Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Neill was nominated by Councillor Webb, seconded by Councillor Howells. 

Councillor Strong was nominated by Councillor Bond, seconded by Councillor Crook. Councillor Buckler was nominated by Councillor Pavia, seconded by Councillor Neill. 

The vote was tied with 4 for each nominee. With the Chair’s casting vote Councillor Buckler was appointed. 

None.

None.

Cabinet Member Angela Sandles, David Jones, Alun Thomas and Huw Owen introduced the report and answered the members’ questions. 

Key points made by members: 

• Regarding a court case for noise, asking whether the warrant to seize equipment was executed. Asking, in doing that, how the safety of officers is ensured. 

• Noting that he PSPO dog exclusion zones came into force on 1^st June but signs aren’t in place yet. Seeking reassurance that we will take enforcement seriously but also that common sense will be applied. Asking if prosecutions will take place before signs are up. 

• Members were concerned that there is a huge breadth of issues for the team to deal with, but there are only 8 officers. Wondering how the team would deal with a hypothetical case of a member of the public contacting the team about the illegal use of weedkiller in a public place. Asking if the expertise is in-house or would someone be brought in from outside. 

• Clarifying if it is a matter of liaising with other agencies rather than calling in outside contractors. 

• Asking if there has been a difference in food standards in businesses before and after the pandemic. Looking for more detail about how involved the team gets when things are unsatisfactory, and what measures are taken. 

• Regarding landlords, asking how unsatisfactory standards are flagged up for those renting, and if there is a structure in place to try to stop these problems. 

• Asking if there is a correlation between fly tipping and now having to have an appointment at waste depots. 

• Clarifying what proportion of animal health visits are farm or residential. 

• Noting that there is a typo on p1, 3.1: Performance & ‘Oversight’, should be ‘Overview’. 

• P7, financial generic costs: further explanation was sought about the difference from what was predicted. 

• P9-15, regarding areas where improvement is needed, asking what best practice is compared to equivalent counties, and how we are rating beyond the numbers, related to other groups. 

• Asking the reason for closures not being so good on Environmental Protection orders. Members noted that percentages are given but not the targets. 

• Asking what constitutes a closure, and if there is a sign off or agreement from the customer. 

• In terms of resources, members wanted to know if we have the capacity for enforcement and wanted further detail about resource vs risk and budget? 

• Seeking further explanation about additional complaints mentioned on p18, regarding noise. 

• Clarifying the feed issue in 5.4.1. 

• Regarding the Toilet Strategy, reminding the team that Councillor Pavia brought up Stoma-supporting facilities last year, and asking if that is part of the review. 

• As this item originally came to committee every 6 months, checking that the officers are content with bringing an annual report. 

• Seeking further explanation of the overspend for management and generic costs. 

• Asking for an explanation of the different way of reporting fly tipping, and whether numbers are down because of the way we’re reporting it. 

• Given that cost resources are a problem, members sought  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Cabinet Member Angela Sandles introduced the report with David Jones and Jennifer Walton, who answered the members’ questions. 

Key points made by members: 

• Asking if it is possible to give specifics of statutory targets relative to other/comparable areas. 

• Asking if ‘completion of work’ is a useful Key Performance Indicator? 

• Clarifying where records are kept e.g. at County Hall in an archive. 

• 4.5 and 5.2 mention new scrutiny procedures in relation to deaths – the need for additional documentation etc. – members sought more detail and asked if there is a resource implication 

• Asking if there is anything that officers would like to see changed in this service area, and if anything is flagged up that could be done better. 

• Noting the closure of the maternity unit at Nevill Hall, enquiring if there are any consequences of not having births registered in Monmouthshire, and whether there is anything that we should therefore consider. 

The Committee was satisfied with the performance of the service and the answers given to questions asked. 

Chair’s Summary: 

The committee wishes to commend the team for its excellent performance, particularly regarding customers seen and those looking for an appointment both running at 100%. The report was moved, seconded by Councillor Buckler. 

Noting David Jones’ retirement in September, the committee and council give thanks for his years of experience and hard work, and particularly for his work during the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. 

Note the extra and rearranged meetings due to the pre-election period. Note in particular the email sent yesterday as some times have changed. There are areas of performance in both reports today for which we would like to see comparable evidence in future reports to help further inform members and the public. 

Note that Mark Hand’s name is still against some of the items, though he has recently left the council. Craig O’ Connor is now Head of Placemaking. 

The minutes were confirmed. 

County Councillor Meirion Howells:

Under ‘Challenges’ – With the budgetary constraints are we asking our staff to take on the extra workloads of staff that have not been replaced, resulting, potentially, in staff having heavier workloads and leaving the authority to find less pressurised jobs with other companies.

Councillor Howells’ comments were gratefully noted here for the public’s benefit.