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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 update report on the incidents of vandalism on the Authority’s properties be approved.
RESOLVED That the update report from the Environmental Crime Enforcement Team be approved. The Committee then adjourned for a short break returning at 12:47pm. [Councillor Brian Hall was not present in the meeting following the short adjournment.]
RESOLVED That the referral for the Council Housing Stock Decarbonisation programme to be included on the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme be approved.
RESOLVED That the Forward Work Programme be approved subject to the above amendments:
There were no Declarations of Interest made.
Moved by Councillor Mark Carter; Seconded by Councillor Rhys Jordan The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 June 2023 be approved as a correct record. The Chair updated the Committee that following the last meeting of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee; Minute 51 a) resolved that: An update on Haverfordwest Castle and the Multi-Storey Car Park be included in the Regeneration Report in September This report had been due to be heard in Cabinet in September but has been deferred to October; therefore, the update report will now be heard in Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee in November. In response to a concern raised by Councillor Di Clements regarding the Regeneration Update, the Assistant Chief Executive advised that guidance that had been expected to bring before the Committee had been delayed and was on 1 September 2023. He committed to bring an update report to the November meeting. Concerns were raised by Councillor Viv Stoddart regarding the Havens Head and Lower Priory Flooding, as residents were concerned about the funds and that Milford Haven Port Authority were not making repairs to the Dock Wall until 2024. The Head of Infrastructure advised that there was a detailed design and full business case being drawn up and that they were waiting for funding approval from Welsh Government. In response to a further concern from Councillor Di Clements regarding damp and mould in properties, the Head of Housing and Public Protection Services advised that the work continued and a high level of concern remained noting that the Authority still had responsibility for private tenants. The Authority were dealing with all enquiries on a priority basis noting an escalation in a backlog of works due to a turnover of stock when decanting tenants to resolve issues. The Housing and Public Protection Services clarified that lifestyle and behaviour changes were needed ensuring ventilation and humidistat fans were operating and that heating systems were maintained and used. An information leaflet had been issued to assist this. In response to a question from Councillor Tony Wilcox regarding resources, the Housing and Public Protection Services advised that there were still significant vacancies within both the team and contractors and that there had been a number of recruitment and trade shows to support recruitment.
There were no public submissions or items of correspondence received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the update report on the incidents of vandalism on the Authority’s properties be approved.
The Assistant Chief Executive presented an estimate of costs associated with vandalism noting the difficulty in the way that vandalism and costs had been reported. The Housing and Public Protection Services explained that the NorthGate system would provide the information however, there had been further delays following the launch in April but that the facility to record vandalism would be there. Councillor Viv Stoddart highlighted that the issue of the cost to the Authority of vandalism was first brought to the Committee in 2019 and, at that time, the Committee was advised that the NorthGate system was being introduced to provide this information. Councillors Chris Williams and Di Clements supported the concerns raised and the disappointment that they were still waiting. Councillor Steve Alderman further noted the inherent risks such as redundant community assets and empty buildings. In response to a concern raised by Councillor Rhys Jordan regarding the suitability and functionality of the NorthGate system, the Housing and Public Protection Services explained that this system had been introduced across housing and building maintenance and that it was a part of a wider discussion requiring the database. In response to Councillor Mark Carter regarding if it was currently be used in any capacity, the Housing and Public Protection Services clarified that it was used for building maintenance and only housing registration and homelessness. Various modules had been used for 2-3 years but there was not a specific module for vandalism. In response to a question from the Cabinet Member for Residents Services as to whether the NorthGate system should be referred to the Corporate Improvement and Transformation Board as they were focussed on data and transformation, the Housing and Public Protection Services advised that IT Services were very much a part of the NorthGate system process. Moved by Councillor Viv Stoddart; Seconded by Councillor Tim Evans The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the update report on the incidents of vandalism on the Authority’s properties be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the update report from the Environmental Crime Enforcement Team be approved. The Committee then adjourned for a short break returning at 12:47pm. [Councillor Brian Hall was not present in the meeting following the short adjournment.]
The Committee considered a report by the Head of Infrastructure and Environmental Services on the implementation of the newly implemented Environmental Crime Enforcement. The Chair welcomed Councillor Rhys Sinnett, Cabinet Member for Residents Services, to the meeting, who outlined the key points of the report and welcomed questions from Members. He emphasised that the current contract for Environmental Crime Enforcement had only been in place since 15 August 2023 and that the Committee was not reviewing the previous contract holder. The Cabinet Member stressed that the intention during Scrutiny would not be to focus on any one specific incident or case, to ensure no impact on any potential court action. He then presented the report on Environmental Crime summarising the service and the limited data that had been gathered. The following points were highlighted: · The Authority were the contract managers for the service. · Marc Owen, Public Realms Manager held responsibility for the Environmental Crime Service. · There was a dedicated email address to report incidents of Environmental Crime, which highlighted hotspots to the team. · Meetings were held to identify and discuss service pressures to inform the contract holder, WISE. · Fly Tipping was the next priority. · The Team would provide feedback Members regarding individual wards. The Chair welcomed the Director of WISE to the meeting who presented an overview of the company. He noted that the Head Quarters of WISE were based in Merseyside and that they were actively building recruitment and intelligence around the county. The Director advised that when the team received a report, it would be actioned the same day whenever possible. The proposed team would be of five Enforcement Officers and one Team Leader. Currently in post were two Enforcement Officers supported by three mobile officers. The Director emphasised that the team would educate on by laws surrounding dogs on beaches and dog fouling prior to issuing the Fixed Penalty Notices. The Committee debated the contents of the report and the key points were highlighted as follows: In response to a question from Councillor Tim Evans regarding Officers patrolling on private land, the Public Reams Manager advised that WISE had been advised of restricted areas and that they were requesting consent from supermarket car park owners to patrol however, all public areas would be enforced. In response to a further concern from Councillor Tim Evans, he advised that, whilst the supermarket car parks were owned by the supermarket, litter would still come on to the open highway and that behavioural change was needed. The Public Realms Manager advised the restrictions regarding dogs on beaches were due to start and that there were many signs already in place. In response to a question from Councillor Tom Tudor regarding the cost to the authority, the Head of Infrastructure advised that WISE were paid on a fixed fee percentage per ticket issued however noted that the specifics of the contract would not be discussed in a public forum. The Public Reams Manager advised that the contract was seven days a week depending on the season and reports received. All associated costs incurred including staffing, vehicles, fuel and prosecution would be under WISE. In response to a suggestion from WISE regarding attending Wards with Councillors, Councillor Tom Tudor extended an invitation any time in late September. The Committee continued to debate the presentation and information received from WISE and the key points were highlighted as follows: · Signage and comms were a key element throughout the County. · Councillors needed to work with their residents to ensure guests and residents were aware of any restrictions on dogs accessing the beaches. · Visitors and Guests in the County need to be informed correctly of their waste disposal as some had been informed to dispose of domestic waste in public bins. Trade owners had a duty of care to manage their waste correctly and need to apply through the Local Authority. · The initiative was not to make money improve the County. · All successful prosecutions would be publicised as they were in open court. · The Director of WISE advised that ALL Officers were fully trained with operating procedures and will patrol in a proactive manner. All Officers wear body cameras and the Authority had full access. · The Public Realm Manager reassured the Committee that all notifications were Welsh Language Compliant and that he was a first language Welsh speaker so all enquiries would be dealt with bilingually. Councillor Rhys Jordan then moved the recommendation. In response to a concern raised by Councillor Steve Alderman regarding fast food establishment litter, the Head of Infrastructure advised that the Welsh Government were working to develop a strategy to address this. The Cabinet Member for Residents Services thanked all Members for the way in which the debate had been conducted and for the questions that had been asked. The Director from WISE thanked Members for the invite and committed to attend future meetings to update the Committee. 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 from the Environmental Crime Enforcement Team be approved. The Committee then adjourned for a short break returning at 12:47pm. [Councillor Brian Hall was not present in the meeting following the short adjournment.]
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the referral for the Council Housing Stock Decarbonisation programme to be included on the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme be approved.
The Chair presented the referral for the Council Housing Stock Decarbonisation programme to the Committee from the Governance and Audit Committee. Councillor Steve Alderman noted that decarbonisation of County Council Housing stock would be a huge issue and requested that it be prioritised to rural areas where the options for alternative future heating were severely limited. Councillor Tony Wilcox raised concerns on rental costs where some properties had been completed and some had not. 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 referral for the Council Housing Stock Decarbonisation programme to be included on the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Forward Work Programme be approved subject to the above amendments:
The Chair presented the Forward Work Programme to Members who then debated the contents with the following key points highlighted for inclusion: · That the Committee hold a Forward Work Programme meeting to review the programme with a look back over the last 12 months. · That the Authority’s Toilet Strategy 2023 be reviewed. · That an update on the Northgate System be reviewed in January 2024. · That an update on Leisure Services be received in January 2024. · That an update on the Havens Head and Lower Priory Flooding be received in January 2024. Moved by Councillor Huw Murphy; 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 subject to the above amendments:
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