Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosureofinterests

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

To approve and sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Economy and Infrastructure Policy Development & Delivery Committee held on 9 November 2017, be approved as a correct record.

The Strategic Planning and Natural Environment Manager updated Members on the role of housing in the regeneration of the City Centre having regard to the success of past and current policy and the Council’s emerging policy framework.

He detailed the context, policy background (which included a historical review) and future role of housing in the regeneration of the City Centre.

In response to Member questions, Officers stated that:

·       With regard to high density city living, there were no hard and fast rules in terms of density per hectare;

·       Car parking restrictions are relaxed in the City Centre but has to be clearly linked into the development (on site and off site);

·       Taking a more futuristic view of life, it is not too far away that car ownership will not be a necessity because of advancing technology;

·       The City Centre will change to accommodate a mix of residential, retail and leisure therefore attracting people;

The Chair thanked the Officers for their informative presentation.

Resolved that the report be noted.

The Director of Place provided an overview of the Swansea Bay City Deal Homes as Power Stations Project and proposed next steps.

He detailed the background; need/demand; project overview; national UK level funding package; outputs/results and the next steps.

In response to Member questions, the Director of Place stated that:

·       There are lots of test sites in the UK, however, technology has not moved fast enough (battery storage has been a problem);

·       The pilot is not just about new build houses, it also deals with retrospective fittings;

·       The pilot is likely to be adopted more gradually within the private sector;

·       There will be no impact on the revenue budget;

·       A further update will be provided in January/February 2018 when the business case has been developed.

The Chair thanked the Director of Place for his informative presentation.

The Chair referred to the work plan and confirmed that the Head of Planning and City Regeneration would be presenting an item on Economy (specifically a focussing on the region and the benefits of partnership working) on 11 January, 2018. 

The Democratic Services Officer referred to the meeting scheduled for 2pm on 8 February, 2018 and advised that a Special Cabinet meeting (to discuss the budget) had also been convened for 2pm.  It was therefore necessary to change the time of the Economy and Infrastructure PDDC to accommodate Special Cabinet.

Resolved that:

1.     the work plan be noted;

2.     the meeting scheduled for 8 February, 2018 be moved to 10.00 am.