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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 May 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 3 May 2023 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP be approved.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Cathy Augustine, Keith Eeles, Alan Hunter and Michael Smith.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 May 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the previous meeting of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 May 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 25 May 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 3 May 2023 be noted.
The minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 3 May 2023 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 3 May 2023 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP be approved.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme (FWP), together with the combined FWP. Members were advised of the following: · The FWP had been updated following consultation with Heads of Service and Members. · Work was underway with Officers from Planning Policy to identify dates for reports relating to the Revised Local Development Plan process, which were currently unallocated. · As there were several reports due to be presented to the meeting on 27 September 2023, the Chair and Vice Chair were keeping this under review to ascertain if all the reports would be brought forward; if required, a special meeting would be organised. · As crime and disorder matters fell within the remit of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner and the Community Safety Manager had been invited to attend the meeting on 25 October 2023. RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP be approved.
Councillor Louise Emery had submitted a question to the Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Neighbourhood and the Environment relating to the change to 20 mph and local exceptions within wards: What documentation, evidence and thought processes have Cabinet relied on to come to the decision that ten roads only will be suitable to go forward for exemption to stay at 30 mph, and why have they not consulted individual Members for their opinions on potential exemptions in their Wards? The Cabinet Member provided the following response: The introduction of 20mph was the result of Welsh Government (WG) legislation passed in October 2022 to take effect from 17 September 2023. The legislation requires all roads, identified as restricted roads, to become 20mph within Wales. The only exception to this, being those roads identified as having an exemption. In determining the exemptions, the WG commissioned a study of all restricted roads in Wales. The study was undertaken by external consultants calling upon geographic information system (GIS) mapping and the WG’s own guidance notes to inform the outputs; these results were shared with all Welsh Local Authorities. In Conwy, there were 10 roads identified for exemption. In relation to Stage 1 of the consultation process, Highway Officers reviewed the study results as provided by the WG and the supporting guidance notes in consultation with Cabinet Members. This was followed by the sharing of the information in writing on 2 May 2023 with both County Councillors and respective Town and Community Councils. However, the enclosed attachment, identifying named roads and guidelines notes was omitted. The Cabinet Member apologised for this and advised the error was quickly corrected with the additional information reposted within a number of days. The letter sought consultation with Councillors, and their oversight and input was welcomed. Of those contacted, two responses were forthcoming, one from Councillor Nigel Smith (Chair) and Towyn and Kinmel Bay Town Council, both referencing the same road within their area – St. Asaph Avenue, Kinmel Bay. The Cabinet Member advised that Stage 2 of the consultation process would take place in early July 2023, via the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) process. All 10 road exemptions would be subject to a TRO and as such would be subject to further consultation. The Highways Department was currently preparing to undertake this consultation exercise with Members, members of the public and the Emergency Services and it was expected to be completed in advance of 17 September 2023. It was noted there were no cost implications to the County Council, with all associated costs met by way of a WG Grant. In addition, the economic impact would be the responsibility of the WG through their own monitoring process. In line with the protocol, Councillor Emery asked a supplementary question as follows: Why had Conwy Council not followed WG guidance, which expected Local Authorities to compile their proposed 30mph exempted roads in consultation with their communities? The Deputy Minister for Climate Change in a written statement had stated that ‘this is a change in the default speed limit rather than a blanket change and our colleagues in local authorities are engaging with local communities to determine which roads should retain the 30 mph limit, in line with the exemptions as accepted’. In response, the Cabinet Member advised that he took guidance from Officers and asked that the Head of Neighbourhood Services, who was in attendance at the meeting to provide further information. The Head of Service advised that WG had provided technical guidance and Officers had interpreted this as best as they could when selecting roads, which met the criteria and included using evidence from the GIS. Consultation had been undertaken with Members as representatives of their communities and Officers would be happy to take any further suggestions as to why roads should or should not be exempted, as the list was preliminary at this stage. It was noted that a further representation had been received from a Town and Community Council. Further to the Cabinet Member’s response, the Head of Service reiterated that further consultation would be undertaken as required by the TRO process. Members were advised this was a continuous process and that proposals to revise speed limits could still be considered after 17 September 2023.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulatory Services, together with the Development Officer – Empty Homes presented the draft Adaptions Policy, which had been produced following a request from the Minister for Housing to remove the requirement to means test for small and medium cost adaptations that were funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant. In scrutinising the policy, Members discussed the risks associated with a reduced capital allocation, when the removal of the means test was likely to result in increased demand for adaptations. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the Draft Adaptations Policy be approved for public consultation.
The Senior Strategic Planning Policy Officer presented Members with the North Wales Energy Strategy and Strategic Action Plan, which had been developed to deliver on the region’s ambition for decarbonising its energy system. In scrutinising the Strategy, Members made reference to the following: • How the strategy aligned with other Council policies and areas of work, particularly in relation to improving access to electrical vehicle charging points in schools. • The costs associated with retrofitting current housing stock to reduce carbon, etc. and the impact this could have on Social Landlords and their ability to build new housing stock. • Plans to increase capacity on the electricity grid. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the North Wales Energy Strategy and Strategic Action Plan be approved.
The Senior Strategic Planning Policy Officer presented a report, which proposed three sites at Llanddulas Quarry for mixed use employment/waste management facilities. In scrutinising the proposals, Members made reference to the following: • The proposal to fill the quarry void with inert material, such as construction rubble. • Repurposing/remediation of the quarry for amenity use; it was noted that FCC Environment as the landowner of the quarry site was looking at this for Site/Area 4. • Generating energy from the site to help increase capacity on the grid. Officers would discuss further with the landowner as to their intentions long term. RECOMMENDATION TO CABINET That the proposals relating to Sites 1, 2 and 3 at Llanddulas Quarry be approved for public consultation.
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