Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr Craig ab Iago

DECISION

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted stating that the attitude and performance of the Department was encouraging. Attention was drawn to the Department's five priorities in the Council Plan noting that the Department was leading throughout Britain on some of the priorities, for example the work on the management of second homes and short-term holiday accommodation.

Attention was drawn to the waste and recycling service noting that the number of enquiries relating to missed waste collections had decreased over the current year as could be seen in Figure 1 in the report. It was highlighted that the Government's recycling target had been increased to 70% and that it was unlikely that the Department would meet the target this year. Nevertheless, it was noted that the new Waste Strategy for 2025-2030 was currently in draft form and the implementation of this Strategy would mean meeting the target. It was reiterated that the Waste Strategy would be submitted to the Cabinet in May or June.

Reference was made to the challenges in the Food and Safety service as identified in the report, highlighting that there were over 2,000 food businesses in the county. It was noted that many qualified and experienced staff had recently left or retired which had left a gap in the service. As a result of the staffing challenges and the importance of investing in officer training and shadowing experienced staff, it was expressed that the Department was looking for an Environmental Health professional trainee this year.

Observations arising from the discussion:

•           It was stated that the recruitment problems were constant themes and the importance of schemes such as the Trainee Scheme was emphasised.

•           It was enquired what was the result of not meeting the recycling target.

-           In response, it was stated that failure to meet the target would entail a risk of fines for the Council by the Welsh Government.

•           It was believed that there was a need to invest in training and educating county residents on the importance of recycling.

-           It was agreed that this was key and had already been identified as an area in need of attention.

•           It was asked what were the next steps in terms of the Waste Strategy.

-           It was explained that the Strategy would be submitted to Cabinet for approval to undertake a public consultation before reporting back on the results of the consultation and asking for the adoption of the Strategy. The Strategy would be implemented following approval.

•           Attention was drawn to the 'test purchase' exercises outlined in part 5.2.5 of the report stating that it was encouraging that the team was trying to ensure that shops did not sell fireworks to under-age children. It was enquired whether there were similar regulations relating to the sale of 'vapes'.

-           It was noted that dealing with risks arising from the sale of 'vapes' had been part of a project which was one of the service's priorities and across Wales as well as the sale of illegal tobacco. It was reiterated that the team was trying to stop the sale of the materials to under-age persons as well as trying to prevent illegal material from being sold. It was noted that this involved a lot of day-to-day work for the team; it was also added that businesses as well as consumers needed to be protected.