Agenda and minutes

County Councillor A. Webb.

County Councillor A. Davies declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in respect of item 7 and the petition Church Road High Risk Traffic Chaos – Church Road, Caldicot.

There were no members of the public present to address the committee.

The minutes of the Committee were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

County Councillor V. Smith raised concerns regarding the answers provided by People Services and asked as the questions were raised at a public meeting, the answers should be made available to the public, not just via email to County Councillors only.

It was asked how a Member could contribute to the setting of the Council budget and we were advised that Mark Howcroft would be happy to meet with Elected Members to discuss ideas and concerns.

County Councillor A. Easson requested that funeral and burials were added to the work programme. In answer to this the Head of Operations advised the Committee he will ask the Head of Service to prepare a paper on this.

Context:

To update members of the Select Committee on the progress towards the establishment of a Re-use shop at Llanfoist HWRC and the proposed operational management model.

Key Issues:

3.1 Waste and Street Services carry out bi-annual satisfaction surveys of waste services and consult with residents on areas they would like to see improvements.

3.2 A specific resident’s survey* was undertaken at Llanfoist HWRC in 2015.

98% of residents interviewed believed that a re-use shop was a good idea.

90% said that they had seen items in the skips that could have been re-used.

96% of residents said they would have items to donate to a re-use shop.

78% said they would occasionally buy items from a re-use shop. (*50 interviewed)

A successful re-use shop will establish the idea that HWRCs are no longer tips and dumps but places where re-use and recycling are the primary focus.

With procurement underway for the Transfer Stations and HWRCs, an onsite Re-use shop will be an additional and complimentary facility that can be achieved in tandem with the new contract.

Re-use shops on HWRCs are well established throughout the UK and the scale of operation and structure varies dramatically. Some shops are operated directly by the same council or contractors that manage the HWRC sites, whilst others are operated by SMEs, charities and community organisations.

Regardless of operational structure, they all have a common goal which is to turn waste into a valuable resource. Preventing good re-usable items from being disposed of. Returning items back into the economy - to be used again. Re-use shops can create new wealth and are a very tangible element of the circular economy. With a collaborative approach, they can be innovative and supporting of a diverse community, providing paid and volunteer career opportunities.

Appendix 1 describes in greater detail some of the operating models both locally and nationally and the proposed management structure for consideration.

Member Scrutiny:

Members applauded the scheme and appreciated the service offered but asked if there was any profit being made for Monmouthshire County Council.

In respect of resources, a Member asked about the Environmental Sustainable Development Grant, we were told that it is currently used to fund recycling and special projects including dog fouling and the reuse shop.

A Member welcomed the scheme and despaired of perfectly good items currently being thrown away.

In regard to publicising the scheme Members recommended Officers used all means at their disposal to ensure its success.

The Homemakers criteria was questioned as it was felt that their current criteria was not open enough to those in need. We were advised that the reuse shop would be completely separate to Homemakers current work.

Members asked if a delivery/collection scheme would be available to residents who cannot drive.

A Member spoke of a post war year when people were more reluctant to throw things away, it was felt there has been a change of culture and today’s throwaway society was much too wasteful.

It was asked if we  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Context:

To present to the Select Committee a draft of a new Monmouthshire County Council Tree Policy

Key Issues:

Over the past few years, a range of factors has led to the County Council response to managing its tree stock to become out of date and not fit for purpose. Factors include;

 Cuts to funding - changes in staff and structures has led to a fragmentation in responsibilities for trees decision-making process.

 Cuts to funding - Proactive inspections and maintenance has all but gone leading to an increase in risk and potential future workloads and costs.

 Lack of written process/policies - changes in structures and job roles and natural turnover in staff has meant that historic knowledge of council operations and behaviours has been partially lost and without clarity or process and policies, decisions are not consistent.

 The introduction of the My Council Services CRM system has made it easier for residents to contact us regarding all issues including those related to trees. This has led to an increased workload.

 Changes in our understanding of the value of trees in our rural and urban environments and the benefits they bring to our society and economy prompts us to think differently about how we care for our trees.

 New legislation relating to the natural environment and the wellbeing of future generations requires us to re-appraise our management of our natural assets.

Given the above, it is clearly time for a policy refresh to ensure that we provide up to date, fair and consistent service to our residents. To ensure that our service response to residents is efficient and that our decisions and actions are transparent and can be held to account, it is also necessary to update our outward facing documentation that explains how and why we are managing our trees and what the level of service they can expect when issues/concerns are raised.

With respect to how we approach this review, in an ideal world we would start with a wider review of our open spaces and natural assets as, in the same way our understanding of trees has improved, so has our wider understanding and approach to managing open spaces and natural assets of which trees are a part. A new tree policy would then, therefore, nest under, and align to, a broader Green Infrastructure Strategy. However, given the lack of clarity and consistency in our current service provision relating to tree safety, it is expedient to deal with the tree policy with regard to our reactive tree management in the first instance and give due regard to potential forthcoming views on the wider environment. Therefore, it is proposed that the tree policy be approached in three stages:

1. Production of a Tree Policy outlining our level of service with regard to the reactive management of trees.

2. Production of a proactive strategy for managing trees to ensure that potential tree related risks and future costs are mitigated 3. Incorporation of wider tree related issues in a new Green  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

1. Church Road High Risk Traffic Chaos – Church Road, Caldicot

2. Petition for road safety measures on A40 Raglan bypass

The committee received two petitions;

1. Church Road High Risk Traffic Chaos – Church Road, Caldicot

County Councillor Alan Davies initiated the petition and has grave concerns for the safety of residents, especially the children that attend the local school.

There has been instances of the road being gridlocked with Police attending on a regular basis.

In response the Head of Operations told the committee that they have looked at this issue previously to attempt to reduce the level of traffic. Previous options have not been progressed to date.  

He advised that he will ask his team to look at the issue again and will report back to the local Elected Member with a response.

2. Petition for road safety measures on A40 Raglan bypass

This petition has been presented to the County Council, however it is a trunk road and the Head of Operations will write to Welsh Government to advise them of the petition, reinforced by the local and Cabinet Member. (ACTION RH)

Members were in agreement that this letter should be sent as a priority and asked that a copy of the letter is distributed to the committee.

Context:

The Committee received a report from the Head of Operations regarding the HoV Food Waste Procurement – Evaluation of Invitation to Submit Initial Tenders & Identification of Preferred Bidder

Key Issues:

These were outlined by Officers.

Member Scrutiny:

Members scrutinised the report.

Members noted the work programme and asked that cemeteries and burials was added for a future meeting.

Members noted the Cabinet & Council forward planner.