Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Simon Glyn, Kevin Morris Jones and Dafydd Owen along with Councillor Catrin Wager (Cabinet Member for Highways and Municipal).

To receive any declaration of personal interest

No declarations of personal interest were received.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None to note.

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held on November 4^th, 2021 be signed as a true record. 

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this committee held on 4 November 2021 as a true record.

CABINET MEMBER: COUNCILLOR DAFYDD MEURIG

To provide an overview to Members of the activities of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Community Safety Partnership (CSP) during the period 2020-21, and developments for 2021-22.

RESOLVED:

1.      To accept the content of the report and supplementary documents and note the observations, and support the priorities and direction of the work in the future.

2.      To contact the Chair of the Council to note the Committee's wish to extend an invitation to the Police and Crime Commissioner to a meeting of the Full Council.

3.      To ask the partnership to consider having other members of the partnership to be in attendance at the Communities Scrutiny Committee's Crime and Disorder meeting.

The report was submitted by the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, who gave the background and context, and noted that local authorities had a statutory duty to work in partnership with the Police, the Health Service, the Probation Service and the Fire and Rescue Service, to address the local community safety agenda.  He explained that a strategic assessment was undertaken to identify regional priorities, the local plans to address these priorities were before the Committee.

He handed over to the Community Safety Implementation and Projects Officer. An overview was given of the principal points within the report and it was explained that the partnership was required to formally report to the Committee annually to give an update on the partnership's work. The main milestones achieved during the latest period were noted and an overview of the work underway was given.

During the discussion, the following main points were noted by members:

·            A question was asked about the five action points that had not been achieved for nearly two years.  What were the next steps to be undertaken?

·            Reference was made to the work of identifying appropriate buildings for the substance abuse team in Bangor and it was asked if it was possible to get further information.

·            An enquiry was made about the street pastors scheme and why they were not operational as the Council had been using Zoom for eighteen months, could they not also use it?

·            It was asked if work regarding modern slavery was part of the partnership.

·            Disappointment was expressed that other representatives from the partnership were not present to answer questions.

·            It was asked how much work the partnership undertook to work jointly to prevent crimes such as domestic abuse.

·            A member noted that she was concerned about the increase in people who required mental health support, those misusing alcohol and the homelessness particularly in Gwynedd.

·            It was asked if it was possible to have a meeting with the new Police and Crime Commissioner, his predecessor had been before the Full Council in the past. 

·            It was stated that the topics within the report were relevant to youth clubs and it was asked if youth clubs were part of the partnership.

·            The idea of inviting the Police and Crime Commissioner to the Full Council was supported for all members to be able to meet him. 

·            A question was asked about cyber crime as problems arose on social media websites with people disclosing data by responding to general questions. There was a need to bring pressure to bear on social media companies to act when cases were reported.  

·            This was reiterated and it was noted that it was a problem throughout the country, the Westminster Government needed to act. 

In response the officers noted:

·            In terms of the five actions, it had not been possible to deliver these due to other priorities. Some would also be considered again in the future.

·            In relation to the street pastors, over lockdown people did not go out as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

CABINET MEMBER: COUNCILLOR CATRIN WAGER

To consider the report

RESOLVED to accept the report and to note the observations received.

The report was presented by the Head of the Highways and Municipal Department, who guided members through the main matters.  

It was noted that the Council had a statutory responsibility to ensure that public highways and public open spaces were free of litter. It was a visible and important service especially during the period of the pandemic. It was explained that Street Services covered all the public sites and adopted roads managed by the Council.

It was highlighted that areas had been divided into zones according to their use. It was explained that the cleanliness of an area was assessed by comparison with standard, the standards ranged from Grade A to D.  It was elaborated that alternative response times were allowed to clean the areas and return them to the appropriate standard. 

It was noted that the Department had faced cuts in the past, and additional pressure as a result of the increase in tourism.  Details were given of the Service's vision and the Committee was asked for their observations on the vision.

The Street Services Manager reiterated the observations of the Head of Service with the following points:  

·         He referred to the Code of Practice and noted, due to the Covid situation, that a new one would not be introduced within the year.  He noted that there was legislation in England to penalise car owners throwing litter, this was not available in Wales but was being considered.

·         He noted that as part of the pilot, four smart bins had been ordered and these would be solar powered.  The bin would crush the litter several times before sending a signal to notify officers that the bin needed to be emptied.

During the discussion, the following main observations were made by members:

·            The vision was welcomed and there was an enquiry about street recycling bins. It was noted that people placed litter accidentally or without thinking in the wrong bin and further information was requested about the collection process and staffing requirements to divide and sort materials.

·            There was a question about voluntary litter collection groups and it was noted that there were regular events across the country and in Gwynedd and it was a good idea for the public to be part of the process.

·            It was asked what the arrangements were with road sweeping and if this continued in rural areas. It was added that keeping roads clean was a means to avoid flooding.

·            The matter of weeds on pavements, especially those used less frequently, was raised. 

·            Reference was made to the Clean and Tidy Communities Team and the need to inform members of the team's work.

·            Complaints were received regarding green signs and with litter campaigns re-commencing with black bags left behind street bins.  Could consideration be given to sweeping the cycling paths after cutting vegetation? A query was raised about arrangements to clean chewing gum.

·            It was pleasing that children's education had been included as one of the next steps, however, adults could create more problems e.g.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

CABINET MEMBER: COUNCILLOR CATRIN WAGER

To consider the report

RESOLVED to accept the report and to note the observations received.

The report was presented by the Head of the Highways and Municipal Department, who gave the background and context to the report.  He noted, in order to undertake these duties it was necessary to prepare and adopt a grass cutting policy for road verges, that considered the needs of road users, as well as wildlife needs.  He referred to the review of grass cutting arrangements and the proposed maintenance system that was before the committee for discussion.

The Assistant Head of Highways and Municipal gave details of some of the measures being taken.  He noted that the Department was working closely with the Senior Biodiversity Officer to identify specific areas for grass collection after cutting.  He referred to the 'better verges' project with the Social Farms and Gardens charity, that would be conducted in the 2022-23 financial year.  He noted that Plantlife had published a document in the context of countryside road verges and had received the Welsh Government's seal of approval.   

During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made by members:

·         Some supported amending the grass cutting arrangements to improve biodiversity, however, others did not support this.

·         They received complaints about trees protruding into the roads, could it be possible to adapt the cutting height in some cases?   A balance was needed between promoting biodiversity and road safety issues. It may be an option to cut only one side in some places. Very supportive of a full cut at the end of October to deal with overgrowth of scrub and of the opinion that grass cutting in August was too late in rural areas.   

·         There was a need to cut in 30mph areas.   Areas were tidier when cut grass was collected.  What were the considerations when reaching a conclusion about grass collection after cutting?  A cut in August would be too late in his area - would it be possible to have a rota regarding which areas would be cut first? 

·         Certainly, narrow lanes needed attention.  It was important for biodiversity that some areas were left.  The Council should take photographs when wild-flowers were at their peak and use these for promotion purposes.

·         Litter became evident following grass cutting and there was a need to co-ordinate arrangements.  Complaints had been received regarding thorns scratching cars on narrow lanes and tractors used to cut were too wide and brought down walls.  In narrow areas consideration should be given to using hedge cutting machinery.  

·         That attitudes were changing about grass cutting with more consideration being given to biodiversity.  Supportive of not cutting if it was acceptable in terms of safety.   

In response to the above observations, the officers noted that:

·         There was a movement to undertaking a full cut later on in the year.  There was a need to identify specific areas to promote biodiversity including planting. The use of a sprayer for weed killing would be looked at including placing more emphasis on using a sweeper in its place.

·         Hedges were cut up to a height of 1 metre,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To nominate a member to represent the Committee on the Climate Change Board

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Mike Stevens to represent the Communities Scrutiny Committee on the Climate Change Board.

It was noted that following a discussion in the context of the Climate Change Board membership at a meeting of the Committee on 23 September 2021, under the item 'Climate Change', a request had been received to elect a member to represent the Committee on the Board.  

It was explained that the Board had invited Councillor Angela Russell as Biodiversity Champion, and extended an invitation to the Committee to nominate another member with an interest in this field and was eager to contribute to the work.

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Mike Stevens to represent the Communities Scrutiny Committee on the Climate Change Board.

At the end of the meeting, the Chair took the opportunity to thank Natalie Lloyd Jones (Democracy Services Officer) for her work. Best wishes were extended to her in the future.