Agenda item

To note and accept the information in the report.

The item was submitted by Cllr. Catrin Wager

RESOLVED

To note and accept the information in the report. 

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that it looked back over the Covid period and the staff were thanked for their work. It was explained that the department was now looking to return to work on strategic plans and the plans that can be seen on in the Council Plan were highlighted.

Attention was drawn to the Clean and Tidy Communities project highlighting that this exciting project meant working together with residents and communities to develop a Realisation Plan. The need to work with individuals and groups who were keen to play a role was emphasised, groups such as litter picking or gardening groups to allow collaboration in order to benefit the communities. The four work streams which were a part of the project were highlighted, noting that the first step would be to engage with Gwynedd residents and stakeholders and the work was started back in July 2021.

It was explained that Strengthening Communication and Engagement was one of the department's other priorities, seen in the Council Plan. It was explained that it was extremely important that residents were confident in the department's services and that concerns and enquiries were dealt with effectively.

It was noted that the work of replacing street lighting and signs to LED technology was continuing. It was explained that the street lights were dimmed at night and that this assisted wildlife also as flies and moths would not fly towards them. It was explained that the review of the control of the Council's fleet project continued and it was noted that the department had committed to take definite steps to reduce carbon emissions. It was explained that the department had recently ordered the first electric litter collection vehicle which would arrive before the end of the financial year and which would be a major step in reducing the service's carbon emissions.

It was noted that the Consultancy Department's work was progressing. It was highlighted that the department's work with flooding had increasing importance as protecting the residents of Gwynedd was very important.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾      It was noted that the department attracted a vast amount of money in order to maintain road standards and it was noted that this money was coming to an end and it was asked what the department would do. It was explained that the department took advantage of the grant funding and that it often funded improvements to Class 1 and 2 Roads and therefore the department's money funded the Class 3 and unclassified roads. It was explained that the standard of class 3 and unclassified road would deteriorate if the grant funding came to an end but that the department was in the process of creating a road asset plan which would give an idea of the department's priorities and standard.

¾      The need to live in clean and tidy communities was stressed, and that following years of cutbacks and savings, it was good to see developments in the department.

¾      A question was asked about where exactly waste within the county went as there was now more talk about British waste being seen across the world. It was explained that waste from Gwynedd was treated carefully and within Britain. It was explained that there had been an increase in residual waste and recycling as many people worked from home, while there had been a reduction in commercial waste.

¾    The department was thanked for its hard work during the summer but it was noted that many complaints had been made about weeds in various locations in the area. It was stressed that the department would be re-visiting the locations which had weeds and this would be seen in the Road Asset Plan.