This meeting was scheduled to consider mid-year review reports on the performance of several council services. The committee was also asked to consider their work programme for the remainder of the municipal year, the outcomes of their previous recommendations, and actions arising from prior meetings.

Service Area Mid-Year Reviews

Four service areas provided mid-year reviews of their service plans for 2024/25: Environment and Public Protection; Regeneration and Economic Development; Housing and Communities; and Infrastructure. Each report included performance against objectives, finance forecasts, workforce demographics, and risk registers.

The reports consistently used a 'Red, Amber, Green' (RAG) system to rate the performance of individual projects and actions, and a similar Green, Amber, Red rating to describe overall performance against individual performance measures. ¹

A RAG rating is a simple way of describing performance using the colours Red, Amber, Green. Green means good performance; Amber means performance requires attention; and Red means performance is unacceptable.

Environment and Public Protection

The [Environment and Public Protection Service][Item 3.1 - EPP Mid Year Report] was scheduled to report on progress on the [Tredegar Park][Tredegar Park Newport] Destination Play project and the desilting of the [Mon-Brecon Canal][Mon-Brecon Canal Newport], both of which were supported with funding from the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF). ² The report states that:

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a programme of funding provided by the UK Government to Local Authorities in the UK.

Significant progress has been made in the delivery of SPF-funded projects, notably with the completion and inauguration of the Tredegar Park play area and Splash Port, as well as the desilting work in the Mon-Brecon canal, which has substantially improved water flow and retention.

The committee was also asked to consider the performance of the Waste Management service in meeting the [Welsh Government's][Welsh Government] statutory recycling targets, the progress being made in tackling fly-tipping in the city, and the implementation of a new Air Quality Plan.

Regeneration and Economic Development

The [Regeneration and Economic Development Service][Item 3.2 - Regeneration Economic Development Mid Year Report] was scheduled to report on progress on a number of major projects, including the ongoing refurbishment of the Grade I listed [Newport Transporter Bridge][Newport Transporter Bridge], the development of a new leisure centre, the delivery of the Shared Prosperity Fund Programme and the development of a new Placemaking Plan and Cultural Strategy for the city.

The report states that:

The Business Support Team continue to help businesses access advice and financial support through the City of Newport Business Grants. We supported the delivery of events such as the Newport Marathon and continue to work in partnership with organisations such as Newport Live, Newport Now and Urdd Gobaith Cymru to plan for upcoming events including the Food Festival, Countdown to Christmas and the Urdd Eisteddfod in 2027.

The report pack also included an update on progress in supporting residents into work. This included the delivery of the UK Government's DWP Restart scheme and the Newport Youth Academy. ³

The DWP Restart scheme is a UK Government initiative to support long-term unemployed people back into work. The Newport Youth Academy is a skills and training programme for young people aged 16-24.

Housing and Communities

The [Housing and Communities Service][Item 3.3 - Housing Communities Mid Year Report] was scheduled to report on progress in reducing homelessness, improving the availability of affordable housing and supporting communities to deal with cost of living pressures. The report pack contains a number of case studies from service users, including positive feedback on the Lighthouse Project, a housing support service commissioned by the Council from [Taff Housing Association][Taff Housing Association]. ⁴

Taff Housing Association is a provider of affordable housing and housing support services in South Wales.

The report states that:

The first 6 months of 2024/25 have been very active for Housing and Communities as we continue to tackle some of the most significant challenges facing the authority and the wider city.

The committee was asked to consider progress being made in tackling homelessness demand and use of Temporary Accommodation, and in particular the challenge of supporting an increasing number of single people who are homeless. This group are described in the report as:

...single people. Many of this group come with significant support needs (e.g., mental health and substance misuse) related to previous experiences of trauma often dating back to their childhoods.

The committee was also asked to consider the performance of the Multiply project, which aims to improve numeracy skills in adults. ⁵ The report pack suggests that, despite good take-up, the project faces challenges in meeting its full spend target.

The Multiply project is a UK Government initiative to improve numeracy skills in adults.

Infrastructure

The [Infrastructure Service][Item 3.4 - Infrastructure Mid Year Report] was scheduled to report on progress on the delivery of Active Travel schemes, the implementation of a 20mph default speed limit across the city and the upgrade of traffic enforcement cameras.

The report states that:

The first two quarters of 2024 has once again seen Infrastructure focused on delivering its statutory duties as highway authority under the prerequisite of essential spend only, meeting the requirements of the councils MTFP and delivering high quality capital projects within programme and budget.

The committee was asked to consider the impact of Welsh Government's recent announcement on changes to the implementation of the 20mph default speed limit. Following a public consultation, the Welsh Government has suggested a more targeted approach with an increased number of exceptions to the default limit. The report pack suggests that these changes will impact on the delivery of the council's planned 20mph project works.

The report pack also suggests that the declining condition of highway assets, including carriageways and structures, is a key risk to the council. The report suggests that, whilst capital funding has been allocated to allow for some reactive maintenance, current funding levels are insufficient to maintain the condition of these assets.

Scrutiny Adviser Report

The committee was scheduled to consider a report from the [Scrutiny Adviser][Item 4 - Scrutiny Advisor Report] on actions arising from prior meetings, their work programme for 2024/25, and the outcomes of their previous recommendations to Cabinet.

Outcomes Monitoring

The report pack includes an Outcomes Monitoring table that sets out the committee's previous recommendations to Cabinet and the responses received.

Actions Arising

The report pack includes an Action Sheet that sets out the actions arising from the committee's previous meetings. One of the outstanding actions, that the committee was asked to consider, related to the need to provide more support for elected members when engaging with the public. A recommendation from a prior meeting that:

The Committee requested the exploration of the possibility of providing handheld devices or systems for Members working in the community, similar to those used for staff lone workers, and investigate additional safety measures like GPS tracking, emergency alert systems, or safety apps.

had yet to receive a response.

Forward Work Programme

The committee was asked to review its [Forward Work Programme][Item 4.2 - PSC - Place FWP 24-25] for 2024/25. The next meeting was scheduled to consider the 2025/26 Budget and Medium Term Financial Projections.