Agenda and draft minutes

No declarations of interest had been raised.

No urgent matters had been raised.

To receive the minutes of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17 December 2020 (copy enclosed).

10.05am – 10.10am

The minutes of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17 December 2020 were submitted.

No matters were raised in relation to the contents of the minutes.

Resolved: - the minutes of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17 December 2020 be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

To consider and discuss a report by the Head of Highways, Facilities and Environmental Services on the Council’s policy with respect to Verge/ hedge maintenance and pesticide application (copy enclosed).

10.10am – 11am

Councillor Tony Thomas – Lead Member for Housing and Communities and the Head of Highways, Facilities and Environmental Services provided members with detailed background information on the Highways grass verge and hedge maintenance and pesticide application policy. The report (previously circulated) had been requested by the Committee following a previous report that had been discussed.

The following points were raised during the discussion –

The Lead Member, Head of Highways, Facilities and Environmental Services and the Works Unit and Streetscene Manager answered members’ questions in relation to various aspects of the policies. The following were discussed in more detail:

• Confirmation was provided that research had been undertaken into the different pesticides used in the county. Challenges had been faced over previous years regarding the use of pesticides. It was stressed to members the requirement to control weeds with the method with the least impact on biodiversity and ecology. Alternative solutions to the use of pesticides had been looked into and continued to be researched on an annual basis. Members were informed that further guidance had been sought from Welsh Government to ensure the work the authority completed was in line with National Policy.
• Close working took place with the National group- Amenity Forum to look at best ways to approach biodiversity whilst effectively managing weed growth.
• It was confirmed that 21 pilot sites had been identified as open space experimental biodiversity sites.  These sites had been selected based on their nutrient rich basis and because of their animal biodiversity potential.  It was hoped to expand the number of sites in the future. The sites had been identified by the Countryside Services as the most suitable to encourage biodiversity. It was confirmed that initially 97 sites had been identified as possible sites. Currently 21 sites had been initiated with a further 2 sites to be developed in the upcoming season. The potential sites had been established across the county regardless of whether they were within the designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or not.
• The Streetscene Service was working closely with Countryside Services to identify potential future biodiversity sites.  Denbighshire was regarded as a national leader in this field of work.
• Conformation was provided that consultation with local members regarding the additional sites would take place.
• The Council was currently in the process of purchasing new cut and collect grass mowing equipment for use by the Streetscene Service in conjunction with Countryside Services.  The latter Service had been able to source grant funding towards the cost of the equipment.
• Members wanted to thank the officers for the addition of the yellow salt bins in the Llangollen area, as this reduced run off from salt piles and its adverse effects on biodiversity and ecology of the area.
• It was difficult to adopt a one size fits all approach across the county. The pesticide application used in the countryside was done so sparingly. Members were advised that the cost of pesticide was expensive and therefore it was only used when and where needed. To reduce the potential environmental damage only the minimum amount of pesticide needed to be effective was used to complete the work. Members were directed to the method statement that had been included in the report pack (previously circulated).
• It was confirmed that generally it was the responsibility of the landowner to maintain overhanging of branches and hedges. The Authority would take responsibility if the overhang impacted a highway. In rural areas verge cutting was in line with the biodiversity policy to encourage growth and development.
• The Highways Grass Verge Maintenance Policy stated that a one metre swathe should  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a report by the Scrutiny Coordinator (copy enclosed) seeking a review of the committee’s forward work programme and updating members on relevant issues.

11.15am – 11.30am

The Scrutiny Coordinator submitted a report (previously circulated) seeking the   members’ review of the Committee’s work programme and provided an update on relevant issues.

Discussion focused on the following –

·         Members agreed to defer the business item on the Health Board Capital Plans for services in Denbighshire until May 2021.

·         The Chairs and Vice Chairs Group would be meeting in the near future and may add further reports to the forward work programme (FWP) for the Committee to consider. Confirmation was provided that two reports, relating to Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC) and Homelessness, had been included on the FWP by the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice Chairs Group, for the Committee for later in the year.

·         The April committee meeting had no reports at present, members agreed to keep the meeting in the diary. If nothing had populated the work programme by then, it could be cancelled closer to the meeting date. 

The Scrutiny Co-ordinator reminded members of the scrutiny proposal form (Appendix 2 previously circulated) and advised that any proposals should be sent to her directly, so these could be considered by the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice Chairs Group for inclusion on the forward work programme.

RESOLVED, that the forward work programme as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

Councillor Christine Marston informed members that she had attended a meeting of the Sub-Regional Children’s Assessment Care Centre Project Board.

A brief update was provided to the Committee. Members heard the collaborative group was made up with representatives from Denbighshire County Council, Conwy County Borough Council and Betsi Cadwalader University Health Board. The group had been established to oversee the arrangements for developing a specialist children’s placement assessment unit. It was explained that Conwy would take the lead over the project, with a hope to create the unit in Old Colwyn. The proposed name for the centre was Bwthyn y Ddôl.  A multi-disciplinary team would be based at the site to work with families to prevent further escalation into care. Work would be with the whole family and not only the individual.

The Corporate Director Communities stated the project was still in the early stages and it would be beneficial for the Committee to receive a report on the project in the future.

The Chair agreed it would be interesting to see the development of the project and would welcome a future report on the project.

The Chair thanked officers and members for their participation in the meeting.