Agenda and minutes

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(s).

Resolved that the Minutes of the Gower AONB Partnership Annual Meeting

held on 29 June 2020 be approved as a correct record.

Mike Scott, Gower AONB Officer reported that the Annual Report to Natural Resources Wales (NRW) for its grant support for Gower AONB was submitted on 4 September 2020, as part of the annual reporting process. A copy of the report had been distributed to the Steering Group members.

It was added that the grant was provided under the Gower AONB Partnership Programme 2018-21, which offered 75% funding (up to £216,671) over three years. Its aim was to support the implementation of the Gower AONB Management Plan.

In 2019/20, the grant paid by NRW totalled £72,223, with the project delivery split between the AONB, Rights of Way, Nature Conservation and Planning Policy Teams.

Resolved that the contents of the report be noted.

The Gower AONB Officer reported that as part of its work to develop up-to-date Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG), Swansea Council was carrying out a consultation and engagement exercise relating to the following Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance documents:

·       Revised Gower AONB Design Guide

·       Trees, Hedgerows and Woodlands on Development Sites

·       Development and Biodiversity

The documents provided guidance as to how the relevant policies of the Swansea Local Development Plan (LDP) should be applied in order to assist in the determination of planning applications submitted to the Authority in future.

The Council wanted the public’s views on whether the draft SPG documents covered an appropriate range of planning issues and if it provided sufficient clarity for decision makers, applicants and all other interested parties.

The consultation was now live and would run until 5pm on Friday, 16 October 2020.

It was added that three short presentations outlining the draft SPG’s would be given by Strategic Planning staff on 23 September 2020 and Steering Group members would be sent a link in order to take part.

Ruth Henderson, Senior Planning Officer also attended the meeting and presented the Draft Supplementary Guidance documents to the Steering Group and answered questions raised.

Resolved that the contents of the report be noted.

Chris Lindley, Gower AONB Team Leader provided an update report on the Port Eynon and Horton feasibility study.

He provided the background to the work that had already been undertaken and the key issues and opportunities for development work were presented at Figure 1 to the report.

It was added that going forward, the Gower AONB Partnership and Swansea Council were developing the report recommendations.  The Sustainable Development Fund Panel had awarded a grant that enabled Swansea Council to commission the design of a scheme of detailed, costed improvements to visitor facilities and public realm infrastructure in the short term.  The commission would also develop the medium-term capital investment recommendation for a new beach / community centre building.

The Steering Group discussed the following: -

·         Sources of capital / grant funding available to undertake the works;

·         The timetable of the preliminary study;

·         Overall timescale for the completion of the whole project which was hoped would be completed in 5 years;

·         How the project details would be clearer in March 2021;

·         Dealing with the signage and boardwalk issues in the short term;

·         Ensuring that the function of any new build is established because will drive the eventual design;

·         A building at this sensitive location will need to be of sensitive design and high quality.

Resolved that the contents of the report be noted.

The Gower AONB Officer presented the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Panel Financial Summary report.

It was outlined that the Welsh Government had confirmed the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) budget for 2020/21 as £100,000.

There were currently 12 projects approved with SDF funding for 2020/21, with 1 application currently being assessed and 3 further applications anticipated shortly.

Further projects would be brought forward during 2020/21, to fully commit the funds.  The Committed Funds figure included the CCS Management Fee of £10,000 (10%).

The budget for 2021/22 had not been confirmed, but was anticipated to be £55,000.  Two projects had been approved, with £25,500 committed and currently £29,500 uncommitted.

Resolved that the contents of the report be noted.

Due to the Gower Society Representative losing connection with the meeting, it was agreed that the item be deferred to the next scheduled meeting.

Resolved that the item be deferred to the next scheduled meeting.

The Gower AONB Team Leader provided a verbal update report on progress made in respect of Clyne Valley Country Park.

He outlined that the Authority had been awarded Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places grant money, from Welsh Government, for the regeneration of the Country Park.  He added that he and the Gower AONB Officer had met with Cadw, discussing restoration, stabilisation, improvements to Ivy Tower, Killay Station and access improvements.  Some funding opportunities would also be available from Cadw.

Furthermore, the AONB Team had been assigned the co-ordination of Council activities within the Country Park going forward.

Resolved that a report be provided to the next scheduled meeting.  

The Gower AONB Team Leader provided a verbal progress update report.  He stated that the project, which had been awarded Welsh Government Sustainable Landscapes Sustainable Places grant funding, could be completed during the current financial year, subject to agreement.

He added that the next stage would be to outline the proposals with Highways and the Gower Commoners in order to agree an improved design solution.

Resolved that an update report be provided at the next scheduled meeting.

The Vice Chair requested an update be provided regarding speeding traffic on Gower.

Resolved that a report be provided to the next scheduled meeting.

The Gower AONB Team Leader stated that he had been invited to a meeting of all National Park’s and AONB’s by the Welsh Government Minister at the end of September 2020.  The meeting would discuss what has happened during the pandemic, the impact upon communities, the lessons learnt and sustainable solutions.