Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors J. Bonetto, S. Bradwick and A. Ellis.

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, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To approve as an accurate record the minutes of the virtual meeting of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee held on the 24^th April 2023.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 24^th April 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

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

Members acknowledged the information provided through the consultation links in respect of open consultations, Welsh Government consultations and those matters being consulted upon by the local authority.

To consider and agree the Community Services Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2023-24 to be approved by Overview and Scrutiny Committee at a future date.

The Council Business Manager presented the report which sought Members’ approval on the Committee’s draft Work Programme for the 2023/24 Municipal Year, which identified a number of initial items from discussions with the Chair/Vice Chair and Officers.

Members were reminded that the draft Work Programme is a fluid document to allow for any emerging priorities throughout the Municipal year to be added to the programme and if needed, through the Chair, additional meetings of this committee could be scheduled to address any urgent and time critical items of business.

The Council Business Manager also highlighted to Members additional items for the work programme would be added as good practice to invite the relevant cabinet Members for this Committee to attend the January and March committee meetings respectively, to provide Members with an update on their portfolio and the opportunity for the Committee to act as a critical friend to ensure future robust decision making.

Members were also informed the work programme will be presented to next meeting of the overview and scrutiny committee in their overarching and co-ordinating role to ensure there is no duplication or cross over of work on each of the thematic scrutiny committees work programmes.

Following consideration by the Committee it was RESOLVED to:

1.    Agree on issues for inclusion on the Community Services Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme for the 2023/24 Municipal Year (as set out in Appendix 1) with appropriate amendments as necessary; and,

2.    Request that the Service Director Democratic Services & Communications notifies the appropriate Cabinet Member and responsible Officer, of the matters identified for pre-scrutiny in advance of Cabinet consideration.

To scrutinise progress with the 2019 Strategy and consider proposed revisions to the Strategy.

The Director Public Health, Protection & Community Services introduced the Head of Arts, Libraries and Culture who advised Members the purpose of the report is to provide the Community Services Scrutiny Committee with an update on the review of the Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council Local Toilets Strategy from 2019-2023 to 2023-2028 and for Members to scrutinise the strategy and determine any comments, observations or recommendations in respect of these proposals.

The Head of Arts, Libraries and Culture outlined the background for Members outlining the Local Authorities responsbility and the details of the initial strategy published in 2019. Members were reminded that the strategy aims to review the quality and quantity of local toilets throughout the county borough, and to provide or facilitate the provision of clean, safe, accessible and sustainable toilets for residents and visitors to the area at locations where the need for such facilities has been identified.

Members were provided with an update on the progress to date and provided details on two objectives that have been developed with supporting actions.

One Member asked whether residents would be able to access an app to locate the nearest public toilets noting that it is an issue for residents travelling across the borough being unaware of where the nearest location would be. The Head of Arts, Libraries and Culture acknowledged that the mapping of toilet provision across the County Borough will be key in enbabling the information to be up to date and available on the Council’s website. Members were also informed that signage for public toilets will be in line with Welsh Government and national guidance to ensure accessible toilets are visible throughout the borough. The Service Manager Community Development provided Members with an update regarding the mapping process and that work is ongoing with Officers in the Council’s Estate’s department including detail of Adult Changing Spaces and accessible toilets. Members were informed that the ambition is to have the information contained in an app as a long term goal however in the short term the information will be shared via the Council’s website.

A Member asked about the detail in the report regarding the facilities that are available in private businesses across the borough and asked what incentives there would be for these businesses to allow public access, noting that this will be a big barrier if there are no incentives provided. The Head of Arts, Libraries and Culture informed Members that as part of the initial strategy private businesses were asked to allow use of their facilities but there was reluctance by the private sector. The Service Manager Community Development advised Members that this conversation will be revisited and discussed the availability of Community Grants available for not for profit organisations.

A Member raised the possibility of speaking with the Council’s Town Centre department to discuss ways to encourage businesses to allow use of their facilities as a way of ensuring Town Centres are welcoming spaces encouraging residents to visit, noting that it is important to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

The Vice Chair, in the Chair, thanked Members and Officers for their contributions in the meeting. The Vice Chair acknowledged the complexity of the topic discussed during the meeting but thanked Members for their engagement and in depth questioning and discussion.

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.

None.