Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received as all Members were present.

Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 relating to Council Tax, the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct

Note:

(a)  Members are reminded that they must identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest and

(b)  Where Members withdraw from a Meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chair when they leave

No Declarations of Interest were made.

To consider report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive

The Chair welcomed Councillor G Thomas, Chris Long, Zoe Thomas and Paul Lewis to the Meeting.

Chris Long referred the Committee to the ’Town Centre Masterplan’ report and together with Zoe Thomas gave an update on the current position.

The following questions were then raised by the Committee and were responded to in detail by Councillor G Thomas and the Officers:

·         Paragraph 5.2 – Low Carbon Town – Are there any plans for electric charging points for vehicles – The need to be prepared

·         Paragraph 4.3 – What was undeliverable – Why were they undeliverable – What has been learned

·         Three big projects – Funding

·         Electric points for Commercial Vehicles – How far away are Coach Companies from being fully electric

·         Paragraph 5.1 – Feedback requested on this

·         Update requested on the old Bus Station – What is the current situation

·         (Chris Long advised that an update would be made to Committee once plans had been consolidated)

·         Explanation requested on the details of the Riverside Project

·         Details requested on the relocation of business to the new Bus Station

·         Would it be possible to have a Workshop on the Masterplan

·         (Chris Long advised that this could be arranged)

·         Possibility of proving Tourism Tours around Merthyr Tydfil – The possible involvement of Students in this

·         Links with Merthyr College

·         Helpful to Committee Members if a flow chart could be included in reports and how proposals fitted in with the Local Development Plan

·         Engagement of the public through the use of Technology

·         The possibility of Virtual Tours

·         Possibility of Tours utilising Virtual Reality devises on key occasions

·         The positive response to the Walking Tours that have been provided

·         (Chris Long advised that he would circulate to the Committee a 3D tour of the Bus Station Proposal)

Resolved that:

The report be noted.

Councillor S Thomas left the Meeting at 3.10 pm

Councillor L Davies left the Meeting at 3.12 pm and returned at 3.13 pm.

To consider report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive

Chris Long referred the Committee to the ‘Continued Development of the Town Centre – Evening Economy’ report and together with Zoe Thomas and Paul Lewis gave an overview of the report, the work done, key challenges and the ongoing challenges.

The following questions were then raised by the Committee and were responded to in detail by Councillor G Thomas and the Officers:

·         Further information requested on ‘Purple Flag Scheme’ – What has been done so far and what needs to be done

·         5.1 – The effect of this

·         The new minimum unit price for alcohol – Will this have an impact on local businesses – Will there be a positive effect

·         Liaison with independent business and chains

·         Paragraph 5.6 – Has this post been filled

·         What are the level of Grants

·         VVP – Information requested

Resolved that:

The report be noted.

To consider report of the Interim Deputy Chief Executive

Chris Long and Maria Purnell referred the Committee to the ‘Corporate Self-Evaluation – Question 3 (Leadership and Management)’ report and gave an update on the content of the report.

The following questions were then raised by the Committee and were responded to in detail by the Officers:

·         How many staff are in the Directorate

·         How many are Managers

·         Are Managers less accessible due to a leaner Organisation

·         Explanation of the term ‘Demanding’

·         The key points identified – Were they anonymous

·         Paragraph 3.3 – Leadership and Management – How much detail was included

·         (Chris Long advised that this would be picked up as an action to quantify) 

The Chair then thanked the Officers for attending and the update to the Committee.

To consider the attached report

The Chair referred the Committee to the ‘Work Programme 2019/20’ report and it was agreed that the Scrutiny Officer liaise with the Chair in relation to the agenda for the next Meeting.

H Jackson Co-opted Member left the Meeting at 4.07 pm.

The Chair advised that there was no update on this item.

To receive an update from the Chair

The Chair and the Committee reflected on the items that had been considered at the Meeting.

The Chair advised that there was no business deemed urgent.