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Disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests. Decision: None. Minutes: In accordance with the Code
of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared. |
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To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the
previous meeting(s). Decision: Approved. Minutes: Resolved that
the Minutes of the Steering Group Meeting held on 5 July 2021 be approved as a correct record. |
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Financial Summary. (For Information) (Mike Scott) PDF 105 KB Decision: For information. Minutes: Mike Scott, Gower AONB Officer presented the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Panel Financial Summary report ‘for information’. It was highlighted that Welsh Government had confirmed the SDF budget for 2021/22 at
£100,000. It was added that 15 projects had been approved, with £100,000
committed, fully committing the funds for 2020/21 as outlined below. The Committed Funds
figure included the CCS Management Fee of £7,500.55.
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Additional documents: Decision: Approved. Minutes: The Gower AONB Officer updated the Steering Group regarding draft amendments to the process of appointing to the Sustainable Development Fund Grant Panel. It was outlined that
the Welsh Government had requested changes to the way the Sustainable
Development Fund (SDF) grants panels was appointed, and was aimed at ensuring
that the panels consist of a diverse demographic of members, with
representation from the AONB Partnership.
The proposed Terms of Reference Procedural / Guidance Notes were
provided at Appendix A. It was proposed
that the current process be amended to appoint members of the SDF Grant Panel
and the SDF Appeals Panel. Currently,
members of the Steering Group nominated 4 members of each panel every two
years, for a term of two years. To meet the Welsh Governments guidance, it was
proposed that the steering group appointed two members of each panel each year,
for a term of two years. The procedure
amendment would enable a rolling appointment process, keeping the skills built
up by the panel membership, while also introducing new members of the
panel. Annual introductions to the work
of the SDF grants panel would be provided, as part of the established programme
of meetings. The Chair commented
that the amendment was a sensible proposal. Resolved that the procedure amendment be approved and be forwarded for formal
approval by the Council. |
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Landscape & Biodiversity Grant Scheme. (Verbal) (Mike Scott) Decision: Approved. Minutes: The Gower AONB Officer provided a verbal report on the Landscape & Biodiversity Grant Scheme. He added that it would be part of the Sustainable Development Fund and would be aimed at community groups for schemes such as dry stone walling, hedging, copsing, fencing, orchard creation, natural flood management and wildflower meadow creation. Schemes would be limited to 50% funding up to £3,000. Notes and the proposed application form would be circulated prior to the next meeting. The Steering Group discussed including small architectural features / small buildings in the Scheme and ring-fencing the Scheme budget. Resolved that the Scheme be approved and Officers proceed with its administration. |
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Presentation - Gower AONB Communities and Nature Project Officer. (Ursula Jones) Decision: Noted. Minutes: Ursula Jones, Communities and Nature Project Officer provided the Steering Group with a short presentation on her current role within the Gower AONB Team. She provided details of the projects she had worked on since commencing the role in July 2021, including the Japanese Knotweed continuation programme in Parkmill / Ilston, footpath improvement works, grazing on Fairwood Common and the development of a management plan for Clyne Valley. The Chair thanked her for her presentation and wished her well in her role. |
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Gower AONB Tourism Pressures 2021. (Gordon Howe, Gower Society) PDF 264 KB Additional documents: Decision: Noted. Minutes: Gordon Howe, Gower Society presented a report on Gower AONB Tourism pressures in 2021 which highlighted two distinct but closely interrelated issues: tourist capacity and visitor management. The report made reference to the pressure being exerted upon Swansea Council and the Senedd to relax the current rules and regulations relating to camping i.e. tents, yurts and glamping on Gower. This was covered locally by the Local Development Plan (LDP) and it was defined in Sections TR6-TR9. It
was explained that permitted development rights were extended from 28 days to
56 days by the Government because of the Covid 19 Pandemic, to allow more
tourism within the UK. While camping on Gower was exempt from this due to
the changes brought about by the Article 4 during the 1970's, it had not
stopped pop up mobile cafes and additional car parking. The lack of policing / official checking of
wild camping / camper vans was outlined, along with the use of social media to
highlight areas that were not checked or pop up attractions. The increased pressure
upon the AONB during 2020-2021 was emphasised, with most existing camping sites
being full to capacity and unlawful activities being reported but not acted
upon. Smaller official sites had also been inundated with requests and there was
evidence that larger sites had soaked up much of the demand at the expense of
the pleasure of normal customers and residents of Gower. Reference
was made to ongoing discussions within the Council, acceptance that some well
concealed locations may be suitable for small additional sites, not permitting
inappropriate and visually damaging locations, firmly policing licensed sites, the
lack of a formal caravan survey by the Council since 2009 and the lack of a traffic
survey on Gower to determine increased tourism numbers. The report also
highlighted increased tourism and the money being
made out of the Gower brand, the lack of investment into protecting the AONB, Gower
rapidly losing its character and was in danger of becoming a glorified theme
park. It further
highlighted the demographic change of visitors to Gower, the increase in rough
camping, the lack of resources to combat it, the lack of public disposal points
for camper vans, the need for front line staff in Gower, organisations
re-investing their income back into the AONB and using social media to educate
and inform visitors to Gower. The Steering Group discussed the following: - · Similar issues affecting other areas in Wales / UK; · The messages from Government / Welsh Government was for the public to stay local and enjoy the local environment / facilities and it was important to understand the impact of activities upon areas; · The positive messages that can be sent via social media; · The importance of positive engagement with the public; · More finances being provided to National Parks to assist them in managing the issues highlighted; · The profit made by individuals / companies in Gower / from the Gower brand; · The need for an annual caravan survey on Gower; · The need for a traffic survey on Gower, particularly in areas such as Rhossili where 1,000 cars per hour were visiting the village; · Setting up a working group to discuss the issue going forward. Resolved that: - 1) The contents of the report be noted; 2) A working group be formed and facilitated by the Gower AONB Team Leader; 3) Councillor L James, Gordon Howe, Barbara Parry and Hamish Osborn be added to the membership of the working group; 4) Representatives from Tourism and Highways be requested to attend the working group. |
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National Designated Landscapes Partnership - Autumn Seminar. (Chris Lindley) PDF 197 KB Decision: Noted. Minutes: Chris Lindley, Gower AONB Team Leader presented a report which informed the Steering Group on the National Designated Landscapes Partnership Autumn Seminar. The report provided
the background to Tirweddau Cymru - Landscapes Wales and it was outlined that
Designated landscapes had a critical role in taking action on climate and
nature emergencies. It was added that following the Senedd declaring a nature
emergency, designated landscapes were committed to playing their part on
delivering on this declaration. It was highlighted
that Gower AONB Partnership members were invited to join Tirweddau Cymru -
Landscapes Wales online on 19 October 2021 to hear about work going on across
designated landscapes in Wales on the themes of: · Climate change and decarbonisation; · Nature based solutions and nature recovery; · Sustainable Tourism; and · Supporting communities to respond to COVID and promote a green recovery. Resolved that the contents of the report be noted. |
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Decision: Noted. Minutes: Chris Lindley, Gower AONB Team Leader presented a report which detailed the UK Government Consultation on Strengthening Enforcement of the Dangerous Use of Recreational and Personal Watercraft. It was outlined that the UK Government was consulting on proposed changes to legislation that
would bring recreational and personal watercraft within scope of the provisions
of the Merchant Shipping Act 1995. By this
change: ·
personal watercraft and other recreational
watercraft users will be subject to the same safety obligations, where
appropriate, that exist for the operators of ships ·
enforcement authorities will have an additional
power of prosecution to be used in cases of deliberate or negligent misuse It was added that Maritime
safety was the responsibility of the UK Government; if the proposed changes were
enacted, they would apply to Wales as a constituent part of the UK. The Steering Group
discussed the following: - ·
the hugely disruptive nature / noise of jet skis
and how they significantly affect a large number of people / wildlife; ·
The need for individuals using watercraft to be
respectful of other people / wildlife; ·
Approaching manufacturers to make certain
watercraft less noisy. The Chair
encouraged all present to comment upon the consultation. Resolved that the contents of the report be noted. |