Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair extended a welcome to all Members and Officers in attendance at the virtual meeting held on the 16^th September 2024.

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 Scrutiny Officer referenced the research facilities that are 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 code of conduct, there were no declarations of interest pertaining to the agenda.

To approve, as an accurate record, the minutes of the meeting held on the 4^th March 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 4^th March 2024 were APPROVED as an accurate record.

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

The Scrutiny Officer referenced the consultation links, which are provided in respect of relevant Welsh Government and Rhondda Cynon Taf consultations for consideration by the Committee, which are circulated on a monthly basis and updated on a fortnightly basis.

To receive the Climate Change, Frontline Services & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee Work Programme for 2024-25.

Members of the Climate Change, Frontline Services & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee were presented with the final Forward Work Programme for the Municipal Year 2024-25 since its agreement at the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on the 15^th July 2024.

Members were reminded that on the 3^rd July the Scrutiny Committee met to discuss and formulate its forward work programme from a number of sources which included legacy items, consideration of the Cabinet forward work programme and priorities as identified by the Directors/Service Directors for the Committee. The work programme was subsequently agreed by the Council’s Overview & Scrutiny Committee on the 15^th July 2024, in line with its terms of reference.

Members were asked to acknowledge the final work programme for the 2024/25 Municipal year, attached at Appendix 1 to the report and agree that it be reviewed at timely intervals.

It was RESOLVED to:

1. Acknowledge the final Climate Change, Frontline Services & Prosperity Scrutiny Committee’s Work Programme for the 2024/25 Municipal Year (as set out in Appendix 1).

2.  Agree to review the work programme at timely intervals to ensure it is relevant  and that any additional referrals are incorporated.

To receive and contribute to the consultation on the draft Heritage Strategy for Rhondda Cynon Taf, as required by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF).

The Head of Arts, Culture and Libraries presented the report of the Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services which asked Members to provide their feedback and comments on the draft Heritage Strategy, as required by the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF). It also sought to advise them of the interim responses of the public consultation to date, which commenced on 17^th July and closes on 25^th September 2024.

The Head of Arts, Culture and Libraries advised that as a National Lottery Heritage Fund (NHLF) Priority Area, Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council received a solicited invitation to apply to the NLHF for grant funding towards a project that would look to rebuild capacity within Rhondda Cynon Taf and the community in relation to heritage. The ‘Altered Images’ project was developed as a result of this approach and was awarded a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £250,000 for a three-year project in August 2021.

One of the project’s key objectives is the development and formalisation of a heritage strategy and creating connections with the sector to gain a fuller understanding of RCT’s heritage and those involved in its management. Engaging and involving the public in the development of that strategy is a key expectation.

The Head of Arts, Culture and Libraries referred to the details of the Strategy’s vision and its four strategic priorities (which have been identified with target outcomes and identified actions that will formulate the annual Implementation Plan) attached to the draft Heritage Strategy 2024-2030 at Appendix 1.

In conclusion, Members were referred to the interim report which set out a summary of the responses received in the survey relating to the draft Heritage Strategy consultation 2024-2030 up to 1^st of September 2024. Members were invited to comment on the draft Heritage Strategy in their role as consultees, providing Scrutiny with the opportunity to respond to the consultation by the 25^th September 2024 and have its say on the proposals which set out a number of objectives.

In summary, Members commented as follows:

·       Have specific heritage projects such as the Hetty Winding Gear/Rhondda Tunnel Society been approached to engage with the consultation process to date? This could be a missed opportunity if smaller heritage projects are not directly targeted and involved in the process.

In response Members were advised that a number of individuals have been approached as part of the consultation process such as Beddau Welfare but it is a matter of resources for the small team to be able to approach each and every project. It was confirmed that the Rhondda Tunnel Society would be approached for their feedback.

·       With regards to the smaller projects, could the service area undertake a mapping exercise of the local projects/organisations across the county borough as a formal database to be used?

Members were advised that an RCT Heritage Forum has been established to create a narrative for the purposes of signposting but it was agreed that a mapping exercise would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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

The Chair thanked Officers and Members for attending and reminded Members that the next meeting will be held in November, date to be confirmed. The Chair summarised the Committee’s requests for further information and advised that this will be made available to Members accordingly.