Agenda and minutes

Venue: Virtually via Microsoft Teams - if you would like to attend this meeting live via Microsoft Teams please contact committee.services@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Contact: Democratic Services  7788

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Condolences - HRH Prince Phillip, The Duke of Edinburgh

Minutes:

The Chair reported the sad news of the death of HRH Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Committee observed a minutes’ silence as a mark of respect.

 

2.

Simultaneous Translation

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

Minutes:

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

 

3.

Apologies

To receive.

Minutes:

No apologies for absence were reported.

 

4.

Declarations of Interest and Dispensations

To receive.

Minutes:

No declarations of interest or dispensations were reported.

 

5.

Community Services Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 317 KB

To receive the minutes of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee held on 1st March, 2021.

 

(Please note the minutes are submitted for accuracy points only).

Minutes:

The minutes of the Community Services Scrutiny Committee held on 1st March, 2021 were submitted.

 

The Committee AGREED that the minutes be accepted as a true record of proceedings.

 

6.

Action Sheet - 1st March 2021 pdf icon PDF 105 KB

To receive the Action Sheet.

Minutes:

The Action Sheet arising from the meeting held on 1st March, 2021 was submitted, whereupon:-

 

A Member referred to discussions at the pre-meeting and asked that his disagreement be noted in relation to the Chair’s ruling regarding the number of questions allowed by Members at any one time.

 

Progress Update on Silent Valley

 

A brief discussion ensued when the Scrutiny & Democratic Officer reported that the FWP was currently being developed, and it was intended to schedule[TL1]  the Silent Valley Progress Report to the first meeting of the new cycle in June.

 

Review of Arrangements with Powys County Council

 

Following a question raised by a Member the Team Leader Environmental Protection confirmed that a Member had requested a review of the Council’s arrangements with Powys County Council in relation to animal welfare.

 

The Committee AGREED, subject to the foregoing, that the Action Sheet be noted.

 


 [TL1]I changed this, as I know this report wont be coming forward in June.

7.

Adoption of Litter and Fly-Tipping Strategy pdf icon PDF 599 KB

To consider the report of the Team Manager Street Scene.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to report of the Team Manager Street Scene.

 

The Chair welcomed Neil Greenhalgh of Red & White Resource to the meeting.

 

The Team Manager Street Scene presented the report which sought support for the adoption of a new Litter and Fly-Tipping Strategy for 2021-2026.  He pointed out that Blaenau Gwent was only the second Authority in Wales to devise such a Strategy.

 

He confirmed that a successful application was made to Caru Cymru for £30,000 pa over a three-year period commencing 2019/20.  The Caru Cymru scheme supported projects for environmental improvements within residential areas by developing benefits for people, businesses and their communities.  The aim of the project was to improve the quality of the environment with the emphasis on long term behavioural change rather than continuing to rely on just cleaning up.  The funding application included the appointment of a Local Environmental Quality (LEQ) Officer who would work with existing Litter Champions and groups, and also engage with schools and community groups to raise awareness, educate and promote local environmental quality issues within the borough.  Unfortunately, this work had been delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

 

The Officer said it had been identified that in order for the Council to have a more effective and positive impact on the scheme, a relevant strategy and supporting policies would be required to support management of the project.  As a result, the funding application included a specialist LEQ consultant to be appointed to undertake a review of the Street Cleansing Service and draft a Blaenau Gwent Litter and Fly-Tipping Strategy.   A tender process was commenced in November 2019 and the contract was awarded to Red & White Resource Ltd.

 

The Officer confirmed that a thorough review and analysis of the cleansing service was undertaken, and the feedback from stakeholder meetings and interviews allowed the Consultant to draft an independent and objective Litter and Fly-Tipping Strategy for Council.  However, due to the Covid pandemic, additional site visits and follow-up stakeholder workshops were unable to go ahead, but it was felt that the information and data obtained up to 20th March, 2021 was sufficient to complete a draft Strategy for adoption by the Council.

 

In terms of the Strategy, attached at Appendix 1, a number of key objectives have been established that would deliver the recognised environmental improvements, and these were highlighted at section 2.3.3 of the report.  Also included within the Strategy was an Action Plan (Appendix 2) with key actions to be undertaken during the 5 year lifespan of the Strategy and associated timelines.

 

A Member referred to the excellent work undertaken by Litter Champions, but expressed concern that the process currently in place to register as a litter champion should be made easier.

 

In response the Team Manager Streetscene said there were well over 200 registered Litter Champions in the Borough working closely with the Council.  When registered they are able to report their litter picks for collection through the system and they also have direct access to Officers.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.