Agenda and minutes

The Vice Chair welcomed Members and Officers to the Committee and informed Members that she would be chairing the meeting this evening and that the Chair had given his apologies due to illness. The Vice Chair wished him well in his recovery.

Apologies of absence were received from County Borough Councillors J. Barton, E. Dunning and G. Holmes.

A scrutiny research facility is available within the Council Business Unit to support Members’ scrutiny responsibilities and their roles as Elected Members.  Such research strengthens Scrutiny Committee work programmes to ensure outcome-based topics are identified. For any scrutiny research requirements please contact scrutiny@rctcbc.gov.uk

The Members’ Researcher and Scrutiny Officer referenced the research facilities that were available to Members within the Council Business Unit. Members were advised that if they have any specific queries to email them to Scrutiny@rctcbc.gov.uk.

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 declaration of interests received.

To approve, as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting held on the 29^th September 2022.

It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 29^th September 2022 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

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

The Chair referenced the consultation links, which were available through the ‘RCT Scrutiny’ website.  Members were reminded that information is provided in respect of relevant consultations for consideration by the Committee, which are circulated on a monthly basis.

For Committee Members to receive an update on the Biodiversity Works currently in place in RCT.

The Director of Prosperity & Development presented his report to Members in

respect of the progress of the ‘Action for Nature’ plan by the RCT Local Nature

Partnership (LNP). Members were referred to Appendix 1 of the report for

reference.

Following the update, Members were provided with the opportunity to scrutinise

the report.

A Member queried the work with schools and asked how much cooperation

there is with schools. The Director referred Members to the ‘Action For Nature’

website and directed Members to the drop down page which provides sections

specifically for schools. The Director also advised that there is a ongoing

project with schools at the moment in respect of tree planting, hedgerows and

habitat etc.

Discussions ensued and a Member queried whether the group covers

allotments and those type of initiatives. The Member referenced

schemes where groups will look after the garden for elderly home owners and

queried whether this scheme was available in RCT. The Director advised that

he would check with the officer around allotments and community engagement

and would report back to the Committee. In terms of allotments in general, the

Director referred Members to the Action For Nature website which contains

further information regarding ongoing work of the group. The Member advised

that he was referring to any spare ground which is owned by the Local Authority

and asked for further information on this. The Director advised that he did not

have the information to hand, however, he advised that he would engage with

the relevant officer and report back to Committee.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the update

in respect of the ‘Action For Nature’ by the RCT LNP and to receive further

updates from the Director of Prosperity and Development into the use of allotments on Local Authority owned land.

To update Members of the Climate Change Frontline Services & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee on the Council’s Recycling Performance.

The Service Director, Streetcare provided Members with information on the Council’s Recycling Performance 2021/22 through the use of a power point presentation.

Following the presentation, Members were afforded the opportunity to ask questions and scrutinise the information.

The Vice Chair thanked the Service Director for the informative report and referenced the site visit for Members to Bryn Pica. The Vice Chair referenced the Education Centre and praised the hard wrk being done there by officers.

Discussions ensued and a Member referred the Committee back to the previous work of the Public Service Delivery & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee on improving recycling rates in our communities. With regards to the new technology available, the Member questioned when the data would be available as he was hoping it would be instantaneous. The Member also questioned when we would be able to increase its usage given the number of houses being built in the south of the County Borough. The Service Director referred  Members to a pilot scheme that was run by the previous Scrutiny Committee where they trialled a problem area in Rhydyfelin and some initiatives came out of that in terms of raising awareness. However, the Service Director emphasised that they found there was no substitute for door knocking and raising awareness at those difficult locations. The RAG letter was intended tp be rolled out further, however, it was down to having resources on the ground to gage if the residents are recycling well. The plan is still to target poor recycling areas and to raise awareness and increase recycling rates. In terms of the developments in the South of the County Borough, the Service Director emphasised that they look to continually review the rounds as it is top heavy down the bottom half of the Borough. The service continually looks at its resources and what it can meet. The Service Director advised that they will be writing to Members and residents to advise on what changes they will be making to balance the rounds.

Discussions ensued and a Member praised the work being done at the Bryn Pica site and encouraged any Members who haven’t been there to make the visit. The Member sought information on the data available between recycling rates in Rhondda, Cynon and Taf. The Service Director advised that the data shows that the Rhondda are the best recycling area. The main reason for that being that they are a bag collection for residual waste. He Member then questioned that if the Rhondda is better is there a possibility of rolling this out around the rest of the County Borough. The Service Director advised that its one of the major options that they will be considering.

Discussions continued and a Member expressed his disappointment at not being able to make the visit to Bryn Pica and expressed his interest in going another visit being organised. The Member then queried why the Council doesn’t have standard recycling bins on the High Street. The Service Director advised Members that this has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

For Scrutiny Members to receive the outcomes of the periodic review of the Council’s mainstream School Transport Provision.

The Integrated Transport Manager presented his report to Members on the review of mainstream school  transport in RCT.

Discussion ensued and a Member noted that the A465 works is a big issue in Hirwaun and an application has been put in for safe walking routes. The Member noted that anything that can be done to sort out the issue would be greatly appreciated.

Another Member referred to faith schools and welsh medium schools and queried how flexible the Council is to do better for pupils who want to stay for example in a Welsh medium school when they transition from school to college. The Member also queried where the funding will come from to support that post 16 pupil going to education.

The Integrated Transport Manager advised that the Council does provide transport for post 16 pupils. If a pupil chooses a college over sixth form and the school is nearer then the Council will not be providing transport. The Member suggested that either this Committee or Education Committee need to look into this further. The Director advised that if a pupil has spent their life in Welsh education then the pupil has a choice as to whether to continue their education in Welsh and the Council will support that.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to acknowledge the update and to receive a further update regarding transport for post 16 pupil in Welsh Education.   

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

There was no urgent business to report.

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

The Vice Chair thanked everyone for attending and thanked Officers for providing the Committee with such detailed reports. The Vice Chair wished the Chair well in his recovery and reminded Members that the next meeting will be held on the 15^th November 2022.