Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor S E Crouch.

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

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Investment Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 4 March 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Economy and Investment Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 4 March 2015, be approved as a correct record.

The Chair indicated that himself and the Vice Chair had met Councillor M Child, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing & Healthy City, and gave feedback to the Committee as a result of this discussion. Councillor Mark Child had indicated that he wished this Cabinet Advisory Committee to look at the Accumulative Impact Assessment. He also suggested that the late night levy be investigated at a future meeting.

Another area of interest was Healthy Cities with a view of it being in the LDP. It was also considered beneficial if Supplementary Planning Guidance in respect of play areas and parks and how recycling could be built into developments. As part of Healthy Cities it was suggested that the effect of illegal over the counter drugs be investigated. It was thought beneficial if this was looked at as by means of a Task and Finish Group.

The Chair stated that Councillor Robert Francis Davies had now indicated that he would like this Cabinet Advisory Committee to consider to proceed with Section 106 Agreements. The Chair also thought that it would be more appropriate if the analysis of libraries take place at a future meeting in order that it be considered in conjunction with the libraries review.

Members of the Cabinet Advisory Committee gave feedback from the site visits undertaken to the District Shopping Centres of Mumbles and Uplands.

Mumbles

The Chair indicated that the presence of the Local Member had helped the members gain an insight into this district shopping centre. The main problem was the lack of car parking, however, this was still a very popular shopping centre. Members of the public indicated that they liked the variety of shops. This area was well served by buses. Members were surprised that the Traffic Regulation Order for Newton Road was restricted to 30 minutes and this was considered to be inadequate. Members were interested to discover that even though many shops had their own website it didn’t seem to affect trade.

Uplands

Members thought that the shopkeepers were divided on the presence of the market and how this affected trade. Parking was the main issue and it was thought that land owned by Gwalia could be suitable for a car park. The Leader had been approached regarding this suggestion. The parking problem was exasperated due to the fact that there was a high density of residents parking permits which were empty for the majority of the day. It was also felt that there should be designated disabled bays, as currently there were none.

RESOLVED  that the site visits to Regional District Centres continue on 22 April 2015 to Morriston and Clydach

The Workplan was updated verbally to reflect the discussion with Councillors M Child and R Francis Davies as follows:-

29 April 2015 – Presentation by Lynda Anthony on the effectiveness  of the Cumulative Impact.

Future Meetings –   Late night levy

                              Existing District Shopping Policy

                              Healthy Cities

                              Analysis of Libraries as part of the review

RESOLVED that the amended workplan be approved.

The meeting ended at 5.40p.m.