Cyflwynwyd gan:Cllr. Catrin Wager
Decision:
To accept and note the information
in the report.
Minutes:
The report was submitted by Cllr. Catrin Wager.
RESOLVED
To accept and
note the information in the report.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted noting that it considered two departments, starting with the Highways and Municipal Department. Attention was drawn
to the Clean and Tidy Communities project highlighting that this exciting project was one of the Council's priorities. It was stressed that there was a need to work with
communities to ensure that areas looked
clean and tidy. It was added that, during the previous Cabinet meeting, and investment was made in the teams
to lead on this work.
It was noted that the work of de-carbonising the fleet continued and that
two electric bin collection vehicles would arrive before
the end of the year. It was
added that a grant of
£300,000 has been received in order
to invest in large vehicle charging
points within the Council's locations.
The Playing Fields scheme was highlighted, emphasising that Playing Fields
had an important role within society.
It was explained that the department would re-commence the scheme of contacting Community Council or community groups in order
to give them an opportunity to look after and
run the children's playing fields. It was noted that the department would submit a bid to the transformation
fund to build on the work undertaken
until March 2020.
In terms of the performance of the Highways Department, it was noted that there had been a reduction in the recycling rates across the county. The need to remind individuals to recycle was outlined, and that the service
would continue over the Christmas period. It was noted that there had been and overspend
in the Waste field and that
this was a result of grant uncertainty, and it was explained that the department had commissioned reviews by WRAP to look in detail at the service and it was hoped to be able to report to the Cabinet shortly.
It was noted that the main priority of the
Gwynedd Consultancy department
was Managing Flood Risks in order
to keep the residents of
Gwynedd safe. Attention was
drawn to the Wnion scheme in
the Meirionnydd area where
the department was collaborating
with Snowdonia National
Park and neighbouring farms to see how
it could be possible to prevent flooding through natural control methods and promoting biodiversity
in doing so.
A budgetary concern was highlighted within the Consultancy department as the income figure had reduced after Welsh Government had withdrawn from the Llanbedr By-pass scheme. Despite
this, it was stated that the staff were busy seeking to recover the income through alternative schemes.
Observations arising from the discussion
¾
The report was welcomed and it was asked with the Wnion scheme in the Dolgellau area whether discussions would be held with
the Local Members. It was noted that local
discussions would be arranged in January.
¾
Attention was
drawn to the recycling rates
and it was outlined that there was a tendency for more recycling to occur over the summer months as opposed to the winter months. It was explained that the situation was seasonal historically and that tourism affected
the flow of residual waste being collected.
It was noted that the department faced a challenging period and that a specific
scheme would be needed to move ahead to recycle 70% of waste by March 2023.
¾
It was highlighted that there was no mention
of the departments' financial
situation in the performance reports and the need for
the information to be included
in future was noted.
¾
Support
was expressed for the Playing Fields scheme which was such an important
matter for Gwynedd residents. Compared with other counties,
it was noted that there had clearly been a lack of investment in playing
fields in Gwynedd and that the department
recognised the need to review and push
ahead with the scheme.
¾
It was agreed that there
was a need to prioritise
the flood prevention work as climate change was a concern for communities. It was added that development
work was currently being done to identify
priorities as there were clear risks
on the coast and inland as well.
Awdur:Steffan Jones and Huw Williams
Supporting documents: