Transcript
Good morning Councillors, welcome to today's multi-location meeting of Commanding Council.
I hope all of you are keeping well and safe.
It comes to me that just ten today's meeting of Commanding Council on Wednesday, 8th May, 2024, the paper set of different views.
We're passing meetings.
Before proceeding today, I have to remind everyone that the pieces of those meetings have been filling for life or subsequent
broadcasting by the campus internet site.
On the archive echo of the meeting, the emergency recording may also be used for training purposes within the Council.
You are welcome to participate in Welsh or English.
Members and guests attended via Zoom are required in translation from Welsh to English and shooting English from the interpretation button on their screen.
Members physically surprised at shooting English on the microphone unit.
All members physically present in the Chamber should have already checked whether the headphones are working for the meeting commences.
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Sorry, I have a check.
Please walk in for attending in person.
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Good morning, Councillors.
I hope you're all keeping well and everyone's OK today.
If remote members lose connection during the live meeting, please make every attempt to reconnect.
However, the meeting will continue as long as the meeting is correct.
I should also remind everyone that the chair has discretion to terminate or suspend filming if, in her opinion, continuing to do so would prejudice the proceedings or that continued filming might infringe the rights of any individual.
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I also be used for training purposes within the Council.
This processing of personal information is necessary for the performance of a task carried out in the public interest by the Council and in the exercise of official authority vested in the Council.
Thank you, Chair.
There's no fire alarm today. However, should the alarm sound, it will not be a test the meeting will adjourn, a member's attending, basically should follow the appropriate exit signs.
I apologize for absence, please.
Thank you, Chair. Apologies for absence today, Councillor Shelley-Godfrey Coles, Councillor Neill Lewis, Councillor Fiona Walters, Councillor Betz and Jones,
Councillor Karen Davis, Councillor Antonee-Lachon, Councillor Gary Jones, Councillor Doc Jones is joining us a little bit later and Councillor Sue Allen will be doing the same. Thank you.
We have all responsibilities in the code of conduct to verbally declare any put interest that we may have in relation to any item appearing on the agenda today.
Please ensure that you clearly indicate which agenda item you have proceed to send and so ask if our nature of interest to be disclosed.
Similarly, we will also need to indicate whether you have been granted this compensation by the standards committee or monitoring officer to speak of both in respect to any item in the agenda.
If any interest has not been declared and staff become known during the proceedings, it will need to be declared when that interest becomes apparent. Please declare it is just now.
I will trust you. Thank you. We now move on to agenda item three. Cheers and gentlemen.
I pretend a number of events since I saw you last be very, very eventful, months or two.
But as I said, you are going to go to all of the things that were born when you did it wrong, the entire law, the treaty festival, it was excellent, especially the ferry elf village.
Right. I'd like to welcome Councillor St William to the first meeting today.
Thank you very much chair for the opportunity to say a few words about the success of land of the rugby club recently.
I want to congratulate the coaches and players and everybody linked to the club on their success winning the cup.
Again, for the third time, we won it in 2007 and then 2015 and they do say three tries for a Welshman and we're going to try and do it this year.
And we've also been very lucky to be very successful as a club winning the premiership last year.
And we have that trophy at the moment and we have finished the season in that league and we were playing a new put on Saturday in the final to see whether we can win again.
So I would like to congratulate the club, we're a small town, but we are a very ambitious club. So I would like to say well done to everybody associated with the club.
[Applause]
Dear operator, and further down the Toby Valley, I'd like to congratulate the Dylo RFC Junior section who have an unbeaten record of 10 games out of 10.
So at the top of the league, they won the under 18s trophy up in the municipality in Carnie, beating Tom Marv 26 to 20.
They're now in the final of the manager league and are playing the commanding wins on Friday.
And hopefully we will bring yet another trophy over to the Dylo and the Toby Valley.
Also, the senior team have now got an unbroken record of 13 games.
So there's a winning streak happening in the Toby Valley.
So Bob looking for some of the very opposite Dylo at Diane Bowes.
[Applause]
Thank you, Mr. Thomas.
Congratulations to you, Laddams, who was represented by H.R.H. at the Princess Royal at the ceremony in London in recognition for his dedication to youth justice and wide roles as Prince of Manager for Youth Support Service in Commander.
We had recently had very sad news.
We had recently had passed a three former commander, Councillors, namely Iva Jackson, who represented the Tindivary Ward, Ian Jones, who represented the Dylo Ward and Ryan Butler, who was obviously back to us.
Obviously it's a sympathy to the families.
And I'm not sure what we stand for them in the silence for you to have got.
[Applause]
[Applause]
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[Applause]
Thank you very much.
[Applause]
We now move on to agenda item four.
And I am the Member for the Leader.
If the Leader is any announcements, thank you.
I'll join the item five, the approval sign of the correct record, the minutes that comes in the meeting has been 28th February on 8th March.
We take the book together, first principle.
I should remind my member that the pin is out for confirmation purposes only.
I'm not your check, this is just a major record.
Other than that, the points regarding the accuracy, there would be no debate or continuing in the meetings.
If any member of the city needs to be declared an interest, please raise your hands now and also advise if you can tend to withdraw from meeting the DSD of the can remove you in the meeting room.
I intend to take both sets of minutes together, as I just stated.
It comes down in price, I understand that you are prepared to move the minutes on the 28th February on 6th March.
Thank you very much, Chair. I am happy to propose formally that the minutes are correct.
Call me second, please.
Thank you, Chair. I am happy to second.
Before I ask the amendments, I have made the made made aware of the correction to the minute of the 28th February.
The reference to the interests declared by the only orders and the minutes two and nine one are incorrect.
The interest is declared because of the interference and we arranged this to be corrected.
And then, yes, the amendments, please.
If you have, please raise your hands now.
Please, please. Thank you.
No? No, no, no, no.
All right.
All right members, this vote will be given in the minutes, please.
Can you raise your hand?
Can you raise your hand if you agree with the amendments?
No.
Please do a quick yes.
Thank you.
And any abstentions, please.
And that's carbon. Thank you.
And then we're going to agenda item six.
We're quick to move to the Board of Director of Education, Children and Family Services.
Report begins.
I see that.
Just to confirm, I've no intention of applying for the post.
And I'm not associated with the recruitment process, so I wasn't going to leave the chamber.
But if any member thinks that the fact I'm here will be impacting the discussion or the process, I am willing to leave the chamber.
Thank you.
If any member of the need to read, declare an interest, please do so now.
And raise your hand if you have an interest to declare.
You have been for your report on the equivalent of the post of Director of Education, Children and Family Services and Statarly Chief Education Officer.
It comes again to Davis and it sends you a move to report, please.
Microphone.
Microphone.
Can you hear me?
Great.
Further.
I'll start again, apologies.
As the cabinet member for education, it is suitable that I do present this proposal before us this morning.
All of us have read the details and therefore know that we need to recruit for the post of Director of Education, Children and Family Services.
As Gareth mentioned, the current Director of course, he has no intention of applying, but he is going to retire.
Nice for him on the end of October this year.
So today we need to accept the arrangements for appointing a successor.
As members, many of you are familiar with the process of appointing a chief officer.
Within the last couple of months, the county council was asked to approve the post of law governance and civil services.
The report today is no different in terms of the process, except for the fact that this is a Director post and not a host.
And not a head of service post.
Everything before us today is in line with the requirements of the 2014 standing orders regulations, Wales.
Pointing anybody to a chief officer post where the annual salary is £100,000 or more is governed by the local authorities standing orders, Wales amendment regulations 2014.
And this is reflected in the authorities pay policy for 2024-25.
Under the 2014 regulations where an authority proposes to appoint a chief officer and who will receive an annual pay of £100,000 or more, I want to emphasize the post must be publicly advertised.
And that is the intention and to advertise for a suitable successor to Gareth.
The process has been mapped out in the report and we are all used to that process.
But what I'd like to do now is to focus on some of the key considerations of this post, which are specific to this post, as well as some of the minor changes that have been made to the job profile.
So to start with the job title, it's a little bit different.
The new title is Director of Education, Children and Family Services.
Even though the inclusion of the family is a minor change, the title does now reflect the nature and the range of the services that are being delivered.
Also the qualification requirement, the Education Act 1996 states, and I am quoting,
The duties of a local authority in Wales under the Local Government Act 1972 with respect to the appointment of officers shall without prejudice to the generality of the provision of that act include the duty of appointing a fit person to be the chief education officer of the authority.
So that is the quote.
In other words, we have to appoint somebody to this post.
I also want to note there is no requirement in the law to require a qualified teacher to fulfill this duty.
However, this qualification requirement is included as a desirable criteria, as opposed to an essential criteria.
Qualification being a qualified teacher is included as a desirable criterion, as opposed to an essential criteria.
This will provide a wider pool of interest from people who have an interest and attract more applicants to the job so the net can be spread wider.
Also you will see a reference to the fact that the Director's Post may be subject to change in the future as a result of internal service,
or organizational change, and it is very important that we, as an authority, do have that flexibility to be able to respond to changes in the workforce, for example.
We have therefore included a paragraph to this effect, and then safeguarding, very important.
Audit Wales has done a review of corporate safeguarding.
Following discussions at the corporate safeguarding officers group, we are now including a specific reference in all job profiles.
We highlight that safeguarding is everyone's business.
It's something that we all are responsible for.
All responsible for protecting children and adults at risk, and doing that by working in a way that promotes and supports their best interests.
And there's a duty on us to report of any concerns that we may have.
As members, you will hear more about this this afternoon on the safeguarding seminar this afternoon.
And then the final point, the Welsh language level.
This post has been independently assessed, and it is on level five in both English and Welsh.
So, with those few words, Chair, I would like to commend this report to the full Council.
Thank you.
Come to the Philippines, I intend you are happy to formally second it please.
Yeah, thank you, Chair.
I don't think there's much more I can say to what Commissioner Davis has already said.
I am happy to second the proposition.
Talk about that.
Thank you.
Daniel Ellis, which is speaking with Martha, please raise your hands now if you do so.
Yeah.
Thank you, Chair.
I'd like to welcome the fact that the language level is level five in the report.
I think that's very good, and I just have a query.
It's really technical and apologies for raising it now, but the numbering in the English translation
starts at six for the main purposes of the job, and 18 for key responsibilities.
It appears to have flown through from the Welsh instead.
I think it needs correcting, but otherwise it might lead to some confusion on reading English.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you.
Just the proposal that I'll be motioning with you to speak again, please.
No, there's a tool, but I accept the point that's been made.
So the motion, if it was please raise your hands.
Okay, we're moving the report, please.
Anyone against?
Any abstentions, please?
And that's Kerry.
Thank you.
Move on to item seven.
designation of your council's internet monitoring officer.
This report begins with page 63 of your agenda park.
If any member of it needs to be declared to please us now and raise your hands.
If you wish to withdraw from the, sorry, withdraw, sorry, please.
Please ask the DSU officer to please.
We'll move you in the waiting room.
Sorry, I'm coughing.
You have your report on the appointment of an interim monitoring officer.
Come with a repeat, I just want you to move the report, please.
I am presenting this report.
Thank you, Chair.
You will all remember that the county council agreed to the arrangements for the,
interim and permanent post for the head of law and legal services when it was all presented to us here on the 28th of February this year.
You will also remember from the report that the council were required to appoint an interim monitoring officer following the retirement of our current monitoring officer who is Linda who is here with us today on the, at the end of May.
This is a requirement legally in accordance with article five.
I can confirm that the appointments committee be had met last month to appoint an interim officer for the post and I have great pleasure to confirm that Mr. Stephen Murphy has been appointed to this post on an interim basis.
The role of the monitoring officer is an integral part of the post, which was agreed upon.
So as part of the final recruitment process, we now need to appoint Mr. Murphy formally as the monitoring officer on an interim basis so that we comply with the requirements of the act.
The process has been mapped in the report, so unless there are any questions, I am happy to approve this report to full council and to ask for the council's endorsement to appoint Mr Stephen Murphy as the monitoring officer on an interim basis from the 1st of June 2024.
So with your permission chair, I would like to say one or two more words, I would like to thank you Linda for over 40 years of service here in the council.
I don't know how you've done it. And to be honest, you deserve a medal.
You definitely deserve a medal and a rest, but on a serious note, we have all turned to you from time to time, asking you for your advice over the years. Thank you to you for being so caring of all of us here in the council and for your wise leadership and robust leadership.
And I want to wish you every happiness and best wishes for the future. I'm sure we will have a chance to thank you again. Thank you very much.
Thank you, come to the heavens. No, come to the Philippines.
Please go to the views.
Yeah, thank you chair. I'd just like to echo Linda's words to Linda. Indeed, yes, thank you very much for all the services you've given us.
I wish you good health and happiness for the future to enjoy your retirement. Indeed.
And with that, I'm happy to second the proposition. Thank you very much indeed.
Are there any report amendments?
Yeah, good. I support the report.
But I serve in 37 years with Linda. I have to get up and say, since then, everybody comes to the days, there's not many officers left from reorganization.
I'm still here, but in the Philippines. But I'd like to thank you for all the years, because I know when I was a young man coming to the neighborhood council, you give me a lot of support then.
And you've given me support all through the decades, even up to the day. And, you know, I know when I lead how much the support you give me in a lot of tricky situations.
But I wish you all the best for the future. I wish you all the lovely and healthy retirement.
And I hope you have a good day. Thank you very much.
Now please, any amendments?
No.
No.
Yes.
I wish you all the right to reply.
No.
Yes.
Please wait.
In the report, please.
[coughing]
Are you engaged?
[coughing]
Extension, please.
[coughing]
That's Caudy. Thank you.
You may move on to agenda number eight.
[coughing]
I said the recommendations of the Cabinet in respect to the foreign items.
The strategy equality plan, 2024, 228.
Cabinet, eight into the third, 24.
The supervision of your agenda park.
If any member of us needs to read, declare an interest, please also now.
Raise your hands and you'll be advised to please be placed in the waiting room.
If you have before, you will report on the strategic equality plan, 2408.
[coughing]
Thank you very much, Chair.
I have pleasure in presenting the strategic equality plan draft for 2024-28.
There is a strategic responsibility on the Council under the Equality Act and the public sector duty to publish the strategic equality plan.
The Welsh Government is reviewing the public sector equality duty in Wales at the moment,
and equality officers across Wales have noted to Government that we need to prepare strategic plans for every public sector organization by 2024,
but that review hasn't been completed by the Government yet.
So we will need to review our strategic plan once the Welsh Government review has been completed.
And of course, officers will be monitoring and updating us on any further requirements.
The new scheme for Comarvenshire for 2024-28 reflects many national policies and strategies that have been published over the last few years,
such as the social linguistic duty, the anti-racist Wales action plan,
the Wales LGBTQ+ action plan.
And the aim of this strategy in Comarvenshire is to bring all these elements together into one plan
to concentrate our work locally and prioritize work.
When preparing the new SEP and setting the aims, we have considered a lot of different elements.
For example, engagement work, which has been held jointly with other organisations in the region,
such as Canada-Gion Pembroxure Councils and Partners in the PSP.
Local data and data from the National Report is Wales' fairer 2023 report.
The plan sets four equality aims for the 2024-2028 period,
being an employer of choice, and Councillor Philip Hughes will be giving more information on this.
Enabling our residents to live and age well, embedding community cohesion in our organisation and our community,
and protecting and strengthening equality and human rights.
We will continue to review and provide updates throughout the annual reporting cycle.
We will also expect the Welsh Government to publish a Disability Action Plan in Spring 2024,
so we will need to review and respond once that has been published.
It's a pleasure to present this report to Council.
It is a work in progress and will be amended as additional reports come forward from Welsh Government.
Jojavoud.
Thank you, Councillor Davies. Councillor Philip Hughes, I understand you want to move second.
It's probably seconded, please.
Thank you, Chair.
I'd just like to add to what Anna has already said,
in that this key document covered many areas that sit within my people portfolio's responsibilities.
As Anna has already said, people management play an integral role in the Strategic Ecology Plan
on this implementation, and a newly developed workforce strategy that is before this morning,
which picks up many of the themes highlighted in the document we have in front of us today.
Mathematically, we will work to create a workplace where everyone is treated equally,
with dignity and a fair access to resource and learning opportunities.
We also want a workplace that has an inclusive culture that provides an innovative support,
innovative supportive and interesting place for other people to work,
as well as to allow them to fully engage in our work to help communities thrive.
We know that employing people who have a range of different backgrounds, experiences and ideas
increases creativity and leads to better problem solving and decision making.
We also know that your workplace that encourages equality, diversity and inclusion
and help to attract and retain good people to better serve our diverse range of customers
and keeping our people engaged and motivated.
But simply, fair organizations perform better,
and that is why your workforce strategy and also a transformation strategy align
with a commitment set out in the Strategic Ecology Plan.
Again, equity and commitments in other workforce related strategies.
It's good to see how we are integrating these key dots so that they are cohesive and join up.
I also want to make reference to the Welsh language that is highlighted in the draft Strategic Equality Plan.
And at the end of this month, we will have an update report
to consider in terms of the progress we are making in promoting the Welsh language
and what we are doing to create Welsh language apprenticeships.
That being said, we are hoping that we can secure some external transfer
and then to achieve this initiative very shortly.
Find the chair. I'd like to add my support to the Strategic Ecology Plan.
Thank you.
Please raise your hands if you wish to so please.
Just a little bit.
I hope you are feeling okay.
Can I thank members of the school for presenting what is,
I'm sure everybody would agree, a really, really important report.
Not only one that fulfills our statutory duties as a local authority,
but one which I think we will all agree needs to underpin all the activities
of the council in terms of what we do internally and really importantly
what we do in delivering things on behalf of our community.
One question I'd like to raise or point of light to raise really is around
the data that supports each of the sections within the plan.
And I note that a significant amount of that data relates to all of Wales
rather than to come out and share.
I completely get that might be because it's difficult to get that more local data,
but I'd like to make a plea to Councillor Davis to sort of look
to us collecting more local data,
particularly given the increasing diversity and related issues within
many of our communities across the Madam Chair.
More specifically, I'd like to just raise a couple of points in relation to
the actions around monitoring emergency and emerging community tensions
within our communities and there's a pledge on page 27 of the plan
for these to be monitored and for the Council to work with key partners,
including police and community members, as part of response to mitigate them.
Having been with my fellow board member, Councillor Skinner,
and indeed other members at the forefront of significant community tensions
over the past 12 months, can I make a plea that this action is expanded
to include a specific mention to both county and community councillors,
and specifically can assurance be given that we will be given as members
the opportunity to formally raise issues from within our communities
and that we receive appropriate advice and support in identifying potential risks
and in developing and implementing remedial measures within our communities.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor interjecting.
Sorry, my apologies.
I couldn't get my words out.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor interjecting.
My apologies.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor interjecting.
Councillor interjecting.
Certainly with regard to data, I know there's some local data,
as much as we've been able to gather, but I will certainly take your point
and see if we can use further data as and when it comes available,
and I'm sure we will.
With regards to community cohesion,
we have what I feel a brilliant community cohesion team.
It's a very small team here within the council,
but they do a lot of excellent work,
internationally, but around its regional team.
But we have some members of that,
but there is in come out and we should do an excellent work.
I don't know if you've been in touch with them,
and you know who they are,
but I'm sure that we'll keep the conversations going between yourself
and comes to the skin there.
But also it is, as I say, a come to my team,
and I'm sure that everybody will be able to speak with them
if you feel that there's any tension or any underlying tension
that they need to know about.
But I have to tell you, their fingers are on the pulse.
They are amazing, and you know, they're all bit.
I'm going to leave it there.
But you know, that is a two-way conversation,
and I'm sure that that will continue.
John.
Thank you, Katie Davies.
Thank you very much.
Thank you very much.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you for that response.
Councillor Davis, which is reassuring.
And indeed, Councillor Skinner and I,
and I know other colleagues,
internationally have been involved with the community care team.
They've given expert advice to us.
I think my point is that, you know,
we had to proactively seek that,
and I think there's something that could be done within this plan
having to kind of look around to see how we get those conversations going.
So I think, you know,
absolutely brilliant support from them.
I think it needs to be formalised in a way that properly isn't set out in the plan.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Are there any before the amendments?
Please raise your hand if you wish to do so now.
There's the report of the motion, which is the right to reply.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Will the members please?
Please, members, raise your hand.
The report, please.
Right.
Can you raise your hand? Sorry.
Oh, God.
Thank you.
Are you going to gain, please?
Any potentials?
Carried.
We move on to agenda item nine.
To receive the report from meeting of the cabinet held in the 4th of March,
18th of March, 25th of March, and 15th of April.
I will take them all together.
If any other officer needs to read the clear and interest,
please raise your hands now, or advise you intend to withdraw from the meeting
so that the officer can remove you from the place in the middle room.
I intend to take four sets together, as I've said,
which are again, I'll repeat the 4th of March, 18th of March,
25th of March, and 15th of April.
They're all within your park.
Come sit down and press anything you wish to move over these minutes and block.
Can you please switch on your microphone now?
Thank you very much, Chair.
They're happy to propose the four meetings at the same time.
Thank you.
Come sit in the levels.
I intend to wish to second it.
Happy to second them.
Thank you.
Are there any questions on millions of the meetings that you've read today?
If so, please state the meeting date.
Minute number on Redmond Page within the park, please.
No questions, Chair.
The report.
My head.
If you're happy to receive the minute, please, if you'd make a hand,
thank you.
Confused.
Anyone against?
Any abstentions, please?
I move on to agenda item 10.
Notice the motion then received.
I move on to agenda item 11, public questions then received.
And I move on to agenda item 12, presentation of petition.
Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Chair.
I'm a Welsh learner.
I'm a very new Welsh learner.
I'm new in English because I don't have sufficient Welsh at all.
So, my name is Elizabeth Early.
I joined the convenience campaign in Burryport because for four months this year,
we were left to the entire town in the harbor with one toilet cubicle,
including over the Easter weekend.
We collected over 500 signatures for our petition on the 7th of April,
450 of which were for Burryport and its immediate environs.
The petition requested that the county council reinstate public toilets
in such a way that they're accessible to wheelchair users,
disabled and elderly persons, those with babies and young children,
and most importantly, that the structure must be protected from vandalism
with appropriate management and cleaning regimes in place.
So, as to restore pride in the town, welcome tourists,
and we requested that the town council and relevant community groups
were involved from the planning stage through to the reopening of the public conveniences.
Since then, lots of people have been busy, including yourselves.
Thank you very much.
You supplied us with two portaloes outside the station toilets
for temporary relief until those toilets were opened.
We've been busy too.
We've attended lots of meetings, committee meetings of the town council,
asking for various things, including consulting local businesses.
I know that's something that's in your toilet policy
to see if they would allow us to use, well, allow the public to use their facilities freely.
We did some consultation of our own.
On the day we collected the signatures, the answer was resounding no
from everybody.
So that made it even more important that these toilets were opened in a sustainable way.
We also asked the town council to get on with the community asset transfer.
Strangely enough on the day that we held an open meeting in the town
to consult members of the public and find out how these toilets could actually be a community asset
rather than a liability.
The town council opened the toilets.
So you might think, What am I doing here? Job done.
Sadly, the toilets were opened in a disgraceful state.
Very little cleaning had been done.
Evidence of previous vandalism was there for everybody to see.
Far from protecting those toilets from vandalism.
In that kind of state, they're just openly inviting it.
During our meeting, we asked people, How could these toilets be an asset to the town?
And we got some fabulous ideas, very expensive ones,
including reconfiguring them to direct access, single cubicles,
repositioning the doors on the other side of the building,
where they'd have great visibility, a false ceiling to discourage young people
from dumping their tissue and checking it up over the beams
and into the cubicles on top of the people that are in them at the time.
But probably the best suggestions cost nothing at all.
And we've got volunteers who are willing to go into schools and do this.
Involve the young people themselves, who are the ones that are responsible for the vandalism,
have something like a mural competition,
and the winners could decorate the outside of the toilets
with very poor landmarks, with help from talented young artists
who've already painted murals in the town.
We know that it's not your responsibility to provide public toilets,
we're aware of that, but we would like you to get together with the town council
and whatever it is that's prevented this community asset transfer from happening in the past,
can we put that behind us, get on with it,
support the town council to open those toilets in a sustainable way,
not in a way which means they're just going to get closed again,
and we'll end up losing them.
Point them towards sources of funding and grants, we know money's tight,
encourage them to work with members of the community.
There's good will in the town, there are lots of people that attended our meeting
who are happy to roll up their sleeves and get involved with cleaning,
checking the toilets, doing all sorts of things,
please encourage them to make use of that good will before it dissipates.
We don't want a situation where the toilets are closed due to vandalism,
re-opened in a shoddy way, they get vandalised again, they get closed,
this is how we lost the toilets on Harbour West,
we want that to happen again because if it does happen again,
old people like me, people with young children,
people with medical conditions, women who are menstruating,
who live within walking distance of the town in the Harbour,
are going to make short car journeys to the town in the Harbour
just so that they can get home and use the toilet,
which gives you a thinker's segue into your next item,
which I think is to do with the climate crisis.
So thank you very much for listening to me,
it's very unnerving standing here, talking to you all,
but I hope you can support Barry Port, I've only lived there a year,
and it's a very special place, it manages to be both really down to earth
and also a little bit of heaven, which I've actually had tattooed in Welsh on my arm.
I really love the place and I think it deserves better treatment
than I think it has received. Thank you, Diok.
Thank you, Mr Hilly. Just the cabinet member,
what should you apply, please? Mr Hilly?
Diok Adere, thank you, Mr Hilly, for your petition calling
for the impeachment, reinstatement of public toilets in Barry Port.
I'm pleased to tell you that, as you've already said,
following a temporary closure due to an issue with the power supply,
the public toilets in Barry Port have reopened it.
However, I understand that that concerns the provision of public toilets
to be broader than only the reopening of the public toilets.
To provide you with some additional information and possibly some context,
local authorities do not have to provide public toilets,
but we are required to develop a local toilet strategy.
Our public toilet strategy has currently been drafted,
and as part of the process, we are developing an action plan to maintain
and where possible to improve the public facilities throughout the relationship.
We recognise the need for public toilets and the importance of providing clear
and up-to-date information on the location and opening times of public toilets
to allow residents to plan trips and visit with reassurance
that there are adequate facilities available to them.
To this end, we are working to engage with retailers to explore collaborative solutions
and recognise the significance of collaborating with local businesses
to enhance the overall public amenities in the area.
By fostering partnerships with nearby retail instruments,
we aim to create a network that will ensure convenient and accessible restroom facilities
for everybody in the community.
For example, in Buddyport, there is an agreement with Crazy Crapes,
where their toilet facility is to be made available to the public
between the hours of 9.30am and 4.30am during the winter period
and 9.30am and 7.30pm during the summer period.
Under the scheme, local businesses and organisations, such as cafes, restaurants and shops,
will it be engaged to make their restroom facilities available
to the public free of charge.
Participants and establishments will display a recognisable logo
or sign-in to get an involvement in the scheme,
as well as a full list available on your entire website.
I do not need to say that as our focus remains on trying to find ways
to maintain our provision of public facilities across Commander,
budget cuts handed down to local authorities of the last decade
are meant that each year we must review all possible options
in terms of budget cuts.
World's government, below-in-fission funding settlement,
meant a shortfall of over 22 million in our 24-25 budget.
However, we continue to work hard to identify efficiencies and grant funding
that might provide support, non-such research services,
and in passing this petition to the Council for consideration,
or the Cabinet for consideration rather,
we will of course do what we can under the circumstances.
Thank you very much for the petition.
I will come and move for now and collect it,
so remain where you are.
As I said, it will be passed on to the Cabinet for consideration.
Thank you.
Thank you, Commander Thomas.
Does there be a message to speak on this matter, please?
Commander James.
Thank you, Madame Chair. Several times in the last few years
I have stood here supporting the need to try this important,
and it's no different this time.
I would like to thank Mrs. Hurley for presenting the petition
in a very strong way, and partially as well,
so thank you, Diok, and Rallochi.
Public toilets aren't a luxury, but they are in necessity.
We are all in need.
As is too often a case with a lack of public toilets,
this is a health burden that falls on elderly groups,
such as other groups such as their health, disabilities,
elderly, women, and children.
It's time that the provision of public toilets
is seen as a basic and essential part of our communities,
just like pavements on streets like dinner.
In four years' time, very important,
I am sure we will celebrate the centenary of London
of the first woman to fly over the Atlantic Ocean
in a very important way, and we'll hear that accompanied
by a pilot, a mechanic, flew in from America
in their seat during the friendship.
This historic event is already got in great interest,
not only in Wales, but globally,
including the United States of America.
A covalent margin of disappointment,
an establishment of visitors,
spending their money to come and visit,
and be part of the festivities,
only to find out there isn't any public toilet provision,
but most of them will be where they come from.
Currently, it's not start to be obligation
for the local parties to provide public provision,
but this petition gives this council the opportunity
to take the moral high ground,
provide a much needed facility for both its residents and visitors,
whether it be by supply and toilets
or working in parties where the town comes here,
local groups and individuals who want to get involved.
On behalf of the council, sharing coffee calls myself,
I wish to record or support this petition.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for coming, Mrs. Early.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for coming, Mrs. Early.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for coming, Mrs. Early.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you for coming, Mrs. Early.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Question by members.
No questions today.
Question.
Sorry.
We have one member question today.
Sorry.
I missed all the part.
Question becomes a John James to come to the Alleur Fund,
a COVID member for climate change.
Does that be communication and sustainability?
Thank you, James.
Can you call me or ask a question to come to the following, please?
You're a native?
Before I put this question to a council on the event,
we're going to the Alleur Fund Chair, which I feel is important
and I put that into context.
In 2019, this council was the first council to declare climate emergency
and to commit the serve to becoming a next-year carbon local authority by 2030.
I'd like to tell you more local authorities in the UK
in the same commitment.
The major political groups were also given a positive dialogue and policies.
But now, as we hear a general action, there seems to be a weekend
on what's been done in both the dialogue and policy from the major political parties
and combating carbon emissions.
And not to do this seems to be at the middle of a country comes to England,
which leads me into asking my question to consider a vulnerable carbon member
for climate change decarbonisation and sustainability.
Research from the local government association reveals
that two-thirds of the council's in England are not confident to achieve
the net-zero carbon targets within their target timescares.
What's the worst local government association is working on a climate change transition
and support programme to seek to help the public sector meet
the rights government's 2015 net-zero carbon target.
Given this information as well as acknowledging the overall severe financial pressures
faced by local authorities, reaching net-zero targets has become even more challenging
than ever.
I'd like to put the question to a concern on the way.
Where does this concern currently stand in relation to its current objectives
and the academic goal of achieving more ambitious 2030 net-zero carbon target.
So, thank you, Councillor JAMES.
Councillor FON.
Oh, and should we respond, please?
Thank you very much, Chair.
And thanks to Councillor JAMES for raising this question today.
As a local authority, we made a promise to our residents
and to future generations a declaration of climate emergency
and a commitment to become net-zero by 2030.
We understand how urgent this is, and we recognise the important role
that we have as a local authority to play as we mitigate against the
and protecting biodiversity.
We also recognise the challenges ahead of us.
The financial pressures of achieving such an ambitious goal,
particularly when we are working with a Conservative government in London
that were defeated in court last week for the second time
for not doing enough to meet its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.
We agreed in our plan in 2020 to focus on four key areas.
Our non-domestic buildings, our street lighting, our fleet mileage
and our business mileage.
And I can confirm we are currently at around 36% less carbon emissions
since our pre-COVID baseline year.
And I am sure you agree that is quite a substantial reduction,
but we are not slowing down.
I am proud of the tremendous work that is being done by dedicated officers
to focus on our fleet which contributes about 19% of our emissions.
In the last few months alone, supported by the Climate and Nature advisory panel
made up of members from across this chamber,
we have increased our electric vehicle fleet by 40 vehicles
and set into policy the presumption for electric vehicles in all future purchases.
But we are mindful that we as a local authority
do not have all the levers needed to become net zero
unless governments at all levels decide to close that gap between rhetoric and reality
and set us on a coast towards a just transition to a more sustainable future
with appropriate funding mechanisms.
But we want to sit back and only focus on that scope that we originally perceived as net zero.
We are now transferring our learning to other areas within the Council
and mainstreaming Climate and Nature into all decisions we take.
You only need to look at our corporate plan, our transformation strategy
or even our procurement strategy.
All have climate and nature embedded in the ways of working.
No longer are they nice to have or fringe benefits, they are the way we do business.
Consider our new homes built to the highest possible environmental standard
learning from the design of passive house level schools that we've built.
Retrofitting our aging stock to provide the best possible housing standard for tenants,
reducing bills and looking after the planet.
We are now finalising training modules on carbon literacy to all Commander County Council employees.
Imagine over 8,000 staff in one organisation fully trained understanding the challenges ahead
and being able to contribute to the urgent action needed around climate and nature emergencies.
Yes, there are challenges ahead.
But unlike what some people would advocate, it's not a reason to give up
but rather to get up and do the right thing to do.
Thank you, Councillor.
Councillor James, would you recommend the question, please?
Yes, Councillor.
It must be a question, not a comment.
Thank you.
Yes, I think it's important as a Council we get updated on what's happening
and not just wait until two years before and find out things aren't going the way they should be going.
So we can keep our thing on the post as a Council.
I'd like to thank Councillor Bono for giving us an update on how the Company Council are moving forward.
Every serving member in this Company Council has a privilege and honour of representing respective wards,
which gives us the responsibility of being decision makers and custodians not only for the other wards
but also the Company of Commander Richard Seagal.
Climate change is a huge issue which impacts on current and future generations.
It is crucial that we take steps, note the topic of climate change.
Councillor James, could you ask a question?
Yes, come on, come back to it.
I'll just leave it into it.
Okay.
It is crucial that we take steps, note the topic of climate change and its effects.
And keep it on the way.
Someone keeps talking all the time.
That's all I'm doing with my friend.
Good question.
Well, you know, give me a chance.
Every time it's on the agenda, people usually come in.
Councillor James, could I ask a question, please?
Yes, I will.
If you ask a question, I'll let it into it.
All I'm going to say is we can't let up if you're an annoyed difference in what the seriousness of what could well be a respective
sector, so we can see this part of it.
We have said what does our ongoing and long-term strategy for engaged and involved with residents come out and realize
this comes to a commitment towards a low carbon future.
Thank you.
Councillor interjecting.
Thank you very much.
Councillor James, collaboration is key to success.
So by working together across sectors, industries and communities, we can achieve significant progress by acting on the
greatest challenges facing humanity.
And I am pleased to say that on a national level, we are working alongside partners, such as the WLGA and West Government
to support the National Climate Action Wales Program, to engage with the public.
This is a local area energy plan for Comabinshire, which has been co-developed with the public and private sector regulators
and communities to set this on a trajectory to decarbonize the whole county's energy system over the next decade.
This will be a further springboard on which to involve our communities.
However, over the last year, we have funded about £7.5 million worth of projects based on climate, nature and circular economy.
Imagine the impact this will have on the villages and towns of Comabinshire.
Our regeneration team have supported over 24 businesses, installing renewable energy technologies and saving hundreds of tons of
carbon each year with more and more businesses submitting expressions of interest every week.
But as a council, our most powerful asset we have is us, the elected members.
Imagine the ability to inspire our communities and address the climate and nature emergency through policy making and leading by example.
However, less than half of us have taken up the opportunity to approve our carbon literacy through the training offer.
So if any member in this chamber wishes to do the course, please contact me after the meeting so we can arrange.
And as we continue on this journey, let us keep in mind the legacy we are building for future generations.
Our actions today will shape the world they inherit tomorrow.
And let us be remembered not for the challenges we faced, but for the boldness of our ambition and determination in which we presented.
Thank you.
The move on to agenda item 14 now.
To approve the foreign changes to the membership of committee, we have a number of changes to membership of committees.
And to change the authority's reputation on mid and westways by authority.
I would like items 14.1, 14.2, 14.3 together.
Come to the other committee.
Do you formally wish to forward the led group changes and block, please.
Yes, I propose, Chair.
Thank you.
Yes, Anton you will form your second, please.
Thank you Chair, happy to second.
The changes forward on behalf of the end of the committee members, please.
Yes, thank you, Chair.
I would just like the state, obviously, as today marks Council Steve Williams' first country council meeting with us.
Obviously following his success as an unaffiliated independent in the recent by-election.
I'm sure all of us would like to wish Steve well in his new role.
And I'm currently in the good work of his predecessor, Council John Jenkins and the athlete ward.
So therefore, Chair, on behalf of the end of the committee members, can I propose the following changes?
As of playing on the agenda.
Thank you very much.
Councillor crying.
Thank you, please.
Thank you very much, Chair.
Happy to second this proposal.
Thank you very much.
It comes to price.
And it's time for the changes to one of the representatives of the mid- and westways by the end of the rest.
Good authority.
Yes, Chair, happy to second.
Thank you, Chair.
Happy to propose.
I'm just going to take the place to have Councillor Thomas.
Okay, please.
Yes, happy to second.
Thank you.
Good evening.
You are in favour of the changes in front of you.
Thank you.
I'm against.
And any abstentions, please.
And that's carried.
Thank you.
Thank you.
