Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from H Hopkins Co-opted 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

Councillor J Thomas Declared his Interest in Item 5 – Alcohol and Taxi Licence – Fit and Proper Persons Controls and advised that as there were no recommendations in the report he would remain in the Meeting for this item.

To consider the attached report

The Chair welcomed Councillor M Symmons Cabinet Member, Paul Lewis, Joanne Baber, Craig Rushton, Ryan Evans and Robert Gough to the Meeting.

Paul Lewis led the Committee through the ‘Public Protection Business Planning report and together with Councillor Symonds and the Officers responded in detail to the following questions raised on the report:

·        The use of CCTV for the preventions of Crime and Disorder – Are culprits identified and are there any figures available – How good a deterrent is CCTV in relation to crime prevention in the Town Centre – What are the majority of crimes that are seen – How many cameras are controlled from the Council

·        Inspection visits to evening premises – Explanation of why some do not comply

·        Emergency Preparedness Booklet- Is this up to date and available to new Members (Councillor M Symmonds advised that she would recirculate this booklet)

·        Cameras in the Pontmorlais area – Are there any on the Brecon Road – The issue of Drugs

·        How many ANPR cameras are under the control of the Council

·        Begging - Explanation requested in relation to the area of land near Tesco

·        Children accessing Vapes – Update requested in relation to funding for non compliance

·        Food Hygiene – What is the number of food establishments on the waiting list to be visited – How many premises are rated 1 or 2 – Could a reason for a low rating be in relation to the paperwork required – How often are food inspections carried out

·        Pest Control Service – Update requested

·        Private Sector Housing – Empty homes – How many have been brought back to use so far this year

·        Committee hearings – Taxi Application / Licenses – Explanation requested

·        Safe Merthyr Tydfil – Night time economy safety – Further details requested

·        Fly Tipping – Workshop proposed to bring Members up to date

·        Camera – White Horse – Update requested

·        Unlicensed Driver – New Taxi Ranks -  Update requested

·        Reporting to Police as a result of CCTV – What percentage turns into a prosecution

·        Use of drones in other Authorities in relation to Fly Tipping – Could this be something to take forward

·        Clarification sought in relation to the Fly tipping Service

·        Community Safety – Night time CCTV – Further details requested

·        CCTV – How many hours are non manned – Do the Police have remote access to cameras – ANPR identification – How long does it take for identification – Ideally how many more CCTV cameras are needed

·        Affordable Homes – Will there be a report update on the business plan

·        Additional premises and Licenses – All extra tasks for the Department

The Chair then thanked Councillor M Symmonds and the Officers for the detailed responses and update to the Committee on the report.

To consider the attached report

Paul Lewis led the Committee through the ‘Age Related Goods’ report and together with the Officers responded in detail to the following questions raise on the report:

·        Analysis of Vapes seized – When will the results be know and will they be made public – Could be a deterrent

·        How to dissuade youngsters from vaping – To go into schools – Health issue

·        Paragraph 7.3 – How many shops were there

·        What is the number of venues across Merthyr Tydfil licensed to sell alcohol

·        If there were workers found to be illegal what would the procedure be

·        Is knife crime an issue in Merthyr Tydfil – What is the age to carry a knife and the definition of knife size

The Chair then thanked Councillor M Symmonds and the Officers for the detailed responses and update to the Committee.

Councillor A Williams Price left the Meeting at 6.00 pm.

Councillor C T Jones left the Meeting at 6.09 pm.

To consider the attached report

Paul Lewis led the Committee through the ‘Alcohol and Taxi Licence – Fit and Proper Persons Controls’ report and together with the Officers responded in detail to the following questions raised on the report:

·        Paragraph 9.3 – Could there be random tests undertaken on a number of vehicles

·        Paragraph 9.5 – Unlicensed Drivers – Could this type of exercise be done again

·        Department resources - How is this facilitated

The Chair then thanked Councillor M Symmonds 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 report.

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

The Chair advised that there were no referrals.

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

There were no recommendations.

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

The Chair advised that there were three Workshops to be arranged in relation to Hoovers Site, SPF Funding and Transport.

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