Agenda and minutes

http://www.swansea.gov.uk/DisclosuresofInterests

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

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Gower AONB Partnership Steering Group meeting held on 5 October 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Renewable Energy Position Statement Gower AONB - Alternative Energy Sub Group - Progress

The Gower AONB Team Leader provided a progress update regarding the Gower AONB, Alternative Energy Sub Group.  The Position Statement has not been finalised as the AONB Team have had to divert resource to developing the Seascapes Assessment with Natural Resources Wales.

Illuminated Sign

Gordon Howe reported that Planning Services had informed him that the Enforcement Team were investigating the illuminated sign at Knelston.  He added that he was not happy with the response received and lack of progress.

Ian Button, Rhossili Community Council asked a question in relation to the possibility of the Tourist Information Centre in the City Centre closing and the potential impact this would have upon businesses on Gower. 

Councillor M C Child, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Healthy City stated that the proposals were currently out for consultation and comments / ideas were welcome.  He added that the Council had tried to find an alternative location for the Centre and would consider all proposals.  He encouraged all present to respond to the consulatation.  

Presentation on the recommendations of the review – Chris Lindley.

The Gower AONB Team Leader presented the National Landscapes: Realising their Potential – The Review of Designated Landscapes in Wales final report.

He made reference to the executive summary and recommendations in the report and outlined the process to date.  Details were provided on the review objectives, the ‘Marsden’ report, the key recommendations, the Ministers’ response and the outcomes.

The Steering Group considered the report and discussions centred around the following: -

·         Establishing the priorities and working from the bottom up;

·         Status of AONB’s going forward;

·         Planning powers within National Parks / AONB’s;

·         Recommendations within the report;

·         Seascapes being included in the report;

·         Funding issues relating to local government / AONB’s;

·         Management / administration proposals for AONB’s;

It was added that there would be a series of meetings before March 2016.

AGREED that: -

1)    The contents of the report be noted;

2)    The Gower AONB Team Leader provides advanced notice of meetings before March 2016 to the Steering Group.  

Update on SDF grant scheme – Chris Lindley.

The Gower AONB Team Leader provided a Sustainable Development Fund – Budget Summary for 2015/16.  He stated that the Welsh Government had confirmed a budget of £ 60,000 for Gower AONB Sustainable Development Fund for 2015/16.

The Committed Funds figure included the City and County of Swansea Management Fee of £6,000 (10%).

There was currently £186.52 uncommitted within the Sustainable Development Fund budget, but it was anticipated that it would reach full commitment by the end of February 2016.

He added that Welsh Government had indicated that there would be a 10% reduction in SDF funding for 2016/17 and this would be confirmed in writing.

Paul Rouge, Chair of Llanrhidian Hall Committee thanked the Sustainable Development Panel for agreeing funding in respect of the Hall.

AGREED that the contents of the report be noted.

Presentation on Gower Landscape Partnership programme – Bryan Harries.

The Gower AONB Team Leader stated that Bryan Harries, Gower Landscape Partnership Manager had suffered an accident and would be off work for several weeks.

The Chair offered the best wishes of the Steering Group for a speedy recovery.

AGREED that the item be deferred.

To appoint sub-group to facilitate development of position statement.

The Gower AONB Team Leader stated that a Sub-Group had to be appointed in order to finalise the affordable housing discussions.

The Steering Group discussed the issue and it was recognised that rural communities were represented.  It was stated that Community Councils would be part of the consultation process.

AGREED that the following be appointed to the Sub-Group: -

Councillor M C Child, A Woodman, S Hill and R Button.

Verbal update – Chris Lindley.

The Gower AONB Team Leader reported that the tender documents had been circulated throughout South Wales and the closing date was 18 January 2016.  It was anticipated that the work would commence in February 2016.

The plan was to include the results and output assessment in the Local Development Plan (LDP).

AGREED that the contents of the report be noted.

The Gower AONB Team Leader commented that further to discussions that took place at the previous meeting, ideas were sought regarding how best to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the Gower AONB. 

The following was discussed: -

·         Having uniform village signs in each village throughout Gower and potential costs;

·         Marketing the anniversary;

·         Seek funding for signage via the HLF funding;

·         Introduction of a Gower brand;

·         Looking at non-tourism issues;

·         Having greater pride in the area and improving its appearance;

·         Setting up a Sub-Group to look into the issue and report back to the next meeting.

AGREED that: -

1)    The contents of the discussions be noted;

2)    The following be appointed to the Sub-Group to report back to the next meeting: -

R Cooper, D Vine and R Button.

Fracking

Councillor M C Child highlighted the recent vote in Parliament that would allow fracking to occur in national parks and AONB’s and expressed concern regarding the future impact it could have upon the Gower AONB.

The Steering Group considered the issue.

AGREED that the Gower AONB Team Leader provides an update report at the next meeting.

Broadband on Gower

It was reported that progress had been made with regards to broadband coverage on Gower.  However, not all areas were receiving adequate 4G coverage.

Project at Rhossili

The Gower AONB Team Leader provided an update report on the project at Rhossili, which was making good progress.

Sign’s at CK’s Penclawdd

It was highlighted that despite the appeal being lost on 21 November 2015, the signs at CK’s Penclawdd had not been taken down.  Concern was expressed that long delays were occurring before enforcement action being taken at a number of locations.