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.)

1)  Question from County Borough Councillor J. Brencher to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

“Will the Leader update on the commitment to fund 10 PCSOs in RCT and provide an overview of how the Community Wardens service is benefitting our communities?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

The Leader advised that the 10 PCSO’s and are working well in with the fourteen community wardens in support of South Wales Police. He added that they will not replace the role of the Police as they provide a visible and reassuring presence in key locations across the communities such as town centres and parks. Public feedback has been extremely positive to date and reports from businesses and local residents commenting that their presence is having a positive effect on perceptions of community safety.

 

The Leader commented that they help to uphold the Council’s PSPOs, such as helping to secure compliance with the ban on dogs on marked sports pitches and the alcohol related PSPO’s in Pontypridd and Aberdare Town Centres. However, their role is one of assurance. Currently there are 14 Wardens in total – including 2 Senior Wardens – and they work up to 7 days a week in shifts with the service running between 14/15 hours per day.

 

The Leader urged Members to report any issues relating to anti-social behaviour through the usual channels, via the Members Services inbox and the Community Safety teams or via the Police. In conclusion, the Leader commented that it was one of the core manifesto commitments of the RCT Labour Group which has been implemented.

 

There was no supplementary question

 

2. Question from County Borough Councillor D. Parkin to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure, County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

 

“Will the Cabinet Member please provide an update on the progress of play area improvements across the County Borough?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Crimmings:

Councillor Crimmings was pleased to confirm that the Council’s programme of play area upgrades and improvements has picked up from where it left off and continued over the start of the new Council term. She explained that every year since 2015 the Council has delivered significant investment programmes in this area – in recognition of the immense benefits that outdoor play opportunities afford our young people in encouraging their development and imagination.

 

Councillor Crimmings advised that 166 of the 217 play areas have been invested in over that period - which equates to 76.5% of the stock - so over 3/4s of the play facilities have received improvements through an overall investment programme of £6m. Some of these facilities have had “Phase 2” works undertaken due to partial investments or kit needing to be replaced at later dates, so there have been 186 total projects undertaken.

 

In conclusion, Councillor Crimmings advised that for this current 2023/24 financial year, 10 projects have been identified for a total of £341,000 of investment to include  the Tyn-Y-Bryn play area in Councillor Parkin’s ward which is one of those facilities scheduled for improvement.

 

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

3)  Question from County Borough Councillor S. Emanuel to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

“Can the Leader provide an update on the progress of the South Wales Metro?”

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

The Leader commented that considerable progress has been made by Transport for Wales over the last 4 months in particular. The Integrated Control Centre in Taff’s Well has officially opened and the new Metro vehicle was introduced on the line. He advised that night-time testing on the electric-battery tram-trains, which will be operating on the Treherbert and Aberdare lines, is underway. This testing is prior to the commencement of the training for train operatives and they will operate from the £100m Taff’s Well depot.

 

The Leader explained that the first section of rail between Cardiff and Pontypridd electrified towards the end of May, and track upgrades have taken place at locations across the Core Valley Line to prepare for the new tram-trains. The transformation programme for the Treherbert Line began at the end of April 2023 with the palisade fencing installed and construction of under track crossings throughout the route. At Dinas Rhondda station, a new platform is being constructed as the railway line will be doubled through the station. A new Access for All bridge, with lift and step access to both platforms, is also being installed.

 

The Leader commented that safety messages have been issued via Facebook from Transport for Wales in respect of the electrification of the lines, in order to keep communities safe.

There was no supplementary question.

 

4)  Question from County Borough Councillor A. J. Dennis to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

“What support and signposting services are available to residents in regard to the cost-of-living crisis?”

 

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

The Leader advised that there will be further packages of support in the Autumn but to date through the micro grant scheme, there are opportunities for further funding for community groups and a substantial number of applications have been received. He added that the impact of sustained austerity and now the cost-of-living crisis means that unfortunately food banks are necessary to support residents, there is extensive work being undertaken through food pantries, food and fun clubs and through the process of bulk buying of stock through the Council’s procurement service.

 

The Leader commented on the success of the Hubs last winter and the support that is provided to residents via the Councils’ libraries and community centres for those impacted by the cost-of-living crisis. He added that helping residents to socialise and offering them a safe and warm place to meet will be crucial particularly in view of the rising energy and fuel costs. He stressed that the Council would continue to provide as support as necessary, particularly to the 3^rd sector.

 

There was no supplementary question.

5)  Question from County Borough Councillor S. Morgans to the Cabinet Member for Education, Youth Participation and Welsh Language, County Borough Councillor R. Lewis:

 

“Following the granting of planning approval, can the Cabinet Member outline the next steps for the development of a brand-new school in Ferndale for YGG Llyn-Y-Forwyn?”

 

Response from County Borough Councillor R. Lewis:

 

 

Councillor Lewis advised that works have already started on site to create a new Welsh Medium Primary School for YGG Llyn y Forwyn. To date, significant remediation works have been completed and the appointed construction contractor, Wynne Construction, are on-site and are progressing with the site clearance and ‘cut and fill’ works. The building structure is targeted to commence in September 2023.

 

Councillor Lewis commented that targeted completion for the new school (the building itself) is August 2024, in readiness for the new academic year of September 2024. Importantly, Wynne Construction have recently visited the school to give a Health and Safety talk to the pupils around site safety and the dangers of a live construction site.  They have also launched a poster competition where pupils from various year groups will design a safety poster, and a selection of these will be displayed around the construction site hoarding.

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

6)  Question from County Borough Councillor D. R. Bevan to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

“Will the Leader update on the progress of the Tylorstown tip works?”

 

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

The Leader advised that due to the prolonged dry spell the Tylorstown Tip works is continuing to progress well since the main earthworks started in April 2023 moving 160,000 tonnes of material by the contractors. He commented that recently he accompanied the First Minister and other Welsh Government officials to the site to see first-hand, the work being undertaken.

 

He explained that there will be further works over the coming months and  work on the site will be completed before the winter period but it will need to be monitored over the winter months to assess how the rainfall impacts the mountain and if required further additional and modification works will be necessary. Works for completion of the project include finishing the finalised profiles, installing and repairing drainage infrastructure and restoring the site.

 

The Leader was pleased to announce that since the major landslide in RCT (which was one of the most significant landslips in Welsh history), the site is now safe and subject to completion this year the site can be put to rest. In conclusion, the Leader announced that a significant bid has been submitted to Welsh Government for further tip work, to enable intervention in other sites.

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

7)  Question from County Borough Councillor W. Lewis to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

“How is the Council working with and supporting local food banks through the effects of the Cost-of-Living crisis?”

 

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

The Leader reiterated that the Council has provided direct support to the local foodbanks and through the Council’s purchasing powers over recent years. Through the micro grants, the Leader added that seventy-five projects and community groups have been approved and will commence delivery shortly, some include holiday and other food provision. The well-established Neighbourhood Network Fund delivers grants of up to £1,000 to community organisations and groups. The Leader commented that the SPF – RCTCBC Community Micro Grant, which opens shortly, contains an allocation of circa £40k specifically for sustainable food provision, which was secured by the Council to meet increasing demands.

The Leader acknowledged the small team led by Syd Dennis for their tireless work with the community connectors, through the RCT Together network, which supports residents through difficult times. The Leader hoped that in the future, the economy will improve, there will be a different stance on public spending, negating the need for residents to rely on foodbanks as they move out of poverty.

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

8)  Question from County Borough Councillor M. Maohoub to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

“Can the Leader provide an update on the preparations that the Council has undertaken in readiness for the Welsh Government’s 20mph rollout?”

 

Response from County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE:

 

The Leader confirmed that a considerable amount of work has been conducted to deliver the Welsh Government priority. In 2021/22 a total of £53,522.62 was spent, undertaking the preparation work and in 2022/23 a further £1.1 million was spent on reviewing traffic regulations and undertaking design trials and in some areas the 20mph roundels were removed. The manufacturing of approximately 1,268 new signs has been commissioned and teams are on hand to install the new signs and   the removal of existing ‘gateway’ features for whole of RCT has commenced.

The Leader advised that there have been huge challenges to meet the deadline of the 1^st September, and this has taken priority over other additional schemes. However, the Leader stressed that, in line with the recent correspondence to all Elected Members, whilst there are no other resources available this year for other traffic regulation orders submitted by Members, any requests will continue to be recorded and cross referenced with Police incident reports to identify urgent matters with other non-urgent, traffic schemes will be reviewed in the future.

There was no supplementary question due to the lapse of the allotted time.

 

(Note: County Borough Councillor J Brencher declared a personal interest – “My son works for Transport for Wales”)