Agenda and minutes

Councillor Mark Strong apologised for being unable to attend the meeting.  

There were no disclosures of personal or prejudicial interests.

The Chairman welcomed Nerys Lewis and Peter Skitt to the meeting.  Nerys explained that following the withdrawal of Mid Wales Housing Association (subsequently Barcud) by mutual consent as a development partner all other partners remain fully committed to the delivery of the Integrated Resource Centre in Tregaron – Cylch Caron.  Nerys also explained that Peter Skitt had been leading this project since Sue Darnbrook, Statutory Director Social Services’ retirement as the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO). Peter advised Committee Members that a working group of Health Board and Council Officers are currently reviewing and updating the business case in preparation for progression of the scheme with a view to initiating a retendering for the development partner in Autumn 2021. The next step for the partnership project is to arrange a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event in order to re-establish the process of attracting a new development partner. A formal tender process will then take place.

Members then had the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Officers present. 

Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to note the information contained within the report. The Chairman thanked Peter Skitt and Nerys Lewis for attending and providing an update in relation to Cylch Caron.  The Chairman suggested another update is received in 6/8 months following the ‘Meet the Buyer’ event and the formal tender process. This was agreed.

The Chair welcomed Diana Davies and Lynne Walters to the meeting to present the report.

Councillor Bryan Davies referred to a concern which should be considered for raising at a future Public Services Board meeting concerning Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Councillor Davies asked for discussions at a future Scrutiny Committee in relation to this concern.  NRW licence Welsh Water to discharge sewage into untreated rivers. Councillor Davies referred to an example in his Ward which is the River Llethi, Llanarth and another in Gilfachreda. This river then flows into the sea between Traeth Gwyn and Cei Bach. A warning on social media this week warned the public not to bathe in the sea due to pollution!

Councillor Davies raised a further related concern regarding the high levels of Phosphates in the Teifi and the rivers / streams that flow into it. Planning applications that fall into these locations face a lengthy process due to NRW rules.  It affects two thirds of Ceredigion. Shouldn’t Welsh Water and NRW be rectifying the situation rather than blaming farmers or developers? 

It was agreed that Diana Davies would explore links with NRW and note  this concern at a future Public Services Board meeting.

       Lynne Walters presented the draft minutes of the PSB meeting held on the      12^th July 2021, the report for each of the PSB Project Groups and the Ceredigion Local Well-being Plan Annual Report for 2020-2021.

There were many questions which were answered in turn by Officers.  . It was also highlighted that the Ceredigion Public Services Board is currently carrying out an engagement exercise in order to inform the next Assessment of Local Well-being. They want to find out about the well-being of local people and communities, now and for the future. Many things can influence the well-being of individuals and communities, such as economic, social, environmental and cultural factors.  Information on the engagement has been sent to all Councillors, Community/Town Councils and other stakeholders for their input.  The closing date for responses to the Regional Well-being Survey is the 8^th October 2021.

       Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following recommendations:

Michael Smith was welcomed to present the report.

       Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to receive and endorse the Strategic Equality Plan (SEP) Monitoring Report April 2020 to March 2021 and to make recommendations as appropriate when the report is presented to Cabinet on the 5^th October 2021.

       Members agreed to receive and suggested that Cabinet should endorse the Strategic Equality Plan (SEP) Monitoring Report April 2020 to March 2021 as presented.

       The Chairman thanked Michael Smith for attending and presenting at the meeting.

Rob Starr and Alison Hodgson were welcomed to the meeting. Rob Starr presented the 2020/2021 Well-being and Improvement Objectives Annual Report.

       Following discussion, Members agreed the draft Well-being and Improvement Objectives Annual Report 2020-2021 prior to consideration by Cabinet and Council.

       The Chairman thanked Rob Starr and Alison Hodgson for attending and presenting at the meeting.

       The Chairman welcomed Elin Prysor and Hannah Rees to the meeting.  Hannah presented the report advising Committee Members that there has not been any RIPA activity by any service of the Council during the period of the   1^st December 2020 to 12^th August 2021.  Authorising Officers have confirmed that they have not considered any RIPA applications during this time. Hannah referred to the Corporate RIPA Policy and Procedures (draft document – appendix 1 of the agenda papers) providing a summary of the proposed changes. She then directed Members to the RIPA Social Media Policy (appendix 2 of the agenda papers) and use of the internet/social media.

       Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following recommendations:

1.    Note the content of the Report;

2.    Note that there has been no RIPA activity by any service of the Council during the period of the 1^st December 2020 to the 12^th August 2021; and

3.    Note the contents of the draft amended Corporate RIPA Policy and Procedures Document (Appendix 1) and draft RIPA Social Media Policy (Appendix 2), and recommends that Council approve the documents.

Committee Members agreed to (1) note the report content, (2) note that there has been no RIPA activity by any service of the Council during the period of the      1^st December 2020 to the 12^th August 2021; and; (3) note the contents of the draft amended Corporate RIPA Policy and Procedures Document and the draft RIPA Social Media Policy and agreed to recommend that Council approve the documents as presented.

Elin Prysor thanked Hannah for the work she has undertaken since she commenced her role 12 months ago. Hanna thanked Elin for her kind words and also thanked Alun Williams, Corporate Lead and Anne-Louise Davies, Trading Standards Officer for their input and support. 

The Chairman thanked Elin Prysor and Hannah Rees for attending and presenting the report.

The Statutory Director of Social Services, Sian Howys was welcomed to present the Safeguarding Report for quarter 4, 2020/2021.

       Following discussion, Committee Members agreed to note the contents of the report and the levels of activity within the Local Authority, so that governance of the Local Authority activity and its partner agencies are monitored. 

       The Chairman and seconded by the Committee Members took the opportunity to thank the Team for their continued and valued work during the pandemic.

       The Chairman also thanked Sian Howys for attending and presenting at the meeting.

Each Committee Chair provided information in turn regarding their respective Overview and Scrutiny Committees.  

Following discussion, it was agreed that Refuse Collection be considered at the January 2022, Thriving Communities Committee meeting.

Councillor Bryan Davies proposed to confirm the minutes of the Coordinating Committee meeting held on the 16 June 2021 as a true record and Councillor  Dan Potter seconded his proposal.  There were no matters arising from those minutes.

There were no other matters raised.

Councillor Rowland Rees-Evans, Chair, thanked Committee Members   for attending the meeting and to Officers for presenting the information in a clear and concise manner.  He thanked all officers involved for ensuring the smooth running of the meeting.