Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor J E C Harris, Councillor R D Lewis, Gordon Howe, John Davies, Kim Flanders and Huw Lloyd. 

The Chair welcomed all present to the Greyhound Inn, Oldwalls and commenced proceedings.

In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

Community Councillor I Button, Rhossili Community Council asked a question regarding the very poor broadband service on Gower. 

AGREED that the Gower AONB Team Leader drafts a letter to the Welsh Government Minister highlighting this issue.

To agree as a correct record the Minutes of the Meetings of the Gower AONB Partnership Group Annual Forum held on 23 June 2014 and Special Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group held on 4 August 2014. 

AGREED that the Minutes of the Gower AONB Partnership Group Annual Forum held on 23 June 2014 and Special Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group held on 4 August 2014 be accepted as correct records subject to the following amendment:

Minute 11 - Public Question Time - 23 June 2014

Third paragraph - amend to Community Councillor I Button, Rhossili Community Council. 

23 June 2014

There were none.

4 August 2014

A Woodman commented that the new Local Development Plan (LDP) should be worded to be in favour of people who work and live on Gower.  It was added that the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) was worded in favour of barn conversions for holiday let accommodation on Gower.  Therefore, similar wording should be included within the LDP documentation. 

The Steering Group commented that the wording cannot be too open-ended and there must be a link to agricultural use of the land.  Safeguards must therefore be in place to protect the landscape.

The use of consultants with regards to planning applications on Gower was also highlighted.

The Chair stated that the LDP documentation would be available for comment during the consultation process which commences in January 2015. 

AGREED that A Woodman and the Gower AONB Team examine this issue and report back to the next scheduled meeting. 

The Gower AONB Officer tabled a draft letter to the Welsh Government which outlined the discussions that took place at the last meeting regarding affordable housing on Gower.  It was requested that any comments be forwarded within seven days.

The Steering Group also commented on the cost of the use of consultants by the City and County of Swansea and the speed of the planning process. 

The Gower AONB Officer, in the absence of the Gower AONB Ranger, provided the Steering Group with a verbal Gower AONB Ranger Report.

The Steering Group discussed a number of issues highlighted within the report and commented upon the ongoing work of the Gower AONB Ranger.

The Chair requested that a written report be provided for future meetings.

AGREED that the contents of the report be noted.

The Gower AONB Officer provided a verbal report on the SDF Grants Panel Meeting held on 8 September 2014.  He provided a full list of applications and decisions made by the Panel and stated that the SDF grants were nearly fully committed for the current financial year. 

AGREED that the contents of the report be noted.

The Gower AONB Team Leader presented the Gower AONB Draft Management Plan - Consultation Timetable. 

It was highlighted that the consultation process will commence on 26 September 2014.  Comments regarding the process can be made via the City and County of Swansea website.

AGREED that the contents of the report be noted.

The Gower AONB Team Leader reported that the Welsh Government had commissioned an independent panel to conduct a review of designated landscapes in Wales (National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty).  The review will take place during the remainder of 2014 and throughout 2015 and will be in two stages.  It was added that in conducting its work and in reporting its recommendations, it would be particularly important to gather a variety of types of evidence from both stakeholders and members of the public. 

Once the notification is received from Welsh Government, it will be circulated to all Steering Group Members.

AGREED that the contents of the report be noted.

Renewable Energy

A Woodman proposed that an item on renewable energy be placed on the agenda of the next scheduled meeting. 

AGREED that renewable energy be included as an item at the next scheduled meeting. 

Chair

The Chair stated that this was his last meeting as Gower AONB Steering Group Chair due to his appointment as Cabinet Member for Enterprise, Development and Regeneration.  The new Chair of Development, Management and Control Committee who will be appointed at the Council Meeting scheduled for 30 September 2014, will chair the next Steering Group Meeting.

Steering Group Members congratulated the Chair on his appointment and thanked him for his chairmanship of the Steering Group.

NOTED that the next meeting be scheduled for 7.00 p.m. on Monday 8 December 2014.  The Democratic Services Officer will circulate the venue in due course.