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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 report on Visit Pembrokeshire be noted. [Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, The Head of Cultural, Leisure, Tourism and Registration Services and the Chief Executive and Chair of Visit Pembrokeshire left the meeting at this juncture.]
RESOLVED That the update report on the Havens Head and Lower Priory Flood Alleviation Study be noted.
RESOLVED That the update report on the Incidents of Vandalism on the Authoritiy’s properties be noted and that the next update be included in the agenda for the June 2023 Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. [The meeting adjourned for a short break at this juncture when Councillors Hall, Tudor, Rees and Dennison did not return to the meeting.]
RESOLVED That the Update report on Public Protection Services – Staffing, Recruitment and Performance be circulated to every Member of the Council to ensure they read the report and view the webcast with any comments to be referred back to the Head of Housing and Public Protection and Chair; and that the demands faced by the staff and the service be acknowledged.
RESOLVED That the Forward Work Programme be approved. The Chair thanked all for attending and thanked the Officers for the reports and for their attendance.
Councillor Di Clements declared a personal interest in item 18: Visit Pembrokeshire by virtue of being a Director of Visit Pembrokeshire.
Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Councillor Tim Evans The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2022 be approved as a correct record.
There were no public submissions or items of correspondence received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the report on Visit Pembrokeshire be noted. [Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, The Head of Cultural, Leisure, Tourism and Registration Services and the Chief Executive and Chair of Visit Pembrokeshire left the meeting at this juncture.]
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Cultural, Leisure and Registration Services on Visit Pembrokeshire which provided an update on the last two years. The Chair introduced Emma Thornton, Chief Executive of Visit Pembrokeshire and Jane Rees-Baynes, Chair of Visit Pembrokeshire and welcomed them to the meeting to give a presentation on the work of Visit Pembrokeshire. The Chief Executive noted that Visit Pembrokeshire was now two years old and that the last year had been concentrated into a 3-4month period with many choosing to travel abroad and the ‘Team Pembrokeshire’ approach had been developed following the successful ‘Visit Pembrokeshire’ and ‘Croeso’ awards which saw 280K people following the event on social media. The Head of Cultural, Leisure, Tourism and Registration Services highlighted the aims and objectives for Visit Pembrokeshire that had already been achieved over their first two years and the Director of Community Services commended the scrutiny of Visit Pembrokeshire and other new partnerships formed in the County. He further commented on the ground breaking work of pooling resources for a Destination Management Plan (DMP) and establishing a sustainable future. The Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change highlighted how the Authority can achieve things differently and that not everything needs to come direct from Pembrokeshire County Council. The Committee then debated the contents of the presentation and the key points were highlighted as follows: · In response to a question from Councillor Rhys Jordan, the Chief Executive noted that there had been an increase in Membership following the awards although the vast majority were in attendance. · In response to comments from Councillor Alan Dennison on the omission of Milford Haven and Neyland in the promotional video and to whether the phrase See life differently should have been used rather than See life a little bit differently. The Chief Executive explained the challenge in presenting the key messages in a short video and advised that further videos were planned in the future and that see life a little bit differently was a key element of visiting the area. · Concerns were raised by Councillor Viv Stoddart regarding the introduction of the tourism levy together with the cost of living crisis, Councillors Huw Murphy and Rhys Jordan concurred with those concerns. The Chief Executive advised that whilst they do oppose the implementation of the tourism tax/levy, they recognise that it will happen and are positively engaging in the consultation to ensure it shapes and benefits the sector as a whole. · The Head of Cultural, Leisure, Tourism and Registration Services advised Members that the Tourism Levy would be considered by Cabinet in December and two scenarios were under consideration; one, that in a few years we may lose public facilities and transport links due to lack of funding and two, all are grown/protected due to the levy. He further noted that this was a complex issue that would be debated in due course. Further concerns were raised by Councillor Tim Evans that, if the levy was not introduced across all Authorities in Wales that tourists may then avoid the County. Councillor Evans further voiced the need to include local Pubs, restaurants etc. to inform visitors of what is on offer during the Winter months. In response to a question from the Chair, the Chief Executive advised Members that the video was available to be shared and encouraged all Members to do so. Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Councillor Tim Evans The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the report on Visit Pembrokeshire be noted. [Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, The Head of Cultural, Leisure, Tourism and Registration Services and the Chief Executive and Chair of Visit Pembrokeshire left the meeting at this juncture.]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the update report on the Havens Head and Lower Priory Flood Alleviation Study be noted.
The Committee considered an update report by the Director of Community Services on the Havens Head and Lower Priory Flood Alleviation Study. The Chair welcomed the Coastal and Rivers Engineer to the meeting to give an update on the flooding prevention work that had taken place at Havens Head and Lower Priory. The Coastal and Rivers Engineer advised Members that the application bid had been successful and that contractors had now been appointed to carry out the investigative work. She stated that Capita Real Estate had been taken over by WSP and that it was the same personnel engaged in the project. The Committee then debated the contents of the report and the key points were highlighted as follows: · The Director of Community Services noted that a further funding bid was to be made to further manage the situation. Additionally, it was reported that the relationship with the Port Authority had far improved through this process and that they were now in an improved position. · Councillor Viv Stoddart advised the Committee that she had briefed the new Members of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee on this issue following the horrendous flooding in November 2018 noting that a new Chief Executive of the Port Authority had been appointed. · In response to a question from Councillor Stoddart, the Coastal and Rivers Engineer advised that a further application was due to be submitted by 2 December 2022. · The Coastal and Rivers Engineer further advised Members that they had open dialogue and regular calls from local residents and had committed to provide six monthly updates or as they became available, as requested by the Chair. She further clarified that the event in 2018 was a one in 100 year event and that the sluice gates were operating appropriately but that it had been a culmination of factors. · It was noted that new monitoring systems had now been installed to provide updates with an emergency response team in place to support residents. · In response to a question from Councillor Alan Dennison, the Engineer advised the Committee that Milford Haven Port Authority owned the sluice gates and was therefore unable to comment on their operation. · The Engineer further advised Councillor Dennison that a mitigation plan was not under development and that pumps could not be on standby due to a number of factors including the tides, weather conditions etc. but that emergency services would be involved. It was also noted by the Engineer that they are working on the mitigation, and not the emergency. Moved by Councillor Rhys Jordan; Seconded by Councillor Chris Williams The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the update report on the Havens Head and Lower Priory Flood Alleviation Study be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the update report on the Incidents of Vandalism on the Authoritiy’s properties be noted and that the next update be included in the agenda for the June 2023 Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. [The meeting adjourned for a short break at this juncture when Councillors Hall, Tudor, Rees and Dennison did not return to the meeting.]
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Housing and Public Protection on the Incidents of Vandalism on the Authorities properties. The Chair welcomed the Interim Head of Housing and Public Protection to the meeting to give a presentation on the effect of vandalism on the Authority’s properties. She advised Members that the report was to note following the matter being raised by the Committee and Members were informed that there was currently no central location to record the information but that a system had been introduced into Housing and Building Maintenance. This would record the information for the Authority owned assets and would then be extended to corporate owned buildings. The Interim Head of Housing and Public Protection advised that there had been some delays during implementation of the system but it was anticipated to be launched in the spring of next year. However, it was highlighted that notifications for street furniture would not sit within that database as they were not deemed as buildings. The Director of Community Services advised Members that they did not want to highlight buildings that were prone to vandalism for insurance purposes however, a resolution was anticipated in the months following the Northgate implementation. The Committee then debated the contents of the report and the key points were highlighted as follows: · In response to a question from Councillor Alan Dennison, the Head of Housing and Public Protection informed Members that she was not aware of any successful police prosecutions and the Chief Housing Officer concurred that over the last ten years with the Authority, she was only aware of a handful of incidents reported to the Police with a successful prosecution. · It was recognised by Councillor Viv Stoddart that in January 2020, the Committee had been provided with information regarding damage to various Authority owned properties and had been anticipating the six monthly updates which had not been forthcoming. · The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Housing Operations and Regulatory Services suggested speaking with Town and Community Councils for information on vandalism within their wards on play park equipment or local areas. · Councillor Steve Alderman made reference to the various sites that lent themselves to vandalism including empty, rural primary schools and requested that progress be made to improve this. · Councillor Di Clements sought clarification on whether previous incidents of vandalism would be registered on the Northgate system and was advised by the Head of Housing and Public Protection that there was not the capacity to retrospectively record incidents and that they would start the recoding from implementation. · The Director of Community Services advised Members that the issue had been highlighted that the systems and processes were not as joined up as thought and that an integrated corporate asset management approach was required. He further advised that there was never an intention to walk away from incidents of vandalism but that evidence was required. If the evidence was there, they were proactive in using that to protect public assets. Moved by Councillor Viv Stoddart; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the update report on the Incidents of Vandalism on the Authoritiy’s properties be noted and that the next update be included in the agenda for the June 2023 Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting. [The meeting adjourned for a short break at this juncture when Councillors Hall, Tudor, Rees and Dennison did not return to the meeting.]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Update report on Public Protection Services – Staffing, Recruitment and Performance be circulated to every Member of the Council to ensure they read the report and view the webcast with any comments to be referred back to the Head of Housing and Public Protection and Chair; and that the demands faced by the staff and the service be acknowledged.
The Committee considered an update report by the Interim Head of Housing and Public Protection on Public Protection services – staffing, recccruitment and performance. She advised that two long standing trading standards and one fair trade inspector had recently retired and they were currently running at a 34% capacity shortfall. The report was highlighted as being an extremely comprehensive report noting that public protection was 1.1% of the overall budget with 56 FTE staff. Housing Standards had only two FTE and the interest and applications for advertised positions had been low. Additionally, the Lead Officer for Health and Safety Communicable diseases remains seconded to the Test, Track and Protect Services, leading on infection control and prevention in high risk settings. It was noted that the Performance and Service Plan had been on hold due to the Pandemic but was now being reintroduced to the Corporate Score Card. The Committee then debated the contents of the report and the key points were highlighted as follows: · In response to a question from Councillor Tim Evans, the Head of Housing and Public Protection confirmed that the sickness and retirements had been as a result of early retirements. · Councillor Evans sought clarification on Apprenticeships within the Local Authority and the Interim Head of Housing and Public Protection on Public Protection Services advised that Apprenticeships were the planned ‘end point’ but that it would take time and investment. · The Director of Community Services concurred that this was an excellent report particularly around the budget savings. · The Interim Head of Housing and Public Protection clarified that assistance was being received from HR around staff welfare and training confirming that staff morale was low. · In response to a comment from the Chair and Councillor Tony Wilcox, the Interim Head of Housing and Public Protection acknowledged the positive feedback from Members and agreed that administrative support would be of benefit to the team as this was limited. [Councillor Evans and Clements left the meeting at this juncture.] Proposed by Councillor Mark Carter; Seconded by Councillor Steve Alderman The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Update report on Public Protection Services – Staffing, Recruitment and Performance be circulated to every Member of the Council to ensure they read the report and view the webcast with any comments to be referred back to the Head of Housing and Public Protection and Chair; and that the demands faced by the staff and the service be acknowledged.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Forward Work Programme be approved. The Chair thanked all for attending and thanked the Officers for the reports and for their attendance.
The Committee considered the Forward Work Programme by Democratic Services. The Chair presented the Forward Work Programme to the Committee noting the next meeting was scheduled for 17 January 2023. The Chair noted that the next meeting would discuss the regeneration programme, Service Performance Data and the budget and was therefore a busy meeting at present. Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Councillor Rhys Jordan The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Forward Work Programme be approved. The Chair thanked all for attending and thanked the Officers for the reports and for their attendance.
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.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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