Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from H Jackson Co-opted Member and Councillor M Symonds Cabinet Portfolio Member.

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 Chief Executive

The Chair referred to the Housing and Homelessness report and welcomed Councillor G Thomas Cabinet Member, Alyn Owen, Suzanne Lewis-Abbott and Suzanne Stephens to the Meeting.

Suzanne Stephens and Suzanne Lewis-Abbott led the Committee in detail through the report and together with Councillor Thomas and Alyn Owen responded to the following questions raised by the Committee on the report:

·        Paragraph 5.1 – What is the number as of today

·        Paragraph 5.9 – Update requested on the 11 January 2024 Meeting and the understanding of Welsh Government on the potential impact at local level

·        Paragraph 5.12 – What is the number of complex cases

·        Paragraph 5.16 – What is the Authority doing regarding this – Pressure on staff who should be protected

·        Paragraph 5.18 – What are the actual numbers not the percentages – Other Refugees throughout the UK – How many  Refugees so far have come to Merthyr Tydfil – Are Ukraine families still living with families in Merthyr Tydfil or have they moved on – Is the financial support continuing

·        Paragraph 5.22 – Update requested on the review – Where is Springfield and the number of properties

·        TACP 2023/24 – Examples requested on the buying back of void properties and further information on this

·        Marsh House – Clarification on the date

·        Extra Care – Update on this project 

·        Paragraph 7.3 – What are the numbers not percentages

·        Paragraph 7.4 – Should read March 2024

·        How likely will people with complex needs be allocated a property and will they need help

·        Clarification requested in relation to Paragraph 2.2 and Paragraph 5.11

·        Has there been a financial shortfall over the past two years and how has this been met

·        Prior to Covid there was a homeless provision above the bus station for 10-12 people in cold temperatures – ‘No One Left Out’ – How did this change – the number of Homeless pre Covid to the numbers now – Where did the extra numbers come from – Is it  in relation to rents – Do we have any rough sleepers now – Behaviours – Paragraphs 5.7 and Paragraph 5.9 – Is there any feedback

·        Paragraph 5.19 – How many properties in Merthyr Tydfil were provided to people outside the UK

·        Paragraph 5.14 – Staff welfare in the Department – How recent was this – Social Media – Is there anything more that Corporate Communication could do to support the Housing Department

·        Paragraph 5.17 – Private Rent Sector – Landlords leaving – Can more details be provided on how this is evidenced in Merthyr Tydfil and how evidenced by Rent Smart Wales – Can evidence be provided on how many families are affected by ‘No fault evictions’ – How many Landlords are not regulated

·        HMO – D2PropCo – Has their ability to purchase properties been affected by rising prices

·        How many properties have not passed through the protocol

·        No fault evictions and Unregulated Landlords – Does this affect tenants to get on the property ladder

·        Paragraph 5.6 – When will the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 615.

To consider the attached report

The Chair referred to the St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre report and welcomed Lance Whiteley, Adam Richards and Lee Simmonds to the Meeting.

Lance Whiteley then led the Committee through the report and gave an update on the report and together with Councillor G Thomas and the Officers responded to the following questions raised by the Committee on the report:

·        Paragraph 5.1 –

·        Structural Survey – Is this the same as the Condition Survey

·        Update requested on the Maisonettes – Where will the funding come from

·        Clarification requested on UK Funding and can the Authority access this – Has any Authority received any money yet

·        Vacant Retail Units – Is this still the same figure

·        Possible return to the UK of Woolworths

·        How to attract businesses

·        The wider plan – possible redevelopment to include the indoor market

·        Current Budget - Update on this – Clarification on payments when businesses leave

·        Conditions on every high street is tough – Cost of a new roof – Is this an opportunity to bring forward plans for the Town Centre

·        What is the cost of borrowing – is it still the same as detailed in a previous report

·        What is the cost for repair and maintenance over the past twelve months

·        If a large business came to the Centre could they have naming rights

·        Are there any drawbacks to creating a Local Authority Trading Company – When will it be concluded and when will it be decided if this is the right model

·        Long term plans – Competition from on line shopping – Hospitality and not just retail – Residential use - Update on opening of Haystacks

·        Would residential preclude late night retail opening – The gated area

·        Is the Energy Officer involved in the Condition / Structural Survey

·        Possibility of recouping monies

·        Request to keep all indoor market traders updated

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

To consider the attached report

The Chair referred the Committee to the Forward Work Programme 2023/24.

Reference was made to the following for inclusion the Work Programme:

·        Empty Homes update

·        Transport

·        Hoovers Re-development

The Chair then suggested that a Workshop be convened in relation to Transport and re-development of the Hoovers site and this was supported by the Committee.

To consider any referrals made to Scrutiny for inclusion in the Forward Work Programme

There were no referrals.

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

The Chair and the Committee agreed that the items on the agenda had been addressed and fully discussed.

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

There was no feedback on Scrutiny activities.

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