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Contact: Lowri Haf Evans Email: lowrihafevans@gwynedd.llyw.cymru 01286 679 878
No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES To receive
any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies
were received from Councillors Craig ab Iago,
Louise Hughes, Tudor Owen, Nigel Pickavance, Caerwyn Roberts and Mike Stevens |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest Minutes: None to note |
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URGENT ITEMS To note any
items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for
consideration. Minutes: None to note |
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The
Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held
on 24.1.17 be signed as a true record. Minutes: The minutes of the previous
meeting of this committee, held on 24 January 2017, were accepted as
a true record of the meeting.
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REVIEW OF RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN PDF 268 KB Cabinet Member: Councillor Dafydd Meurig Consider the Cabinet
Members Report Additional documents: Minutes: a)
Submitted - the report of the Cabinet Member updating the Committee on the actions taken since the Cabinet Member had submitted his report in September,
2016 asking the Committee
to support the intention to
review and prepare a Rights of Way Improvement Plan for Gwynedd. It was highlighted that Welsh Government had published guidelines for Local Authorities which explained the procedure and steps
that provided guidance on statutory
and ancillary requirements. Attention was drawn to the draft questionnaire that had been attached to
the report. The purpose of the questionnaire, which had been created with the
support of the Communications and Engagement Team, was to gather the opinion of
the public and specific cohorts on Rights of Way. It was also emphasised that the Plan would be prepared jointly with the
Snowdonia National Park Authority and the principles of this joint working was
highlighted to the committee. With the need to assess 3500km of network, it was
acknowledged that the task was a difficult one and was therefore reliant on the
support of others. b)
In response to the questionnaire, it was suggested that there was a need to include a box for 'children'
in the answers to question C5, 'Which of the following would you be likely to take with you?' c)
During the discussion the following observations were noted: ·
There was a lack of signs on paths ·
There was a need to
be aware of the problems that arose with landowners. It was suggested that
powers were needed to ensure that not one person was affected. ·
There was a need to
ensure that the AONB and the Countryside Unit contributed to the Plan. ·
More investment in
mountain and coastal paths ·
Must consider
adopting a policy to protect land between the coastal path and the sea and
ensure that people and landowners understood the situation ·
Lack of resources was likely to be a cause
for concerns regarding path maintenance ·
Grants were key to
the maintenance work ·
Suggestion to
coordinate volunteers and the youth services - must nurture respect towards
local assets within the community ·
Suggestion to promote
the pathwatch app among staff - effective for sharing
information In response to the observation regarding grants, it was accepted there were
different grants available for undertaking improvements, however the financial
timetable would force a programme of priorities. It was highlighted that categories 1 - 5 had
been formed to manage the resources and it was suggested that there was a need
to review these categories. It was also highlighted that Welsh Government
intended to review rights of way legislation and a consultation with practical
proposals was likely to be introduced in the coming months. RESOLVED: a)
To
support the Department to continue with the fields of work to be implemented in the next six months,
namely ·
Continue
to gather information regarding the condition of the network and commence
the work of analysing this information. · Work with SNPA to identify the ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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PLANNING SCRUTINY INVESTIGATION REPORT PDF 433 KB Cabinet Member: Councillor Dafydd Meurig Consider the Scrutiny
Investigation Group Report Additional documents:
Minutes: a)
The report of the Planning Scrutiny Investigation was submitted to the Cabinet Member. All members were reminded of the background of the brief and Councillor Eric M Jones, Chairman of the investigation, provided a summary of the work undertaken. b)
The
Cabinet Member thanked the Members for the good work undertaken
within a brief period of time. The recommendations were discussed one at a time and the following
observations were noted by the Cabinet Member: · The suggestion about the need for members along
with community council members to receive training to raise awareness and understanding of the contents of the Local Development Plan (once approved) was welcomed. · That a Ffordd Gwynedd review
of the service would be implemented as permitted by the timetable ·
Accept the need to include / draw specific attention to economic matters within Planning Committee reports c)
During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made:- · A suggestion that meeting timetables,
sharing good practice and appropriate
planning observations should be included in community council
training · A suggestion that positive observations
and the number of complaints should be included ·
Welcome the recommendation to collaborate with and facilitate
discussions with the Council's building control unit. RESOLVED to accept the report,
which was completed in a relatively short period of time, to approve the recommendations and seek a report from
the Cabinet Member
within 6 months on what has
been achieved following the recommendations. |
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STREET ENFORCEMENT SCRUTINY INVESTIGATION IMPLEMENTATION PDF 212 KB Cabinet Member:
Councillor John Wynn Jones To receive a report back from the Cabinet
Member on the implementation of the Scrutiny Investigation’s recommendations Additional documents: Minutes: a)
Submitted - a report by the Cabinet Member providing an update on
the work which had been implemented on the recommendations submitted in September
2016. It was highlighted that the unit had been restructured and the work of the team had been re-prioritised
to reflect the reduction in the number of staff in the Unit. It was noted that
the cuts had been difficult, but that the staff had responded
well. An update was provided on all the recommendations and the Members were asked
to consider conducting a new scrutiny investigation
to seek to resolve the best methods of simplifying the procedure in terms of sharing
information about refuse collections. During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were made:- ·
that all the 'Community Gangs' had been disbanded as a result of Gwynedd Challenge ·
A reduction in services
and therefore accept that there
was a need to introduce different methods of dealing with street
enforcement. ·
That people who litter
the streets should pay a penalty to maintain services ·
The Notice of Motion that had been submitted
to the Council about those who caused problems
when disposing of household rubbish on the wrong day
or in the wrong way and
the need to look further into the matter. ·
We must educate people
and consider vulnerable people if the intention was to introduce new arrangements ·
Support from Keep Wales Tidy and Council Officers had been very successful e.g. community litter picking campaigns. ·
Need to consider A level students taking BAC to volunteer along with Youth Clubs
(Guides, Brownies and Rainbows) who
worked for volunteering badges. Suggestion also to use the Probation Service. ·
Health and Safety issues
must be mitigated to facilitate arrangements for volunteers ·
Welcome the work being carried
out at the schools ·
Important to raise awareness and share information
at the right time if changes were
to be introduced b)
The
Cabinet Member asked the Members to encourage people to take advantage of Keep Wales Tidy campaigns. Gratitude was expressed for the information and best wishes
for a speedy recovery were sent to Peter
Simpson, Street Enforcement
Manger. RESOLVED: ·
The Committee is happy with the actions taken thus far ·
The department is preparing to communicate with Members and
the public before the trial period with
the external company commences ·
There is
a need to share good news and
continue with the work of raising awareness ·
To include the request for a scrutiny
investigation on enforcement when people act in breach
of the collection arrangement
to be added to the list of possible investigations for the consideration of the new Council |