Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor David Smith, Lead Member for Public Realm (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet’s endorsement of the draft Public Realm Strategy and associated Improvement Plan.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       endorses the draft Public Realm Strategy and Improvement Plan subject to the inclusion in the Improvement Plan of more detail regarding improvement activities in respect of fly tipping and forecourt trading, and

(b)       agrees to a review of the Improvement Plan to be undertaken annually, with updates on progress provided through the Service Challenge process for the relevant services, and with the involvement of the Lead Member.

Councillor David Smith presented the report seeking Cabinet’s endorsement of the draft Public Realm Strategy and associated Improvement Plan (attached to the report) outlining the way in which the Council intended to deal with issues affecting the public realm within the county.

The Strategy had been produced in order to develop clarity and coherence, ensure better joint working and a more corporate approach to dealing with public realm issues as recommended by a recent Internal Audit report.  In advocating the Strategy Councillor Smith elaborated upon the four strategic principles which had been embedded into the document.

The Chair of Communities Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts provided an overview of the scrutiny debate on the Strategy confirming the committee had been happy to endorse the Strategy subject to the inclusion of references to the Council’s culture; the importance of consultation and a coordinated and collaborative approach together with identified key goals and objectives.

Cabinet considered the report and discussed the following issues –

·        responsibility for maintaining play areas was raised and Councillor Huw Jones expressed concerns that County Council signage was located in some play areas for which they were not responsible which may have implications in terms of liability – he asked that this issue be explored further and that those liable for maintaining play areas be made aware of their responsibilities in ensuring the maintenance and safety of play equipment.  The Head of Highways and Environmental Services (HHES) provided assurances that play area inspections were carried out and those liable were made aware of their responsibilities through that process.  He agreed to report back on the number of play areas within the county and those responsible for them.  The Corporate Director Customers agreed to communicate with town/community councils on the issue to clarify any misunderstanding which might exist

·        the development of a fly posting policy and procedures was planned during 2014/15 in order to manage that issue

·        Councillor Barbara Smith highlighted a number of issues raised in the Quarter 2 Corporate Plan relating to public realm and in particular asked that fly tipping be included as a specific improvement activity within the document.  It was noted that Communities Scrutiny Committee would be scrutinising the management of fly tipping at their next meeting

·        in response to an issue raised by Councillor Bobby Feeley the HHES reported upon the tendering process and award of the contract for supplying hanging baskets to Aberwheeler Nurseries

·        the Leader highlighted the importance of developing a link with town and area plans at an early stage within the strategy and the HHES confirmed that many of those plans already contained a number of public realm actions

·        with regard to the Street Sign Audit Councillor Huw Jones reported upon the work of the Bilingual Forum in order to take forward the language issue

·        Councillor Joan Butterfield highlighted forecourt trading as an issue in Rhyl Town Centre and asked that it be included within the Strategy.  Councillor David Smith confirmed it was also an enforcement issue for officers to investigate.

Members welcomed the strategy in order to provide a coherent and coordinated approach to public realm issues and taking into account comments made it was –

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       endorses the draft Public Realm Strategy and Improvement Plan subject to the inclusion in the Improvement Plan of more detail regarding improvement activities in respect of fly tipping and forecourt trading, and

(b)       agrees to a review of the Improvement Plan to be undertaken annually, with updates on progress provided through the Service Challenge process for the relevant services, and with the involvement of the Lead Member.