Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all present to Reynoldston Village Hall and commenced proceedings. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M C Child, H Lloyd,

S Hill, D Vine, P C Phil Davies, Edwina Hart AM, R Ridge and A Richards.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of

Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Gower AONB Steering Group meeting held on 10 March 2014.

AGREED that the Minutes of the Gower AONB Steering Group Meeting held

on 10 March 2014 be accepted as a correct record.

The amended AONB Partnership Terms of Reference updated by Council on

17 June 2014, were provided for information.

The Gower AONB Officer provided a presentation on the work of the Gower

AONB Partnership.  He outlined the Gower AONB designation, the role of the

Gower AONB Partnership and the work of the AONB Team within the City

and County of Swansea.

The Gower AONB Team Leader provided a presentation on the Gower AONB

Management Plan.  He stated that the Gower AONB Management Plan that

was agreed in 2006 was currently under review.  The Gower AONB Team

would prepare the draft documentation and circulate the final version for

public consultation between September and December 2014 with the aim of

final adoption by the end of March 2015.  The plan would include a 20 year

vision which would outline the overall purpose, the current condition of the

AONB, objectives and priorities for the AONB and a 5 year Action Plan.

C Daugherty, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) provided a presentation on

the role and work of NRW.  She provided the background history of NRW; the

role of the organisation within the Gower AONB; including examples of work

on Gower; the work of NRW with regards to education; forestry management;

water quality; designated sites; protected landscape management work;

access and recreation work; and tackling waste. 

AGREED that copies of the presentation be circulated to the Partnership

Group.

H Grey, Gower Landscape Partnership provided a presentation on the role of

the Gower Landscape Partnership.  She provided a map of the eligible area;

details of the Landscape Partnership Project; details of the Gower walking

app; details regarding archaeology; nature; Penclawdd heritage; and how the

organisation intends engaging with the public.

The following were allowed 10 minutes to discuss a topic concerning the

Gower AONB:

(a)       Affordable Housing - A Woodman.

(b)       Gower Society - G Howe.

(c)       Gower Commons - P Lanfear.

(d)       The Future of Sunday Buses on Gower - J Davies.

The Chair thanked all the speakers for their contributions.

AGREED that:

(1)       the Gower AONB Partnership will facilitate a public meeting to discuss affordable housing on Gower, within the next 6 weeks;

(2)       the Gower AONB Partnership Annual Forum supports the continuation of a 7 day bus service on Gower.

Community Councillor P Guy asked questions in relation to funding for the

Community Council owned playground at Crofty in order to improve play

equipment, gasification in the Burry Inlet and parking on Cefn Bryn. 

H Jones, Reynoldston Village Hall Association thanked all for attending and

highlighted the new floor in the hall that had been provided with assistance

from a Sustainable Development Fund Grant. 

Community Councillor I Beynon, Rhossili Community Council asked a

question regarding the response times for complaints to Planning Services. 

Discussions followed regarding the need for a Gower Visitor Centre. 

AGREED that the need for a Gower Visitor Centre be placed on a future

agenda of the Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group.

·         Monday, 22 September 2014 - Greyhound Inn, Old Walls, Llanrhidian, Swansea.

·         Monday, 8 December 2014 – Venue to be confirmed.

·         Monday, 9 March 2015 – Venue to be confirmed.

NOTED the following dates of meetings for 2014/15:

·         Monday, 22 September 2014 - Greyhound Inn, Oldwalls, Llanrhidian, Swansea.

·         Monday, 8 December 2014 - venue to be confirmed.

·         Monday, 9 March 2015 - venue to be confirmed.

The meeting ended at 9.10 p.m.

CHAIR