• Agenda item
  • Agenda item

    To receive Members questions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.2.

     

    (N.B a maximum of 20 minutes shall be allowed for questions on notice.)

    Minutes:

    Members were advised that apologies of absence had been received from Councillor A. S. Fox and the Service Director Democratic Services & Communications confirmed that question 5 would not be put to the Cabinet Member.

     

     

    Question from County Borough Councillor W. Treeby to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    “Can the Leader make a statement on community safety and local policing in Rhondda Cynon Taf?”

     

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

     

    The Leader commented that Cwm Taf Community Safety Partnership Board is the strategic leadership group for planning, commissioning and delivering community safety related activities and services. The Partnership Board includes: RCT and Merthyr Tydfil Councils, South Wales Police, National Probation Service, South Wales Fire & Rescue, CTM Health Board, and also non-statutory members.

     

    The Leader advised that the Board deals with a number of matters relating to crime reduction and community safety in Cwm Taf, with a particular focus on areas such as Anti-Social Behaviour where the Council’s Community Safety team work closely with SWP to ensure all perpetrators of ASB are dealt with appropriately. A strategic group meets monthly to discuss the most problematic areas, with actions plans in place to respond to identified issues.

     

    Another area includes Offender Management working with the Probation Service, substance misuse working with the CTM Area Planning Board provides regional framework for strong partnership working and strategic leadership to work toward WG Substance Misuse Strategy, Violence against women, domestic abuse and sexual violence, the Community Safety Team is in the process of re-launching “Ask Angela” campaign, and this will be rolled-out across licensed premises in the County for people feeling vulnerable or unsafe. 

     

    In addition, the Leader explained that the Safety Partnership Board also covers areas such as Community cohesion & Counter terrorism which demonstrates that there is a whole raft of services in place.

     

    Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor W. Treeby:

     

    “With investment over recent years in CCTV cameras in town centres, what impact has the investment had and has it been worthwhile?”

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader commented that moving to the digital cameras has been very worthwhile and added that he had recently attended the CCTV centre to see first-hand the investment. He advised that the quality of the pictures is much improved and assists the Police identify people easily and quickly and enables them to act on local

    intelligence with the backing of the CCTV footage and their feedback has been

    invaluable.

     

     

    Question from County Borough Councillor R. Williams to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    “Will the Leader outline this Council’s plans to develop an Integrated Transport Network across the County Borough?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader stated that while local authorities work on the South East Wales Transport Plan, put together by local authorities on a regional footprint, the biggest impact will be the Metro. He advised that the new rolling stock is being manufactured, some in Newport and others in Europe. The frequent service enhancements will increase the service to 4 trains per hour in each direction and have a huge impact on the frequency of trains from Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert through Pontypridd.

     

    The Leader advised that the Council is investing in transport hubs, such as the new facility at Porth, bus stations and developing plans to increase the provision of walking and cycling routes to and from train stations to encourage residents away from their vehicles and away from the roads such as the congested A470. With these plans in place and funding from Welsh Government, the Leader commented on the step change in transport links being more in tune with the needs of residents within the next 3-4 years.

     

     

    Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor R. Williams:

     

    “Can you tell us about the investment in maintaining and improving the local transport links across the County over recent years?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader commented that a mixture of WG and Council funding has enabled investments to the footways, resurfacing of roads and transport links and core active travel funding from WG has enabled maintenance and improvements to a number of trails such as the Cynon and Taff trails. A number of the active travel routes are well used and are suffering with wear and tear after many years so with WG revenue funding improvements such as crash barriers and handrails. There is a lot of work being undertaken. In addition, the Leader also referred to the upgrading of existing infrastructure such as changing a zebra crossing to a puffin crossing which is safer for the pedestrian and better for traffic flow.

     

     

    Question from County Borough Councillor G. Jones to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    “Can the Council Leader provide an update on the Levelling-Up Fund bids submitted to the U.K. Government by this Council?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader advised that there had been no response to the Council’s bid since it has been submitted, despite writing to the then Minister R Jenrick as Leader of RCT and of the WLGA. A further letter has since been sent on behalf of the 22 Local Authorities to the new Minister M Gove requesting an update.

     

    The Leader clarified that each bid is submitted per constituency area and an additional transport project can be submitted if the authority is the lead authority for transport. He provided an update on each individual bid as follows:

     

    Pontypridd Constituency -Application submitted for the full redevelopment of the Muni Arts Centre

     

    Rhondda Constituency -A contribution to the Porth Transport Hub for the regeneration works.

     

    Cynon Valley -The former Mayhew Chicken Factory site for a mixed-use development for industry and transport.

     

    Additional Transport Project -A4119 Dualling is integral to wider regional strategic highway network and is linked to the economic opportunities of the western areas of RCT and the Cardiff Capital Region.

     

     

    Supplementary question from County Borough Councillor G. Jones:

     

    “Can I have further information on the development of the Chicken Factory in Trecynon”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader confirmed that there are no further updates on the bids but by the 17th October 2021 the bids may be announced at the same time of the comprehensive spending review.

     

    The Leader elaborated on the Chicken Factory development which will look to become a Park and Share car park which could develop into a Park and Ride should the Hirwaun rail extension be approved. The Park and Ride will contain electric charging facilities and part of the development will contain a number of light industrial units, similar to those currently under construction in Robertstown.

     

     

    Question from County Borough Councillor G. R. Davies to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    A wnewch chi ddatganiad ar isadeiledd trafnidiaeth yn pen uchaf y Rhondda Fawr?

    Will you make a statement on the transport network in the Upper Rhondda Fawr?

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader commented that his response would be similar to that provided to Councillor R Williams on the improvements to the electrification of the Core Valley Lines network north of Cardiff to Treherbert as part of the South East Wales Metro. This again includes new rolling stock, more frequent services and station improvements along with the feasibility work of extending railway line from Treherbert to Tynywedd and up to Blaenrhondda.

    The Leader advised that there are proposals to extend and increase the capacity of the Park & Ride stations and either improving existing park and ride facilities or building new facilities. Station travel plans are being developed to accommodate pedestrians and cyclists to ensure areas are well lit and safe for all and improve the access to active travel. Integrated ticketing will be a huge benefit, such as in the Porth Transport Hub. In conclusion, the Leader advised that a substantial and sustained investment in travel is required.

     

    Supplementary question from Councillor G. R. Davies:

     

    “I have often asked how the transport projects in the Rhondda Fawr are developing, the cycle lanes project, the project to extend the railway to Treherbert and Tynewydd and to overcome the congestion around Stagg Square. Can you commit that during the development of the LDP that you will at least support lots of different projects so that the opportunity to develop them in the future won’t be lost”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan:

     

    The Leader responded that, in principle, they will be supported although the feasibility work ongoing on a number of these projects will be fed into the ongoing review of the LDP. If, however, there are fundamental issues where a project can’t be developed, then it wouldn’t make sense to protect a corridor route or location within the LDP as it has to be evidence based.

     

    Question from County Borough Councillor H. Boggis to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Leisure and Heritage Services, County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

     

    “Can the Cabinet Member provide an update on the Council’s investment in parks and confirm whether this remains a priority going forward?”

     

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

     

    The Cabinet Member responded that all parks and play areas remain a key priority as they provide a range of health and wellbeing benefits for residents and visitors, and the importance of such areas has been highlighted by the pandemic and the restrictions on residents’ lives at various points.

    The Cabinet Member advised that the ongoing commitment in this area has been highlighted by the decision of Cabinet to approve plans for land at the Cwm Clydach Countryside Park to be officially designated as a Country Park. Crucially, the Council can work with the recently established Strategic Board to apply for external funding to further enhance and develop the already popular site. The Cabinet Member confirmed that the new Gravity Family Bike Park has recently opened at the Dare Valley Country Park, while the children’s play area has recently been significantly improved as part of the £1.5m overall package of investment (a combination of £1 million of Valleys Regional Park Discovery Gateway Funding and £500,000 of the Council’s own Capital investment). 

    Further Streetlighting upgrades and a full refurbishment of the main footways have also recently been completed at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park due to a combined investment from the Valleys Regional Park programme and the Council’s own funding. Further phase of work to commence shortly using significant Heritage Lottery Funding, and this will bring some of the original features back to the Grade II Listed Park – this work includes restoration of the bandstand and refurbishment of the sunken garden

     

    In conclusion, the Cabinet Member commented that the country parks are also a key aspect of our tourism strategy, which Cabinet also recently approved.  Aim to boost our local economy by increasing the number of visitors to RCT and the wider region – this will then assist with increasing footfall in our town centres.

     

    Supplementary question from Councillor H Boggis:

     

    “Please can you provide further information on the Gravity Bike Park?”

    Response from County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

     

    The Cabinet Member commented that the Gravity Family Bike Park includes different trails and the uplift, which is proving very popular, with all coaching sessions fully booked during the month of August.  The Pedal-A-Bike-Away is working in partnership with council to deliver weekly sessions targeting women and girls, children aged 2-5 years and adults over 50. Events such as the Ladies only session can also help with residents’ health and wellbeing through socialising with a coffee afterwards.

     

    In addition to the new facility, the Council has also focused on enhancing the visitor experience through investment into the refurbishment and extension of the shower block, including both family changing and changing places, the hotel accommodation and playground have also been upgraded.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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