Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee

The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – South held on 18 October, 2023 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – South held on 18 October, 2023 be noted.

The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – North held on 12 October, 2023 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – North held on 12 October, 2023 be noted.

The minutes of the meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel held on 25 September, 2023 were submitted for information. Councillor Louise Emery provided a brief overview of the meeting and informed Members that she would be providing Cabinet with an update on her role as a member of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel on 28 November, 2023. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the North Wales Police and Crime Panel held on 25 September, 2023 be noted.

The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme (FWP), together with the combined FWP. Members were advised of the following: • The report on the Ash Die Back Action Plan had been deferred until the business case for the project had been through the budget planning process. • It was likely that an update on the work of the Colwyn Bay Regeneration Programme Board would be included in the Members Brief in December, 2023. • The report on the Dog Control Order for Colwyn Bay beach, would be scheduled on the FWP, once the dates of the consultation had been finalised. In considering the FWP, reference was made to the following: • In relation to the update on the work of the Colwyn Bay Regeneration Board, concern was raised as to the proposal to remove £500k from the capital programme for Colwyn Bay investment, as part of the review of the capital programme for 2023/2024. Members supported a proposal to present a report to democracy on the work of the Colwyn Bay Regeneration Programme Board as opposed to inclusion within the Members Brief, subject to consideration of the FWP at the informal meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs. • Further to the submission of a petition on 27 September, 2023 to the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee regarding the West Shore area in Llandudno and windblown sand, the Local Electoral Division Member for Gogarth, Councillor Harry Saville, requested an update on the matter. The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer would contact the Cabinet Member accordingly. RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved, subject to the amendment highlighted above.

None reported.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure introduced the bi-annual report and the Flood Risk and Infrastructure Manager presented a detailed overview of county wide coastal and fluvial flood risk reduction schemes. It was noted that the Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure fully supported the work. As Members were kept informed of schemes in their wards and due to the significant amount of resource it took to prepare all the individual progress reports, consideration was given to receiving an annual report as opposed to bi-annually with any issues during the year reported accordingly to democracy. Upon reflection, Members favoured bi-annual reporting in order to be kept fully up to speed with matters. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted: • It was acknowledged that the Phase 2B Cayley Promenade Project was making good progress, however, there was some concern that work on the kiosks had not yet commenced. Members were informed that the kiosks did not form part of the Phase 2B scheme, however, tender specifications and construction of the kiosks would be progressed in due course. • Discussion ensued regarding housing developments built, prior to sustainable drainage systems (SuDS), and the impact some developments were having on water pollution and flooding in urban areas. The importance of such schemes being fit for purpose and future proofed against global warming events, during the planning application stage, was highlighted. In response, Members were informed that Welsh Government (WG) provided the design standards and it was standard practice to consider present day and future events. • The importance of maintenance and prevention was highlighted. • Assurance was sought that Local Members would be kept informed of designs and/or proposals for flood defence schemes, prior to public consultation. Reference was made to Llandudno’s Coastal Defence Improvement Scheme and assurance was sought that it would not negate any future proposals of putting sand back to parts of Llandudno beach. Members were assured that the current Llandudno Coastal Defence Improvement Scheme would not impact negatively on any proposal for sand. • In relation to individual local ward concerns that arose during the discussion regarding the Dingle, Colwyn Bay, Station Road, Deganwy, Ganol - Rhos on Sea, Ty Crwn - Abergele, Llanddulas tip and blocked drains and gullies reported in parts of Llandudno, the Flood Risk and Infrastructure Manager advised that he was very happy to assist Members further in relation to any of the individual queries and concerns. • The Old Colwyn coastal defence and promenade improvements to both Penrhyn Bay and Old Colwyn were praised. Members thanked the Flood Risk and Infrastructure Manager and the team for all their hard work, particularly during storm events when the volume of water could be significant and challenging. RESOLVED: That the county wide coastal and fluvial flood risk reduction schemes and associated appendices update be noted.

The Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure introduced the report, the Head of Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) provided an update on the consultation and the Facilities Manager provided the detail of the report. As a result of the consultation closing date being extended, the number of responses to the consultation now totalled 221, as opposed to 119 previously reported within the committee report. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted: • Conwy County relied heavily upon tourism, therefore public toilets/facilities were vital. • Alternative forms of delivery was acknowledged, together with the need to promote the Community Scheme further with Town and Community Councils and the local business community. • The need for an explanation regarding the financial details and any expected shortfall in the next update was requested. • The facilitation of providing contactless payment and the need to consider those, who don’t necessarily use contactless was highlighted. • It was noted that Town Councils often had higher precepts / reserves to that of Community Councils. • The need to monitor toilets of high footfall in order to indentify additional need for more cleaning / maintenance. • Any proposed changes / closures to public conveniences must be relayed to and consulted upon with all relevant Local Members and Town and Community Councils. • The responsibility of the organiser to provide additional/alternative provision for public toilets during large events within the county. • Public toilets along the Cayley Promenade would form part of the building of the kiosks, therefore progressing the kiosks was considered necessary, in order to ensure adequate facilities in the area for tourists, particularly during the holiday season. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That Cabinet adopt the Local Toilet Strategy and that it be reviewed in 6 months to include financial details and any expected shortfall. (b) That consultation is undertaken with Local Members with regards to public toilets within their individual Wards.