REGENERATION AND LEISURE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
DATE: 9TH JULY 2010
(NOTE: THESE MINUTES ARE SUBJECT TO CONFIRMATION BY THE COMMITTEE AT ITS NEXT MEETING)
PRESENT: Councillor A.W. Jones (Chair) |
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Councillors: S.M. Allen; D.B. Davies (Vice-Chair); S.P. Dunn ; K.D. Rees ; H.B. Shepardson ; W.T. Evans ; G.O. Jones ; W.J. Lemon ; D.A. Lloyd ; R.T. Price ; P.M. Williams ; T. Davies Also present as an observer: Councillor H. C. Scourfield – Executive Board Member for Regeneration & Leisure | |
The following Officers were in attendance: Mr. N. Davies – Head of European Policy & External Funding (Regeneration & Leisure) Mr. I. Jones – Head of Leisure and Sport (Regeneration & Leisure) Ms. W. Walters – Head of Economic Development (Regeneration & Leisure) Mr. K. Cobain – Policy Co-ordination & Research Manager (Regeneration & Leisure) Mr. J. Timothy - Forward Planning Manager (Regeneration & Leisure) Ms. E. Rees - Landscape Partnership Manager (Regeneration & Leisure) Mr. E. James - Countryside Recreation & Access Manager (Regeneration & Leisure) Ms. C Reynolds – Senior Consultant (Chief Executive’s) | |
(Chamber, County Hall, Carmarthen: 10.00 a.m. – 12:50 p.m.) | |
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S R James
Name |
Minute Number |
Nature of Interest |
Councillor H B Shepardson |
Item 3 R&L Summary Departmental Business Plan |
Mooring holder Burry Port Marina |
[Councillor H B Shepardson declared a personal interest as a mooring holder in Burry Port Marina]
The Committee considered the Final Summary Departmental Business Plan 2010/11 – 13, which illustrated how Community Planning Action, Corporate Strategy aims, service specific strategies, Outcome Agreement actions / targets and service risks will be addressed and delivered by the Service this year based on the approved budget.
The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:
In response to concerns regarding the costs of charging permits, the Head of Leisure and Sport confirmed that there were no proposals to increase charges at the moment. However, the Council needed to ensure it was it being fair and that the level of all charges would be discussed with Members during the budget setting exercise for 2011/12.
A question was raised as to whether the Department was being realistic about the targets it was setting itself, given the current economic climate, and whether it was prepared for the cuts that would be required in the future. The Head of Economic Development confirmed that the Carmarthenshire Connexions Strategy review would consider and review the targets being set. She also added that all Heads of Service were meeting regularly with the Chief Executive to ensure the appropriate action was being taken.
In response to a question, the Head of Economic Development informed that Committee that the Welsh Assembly Government’s (WAG) new Economic Renewal Programme (ERP) will concentrate resources where it feels it will add more value and the new approach to supporting the private sector in terms of growth would include:
n Transferring part of the Single Investment Fund into supporting infrastructure projects and making it a repayable grant.
n Reducing the number of target sectors from 14 to 6 key sectors. The new target sectors are:
○ Creative industries
○ ICT
○ Energy and Environment
○ Advanced material and manufacturing
○ Life Sciences
○ Financial and Professional services
n Reduction of the level of support provided after business start up.
The Head of Economic Development added that it would be up to the Council to decide which sectors it supported and whether to follow WAG’s lead.
The Head of Europe and Grants added that the ERP would impact on grants and match funding and that whilst current schemes were unlikely to be affected, the review of the Carmarthenshire Connexions Strategy would be key in determining where the Council invested it’s funding in the future.
In response to a question, the Head of Economic Development informed the Committee that the International Business Wales (IBW) would cease to exist as a separate function; instead the existing provision will be integrated into current WAG structures and focus on highlighting Welsh successes and countering negative perceptions.
In response to concerns regarding youth unemployment and in particular young people leaving school direct into unemployment. The Youth sector was now a priority for National and Local Government and more resources would be channelled into this area in the future. She added that the intention of the new Government would be to transfer all the initiatives into one programme to encourage people back into work. The Local Authority will no longer provide the Future Jobs Fund from March 2011. The focus will be on developing the Modern Apprenticeships model, working with schools in terms of the Insight programme and encouraging young people to become entrepreneurial through enterprise.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:
The Committee considered an update report that provided an overview of the context provided by the Wales Spatial Plan (WSP) and identified the vision and key priorities for the 3 Plan areas covering the County.
The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:
Disappointment was expressed regarding the fact that the WSP had not, so far, provided the Council with the context it needed in terms of a funding and planning programme. The Committee discussed the impact of being part of 3 Plan areas and was informed that it had not brought about any real benefits. The Head of Europe and Grants informed the Committee that the WSP had not to date influenced the funding regime in Carmarthenshire and added that a review of what the WSP was meant to deliver was required. Whilst the Committee was disappointed regarding the lack of progress it was keen to ensure that WAG was pressed to make the initiative work.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED.
The Committee considered a progress report that outlined the work that had been undertaken to date in the production of the LDP as well as referring to the next stages.
The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:
In response to a question, the Forward Planning Manager confirmed that the strategy of the Local Development Plan (LDP) was not dissimilar to that of the Unitary Development Plan (UDP). He also confirmed that Carmarthenshire was liaising on a regular basis with neighbouring authorities regarding collaboration.
In response to a question regarding the mechanisms being put in place for discussing the outcomes with Local Members, the Forward Planning Manager confirmed that there would be opportunities for Members to discuss issues and that the possibility of holding an all Member seminar was being considered.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.
The Committee considered a progress report that outlined the progress being made in rolling out the Tywi Afon Yr Oesoedd – TAYO (Tywi a River Through Time) Landscape Partnership Scheme.
The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:
In response to a question regarding the potential to roll out activities to other parts of the authority, the Policy Co-ordination & Research Manager confirmed that funding of £669k from the Heritage Lottery Fund had been secured and was being used to provide bursaries for traditional heritage skills training schemes. There was also a phase 2 bid being put together for Rural Development Plan (RDP) funding (£300k), which would focus on taking forward activities in RDP areas in a much more concentrated way.
Concern was expressed that the Authority could be missing tourism opportunities, by not encouraging Heart of Wales line passengers to stop and visit Carmarthenshire’s small towns as well as promoting the line as a mode of transport. In response, the Policy Co-ordination & Research Manager informed the Committee that the initial TAYO bid had included the whole of the valley but discussion with funders had resulted in the final project being focused on a much smaller area. However, the potential links with both TAYO and the Heart of Wales of line could be explored further with the Marketing & Tourism Manager and TAYO officers.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED.
The Committee considered an update report on the progress being made since the ROWIP had been adopted by the Executive Board in March 2008. The Committee noted that in drawing up the plan the Council was required to assess:
n The extent to which public rights of way meet the present and likely future needs of the public
n The opportunities provided by public rights of way for exercise and other forms of open-air recreation and enjoyment
n The accessibility of public rights of way to blind or partially sighted persons and other with mobility problems
The following issues were raised during consideration of the report:
In response to concerns that a different level of service was now being provided as a result of the Council taking responsibility for delivery, the Head of Leisure and Sport informed the Committee that it was his responsibility to ensure there was equity in terms of service provision, and whilst some Town and Community Councils (TCC’s) had been providing an excellent service it was not true across the board. An extensive exercise had been undertaken in determining which TCC’s were interested in providing the “ranger” role and as a result only 5 TCC’s had retained the responsibility. A review was now under way to assess the funding arrangements in place, the outcome of which would coincide with the budget setting timescales.
In response to a question the Countryside Recreation & Access Manager confirmed that, from a statutory point of view, the minimum requirement for the Council was to keep the rights of way accessible and signposted.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the report be received.
UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 26th May 2010 be signed as a correct record.