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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
No apologies for absence.
The following declarations were received in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct: Cllr Proctor Item 4 Personal Employed by Community Housing Cymru Cllr Waldron Item 5 Personal Employed by DSIT as Technology Transfer Strategic Partner
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 July 2024 were approved by the Committee as a correct record and were signed by the Chairperson.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Members received a report providing an opportunity to review the Local Development Plan Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) prior to its approval by Cabinet on 17 October and submission to Welsh Government by 31 October 2024. Members were advised that in January 2016 the Council formally adopted the Cardiff Local Development Plan (LDP) 2006 to 2026 and it is required to submit an Annual Monitoring Report by 31 October each year. The overall conclusion of this year’s AMR was that good progress is generally being made, with 76 indicators being rated as ‘Continue monitoring’ (Green) and a further 31 rated as ‘Further research’ (Yellow) where indicators suggests polices could be more effective, therefore additional investigation is needed. The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member –Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport and Simon Gilbert, Head of Planning to the meeting. Following a brief statement from the Cabinet Member and a presentation the Chairperson opened the debate on this item. Those discussions are summarised as follows: · A Member sought clarification of what is meant by ‘affordable housing’ and whether there was a formula used to decided what can be described as ‘affordable’. The Head of Planning stated that the Welsh Government has a definition of affordable housing. In summary affordable housing is any property that is part-owned or offered for rent to people on the housing waiting list by either local authorities or social landlords. In most cases this would not include houses that are offered to the market at discounted rates by developers. · Members noted that a number of active travel schemes have been temporarily suspended but they still appear in the ‘yellow’ section of indicators. These were mainly cycling schemes or pedestrian schemes. A Member asked whether these were purely financial decisions. The Cabinet Member considered that the schemes were realistic but challenging in the current environment. Lack of available finance has affected some of the active travel schemes that are planned. However, good progress is still being made. The Head of Planning stated that the planning process includes legal agreements that secure significant sums for active travel infrastructure, particularly on large developments. These agreements require triggers for funding to be released and it anticipated the more funding will be released as the phases of those schemes are completed. · A Member welcomed the completion of approximately 2500 new properties in the City. However, it was considered that there is a pressing need for 3 and 4 bedroom homes. The Member asked how confident the authority is of achieving its targets in the area and whether there was any way to speed up the rate at which developers are completing these types of properties. The Head of Planning considered that it was unlikely the target set out in the current LDP would be realised. The Head of Planning also stated that developers are demand led, in the main, and there are a number of factors affecting demand in the city. Colleagues in Planning and in Housing are using every mechanism to accelerate delivery of social housing. · A Member asked whether the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) would include time limits for planning applications. The Head of Planning stated that the planning process aims to provide consent to develop but it doesn’t insist that developers undertake those schemes within a prescribed period. However, there were other levers that may facilitate more development, such as infrastructure delivery. · Members noted that approximately 18,000 new jobs have been created in the City. Members ask whether there was any data regarding the distribution of those jobs geographically across the city. The Head of Planning stated that the number of new jobs was positive and was likely to reach the target set out in the LDP. An undertaking was given to provide further information regarding the distribution of the new jobs that have been created. · A Member noted that traffic volumes in the city have increased by 2%. The Member asked what more could be done to encourage further sustainable transport alternatives and prevent traffic levels rising any further. Members were advised that the current LDP, and the RLDP have polices that advocate sustainable development, including the delivery of infrastructure in localities such as shopping facilities, community facilities and parks which reduce travel demand. Also, Supplementary Planning Guidance dictates that the authority is positive about accepting developments that do not provide car parking spaces for residents or employees, thus discouraging private vehicle usage. However, although reducing traffic volumes would have a positive effect on air pollution, noise and the ability to use the transport network and there were many policies to promote sustainable travel, it was considered that traffic volumes may still increase. The Cabinet Member considered that whilst new developments are being built with sustainable infrastructure provision integrated into their design, there is a challenge providing sustainable infrastructure into areas that have been established for many years. · A Member noted the job creation statistics set out in the AMR and asked whether officers could provide a figure for the net number of jobs that have been created. The Head of Planning stated that he did not have a figure for the net number of jobs created but colleagues in Economic Development may be able to provide that data. · A Member asked whether land banking a problem in the City and whether it can be avoided. The Head of Planning considered that land banking is less of a problem in Cardiff as the amount of land available for development is scarce. Delays to the delivery of new housing in the large developments on the outskirts of the city were as a result of the slowdown in the economy. However, it was accepted that efficiencies in the planning system and other consenting regimes could be improved in order to speed up the delivery of new developments. The Member asked whether demand for new houses was falling and whether that had any implications for the delivery of the current LDP. The Head of Planning considered that evidence supported a falling demand for new housing. · Members welcomed the progress made on the majority of the policies set out in the LDP and requested further information on how the service area is prioritising on those KPIs that need additional focus. The preferred strategy for the RLDP will focus on new and emerging policy areas in order to address themes that have arisen since the adoption of the current plan such as Brexit, the nature emergency, climate crisis, the housing crisis and the cost of living crisis. The Head of Planning considered that there were no indicators in the Monitoring Report that could not be reviewed, scrutinised and improved upon. Protecting employment, promoting affordable homes, net biodiversity and a proactive approach to neighbourhood district centres policy areas are currently under review and will form part of the deposit LDP when it is consulted upon in the new year. · Members sought assurance that Equality Diversity and Inclusion frameworks, have been considered as part of the RLDP policy development. The Head of Planning stated that the RLDP will incorporate inclusive policies. The RLDP will need to adhere to national and Welsh Government standards but there is flexibility to include bespoke supplementary planning guidance will include much more inclusive policy. · Responding to comments from a Member of the Committee, the Cabinet Member stated that the authority was unable to support any proposal to increase the amount of parking available in new developments. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Committee received a report enabling Member to consider the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Roadmap that was due to be considered by the Cabinet on 17 October 2024. Members were advised that the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Roadmap supports the delivery of the Cardiff Transport White Paper and the One Planet Strategy and references the Local Area Energy Plan that was recently considered by the Committee. The Cardiff Transport White Paper identified the need to support ‘cleaner’ vehicles and recognised the provision of publicly available charging points. It also recognised the need for the Council fleet to be zero emission as soon as possible. The One Planet Cardiff Strategy highlighted transport as the biggest contributor to CO2 emissions across the city amounting to 617.4 tonnes, or 34.5% of the total emissions in 2021. The Local Area Energy Plan identified the potential need for approximately 5800 chargers by 2030. Furthermore, the UK government Zero Emission Vehicle will ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 onwards. Presently, there are 64 publicly available Electric Vehicle Charging Points (EVCP) across Cardiff that are supported by the Council. The majority are standard (7kW) or fast (22kW) chargers. A further 125 commercially provided public chargers. The roadmap highlighted the need for up to 700 public charging sockets by 2025, with this doubling by 2030 to meet the growing ownership of electric vehicles. The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member –Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport and Alastair Chapman, Operational Manager for Sustainable Policy and Performance. Following a brief statement from the Cabinet Member and a presentation the Chairperson opened the debate on this item. Those discussions are summarised as follows: · A Member considered that EV charging is technology-led and asked what technology would be used in the city for on-street parking applications, given that the authority has ruled out using gullies across the footway. The Cabinet Member stated that the authority has not ruled out using gulley channel technology. Other authorities are currently trailing that infrastructure. Concerns were expressed that in inner city areas such as Cathays if a resident has paid for a gulley channel to be installed outside their home then there would be a reasonable expectation that the homeowner can park their vehicle outside their house exclusively, but that isn’t currently possible. The rollout of zonal parking may exacerbate that issue. However, the use of gulley channels has not been ruled out entirely. The Operational Manager for Sustainable Policy and Performance stated that there is a range of new technologies on the market – the authority is looking to install traditional on street charging facilities initially providing 7kw to 22kw charging. Fast charging facilities are unlikely to be offered due to constraints in the power supply. · A Member raised further concerns that the ‘real estate space’ required for fixed traditional charging points is large and that approximately 50% more parking bay per vehicle is required. The Member asked whether residents in high density areas would support proposals where one-third the available parking space would be lost. The Operational Manager for Sustainable Policy and Performance stated that there is an expectation that local concerns will be raised wherever charging points are proposed. The service area has a list of criteria for suitable locations which includes proximity to historic buildings, gates and other access arrangements, proximity to trees and underground services, etc. Existing traditional charging points operate well, although it was accepted that they do take up some of the available parking space. Traditional charging points are seen as the most viable and deliverable option, particularly in areas of low charging availability. Other solutions are likely to require more complex engineering and additional cost. · A Member referred to the Equality Impact Assessment undertaken and asked what mitigation measures would be employed to ensure that the new infrastructure does not negatively impact for disabled individuals, particularly in areas with narrow pavements. The Operational Manager for Sustainable Policy and Performance stated that the space available on the footway forms part of the criteria for selecting sites and addresses this issue. There are also new standards for selecting charging infrastructure and accessibility elements form part of those standards. Procurement of infrastructure must meet those standards. · A Member asked whether third sector partners such as Disability Wales and RNIB will be consulted on the location on new sites. Members were advised that schemes are designed to standards that have been agreed with the third-sector but officers were happy to additionally include groups representing disabled people in any consultations undertaken. The Cabinet Member stated that proposals are also discussed with the Council’s Access Focus Group that includes a variety of equalities groups. · A Member asked whether the installation of charging facilities resulted in any detriment to other forms of active travel. The Operational Manager for Sustainable Policy and Performance stated that the Strategy aims to provide a relatively low number of additional charging points and the service area was confident that these can be delivered at locations where there would be no impact on other forms of active travel. · Officers were asked whether council housing and social housing had been included in the strategy. The Operational Manager for Sustainable Policy and Performance advised that the strategy has focussed on neighbourhoods and in those neighbourhoods there will be a mix of housing tenures. The authority is considering charging infrastructure as part of its new housing schemes but the strategy does not differentiate. · A Member asked who would cover the cost of installing an EV charger in a Council owned property. Members were advised that strategy aims to deliver on street parking only and the costs are covered by Welsh Government Grant and through a commercial aspect. The cost of installing EV charging in a Council owned property would typically fall on the tenant. · A Member asked why the strategy was focussing on provision of 7kw charging. Members were advised that the strategy would focus on the 7kw to 22kw range. The key factor is that there were limitations in the electricity supply network and it was not always possible to install a new 22kw demand on the highway without incurring the additional cost of running new cables to electricity sub stations. · A Member asked whether the electricity grid in Cardiff can sustain the requirement for an additional 5,800 EV chargers as set out in the Local Area Energy Plan by 2030 and if it was unable to, how can the grid be upgraded. The Operational Manager for Sustainable Policy and Performance stated that energy suppliers are included in the Local Area Energy Plan and the Plan plays part of the assessment of future demand on the energy company’s infrastructure. · A Member asked whether the strategy would include any measure to make EV charging more affordable. The Operational Manager for Sustainable Policy and Performance stated that charging an EV vehicle from home is cheaper as the price for electricity is capped and VAT is 5%. On street charging is more expensive as there is no cap and VAT is 20%. The authority is, through its procurement process, seeking to understand the pricing structure of a commercial partner, including the energy supply cost, operating costs and profit margin. · The Committee sought reassurances that the Strategy would not detract from efforts to encourage modal shift towards active travel, including resources. The Cabinet Member provided those assurances and stated that the only resource being used to implement the Strategy would be in the form of Welsh Government Grant funding. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
No urgent items
To review the evidence and information gathered during the meeting, agree Members comments, observations and concerns to be passed on to the relevant Cabinet Member by the Chair.
Members were advised that the next Environment Scrutiny Committee is scheduled for 14 November 2024.
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