Venue: Committee Room, Brecon - Neuadd Brycheiniog. View directions
Contact: Shane Thomas
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were accepted from County Councillors P.J. Ashton, S.C. Davies, S Davies, M.J. Dorrance, M.R. Harris, D. A. Thomas and S. Williams.
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 96 KB To authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on Monday 19th September 2016 as a correct record. Minutes: The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on Monday 19th September 2016.
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Declarations of Interest To receive declarations of interest from Members in relation to items on the agenda to be discussed. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest from members relating to items to be discussed on the agenda.
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Chairman's Announcements To receive announcements from the Chairman. Minutes: The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chairman (Councillor M.J. Dorrance) for stepping in to fulfil functions because of a family bereavement. |
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Housing Contacts (9.40 - 10.00) To receive information in relation to how calls to the Housing One’ contact number are managed – Julie Harding, Resources Team Leader. Minutes: Members welcomed Julie Harding, Resources Team Leader to the meeting to provide an update in relation to how the Authority manages housing contacts (repairs and maintenance and general contacts) via. its ‘Housing One’ telephone number. During discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Resource – there are 5.16 full time equivalent (fte) first contact officers who handle enquiries and heating calls and 6.5 fte repairs co-ordinators who handle repairs calls. The unit can operate with just three operatives but in those cases emergencies would be prioritised b. Performance – in line with industry standards the unit aim to answer 88% of all calls within 41 seconds. From April – October 2016 first contact officers answered 970 calls per week, the average speed of answer being 89 seconds. During the same period repair co-ordinators answered 7214 calls from tenants, the average speed of answer being 22 seconds. There’s a facility for callers to leave messages should they opt to. At the moment there are no monitoring arrangements in terms of monitoring when call backs to messages left are made. A member reported that in his experience call handling for repairs and maintenance since ‘Housing One’ had been introduced had greatly improved c. Welsh Calls – it’s recognised that there’s a need to improve provision in terms of providing a Welsh service d. Further Developments – as with all services there are reviews in an attempt to identify areas for improvement, it is likely that self-serving would introduced and that arrangements for managing repair contacts would be transferred when the Authority moves to operating a Joint Venture Company. A member urged that good monitoring arrangements be introduced when operating through a JVC in relation to performance and in particular response times i.e. repair and maintenance call outs etc. e. Report to Repair – Housing One act as the link between the service and its operatives. Members reported issues where there had been claims from residents that the time it was taking between calls being taken and works being completed had been excessive and on occasions there had been no acknowledgment of contacts or works considered f. Homelessness – a member from the Ystradgynlais area reported that there had been an issue locally where a homelessness person had decided not to accept help and had been a cause of local concern. It would be helpful for the local members from the area to be provided with a statement which would explain to those with concerns what had been offered and how they had been supported. Julie would look to provide a statement for members to use. In general terms those members that had cause to contact homelessness officers reported a very good service received g. Ystradgynlais (Siting of a Social Unit) – the local member for Ystradgynlais reported his continued concern (and the very grave concerns of the community) regarding the use of a facility sited on an estate which is used for housing serious ex-offenders. There had been a recent ... view the full minutes text for item BS50-2016 |
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Reports from and Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders (10-11) To receive reports from, and put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders:
a. Councillor Avril York, Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Planning and ICT b. Councillor Stephen Hayes, Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Adult Social Care Minutes: Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders.
a. Councillor Avril York, Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Planning and ICT
i. Strategic Housing Partnership – the Portfolio Holder chairs the partnership ii. Housing and Adult Social Care – there are good links between both departments in order to provide housing to meet the needs of the elderly iii. Development and Regeneration – there are very strong links between development management and regeneration departments within the Authority iv. Information, Communication Technology (Systems) – there had been recent activity to review the number of systems the Council uses. Reviewing the planning portal had been a priority and members could expect a new system to be introduced next year v. Electronic Access (Use of Non-Powys Equipment) – members would welcome being able to access Powys systems via. their own equipment. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the position had been recognised and that there had been movement in this area which would allow staff and members to use their personal devices for future access. There’s an issue in Powys in relation to signal strengths for mobile devices vi. Superfast Cymru (Fibre Broadband) – there’s a feeling locally that the programme had lost pace. It was agreed to request that a representative from Superfast Cymru attend the next meeting to provide an update on the roll out of the programme and to respond to any issues raised by members vii. Economic Development Strategy – there would continue to be a focus on supporting Powys businesses. Helping businesses to start up and operate in Powys for the benefit of Powys is very important viii. Business Ambassador Scheme – the scheme had been launched and would, hopefully, improve links between Powys County Council and the private sector ix. Regeneration – in general terms members agreed that investing in areas and regenerating them should be a very high priority for the Council. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that there’s good engagement with the Welsh Government in order to maximise potential opportunities for local investment in regeneration schemes x. Ystradgynlais Area – members and residents from the area feel distanced from Powys when it comes to a range of Council functions including business support. There had been little visible support when an opencast mine had ceased to operate losing in excess of 100 jobs for the area xi. Swansea Bay Regeneration –members would hope that officers are engaging with those involved with the regeneration of the Swansea bay given the opportunities for Powys to benefit xii. Brecon Beacons National Park – the Authority had responsibility for regeneration within the park area. Those who have responsibility for the park area at the BBNP should encourage regeneration activities and support regeneration proposals xiii. Circuit of Wales – the project would be massive and very lucrative for Wales during the multi-million pound development and whilst operating as a racing circuit. It would be important to maximise the benefit for Powys xiv. Development Control – there’s a ... view the full minutes text for item BS51-2016 |
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Reports from and Questions to Members Serving on Outside Bodies To receive reports from, and put questions to, Members serving on outside bodies. Minutes: Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, members serving on outside bodies. Councillor Van-Rees reported that he had attended a meeting of the Reserve Armed Forces Association where the matter of the proposed closure of Brecon Barracks had been discussed (the proposal being to close in 2027).
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Road Safety and Traffic Management Schemes (11-11.15) PDF 67 KB To consider road safety and traffic schemes:
a. Clos Castell, Llangynidr (20 mph speed limit) b. Priory Hill / Struet Junction – Pedestrian Crossing Design c. Brecon Parking Review – Cerrigcochion Road Additional documents:
Minutes: Jo Lancey, Area Traffic Officer attended for this item of business.
a. Clos Castell, Llangynidr (20mph speed limit)
Members RESOLVED that the proposal be approved and to initiate the TRO consultation procedure and if no substantive objections are received the proposal be implemented
b. Priory Hill/Struet Junction – Pedestrian Crossing Design
Members accepted the update report as presented to the meeting. There was a very strong feeling that the area in question presented a very real danger to those crossing and in particular to children who cross for attending school. It was noted that works would cost in excess of £60k, however, there was a feeling that the cost would be a small price to pay given the potential risk of very serious incident. The Strategic Director suggested that the matter should be referred for inclusion in the capital scheme for consideration given the strong feeling at the meeting.
c. Brecon Parking Review – Cerrigcochion Road
Members RESOLVED to uphold the amendment to the regional proposal, and to initiate the TRO consultation procedure and if no substantive objections are received the proposal for Brecon be implemented. |
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Correspondence To receive items of correspondence. Minutes: There were no items of correspondence.
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Date of Next Meeting To note the date of the next meeting – 25th January 2017. Discussion in relation to Brecon Barracks. Minutes: The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 25th January 2017 and would include a discussion in relation Brecon Barracks and the MOD closure proposal.
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