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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 26 July 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Keith Eeles and Gail Jones.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 July 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 July 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 July 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee 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: • A special meeting of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee had been scheduled for 17 October 2023 to consider the proposed public open spaces Dog Control Order for 2023 and the annual report on the Section 106 monies. • Officers were in the process of scheduling dates for the Revised Local Development Plan (LDP) reports, which was likely to result in additional meetings, in order to present the Deposit LDP to Council in May 2024. RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
None.
Mrs Brenda Irving, lead petitioner, presented a petition to the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee concerning windblown sand around Llandudno’s West Shore. In line with the Constitution, Mrs Irving was able to address the Committee and made reference to the following: • The petition called upon Conwy County Borough Council to consider frequent clearance of windblown sand from public spaces around Llandudno’s West Shore to ensure that these public spaces remained accessible and prevented the build up of litter and weeds amongst accumulations of sand. • This would enable families and people with prams, wheelchairs, walking aids and mobility scooters to access public spaces without struggling through deep sand on footpaths. • It was suggested that better care and maintenance should be provided to the remembrance benches provided in memory of loved ones. • It was further suggested that the sand in public spaces around Llandudno’s West Shore should be monitored more frequently and better supervision provided when clearance took place. In considering the petition, Members discussed the following: • The Council’s financial situation was acknowledged and that a perfect solution may not be found. • The importance of partnership working with Friends of West Shore and the Town Council to submit bids for funding for remembrance benches, etc. • The amount of public feeling was acknowledged. The Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure advised that he would take the petition away and discuss further with the Environment, Roads and Facilities Service on what action could be taken. It was requested that the Committee and Local Members be kept informed of the discussions. The Chair extended his thanks to Brenda Irving and Barbara Sandbach for bringing the petition to the attention of the Committee.
The Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure together with the Environmental Strategy Officer presented a report seeking approval of the second Biodiversity and Resilience of Ecosystems Delivery Plan. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted: • The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 placed a legal duty on public bodies to maintain and enhance biodiversity and the resilience of ecosystems and every public authority, including the Trunk Road Agency was required to publish a plan on how it intended to meet this requirement. • The delivery plan had six key themes for delivery. • Whilst the Council had already declared a Climate Emergency, a Member of the Committee advised that he had submitted a notice of motion requesting that the Council also declared a Nature Emergency. • Whilst it was proposed that a Biodiversity Member Champion role be established, following advice from the Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance, the notice of motion would be amended to include a proposal to establish such a role. • Officers were working on a number of projects to access funding for biodiversity sites/rewilding such as highway roundabouts and verges. • The review of the grass cutting policy would include engagement with Local Members and Town and Community Councils to ascertain what was appropriate for each area. • The action plan proposed mandatory biodiversity safeguarding training for frontline staff in order to educate and promote nature recovery. • The benefits of implementing a strategic Tree Policy, which included woodlands, etc. Members felt that any implementation/review of policies should be submitted to democracy for consideration. • Currently there was no established Countryside Team, with the functions being absorbed into other service areas; however, through funding from Welsh Government, it was proposed to establish a resilient, practical Nature/Countryside Team to drive and implement the plan and improve delivery standards. • The 30x30 target, which Welsh Government had set and referred to protecting and effectively managing at least 30% of land, freshwater and sea for nature by 2030. Officers would provide further information in relation to progress against this target. • Working with other partners/agencies, such as Welsh Water when they installed infrastructure, in order to protect and support nature recovery. • The Local Places for Nature fund supported the Conwy Swifts Project for the installation of colony boxes on public buildings. • Officers advised that the actions within the plan would not incur any additional costs and it was a matter of reviewing and focusing on internal processes. • The action plan was a generic document and was not site specific. • The importance of protecting Sites of Special Scientific Interest; it was further noted that these sites were mapped on the Council’s website. • Unlocking private investment to deliver for nature at a far greater scale and pace would be undertaken through Section 106 agreements with developers. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the Biodiversity and Resilience Ecosystems and Delivery Plan for 2023/2026 be approved.
The Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy, together with the Tourism and Regeneration Manager presented a report seeking approval to adopt the revised Conwy Destination Management Plan (DCMP) for 2023/2029. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted: • The DCMP had been reviewed and provided an updated vision for tourism in the County, in line with other strategies emerging because of the pandemic, including the Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Economy Strategy 2035. • The DCMP had been produced by the Destination Conwy Partnership, and expressed the views and beliefs of the tourism industry in the County of Conwy. • Sustainability was a key theme of the DCMP and the plan emphasised the importance of balancing the needs of residents and those of the visitor. • In order to deliver sustainable outcomes, the revised plan outlined 11 objectives, including support to address skills and workforce issues and ensuring the quality of the visitor and resident experience. • The importance of working with the industry, stakeholders and partners such as the North Wales Economic Ambition Board to achieve the vision for tourism throughout the County. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET That the revised Conwy Destination Management Plan for 2023-2029 be adopted.
The Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy, together with the Tourism and Regeneration Manager presented a report seeking approval of the Llandudno 10 year Regeneration Plan. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted: • The plan had been produced following a successful funding application to the Welsh Government Transforming Towns revenue fund. • Welsh Government had previously advised that areas without a relevant plan would not be granted funded in future, as the funding would be prioritised among areas with a clear plan/strategy. • The plan was the first step in a package of works to regenerate the whole of Conwy County. • Vacancy rates within the town were low, which was encouraging. • The importance of collaborative working with private businesses, Town and Community Councils, partners/stakeholders and community groups, in order that they can apply for funding to regenerate Llandudno and futureproof the town. • Whilst significant investment had been made into the railway station, a considerable amount of visitors still arrived by coach. • Whilst the draft plan suggested a number of projects, a definitive timeline could not be given in undertaking these as they were subject to resources being identified. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET That the Llandudno 10 year Regeneration Plan be adopted to increase opportunities for funding from Welsh Government and other funders to regenerate and futureproof the town.
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