Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report.

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.