Agenda and minutes

No apologies of absence were received.

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 the attached Presentation.

The Chair welcomed Nicola Mahoney and Deb Evans Safer Merthyr Tydfil to the Meeting.

The Committee then received the following presentation from Nicola Mahoney and Deb Evans:

·        Cwm Taf Morgannwg – Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV)

·        National VAWDASV Strategy – Six key objectives

·        Cwm Taf Morgannwg VAWDASF Strategy

·        VAWDASV Services – Cwm Taf Morgannwg – Developing and delivering separate and distinct support services for:

·        Adult victims of VAWDASV

·        Perpetrators of VAWDASV

·        Children and Young People who have experienced domestic abuse

·        Separate provisions required for each of the above groups

·        Aiming to create consistency of provision across the Region

·        To provide awareness raising activity, preventative services education activity

·        What Services does Merthyr Tydfil have for VAWDASV –

·        Victims

·        Perpetrators

·        Children and Young People

·        Access to the VAWDASV Regional Adviser

·        How are Services funded in Merthyr Tydfil

The following questions were then raised by the Committee on the Presentation and were responded to in detail by Nicola Mahoney and Deb Evans:

·        Cwm Taf Morgannwg VAWDASF Strategy – Who is ultimately responsible for delivering this – How do the different Agencies work together – What is the role of the Council – How do Agencies meet and discuss delivery

·        Third Sector Organisations – Other than primary providers are there any others in Merthyr Tydfil who from part of this group

·        How can Services be improved

·        The role of Councillors and the opportunity to interact – Is there any training offered to Councillors

·        Services in relation to perpetrators – What is the reason for limited access to driving change

·        Reallocation of HSG Funds – Is there any  impact due to the reallocation of HSG Funds

·        Core funding from MTCBC – Comparison in relation to overall spending

·        Three distinct areas – Perpetrators – How is success measured – Work with the Probation Service

·        Funding of the Services – Are there problems with recruiting and retaining staff

·        Rise of cases during the pandemic - Have things changed since

·        Is Encompass notified

·        Education and Schools – Who notifies

·        Comets and Rockets – The focus on school attendance – Leave of absence

·        New Pathways – How close do the Organisations work together

·        Use of Acronym’s in the report – Request that Councillors be advised of their meaning

·         Useful for all Members to receive this Presentation

·        Benefit if the Presentation had been in the form of a report

·        Will Councillors receive more information on this

The Chair then thanked Nicola Mahoney and Deb Evans for attending and the update to the Committee.

To consider the attached report

The Chair welcomed Paul Lewis, Ryan Evans, Jo Baber and Victoria Parry to the Meeting.

Paul Lewis referred the Committee to the ‘Night-Time Economy’ report and together with the Officers responded in detail to the following questions raised:

·        Paragraph 4.6 – Explanation requested on what is Purple Flag Status - Timescale for Purple Flag Status

·        Paragraph 5.3 – CCTV Database – Request for the Committee to receive a copy of the report

·        Paragraph 5.6 – What is the total number of Licensed Businesses in the County Borough – Rolling programme of Inspections – What is the target number

·        Paragraph 5.7 – How many shops included in the figure sell alcohol

·        Paragraph 5.10 – How many are on the Private Sector Forum – What are its powers and how does this feed in to the Local Authority – How does Regeneration take into account that businesses are attractive and good places to work

·        Paragraphs 5.16 and 5.17 – Update requested

·        Paragraph 7.1 – What is the likely finish time – The number of people in the Georgetown area - Details of staffing levels – Costs of manning CCTV

·        Paragraph 5.13 – Clarification sought on what evidence there is in relation to an improved perception of the Town Centre

·        Street Lighting – Areas of the High Street are dark – The impact on people who are able to go to Town – What consideration do Regeneration give to lighting – Who is responsible for funding improvements

·        Is there a mechanism in place to identify where street lighting may not be sufficient

·        Street Safe app – Can data be shared with the Committee and in turn Constituents

·        Reporting when street lights are out

·        Update requested on the Old Bus Station site

·        Policing of the night time economy – Request for patrols on foot as opposed to in vehicles to be more assuring for the public

·        Request for the proposed location of areas for dedicated Taxi Ranks – Will this be considered by the Planning and Licensing Committee

·        Update requested on unlicensed Drivers – What are the powers of the Police

·        What is being done in relation to evening Transport – What is being done to link in Buses and Trains

·        Is there any discussion with business and the public regarding the expectation of opening hours of premises

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

Did we address the recommendations in each report and how have we added value?

The Committee referred to the Presentation and the report that had been considered.

To consider the attached report

The Chair referred the Committee to the ‘Forward Work Programme 2022/2023’.

A Member referred to the regeneration of the Ffos y Fran site as an item for a future Meeting.

The Chair advised that arrangements would be made to discuss future items for the Work Programme.

A Member also stated that if there was a lot of information in a Presentation then it would be better to receive this information in report format.

There were no Scrutiny referrals.

Any outstanding actions?  Feedback from workshops / task and finish groups / enquiry days, etc.

The Chair advised the Committee of a proposed visit to Police Headquarters and that further details would be circulated in relation to this.

To consider the attached report

The Chair referred to the Workshop that had been held in relation to the Self- Evaluation Report 2022-23 and the report that had been circulated to the Committee on this.

The Chair advised that there was no other business deemed urgent.