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THE COUNTY COUNCIL OF THE CITY & COUNTY OF CARDIFF
The County Council of the City & County of Cardiff met at City Hall, Cardiff on Thursday 22 July 2010 to transact the business set out in the Council Summons dated 16 July 2010.
Present County Councillor Hyde, Lord Mayor (in the Chair); County Councillor Dianne Rees, Deputy Lord Mayor.
County Councillors Ali, Aubrey, Aylwin, Berman, Bowden, Bowen, Bridges, Burfoot, Burley, Carter, Chaundy, Clark, Ralph Cook, Richard Cook; Cowan, Cox, Kirsty Davies, Tim Davies, Dixon, Finn, Foley, Ford, Furlong, Gasson, Goodway, Greening, Clarissa Holland, Martin Holland, Hooper, Howells, Hudson, Ireland, Jerrett, Brian Jones, Margaret Jones, Jones- Pritchard, Joyce, Kelloway, Lansdown, Lloyd, Macdonald, McEvoy, McKerlich, Derrick Morgan, Elgan Morgan, Linda Morgan, Page, Jacqueline Parry, Keith Parry, Patel, Pickard, Piper, David Rees, Robson, Rogers, Rowland-James, Salway, Singh, Smith, Stephens, Wakefield, Walker, Walsh, Williams and Woodman.
Apologies: County Councillors Burns , Grant, Goddard, Griffiths, Islam, Montemaggi, David Morgan and Pearcy
(Prayers were offered by the Reverend Gareth Evans)
(Council on 23 September 2010 amended these minutes by the transfer of the names of Burns and Pearcy from the attendance list to the list of apologies)
42 : MINUTES 17 JUNE 2010
The minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2010 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor, subject to the following typographical corrections. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 98
(a) Corporate Questions, Page 49
Proposed by Councillor Ralph Cook
The amendment of the third sentence of the Supplementary question from Councillor Ralph Cook to read as follows:
Do you share my concern that the 22,000 properties that are currently void in this list here, at least a quarter of them on the basis of the St. Mellons figures there - because there has been very little change elsewhere since January – probably do have residents in them? And is there anything else you think you can do to round them up, especially in light of the Boundary Commission which makes so many decisions based on the number of people on the electoral roll, rather than sensible things like how many people there are.
(b) Communities, Housing and Social Justice Questions, Page 77
Proposed by Councillor Gasson
In the Supplementary question from Councillor Gasson the deletion of the words ‘Anti Social Behaviour Officer’ and the substitution of the words ‘ACPO Officers’ (Chief Constable, Deputy Chief Constable and Assistant Chief Constables)
43 : CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
(The Chairman reminded Members of their responsibility under Article 16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct to declare any interest, and to complete Personal Interest forms, at the commencement of the item of business.)
Councillors Cowan and Robson declared a personal interest in the Re- Appointment of Nominees to the Standards & Ethics Committee as one nominee was a family friend.
1. Former Councillor Vita Jones
The Lord Mayor sadly announced that former Councillor Vita Jones had recently died. Councillor Jones who was first elected to the South County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 99
Glamorgan County Council in January 1975 represented the Rumney Division until June 1983. She was re-elected in May 1985 to 1995 representing the Llanedeyrn Division. From 1995 to 2004 Councillor Jones represented the Pentwyn Ward of Cardiff Council. She had held a number of important roles in both Authorities including the Deputy Chair of the Property Services Committee and from 1999 to 2004 she held the position of Deputy Presiding Officer. 2. Retirement of Tom Morgan, Acting Chief Executive
The Lord Mayor referred to the impending retirement of Tom Morgan as Acting Chief Executive of Cardiff Council and with the approval of Council agreed that Council’s standing orders be suspended to allow Members to express their good wishes to the Chief Executive.
The Lord Mayor called on the Leader of the Council, Councillor Rodney Berman, followed by Councillors David Walker (Conservative), Neil McEvoy (Plaid Cymru), Jayne Cowan (Independent) and Russell Goodway (Labour), who all expressed their thanks to the Chief Executive for the service he had given to the Council during a very successful and progressive time for the City. They all added their best wishes to Tom and his family and wished him well in the future.
Councillor Monica Walsh expressed her thanks also to the Chief Executive.
3. Awards
The Lord Mayor referred to the following awards:
Catering Awards
Sue Eakers, Direct Service Unit Group Manager was awarded a UK industry award for her commitment to her role and the enormous contribution she had made to the school meals service. She received the prestigious Roger Davies Outstanding Achievement Award at the Local Authority Caterers Association national awards at the NEC in Birmingham last month.
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The catering team at Ysgol Glantaf was also recognised and short listed for the Secondary School Catering team award.
Local Training and Enterprise, Jasmine Centre
The Local Training and Enterprise’s Jasmine Centre was recently awarded a Careers Wales Social Inclusion Adult award. The Jasmine Centre helped unemployed adults find work or training. They also signposted to specialist agencies for identified support. They offered support in compiling CVs, interview techniques and job search. It provided an informal, non threatening environment for clients to meet with a Careers Wales Adviser to discuss employment related issues. They also offered various training programmes such as first aid and food hygiene. They organised employment events encouraging employers to advertise vacancies at the centre. Clients valued the support offered at the centre and feedback was always positive. The centre had developed a very positive relationship with Careers Wales enabling people to access our services who may well have felt unable to attend our more formal city centre offices.
Local Training & Enterprise was just about to open a new Central Enterprise Centre in City Road, doubling the floor space for support to job seekers and employers, responding to the demand for LT&E services, which was growing rapidly in this economic climate .
Adamsdown Neighbourhood Project
A neighbourhood regeneration project to transform an open space in Adamsdown was awarded runner up in the National Local Government News- Street Design Competition under the Urban Green Space category.
The project had transformed redundant open space into a unique and exciting space for local people to utilise and enjoy. A key feature of the space was bespoke functional public art designed for creative play. It was one of a series of green spaces in the ward of Adamsdown that had been transformed through a programme of environmental improvements in this designated renewal area.
Extensive consultation was carried out with the local people over a three month period, making sure invaluable local knowledge and opinions were County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 101 received and the ideas for the space were also inspired by models made by children from the nearby Adamsdown Primary School.
Excellence Wales
The shortlist of finalists for Excellence Wales’ Welsh local public services’ award scheme was recently announced with Cardiff Council’s name found on two out of the three categories. Cardiff had been recognised in the ‘Our homes – delivery good quality affordable housing’ category and ‘Our Services - delivering high quality, citizen-centred services’ for our partnership working on the South East Wales Improvement Collaborative project.
The winners would be announced at an Efficiency and Innovation Conference in the autumn.
Civil Parking Enforcement
Paul Thomas, Operational Manager for Transport Network Management and his team successfully launched the new Civil Parking Enforcement scheme across the city on the 5 July.
A strong team of 34 officers had been transferred over to the Council from the Police. The team consisted of:
• 28 Civil Enforcement Officers
• 5 Senior Civil Enforcement Officers
• 1 Team Leader.
The team were tackling illegal parking across the city, seven days a week, 7am -10pm issuing fines up to £70 for those caught illegally parked
4. Microphone System and Recording of Proceedings The Lord Mayor updated Members on the sound and voting system which had proved to be extremely unreliable in recent times. He stated that whilst the relevant officers of the County Council had worked closely with Tyco, the systems supplier, to the extent that representatives of the company had been present throughout most of the recent meetings of Council, problems had continued to be experienced. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 102
Last month a specialist senior engineer from Tyco had been commissioned by the company to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the ongoing failures. The investigation had now been concluded and a report received from the company. The report highlighted defective under floor cabling as the principle source of the problems experienced. It was intended to remove the flooring and inspect all cabling during the summer recess. All faults identified would be rectified with a view to the system being fully operational in September 2010.
5. Webcasting and Recording of Proceedings
Members were reminded of a decision of the Constitution Committee on 10 July, 2008 to webcast the Council meeting.
Members were also reminded that the Constitution Committee had previously agreed that Council proceedings be recorded for administrative purposes.
Formal approval to record the proceedings was granted.
44 : PUBLIC QUESTIONS
Question : Jon Tuck
Democracy is normally considered to be the will of the majority as expressed by their elected representatives. Could the Leader please explain why in the case of the proposed schools reorganisation in Cardiff East it appears the will of the minority is being imposed on the majority?
Could he also state whom the Executive consulted when deciding to reject the results of a local referendum and would the decision have been any different had it been a city wide referendum on the protection of green spaces?
Reply : Councillor Berman
As was outlined in the approval letter (dated 23 March 2010) from the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Children, Education and Lifelong Learning, the purpose of consultation is to provide the local County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 103 authority with the views of interested parties and to show that the local authority demonstrated thoroughness by considering a number of other options before progressing the proposal to statutory notice.
Officers undertook a thorough analysis of other options in this part of east Cardiff and the Executive’s decision on 4 December 2008 was taken on educational principles, recognising that the proposed option for the location of the new school offered the best educational solution and outcomes for future generations of school children in that part of the city.
Above all, the Council’s decision was necessary if the Council is to tackle the issue of surplus places in Cardiff schools, which currently means around £3 million of the money we spend on education is effectively wasted rather than funding the actual teaching of pupils.
Having undertaken that process, the Minister has outlined to us that he expects local authorities would proceed in accordance with whatever proposals are believed to be in the best interest of pupils after giving proper weight to the representations received, including the community poll.
In reaching his decision, the Minister said he felt that the responses made by the Council adequately answered the main issues raised in the statutory objections and that the educational merits of the proposal are sufficient to outweigh the arguments of objectors on those grounds. He added that he was satisfied with the local authority’s explanations for rejecting the alternative sites and noted that another site could have been a more costly option.
Following the community poll that was held in February 2009, which was called by the local communities in Rumney and Llanrumney, the Council took the decision that the outcome of the poll did not detract from the analysis that the Council’s proposal offers the best educational solution, as had been recognised by Cardiff’s Secondary Headteachers. The local authority is not under a legal duty to comply with the outcome of a community poll and was not in breach of its statutory powers in proceeding to publish the statutory notices on 20 March 2009.
Whilst the Executive recognised that some members of the community advocated locating the new school on the site of the existing Rumney High, it needs to be acknowledged that just to provide a partial County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 104 refurbishment of the existing Rumney High building together with a new- build extension would cost an additional £5.6 million. That would undoubtedly fail to offer the same state-of-the-art facility that a complete new-build school would provide. The wisdom of spending substantially more for a substantially inferior product could therefore be questioned.
Furthermore, to build a totally brand new school on the existing Rumney High site would require the best part of £10 million more than the council’s proposal, and would therefore be substantially more expensive again.
Even leaving the impact on educational outcomes aside, the Executive also had to take into account the impact a significantly more expensive solution for the east of Cardiff would have on the availability of funding for investment in schools in other parts of the city. The Executive is conscious of the fact that funding needs to be secured to provide much- needed investment in other schools in the city, including those schools that might not specifically be directly affected by any reorganisation proposals. At secondary level, this would include schools such as Willows High, Fitzalan High and Cathays High.
So whilst the Council's Executive does have to give consideration to the views being expressed by residents in Rumney and Llanrumney, it also has to consider how people in other communities might feel about further investment being made in that part of the city if that could only be achieved at the expensive of much-needed investment then being available for their local schools.
Supplementary Questio n: Jon Tuck
When the Statutory Notice was issued it stated quite clearly that the proposals were from this Council, the City & County Council of Cardiff, which I take to be this body in its entirety and not just the Executive. I thought that there had been a vote in this Chamber on the matter and it was only when I consulted my local Councillor that I found that there hadn’t been. Why hasn’t there been a vote in this Chamber? Don’t you think every resident of this City needs to know every elected Councillor’s attitude towards building on parks and green spaces? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 105
Reply : County Councillor Berman
Thank you, Mr Tuck. I am sure a lot of people would have sympathy with that point. The fact is that we have to be constrained by what the law says and the Local Government Act of 2000 stated that about 85% roughly of the decisions that we make as a Council have to be made by the Executive alone.
Now that was something that was very much the vision of the then UK Government led by Tony Blair. They brought that in and I can’t say that I necessarily was entirely supportive of that approach. But nonetheless that’s what we’ve got and the law quite clearly states that deciding on going ahead with schools’ proposals and publishing statutory notices is a decision that has to just be taken by the Executive.
So it’s not something that we did because we wanted to deny other Members of the Council a vote. We have to follow what’s laid out in law.
45 : PETITIONS
The following petitions were submitted:
1. Councillor Page – 21 residents of St Asaph Close, Heath request the Council to resurface the road at St Asaph Close because of the poor condition which is causing considerable problems to residents.
2. Councillor Greening – residents of Atlantic Wharf call for the Council to install parking restrictions in the form of double yellow lines at the following destinations because inconsiderate parking seriously impedes the flow of traffic and causes obstruction and danger to local residents. • Both sides of the bridge in Celerity Drive • At the entrances to Roxby Court, Thornaby Court, Moorby Court, Haxby Court and Newby Court • At the entrances to all courts off Llansannor Drive County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 106
46 : ANNUAL COUNCIL REPORTING FRAMEWORK – DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES REPORT 2009/10
(Councillor Carter declared a personal interest in the Social Services Annual report as he is employed by MS Society Wales.)
From 2009/10, the Statutory Director of Social Services in each Council in Wales was required to produce and publish an Annual Report on the effectiveness of their social services. The Executive approved the Report on 15 July 2010 and agreed that it be forwarded to Council for information.
As this was the first year of this reporting requirement, the Report and the systems and processes established to inform its production would be refined and developed for future years taking into consideration feedback and comments received on the report this year.
A draft version of the report had been submitted for scrutiny by the Children and Young People and Community and Adult Scrutiny Committees on 28 June 2010 and their observations had been taken on board.
Councillor Dixon, Executive Member, introduced the report and the Lord Mayor invited debate and comments on the report.
The Executive Member accepted an amendment proposed by Councillor Ralph Cook as follows:
The deletion of the last sentence of paragraph 2 of the Foreward (page 3) of the Director of Social Services Annual Report 2009/10 and the substitution of the following:
Most significantly a draft version was submitted for scrutiny at a joint meeting of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee and the Community and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee and this version of the report has been able to take account of the observations from the meeting held on 28 June 2010.
RESOLVED – That report be noted.
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47 : STANDARDS & ETHICS COMMITTEE 6 TH ANNUAL REPORT 2009/10
The Lord Mayor welcomed the Chair and members of the Standards & Ethics Committee. Mr Hanuk spoke on the Committee’s Annual Report. This was the Committee’s sixth Annual Report and he thanked the members of the Committee and supporting officers of the Secretariat. Mr Hanuk welcomed a general debate on conduct and remarked on how it impacted on the behaviour of Members inside and outside of the Chamber and in their role as community leaders. How Members conducted their business had a major impact on people’s trust and confidence in local democracy.
Mr Hanuk pointed out that the Annual Report contained a full report on the Standards Conference which had been held last October in the City Hall. The Report also contained a summary of the Ombudsman’s guidance which had recently been issued. Mr Hanuk urged Members to attend the refresher course on conduct. Mr Hanuk then answered questions on the Annual Report. In conclusion, the Lord Mayor and Members expressed their thanks to the Chair and his Committee for the work undertaken.
RESOLVED – That the sixth Annual Report 2009/2010 of the Standards & Ethics Committee be received.
48 : RE-APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS TO THE STANDARDS & ETHICS COMMITTEE
The Standards Committees (Wales) Regulations 2001 (as amended) provided for an independent member of a standards committee to be re- appointed for one further consecutive term of up to 4 years. Council on 17 December 2009 had re-appointed Mr Akmal Hanuk as an Independent member of the Standards & Ethics Committee for one further term expiring on 1 November 2013.
The term of office of the 4 remaining Independent members was due to expire on 27 July 2010 and these members were eligible for re- appointment. The Standards & Ethics Committee on 23 March 2010 had County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 108 endorsed their requests and had recommended that Council approve the re-appointments for one further 4 year term to 27 July 2014.
Mr Hanuk reported that Members were mindful of the expertise that had been gained over the years and were prepared to stagger their retirements from the Committee.
RESOLVED – That Maureen Hedley-Clarke, Deidre Jones, Anne Morgan and Paul Stockton be re-appointed as Independent Members of the Standards & Ethics Committee for one further term of 4 years which will commence on 27 July 2010 and expire on 27 July 2014.
49 : LICENSING: THE ADOPTION OF POWERS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF ACUPUNCTURE, TATTOING, SEMI- PERMANENT SKIN COLOURING, COSMETIC PIERCING AND ELECTROLYSIS Council received a report seeking authorisation to apply the provisions of Sections 14 to 17 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to the City and County of Cardiff to make new byelaws in respect of matters relating to the business of acupuncture, tattooing, semi- permanent skin-colouring, cosmetic piercing and electrolysis following the recent publication by the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) of a model set of byelaws and to authorise the revocation of the existing byelaws relating to the same matters, such revocation to take effect upon the coming into force of the new byelaws.
The report had been considered by the Public Protection Committee on 6 July 2010 and referred to Council
RESOLVED – That
(1) in accordance with Section 13(2) of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (“the 1982 Act”), the Council resolve to apply the provisions of sections 14 to 17 of Part VIII of the 1982 Act to the City and County of Cardiff to come into force on 9 September 2010;
(2) the notice of resolution detailed in Appendix A to the submitted report be approved;
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(3) the Chief Legal Services Officer be authorised to carry out the public notice procedure required by Section 13 of the 1982 Act;
(4) the proposed byelaws attached to Appendix B of the submitted report be approved and the Chief Legal Services Officer be authorised to;
i) make and seal the byelaws once the Council’s resolution has come into force as referred to in the first recommendation in this report;
ii) publish the notice of the Council’s intention to apply for confirmation of the byelaws; and
iii) seek confirmation from the Welsh Assembly Government to allow the implementation of the byelaws
(5) the existing byelaws referred to under paragraph 1.10 of the report be revoked, such revocation to take effect simultaneously upon the coming into force of the new byelaws.
50 : APPOINTMENT AND REMOVAL OF LEA SCHOOL GOVERNORS
The Council was recommended to approve the appointment of LEA School Governors as listed in the appendix to the report.
RESOLVED - That the following appointment of School Governors be approved: County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 110
(a) LEA Governor Vacancies School Ward Start of Applications Vacancy Christ The Church RC Llanishen 16/09/09 Cllr R Foley Primary Llanedeyrn High Pentwyn 29/09/09 Mr G N Jones Llanedeyrn Primary Pentwyn 17/04/10 Mrs N S Whitefield Radnor Primary Canton 10/03/10 Mr S K Peasley Ysgol Gymraeg Coed Y Fairwater 25/02/09 Mrs S Rolph Gof
(b) Future LEA Governor Vacancies
School Ward Start of Applications Vacancy Allensbank Primary Gabalfa 17/09/10 Cllr C Pearcy Corpus Christi RC High Lisvane 17/09/10 Mrs K Brown Creigiau Primary Creigiau & St 17/09/10 Mr W E Owen Fagans Lansdowne Primary Canton 17/09/10 Mr N Patel Lansdowne Primary Canton 17/09/10 Mr B N Singh Llanrumney High Llanrumney 17/09/10 Cllr H Joyce Michaelstone Ely 29/09/10 Mr M Cox Community College Michaelstone Ely 29/09/10 Mrs A Dunne Community College St Bernadette’s RC Pentwyn 19/09/10 Mrs C Ogbonna Primary The Court School Llanishen 01/09/10 Mrs G N Unwin Ysgol Gyfan Gymraeg Fairwater 17/09/10 Ms R Parry Plasmawr Ysgol Gyfan Gymraeg Fairwater 17/09/10 Rev T E Morgan Plasmawr County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 111
Appointments to Temporary Governing Body School
‘Eastern’ School Ward Applications LEA Governor (5) Cllr Heather Joyce Cllr Derrick Morgan Mr John Marshall Mr Robert Derbyshire Mrs Margaret Ireland Parent Governors (6) Ms Deborah (5 appointed - 1 vacancy) Howden Mrs Martine Green Mr David Mawn Mrs Susan Mulcahy Mrs Sharon Preddy
(The following report and appendix were confidential and not for publication by virtue of a Direction from the Ombudsman under Section 17(9) of the Public Service Ombudsman (Wales) Act 2005.
As a result of the exemption, members of the public and press were excluded from the meeting during its consideration and the webcam was temporarily turned off.)
51 : PUBLIC SERVICES OMBUDSMAN’S REPORT
This was a confidential report that was not for publication by direction of the Ombudsman. The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (Ombudsman) had investigated complaints made by Mr A. The Ombudsman had upheld those parts of Mr A’s complaint which related to the Council’s complaint handling and the provision of feedback. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 112
RESOLVED – That
1. the recommendation in the Ombudsman’s report be accepted;
2. the actions taken by the Children’s Services Officer be noted.
52 : CORPORATE STATEMENT (County Councillor Berman)
BBC Drama Production Centre
On 24 June 2010, I attended the launch of the construction work on the BBC Drama Production Centre at Roath Basin which will eventually house productions including Casualty , Pobol y Cwm , The Sarah Jane Adventures and Doctor Who. The new centre will be a lynchpin for the wider development of a dynamic creative industries sector, creating jobs and stimulating community regeneration. It will enhance Cardiff’s strong reputation as a creative industries hub. The development of this sector is becoming an increasingly important part of our local economy, benefiting not just the city but the whole of the region and I am delighted that Cardiff Council is a partner in this exciting new development together with the BBC, Welsh Assembly Government, Igloo Regeneration and construction company Vinci. Basic building work on the project is due for completion in the summer of 2011.
National Armed Forces Day 2010
I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all Members and Officers involved in the hosting of National Armed Forces Day 2010 on 26 June. This event was only the second of its kind in the UK and it was the first time that Wales has played host. I have been overwhelmed by the response, not only from those who generously supported the event through sponsorship but by the numbers who attended the event and the associated national media response.
The day began with a military parade from Cardiff Castle to Cardiff Bay, and consisted of service men and women from the Royal Navy, Army (Regular and Territorial Army Contingent), the Royal Air Force, the Cadet Forces and Veterans. The route was lined by thousands of well- wishers waving Armed Forces Day flags. At Cardiff Bay, the crowds County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 113 gathered to cheer on the parade as it entered Roald Dahl Plass to attend a drumhead service which was concluded by a fly past from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.
The afternoon’s activities were staged at the Bay and included fly-pasts by the Red Arrows, military displays and a dynamic air display. The Royal Navy frigate HMS Kent also welcomed thousands of people on board. It is estimated that 70,000 to 80,000 people enjoyed the event overall.
In addition to Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, the event was attended by the Defence Secretary Liam Fox, the Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup, the First Minister Carwyn Jones and the Secretary of State for Wales Cheryl Gillan. The event was further supported by civic, political and military representatives from across the UK and Wales.
It was particularly encouraging to learn that Armed Forces Day led the UK media news bulletins throughout Saturday, even knocking the topical G8 conference off the top spot at lunchtime and teatime. In addition the social media channels were also well supported with Armed Forces Day claiming the number 2 trending topic worldwide, eclipsing Glastonbury and the World Cup.
I believe that as an authority we have once again demonstrated our national event staging pedigree and have provided a firm foundation for Edinburgh to build upon for 2011. I wish them well.
Commonwealth Local Government Conference update
Members will be aware that Cardiff Council, in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government, will host the 6 th Commonwealth Local Government Conference at City Hall in Cardiff from 15-18 March 2011. In support of the conference, I was delighted to launch the outline programme and conference theme to an invited audience of partners, stakeholders and sponsors at the Mansion House on 29 June 2010.
I also further promoted the conference during a fringe meeting held by the Local Government Alliance for International Development at the recent LGA Annual Conference in Bournemouth on 6 July.
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The conference theme for 2011 will be Energising Local Economies: partnerships for prosperous communities and will seek to: • promote the role of local government in local economic development; • highlight the role of central/state government in setting the national policy framework and establishing an enabling environment to ensure that local economic development supports national priorities; • consider the role of local authorities in energising local economies, including facilitating economic growth to tackle poverty and improve the quality of life of citizens; and • look at ways in which councils are joining in partnerships with the private sector to boost inward investment, jobs and skills.
We hope that colleagues from across the Commonwealth will come to share and learn from our experiences, and that we will also have the opportunity to hear from them about some of the innovative ways in which they are funding sustainable solutions to boosting local economies.
Public Services Summit
On 2 July I attended the Welsh Assembly Government’s second Public Services Summit. This provided an important opportunity for public service leaders to consider collectively the major funding and service delivery challenges facing Wales at the present time. The event featured keynote addresses by several Welsh Assembly Government Ministers, including the First Minister, and also showcased examples of best practice such as Cardiff’s innovative approach to neighbourhood management.
Launch of ‘Out, Proud & Living With It!’ Booklet
On 10 July I was pleased to speak at the launch event of the booklet 'Out, Proud & Living With It!'. The booklet was put together by young people involved with the Loud & Proud (LGBT) Youth Provision and offers advice and guidance on issues and topics relating to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people.
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The launch also provided an opportunity to celebrate Loud & Proud's first year of operation and showcased the work young people have achieved during this time.
Pont Y Werin launch
Together with the Executive Member for Traffic and Transportation, the Deputy First Minister and the Welsh Minister for Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing, I was delighted to participate in the official opening of Pont Y Werin, the People’s Bridge, on 14 July.
The new bridge provides an important link for pedestrians and cyclists between the Vale of Glamorgan and the International Sports Village as well as completing the 10 km bay edge route with connections to the City Centre and the Taff and Ely trails. The construction project was an example of successful partnership working being completed on budget with funding provided by Sustrans (through the Big Lottery), the Welsh Assembly Government and the Vale of Glamorgan Council in addition to Cardiff Council’s own contribution.
Forthcoming Executive Business
I wish to remind Members that the next scheduled Executive Business Meeting will be held at 2.00 pm on Thursday 9 September 2010. In accordance with the usual arrangements, I wish to advise Members that reports on the matters set out below will be coming forward for consideration by the Executive in the near future. The consideration of each item of business will be subject to the Council’s established business arrangements and timetabling constraints. In accordance with legal requirements, the papers for Executive Business Meetings will be circulated at least three clear days prior to each meeting and posted on the website prior to the meeting taking place.
The following items are currently scheduled to be considered on 9 September 2010:
Corporate
• Statutory Improvement Plan • 2010/11 Quarter 1 Performance Reports • 2011 Census Strategy County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 116
• Outcome Agreement between Cardiff Council and the Welsh Assembly Government
Communities, Housing & Social Justice – Councillor Judith Woodman
• Cardiff Homelessness Strategy 2010-2015 • Interim Disability and Gender Equality Scheme 2010 -11 • Local Housing Strategy Update 2010
Environment - Councillor Margaret Jones
• The declaration of the Nant Fawr Corridor as a Local Nature Reserve • Cardiff Local Development Plan: Delivery Agreement
Finance & Service Delivery – Councillor Mark Stephens
• Budget Monitoring – Month 3 Report • Treasury Management Annual Report 2009/10 • Records Management Policy
Traffic & Transportation – Councillor Delme Bowen
• Flood Risk Management
53 : CORPORATE QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Walker
The Council recently hit the national headlines for the wrong reasons. It was ranked third worst in the UK for its high levels of absence and sickness. On the last occasion that the cost of this absence was estimated the annual figure was over £50m. What is the current estimated annual cost of sickness absence in the Council?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I would refute the accuracy and validity of the figures you refer to in your question, as the survey was based on a quite limited sample of responding County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 117 local authorities in the UK, with many of those surveyed failing to provide any information.
You will be aware from a presentation given at the Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee on 7 July 2010 that Cardiff was, in fact, ranked 15 th amongst the 22 local authorities in Wales in 2008/09 (12.60 days lost).
This improved further in 2009/10, when the overall figure for sickness absence across the Council was 5.31%. This equates to 11.88 days lost per full time equivalent employee. It had also improved from 2007/08 when the figure was 6.10% or 13.27 days per FTE.
However, we fully recognise the scope and need for further improvement. Whilst the recent press coverage portrays a particular picture, it does illustrate that we have work to do to continue, and to accelerate, the improvement we have already made.
You will be aware that both the Policy Review & Performance Scrutiny Committee and the Executive have taken a detailed interest in sickness absence, and we have worked hard to develop effective policies and procedures in the context of the framework of national terms and conditions. We have also invested in systems development and training for managers to drive compliance with those policies and ensure that they are implemented consistently across all service areas.
Your specific question is about the annual cost of sickness absence in the Council. I am not sure where you get the £50 million figure but for 2009/10 Officers estimate the costs of cover specifically related to absence as £1,062,446. This includes Cardiff Works and external agency providers managed through Commensura.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Walker
Does the Leader recall in the recent past that the cost of agency staff to this Council was in the region of £20 million per annum, much of which would have been to compensate for absence and sickness, and therefore ask Officers to revisit the figures that he has quoted here just to make sure that it is accurately depicted because I suspect that it may not be and that the figure is considerably higher than the one shown on his response?
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Reply: County Councillor Berman
I’m not sure that the figure is correct and one thing I would point out to you Councillor Walker is that we have often engaged agency staff in areas of work where there is a variation in the workload at different times in the year so that we can have a workforce at any given time that better suits the amount of work that needs to be done.
We have given the examples many times before in this Chamber about using agency staff. For instance, in Waste Management if you are collecting garden waste there’s going to be more garden waste collected in the summer months than in winter months, so you need more staff to do that. We have talked about staff in Parks, for instance, because obviously again there is more work to be done in Parks during the summer months than there is in the winter months.
So I do not accept what you are saying in terms of questioning what’s been in the original answer. The original answer specifically refers to the cost of engaging staff to cover absent colleagues and that is, as far as I’m aware, a quite accurate figure which is just over £1 million – which compares with the £50 million figure that you quoted. I think what it suggests is that the £50 million is not in anyway accurate and is a somewhat bloated figure.
Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
The online register of Councillor attendance does not appear to have been updated since the last local government elections:
a) why is this? b) will you take steps to rectify the situation immediately? c) what steps will you take to ensure that the details are maintained accurately and regularly from now on?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
Details of the attendance of individual Members at committee meetings are recorded throughout the municipal year and accurate registers are maintained on a regular basis throughout the year. This information is published on the Council’s website at the end of the municipal year once it has been circulated to Members for final checking. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 119
I understand that the attendance figures for 2009/10 will be emailed to Members before the end of this week, prior to those figures being published on the website in due course.
You are correct in saying that the figures for the previous year (2008/09) were not available on the Council’s website at the time of asking your question. This was due to an administrative error which has now been corrected.
Question: County Councillor Cowan
On the Environment Agency Website (20 th July 2010) a statement confirms, “The Environment Agency has issued an environmental permit (discharge consent) to drain down the remaining water in Llanishen Reservoir.” Will the Executive Member comment on the statement and advise Council if a statement will be issued from the Council on this important matter?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I am extremely disappointed and frustrated at the action being taken by Western Power Distribution (WPD) to drain the remaining water from Llanishen Reservoir. This Council secured the right to a new lease for the sailing centre on this site through court action and has explored several other avenues to prevent these waters being drained. Unfortunately, the Council and other agencies have been unable to prevent the draining of the reservoir.
The Environment Agency is the body responsible for licensing this activity and I am aware that they have now granted that approval. The water levels were initially reduced to the level that prevented sailing at this location in April this year and we will continue to monitor levels and aim to reintroduce sailing activities on Llanishen Reservoir when the water returns to the appropriate levels again.
It has been suggested that it will take around 8–10 years for the reservoir to be re-filled if this is left to be done naturally. This is unacceptable and the Council will put pressure on the relevant agencies to ensure that the reservoir is refilled by the company as quickly as possible.
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Question: County Councillor Walker
For 2009/10, the indicative days lost through employee absence and sickness in Adult Services was 20.97 days, in Highways and Waste Management 20.16 days, in Culture Leisure and Parks 15 days and in Children’s Services 14.47 days. These exceptionally high departmental absence figures cause the Council’s overall average to rise to the current and unacceptable 11.9 days for the Authority. Will the Leader direct these specific departments to focus on the causes of these high levels of absence as a priority and set their managers new and demanding targets for reducing them in this and future financial years?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I accept that there are some service areas in which staff face greater challenges in terms of manual working, working outdoors or in personal care provision. Such working environments present various workforce issues that are not unique to Cardiff.
In Adult Services, performance has improved from 23.26 in 2008/9 to 20.97 days in 2009/10. Using the measure of percentage working days lost, the picture improved from 10.4 to 9.53 for the same period. The result for the first quarter in 2010/11 is 7.89%.
Predictably, the highest rates of sickness within the service have been experienced in direct service provision. The most commonly reported cause of sickness absence is stress, which is reported as being not work- related in most cases. Infection control procedures are also a factor in terms of sickness absence rates among those who are working either in direct support of service users or working with food. They dictate that anyone who was suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting needs to be clear for 48 hours before a return to work if they are working either in direct support of service users or working with food.
The establishment of a new Waste Management and Street Cleansing service will serve to increase the focus on the sickness absence problem in this area. The two key functions – Street Cleansing and Sustainable Waste Management – are areas containing high numbers of manual activities and jobs that are undertaken in all weather conditions with an ageing workforce carrying out those duties. Correspondingly the highest sickness absence is reported in direct service provision. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 121
There are signs of progress. A downward trend is apparent in the Sustainable Waste Management for long term sickness and at one point this was managed down to zero in 2009/10. But this does not negate the need for further progress to be made over the coming year and short term sickness is a pressing issue that will be the subject of concerted attention on the part of management. This will be undertaken in the context of the strategy and service review currently being undertaken.
In moving forward, further improvements can be made and management will be focusing on a range of key areas:
• Rigorous application of the corporate policy framework on sickness absence; • Further training for management and staff; • Intensive trend review of short term sickness to identify and dealing firmly with any abuses of the system; • Proactively improving and providing the right level of support for genuine sickness absence cases by finding new ways to be flexible in working and creating a return to work process that utilises occupational health; • Increasing flexible working opportunities across manual services, like Waste Management and Street Cleansing; • Strengthening the pooling of knowledge and expertise between services with similar demographic features.
Clearly, the trade unions will have a crucial role to play in promoting improvements. All of us, Members, staff and trade unions, have a vital stake in addressing this matter constructively – and I expect there to be a common and positive commitment to securing further improvements in the Council’s sickness absence performance over the next twelve months.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Walker
In the Leader’s response he refers to abuses of the system. I wonder, can I ask him if he is aware that for the long term sickness in Waste Management in December/January 09/10 this year it went to 0% and the explanation given by the Chief Officer for that reduction to nothing was that overtime was available on the dates when it fell to zero and then she explained to us that it returned to normal levels in subsequent months? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 122
Would he personally look into that strange statistic and investigate further?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I was aware of that particular statistic you have quoted and I have indeed discussed it with the Executive Member for Finance & Service Delivery in whose portfolio this issue actually lies.
I think it’s fair to say that we still have to keep working at this issue and we are aware that there are issues out there that we still need to deal with. Certainly I know that Councillor Stephens is very much aware of that and is working with officers to try to deal as much as we can in terms of bringing these figures down further.
So we fully accept what you are raising here, and we fully accept the need for us to continue to take action in this area.
Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
Do you consider it appropriate for the Council to have, as its Deputy Leader, a Member who having been criticised by the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales for describing a member of the public at a public meeting as a “liar”, subsequently “stands by” his comment and effectively repeats it through the editorial and letters pages of the local news-media?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
Whilst some Members may have views in relation to the role of the Ombudsman in overseeing the conduct of Councillors, it is nonetheless a system that has been put in place and one to which we are required to adhere. That said, I do think you have to judge each case on its own merits and, in this particular case, I don’t know the full facts because I haven’t seen the report giving full details of the Ombudsman’s judgement. Nor was I present when the comments in question were made. I am therefore not in possession of the full picture so it would be unwise for me to reach a judgement.
Members will be aware that there are a number of actions that the Ombudsman can take after considering any complaint relating to the conduct of Members, and my understanding is that the Ombudsman County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 123 determined in this case that no further action should be taken. The Ombudsman could have chosen to take a decision which might have led to Councillor McEvoy not being able to continue in his role, but he didn’t. I think that speaks for itself.
Question: County Councillor Cowan
Does the Executive plan to continue producing the Capital Times in its present format?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
The current format of Capital Times provides an effective way of communicating the work of Cardiff Council to the people of Cardiff and provides residents with details of changes to services, council policies, decisions and events. It also contains listings of what's on at Council venues such as New Theatre, St David’s Hall and Cardiff Castle and is a useful communications tool for reaching all households of the city, providing the Council with an effective way of carrying out regular consultations with local residents on a wide range of issues.
In future editions of Capital Times, we are considering introducing new initiatives such as more ward-based features, taking a closer look at the role of Scrutiny Committees and publishing informative articles on the work of particular Council services and how they benefit the city.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Cowan
I note in your response to Councillor Walker on Question 7 that you state that the Capital Times is a popular and effective way of telling residents about changes to services. Can you tell me what consultation has been taken with citizens, how many times it has been undertaken, with how many and whether or not you could present us with the findings of the responses from the residents who take the Capital Times?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
It is something that is included in the surveys that we do undertake annually. I think that we now circulate fairly regularly the consultation newsletter which gives you details of all the consultations which have County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 124 been undertaken in the Council, and I think you could look out within that for details of when the next survey is produced.
The figure that we are quoting from those surveys – and I can’t tell you off-hand exactly how many people have participated in those surveys but all I know is that we survey every year and I think we have been getting a fairly consistent figure back from that – and that is, of those responding, about 80% of them are rating the content, presentation and the ability to keep them in touch with what’s going on in Cardiff by Capital Times as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
Do you agree that perhaps the criticism of Capital Times at the moment might diminish if the Council saw it as a paper for the Council and felt it was less a paper for certain people to be constantly pictured in it. Personally I do believe that the Capital Times could be a useful tool but it isn’t satisfying that objective at the moment in my view.
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I can’t accept that it isn’t satisfying the criteria of a useful tool because we are conducting quite a number of surveys within that on issues – for instance recently about Waste Management and about Civil Parking Enforcement which has just been introduced – and we are getting very useful feedback through those surveys and good participation in the surveys. So I don’t think its quite right to say it’s not useful.
I hear what you say about the people being featured – and I think this is touching upon the issues that Councillor Walker has raised in his next question – but the fact here is that we feature people for the positions that they hold in the Council. And because we have a Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru administration, the bulk of the positions held in the Council – on the Executive etc. – are held by Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru Councillors.
Now we have to make sure that what we publish in Capital Times is promoting Council policy. Therefore, if we were to encompass views from other parts of the Chamber it may unfortunately fall foul of that requirement in law because it wouldn’t necessarily be promoting Council Policy. So it’s not an easy issue to get around in what you are saying. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 125
That said, we are looking for ways in which we can more feature the work of Scrutiny which is certainly a cross party function on the Council. I think that has fallen a little bit by the wayside in recent years since we no longer have a dedicated press officer in the scrutiny service, but we are looking for ways to now address that and make sure the work of Scrutiny can feature a bit more strongly within Capital Times.
We are also looking in future at the idea of having more features based on what’s going on in different wards and obviously that can bring in Members from right across the Chamber.
So we do hear some of what you say. I don’t entirely agree with all that you are saying, but we are trying to look at ways to refresh Capital Times and trying to take on some of the concerns that are being raised within the confines of the law that we have to operate under.
Question: County Councillor Walker
Capital Times continues to feature articles with photographs featuring and praising executive members, including yourself. In view of the high cost of producing this paper and its widely recognised role of promoting the Liberal Democrat/Plaid coalition, will the Leader stop its production, put an end to this unacceptable political bias at public expense and save an unnecessary overhead paid for by Cardiff council taxpayers? The authority can no longer afford this discredited and self promoting publication.
Reply: County Councillor Berman
The role of Capital Times is not to promote the Liberal Democrat/Plaid coalition but the work of Cardiff Council to the people of Cardiff, which is something it does very well.
As I have explained many times before at Council, Capital Times is a popular and effective way of telling residents about changes to services, as well as informing them about council policies, decisions and events. The paper is key in terms of making sure people understand how their council tax is being spent and helps promote the huge range of services we provide. It also contains listings of what's on at council venues such as New Theatre, St David’s Hall and Cardiff Castle. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 126
Capital Times is also used to carry out regular council consultation as it enables us to reach every household in the city and produces a good return rate in terms of responses. Recent examples have included a detailed survey asking for residents' views on how the Council deals with collecting waste and consultation on parking across the city which has been essential in shaping the new civil parking enforcement scheme.
Every year, the Council seeks residents’ views on Capital Times, with around 80% of respondents rating its content, presentation and ability to keep them in touch with what is going on in Cardiff as ‘good’ or ‘very good’.
Capital Times is sent to every home in the city as well as being available in all council buildings, including libraries and leisure centres. As such, Cardiff Council is committed to Capital Times as it is an important tool in communicating with residents across the city.
Executive Members are quoted in Capital Times, as we are in other media, not in relation to our political parties but as the spokespeople for a particular policy and initiative. The Lord Mayor and Deputy Lord Mayor are also featured in Capital Times, regardless of their political affiliation. In addition, each edition of the paper is checked by our lawyers to ensure it is highlighting Council and not political policy.
Capital Times costs just 7p per head of population per edition to produce and contains an average of 35-40 stories per edition and so is clearly a cost effective way of reaching all households.
If we did not produce Capital Times, we would have to find other ways of communicating with all residents on a range of topics of importance to them, which would, no doubt, be more expensive. For example, the cost of sending an A4 letter to every household in Cardiff is in the region of £30,000.
The revenue from external advertisers is increasing year on year and in 2009/10 the figure was £66,007 compared to £44,375 for 2008/09. This demonstrates not only the increasing demand for advertising space in the paper in a difficult financial climate, but also the potential for the Council to generate more revenue in the future and we are working towards making Capital Times as cost neutral as possible. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 127
Like many other local authorities in the UK, Cardiff is no different in producing a publication such as Capital Times which is vital in helping people to feel well-informed about the council and their engagement with local democracy as a whole. If Cardiff didn't produce Capital Times, people would lose an important and popular source of information on Council services.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Walker
You will agree with me that reflecting on what Councillor Ralph Cook has just asked, that in fact you could have stories which were presented coming from Officers which were factual representations, because we recently saw in Capital Times a photograph of you helping to save the world from global warming which was very much self promoting, very much party promoting, nothing to do with the Council’s specific day to day running, although you would probably argue that there are implications and I think that is something that we need to be wary of and maybe share the thing around a bit more.
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I think Councillor Walker that we have to make sure that we present what the Council is doing in an accessible way and a way in which people can get the information.
And I think you have to recognise that not everybody wants to read all the stories. As somebody who has looked into this in terms of producing political literature, I think some of the techniques are the same. Sometimes you tell the story through the photograph, sometimes you tell the story through the caption, sometimes through the headline, because some people would only look at that and aren’t actually interested in reading the story itself.
Now the particular photograph you refer to was actually of myself signing the Climate Change Action Plan and that is a document that is quite pioneering in terms of what other Councils in Wales have done. I think we are the only ones that have done this – getting partner organisations together, right across the public sector, the statutory sector, and all agreeing together to work on this issue.
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I think having a photograph, whereby the different parties to that agreement are pictured with myself signing the agreement, gets that message quite well out to the public. And therefore there will be people who have understood what we are doing just from looking at the photograph without necessarily having read the story.
So I don’t accept what you are saying about pictures just being put in there to promote people. They are there to promote the work of the Council and I think things like the Climate Change Action Plan are very fundamental initiatives that we should be promoting and we should be explaining to the people that we serve.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Patel
I certainly remember when I was elected there were many Ward based features and it was dropped for some reason. Could you please explain who made that decision and why it was dropped and why you now want to introduce it again? I welcome the introduction of it obviously, but I wonder why it was dropped?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I don’t know who made the decision to drop it. I wasn’t party to that decision. We do give the staff working with the Communications team a clear degree of editorial freedom on producing Capital Times.
I suspect the only reason that that particular feature came to an end was because it had featured every ward in the City and, therefore, it was felt that perhaps it was time to move on to something different.
I’m sure it was nothing more sinister than that, but I’m glad that you do welcome that we are going to look at going back to something along those lines.
54 : FINANCE AND SERVICE DELIVERY QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Walsh
Please provide an estimate of the likely extra cost to the Council of the Government’s change to the rate at which VAT is charged?
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Reply: County Councillor Stephens
The Council is able to reclaim, with a few minor exceptions, all the VAT it incurs when purchasing supplies of goods or services. So in this respect, the increase from 17.5% to 20% will produce very little extra cost to the Council.
Question: County Councillor Robson
As a group Whip, I am regularly hearing concerns and complaints from members (from many groups) regarding the speed and efficiency of the laptops we are supplied with to use at home. Will you agree to undertake a review of the problems which members are experiencing and to bring a report back to full Council?
Reply: County Councillor Stephens
In recent months, a variety of problems have been reported to ICT by Members regarding their ability to access Council IT systems from home. These problems have included the speed of broadband connection, potential faults with BT lines, as well as a variety of issues associated with Members’ individual laptops.
Reported problems have been addressed as they have been raised and ICT has liaised with appropriate external suppliers, when necessary, to identify resolutions although I accept that unfortunately issues do persist.
In light of the comments received from individual Members and those received via Whips meetings, ICT has already commenced a review of the IT equipment presently supplied to Members, the methods of connection to Council systems from home and the appropriateness of broadband connection.
I will ensure that the outcomes from this review are presented for discussion at a future Whips meeting.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Robson
Thank you for the information in your reply. It’s helpful to know about the review. I’d like to ask if you would bring the outcome of the review to a full Council meeting for discussion as an information item because County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 130 it’s an issue that I’m sure affects many Members, certainly from what I hear? I’m sure that they would be grateful for the chance to see the outcomes of the review and discuss them.
Reply: County Councillor Stephens
I think it would be far more useful to have the discussion at a Scrutiny and Whips meeting before it went to full Council.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
Since this issue causes so much grief and stress for so many members, including myself on and off, I wonder how many of us would think a very useful way to use the money saved from the reductions in Councillors Allowances that took place earlier this year, and the difference between our councillors allowances and those for the rest of Wales, would be to replace the oldest and the worst computers that we’ve got because quite frankly on some occasions you just cannot do your job. I will say that that would be something that we could all support.
Would you consider doing that?
Reply: County Councillor Stephens
Yes.
Question: County Councillor Cowan
Will the Executive Member provide a cost breakdown, to date, of the independent legal and consultancy advice provided to the Waste Management Service since June 2008?
Reply: County Councillor Stephens
The achievement of landfill diversion and recycling targets is one of the key risks facing the Council. As such, it is necessary to receive appropriate technical and legal advice from external sources to ensure that our statutory obligations are satisfied and our risks are managed effectively in this complex area.
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Since June 2008, the Waste Management Service has spent a total of £175,727 on external legal and consultancy advice. This includes technical advice on maintenance and possible additional recycling developments at the Materials Recycling Facility; specialist legal advice on the classification of Waste for tax purposes; technical assessments of gas emissions at the landfill site, and noise assessments and associated technical advice relating to the Wedal Road Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Cowan
Does this include the cost of consultants and advice on the staffing matters which have been discussed previously and if not could I have that breakdown in writing if that’s another cost implication for the service?
Councillor Cowan further clarified her question as follows:
When the notice of motion was brought up by the Conservatives and there were relations into staffing matters and investigations etc. I’m just wondering if this amount of money was separate to the money which could possibly be spent on consultants and external legal advice. If we did spend money on that I just wondered if you could provide me with those details in writing if it’s in addition to this?
Reply: County Councillor Stephens
It was separate and it’s my belief that there was no money spent in that way.
Question: County Councillor Cowan
How many people have received letters in the last month from the Council asking them if they wish to retire if they are over the retirement age?
Reply: County Councillor Stephens
In my answer to your previous question in April 2010 on employees within the Council who are over age 65, I confirmed that it was our current policy – in line with the requirements of the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 and ACAS guidelines – to write to our County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 132 employees who are approaching age 65 to determine whether the individual wishes to work beyond age 65.
In addition to those we have been contacting in this way, there are a significant number of employees who would have been over age 65 prior to the 2006 Regulations coming into effect and the Council is currently undertaking a specific exercise to regularise the position for all of our employees who are over age 65. For example, this would include staff over age 65 in key roles such as School Crossing Patrol.
Consequently, we have written in the last month to around 350 employees, who either have not been contacted previously or for whom we do not have an intended date of retirement, informing them of their right to continue working beyond age 65 and asking them to confirm whether they would wish to do so.
Assuming that staff confirm their request to continue working, that information is then passed to their respective service areas to review and arrange meetings with those individuals to discuss and agree the intended retirement date.
55 : ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Robson
What financial support do you envisage the Cardiff Business Partnership (CBP) being able to offer to the new partnership between Cardiff Council, Cardiff Business School and CBP for the appointment of a research fellow?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
In line with the Council’s powers to promote economic wellbeing within the city, officers are currently developing a proposal, in partnership with the Cardiff Business Partnership and Cardiff Business School, for the appointment of a research fellow. In the current financial year, the Council is considering using £50k of the allocated budget to support this post and this ties in with a commitment in the Corporate Plan to support the new Cardiff business partnership.
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The Cardiff Business Partnership is making available time, expertise and resources to assist in terms of undertaking specific areas of research. Any decisions regarding direct funding support from the Cardiff Business Partnership is of course a matter for the Partnership. The contract for the proposal is at present being negotiated with the Cardiff Business School and CBP and the contribution from all partners will be clearly identified.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Robson
Councillor McEvoy, thank you for your answer. Will you agree to lobby the Cardiff Business Partnership which, I’m sure you are aware, includes several large UK wide organisations such as Tesco, to fund the research fellow for a third year and maybe even successive years, and do you agree that it doesn’t sit comfortably with many Members of this Council that these large organisations are not contributing when the Council and the University have come up with this joint package which will hopefully be successful?
Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
Thank you Councillor Robson for your interest and your question. We’ll certainly talk about that with the Partnership. I would say though that I would like the Scrutiny Committee that scrutinises this Partnership to maybe have a wider vision as to where we’re going with this because it is innovative; it is the first of its kind in the UK and there are some people with tremendous expertise that are giving their time free and their expertise, as I say, to drive forward this City and this City’s economic agenda. For example there were job cuts with Legal and General recently - they weren’t in Cardiff. Now, I don’t know whether the Partnership and the discussion had anything to do with that, but it certainly doesn’t do us any harm. This is an exciting innovation from the private sector, welcomed by everyone really except for some Members on the Economic Scrutiny Committee on Cardiff Council and its getting a bit embarrassing really.
Question: County Councillor Robson
In view of the challenging times we are now in, what threats do you see to the financial assistance which Council currently offers to businesses in the City?
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Reply: County Councillor McEvoy
Clearly, the Council’s ability to take forward schemes providing financial assistance to small and medium sized enterprises will be the subject of budgetary pressures, both in year and in 2011/12, and the Capital Cardiff Fund report that was agreed by the Executive in June 2010 reflects a new focus for business support provided by the Council.
The Capital Cardiff initiative has been a successful direct response by the Council to the current economic downturn which provides targeted financial assistance to small and medium sized enterprises. In agreeing the Cardiff Capital Fund report last month, we have ensured that this financial assistance is provided predominantly through loan and equity funding. It is envisaged that this approach will enable a more sustainable fund to be established, which can be utilised to support further businesses in Cardiff.
56 : SPORT, LEISURE AND CULTURE STATEMENT (County Councillor Howells)
Bute Park restoration
You may recall that earlier in the summer I provided an update with regard to the Bute Park Restoration Project. At the time I advised that the restoration of the City’s iconic Animal Wall was due to commence shortly and I am delighted to report that these works are now underway. Specifically initial cleaning operations are now complete and contractors are now progressing with detailed cleaning and stone repair works. The work is being undertaken on a sectional basis and in co-ordination with the wider Castle Street improvement works to minimise the disruption to the public and take advantage of reduced traffic flow during the summer months. Works that include the reinstatement of a traditional lime mortar in the wall, the glass eyes of the original animals put back in and replacement of the anteater’s nose are scheduled for completion by October.
I am also delighted to confirm the appointment of our first site based Gardener for Bute Park, Alex Sibley. Alex, has recently graduated from the Council’s Parks and Gardens Apprenticeship Scheme through his employment as a Horticultural Apprentice and has been successful in attaining the post which is funded through the restoration project. In this County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 135 respect I am particularly pleased that the Council’s grow your own policy has borne fruit.
Green Flag Awards
I am pleased to report that the Council has been successful in retaining Green Flag status for six of it’s parks and green spaces throughout the City these being, Roath Park, Bute Park, Grange Gardens, Victoria Park, Cardiff Bay Barrage and Cathays Cemetery. In addition to this I can confirm that following assessment earlier in the year Rumney Hill Gardens has been recognised with a Green Flag Award, bringing the total number of parks and green spaces holding this status to seven. For those of you that aren’t aware the Green Flag Award is a benchmark national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales which recognises and rewards the best green spaces in the country and I am proud of Cardiff’s achievements.
Cathays Library
Cathays Library reopened on Saturday 26 June and received a very positive response from the public. The historic Grade 2 listed building has been transformed from its previous dilapidated state into a cool, creative, contemporary space.
The renewed building has an improved layout highlighting the dramatic architectural features, modern furniture, vibrant colours and offers an enhanced range of services, making it an inspiring and stimulating environment in which to work, read, or just sit and relax.
The modern shelving is stocked with new books - a generous selection of fiction, non-fiction and talking books and DVDs. There is also a designated children’s area, upgraded ICT facilities including WiFi connectivity and 15 public access PCs which are free to use.
The refurbishment includes the re-introduction of the west wing, re- instatement of wood block flooring, decoration which enhances the existing architectural features, and a community room which can be used by local groups for meetings and activities.
On opening day it was the third busiest branch library in terms of stock issues, totalling almost 400 items. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 136
Welsh Proms Cardiff
On the 11 July 2010 St David’s Hall opened its 25 th Anniversary season of the Welsh Proms Cardiff. With something for everyone, this much loved annual programme includes 30 events and performances, including orchestral & lunchtime concerts, events for children and families and several free events. The Welsh Prom season will come to a close on Saturday 24 July 2010 with the ever popular Last Night of the Proms.
Firing Line
The new military exhibition at Cardiff Castle was officially opened by HRH The Prince of Wales on the 26 June 2010 as part of the National Armed Forces Day activities. Following on from the opening ceremony, the royal party led a military parade down to Cardiff Bay for the public Drum Head service.
Cardiff Story
Gerallt Jones, Partner with Hugh James Solicitors has accepted the invitation to join the Cardiff Museum Development Trust. He joins Richard Tynen, Rhodri Talfan Davies and Ian Courtney and I as the fifth Trustee. Now that the Museum holds full accreditation status the team are concentrating their efforts on three major capital bids to private foundations to ensure we maintain the fund raising momentum.
Pont y Werin
The £4.5m Pont y Werin Bridge was opened on the 14 July 2010. This 140m wide bascule bridge over the River Ely will provide a vital link to enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross between Penarth and the International Sports Village at Cardiff Bay. It will also ensure that this summer visitors to the Bay and residents alike will be able to enjoy the Bay Trail, a 10 Km continuous route around the periphery of the Bay. The bridge design incorporates a 20 metre opening section to allow river traffic to pass through and will be controlled by staff from the Harbour Authority within the Barrage Control Building. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 137
Cardiff Festival
The Cardiff Festival is well underway with 4 of the 21 events, Cardiff Castle Open Air Theatre, Elvis World Cup, The Harder They Come and Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival all having taken place. All proved popular, with the Cardiff International Food & Drink Festival alone attracting over 60,000 people to Cardiff Bay to enjoy and sample Welsh and International produce in the summer sunshine. The Welsh Proms Cardiff, Cardiff Comedy Festival, Everyman Summer Theatre Festival and Blysh Festival are also all well underway.
This weekend (23-23 July) the welsh capital welcomes Grupo Puja the award winning Spanish/Argentine company to perform K@osmos an adrenaline fuelled air ballet in Roald Dahls Plass. Whilst Cardiff’s own SWICA (South Wales Intercultural Arts) will open the evening’s entertainment with a sensational carnival theatre presentation ‘Dragon’
The remaining summer line up includes:
23/24 July WOW on the waterfront - free open air spectacular Roald Dahl Plas starts 9pm 24 July Last Night of the Welsh Proms St David’s Hall 28-31 July WBC Night of Champions Event CIA 30July - 1Aug Admiral Cardiff Big Weekend Civic Centre 31 July Cardiff MAS Carnival 7 Aug Rock & Raft CIWW 7pm 8 Aug Cardiff Multi Cultural Mela Roald Dahl Plas 8 Aug Right Royal Picnic at Cardiff Castle supported by Braces Bread 15 Aug Classic Car and Motor Boat Rally Roald Dahl Plas 14-15 Aug Grand Mediaeval Melee Cardiff Castle 28-30 Aug Cardiff Harbour Festival (including British Fish Crafting Championships) Roald Dahl Plas 4 Sept Cardiff Mardi Gras County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 138
57 : SPORT, LEISURE AND CULTURE QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Pickard
I have been informed that responsibility for the maintenance of the Blackweir bridge (which connects Bute Park/Taff Trail with Pontcanna Fields) lies with Cardiff University’s Estates Department. Can you confirm the terms of this arrangement, and outline what influence the Council can bring to bear on Cardiff University to ensure that the bridge is properly maintained?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
Responsibility for the maintenance of the Blackweir bridge does lie with Cardiff University’s Estates Department. You may be aware that the bridge in question was installed to provide a link between the university campus and Pontcanna Fields. A lease agreement between the University and the Council is in place and the current agreement expires in 2017. Under the agreement, the University is required “to maintain the footbridge at its own cost” so that it may “be used by the public at large at all times”.
I can confirm that the Council wrote to the University’s Estates Department on 2 July 2010 drawing attention to the deteriorating condition of the timber deck boards on the bridge. We are currently awaiting a response and I will, of course, keep local ward members updated in relation to this matter.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Pickard
I’d like to welcome the response and to welcome also the work with the University to maintain the bridge and the promise to keep local Members informed. We’re currently having a battle to determine whether it is in Cathays or Gabalfa, some people think Gabalfa, but if you could keep us all informed that would be welcomed.
Reply: County Councillor Howells
Yes.
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 139
Question: County Councillor Page
The former barrack square in Heath Park is being leased for parking mainly by hospital employees. When will the lease expire and what plans are there, if any, to renew it?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
I can confirm that the lease agreement will expire on 31 March 2014. No plans beyond this date have been developed or agreed.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Gasson
The University Hospital of Wales is one of the few hospitals in Cardiff that charges for parking because of their contract with Vincy. In view of the fact that this is Council land, can we be reassured that patients that park on Council land are not charged the same price as Vincy?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
The charging regime on Council land is to encourage short term parking and to deter irresponsible parking by people who are working primarily at UHW, so yes its only short term parking allowed.
Question: County Councillor Cowan
Figures provided to me by the Council have confirmed that Rhiwbina Library has issued more books than any other library, with the exception of Cardiff Central, every year between 2007/8-2009/10. The library is an integral part of the community, with excellent staff and selection of books for all age groups. Taking into consideration this information, will the Executive Member advise when Rhiwbina Library will receive additional funding to develop the library?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
Rhiwbina Library was the first library targeted in the refurbishment programme that has been ongoing for the last seven years. The building was refurbished and issues relating to disabled access and the interior layout were addressed at that time. These have resulted in a much improved environment within the facility. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 140
Stock for libraries is bought on a city-wide basis and is distributed according to patterns of use. As a result, Rhiwbina Library receives a generous share of new titles each month.
Given the financial pressures on all Council services, Rhiwbina Library will continue to receive its fair share of the resources available, including any additional funding that may or may not become available.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Cowan
You may be aware of the information which was given to me by the Council. In Rhiwbina library there are only 4 open access computers and, as you can see, over the last 3 years we have had the most number of books issued than any other library in this city, with the exception of Central. So you can see what a well used and loved library it is. I’m just wondering if you will look to either replace the existing computers with more modern computers or perhaps increase the number because we are very low in numbers compared to some other libraries in the city?
Reply: County Councillor Howells
Whilst you are right that Rhiwbina has the most issues of any other branch libraries, it comes third in the number of visits, primarily because of libraries such as Penylan and Canton. That is because there is a greater use of PC’s in those libraries than in Rhiwbina. However, we have allocated money in the Capital budget last year for replacement of public access computers in our libraries and I understand that the 3 oldest PC’s in Rhiwbina are scheduled for replacement this year.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Furlong
Given what Councillor Howells has just said about the use of Canton library and the appalling deteriorating damp and conditions and the ivy growing down into the library, would you accept my invitation to come and visit Canton library to meet staff and view the conditions for yourself? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 141
Reply: County Councillor Howells
I did visit the library last year but I’m happy to do it again. Yes there is work that needs doing in Canton library, but I think as you mention in a comment you made on the Guardian Cardiff Blog, that “the problems probably arise from a botch job that was done in ‘tarting’ up the library following a fire several years ago”. That was in 97 when I was not responsible for libraries. So I suspect you need to look to some of your colleagues alongside you who should probably have done a better job as it was Labour who were responsible at the time?
However, on a more positive note, your colleague, Councillor Cook did raise this issue at Scrutiny when they looked at library standards last week. We have agreed to look at what repairs need doing. I’m happy to go and visit the library again. Our problem will come in how we will fund any repairs identified. I think the opportunity to do a proper job on it was after the fire - that opportunity was missed. We are going to be struggling to find money to bring it up to the standard that we’ve managed to get a lot of the other branch libraries to over the last few years.
58 : TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Bridges
Why is the waiting time for the removal of disabled parking bays between 18 months and 2 years?
What steps is the Council taking to reduce this waiting time?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
This issue is being addressed by Council officers. The current timescale is for Member consultation to be undertaken on this in September.
The current situation is that applications are received from people who are disabled or their carers to enable the disabled person to have vehicular access to a vehicle close to their property. If the application criteria are met, a disabled parking bay is provided and can be used by anyone holding a blue badge. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 142
The existing policy does not require Cardiff Council to be notified if the disabled applicant no longer has need of the use of the bay, whether it is because of a change of circumstance, change of address or the death of that person and this is being reviewed.
The process will also be assisted by the introduction of a “Tell Us Once” service for the registration of deaths which will require the completion of an extensive questionnaire that will result in information being disseminated to a number of agencies, including The Passport Office, The Department of Work and Pensions and the DVLA.
The introduction of Civil Parking Enforcement will allow the Council to review the use of existing bays and enforcement officers have been instructed to note if the disabled bays are being used and details of the vehicles using them.
If a decision is taken to withdraw a Traffic Regulation Order controlling a disabled parking bay there is a legal process that has to be followed. This process is exactly the same as the one for the introduction of a disabled parking bay. The process includes member consultation, advertisement and for the cancellation order to be sealed.
As members are aware there is currently a backlog that has resulted in a delay of up to 18 months for Traffic Regulation Orders to be introduced. This problem is being addressed with a view to the timescales being reduced to the minimum legal periods required.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Bridges
I do appreciate the clarification that you have given and the information about what we are doing to try to improve the system, particularly around notification of deaths and so on because obviously that has quite a big bearing on how we deal with these issues. But I’m interested in the final paragraph of your answer, where you talk about the backlog, because that’s really the crux of what I’m trying to get at. Whereas at the moment there’s a delay of up to 18 months for a TRO to be introduced, I’m pleased that you are saying that will hopefully be addressed and that you are working to reduce the timescales. I would just like to know how confident you are that these timescales will be reduced to the minimum legal periods fairly soon? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 143
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
As you can see we recognise there are problems here but I reiterate that the issue is being addressed by Council Officers. We can let you know specifically the times involved in the current backlogs and the plan is being instituted and supported by other Members of the administration to get this backlog off our backs and the future on time.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Page
This is a bit like the Emperor’s clothes. I don’t know if I’m reading this rightly, it says ‘why is the waiting time for the removal of disabled parking bays’. I thought it was for the provision of disabled parking bays for residents. Is that right or not?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
At the moment we are not told when somebody disabled discontinues use of their bay or indeed discontinues use of this earth. In future we are taking steps to get that information and then we can make the replacement all the more efficient.
Question: County Councillor Foley
Can you please inform me of the progress made since the 25th March Council Meeting where you promised to look into acquiring a pet chip scanner as well as other associated issues?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
As I confirmed to you at Council on 25 March 2010, dead animals found on the adopted highway in Cardiff are not routinely scanned for microchips at the point of collection and there are currently no plans to introduce this procedure due to the cost implications and related operational difficulties.
However, in response to your previous question, I did say that I would investigate the matter further and I understand from my colleague, the Executive Member for Environment, that the Council’s Cleaner Cardiff Team has since implemented a new process for dealing specifically with County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 144 dead dogs. If and when they pick up a dead dog, they will now take the animal to Cardiff Dogs Home, where officers will then scan the dog and, where possible, the dog’s owners will be contacted. A log will also be kept of all dead dogs that are scanned at the Dogs Home.
Connect to Cardiff (C2C) has been advised of this new process and if a member of the public now wishes to report a dead dog via C2C, 101 or the Dogs Home, it should be collected and scanned accordingly.
Cardiff Dogs Home is manned 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and keeps both a register of dogs impounded in the Dogs Home and those reported lost. The Dogs Home telephone number (2071 1243) is the main focal point for enquiries relating to lost dogs and any enquiries received by either C2C or 101 will also be directed through to them, as appropriate.
Question: County Councillor Richard Cook
How many penalty notices have been issued by Civil Parking Enforcement officers since 5th July 2010, and how many penalty notices have been issued in each Ward?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
For the period 5 th July till the 20 th July 2010, 2384 penalty charge notices have been issued:
Adamsdown : 81 Butetown : 82 Caerau : 6 Canton : 50 Cathays : 1339 Ely : 11 Gabalfa : 29 Grangetown : 63 Heath : 124 Llandaff North : 8 Llandaff : 9 Llanishen : 8 Penylan : 29 Plasnewydd : 326 Pontprennau & Old St Mellons : 8 County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 145
Rhiwbina : 12 Riverside : 147 Roath : 1 Splott : 6 Trowbridge : 1 Whitchurch/Tongwynlais : 44
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Richard Cook
Councillor Bowen it’s strange to see that more than 6 times the number of tickets have been issued in Plasnewydd than Canton. Have Civil Parking Enforcement Officers been given instructions to concentrate their time on major roads into the city where cars are illegally parked, rather than issuing tickets to local residents whose cars may be illegally parked down side streets, because in our experience in Canton, there have been several instances where residents have been parked down side streets and yet we’ve walked down Cowbridge Road East and seen a number of cars illegally parked on a main route into the city?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
The Enforcement Officers will be concentrating on the main routes into Cardiff and the centre of Cardiff. They have been advised to book people who are illegally parked wherever they are. Indeed Councillors have been issued with what they are able and not able to do and you’ve been advised of a phone number that you can use to report any particular parking infringement that you would like attention to be drawn to. I would ask members to be patient. This scheme has been running for almost 3 weeks. Before you draw a general picture on how it’s going or where it’s going I would ask you to give it a little bit more time.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Bridges
I appreciate what you are saying Councillor Bowen that we need to give this time to bed in and I would certainly say that the early indications in my ward have been relatively positive and I’m a big supporter of CPE as you know. But having said that, one of the benefits we were told we would feel from CPE was that wardens, who currently spend an awful lot of time in the city centre, would perhaps spend a little more time in the outlying suburbs and that was one of the main reasons that I was so in favour of it and my residents were so in favour of it. So I’m a little County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 146 surprised and a little disappointed to see from these figures that for every 1 ticket issued in Gabalfa, there were 46 tickets issued in the city centre. I think that does rather suggest that the focus is still very much on the city centre. Now I appreciate that there are reasons why that needs to be but I just wonder whether there is an argument for you speaking with Officers to let them know that in the outlying suburbs parking is just as much a problem. It comes up at every PACT meeting that I go to in my Ward, that there is an argument for rebalancing that slightly, particularly in the evenings when residents parking bays are very heavily congested in suburbs like mine.
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
I think those points are well made but we have got special problems at Castle Street. If you read the Echo you will see all about them and the claims that are being made. Special attention is being given at the moment to the city centre of Cardiff. I hope that that will lift shortly but again you can direct attention to particular areas if you do report in to the control centre or via C2C to the control centre and I hope that the balance you asked for will be in place following our summer reconstructions.
Question: County Councillor Robson
At Rhiwbina PACT meetings, one of the regular priorities set related to parking issues. As a result, the local Rhiwbina PC and PCSO tackled the issued and reported back their progress in dealing with the issue first hand to the following PACT. Now that tackling illegal parking is a Council responsibility, will there be a Council Officer in attendance to report back on progress when (not if) Rhiwbina again designates a parking issue as a PACT priority?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
There is a procedure in place for officer attendance at PACT meetings as set out in the Executive Report of 14 November 2006 and this officer attendance to support Members is as appropriate to the issues being discussed. Council attendance at PACT meetings is by Local Members who wish to attend. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 147
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Robson
Councillor Bowen, thank you for the answer, an answer in this case which is truly written by a Council Officer, because reading it, it completely sort of misses the point of the question. Members of the public are going to be disappointed that they are losing the first hand access to those responsible for policing and enforcing parking issues, i.e. it was the Police 3 weeks ago then it became the Council. I do appreciate it is early days. I do understand that but residents are already wondering when they come along to PACT meetings to raise their concerns, they’re going to have to do it to us as Councillors, we are then going to have to go away and come back. Is there any way in which some of these parking Officers can from time to time attend PACT meetings to talk about specific hotspots in the different Wards?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
The answer is the answer given there, but I’m sure if you contacted the Officers responsible for the new scheme - we don’t normally name Officers, but Mr Paul Thomas did offer to advise and they will advise on such issues. If there are acute problems I’m sure visitations can be arranged, but the usual procedure is outlined there, otherwise Officers will be spending excessive amounts of time and overtime all over the City.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Patel
We have similar problems to Rhiwbina when it comes to PACT meetings, with illegal parking. When you look at the figures, for example Cathays, there are approximately 89 cars being booked in a day and in Plasnewydd there are 22 cars booked in a day and in Canton there are 3.3 cars being booked in a day. We have huge parking problems, the same as most of the other Wards. I would like to know why there are so few being booked when there are cars parked illegally especially in residential parking bays and on double yellow lines?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
I think in this case you are analysing figures too early, as I’ve said before. These figures are meaningless. The Enforcement Officers are just County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 148 beginning on their task. They are focussing on the centre of Cardiff and you do know, in fact you did visit me, what numbers to ring to report in the particular problems in your own Ward. That process is in place and given time I’m sure everyone will get a fair crack of the whip, if not let me know.
Question: County Councillor Pickard
Given that local ward members (and members from immediately adjacent wards) are concerned about the new double yellow lines at the top end of Wedal Road, and given that these lines will worsen local parking congestion, will the Executive Member agree to meet with affected ward members urgently to review the decision?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
The order was amended following complaints from residents and from the Manager of the Recycling Centre at Wedal Road. I would be happy to discuss this matter with the Ward Members and will request that officers arrange a meeting.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Pickard
Only to add that the major complaints here have actually been from colleagues in neighbouring Wards and in particular from Gabalfa and Heath and could you make sure that these Ward colleagues are included in any request for a meeting?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
I will.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
Have relations between coalition groups reached such a parlous state that we have to ask for a site meeting at Council? It does seem a bit daft.
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
I do welcome formal questions but I also do welcome colleagues on any side approaching me directly to save time in this Council Chamber. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 149
(The Lord Mayor indicated that there was no further time allowed for supplementary questions under this portfolio)
Question: County Councillor Hudson
Could the Executive Member confirm or deny the rumour that bus services will cease to operate from the bus station terminal at the City Centre after 8pm at night?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
The Council has no intention of removing bus services from the station after 8:00pm.
Bus companies operate less frequent services in the evenings and as a result the required capacity in the bus station is reduced.
Question: County Councillor Cowan
How much has been generated financially since the Council took over the illegal parking scheme on the 5 th July 2010?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
The amount of income generated to date is not known as people who have received Penalty Charge Notices still have the opportunity to appeal or make an early payment.
Question: County Councillor Robson
Do you think that the Highways Department should always require new residential developments, flat or house conversions to provide some level of cycle parking?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
The Council’s requirements in relation to cycle parking for new residential developments are contained in the Council’s Access, Circulation and Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Guidance. This guidance was adopted by the Council in January 2010 and applies to County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 150 all categories of development for which planning permission is required, including new developments, extensions, redevelopments and material changes of use.
The guidance sets out minimum cycle parking standards for residential dwellings (including flats) at the rate of one cycle parking space per bedroom. For houses of multiple occupation the standards are 0.25 spaces per bedroom.
The guidance states that for developments where it is not possible to provide cycle parking within the site, a financial contribution for the provision of off-site cycle parking facilities is required.
As Wales’ first Sustainable Travel City, Cardiff has a programme designed to support people in changing travel habits. The programme includes the provision of the Cardiff Bike scheme – a street based bike hire scheme operated by OY Bike Systems Ltd – which has provided 70 highly visible cycles for residents, visitors and commuters to use. Work is in progress with the operators to expand the scheme to districts outside the city centre and to promote the scheme to specific groups of people.
This scheme has been accompanied by a substantial increase in the numbers of cycle stands available to the public as part of the wider Sustainable Travel City cycling programme.
Question: County Councillor Cowan
How much time has been spent in each ward by the Council’s Parking Enforcement Officers since the inception of the scheme?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
Civil Parking Enforcement has only been operational in Cardiff from the 5th July 2010. At this stage it is not possible to provide an actual breakdown of time spent in each ward as the present requests for service mean that the Civil Enforcement Officers are being deployed to a number of wards on each shift. If there are any particular problem parking areas that you wish to be looked at please let me know and I will ask officers to investigate. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 151
Question: County Councillor Cowan
Will the Executive Member advise what discussions he had with Cardiff Bus prior to the Armed Forces Day, Paul McCartney Concert and the Cardiff Food Festival with regard to buses?
Reply: County Councillor Bowen
With regard to Armed Forces Day (26 th June 2010), I can confirm that the route and timings of the march were discussed in weekly Council officer meetings with bus operators.
The Paul McCartney road closures were communicated by South Wales Police to the Council and bus operators approximately four weeks ahead of the event.
A Police security check was carried out on the event day itself which resulted in the early closure of Callaghan Square (from around 10:30am to 11:30am). Due to the sensitive nature of the security surrounding this event, the security check was not communicated and therefore the Council and bus operators could not plan ahead for this, resulting in some disruption to bus services.
59 : COMMUNITIES, HOUSING AND SOCIAL JUSTICE QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
Can you please provide a list of the names of Members of the Council who have attended Council training on Equality and Diversity since the Local Elections in 2008?
Reply: County Councillor Woodman
I understand that you have already been provided with this information by officers. However, I can confirm to Council that the following Members are on record as having attended the three member development sessions on equality and diversity that have been held since May 2008: County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 152
Date Members 23 July 2008 Councillor Kirsty Davies Councillor Ford Councillor Grant Councillor Brian Jones Councillor McKerlich Councillor Singh 29 July 2008 Councillor Jones-Pritchard Councillor David Morgan 22 June 2010 Councillor Ralph Cook Councillor Ford Councillor Grant Councillor Joyce Councillor Derrick Morgan Councillor Parry Councillor Pearcy
A number of other Members were unable to attend the recent session that was held on 22 June 2010 or the following session that was planned originally for 14 July 2010. This later session had to be cancelled due to lack of numbers. As a result, officers will be arranging a further member development session on equality and diversity for those Members who were due, or were unable, to attend on 14 July 2010 or who have subsequently expressed an interest in attending a future rescheduled session in September 2010.
I am aware that Members will have attended similar sessions prior to May 2008 or will have knowledge, experience and understanding of equality and diversity issues from training that they may have received externally in their day jobs or in other roles.
60 : EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Page
How much is spent on average to educate each pupil in Welsh and English medium schools and if they are not the same, why not? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 153
Reply: County Councillor Salway
As all Members are aware, the basis on which we fund our schools is by way of an agreed formula.
The formula used to distribute funding to all our mainstream schools is based on each child of the same age being allocated the same amount of funding.
Once that distribution is made the formula will then use a range of factors to reflect differences between schools, for example, premises related issues and/or special educational needs issues.
Once these factors are taken into account, inevitably schools will receive a different average budget per pupil. No two schools in Cardiff are exactly the same.
For the 2010/2011 financial year, the average budget amount per pupil in our mainstream schools is £3,758 in English-Medium schools compared to £3,673 for Welsh-Medium schools.
Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
Do you have any concerns about the Jalalia Mosque responding to public consultation exercises on school reorganisation?
How many respondents to such consultations are sent requests from Executive Members for “urgent meetings” concerning their responses, what would be the purpose of such a request and do you feel that such approaches are appropriate?
Do you consider responses (whether from religious or secular groups, or individuals) to public consultations on school reorganisation proposals as “interventions”?
Reply: County Councillor Salway
The consultation process for school organisation proposals is conducted by officers and these consultations are open to response from any individual, group of individuals or organisation. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 154
I an unable to answer how many requests for such meetings are made by Executive Members or any other Member as we would not keep records of this.
In my view, responses to consultations are responses to consultations.
61 : HEALTH, SOCIAL CARE AND WELLBEING STATEMENT (County Councillor Dixon)
Scrutiny Matters
Since the Council meeting on 17 June 2010 the following issues relating to the portfolio have been discussed at Scrutiny
• Annual Report on the Effectiveness of Social Care Services – Joint Community and Adult Services & Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee (28 June 2010) • Adult Services Green Paper – Community and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee (1 July 2010) • Corporate Parenting Panel Annual Report – Children and Young Person Scrutiny Committee (6 July 2010)
Executive Business Matters
The following proposal relating to the portfolio was discussed at the Executive Business Meeting on 15 July 2010
• Annual Council Report Framework Director of Social Services Annual Report
Corporate Parenting Panel
The following items were discussed at the Corporate Parenting Panel on 14 July 2010
• Cardiff Council’s new Children’s Home • Annual Council Reporting Framework
Can I congratulate Cllr Richard Cook on his election to chair of the Panel at the meeting County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 155
Meetings and Visits
I have met with, visited or attended the following external events:
• 16-19 June 2010 – attended the Healthy Cities Conference in Sandnes, Norway • 22 June 2010 – attended a Health Alliance Board meeting • 26 June 2010 – attended National Armed Forces Day • 28 June 2010 – attended the Social Services Policy Group meeting with the Minister for Social Services • 1-2 July 2010 – attended and chaired second day of Welsh Social Services Conference, Llandudno • 6 July 2010 – visited the new Hafod complex physical disability extracare development Ty Onnen, Llanishen • 7 July 2010 – attended a Social Services Improvement Agency board meeting • 8 July 2010 – attended the Residential Care Forum • 8 July 2010 – met with Sharon Hopkins, Public Health Director Cardiff and Vale UHB • 13 July 2010 – visited the Residential Care facility at Rhydypennau Road • 14 July 2010 – attended a Care Council for Wales Board meeting • 16 July 2010 – attended a Cardiff Bus Board meeting • 20 July 2010 – attended a Cardiff And Vale of Glamorgan Integrating Health And Social Care Programme Board • 21 July 2010 – met with Public Health Wales
Members will no doubt be reassured that I will be attending the Code of Conduct Refresher Session on 26 July 2010.
62 : HEALTH, SOCIAL CARE AND WELLBEING QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Bowden
Could the Executive Member provide an update on progress towards Cardiff becoming a City of Sanctuary? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 156
Reply: County Councillor Dixon
Cardiff is one the UK’s major settlement cities for asylum seekers and refugees, and the Council works in partnership with many statutory and voluntary agencies to provide these communities with a dignified quality of life and access to community services and facilities. The Council is also actively involved with a range of similar initiatives, including the British Council Open Cities Programme and Active Citizens Programme.
The City of Sanctuary initiative invites local areas to add value to this work by profiling and co-ordinating informal opportunities for asylum seekers, refugees and mainstream workers to enjoy each other’s company and support the process of integration. Members will recall that Council agreed a motion in relation to this issue back in March 2009.
While the Council’s Asylum Seeker and Refugee Team provides a wide range of valuable core services to its customers, it is not resourced to perform this wider co-ordination role. Recognising this, the Asylum Seeker, Refugee and Economic Migrant Advisory Planning Group (APG) received a report on this subject in March 2010, and it was agreed that external funding would be sought to acquire the resources to make our accreditation possible and sustainable. The Council would like to achieve this accreditation and is actively seeking funding. Should the search bear fruit, I will be pleased to report back to a future Council meeting on our success.
Question: County Councillor Ralph Cook
What is the current average caseload for a Cardiff Children’s Services social worker?
What is currently the highest number of children on a Cardiff Children’s Services social worker’s caseload?
How many social worker’s assistants are carrying a caseload in Cardiff?
Can you comment on the story in which a newly appointed social worker, having been handed the caseload they were expected to carry, left the Council the day they started?
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 157
What was the annual turnover amongst Cardiff Children’s Services social workers in the year April 2009 to April 2010?
Can you comment on how the situation conveyed by your answers to the above questions affects the children and their families we are supposed to support, remembering that continuity and consistency in the support provided to at risk children is of critical importance to their welfare and future?
How are you going to ensure that Cardiff Council’s Children’s Services social workers’ caseload is reduced to acceptable levels and social workers themselves are provided with the support they need?
Reply: County Councillor Dixon
The electronic data system reports that the average caseload per social worker at the end of the first quarter of 2010/11 (30/6/2010) was 19.
However, it should be borne in mind that this is based on total number of individual social workers working in case management teams and does not include adjustments to reflect the differential allocation of cases, for example, between full-time and part-time employees.
This average of 19 cases also does not take account of variations in the average caseload between different parts of Children’s Services. At 30 June 2010, the average caseload per social worker was as follows:
• 12 in the Intake & Assessment teams; • 19 in the District-based teams that manage longer term work including child protection and looked after children cases; • 20 in the Child Health and Disability Service; • 18 in Leaving Care teams; • 17 for social workers working with children seeking asylum and children whose asylum claims have been resolved.
The variation in the averages between teams reflects the differing nature of their work. For example, the lower level of caseloads in the Intake and Assessment teams reflects the expectation that this work is completed in compliance with specified timescales. The longer term work of the District-based teams includes the management of complex work including legal proceedings to safeguard children. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 158
The current working standard is that the caseload for a full-time worker in a District-based team should, generally, not exceed 25 children. Social work caseloads also need to be understood through the application of caseload weighting so that the demands of the component tasks required in relation to cases can be considered against a social worker’s capacity, relative to their level of experience, expertise and any other relevant factors. Cases involving child protection enquiries and care proceedings, for example, will generally require particularly intensive and complex work, and some cases will require an urgent response.
Pressures vary from time-to-time and between teams, which is why managers are giving particular attention to circumstances where a caseload exceeds 25 children in order to facilitate a reduction or, in circumstances where it is appropriate, to possibly enable a group of siblings to have the same allocated social worker.
The highest number of children on a caseload (51 children) is in the Child Health and Disability Service, where caseloads are generally higher than in the Intake & Assessment and District-based teams. This reflects the greater stability and long term nature of the work. Whilst recognising that the needs of children and their families are important, the service also deals with much fewer cases that require the level intensity and complexity of work which is common in those cases managed within the districts.
At 30 June 2010, 34 workers who were not registered social workers, including social work assistants, carried caseloads. This is not unusual in local authority social services for children and managers make decisions about the allocation of cases on the basis of risk assessment.
Children’s Services and the People & Organisational Development Service have no record of a newly appointed social worker leaving on the day they started.
The annual turnover of Children’s Services social workers during 2009/10 was 18%.
As you know, regular performance reports from Children’s Services have provided information about the pressures on the service, which are similar County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 159 to those reported in respect of other services in Wales and England, together with the action being taken to address them.
You will also be aware that the Council’s budget for 2010/11 contained an increase in the budget allocation to Children’s Services, which included funding to support the introduction of social worker posts for the Intake & Assessment and District-based case management services, at a more senior level than has been available previously.
The process of recruiting to these posts has commenced and this should improve the recruitment and retention of more experienced social workers for those areas of Children’s Services where this has been most difficult. While managers are working to contain caseloads at an appropriate and manageable level, the new posts will have a key role to play in the management of complex work and in supporting less experienced social workers.
In respect of the support provided to social workers, Children’s Services provides an extensive package of support to social workers in their first year of practice. This includes a dedicated training programme attached to an individual training and development plan, individual mentoring and participation in a learning support group facilitated by training officers and mentors.
All social workers are supported in their work through regular professional supervision, practice initiatives such as coaching on assessment and care planning, and through access to the service area’s comprehensive training programme.
The caseload data provided in this response is derived from the Children’s Services electronic client record system as of 30 June 2010 and relates to social worker posts that fulfil local authority social services functions in managing children’s cases. It therefore excludes information about the workloads of the following staff:
• Social workers employed in hospital posts that are funded by charities and provide a regional/national service while being managed by the local authority. • Social workers in the Adoption and Fostering Service. • Social workers based in the Youth Offending Service. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 160
• Social workers based in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
63 : ENVIRONMENT QUESTIONS
Question: County Councillor Bowden
Would the Executive Member provide details of suppliers of Vital Earth compost in the Cardiff area?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
In Cardiff, I understand that smaller 10 litre bags of Vital Earth compost are sold at the Wilkinson store in Colchester Avenue. The nearest garden centres that supply the larger 60 litre bags of compost are Brynawel Garden Centre in Penarth and Caerphilly Garden Centre in Nantgarw. Further information is available on the Vital Earth website: www.vitalearth.tv
Supplementary Question: County Councillor McKerlich
Councillor Jones, could you explain to Councillor Bowden that at no stage did we query the immense value of the compost produced out of the food waste sent to Derby from Cardiff. Our concern was rather that to produce a 60 litre bag at the current yield requires 120 kilogram’s of food waste, and at £250 a tonne, that means that each bag that Councillor Bowden purchases already costs the rate payers of Cardiff £30 and that was the basis of our concern. Could you please pass that on to her?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
Yes
Question: County Councillor Brian Jones
I was disappointed to read that if a fly-tipper decides to dump waste on private land, that the Council takes no responsibility to remove the mess even if it is deemed hazardous and prone to vermin, as well as being unsightly. In the light of Council commitment to improve the image of Cardiff, what are your views on this situation?
County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 161
Secondly, what Council resource is available to deal with fly-tipping overall?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
The responsibility for dealing with fly-tipping rests with the owner of the land on which the waste material has been deposited. Hence, the Council is responsible for removing fly-tipped waste from its own land, including the adopted highway, but not privately owned land.
This is an appropriate position because if local authorities had a duty to remove all waste from private land, the illegal dumping of waste would be encouraged. Unscrupulous people and businesses wishing to dispose of waste could seek to avoid the costs of legitimate waste disposal by fly- tipping on private land, knowing that public sector would be responsible for its clearance.
However, the Council or the Environment Agency has powers to enter the land under section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act and clear any waste unlawfully deposited for the purposes of preventing pollution of land, water, or air, or harm to human health. The cost incurred can then be recovered from the owner of the land or the person who deposited the waste.
In addition, if waste is adversely affecting the amenity of the area, under Section 215 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the Council has power to require the landowner to secure its removal. Failure of the landowner to do so would mean that the Council could carry out the work and recover the costs from the landowner.
In terms of resources for dealing with fly-tipping, the Waste Management Service currently has four teams for removing fly-tipping from the adopted highway. These teams also assist with the removal of fly-tipped material from other Council land, if requested under Service Level Agreement arrangements – for example, land managed by the Council’s Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal Service. Enforcement Officers within the Waste Management Service will investigate fly-tipping incidents as well as other local environmental quality crimes. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 162
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Brian Jones
I understand it in relation to what we might call private commercial land but the sort of people I was thinking of was the 75 year old man who wakes up one morning to find someone has dumped a lorry load of rubbish on his drive. He’s got no personal resources, so what help is the Council going to give him or are you just going to issue him with an order to get it moved?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
In that instance Councillor Jones, if you contact me if there’s a problem like that again I’ll try to get it sorted for you.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Carter
I think Councillor Jones makes a very interesting point with his question. I was wondering if the individual in question gets a crime number and reports it to the Police, is there any legal method there that he/she could prove that they weren’t actually doing it for any commercial gain, and that they were the victim of a crime? Can they could seek redress that way?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
Yes that is possible.
Question: County Councillor Cox
Are you able to offer a progress report to update Council on the new Food Waste Caddy trial?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
Yes, I am able to provide you with a positive progress report regarding the impact of the food waste caddy trial. You may recall that the purpose of this trial was to establish whether:
1. people prefer the kerbside caddy to bags/bins; 2. the caddies increase food waste participation rates; County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 163
3. the caddies increase composting rates (i.e. the amount of food waste presented separately for collection); 4. the caddies improve local environmental quality.
In terms of whether people prefer the kerbside caddy to bags, the initial feedback from residents participating in the trial is positive, with very few requests for help or complaints being received.
Following commencement of the trial, officers have received requests from residents living near to the trial areas for either bins or caddies to contain their own food waste. A review is currently being undertaken to establish if the trial areas can be expanded within the existing wards, given the resources allocated for this initiative.
The Council’s Research Team is currently assessing the responses received to the user survey that was delivered with the caddies. The report, which is expected to be positive, should be finalised next month.
With respect to the participation rates, early indications are that more residents in the trial areas are now presenting their food waste separately than prior to the trial. Monitoring undertaken this month indicates that the participation rate has increased by an average of 12% across the trial areas. Monitoring will continue during the trial period to establish a longer term picture.
In terms of composting performance, it will not be possible to fully evaluate its impact until the scheme has been in place for a year, as it is necessary to take into account any seasonal variations. However, again, early indications are positive with significant increases in composting waste collected being recorded after commencement of the trial compared with the period immediately prior to the trial. For example, in Splott, the amount of composting waste collected has risen by more than 400%.
In terms of local environmental quality, the trial areas now have much less waste strewn across the streets, particularly on waste collection day. For example, residents have indicated that, since the commencement of the trial, they now see and hear far fewer seagulls in their area and that litter is much less of an issue.
In summary, early indications are that the trial is having a positive impact. Monitoring will continue until the end of the trial period and the County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 164 data collected will be used to evaluate options for using the food caddy system in other areas of the city.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Cox
I’m happy to see that the review is currently being undertaken and hopefully this will lead to the rolling out of these caddies services to areas of Splott which the trial areas currently left out and where people have expressed a need for these. Can you give me an idea of when the review will be completed?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
As far as Splott is concerned, we’re actually looking at it at this moment in time so I’m hoping that it’s not going to be too long and that goes for all the areas in the trial period.
Question: County Councillor Cox
Can you clarify the Welsh Assembly Government’s position on residual waste treatment?
Has the WAG Minister for the Environment given an indication on WAG’s preferred option for residual waste treatment?
Reply: County Councillor Margaret Jones
The Welsh Assembly Government’s ambition is for Wales to be recycling and composting at least 70% of its waste by 2025 and to maximise resource recovery of the remaining residual waste. Landfill is no longer an option and the priority is to reduce the amount of waste we produce, maximise recycling and, where residual waste remains, we must find resource efficient alternatives to landfill.
The new national waste strategy, Towards Zero Waste, which was published last month by WAG, is clear on national aspirations for 2025:
“Where waste is produced, we make the most of our valuable resources. More green jobs and a skilled workforce in a resource economy 70% of materials are recycled. Residual waste is phased out of landfill to high energy efficiency Energy from Waste plants” County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 165
The Glossary to the ‘Towards Zero Waste’ strategy published by WAG (page 85) also defines ‘energy from waste’ as follows:
Energy from waste - Technologies include anaerobic digestion, direct combustion (incineration), use of secondary recovered fuel (an output from mechanical and biological treatment processes), pyrolysis and gasification. Any given technology is more beneficial if heat and electricity can be recovered. The Waste Framework Directive considers that energy efficient waste incineration (where waste is used principally as a fuel or other means to generate electricity) is a recovery activity provided it complies with certain criteria, which includes energy efficiency.
64 : QUESTIONS TO THE CHAIR OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Question: County Councillor Cox
What steps are the Council taking to meet the requirement to carry out the BPEO (Best Practicable Environmental Option) that its policy SPG (Supplementary Planning Guidance) on siting waste facilities requires?
Reply: County Councillor Burfoot
The Locating Waste Management Facilities SPG refers to the requirements of TAN21 to make waste proposals subject to Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO). This is designed to establish the waste management options that provide most benefit or least harm to the environment.
The South East Wales Regional Waste Group produced a First Review of the Regional Waste Plan, which the Council as a constituent authority approved in July 2008. The review sets out a Regional Waste Strategy indicating the preferred mix of waste management/resource recovery technologies and capacities for managing the forecast arisings of waste. This process included BPEO as an integral part of the exercise and identified seven preferred technological options for waste disposal. The Council refers to the Regional Waste Strategy when assessing waste related planning applications and can therefore demonstrate that it is taking account of BPEO that was integral to the regional process. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 166
In addition, specific reference was made to the BPEO issue in the report to Planning Committee on the Viridor scheme (10/149/E), namely:
“The waste hierarchy outlined in TAN 21 is described as a ‘central pillar’ to advise decisions on waste management options. The hierarchy, in descending order, encourages the reduction, re-use, recovery (composting and re-cycling), recovery (EfW), and disposal of waste. The submitted application has the potential to form an important part of the waste management process. The waste hierarchy has not been contravened, rather the proposals would form part of the solution alongside other waste management solutions.
The Environmental Statement accompanying the application assesses the suitability of the application and finds the proposals to comply with TAN 21, including the BPEO procedure. The local planning authority concurs with this conclusion.”
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Cox
The best practical and environmental option is defined as a consultative decision making process involving the public, so can we residents of Splott, Adamsdown, Butetown and Cardiff Bay, require the suspension of the recent application that granted Viridor Waste Management permission over their incinerator until the council has carried out proper BPEO consultation?
Reply: County Councillor Burfoot
Thank you Councillor Cox, can I just point out to you that the issue permitting regime rests with the Environment Agency and any concerns you may have regarding the consultation process should be directed to the Environment Agency.
Question: County Councillor Hudson
What is your position on the garden grabbing issue? County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 167
Reply: County Councillor Burfoot
As Chair of the Planning Committee, I will consider each application on its own merits taking all material considerations into account, as to do otherwise would mean that I had predetermined the issue.
However, in relation to the principle of the matter, the starting point is to consider the policy context of such proposals.
Planning Policy Wales, which was issued last month, states that sensitive infilling may be acceptable, but insensitive infilling that damages an areas character or amenity should not be supported. Work is currently underway on preparing design guidance for small infill sites in order to help provide a framework to assess such applications. Members will have an opportunity to comment on the draft when prepared.
I understand that the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has no current intention to follow recent changes in England that have seen gardens being classed as 'greenfield' rather than 'brownfield' land. WAG would require evidence of the scale and nature of garden-grabbing in Wales before considering changing national planning policy or introducing new regulatory burdens.
Question: County Councillor Robson
What is the penalty to the Council for erecting banners in inappropriate locations?
Reply: County Councillor Burfoot
I assume that you mean illegal rather than inappropriate.
The maximum fine for the display of an unauthorised advertisement is a level 4 fine – currently £2500. A further fine may be imposed in the case of a continuing offence of one tenth of level 4 for each day the offence continues. This would be per advertisement, per day.
Although planning legislation allows for the prosecution of offenders, the Council has not only to be reasonable but has to be seen to be reasonable. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 168
A magistrate considering a prosecution would ask what steps had been taken by the Council to avoid prosecution.
Therefore, where an illegal sign is identified, offenders and landowners are warned of the offence and given an opportunity to remove it. If they fail to do so, then formal action would be considered. Any such decision would have to decide whether progressing with a prosecution would be in the public interest. If the sign is on highway land, then it can simply be removed by Highway Officers.
A Council service area wishing to display an advertisement should first ensure that permissions (both planning and landownership) are sought and any advice regarding amenity and public safety is obtained from appropriate officers. If it were a Council service which had erected unauthorised signs then the service area would be given the opportunity to remove it.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Robson
Councillor Burfoot, thank you for the response. I’m particularly referring to Highways land and in that respect it’s something that perhaps I should direct to Councillor Bowen but as I’m asking you the question, can I ask you to ensure that all Officers within the Council are well aware that it is often illegal to place signs on railings on public highways and that Council departments do not go down that road?
Reply: County Councillor Burfoot
Thank you.
65 : QUESTION TO THE CHAIR OF THE SCHOOLS SUB COMMITTEE
Question: County Councillor Rogers
Please confirm the month during 2010 that the Pontprennau school site/lack of school provision will be placed on the Schools Sub- Committee Agenda in order to enable full discussion on this most pressing matter. County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 169
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I am aware that you have already written to me on this issue. I would be happy for the Schools Sub Committee when it next meets to give consideration to your request for the matter to be considered as a future agenda item. I would expect that this next meeting, when consideration of your request can be undertaken, is likely to be later in the autumn. However, I can’t guarantee this at this stage.
Whilst monthly dates for the Schools Sub Committee have been established, it should be noted that Sub Committee meetings are held only when there is sufficient business to consider. In addition, the progress of matters being considered by the Sub Committee can often depend on other factors such as the provision of appropriate funding from the Welsh Assembly Government and the workload of officers within the School Organisation Team.
Both the Sub Committee and relevant officers are already working on a significant number of other proposals at the present time so it would probably not be particularly productive to be adding further work to the current programme when there are still a number of outstanding issues to be addressed by the Sub Committee and the School Organisation Team.
Supplementary Question: County Councillor Rogers
Just to say thank you both for the response and in anticipation of the Pontprennau School issue being considered as a future item.
I note that it has been said that it’s not particularly productive to be adding further work to the current work programme of the Schools Sub Committee, so I would like to ask - could I have some guidance please as to when it will be considered productive to add further work to the current programme of the Schools Sub Committee?
Reply: County Councillor Berman
I think what I’m trying to say there is that we are already working through quite a detailed programme in Schools Organisation and you will be aware that we had a consolidated funding model which has all been allocated to proposals. So if we are looking at any proposals which may County Council of the City & County of Cardiff 22 July 2010 170 involve a degree of new build, we are going to have to look at being able to identify funding and at the moment our funding bids to the Assembly are not being met in full.
For instance, we just put in a funding bid for two projects. One was the relocation of St Teilo’s to the Llanedeyrn site and the establishment of a further Welsh Medium High School on the existing St Teilo’s site and that was granting funding. But we bid at the same time for funding for the amalgamation that we are proposing in Ely and Caerau –which may be taken forward as a federation I should qualify – but that funding bid was not granted. So we are going to have to bid for that funding in the next round.
So what I’m saying is that there’s various things we want to do that we haven’t got the money for, and there’s also quite a large programme of work that the Officers are already involved with. We do have some proposals that are outstanding that have already been through the Schools Sub Committee that haven’t been progressed formally in the process of taking them forward.
So we can look at other things to do, but I’m just saying that we already have quite a workload that’s going to keep us going for some time and we don’t have the money to go at a faster pace at the moment. I’m more than happy for us to consider your request for us to decide if we wish to look at the issue in more detail but I’m just trying to be a little bit realistic because you have to understand some of the constraints that we are working under as well.
(The meeting finished at 7.35pm)