Chief Executive Report

Direct Services and Regeneration – April 2018

1.Pontypridd Children’s Literature Festival

Members are reminded the Pontypridd Children’s Literature Festival is on Saturday 12th May 2018 in Pontypridd Museum between 9.00am- 6.00pm.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

2.Ponty’s Big Run for Fun

Children and adults will be invited to take part in this year’s run which will take place on Sunday 10th June in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in aid of Velindre Cancer Care. All participants will receive a medal and pre- registered participants will also receive a free t-shirt and goody bag! Gtfm will provide the entertainment. The total raised last year was £1,400.00.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

3.Vintage Transport Day

This year’s event is on Saturday 11th August in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park between the hours of 11.00am – 5.00pm. There will be a parade through Pontypridd Town Centre starting at 11.00am.

Entertainment to include:

  • Gtfm roadshow
  • Bridgend big band
  • Falconry
  • Nearly Wild Show
  • Farm
  • Cardiff Morris Dancers
  • Children’s entertainers
  • Children’s activities
  • Face painter
  • Smiley Land Train
  • Live music
  • Arena acts – BMX show and a Llama display

It is estimated there will be 200 vintage vehicles on display.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

4.Christmas Switching On Event

The Christmas Switching On event is being held on Saturday 18th November 3pm-6pm in Pontypridd Town Centre. There will be a temporary road closure.

The entertainment includes:

  • Santa’s Grotto (12.00pm – 5.30pm) 50p charge in aid of Mayor’s Charity
  • Reindeer (3pm-6pm)
  • Snow Globe with free photo
  • Falconry
  • Skating baubles
  • Stilt walkers
  • Balloon maker
  • Children’s rides
  • Face painting
  • Stalls
  • Gtfm roadshow
  • Snow cannons
  • Pyrotechnic display to end the event

Other possible activities – reindeer parade through Town and Lantern parade.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

5.Mayor’s Charity Concert

The Concert is being held on Saturday 1st December at 6.00pm in Pontypridd Museum. The entertainment will be provided by Cor Meibion Pontypridd and the Heritage Singers. Refreshments will follow the Concert. All proceeds from the raffle money will be donated to the Mayor’s Charity.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

6.Christmas Card Competition

The Christmas Card Competition closing date is 8th November with the cards being judged in the Museum on Friday 9th November. The Chair of this Committee is one of the judges. The competition is judged in 3 categories 3-6, 7-9, 10-11. The prize is £25.00, framed card and to be invited to switch on the Christmas lights on the 18th November.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

7.Annual Service of Remembrance

The Annual Service of Remembrance this year is on Sunday 11th November commencing at St. Catherine’s Church at 10.00am and continuing at the War Memorials in Ynysangharad War Memorial Park at 11.00am. The Town Council will be working in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taff CBC for the Service this year with RCTCBC taking the lead role. This year will mark 100 years of centenary of First World War and 100 years of the Royal Air Force.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

8.Christmas Carol Singing

Local Schools will be invited to sing carols in Pontypridd Town Centre during December.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

9.Young People’s Community Competition Challenge – Moving Forward

Four schools have entered this year’s Young People’s Community Challenge:

Coedylan Primary School

Maesycoed Primary School

St. Michaels Primary School

Coedpenmaen Primary School

Members are aware that this is a new initiative for the Town Council. For the schools to showcase their work and activities to their full advantage, for example wall displays, presentations, outdoor planting, drama productions, the judging by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor will visit the School.

The judging will take place in the first week of July. The prizes are as follows:

Cash prizes to spend on a healthy activity of your choice!

1st prize - £100

2nd and 3rd prizes - £50

The winning school will receive a Community Challenge trophy for their School and all the children who took part will receive a medal.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

10.Rhydyfelin Family Fun Day

A request has been received from the Secretary of the Rhydyfelin Community Group regarding working in partnership with the Town Council on the Family Fun Day at Rhydyfelin dog track on June 23rd 2018. As Members are aware this is an annual event and we are informed by the secretary usually costs between £1,800 and £2,000. The Community Group are requesting that the Town Council give consideration to providing financial support for this community event and would request the sum of £900 being 50% of the anticipated total cost. They have offered to advertise the Town Council on the all promotional literature and would welcome a strong presence on the day from the Town Council, say by way of a stall providing information about the Museum and other Town Council events. All Town Councillors are invited to attend.

As the secretary states, they believe that working together is the way forward, reaching out to as many people as possible in our communities and they wish to forge strong links with the Town Council.

DECISION REQUIRED:

Whether to agree to provide the financial assistance as requested. If agreed in principle matter will be need to be referred to the Policy and Finance Committee to request that such a sum be allocated from general reserves.

11.Twinning(pages 7 – 9)

As Members will recall from the previous Direct Services and Regeneration Committee there are a number of events being arranged this year to mark the 50thanniversary of Pontypridd Town’s Twinning relationship with Nürtingen in Germany. There are events arranged in Nürtingenin both May and June. A schedule of the May events is attached should any Councillor wish to attend (10th – 13th May). The June visit to Nürtingen(7th – 10th June) is largely being organised by RCTCBC in conjunction with the Twinning Association and there are currently 2 vacancies for a Town Council representative to attend. If any Member wishes to travel to Nürtingen for this Anniversary event please contact the Chief Executive as soon as possible.

As Members will also recall a Civic Contingent from Nürtingen will be visiting Pontypridd in July and it was agreed that this would be an opportune moment for a friendship agreement to be entered into between the 2 towns. A draft copy of Llantrisant Community Council’s friendship agreement is attached for Members information. It is proposed that the Charter of Friendship between Nürtingenand Pontypridd be based on this format. Members are asked to agree that we may so proceed and prepare the document with a German translation. Once finalised this will be sent to the Mayor of Nürtingen for agreement.

DECISION REQUIRED:

(a)To note the report.

(b)To draft a Charter of Friendship between Nürtingenand Pontypridd as per the attached draft.

12.Well Being (pages 11 – 13)

The Town Council has a duty under the Well Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 to report back to the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales on the steps the Town Council has taken towards meeting the objectives in the Local Well Being Plan. The Cwm Taf Public Services Board has not as yet published the final version of the Local Well Being Plan but details of the draft objectives are attached for Members information. In the meantime it is recommended that the Chief Executive prepare a report regarding how the Town Council is meeting the 7 Well Being goals under the legislation and this draft report will be put before the next Policy and Finance Committee.

DECISION REQUIRED:

To note the report.

13.Direct Services Co ordinator’s Report on the Town Council’s Bus Shelters

(pages15 – 35)

Members are referred to the attached report as prepared by the Direct Services Co ordinator which provides an overview of the current bus shelter provision under the responsibility of the Town Council. This report details the policies, procedures and responsibilities which the Town Council has regarding its bus shelter provision in the town. A schedule of the bus shelters which are under Town Council control are included together with details of the condition of the shelters andthe cost of maintenance or replacement.

Members are asked to consider this report and to decide whether they wish to review the signature paint colour of bus shelters and to include any Town Council logo. An example of the previous Town Council logo is attached and Members are asked to consider whether they wish to change the colour of the bus stops from the current agreed colour of blue to another chosen colour scheme. Members are asked to consider whether the outside maintenance unit are to embark on a schedule of repainting and upgrading all the bus shelters as necessary and also whether to agree the design and inclusion of a new Pontypridd Town Council logo.

DECISION REQUIRED:

(a)To note the report.

(b)Whether to standardise the type of shelter, and if necessary to add side panels and seating.

(c)How often bus shelters are to be cleaned.

(c)Whether to repaint all new bus shelters in a new agreed uniform Pontypridd Town Council colour.

(d)Whether to include in any such upgrading of bus shelters a new agreed Pontypridd Town Council logo.

Chief Executive Report

Direct Services and Regeneration Committee

April 2018