Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: via Video Conference
Media
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APOLOGIES Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence
were received from Councillor Glenn Swingler. |
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS PDF 116 KB Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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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. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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To receive the minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee held on 10 December 2020 (copy enclosed). 10am – 10.05am Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee on 10
December 2020 were submitted. Item 5 - Flood Risk Management across Denbighshire –
Members were informed that appendix 5 to the Scrutiny Work Programme included
the terms of reference for the task and finish group. RESOLVED that – The minutes of the meeting held on 10
December 2020 be received and approved as a correct record. |
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Due to technical issues the meeting was suspended at 10.20. a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 10.30. a.m. |
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RHYL REGENERATION PROGRAMME AND GOVERNANCE PDF 243 KB To consider a report by the Economic and Business Development Officer (copy attached) which outlines the work undertaken through the Rhyl Regeneration Programme, the governance arrangements which support that work, and seeks members’ observations on the information provided. 10.05am – 10.45am Additional documents:
Minutes: The Leader
Councillor Hugh Evans provided members with background information behind the
regeneration programme in Rhyl. It was confirmed that Rhyl had two of the most
deprived wards within Wales. Due to technical
difficulties video and audio connection with the Leader was lost. The Corporate
Director for Economy and Public Realm (CDEPR) proceeded to guide members
through the report (previously circulated). It was emphasised to members that
Rhyl as an area was in need of regeneration. It was stressed that officers
noted that all towns and wards had been faced with difficult times and needed
support. Within the report an update of arrangements around the priority of the town centre vision and the governance arrangements had been included. A Rhyl Regeneration Programme Board had been established. It was confirmed that Rhyl MAG had been communicated with all developments and a Rhyl Reference Group attended by Rhyl Councillors, Rhyl Town Council members and the local AM and MP. It was stressed a lot of work had been completed in Rhyl. Including work on the promenade, harbour and ongoing work at the Marina Quay. It was confirmed that one of the priority areas was to concentrate on the town centre, whilst another one would focus on regeneration for the people and residents of Rhyl. Confirmation was given that a Rhyl Community Development Board had been established with partners such as health and the police. Members were provided with more details from the Economic and Business Development Officer. The vision document included as an appendix to the report had been the result of 18 months of work and been signed off by Cabinet at the end of 2019. It was hoped it would provide guidance on the vision for the town centre and its regeneration. During the ensuing debate members took the
opportunity to raise questions and discussed various aspects of the report with
the officers present. Main discussion points focused on the following – ·
Technical
Advisory Note (TAN) 15 was Welsh Government (WG) advice in relation to
developments with regard to flooding. It was highlighted that a number of areas
within Rhyl had been identified as areas of potential flooding. Developments
within the flood areas needed to have special regard to how they would address
the flooding issues at the development site. It was confirmed that parts of
Rhyl would still remain on the flood risk maps. A number of schemes within Rhyl
to address concerns of flooding had begun. The guidance TAN 15, stated
regeneration development should be promoted with all aspects of the development
assessed. ·
Appendix
2 to the report illustrated that the regeneration work at Rhyl had been
separated into five different sectors. One of the sectors identified had been
access and movement. This addressed and looked at transport and parking in
Rhyl. Members heard a number of projects had been included to assess concerns.
It was stressed that work had begun to look at developments for transport in
Rhyl including work with the active travel routes, cycle paths and electric car
charging points. The work would be a long term aspect of the regeneration
project. · It was stressed that members had not been excluded from the boards working on the regeneration project. Officers welcomed feedback and input from members and Rhyl councillors. Members heard that the Rhyl Regeneration Programme Board was a technical forum that ensured agreed projects were interlinked and worked together. It was felt an officer led board would best suited for any information to then be communicated with the other boards and groups. Rhyl Member Area Group (MAG) members had stressed a desire to ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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CAR PARK TARIFF SYSTEM AND RESIDENTS' PARKING SCHEMES PDF 302 KB To consider a report by the Traffic, Parking and Road Safety Manager (copy attached) which seeks the Committee to examine whether the Council’s existing car park tariff system and Residents’ Parking Scheme Policy are sufficiently flexible to meet the needs of all areas of the county. 10.45am – 11.30am Additional documents:
Minutes: The Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment, Councillor Brian Jones introduced
the report (previously circulated). The report provided details on the existing
car park tariff system and policy for residential schemes. Members were
reminded that a similar report had previously been presented in 2015. Further
detail was provided by the Traffic,
Parking and Road Safety Manager (TPRSM). It was explained that Denbighshire had
adopted a uniform charging system across the County. The development of
a proposed pilot scheme in Llangollen formed part of a wider traffic and
parking management arrangements for the town, which included discussions around
varying parking charges between car parks. A question had been raised on
whether a higher charge for central parking could be adopted and a lower charge
for car parks on the periphery. It was confirmed that the current policy did
not allow this method of charging. The TPRSM confirmed that the overall income
for a given town had to be as cost neutral as possible. The proposed pilot
scheme’s aim was to allow more flexibility for varying charges in a town to aid
traffic flow and availability spaces. Officers stressed that the proposal was
being presented to the Committee for comments and agreement to proceed with the
pilot scheme. Confirmation was given that an update report and any findings
would be presented to committee following monitoring of a period of 12 months. Councillor Graham Timms presented members
with a brief history of the issues experienced in Llangollen related to car
parking. Members were made aware that Llangollen car parks created the second
largest income from car parks in the County. It was felt that by varying the
cost of parking in the town provision would be available that would cater for
all needs, e.g. residents, commuters and local businesses. Councillor Melvyn
Mile highlighted to members the work that had begun in Llangollen to identify
issues that were important for all individuals and visitors. During the ensuing debate members took the
opportunity to raise questions and discussed various aspects of the pilot
scheme with the officers and Lead Member. Main discussion points focused on the
following – ·
The
existing permit system for parking in Council car parks was still in existence
for individuals to purchase. Officers would determine which car park was most
suitable for permit holders to use. ·
Reassurance
was provided that the income generated from car parks had been reinvested back
into car parks or road safety related funcitions within Denbighshire. It was
confirmed communication had taken place with Highways to evaluate service level
agreements for each car park within Denbighshire. ·
Officers
stated they had not been made aware of any security issues at car parks in
Llangollen. Security was an important consideration for car parks. Monitoring
of car park security would continue. ·
Confirmation
was provided that car parking charges in the County were last increased in 2016. Whilst there were no specific plans at
present to increase parking charges, fees and charges were revised on an annual
basis. The Chair thanked officers for the
comprehensive report and answers provided to members concerns. Following the discussion, the Committee, RESOLVED that, subject to the above
observations i).
recommended that the pilot scheme in
Llangollen where car park tariffs were to be varied in the various car parks
within the town on the basis that, where possible, there should be no net loss
in car park income from all the car parks in Llangollen town centre, be
implemented; ii). that a further report is presented to the Committee, approximately 15 months following the Scheme’s implementation, on its effectiveness and any lessons learnt ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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At this juncture (12.05 p.m.) the meeting
adjourned for a 20 minute refreshment break. The meeting reconvened at 12.25 p.m. |
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To consider a report by the Contracts and Performance Project Manager (copy attached) which provides the Committee with an update on the migration processes of Universal Credit (UC), the effectiveness of mitigation measures and how COVID - 19 has impacted on the number of people claiming Universal Credit in Denbighshire. 11.40am – 12.20pm Additional documents:
Minutes: The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting
including Graham Kendall, from Citizen Advice Denbighshire (CAD) for the discussion on Universal Credit. Councillor Julian Thompson- Hill, Lead
Member for Finance and Efficiency introduced
the Universal Credit report (previously circulated). It was highlighted that
the Committee had originally requested the report (previously circulated) for
the purpose of reporting on the final migration of recipients on to Universal
Credit. The Covid-19 pandemic had
impacted on this process and consequently details had been included within the
papers for members comments. Reference was made to the data figures having
reflected the current pandemic. The number of claimants had increased due to factors
out of individuals control. The Head of Finance
and Property (HFP) provided a brief introduction on how Denbighshire County
Council was supporting residents in relation to UC and associated support. It
was stated Universal Credit had increased during the year due mostly to the
pandemic. The increase in numbers offered reassurance that residents of
Denbighshire had received financial support. Due to the increase in
applications for Universal Credit an impact on Denbighshire County Council
(DCC) finances had been observed. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
administered the Universal Credit, other benefits such as Housing Benefit were
administered by DCC. It was explained to members that the Housing Benefit
administration grant had reduced in line with the migration to Universal
Credit. It had been noted that although the funding had reduced the workload
had remained the same. It was
highlighted that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTRS) was offered to
eligible residents, and uptake had increased over recent months. This had
resulted from the Covid-19 pandemic; it was stressed the recovery would be
slow. Members were informed that a cash grant to aid the financial impact due
to an increase in the uptake of the CTRS had been secured for 2020/21, but it
was as yet unclear whether any assistance would be available for the
forthcoming financial year. The HFP wanted to thank officers and the CAD for
all the hard work that had been put into the smooth transition to Universal
Credit especially during the difficult few months. The
Business Support Manager addressed a number of concerns that members had raised
before the meeting. It was explained to members the difficulty in providing
accurate figures around the number of individuals that were still in receipt of
legacy benefits. The data for those customers had to be sought from a wide
range of different benefits that DCC did not have access to the information. It
was confirmed that the number of claimants for CTRS had increased by 2.8%, and
that there had been a 10.95% increase in free school meal (FSM) applicants
between March and November 2020. The Business Support Officer provided members
with context for the data within appendix 1 and appendix 2. It was stressed
that officers regularly monitored the statistics on a monthly basis to ensure
that further investigation and intervention occurred as soon as needed. Members were reminded that a number of
benefits and emergency financial measures were in place at present that
residents may be eligible to claim, all had different criteria requirements. Graham Kendall - Citizen Advice Denbighshire (CAD) Business Development Manager echoed the thoughts and comments of the Lead Member and officers praising the approach to Universal Credit had been the correct method. It had provided individuals with the information and partnerships to contact for support. It was highlighted that 1235 new claims had been received during the lockdown for Universal Credit. The continued close working relationship with DCC had proved invaluable for both officers ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME PDF 152 KB 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. 12.20pm – 12.35pm Additional documents:
Minutes: The Scrutiny
Coordinator submitted a report (previously circulated) seeking 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 item on ‘The role of Denbighshire in Public Transport and Active Travel Provision’ until October 2021. ·
The
items listed on the forward work programme for the next meeting on 11 March
2021 were reaffirmed. · All members agreed to defer the report on ‘The Planning Compliance Charter’ until early 2022. ·
members
were asked to submit any proposal forms regarding topics for scrutiny. · A draft remit had been included in Appendix 5 for the task and finish group to look at flood management and working with private landowners to mitigate the risk of serious flooding. It was that the terms of reference would be presented to all MAGs to request a nomination from each MAG to serve on the group. It was confirmed it would take some time to establish. · Councillor Merfyn Parry requested that the report on the impact of the school in Rhewl on the communities of Rhewl and Llanynys include a ‘Community Impact Assessment’. It was agreed that Councillor Parry and the Scrutiny Co-ordinator would liaise with officers to receive the agreed information. The CDEPR offered his assistance in sourcing this report. RESOLVED that,
i).
subject
to the amendments and inclusions to the draft forward work programme proposed during the meeting to confirm the
Committee’s Forward Work
Programme, and
ii).
the
draft terms of reference for the Flood Risk Management and Riparian Land
Ownership Task and Finish Group be approved. |
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FEEDBACK FROM COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES To receive any
updates from Committee representatives on various Council Boards and Groups 12.35pm – 12.45pm Additional documents: Minutes: No reports from committee representatives had been received. |
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The meeting concluded at 13.20 p.m. Additional documents: |