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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the meetings held on the 29th July, 18th September and 27th September 2024 as a true and accurate record of the meetings subject to the inclusion of an apology being recorded for the 27th September for Councillor Sera Evans
RESOLVED to: • Consider the proposal to convene a Working Group of Committee Members to work alongside the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) in defining the parameters within which the Council can positively affect change to deliver better outcomes for children living in poverty. Subject to the agreement of the above that the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications seeks any expression of interest in respect of membership of the working group, as in accordance with the parameters outlined in 6.3 of the report.
RESOLVED: To scrutinise the work of the RCTCBC Tip Safety Team
RESOLVED to: 1. Consider and comment on the draft guidance attached as Appendix 1 of the report 2. Subject to any amendments, determine whether to approve the guidance document to assist Members of the public in respect of petitions to Council; 3. Subject to 2,that the Service Director, Democratic Services publishes the guidance document on the Council website and looks to promote the guidance as part of the Council’s Public Participation strategy.
In accordance with the code of conduct the following declarations were made: Councillor J Edwards – personal interest in item 4 “my employer is named in the report”
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the meetings held on the 29th July, 18th September and 27th September 2024 as a true and accurate record of the meetings subject to the inclusion of an apology being recorded for the 27th September for Councillor Sera Evans
RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the meetings held on the 29th July, 18th September and 27th September 2024 as a true and accurate record of the meetings subject to the inclusion of an apology being recorded for the 27th September for Councillor Sera Evans
The Principal Scrutiny Officer reminded Members of the open consultations and advised if Members had any queries in relation to these they can contact the scrutiny team. Members were advised that they would have an opportunity as consultees to consider the Council’s Budget Strategy at their next meeting
The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications advised Members of the latest position on the Cabinet Work Programme.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: • Consider the proposal to convene a Working Group of Committee Members to work alongside the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) in defining the parameters within which the Council can positively affect change to deliver better outcomes for children living in poverty. Subject to the agreement of the above that the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications seeks any expression of interest in respect of membership of the working group, as in accordance with the parameters outlined in 6.3 of the report.
The Director Public Health Protection and Community Services provided Members with an overview of child poverty and its effect on the life chances of children and young people and introduced the newly established RCT Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) as a resource to support the Overview and Scrutiny Committee to define which aspects of child poverty within the Council’s remit they may wish to explore further. The Director Public Health and Protection advised that the objective of the HDRC is to build infrastructure within council to inform the decisions we make as a council and continue to develop into a research organisation beyond 2028. She advised that the team will work together with members on a timeline and terms of reference for the working group and ensure it aligns with the Welsh Government timeline on Child Poverty and welcomed new ideas that demonstrate the Council’s commitment to delivering a strategy. The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications acknowledged that whilst it had taken some time to bring forward the proposals for a working group, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has had a very busy work programme over the last year and considered many important topical items during this time and there has been a need to ensure the work undertaken is manageable for Members. He confirmed the first meeting of the working group will take place before the Christmas period and meetings of the working group will be convened within core business hours. Members welcomed the HDRC funding research and recognised it is an important step forward. A Member asked how we will use the research and to make an impact and build an understanding with our communities as there is a lot of misinformation on social media. Following a query on the work of the HDRC, the Director Public Health, Protection and Community Services advised that opportunities will be created for the HDRC to work in the communities that they represent and will encourage public participation as there is a need for them to be involved and their voices heard and be a part of the decision making process of the Council. The Director confirmed that UK and Welsh Government funding has contributed to the programme, and there is involvement from external partners. A Member asked how we will engage with those with lived experience as outlined in the report there is a stigma and many people do not recognise that they live in poverty. The Director Public Health, Protection and Community Services replied that collaborative work will be undertaken with partners such as interlink to set up research that has already been undertaken and evaluate whether it is transferable to RCT. Research will be used to facilitate gaps in understanding. The Director continued that the Authority has tried to remove the barriers and are looking at representatives from all walks of life and trying to foster a culture of citizen researchers. The Director acknowledged a lot of work needs to be done around terminology to reduce poverty stigma but remain hopeful we will hear from a range of people with lived experience. The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications stated that the engagement will compliment mechanisms that the Council already has in place and advised that the Authority are already proactive in tackling this issue and reminded Members that RCTCBC were the only council in Wales that issued cost of living payments to residents. He advised that the working group will look to bring forward a range of new ways of working to Cabinet. Research and HDRC is a trial with the Child Poverty being the first subject matter brought forward. A Member recommended that the family engagement officers also feedback into the research as she had seen the positive difference they make in schools and commented that they can share good practice as to the benefits of having the officers within the schools. The Director Public Health, Protection and Community Services agreed with the recommendation and added that the authority will be taking immediate actions to tackle child poverty and advised that the Council is already committed to addressing and mitigating the issues. Following conclusion of discussions it was RESOLVED to: • Consider the proposal to convene a Working Group of Committee Members to work alongside the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) in defining the parameters within which the Council can positively affect change to deliver better outcomes for children living in poverty. Subject to the agreement of the above that the Service Director, Democratic Services & Communications seeks any expression of interest in respect of membership of the working group, as in accordance with the parameters outlined in 6.3 of the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To scrutinise the work of the RCTCBC Tip Safety Team
The Head of Infrastructure and Asset Management provided Members with an update on the work that the Tip Safety Team have undertaken in the last 6 months with respect to the management, monitoring and oversight of disused coal tips within the County Borough. A presentation was also provided to Members to support the report. Members sought clarification on the staff vacancies and recruitment position within the Tip Safety Team and asked if there are sufficient resources in place. The Head of Infrastructure advised that work is prioritised and the teams work on a reactive basis. Agency engineers and secondment opportunities are being used to manage vacancies at present but stated that remuneration and finding the people with the civil engineering and geo technical skills is a challenge. She advised that funding is also prioritised but is limited. Members noted the category definitions and inspection of works but sought clarification on the location of each tip and stated the importance of being made aware what category tips are within their wards. The Head of Infrastructure advised that in follow up reports, officers will ensure they are named and a list included with location map. Members noted that inspections are colour coded into categories to define defects and asked for a definition of the colour coding. The Head of Infrastructure advised that where inspections are coded red, immediate short term maintenance is undertaken as soon as reasonably practicable to ensure there is no further decline in the situation. Members were advised that the definition of category of tips can be included in future reports. Members noted and welcomed the recent announcement of one year funding from Welsh Government for Coal Tips Members raised significant concerns with off roaders having an impact on coal tip safety and asked if there were timelines for the installation of security cameras and is the Council doing enough to deter them from using the coal tips as off road tracks. The Head of Infrastructure shared the frustrations of Members and advised that power safety fencing has been installed as well as kissing gate which was subsequently destroyed. She advised that it is hoped funding will be secured so that CCTV can be installed in the next few months which will align with when the contractor leaves the site following the completion of work. She advised that they do engage with stakeholders and will continue to build on this work to educate people of the dangers of off-roading in and around the coal tips. A Member suggested the encouragement of responsible off-roading which could possibly be used as an income generator. The Director Highways, Streetcare and Transportation added that this is a very long standing issue for the Council. There is a track in Ynysybwl to use on a paid basis, however there is a cost for people to transport their vehicles as they are not insured to transport on public highways. He reassured that the Council are looking at engaging with groups, but it was not an easy issue to eradicate. A Member noted that inspections were undertaken in house and asked if this is enough challenge. The Head of Infrastructure advised that the inspections are currently undertaken by an agency engineer and these are subject to internal audit policies and procedures undertaken by the Council. The Head of Infrastructure reassured that we are working on a prioritised basis, reviewing risks and developing plans and processes. The Welsh Government White Paper is welcomed to improve legislative process around tip safety and move forward to establish procedure. Members were further advised that the Council are looking internally to train our own engineers through apprenticeship schemes and one of the tip inspectors is currently on day release for future learning. In response to a question regarding the use of drones, The Head of Infrastructure advised that photos are taken of the site via drones regularly and added to the management system. Members were also advised that residents were able to raise concerns through the Council’s Customer Care system, she also urged to report any trespassing to the police. RESOLVED: To scrutinise the work of the RCTCBC Tip Safety Team
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: 1. Consider and comment on the draft guidance attached as Appendix 1 of the report 2. Subject to any amendments, determine whether to approve the guidance document to assist Members of the public in respect of petitions to Council; 3. Subject to 2,that the Service Director, Democratic Services publishes the guidance document on the Council website and looks to promote the guidance as part of the Council’s Public Participation strategy.
The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications provided the Overview and Scrutiny Committee with a draft guidance document for members of the public in relation to the creation and receipt process of petitions submitted to Council. Members sought clarification on how petitions will be checked so the tiers are matched and considered how onerous it would be on officers. The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications confirmed that the system will clearly illustrate the number of signatures attached to a petition, to allow officers to differentiate between the tiers. Spot checks will be undertaken to ensure that signatories are within the County Borough in line with the agreed petitions scheme, which is the current practice with the current receipt of petitions. In response to a question regarding further guidance, The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications advised that the further guidance is in reference to general registration to the internal side of the Council website, giving the public further information as to the functionality of such registration, such as notifications and alerts when agendas are published. It is hoped this will assist the Council with our public engagement. A Member asked if an easy read guide will be made available to the public or a short video that could be used to guide the public on submitting a petition. The Service Director advised that detailed guidance will sit within the petitions pages and we will continue to focus on the public participation strategy and look to use social media, a simple user guide will be produced for Members A Member asked if there is a mechanism to report on the petitions received The Service Director advised that the Council already undertake this on the website whereby the petition and the response is published which is now a requirement within the Local Government and Elections Wales Act 2021. A Member stated that the document is clear and was pleased that there are multiple submission methods for a petition. The Member recommended making the document easily available and accessible to all and not just those who have internet access. A Member stated that the Senedd has a Petitions Committee and asked if this approach has been considered by the Council. The Service Director advised that this was a proposal considered for the Local Government and Elections Wales Act 2021 but it did not make it into the final Act. Whilst Overview and Scrutiny is the current mechanism for considering petitions, this can be reviewed in the future. RESOLVED to: 1. Consider and comment on the draft guidance attached as Appendix 1 of the report 2. Subject to any amendments, determine whether to approve the guidance document to assist Members of the public in respect of petitions to Council; 3. Subject to 2,that the Service Director, Democratic Services publishes the guidance document on the Council website and looks to promote the guidance as part of the Council’s Public Participation strategy.
None
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