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Summary when the minutes are published, usually a few weeks after the meeting.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The Committee examined a call-in of Cabinet's decision of 19 September 2023 to withdraw from the HyBont hydrogen project. A call-in means that councillors can ask a scrutiny committee to review a decision before it takes effect. The Committee decided not to refer the decision back to Cabinet.
The Committee considered the draft Housing Support Programme Strategy (Homelessness Strategy) 2022-2026 and made three recommendations, covering support for veterans, measurable objectives and a more user-friendly document. It also approved its Forward Work Programme, with one topic added: the Levelling Up Fund project for Porthcawl Pavilion.
At an extraordinary meeting, the Committee examined the budget, staffing and performance pressures on the Communities Directorate, which has had £11.744m cut from its budget over ten years. The Committee welcomed a proposal to draw up a five-year Target Operating Model, a plan for how services will be run within the resources available. It also approved its draft forward work programme for the coming months.
On 19 June 2023 the Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 considered an update on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, a UK Government grant scheme that replaces former EU funding. It made recommendations to Cabinet about the risk of starting projects before funding is confirmed, and it asked to be told whether a request to carry year 1 funding into year 2 had been granted. The Committee also nominated Councillor Jonathan Pratt as its Corporate Parenting Champion and approved its forward work programme, with added recommendations on the resources of the Communities Directorate.
Councillors on the Communities, Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (formerly Subject Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3) examined the Porthcawl Regeneration Programme, a long-term plan to redevelop the town's waterfront. Scrutiny committees are groups of councillors who check the council's work and make recommendations, but they do not take final decisions. The Committee made ten recommendations and requests, including a site visit, a two-stage design and best-price process for future land sales, and a Metrolink link to Bridgend station until Pyle station is upgraded. It also approved its forward work programme, which lists topics for future meetings.
The committee scrutinised the draft Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2023-24 to 2026-27, which sets out the Council's spending priorities and budget savings. Members questioned several proposed cuts, and the committee asked Cabinet not to proceed with two of them: support for RNLI lifeguards at Porthcawl and the Waste Enforcement Team. The committee also made recommendations on working with Town and Community Councils and on reviewing the Council's reserves.
The Communities, Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee examined a Cabinet decision of 13 December 2022 to adopt the Bridgend 2030 Net Zero Carbon Strategy. Councillors had called in the decision, which means asking Scrutiny to check it before it takes effect. The Committee decided to refer the decision back to Cabinet for reconsideration, mainly because the strategy has no costings.
The Communities, Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the Council's play sufficiency assessment and action plan for 2022-24, which sets out how the Council will help secure enough play for children and young people. Members raised accessible play equipment, the use of school pitches and play areas, and delays in providing a play park, and the Committee made five recommendations and asked for further information. The Committee also approved its Forward Work Programme.
Councillors on the Communities, Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee questioned council officers and housing association representatives on the housing and homelessness position in Bridgend. Members raised concerns about waiting times, temporary accommodation, empty homes, repairs and adaptations for disabled people. The Committee made recommendations and requested information, and approved its forward work programme, the list of topics it plans to examine.