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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED – i) That a report on the Change Programme be provisionally scheduled for the January 2025 meeting. ii) That the report on the Waste Strategy be considered at the March 2025 meeting. iii) That, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COGC/93/24s be agreed.
AGREED: i) That this report be deferred to the meeting of the Committee to be held in December 2024. ii) That Members address their concerns and issues in relation to the report to the Lead Member/Officers prior to this meeting. iii) That the scheduled report in respect of the Decarbonisation Plan be deferred to the January 2025 meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on 16 October, 2024 were submitted. AGREED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 October, 2024 be signed as a correct record
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Article 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Item 6 – Housing Allocations Councillors Steve Joe Jones, Claire Lovett, Paul Pemberton, John C Phillips and Paul Rogers – Personal - The Councillor had a family member employed in Housing Department. The Councillor remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – i) That a report on the Change Programme be provisionally scheduled for the January 2025 meeting. ii) That the report on the Waste Strategy be considered at the March 2025 meeting. iii) That, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COGC/93/24s be agreed.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/93/24s which allowed Members to consider the draft work programme of the Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee attached at Appendix 1 to the report. AGREED – i) That a report on the Change Programme be provisionally scheduled for the January 2025 meeting. ii) That the report on the Waste Strategy be considered at the March 2025 meeting. iii) That, the work programme as attached at Appendix 1 to the report COGC/93/24s be agreed.
The Lead Member for Environment submitted a report (COET/37/24s) which was to inform Members of existing ground maintenance activities and provide an update on current in year grass cutting and weed spraying progress. In introducing the report he informed members of the following: · Grounds Maintenance service strives for up to 8 cuts through the season. · The start of this season had involved challenges as a result of the industrial action as well as experiencing the second wettest 9 month period in over 100 years. · The planned cyclic activity includes the routine cutting and mowing of all Council owned public open space including the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) estate. · Arrangements are also made to undertake grounds maintenance on the trunk road network on behalf of the North and Mid-Wales Trunk Road Agency and Welsh Government, as well the delivery of a single planned cut of highway verges across the Borough with further safety cuts as and when required. · The schedule was based on delivery of the target of 8 cuts per season and it was pleasing to report that the eighth cut was being undertaken. · Officers and Members are currently working on a mapping exercise in relation to the grass cutting schedule to ensure efficiencies and best working practice are achieved. · In October 2024, Wrexham were awarded gold at the prestigious Britain in Bloom awards. This followed on from Wrexham winning Wales in Bloom in July 2024, the grass cutting and weed maintenance programme was a key part of the application. A discussion ensued and the following points were raised: · Clarification sought on the use of quad bikes in the programme for weed spraying, their efficiency and the possibility to source additional ones · The quad bikes are beneficial, although there are areas of land that they are not suitable for use on. Box mowers can be used in these instances · Encouraging that the programme was on course to deliver the eighth cut of the season · Grass verges were cut at least once in the current year and hedges have two cuts per season · The cost recovery policy for the cutting of hedges could be reviewed · Work was ongoing in relation to the Open Space Strategy · Officer confirmation that the creation of an updated register showing ownership of land was being worked on and would be available in the future · Members acknowledged the improvement as a result of the grass cutting being on schedule and commended the department and the crews for their efforts · Concerns expressed in relation to adequate funding to sustain the current programme and the need to ensure that the service was delivered as effectively as possible. RECOMMENDATIONS: i) That a Task and Finish Group be established regarding Grass Cutting/Weed Control, to include funding, operation of the service and the recovery of costs. ii) More interventions be pursued with regard to actions to cut 3rd party hedges. iii) That, if possible, additional funding be provided to acquire additional quad bikes for weed control. iv) That the machinery budget be managed to ensure that the correct machinery for the tasks are available. v) That Members be advised when grass cutting and weed spraying is taking place in their ward. vi) That details of recharging for grass cutting/weed control be provided.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: i) That this report be deferred to the meeting of the Committee to be held in December 2024. ii) That Members address their concerns and issues in relation to the report to the Lead Member/Officers prior to this meeting. iii) That the scheduled report in respect of the Decarbonisation Plan be deferred to the January 2025 meeting
AGREED: i) That this report be deferred to the meeting of the Committee to be held in December 2024. ii) That Members address their concerns and issues in relation to the report to the Lead Member/Officers prior to this meeting. iii) That the scheduled report in respect of the Decarbonisation Plan be deferred to the January 2025 meeting
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