Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all present to the Annual Meeting of the Gower AONB Partnership Group at Reynoldston Village Hall and commenced proceedings. 

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor M C Child,

Councillor J E C Harris, Edwina Hart AM, Byron Davies MP, Paul Branchflower, Mike Thornton, and Mike Bristow.

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

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group held on 2 March 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group held on 2 March 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Broadband on Gower

R Button, Tourism Swansea highlighted that there was still been no progress to date in relation to improving the broadband service on Gower, particularly from Scurlage to Rhossili.  He added that local businesses were finding the situation very frustrating. 

The Gower AONB Partnership Group Terms of Reference were provided for information. 

Mike Scott, Gower AONB Officer, provided a detailed and informative 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 Gower AONB Team within the City and County of Swansea.  He also updated the meeting regarding the work of the Sustainable Development Fund Panel.  He outlined how much funding the Panel had received during the previous and current financial years and provided examples of the projects that the Fund had supported. 

Professor T Marsden, Cardiff University and Chair of the Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales provided the meeting with a very detailed and informative presentation relating to the Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales.  He outlined the background to the Review and outlined Stage 1 of the Review which examined the purposes of AONB’s and National Parks in Wales.  He added that the Review was looking long-term with regards to the future management of AONBs and National Parks and would create a new governance system which would last for the next 30 to 40 years.  He also highlighted the opportunities and threats to the management of AONBs and National Parks in the future.

The meeting asked a number of questions of Professor Marsden who

responded accordingly.  The issue of retaining the title “AONB” was

raised by members of the public, who were keen that it be retained.

The Chair thanked Professor Marsden for his detailed and informative presentation. 

The Chair explained that ten nominations had been received for membership of the Partnership Steering Group.  Therefore, no election would be held. 

RESOLVED that the following be elected to the Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group for a period of two years, in accordance with the Terms of Reference:

No nominations were received and the position was therefore vacant.

RESOLVED that the Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group elects the following in September 2015:

(a)       The Sustainable Development Fund Grants Panel (consisting of Chair      of the Steering Group and seven other members).

(b)       Sustainable Development Fund Grants Appeals Panel (consisting of         Vice-Chair of the Steering Group and seven other members who do not            already sit on SDF Grants Panel).

The following were allowed five minutes to discuss a topic concerning the AONB:

(a)       Deb Hill - Nature Conservation Team, City and County of Swansea -          regarding the work of the Nature Conservation Team.

(b)       Friends of Swansea Horses - regarding the work undertaken by the            Group.

(c)        Gordon Howe - Gower Society - regarding planning issues, particularly      in caravan parks. 

(d)       Alan Woodman - regarding issues relating to the Gower AONB        Steering Group and Gower as a whole, particularly small businesses. 

The Chair thanked all speakers for their contributions.

Community Councillor I Beynon, Rhossili Community Council asked a question regarding planning enforcement and referred to lack of consistency, support and guidance in relation to issues on Gower.  He added that there was deep concern on Gower regarding bias within Planning Services and that planning was viewed very negatively locally. 

G Howe, Gower Society asked for an update regarding a sign locally which did not have planning consent but had remained in place for over three years. 

P Lanfear, Gower Commoners Association requested that animal welfare matters be placed on a future agenda of the Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group for discussion. 

RESOLVED that:

(1)       the Planning Policy and Environment Manager feeds back the        concerns regarding bias and negativity to the Planning Services          Manager;

(2)       the Planning Policy and Environment Manager provides feedback in         relation to enforcement on the sign which had not had planning            consent but had remained in place for over three years;

(3)       animal welfare be placed on a future agenda of the Gower AONB   Partnership Steering Group for discussion.

·         28 September 2015;

·         21 December 2015;

·         21 March 2016.

NOTED the dates of meetings for 2015/2016 to be held at 7.00 p.m. as follows:

·         28 September 2015;

·         21 December 2015;

·         21 March 2016.