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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 31 January, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record, subject to the amendment highlighted above.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – South held on 18 January, 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – Central held on 9 February, 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 30 January, 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mandy Hawkins, Mike Priestley (Chair) and Keith Eeles.
Councillor Louise Emery declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9i - Second Homes and Short Term Holiday Lets Options Report as she owns a holiday let and pays business rates. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Emery left the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 31 January, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record, subject to the amendment highlighted above.
The minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 31 January, 2024 were submitted for approval. Further to minute 710 - Progress report in relation to the Colwyn Regeneration Programme Board - a Member of the Committee stated that the minutes failed to reflect discussion that, a draft Detailed Design would be presented for further engagement with stakeholders, Local Members and members of the public. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 31 January, 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record, subject to the amendment highlighted above.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – South held on 18 January, 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – South held on 18 January, 2024 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – South held on 18 January, 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – Central held on 9 February, 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – Central held on 9 February, 2024 were presented for information. In relation to Minute 6 – Colwyn Bay Regeneration Programme Update, a Member of the Committee stated that the results of the Active Travel consultation were still awaited. In response, the Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer advised that she was in discussions with the Cabinet Member and officers to schedule a date to present a report to the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. In addition, the LAF Vice-Chair, Councillor Chris Hughes, advised that the Head of Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) had very recently confirmed that a report would be presented to the next LAF meeting. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – Central held on 9 February, 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 30 January, 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the meeting of the Local Area Forum (LAF) – West held on 30 January, 2024 were presented for information. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Local Area Forum – West held on 30 January, 2024 be noted.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme 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: Local Development Plan (LDP) reports would be presented to the Committee between June – July 2024, with a special meeting to be arranged late summer, 2024 for consideration of the Deposit LDP. In addition, the following additional items had been scheduled: - Closure of Town Regeneration Programme Boards, with proposals to subsume the Boards into the Local Area Forums. - Update on the Local Toilet Strategy scheduled for May 2024. RESOLVED: That the forward work programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
A Councillor Call for Action (CCFA) had been submitted by Councillors Louise Emery, Mandy Hawkins and Harry Saville in respect of lack of gritting on the Great Orme, Llandudno. Councillor Emery highlighted the CCFA and the attempts to try and resolve the issue and felt that there should be at least one regularly gritted access route for residents living on the Great Orme. In addition, Llandudno Town Councillor, Greg Robbins was in attendance at the meeting and in line with the Overview and Scrutiny Public Engagement Protocol was provided the opportunity to address the Committee highlighting the concerns of residents. Councillors Emery and Robbins made reference to the following: • It was acknowledged that much consultation and consideration had been given to gritting the area over the years. • The Great Orme was considered a distinct community and the need to grit Ty Gwyn Road was considered essential in order to maintain safe access for residents and services. • A solution to safe access was considered vital. The current arrangement was considered unacceptable and the need to add the area to the primary gritting route considered essential. • Some 500 residents lived on the Great Orme, which formed a diverse community of needs. In response to the Call for Action, the Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities – Infrastructure made reference to the following: • Ty Gwyn Road was a second priority gritting route and circumstances had not changed since the last enquiry. • The road was unsuitable for the winter gritting fleet and could pose a risk to both vehicle operator and residents. Should winter weather be prolonged, other contracted resources were deployed to the area e.g. tractor. • Similar to many communities across the County, grit bins were located at strategic locations for local residents, motorists or pedestrians. • Many rural communities across the County would like to be included within the defined first priority route, however, priority routes were based on National Guidance criteria. • Resource and financial limitations. In considering the Call for Action, Members made reference to the following: • Schools in many rural areas have had to self-help for years. Communities often pulled together during adverse weather conditions. • Rural communities would expect the same service as those residents on the Great Orme, should the priority gritting route be revised to incorporate the Great Orme. • Concern was expressed regarding the isolation of communities and safe access to schools. • Many communities experienced similar to that on the Great Orme, therefore a need for a broader review to reassess and identify routes was an option. • Budgetary concerns, to include resources such as the workforce • The potential of working with Town and Community Councils to explore routes of concern in their area. • The need to explore options further with Llandudno Town Council in relation to Ty Gwyn Road. • Consider the submission of a Revenue Business Case. Following further discussion, the following proposals were put forward: - That no further action be taken as Ty Gwyn Road was a second priority route and circumstances had not changed. - That further consideration be given to prioritising Ty Gwyn Road and that a broader review be undertaken to reassess gritting routes to combat isolation in isolated parts of the County and access to schools, mindful of the financial costs. Following a vote, it was: RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That further consideration be given to prioritising Ty Gwyn Road, Llandudno for gritting and that a broader review be undertaken to re-assess gritting routes and access in order to combat isolation in rural parts of the County be supported.
The Leader and Portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced a report in relation to the introduction of new planning powers to help manage the level of second homes and holidays let. The Senior Planning Officer highlighted key points and presented options from within the report (appendix 1 provided a detailed assessment of each option) for consideration, with the preferred option being Option 2: · Option 2 (preferred option): Include a new policy approach in the (Replacement Local Development Plan) RLDP, which could be used in future to guide applications for changes of use to second homes or holiday lets, should an Article 4 Direction be introduced following adoption. Indicators would be monitored annually and assessed for whether intervention was required at an earlier stage. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • A strong, clear approach for managing second homes and short term holiday lets within the RLDP was welcomed. • The potential risks and benefits of an Article 4 Direction to manage second homes and short term holiday lets. • The evidence base for the key impacts such as housing need, Welsh language, community facilities, including, schools and libraries, tourism and all year round business. • Cost implications – no planning application fee due to Welsh Government guidelines. • Hidden clusters of second homes/holiday lets / occupancy - further detailed data analysis was underway to identify small areas where there were over-concentrations causing localised issues. • It was acknowledged that some areas were heavily reliant upon tourism, but that there was a need to provide housing for local residents, who may be priced out of the market currently. • Further analysis in terms of long and short term empty properties and available incentives for people to bring empty properties, particularly those above commercial properties, back into use. • Impact of the Council Tax premium. Members were advised that the draft Local Housing Market Assessment 2024 - 2028 report was scheduled to be presented to the next meeting of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. In considering the available options, it was RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That option 2 be progressed – to include a new policy approach in the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) with a potential Article 4 Direction in future, with regular (annual) review of indicators. While noting the following: - The staffing and cost implications of introducing an Article 4 Direction. - The potential risks of progressing an Article 4 Direction. - Gathering appropriate evidence to assess whether there is sufficient justification to pursue other policy approaches as outlined in the report for inclusion in the Deposit RLDP. (Note: Councillor Louise Emery declared a personal interest in the above item. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Emery left the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon).
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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