Agenda and minutes

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1.     Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.   Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations of personal interest were made:

-        County Borough Councillor J Barton - Chair of Litter Free Beddau and Tynant and agenda item 4 ‘’attended the Local Nature Partnership representing Tynant Woods and Cwm Tips’’.

-        County Borough Councillor S Bradwick - Member of South Wales Fire and Rescue.

-        County Borough Councillor T Williams - Son works for Highways and Traffic.

To receive the minutes of the previous meeting of the Public Service Delivery, Communities and Prosperity Community Committee held on 23^rd September 2021

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 23 September 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

Matters Arising:

Councillor J Barton requested further information on the Council Litter Piking strategy as she felt it was not touched upon at a satisfactory level in the previous meeting.

Cllr D Grehan referred to page 4, paragraph 4 of the previous set of minutes and raised that this para was incomplete.

Information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee.

Members were informed of the Consultations that may be of interest to them.

The Head of Leisure, Parks and Countryside presented a report to Members accompanied by a presentation that updated Members on the work of the Council and the Local Nature Partnership in relation to biodiversity in RCT and the future direction of the work. The report outlined the significant role of the Council in the management of biodiversity in its own Land.

The Ecologist gave the presentation highlighting the different projects being undertaken by Rhonda Cynon Taff Council to maintain Biodiversity under the Biodiversity Duty imposed by the Welsh Government. The Ecologist stated that utilising the Planning Function within the Council has aided in delivery of large-scale biodiversity improvements across the Borough. The projects consist of Upland Wind Farms, and Healthy Hill-Side project with partnerships from South Wales Fire and Rescue.

The Ecologist highlighted to Members the significance of Land Management in RCT and the vitality of the Council to identify ways to maintain RCT Land better for biodiversity.  The Wildflower Policy introduced by the Council sets out the how, and where Wildflower management will be undertaken in RCT. The aim is to increase the amount of Wildflower Management in the Borough

As part of the Wildflower Management, funding from the Local Nature Plan has provided the Wildflower Management with two specialised Machinery which maintain Wildflowers across the Borough i.e., 70 hectares of wildflower management is currently being undertaken by the Machines and 50 hectares by Cattle Crazing.

The Ecologist outlined to Members that through the success of Wildflower management, as a Council, we are reaching the Pollinator Action implemented by the Welsh Government.

The Ecologist highlighted to Members the significance of Community engagement in relation to the delivery of biodiversity. As part of the Local Nature Partnership, Community engagement is focal, thus focus on open communication channels is encouraged between the Council and the Public; Thus, the introduction of Living Landscape Project which focuses on the management of Council owned Land for biodiversity by residential areas to encourage direct engagement with residents. 

The Chair thanked the Ecologist for a very interesting presentation and opened to Members for questions.

A Member asked what the Councils plan was to undertake work at Mynydd Y Glyn regarding the Wind Turbines in Tonyrefail, as the residents are really excited about the land and Habitats in that area. The Member also informed of his interest in being a part of the project for Tonyrefail area.

The same member queried the Councils plan on the maintenance of the Japanese Knotweed along the A4119 and Himalaya Balsam which has seen extensive widespread.  The Ecologist advised that in relation to Mynydd Y Glyn he is aware of the proposals for the Wind Turbines development which will be delt with through planning applications. The Ecologist is aware of the Peatbogs and other Habitats in the area, same processes will be implemented as all other planning applications for Wind Farms Scheme to identify the ecological impacts and implications.

In relation to the Tonyrefail SSSI, the Ecologist recognised the incredible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Service Director, Highways and Engineering provided Members of the Public Service Delivery, Communities & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee with an update on the highway infrastructure within the County Borough with reference to the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) and investment strategy.

A Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) sets out a structured approach to managing the highway asset based around the following core elements

·       Hierarchy

·       Inspection

·       Defect

·       Repair

·       Programmed Repairs

·       Planned Maintenance

Due to the extensive investment in the highway infrastructure, with delivery a priority, the COVID pandemic and lack of staff resources (which has been recently resolved) a new HAMP and ASOR will now be upgraded.

The Service Director, Highways and Engineering reiterated to Members the significance of the Highways infrastructure as one of the biggest assets that RCT Councils owns, valuing at over £3.2 Billion (2021 gross replacement cost). The Highways infrastructure consists of:

·       1,295km of Carriageways

·       1,159km of Footways

·       1,567 highway structures including 196 Road Bridges

·       29,404 Streetlights

·       134 Traffic signals (signalised junction and pedestrian crossings) Plus surface water sewer systems and road gullies, miscellaneous street furniture, signs, bollards, vehicle barriers, pedestrian barriers, etc.

Considerable investments have been received within the Highways infrastructure Asset Management. Regarding the performance specifically on Roads, the Service Director, Highways and Engineering referred Members to section 4.4 of the report which highlighted the position regarding Class A, B and C Roads in RCT.

The statistics highlighted in section 4.4 compare favourably to the condition in 2010/11, due to the extensive funding received which has aided in the substantial improvements.

The Service Director, Highways and Engineering referred Members to section 5 of the report which highlighted graphs of the investment strategy. Section 5 of the report highlighted to Members the significance of continual funding to maintain Highways and park structures within RCT. 

The Director of Frontline Services referred Members to section 8.4 of the report which highlighted the year-on-year investment position and condition of the Highway from 2011/12. Similarly, to the Service Director, Highways and Engineering, the Director of Frontline Services reiterated to Members the significance of funding to maintain and improve the Highways within RCT.

The Service Director, Highways and Engineering referred Members to a presentation which highlighted the projects undertaken and the significant improvements across the highways in RCT. The projects included work on Park Structures, Footways, Carriageways, Culverts, Bridges, VRS, and Retaining Walls

The Chair was pleased with the report that provided an outlook on successful projects undertaken throughout RCT and investments provided.

One Member sought clarification on the works undertaken on Bridge 240 or Llywna Farm. The Service Director, Highways and Engineering was able to confirm it was the Bridge located on Footway 240.

One Member wanted to congratulate the Service Director, Highways and Engineering for their extensive and efficient work, specifically focusing on their good use of selecting excellent contactors to undertake the projects.

One Member wanted to thank the team for their effective work on the Ynysmeurig Bridge in Abercynon.

The Chair enquired on the budget required to improve  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To reflect on the meeting and actions to be taken forward.

The Chair thanked all officers and members for attending and looked forward to seeing them all at the next meeting.

To consider any items, which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, is of the opinion should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

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