Diary w/c 16th November

Working at Deganwy Post Office & Village Stores

I've had a nice time working back at the shop over the last week. It's been great to catch up with customers. I have to say this is one thing I have missed since selling the shop.

Back there from 7am - 9am on Monday and Tuesday.

I then in Cardiff for a couple of days, but will be working back in the shop on Saturday from 11am - 6:30pm.

Monday 16th

10am: Cabinet Asset Management Sub-Committee (Non-member), Bodlondeb

Either on Monday or Tuesday I plan to visit the Office Accommodation "Tiger Team" based at Venue Cymru. The team are working on the Organisational model and Office Accommodation strategy, which will allow us to move forward in our deliberations for the future of the Council's Offices.

Tuesday 17th

9:30am: Communities Services Local Member Meeting (Deganwy & Conwy), Business Centre, Llandudno Junction

7:15pm: Deganwy & District Residents Association Meeting, Deganwy Castle Hotel.

Includes Presentation from CCBC Environmental Department on the progress of the Recycling Trail in Deganwy. All Residents Very Welcome

Wednesday 18th

Travel to Cardiff on the Train

1pm: WLGA Member Champion Meeting, Cardiff

Thursday 19th

Member Development Conference, Marriott Hotel, Cardiff

Theme: Community Leadership, includes acceptance of the Member Charter Award

Return from Cardiff on the Train

(Missing and Apologies sent for Corporate Improvement Board)

Friday 20th

10am: School Multi-Agency Meeting for Kallum at Ysgol Creuddyn

9:30am - 1pm: Budget Working Group, Bodlondeb

Reduction in Number of Councillors and Divisions

The Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales has been given directions by the Welsh Assembly to review all Counties in Wales, to consider:

• the total number of councillors to be elected to the council


• the number and boundaries of electoral divisions


• the number of councillors to be elected for each electoral division


• the name of any electoral division.

I have posted on this subject several times. Within Council we have created a Task & finish Group to consider the work being done. I'm the Chairperson for this group.

This post looks at the potential implications to the County, to Councillors and to the representation of the Electorate.

We had a meeting this week to consider the representation we will make to the Boundaries Commission. We will be bringing a report to the next Council on 3rd Dec to approve our submission. We are currently working on the report which has to be ready by the end of next week to allow sufficient time for the report to be translated and submitted into the agenda's ready for the 3rd Dec.

The Boundary Commission have recently issued a Draft Proposal for Denbighshire. http://www.lgbc-wales.gov.uk/news_e.htm

From the results of Denbighshire it looks like we are in for some significant changes in the internal County divisions at the next elections in 2012. Some high level points from Denbighshire:

• Number of Councillors reduced from 47 to 40


• Reduction from 30 to 18 Electoral Divisions


• Reduction from 16 Single Councillor Divisions to just 4


• Denbighshire is proposed to have more Multi-Councillors Divisions, including 3 divisions with 4 Cllrs


• Average Councillor to Electorate Ratio was 1:1580, proposal is 1:1856


• Average ratio with 2018 electorate figure goes from 1:1664 to 1:1955


• Lowest new ratio is 1:1698 (current electorate)


• Lowest ratio in 2014 is 1:1750 (this was the target figure set by WAG)


• Highest new Ratios are 1:2196 (current electorate) & 1:2284 (2014 electorate)


• Had we do a simple sum of divide the number of electorate in Denbighshire (74,239) by the WAG target ratio of 1750, it would have equated to a reduction to 42 Councillors, the Commission have gone further and proposed 40 Councillors

Implications for Conwy:

• Dividing our current electorate by the target ratio would see Conwy's County Councillors reduced from 59 to 50.


• Based on what has happened in Denbighshire this could be reduced further to around 48 Councillors.


• Taking a wider view across all the Counties in Wales and taking an average of non-City Councils the number could be reduced to 45.


• Including what has happened in Newport the figure comes down to 40.

Personally I can't see Conwy going any lower than the number of Councillors in Denbighshire i.e. 40. But the size of Community Wards in Denbighshire are smaller then in Conwy. This wards can not be changed and hence act as the "Building Blocks" used to create Electoral Divisions. So by having these larger Building Blocks makes the Commissions job more difficult to meet the target and create a level of Parity across the county. I would not be surprised to see the Draft Proposal suggesting a figure of around 45 Councillors.

This would mean the County losing 14 Councillors in 2012.

Publicly most of the Council would prefer to see no changes at all and although we have different numbers of electorate responsibility over the county we recognise that issues such as rurality mean that the system we have now is as good as anything.

My concern rather than the number of Councillors is the issue have less defined Divisions, which means the area each Councillor would have to cover is increased.

For Example at the moment in Deganwy we have 2 County Councillors, with a total electorate of 3122 (ratio of 1:1561). Although the ratio is smaller the practicalities are that myself and Cllr Tew do not split the residents between us, we are there for the whole ward and it is up to the individual to decide who to contact if they have a problem or concern. The implication of the work the Commissions work could be that we could merged with another Division of comparable size. Which could see us have a total electorate of around 6,000.

At our last meeting, it was felt be fellow Councillors that we would all prefer more Single Member Divisions not less. It would be easier to have our own defined area, that we are totally and individually where responsible for. This was residents and business would have a single point of contact and it would mean that that Councillor would have to perform, or else be ousted at the next election. The larger the Division and the more Councillors in that Division provides more opportunity for imbalance in workload as the more proactive Councillors end up getting all the enquires.

Privately when I have spoken to fellow Councillors, many have said that they recognise that there may be to many Councillors at the moment. So would except some trimming of numbers.But of course nobody wants there own Division to be affected.

There is definitely some "dead wood" amongst the current Councillors and there is a wide range of involvement that Councillors have with the workings and management of the Council. The issue is though that through the Democratic Policy you can not guarantee that by reducing the number of Councillors that it would be the "dead wood" that would loose their seat. Percentage wise you would still have the same spread of performance levels.

There is definitely a different Value For Money factor that the electorate receive from different Councillors. Of course some Councillors have additional responsibilities and workload for which they get an additional allowance. It is also true to say that some of these roles require travel to other areas and hence the level of expenses can change, these are all justified. I live very centrally within the county and very rarely claim expenses, in fact I haven't claimed any to date. But we do have some who claim expenses for every meeting they attend, this is currently allowed but I do believe the Councillors should consider themselves whether the claim is justified.

One Councillor did tell me that he met another Councillor in Bodlondeb once and was surprised to see them as there weren't any meetings that day. It seems this other Councillor had made a specific trip just to submit their expenses and hence claiming that trip for expenses also. I have no evidence for this but it wouldn't surprise me if this was true It's not as if a lot of the Councillors need the additional money, the majority are receiving a Pension as well as there allowances . If we all did this and claimed for everything we could, the value of expenses would increase dramatically.

The reason being that the electorate base there decision when voting on many criteria, such as Political party, how well know they are in the area, rather than how they have performed at Council meetings, projects etc.

Back to the subject of the post: We have some significant changes coming in 2012. We should see draft proposals in the new year from the Commission. The political make up of the County could also change with Rural areas potentially being changed the most. This could change the certain representation with the Political Groups. Most of the Rural divisions are currently Plaid or Independent. All Groups will see a reduction but it will affect these 2 groups potentially more significantly.

I'll be putting my money on seeing the number of Councillors reduced from 59 to between 45 - 48, and the number of Divisions reduced from 38 to a maximum of 25. I'll let you know how close my predications are when the Draft Proposals are announced.

Planning Site Visit - No Show

I was late getting to Bodlondeb after my shift in the shop this morning. The Planning Site Vists where due to leave Bodlondeb at 9am.

The first call was on Bangor Rd a few hundred metres form Bodlondeb. By the time I got there the bus and councillors had already left.

I then had the choice to follow them around in my car, or to go to the Cabinet meeting instead.

As you can see from the last 3 posts, I went to Cabinet. A very interesting meeting with many interesting subjects on the agenda.

I'll have to listen to Councillors feedback from today's Site Visits when the applications are discussed at the Planning Committee tomorrow afternoon.

50% Affordable Housing

At the Principal Scrutiny and Overview meeting on the 28th October the Corporate Plan was reviewed in great detail.

As I recorded in my post Affordable Housing, I was not present but was concerned with one of the recommendations that our target for Affordable Housing should be reduced from 50% to 25%.

At today's cabinet meeting this recommendation was discussed. Concern was raised by Cabinet members, Councillor Chris Hughes and myself that we should not lower our aspirations and that we should aim for 50% but recognise that each site should be individually considered and allow a level of flexibility.

This can be done fairly and transparently through the use of Planning tools (named 3 Dragons) that allow our officers to look at all the Financial information and come up with an agreed target for each site.

The recommendation from Principal was changed to indicated that the 50% target will be maintained in the Corporate Plan, but that flexibility in the current climate would be taken into account.

All of Venue Cymru subject to future Management Tender

I previously posted on Venue Cymru in August.

The post related to the market test on the Management of parts of the Complex that was a requirement of the grant funding. A Cabinet meeting made the decision on the advice of Officers to only go out to tender on the Arena and Conference Centre. Leaving the Theatre as a separate entity and to continue to be managed in house. Mine and others concerns was that the decision was being made without more detailed information and that it would be complex to split the functions and having different people managing a combined complex. We "called in" the Cabinet decision and debated the subject at Principal Scrutiny. The subsequent Cabinet proceeded to confirm their decision.

Since then more work has been done and work to investigate splitting out the defined functions that should go out to Market Test has taken place. Together with a full SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) performed by Cabinet and a seperate Councillor Group. I have also spoken to a couple officers in the background to ask advice on the project.

This information was today submitted to Cabinet to reconsider the decision made. The recommendation was that the whole complex (Theatre, Conference Centre and Arena) should be market tested for its Management.

The Councillors (Brian Cossey, Chris Hughes, Janet Finch Saunders and myself) involved in the Call-In and the Scrutiny review where pleased that the Decision had been reviewed and amended.

The Cabinet and Officers had taken into account our concerns and recommendations and had acted on them. A success for the Scrutiny process.

A tender will now be formulated for the Venue Cymru Complex and the tendering process will start in early 2010. The current internal management team will tender as will interested external organisations. Who ever wins, I believe the future of Venue Cymru, and its staff will be very bright. The complex will then have detailed specifications and expected outcomes from which the Performance of Venue Cymru can be monitored.

Free Parking after 3pm from 7th Dec

At Cabinet today the Christmas Parking Motion from the previous Council meeting was on the agenda. The subject was also raised at the Deganwy Business Forum meeting a couple of weeks ago.

Several options where discussed, looking at the Pros and Cons of each. This included looking at the lost revenue implications, the cost of enforcement and the cost of implementation.

In the end the decision by Cabinet (proposed by Cllr Evans, which I also thought was the most appropriate solution) was to implement a Free Parking after 3pm on most of the CCBC operated Car Parks in the County

The Car Park at Venue Cymru, Summit of the Orme and the Coach Car Park will not be included in the scheme. I raised issues with the Venue Cymru Car Park as I felt this was detrimental to the support message we where trying to achieve. The argument given was that the Car Park need to be secured for the customers of the Venue's Performances. The Venue management team wanted to ensure that there customers had somewhere to park adjacent to the Theatre. The easiest way to provide this was to maintain the current charging policy.

The aim of the scheme is to help the Businesses. Businesses will now need to decide how to use this assistance to promote themselves and take advantage of the increased footfall at these times. This may be to change there opening times. They will also need to determine how to market and promote this facility for there own benefit.

I raised the point that it will also help the evening trade, for people coming out for meals/parties at restaurants and hotels. Cllr Priestley suggested the we start at 3pm (rather than the 4pm option) to correspond with the end of the school day so that parents may wish to pick up the children from school and then go shopping. It would also cover those that then finish work later in the evening.

The scheme will run from Monday 7th December until Sunday 3rd January (inclusive).

In addition it was agreed at the request of Colwyn Bay Town Council to implement Free Parking at the Lansdowne Rd and Princes Drive Car Parks. The Town Council have offered to cover the lost revenue from this scheme. The dates for this to be initiated are to be discussed with Colwyn Bay Town Council.

If other Councils have similar proposals these may be considered, but the traffic and availability of spaces (through put) need to be considered before making a Car Park Free for a Unlimited amount of time. The issues of making a Car Park completely free is that the spaces are generally filled at the beginning of the day by local workers and hence limiting the availability for customers/visitors, the exact people we are trying to attract. This has been considered we understand by Colwyn Bay and the that is why the scheme is limited to the 2 named car parks. The other car parks in Colwyn Bay will benefit from the after 3pm Free parking.

The Council will need feedback from Businesses to see what the benefits of these schemes are and whether it helps bring people into the shops. Depending on the feedback and the evidence given we can look at how the schemes may be repeated or altered for future years.

The lost revenue and costs will be taken from the Risk Reserve budget, for this year. Subsequent years will have to be budgeted specifically (hence the need for evidence of its success/or other).

Diary w/c 9th November

Very busy week this week and some interesting subjects at Cabinet and Communities Scrutiny Committees. Not least the next steps in the Local Development Plan process.

I'll be working at my old shop this week to cover Carrie and Charlie's time off. I'll be there forom 7am - 9am Mon-Fri, Friday morning and Sunday 8am - 1pm.

Monday 9th November

10am - 11:30am Police & Community Surgery, Deganwy Castle Hotel

5pm: Cabinet, Office Acccomodation Sub-Committee (non-member)


Tuesday 10th November

9am - 1pm: Planning Site Visits (Committee member)

1pm: Cabinet (meeting actually starts at 10am, but conflicts with Planning)(non-member)
http://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=171&MId=1687&Ver=4
Welsh: http://modgovcym.conwy.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=171&MId=1687&Ver=4

Lots on the Agenda for Tuesday's meeting, hence the meeting is starting at 10am
1. Apologies for absence
2. Declarations of Interest: Code of Local Government Conduct Members are reminded that they must declare the existence and nature of their declared personal interest.
3. Urgent matters
Notice of items which, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.
4. Minutes of the Cabinet
To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the previous meeting
5. Announcements by the Leader and other Cabinet Members
6. Announcements by the Chief Executive
7. Matters referred from the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Committee
i) Interim Review of the Corporate Plan 2008/12 - Corporate Director Improvement and Development
8. Business Manager's Portfolio
i) Partnership Governance Toolkit for Conwy (Toolkit enclosed as a separate document)
9. Finance and Resources Portfolio
i) Provisional Settlement 2010/2011 and Summary Medium Term Financial Plan 2011/2012 to 2013/2014
ii) Capital Programme 2009/10 Progress Report
iii) Revenue Budget 2009/20/10
10. Social Care and Health Portfolio:
i) Bron Haul Project
11. Infrastructure Portfolio
i) Llandudno North Shore to West Shore Cycle Route Proposals (Atkins reports enclosed as separate documents)
ii) Notice of Motion - Christmas Parking

Break for lunch 12.30 pm – 1.30 pm
12. Feedback from Cabinet Members on their Portfolio Responsibilities
13. Environment Portfolio
i) Grants for Betws yn Rhos and Trefriw Cemeteries
ii) Final Report of Kerbside Recycling Improvements Task and Finish Group
14. Lifelong Learning and Skills Portfolio
i) School Governors Support Programme 2009-10
ii) Conwy County Borough Council and maintained schools' partnership agreement

15. Social Care and Health Portfolio
i) Corporate Parenting Team Annual Report
16. Exempt Items: Local Government Act 1972, Section 100A and Schedule 12A (Access to Information)
To consider passing a resolution under the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the above Act to exclude the Public and Press from the meeting during consideration of the following item(s), as it is likely that, if present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 12, 13, and 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.
17. Communities Portfolio
i) Venue Cymru Market Test
18. Infrastructure Portfolio
i) Home Improvement Assistance - Abergele (Reference 13218)
Note: The Local Government Act 1972 does not allow an item of business to be
considered at a meeting of a principal Council unless requisite advance notice has
been given. Therefore, unless the item is considered to be urgent, consideration of
any other business is not allowed

5pm: Office Accomodation Task & Finish Group (Committee member- Vice Chair)
Presentation to update Members on the current situation in relation to Office Accommodation



Wednesday 11th November

9:30am: Private appointment (Kallum's initial assesment at CAMHS)
(missing the first meeting of a new Task & Finish Group looking at payments made to 3rd Sector Organisations)

10am: Constitution and Maladministration Committee
Review of the Planning Committee Processes and Procedures

12:45pm - 1:30pm Planning Training (Committee member)

2pm: Planning Committee (Committee member)
http://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=205&MId=1737&Ver=4
Welsh: http://modgovcym.conwy.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=205&MId=1737&Ver=4

Agenda items:
5. Deferred applications from the previous Committee meeting
a) Code Ref: 0/36004 - Change of use from A1 shop to A3food takeaway. 155 Conway Road, Llandudno Junction
Members views are sought as to whether to re-affirm the Committee resolution to be ‘minded to refuse planning permission’ and to authorise the Development Control Manager to determine the application under delegation.
b) Code Ref: 0/36124 - Conversion of HMO into 4 no. self contained flats. 10 Carmen Sylva Road, Craig y Don
Members views are sought as to whether to re-affirm the Committee resolution to be ‘minded to refuse planning permission’ and to delegate the issuing of the decision notice to Officers.
6. To consider the following reports:
(i) Planning Applications
a) Code Ref: 0/35687 - Demolition of existing detached dwelling and outbuildings, erection of 9 no. self-contained apartments, alteration to means of access and associated car parking (Outline Application). 34 Church Road, Rhos On Sea, Colwyn Bay, Conwy.
Minded to refuse, unless concerns over the protection of the trees can be satisfactorily resolved
b) Code Ref: 0/36185 - Demolition of derelict dwelling and outbuildings. Residential re-development including open space/amenity space provision and road widening (outline
application) - Plas Dulas, Pencoed Road, Llanddulas, LL22 8LS
Minded to refuse planning permission

c) Code Ref: 0/36216 - Change of use from nursing home to 12 no. flats. 1 Curzon Road, Llandudno
Minded to refuse planning permission.
d) Code Ref: 0/36220 - Development of 10 new industrial units at former dairy, Former Dairy, Station Road, Mochdre
Minded to refuse, unless concerns over the protection of trees and access can be resolved satisfactorily

e) Code Ref: 0/36279 - Construction of 36 residential units for the elderly together with disabled/standard parking landscaping (approval of reserved matters for subsequent
approval of code ref: 0/33035) - Former Tennis Courts, Abbey Road, Llandudno
Minded to refuse planning permission
f) Code Ref: 0/36283 - Proposed extension and internal alterations- Children & Family Services, Civic Centre Annex, Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay
Minded to grant conditional planning permission subject to resolution of the drainage issues (or a condition or informative being placed on the decision)
g) Code Ref: 0/36285 - Erection of dwelling and construction of vehicular and pedestrian access (Outline Planning Permission) - Llys Dulas, Tanrallt Road, Llanddulas
Minded to refuse planning permission
h) Code Ref: 0/36301 - Provision of glazed screening to external dining/drinking area at front of premises. 143 Mostyn Street, Llandudno.
Minded to refuse planning permission.
i) Code Ref: 0/36303 - Variation of condition no. 10 granted under planning reference 4/14/1456 to allow 15% of the net sales floor area to be used for the sale of comparison
goods, with a simplified definition of such goods and a modified list of prohibited services. Tesco Store, 6G Road, Llandudno Junction
Minded to refuse permission/agreement, unless the proposed range of goods and services is satisfactorily amended
j) Code Ref: 0/36304 - Proposed residential development and associated parking and landscaping - 5 Bodhyfryd Road, Llandudno
Minded to grant conditional planning permission

k) Code Ref: 0/36324 - To remove 17 trees and to prune 12 trees, all trees protected by Tree Preservation Order C32 - 74 Pen y Bryn Road, Colwyn Bay
To grant conditional consent for the removal of 17 no. immature, mixed broad leafed trees and for the crown reduction of 12 no. trees within the woodland shelter belt located adjacent to Kings Drive, Colwyn Bay, subject to Standard Condition 6 requiring liaison with the Tree Officer prior to the work being undertaken.
l) Code Ref: 0/36335 - Erection of 21 no. dwellings and alteration to means of access - Land adjacent Station Road, Llanddulas
Minded to refuse permission unless the Design and Access Statement is suitably revised/supplemented (but to grant conditional planning permission subject to a satisfactory DAS)
m) Code Ref:0/36338- Construction of 54 - bed nursing home with ancillary facilities and associated works. Merton Place, Pwllycrochan Avenue, Colwyn Bay
Minded to refuse planning permission, unless acceptable improvements are made to the elevational treatment of the building
n) Code Ref: 0/36352 - Erection of 15 no. dwellings and means of access, including parking (revised scheme to that allowed under code ref: 1/33101) - Former Conwy Service Station,
Bangor Road, Conwy
Minded to grant conditional planning permission
o) Code Ref: 0/36358 - The construction of infill panels to the castellated top of the existing 4.80, high fence along the north west side of the sports pitch to achieve a uniform fence height of 4.80m in like material with no overall increase in height. Sports Pitch, Colwyn Leisure Centre,
Colwyn Bay
Minded to grant conditional planning permission.
p) Code Ref: 0/36360 - Extension to Public Conveniences. West Shore Public Conveniences, Llandudno
Minded to grant conditional planning permission.
q) Code Ref: 0/36386- Display of 1 no. non illuminated hoarding sign. 8, 9 & 10 Towyn Road, Towyn
Minded to grant conditional advertisement consent, provided that no objection is raised by the Highways and Infrastructure Department
r) Code Ref: 0/36396 - Renovation and change of use from offices to 6. no. apartments. 11 & 12 Oxford Road, Llandudndo
Minded to grant conditional planning permission
7. Exempt Items: Local Government Act 1972, Section 100A and Schedule 12A (Access to Inform ation) To consider passing a resolution under the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the above Act to exclude the Public and Press from the meeting during consideration of the following item(s), as it is likely that, if present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.
a) Legal Agreement relating to car parking - Colwyn Bay

6pm: Electoral Review Task & Finish Group (Committee Member - Chairperson)


Thursday 12th November

10:30: Cartrefi Conwy Meeting, Colwyn Bay

1pm: Youth Liason Forum, Ty Hapus Community Centre, Llandundo

6pm: Communities Overview and Scruting Committee (Non-Member)
http://modgoveng.conwy.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=452&MId=1718&Ver=4
Welsh: http://modgovcym.conwy.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=452&MId=1718&Ver=4
Agenda:

5. Verbal update Chief Executive - Cartrefi Conwy
6. To review the Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme
7. To consider a report by the Corporate Director - Improvement and Development on the following matter:
i) Delivery of a Regeneration Programme for Llandudno Junction
8. To consider a report by the Planning Policy Manger of the following matters:
i) Conwy Local Development Plan (LDP)
�� Summary of Representations received on the Deposit LDP
�� Record of Consultation
�� Approach to preparing a Revised Deposit LDP
ii) Results of the representations received to Conwy Deposit Local Development Plan (LDP) and the approach to the preparation of a revised Deposit LDP
iii) Conwy Local Development Plan Risk Assessment
iv) Consultation on the Denbighshire Deposit Local Development Plan (LDP) 2006 - 2021

Friday 13th November

2pm: Home to School Transport Task & Finish Group (Committee Member)