Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor P B Smith.

In accordance with 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 Economy and Investment Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 15 July 2015.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Economy and Investment Cabinet Advisory Committee held on 15 July 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Rachel Davies, Senior Planning Officer (Policy) provided a verbal update on the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of the Local Development Plan (LDP).

She explained that the Planning Policy Team had been working closely with the Wales Health Impact Support Unit in delivering the LDP HIA.

A series of workshops were held more recently, in order to fully assess the Preferred Strategy in relation to sustainable development.  The assessment included taking into account likely effects, both positive and negative, the LDP may have on health and wellbeing.  The workshops provided an opportunity to bring together various areas of expertise to comprehensively assess the LDP and ensure the capability of the LDP with other Statutory Plans and Council Strategies.

Future work would involve the HIA Local Profile being updated with the latest available information.  Wellbeing and health will also be assessed in relation to the emerging LDP Deposit Plan due to be published late 2015 / early 2016 and appropriate policies / guidance will be incorporated within the document.  The work undertaken throughout the LDP preparation process will be considered by the Planning Inspectorate at the LDP Examination in Public with these being one of the soundness tests against which the Plan will be assessed. 

Several questions were asked by the Committee, which the Officer responded to accordingly.

RESOLVED that:

1)        the content of the update be noted;

2)        the Senior Planning Officer (Policy) provide an update at a future meeting of the Committee.

Cumulative Impact Policy (CIP)

The Chair provided a verbal update to the Committee following a meeting he had undertaken with the Chair of General Licensing and the Divisional Officer, Licensing, Food and Safety.  Officers were in the process of working on proposals with a view to including more information in the CIP regarding the types of applications that could be exempt from the presumption to refuse certain licensing applications.  A meeting had also been arranged with officers from South Wales Police on 25 August to discuss the proposals.

If the policy is to be reviewed, the process required was as follows:

-        The draft of the proposed changes would be reported to Corporate Briefing and Cabinet for approval to go out for consultation (as consultation is a statutory requirement);

-        The consultation would take place over a period of 6-8 weeks;

-        The outcome of the consultation would be reported back to Corporate Briefing and Council to agree any changes to the policy.

Public Spaces Protection Order

The Chair provided an update on behalf of the Divisional Officer, Trading Standards.

He outlined that a report had been received from South Wales Police in relation to the recorded incidents in the pilot scheme area for the period 1 May 2015 – 15 July 2015 which related to anti-social behaviour.

This, together with the incident logs from retailers in the locality was used to write a report for legal consideration to confirm whether or not the creation of a public spaces protection order in this locality was justified.

The report would be submitted for legal consideration in order to establish if it would withstand any challenge, as an interested person may apply to the High Court to question the validity of public spaces protection order, or a variation of a public spaces protection order.

RESOLVED that the updates be noted.

Members of the Cabinet Advisory Committee provided feedback from the site visits undertaken to the District Shopping Centres of Gorseinon and Pontarddulais.

Gorseinon

The District Shopping Centre in Gorseinon is one of the largest in the county with more than 160 units, the majority located on High Street and Alexandra Road.  The centre has a number of pubs and A3 outlets including hot food takeaway outlets.  In addition, there are also a high number of B1 offices together with Asda and Aldi supermarkets.  Gorseinon has its own bus station and a high number of free off street parking in the centre.  Lime Street car park also has over 200 spaces with a small parking area off Brighton Road.  On street parking is available and generally restricted to 1 hour.

The majority of people questioned were regular shoppers who had positive comments.  However some suggestions included the need to improve shop fronts and holding events on Cross Street rather than at the Canolfan Gorseinon, which is outside of the main centre. 

Pontarddulais

Pontarddulais is located the further distance from Swansea City Centre and has around 140 units, all on St. Teilo Street, which are mixed in with residential units.  The main street is a one way system and environmental enhancement works had provided upgraded paving, tree planting and street furniture.

A medium size convenience store is located on the main road and a large superstore with a petrol station is situated adjacent to the District Shopping Centre.  There is sufficient parking with on-street bays, which are time limited.  Parking is located off the main street and included a poorly located site at the rear of a new store.  However, the new superstore has around 320 spaces, available to all shoppers and visitors to Pontarddulais.

The views of shoppers questioned were more negative than those at Gorseinon, with only a few suggestions regarding improving the area.  Suggestions included reverting back to the 2 way traffic system and on return of pavements to tar macadam rather than block bricks.  Concern was raised that 2 of the banks had closed, which may affect foot-fall in the area.  There is an area in Pontarddulais where small events can take place.  Free parking should also be retained.

RESOLVED that the site visits to Sketty and Killay District Shopping Centres take place within the next month.

The Chair gave an update on the work programme.

RESOLVED that the contents of the report be noted.