Minutes
Direct Services and Regeneration Committee
6.00pm Wednesday, 15th October 2014
Civic Office,133 Berw Road, Pontypridd
Present:
Cllr C Hull – Chair
Cllr A Bevan – Vice-Chair
Cllr S Carter
Cllr M Harvey
Cllr B John
Cllr K Woodward
In attendance:
Gethin Williams Chief Executive
J Hopkins – Administrative Officer
R Strange – Direct Services Co-ordinator
6.Apologies for absences:
Cllr J Hughes
7.Declaration of Interest:
None.
8.Chief Executive Report:
8.1parkrun
The Pontypridd Parkrun would be celebrated its 1st anniversary on the 12th October. It was reported that the average weekly runners were 130 and the feedback was very good.Councillor A. Bevanreferred to the 158 runners who had taken part in the event on Saturday, 11th October 2014, and that runners throughout Britain and abroad had participated in the event to bring people to Pontypridd. He also highlighted the significant assistance provided by volunteers which included in particular members of Pontypridd Roadents. Councillor S. Carter referred to his aim to hold a “canoe” event in the locality which will lead to more people visiting the town.
AGREED:
(a)To note the report and the success of the parkrun which could lead to further successful running events in the Pontypridd area.
(b)That a letter of thanks be sent to the Pontypridd Roadents and to the Town Centre Manager and his team in the event being so successful.
8.2Youth Council
The first meeting of the Youth Council had taken place on Wednesday 26th March 2014, before the Council Meeting. A further meeting took place at Pontypridd High School on Tuesday 29th April and it was agreed to meet again after the examination period.
AGREED:
To note the report and to delegate to the SEO in consultation with the Chair and Vice-chair of Committee authority to agree a suitable date during the day for the next meeting in the Mayor’s parlour.
8.3Vintage Transport Day – 8th August 2014
The Vintage Transport Day event had been again very successful with over 200 vehicles taking part along with various entertaining attractions including the following:
- Gtfm roadshow
- Bridgend big band
- Falconry
- Nearly Wild Show
- Donkey Rides
- Farm
- Cardiff Morris Dancers
- Children’s entertainers
- Mascots
- Children’s activities
- Face painters
- Smiley Land Train
- Dog show with free chipping
- Pottery
- Climbing Wall
2015 will be the 10th year of the event.
AGREED:
(a)To note the report and to keep the event on a Saturday.
(b)Members further encouraged greater publicity to be given to the event and that Members be kept informed in advance in order to circulate publicity handouts.
(c)To thank all staff who set up the event and in particular the SEO and DSC.
8.4Mayor’s Community Fun Day
The Mayor, Councillor S. Powderhill, held a “Community Fun Day” on Saturday 16th August at Taff Meadow Community Centre and Grounds instead of the traditional Civic Sunday Service. Entertainment included: children’s entertainer, costume characters, Gtfm, pottery and face painting. Over 1000 people attended the event and the “feedback” was very positive and it had been a very successful day.
AGREED:
To note the report and to thank all staff who set up the event and in particular the SEO and DSC.
8.5Fun Day – Pontypridd Town Centre
The Town Council had worked in partnership with the Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC Pontypridd Town Centre team to hold a “Fun Day” in Pontypridd Town Centre on Saturday 13th September from 11.00am – 4.00pm. This event had been highly successful with an increase in people in the Town Centre.
AGREED:
To note the report.
8.6Christmas Event – 15th November 2014
At the meeting in July Committee had recommended the date of the switching on the Christmas Lights event takes place on Saturday 15th November 1.00pm – 6.00pm. Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC “Town Centre Team” had applied for the road closure.
Entertainment arranged to date included gtfm roadshow, children’s rides, Costume Characters – Mike and Sully/Frozen and Mickey and Minnie, Stilt Walkers, face painting, children’s entertainer, snow cannons and pyrotechnic show. Correspondence had also been received regarding the tree at St. Catherine’s Church. Members also commented that in future any Member involvement with outside organisations had an appropriate “paper trail”.
AGREED:
(a)To note the report.
(b)That the SEO/DSC contact the Vicar of St. Catherine’s Church regarding the provision of Christmas lights and possibly place them on another tree outside the Church.
(c)To further note that discussions were being undertaken regarding Rhondda Cynon CBC’s financial contribution towards the event.
8.7Muni – Update
The Chief Executive reported again that at an earlier Committeethe “Business Plan” for the Muni had been submitted by the Working Groupto Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council by the 25th September 2014. Attached to the report was the “Executive Summary” and the full “Business Plan” could be viewed at the Civic Office.
AGREED:
To note the report.
8.8Ponty 10K
It was suggested at the July Committee meeting that the Town Council hold a 10K running event in Pontypridd. Details were provided that the total costs of the event were likely to be in the region of £18k
In consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair potential sponsors are being sought for this 10K run.
AGREED:
(a)To note the report and the amount of Council funding was discussed later as part of the budget report.
(b)That the SEO contact potential sponsors for a £10K event and if necessary a meeting be arranged with the Vice-chair of Committee and or the Leader and to await a further report.
8.9Mayor’s Charity Concert
This year the Concert will be held on Saturday 13th December in Pontypridd Museum at 6.00pm. The entertainment will be provided by Cor Meibion Pontypridd and Pontypridd Theatre Group. Light refreshments would follow the Concert which was paid from the Christmas events budget.
AGREED:
To note the report and that e-mails along with “hard copies” be sent to all Members requesting raffle prizes for the event.
8.10Carol Singing in Pontypridd Town Centre
The dates for the Schools Carol singing in Pontypridd Town Centre had been arranged for Wednesday 3rd December to Wednesday 11th December. Street Collection Licence forms had been forwarded to the schools to enable them to apply to Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC.
Mention was also made of the “Star Factor” Stage School for adults with learning difficulties who had requested involvement in the carol singing school events at Christmas time.
AGREED:
(a)To note the report.
(b)That “Star Factor” Stage School for adults with learning difficulties be invited to participate the carol singing/ school event at Christmas time.
8.11Christmas Card Competition
The closing date for the annual Christmas Card Competition entries was 7th November 2014. The competition will be judged on the 7th November and the three winnerswould receive £25.00, a framed card and be invited to attend the Switching on the Christmas lights event on the 15th November.
AGREED:
To note the report.
8.12Flowers in Pontypridd Town Centre/Pontypridd Common Leaflet
It had been suggested that Pontypridd Town Council work in partnership with the Probation Service and the Town Centre Team and possibly other organisations to plant flowers in and around Pontypridd. Costs were unknown and there was no finance in the budget for 2014/2015.
It was reported that the “Tourism” Section of Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC had prepared a leaflet regarding the Common and that the Town Council had made a £250 contribution from the Museum budget.
AGREED:
To note the report and for the time being await a further report regarding the proposals of the Probation Service for providing flower baskets in town.
8.13Pontypridd Museum – Model Railway Show
The Model Railway Show was being held this year on Saturday 29th November and Sunday 30th November in Pontypridd Museum from 10.00am – 4.30pm on Saturday and 10.00am – 4.00pm on Sunday. Admission fees were £2.00 adult/£1.00 children.
AGREED:
To note the report.
8.14Budget/Precept 2015/2016
Members were asked to consider what events/projects/headings under which the Committee expected to make payments or would like to receive income in the forthcoming year. In considering the report, Members when reviewing considered the future spending/budget requirements. By way of background information the 2014/5 budget figures of the Regeneration and Direct Services Committee were considered.Further information regarding the budgets were provided at the meeting.
AGREED:
(a)To note the report, the additional information provided and the headings under which the Committee budget expected to make payments or to generate(if any) income for the forthcoming year.
(b)To further note the current year’s spending and budget and to assess the current and likely future activities and the costs to be included in the budget for next year on an incremental basis for submission to the Policy and Finance Committee.
(c)To submit to the Policy and Finance Committee for consideration the requested 20154/15 budget set out below – the requested increases are highlighted in red.
REGENERATION
Budget Heading / Includes / Budget2014-2015 / Budget 2014/15 with Comments
(additions shown in red)
Fun Run / T-shirts (310), gtfm roadshow (£100), clock (£50), Medals (£80), Fruit/water (£50), Poster (£25), banner(£159), First Aid (£90), Radios (£60) / £900.00 / £1,000.00
Annual increase
August Event / Steamers (£950) Infrastructure (£3819), entertainment (£4885) Advertising (£1800) / £10,500.00 / £11,500.00
Increased to reflect additional costs
Budget Heading / Includes indicative spends / Budget
2014-2015 / Budget 2014/15 with Comments
(additions shown in red)
Remembrance / Band (£150), bugler (£50), buffet (£500), choir (£50) Wreaths (£100) Donation Police Band (£350) / £1,200.00 / £1,200.00
Christmas Switch on event / Infrastructure entertainment including pyrotechnics, snow cannons, gtfm roadshow, costume characters, stilt walkers, balloon maker, bands, choirs/Christmas Card Competition (£75)/Carol Singing (£99.00)/Concert (£405) / £15,000.00 / £15,000.00
Regeneration projects / Engineering Award (£100), St. David’s Day (£500), Youth Council (£1000) Promotional material (£500) / £2,100.00 / £4,150.00
To provide for new promotional material, events, newsletter (£150)
Small Grant Scheme / S137 grants / £7,500.00 / £7,500.00
Christmas Lights / Testing, erecting, taking down and maintaining through Christmas period (£11,800), Christmas tree (£995), brackets and trees in Fountain area (£132), repairs for catinary wires (£750), new lights for main tree (£800) overspend - (£2477) / £12,000.00 / £13,562.00
10K parkrun / £250.00 / £2,250.00
(to be funded in part from balance of 2014/5 underspend)
Total / £49,450.00 / £56,162.00
Direct Services
Budget Heading / Includes indicative spends / Budget2014-2015 / Budget 2014/15 with Comments
(additions shown in red)
Allotment (to include open spaces and contractor costs) / Fencing-£3300 – skips-£2200 General repairs £1000
Tree work - £2000, grass cutting (12 cuts) £5520 repairing pathways tarmacing £500, specialist work spraying (knotweed, brambles etc) £900 / £30,000.00 / £30,000.00
Building maintenance / Repairs, upkeep, painting.
Stripping out of new baby changing- disabled toilet £2000
New Fire doors for Taff Meadow / fixings £1400, 3 new windows Civic Office £1400 / £10,000.00 / £11,300.00
£1,000.00 upgrading and change of alarm company and £300.00 for a new carpet in Mayor’s parlour
Bus shelter maintenance / Cleaning, repairs ,replacement of panels, removing graffiti / £1,000.00 / £1,000.00
Canal basin / Out sourced / £ 0 / £ 0
Equipment / Replacing old equipment, replacing equipment to meet new H & S regs / £1,000.00 / £1,000.00
Health & safety – PPE / Clothing, gloves, boots ,hi-vis / £700.00 / £700.00
Health & safety inspections/services / Alarms, disposal of needles, extinguishers, PAT testing, boiler servicing / £4,200.00 / £4,200.00
New bus shelters / New or replacement of a shelter / £ 0 / £ 0
Seats maintenance / Cleaning, repairs, painting, replacing bases / £600.00 / £1,095.00
£495.00 New seat at Danylan Road
Urinal maintenance / Cleaning, general repairs, replacement of tanks / £200.00 / £200.00
Urinal –water rates / Rates / £300.00 / £300.00
Vehicles-fuel / Fuel / £3,000.00 / £3,000.00
Vehicles – road tax / Tax for 2 vehicles / £450.00 / £450.00
Vehicles – maintenance / m.o.t, servicing, repairs / £1,000.00 / £9,500.00
New vehicle (£8,500 est) present vehicle 17 years old
War memorials maintenance / Repairs, cleaning, replacing and repair of railings, gates / £2,000.00 / £2,000.00
Waste disposal - tipping / Bins, open spaces, office and museum waste – skips @ £166 & £189 for Taff Meadow – change every 2 weeks = $4914 / £5,000.00 / £5,000.00
Leasing vehicles / / / £ 0 / £ 0
Grit Bins / 1 Cilfynydd/1 Town Ward/1 Rhondda / £5,000.00 / £5,000.00
Total / £60,050.50 / £70,345.00
9.Direct Services Co-ordinators Report
9.1Seat at Danylan Road
Councillor Brian John had requested a seat to be sited at Danylan Road, Maes-y-coed alongside the bus shelter owned by Pontypridd Town Council. The estimated cost was £495.00.
There would also be a need to obtain permission from the land owner/highway authority.
AGREED:
(a)To site a seat at Danylan Road, Maes-y-coed at a cost of £495.00. The cost was agreed to be added to the 2014.15 budget bid.
(b)That the DSC forward a questionnaire to properties close to the proposed siting requesting the residents view.
The meeting closed at 8.10 p.m.
Signed:______
Cllr C Hull – Chairperson
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Direct Services and Regeneration Committee
15th October 2014