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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Climate Change & Nature Recovery Service Transformation Committee held on 14 July 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Penelope Gruffydd, Landscape and Green Infrastructure Principal Officer presented which sought the endorsement of an Artificial Grass Position Statement on Council owned land. The background to artificial grass, also known as fake grass, or even ‘counterfeit grass’ was provided. It was explained that it had been used in sports arenas for decades and in recent years it had become increasingly popular for residential lawns and commercial landscapes, often marketed as a low-maintenance and versatile alternative to natural grass. The importance of synthetic sports pitches, of which artificial grass is a component, i.e. 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G, was highlighted. It was added that to reflect this, the use of artificial grass on sports pitches (and other limited locations e.g. specific playground or temporary surfaces) was out of the scope of the report, i.e. sports pitches would be exempt from any position statement against using artificial grass on Council owned land. The environmental and legislative impacts of artificial grass were outlined, including the impact on biodiversity, climate change, resource intensive production, life span, recycling, microplastic and chemical pollution. Information on stakeholder participation and the current position of the Council was also provided, including adopting a position statement which enabled the Council to raise awareness around the environmental impacts associated with artificial grass and to promote the use of sustainable landscaping practices as an alternative to artificial grass. Councillor D H Hopkins, Deputy Leader of the Council, speaking on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Infrastructure, supported the report adding that it was a sensible way forward and that he was happy to forward it to Cabinet. The Chair stated that there was a two-strand approach, including the land owned by the Council and the land outside the Council’s controls. She further requested that the word ‘school’ be introduced at point 2 and to include a specific reference to flooding under water management. The Committee commented upon the positive policy statement, further developing the policy, looking at the next level, providing an advice factsheet to Council tenants, highlighting the drainage problems and assessing the impact in the future. Resolved that: - 1) the Position Statement, including the minor amendments to add the word ‘school’ at point 2 and to include a specific reference to flooding under water management, be reported to Cabinet with a recommendation of support. 2) The Council raise awareness around the environmental impacts associated with artificial grass and promote the use of sustainable landscaping practices as an alternative.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Mark Barber, Nature Recovery Team Leader and Principal Officer presented a report which sought to progress the declaration of new Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) on Council land. It was outlined that the report sought approval to progress the formal declaration of 16 new Local Nature Reserves (LNRs) on Council-owned land across Swansea. The designations would help meet both environmental and community priorities by protecting local biodiversity, while enhancing access to safe, inclusive green spaces for people across the county. The initiative also supported the Council’s strategic objectives for nature recovery, well-being, education, and equality. It was explained that LNRs in Wales were established by local authorities under the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, following consultation with Natural Resources Wales (NRW). To be eligible, sites must have wildlife or natural features of local and/or special interest and the Authority must either own the land or secure an agreement to manage it. LNR’s offered communities the opportunity to connect with nature, improve health and well-being and to explore the natural world, which was particularly important in urban areas. The positions of the Welsh Government and the Council in respect of biodiversity loss and climate change, were detailed in the report, along with the consultation undertaken and funding obtained. The Committee were asked to consider Option A – to declare all 16 LNR’s in one coordinated process and Option B – to agree to a phased or incremental declaration over several years. The Committee commented very positively in support of the report and highlighted the need to engage with schools. It was noted that this would be further discussed at Cabinet. Resolved that: - 1) the Committee notes the contents of the report. 2) Option A - to declare all 16 LNR’s in one coordinated process, be approved. 3) the report be forwarded to Cabinet for approval.
The Chair presented an updated Committee Work Plan 2025/26. She added that at the meeting scheduled for 6 October, an additional closed item would be added in respect of the Swansea Council Panel Performance Assessment Report. Resolved that the update Committee Work Plan 2025/26, including the Swansea Council Panel Performance Assessment Report on 6 October 2025, be approved.
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