education and parents not feeling confident that they are able to support their children in homework and extra-curricular activities The Chair asked what the perceived barriers are to engaging in the welsh language such as links to deprivation that we may need to explore. The Service Manager responded that census data has shown how difficult it is to promote the welsh language and that there are issues in certain demographic areas that need to be addressed. Following consideration of the action plan for the statutory Welsh Language Promotion Strategy 2022-2027 Members resolved to Authorise the Service Director Democratic Services and Communications to feedback the Committee comments for consideration by the Welsh Language Cabinet Sub Committee.
Members were presented with the Corporate Decarbonisation Strategy and Action Plan for the purpose of pre-scrutiny before consideration by the Cabinet. Members commented that they are all dealing with a huge challenge which has to be taken seriously and prioritised. To support their understanding of the issues faced they requested that training is given to all members so they can send a clear message of the prevalent issues and make steps to address them. The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications agreed and added that this will be added to the Member training Programme for 2023-24. The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction agreed and advised that all members will be encouraged to engage in this process in the future and will be supported by officers in doing so. He added that this will be taken into consideration in future reports to the Climate Change Cabinet Sub-Committee A Member asked if the Authority can review procurement processes to ensure that local suppliers can be used where possible, particularly in our own Council venues such as theatres, parks and cinemas. This will not only support the Corporate Decarbonisation Strategy but will invest money back into our local economy. Another member commented that it was great to see such a comprehensive Strategy brought forward in what is a hugely important agenda for the future. They asked how they can support residents in contributing to the aims and objectives of the Strategy. We need to see less use of cards and more use of public transport. How can we support this The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction advised that the report being presented to the Climate Change Cabinet Sub-Committee later this week supports this dialogue with small changes residents can make. We will also develop Communications plans around these areas which will detail support for all communities to make changes so together we will make a difference and the changes needed. The next steps taken will be to set up breakdown the plans in to different work-streams for each service area and add timescales and costing exercises. A Member recommended that the Council take proactive steps in promoting climate friendly meals such as meat free, plant based options throughout the community, such as where community meals are provided, during the roll-out of universal free school meals and where community events are held to not only support the Strategy but ensure the Authority is recognised for catering for a broad range of dietary requirements. The Member commented that if residents are also aware of the Carbon footprint of meals it may encourage them to make more sustainable choices The Chair asked how we lead by example when our supply chain is highest and biggest challenge we face. The Head of Energy and Carbon Reduction advised that our supply chains and how we procure will everything will need to be reviewed in order to achieve the objectives in the Strategy. He added that colleagues in procurement have developed a carbon toolkit, to look at how figures and data are collected and presented.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to: • Acknowledge the information contained within Appendix 1 Include short, medium and long term flood risk management strategies to the future Work Programme.
The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication presented the report to Members which informed them of the flood risk management across Wales and to sought Committee’s comments in respect of the presentation of information contained within Appendix 1 to the report. Members thanked Andrew Stone and his team for working in extremely difficult circumstances. The Member recommended that short, medium and long term strategies are reported to Scrutiny to address flood risk, based on the levels of risk they present and the funding required to deliver those. The Member would like to understand the workforce capacity in Wales, the impact of the investment into flood risk defences and also to invite NRW and Welsh Water to Scrutiny to understand what investments they have made to mitigate against flooding in the Local Authority. The Head of Flood Risk Management advised that he was reporting to the Climate Change Scrutiny Committee later this week to look at a public engagement exercise. He advised that the Strategy and Action plan are now combined into one document, each action will be short, medium and long term and will be fully costed. In relation to the workforce capacity he advised that RCT has been very proactive and invested in this area. He advised that we have an apprentice, a graduate and two trainee engineers, who are all very well qualified and doing great work. He confirmed that working with partners is a statutory requirement and the Authority has set up a strategic flood board with all the parties attending to discuss strategic works throughout RCT. A Member asked how we support residents to understand their repairing responsibilities as a result of local flooding incidents. For example, many residents are not aware of watercourses that cross over into their properties and are therefore not adequately insured. The Member asked when residents purchased their properties, is it a legal requirement that the water courses are highlighted. The Head of Flood Risk Management advised that there is a huge amount of work being undertaken on Communications to ensure our residents understand the flood watercourses that crossover into their properties and how they can maintain and put defences in place. He concluded that it currently is not part of the legal standard search, whereas sustainable drainage systems is mandatory. Most insurance applications do ask about water courses and culverts in the property but if the knowledge is not there then it is not declared. Following discussion it was RESOLVED to: • Acknowledge the information contained within Appendix 1 Include short, medium and long term flood risk management strategies to the future Work Programme.
None
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