Agenda item

Invitees

-       Janice Dent (Policy and Partnership Manager)

-       Dr Bethan Bowden (Consultant in Public Health Aneurin Bevan University Health Board)

-       Harriet Bleach (Senior Officer Natural Resources Wales)

-       Wayne Tucker (Senior Policy and Partnership Officer)

The Policy and Partnership Manager provided an overview of the report, expressing the Partnership's satisfaction with its outcomes, marking the successful conclusion of a five-year plan, and highlighted the significant achievements of the Partners and their commitment to the partnership. The Consultant in Public Health from Aneurin Bevan University Health Board commended the efforts made to engage stakeholders and the positive reception of the participation budgeting initiative. They specifically praised the genuine partnership relationship that has been fostered.

The following was discussed:

• The Committee expressed their gratitude for the report and its content. They also enquired about the purple flag status and its application criteria. The Policy and Partnership Manager stated that they are currently in the process of reapplying for the purple flag status and assured the Committee that they will provide the requested information.
• The Committee asked if the partners had engaged in discussions with entertainers and performers to gather their perspectives on the city centre. The Policy and Partnership Manager acknowledged this query and mentioned that they will provide feedback to the partners regarding this matter.
• The Committee enquired about the initiatives and activities being undertaken to engage and provide opportunities for the youth. The Policy and Partnership Manager responded by stating that the prevention and inclusion service area specifically targets youth. They emphasised that a significant amount of work is being carried out in this regard. Additionally, they offered to provide more detailed information outside of the meeting.
• The Committee enquired about any potential changes to the list of partners, including additions or removals. The Policy and Partnership Manager informed the Committee that they continuously evaluate their partners. The Head of People, Policy and Transformation highlighted that Newport has prioritised going beyond the statutory partners, distinguishing themselves from other authorities.
• The Committee raised a question regarding the partners' commitment to continuous learning and improvement on an annual basis. The Policy and Partnership Manager responded by explaining that the learning and improvement process follows a bottom-up approach. They emphasised that continuous improvement is encouraged and addressed from all aspects of the partnerships.
• The Committee acknowledged the significance of the environmental work that will bring benefits to Newport. They expressed their gratitude to the officers for their efforts in this regard.
• The Committee raised concerns about whether sufficient measures have been taken to mitigate flood risks in Newport. The Senior Officer from Natural Resources Wales responded by stating that the next Gwent Wellbeing Plan will address climate change, which includes flood risk management. They further informed the Committee that Steve Morgan, the Head of South East Wales Operations at Natural Resources Wales, will directly engage with Committee members to discuss flood risk issues outside of the meeting. The Committee requested that a report on flood risk from Natural Resources Wales be presented to the Committee for further discussion and consideration.

The Chair thanked the officers for attending.

Conclusions

·       The Committee expressed their gratitude to the invitees for attending, and were highly impressed by the information received. Members observed that the work between the partners was significant over the last five years, and again wished to make comment about the enthusiasm of the partners presenting their report. Members also wished to note that the work being conducted by the partnership is inspiring to young people, such as helping to create green spaces in area of the city that have not previously been green, and this would pay dividends to the future generations.

·       The Committee requested for the criteria for Purple Flag status to be shared with the Committee Members as a written update. Members also queried whether the partnership have spoken to or made contact with performers or entertainers in the city centre about what their thoughts are about the city centre and if they have any suggestions on how to improve the entertainment experience in the city centre.

·       The Committee recommended that there be permanent signage for the Bee Friendly Cities.

·         Members request if Natural Resource Wales could produce an information report about Flood Risk, including information about which areas of Newport are at risk of flooding and future projections of flooding.