Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Conference Room 1a, County Hall, Ruthin
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APOLOGIES Minutes: Councillors James Davies and Carys Guy |
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting. Minutes: No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest had been
raised. |
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URGENT MATTERS AS AGREED BY THE CHAIR Notice of items which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972. Minutes: No urgent matters were raised. |
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To receive the minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 28 February 2013 (copy enclosed). 9.40 a.m. Minutes: The minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 28
February 2013 were submitted. Matters Arising – Page
2, Item No. 4 Minutes: Grit Issues – The Scrutiny Coordinator advised that this
item had been placed on the agenda of the next Dee Valley Member Area Group
meeting on 29 April where clarification would be provided as requested. RESOLVED that the minutes of
the meeting held on 28 February 2013 be received and approved as a correct
record. |
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RHYL GOING FORWARD UPDATE PDF 78 KB To consider a report, which includes a confidential appendix, by the Rhyl Going Forward Programme Manager (copy enclosed) providing an update on the Rhyl Going Forward Regeneration Strategy. 10.10 a.m. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Rhyl Going Forward Manager (RGFM) submitted
a report (previously circulated) providing an update on the Rhyl Going Forward
(RGF) Regeneration Strategy. The
strategy contained the following four work streams – ·
West Rhyl
Regeneration Area ·
Town
Centre ·
Seafront
and Tourism ·
Live &
Work in Rhyl The RGFM elaborated upon the each of the work
streams summarising the main aims and objectives for the particular areas;
progress in reaching those targets, and future considerations. He also responded to a number of issues raised
by members during consideration of their last update report. Members questioned the RGFM regarding progress
with individual projects and sought assurances regarding future outcomes for
particular developments. He responded as
follows – ·
explained
the lack of progress with developing the Ocean Plaza site because of issues
relating to the electricity power supply and flood risk ·
confirmed
that the demolition of the Honey Club was imminent following completion of the
outstanding contractual issue ·
the public
enquiry for the compulsory purchase order for properties in West Rhyl would
commence in May and it was hoped a second phase of demolition to create green
space would be carried out at the end of May ·
revised
plans for the next phase of coastal defence works were awaited in order to
assess the possibility of relocating the Skatepark to that area ·
confirmed
that a compulsory purchase order had been made for the burnt out arcade on the
promenade with a public enquiry scheduled for June and negotiations were still
ongoing to acquire the premises ·
provided
an update on the future of the Suncentre and its present condition and dialogue
between the Council and Clwyd Leisure Limited in that regard; it was hoped that
the Suncentre would continue operating as long as possible until the
development of any new proposals; confirmation regarding the revised opening
date for the 2013 season was still awaited. Members discussed their concerns regarding the
town centre and impact of online sales; loss of shops generally including two
flagship retailers to Prestatyn’s new retail development, and were concerned
that objectives had yet to be developed and agreed to address the issues. The committee sought assurances that
initiatives were being developed to support and attract businesses highlighting
the need to attract the right type of business to enhance the town and
complement existing offers and ensure longevity and sustainability of
businesses. The RGFM confirmed the need
to develop a coherent regeneration strategy as soon as possible and reported
upon a range of initiatives being considered including reduced business rates,
review of car parking and improvements to Rhyl Market. He referred to potential future funding from
the Welsh Government’s New Regeneration Framework to address such issues in the
town. The committee highlighted that
problems facing Rhyl’s town centre were replicated across the county and the
Chair referred to his attendance at an Economic Ambition Workshop the previous
day when the same issues had been discussed and he advised that work was also
ongoing in that forum to address them.
Councillor Bob Murray reported upon the detrimental impact on
Prestatyn’s High Street since the new retail park had opened advising that work
was also ongoing to tackle that problem. The importance of education as part of the live and work strategy was also highlighted and the Corporate Director Customers referred to the impact of good schools and quality education on the economy. He responded to questions regarding the historically poor state of the Rhyl High School building and plans to develop a new school building which were progressing well. He added that the quality of secondary education provided within the Rhyl area had improved. ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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DENBIGHSHIRE PLAY SUFFICIENCY ASSESSMENT PDF 59 KB To consider a report by the Active Lifestyles Manager (copy enclosed) regarding the draft Play Sufficiency Assessment and action plan. 10.40 a.m. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Huw Jones, Lead Member for Tourism,
Leisure and Youth introduced the Active Lifestyles Manager and Sports and
Physical Activity Programme Manager and presented the draft Play Sufficiency
Assessment and Action Plan (previously circulated). The Welsh Government required all local
authorities to undertake the assessment and develop an action plan setting out
how they planned to provide play opportunities for children and address
identified gaps in provision. Details of the assessment had been provided
including the individual areas considered and the extensive consultation with
both internal and external partners.
Members’ attention was drawn to the key themes/priorities emerging from
the assessment which had been included within the action plan to be addressed
during the period 2013 – 2014 together with future plans for 2014 and beyond. During debate members queried whether funding
would be available from the Welsh Government (WG) to progress the action
plan. The Active Lifestyles Manager
(ALM) explained that no indications had been given as to whether funding would
be a provided and feedback was awaited following submission of the assessment
last month. The council had already
committed funding from its own budget to progress the actions detailed in 2013
– 2014. Members referred to play provision within their
own communities and raised the following issues – ·
the lack
of absence of play provision in some rural/countryside areas ·
difficulties
associated with opening school playgrounds to the wider community (including
pre-schoolers being unable to access provision during school hours and damage
caused to playgrounds when used for particular activities such as football) ·
lack of
play schemes/sportszone in operation across the county ·
the need
for target marketing of play/sports schemes in order to publicise and promote
events and increase take up rates ·
encouraging
town/community councils to contribute financially to play/sports provision, and ·
the poor
state of some play equipment and importance of maintenance. The Corporate Director Communities referred to
the merits of undertaking the assessment which provided a clearer picture for
Denbighshire in terms of provision and identifying areas to be addressed. The officers also responded to members
comments as follows – ·
one of the
actions within the plan specifically related to rural areas and play provision ·
highlighted
the need for a co-ordinated approach between education, leisure and
town/community councils to develop play within those towns/communities ·
reported
upon current play/sports provision across the county and elaborated upon plans
for future provision ·
agreed
with target marketing of play events and referred to the success and popularity
of the recent soft play sessions which had been promoted through family
information services ·
maintenance
of play equipment had been included within the audit. The committee was supportive of the assessment
and action plan and keen to hear the WG’s response thereto and whether the WG
would be awarding funding to progress the identified actions. Members were also keen to receive the revised
action plan with a timeline for delivering actions. Consequently it was – RESOLVED that – (a) subject to members’
comments above, the committee notes the content of the report and action plan
and supports the commitment to Play Development in Denbighshire, and (b) an information report
be submitted to the committee to include the Welsh Government’s response to the
Play Sufficiency Assessment and action plan and whether any funding was being
awarded by the Welsh Government together with a revised action plan to include
agreed timescales for actions. [Jamie
Groves / Sian Bennett / Rhian Roberts to action] At this juncture (10.45 a.m.) the committee
adjourned for a refreshment break. |
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PROGRESS REPORT ON ANTI DOG FOULING CAMPAIGN PDF 64 KB To consider a joint report by the Communications, Marketing & Leisure and Corporate Communications & Marketing Managers (copy enclosed) regarding progress of the Anti-Dog Fouling Campaign and plans going forward. 11.20 a.m. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Communication, Marketing & Leisure and
Corporate Communications & Marketing Managers submitted a joint report
(previously circulated) regarding progress of the Anti-Dog Fouling Campaign
following its soft launch in February. Officers provided details of the activities
carried out to date in addressing dog fouling issues including the substantial
marketing campaign and drive to educate people together with robust enforcement
action in order to reduce the number of incidents. Key hotspot areas had been identified and
monitored and a number of supporting activities were being planned for the
future. A power point presentation was
also shown detailing promotional materials; press coverage; the marketing plan
and the mapping of hotspot areas.
Updated statistics collated from the Customer Services Management System
and calls from the dedicated Freephone number were also provided. The marketing campaign involved a drip feed
approach in order to continually reinforce the message and encourage communities
to become involved and report problems. The Public Protection Manager provided details
of the enforcement approach with Kingdom Security Services being employed to
address issues around dog fouling and littering. North Wales Police had also instructed Police
Community Support Officers and Community Beat Managers to issue fixed penalty
notices and provide information to the council on problem areas. Members welcomed the Anti-Dog Fouling Campaign
as a proactive way of addressing dog fouling within the county together with
robust enforcement action. The committee
was pleased to note the measures taken to engage with the public and the
positive feedback received together with an increase in the number of reported
incidents to identify hotspot areas and target offenders. During debate members took the opportunity to
raise questions with the officers regarding various aspects of the campaign and
sought further details regarding enforcement action and overall costs. The following concerns and comments were also
raised – ·
the need
to target rural areas as part of the campaign and undertake enforcement action
and high visibility patrols in those areas to deter offenders ·
highlighted
persistent problems at Moel Famau and the need to take the matter up with the
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) management to address the issue,
particularly the AONB’s resistance to the siting of waste bins in the AONB ·
delays in
locating dog bins in problem areas identified by members ·
the need for
both covert and high visibility enforcement patrols and professional and
courteous officers ·
concerns
regarding stray dogs and cases where owners let their dogs wander unaccompanied ·
the
presence of old signage within communities which may cause confusion ·
the
importance of engaging with the community in order to work together to tackle
dog fouling issues ·
the need
to review the effectiveness of the campaign and associated costs ·
concerns
that the number of fixed penalty notices issued for littering far exceed those
issued for dog fouling ·
advocated
greater use of social media as a marketing tool, and ·
members
detailed a number of problem areas within their communities which would benefit
from dog bins and enforcement action and made requests for literature to disseminate
in their areas. Officers acknowledged members’ points and
responded as follows – ·
reported
upon the programme of relocating signage and promotional material around the
county targeting hotspot areas and
monitoring the impact ·
dog
control orders were being considered as a means of addressing specific problem
areas which may be applied to sites such as Moel Famau/AONB ·
119 dog
bins had been purchased for siting in areas identified by members ·
a mixture
of both covert and high visibility enforcement patrols were undertaken as
appropriate depending upon circumstances · other public protection officers were responsible for collecting stray dogs and any information in that regard would be ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME PDF 62 KB 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. 11.50 a.m. Additional documents:
Minutes: A report by the Scrutiny
Coordinator was submitted (previously circulated) seeking members’ review of
the committee’s future work programme and providing an update on relevant
issues. A draft forward work programme
(Appendix 1); Cabinet’s forward work programme (Appendix 2), and Progress on
Committee Resolutions (Appendix 3) had been attached to the report. The Scrutiny
Coordinator reported upon changes to the work programme since its preparation
and members discussed the amendments with officers and raised a number of issues
they wished to scrutinise in future. The
committee confirmed the following additions –
RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the forward work
programme as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved. [Rhian
Evans to action] |
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FEEDBACK FROM COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES To receive any updates from Committee representatives on various Council Boards and Groups Minutes: Councillor Joe Welch referred to his attendance at the
recent School Standards Monitoring Group and was pleased to report that both
schools discussed, Ysgol Glan Clwyd, St. Asaph and Ysgol Clawydd Offa,
Prestatyn were performing well. Councillor Rhys Hughes referred to his association with
Deeside College advising that the merger with Yale College was progressing
well. It was noted that Deeside College
Group’s (Coleg Cumbria) current and future development would be considered by
Partnerships Scrutiny Committee in September. RESOLVED that the verbal reports be received and
noted. The meeting concluded at 12.05 p.m.
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