Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Christine Marston declared a personal interest in item 5 as she is a member of the AONB Partnership.

Councillor Melvyn Mile declared a personal interest in item 5 as he is the AONB Champion for Llangollen Town Council.

Councillor Emrys Wynne declared a personal interest in item 6 due to his role as a Magistrate.

No urgent matters had been raised.

The Committee requested the Chair to convey their best wishes to Councillor Joan Butterfield for a speedy recovery.

To receive the minutes of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 8 November 2018 (copy attached).

The minutes of the Partnerships Scrutiny Committee held on 8 November 2018, were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2018 be received and confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a reort by the Area of Outstanding National Beauty Officer (copy attached) for Members to examine the AONB’s long-term management plan and how it supports and compliments the Council’s own plans.

(10.10 a.m. – 11.00 a.m.)

The Chair welcomed Howard Sutcliffe (Countryside Operations Manager) and Huw Rees (Countryside and Heritage Services Manager) to the meeting for discussion on Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty plans.

The Lead Member for Housing, Regulation and the Environment, Councillor Tony Thomas, introduced the AONB Officer’s report and appendices (previously circulated) which briefed the Committee on the relationship between the AONB’s Management Plan and the Council’s various plans and strategies.  He also advised that the report updated members on the discussions currently taking place between officers of the five AONBs in Wales, the National Association of AONBs, National Resources Wales (NRW) and Welsh Government (WG), in addition to information on the English review of national parks and AONBs. 

Members were informed by the Lead Member and AONB Officer that of the five AONBS in Wales three were located in North Wales, and of those whose entire land area was in Wales the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB was the largest.  The AONB’s primary purpose was to conserve and enhance the area’s landscape in accordance with the requirements of Section 85 of the Countryside and Rights of Way (CROW) Act 2000.  As the AONB’s geographic area spanned areas of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham a Joint Committee, on which two Cabinet members from each council served, had been established to ensure that the three local authorities complied with their statutory duties.  A further three non-executive members from each council served on the AONB’s Partnership group.    Despite the fact that the majority of the designated AONB area lay within Denbighshire’s boundary all three authorities were equal members of the Joint Committee and contributed an equal amount of money to its budget to cover staffing costs etc.  The AONB’s Management Plan, which it had a statutory duty to develop and manage, had been produced and published in 2014.  

Members were advised that AONB officers worked closely with the Council’s Planning Department to ensure that planning applications complied with statutory conservation obligations.  They also worked closely with the Council’s Countryside Services and its Housing Services in relation to the health and well-being agenda and promoting healthier lifestyles.  They emphasised that a number of the AONB’s plans aligned with the Council’s Corporate Plan and supported the delivery of various corporate priorities - the black grouse, curlew, little terns and heather projects all supported the work to deliver the corporate priority relating to the environment.  Whilst funding sourced to undertake work on other projects, such as the square at Llangollen, developing a community shop in the old school in Llandegla and the work of the Raven community pub in Llanarmon-yn-Iâl all contributed towards the realisation of the connected communities and resilient communities priorities.  The delivery of these projects relied heavily on AONB personnel and volunteers.

Responding to members questions the Lead Member, Corporate Director:  Economy and Public Realm, Countryside and Heritage Services Manager and the AONB Officer:

·         assured the Committee that Denbighshire did benefit from the fact that the Offa’s Dyke National Trail  spanned the entire length of the AONB area from Prestatyn to Chirk.  The fact that there was a railway station at Prestatyn, the end of the Trail if the journey had started from Chepstow was in itself a bonus as it provided walkers with easy accessible transport provision at the end of their journey.  The AONB received funding from NRW to undertake maintenance on the Trail and to work with other groups, such as the Clwydian Range Tourism Group on tourism related initiatives linked to the Trail i.e. support applications  for the development of barn conversions as holiday  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

For consideration of the following item of business the Committee acted in its capacity as the Council’s designated Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Committee in accordance sections 19 and 20 of the Police and Justice Act 2006.

To consider a report by the Community Safety Manager (copy attached) to inform members of the activity of the Joint Community Safety Partnership (CSP) in 2017-2018 and the Local/Regional action plan for 2018/2019.

(11.10 A.M. – 11.55 A.M.)

The Chair welcomed Sian Taylor (Community Safety Partnership Manager) to the meeting.

The Lead Member for Corporate Standards introduced the Community Safety Manager’s report and appendices (previously circulated) which presented the Committee with the Community Safety Partnership’s (CSP) Annual Update for 2017-2018.  During his introduction the Lead Member informed the Committee that the North Wales Safer Communities Board (NWSCB) was responsible for agreeing the priorities for the region and drawing up an action plan for each CSP to deliver.  The delivery of these plans was regularly monitored by the NWSCB, with the local CSP analysing its performance in delivering the plan for its area and devising local solution to local problems.

The CSP Manager advised that 2017-18 had been a challenging year financially for the CSP locally, and its performance in delivering its action plan in the Denbighshire area had been good overall.

Responding to members’ questions the Lead Member, Corporate Director:  Economy and Public Realm and the CSP Manager:

·         agreed that whilst the wording for Priority 1 for 2017-18 ‘Reduce Crime and Disorder in the Area’ seemed to outline the whole purpose of the CSP, it was important to focus on the prioritised actions identified in a bid to realise this ambition for that particular year.  Reducing crime and disorder would always be the CSP’s ambition and its ultimate aspiration;

·         advised that reducing the number of domestic violence incidents was a CSP priority, as well as a priority for the WG and the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales.  It also featured in the Council’s Corporate Plan as part of the Resilient Communities corporate priority.  It was important to bear in mind that for crimes to be investigated it was essential for them to be reported.  The success of efforts made to encourage people to report incidents of crime did have a negative impact on the statistics with the number of incidents reported being higher in a number of areas.  However, whilst this did seem perverse it did assist officers to identify patterns or trends and try to devise potential solutions to address the root of the problems and mitigate against any further increases in future;

·         advised that Barnardo’s had undertaken a lot of work in relation to educating people, particularly young people on what was and was not acceptable in a relationship, with a view to reducing domestic violence;

·         advised that the Regional Domestic Abuse Strategy was available for members to read on the Council’s website.  All Council staff had undertaken an on-line training module on domestic violence and it was hoped to roll-out this module to elected members in the new year.  Over 200 people had attended an event at Rhyl Town Hall aimed at raising awareness of domestic abuse in its various guises and how those affected could seek support and help.  All domestic abuse services were in attendance as well as the Citizen Advice Bureau (CAB).  The CSP was keen to arrange similar events in future but at present did not have the capacity to hold them on a regular basis.  One potential method for future awareness raising events may be by having a presence at conferences/events organised by partner organisations i.e. North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, North Wales Police etc.;

·         agreed to provide members with details of the statistical information which accompanied the 2017-18 annual performance report;

·         confirmed that advice had been shared with residents on how to deal with telephone scams etc. at multi-agency community engagement events held and via social media.  The Police were well aware of the problems and anxiety caused by such scams, particularly to vulnerable individuals.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

(11.55 A.M. – 12.05 P.M.)

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

14 February 2019

·       Future Environmental Crime Enforcement Options

·       CCTV Partnership

·       Support for Young Carers in Denbighshire

It was agreed to invite the relevant Lead Cabinet Members to attend.

Appendix 2 – Member Proposal Form.  Members were encouraged to complete the form for any items to be presented to Scrutiny Committee.  Upon receipt the proposal would be discussed at Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs Group.

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

To receive any updates from Committee representatives on various Council Boards and Groups.

(12.05 P.M. – 12.10 P.M.)

The Chair, Councillor Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones, reported upon her attendance at the Customers, Communication and Marketing Service Challenge.  It was confirmed the notes of the meeting would be circulated to members upon receipt.

Councillor Christine Marston confirmed she had attended the Planning & Public Protection Service Challenge.  Again, it was confirmed the notes of the meeting would be circulated to members once available.

RESOLVED that the verbal reports be received and noted.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chair, Councillor Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones, wished everyone a Happy Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

The meeting concluded at 12.30 p.m.