Agenda, decisions and minutes

Resolved that Barbara Parry be elected Vice-Chair of the Advisory Group for the remainder of the 2022-23 Municipal year.

Resolved that Barbara Parry be elected Vice-Chair of the Advisory Group for the remainder of the 2022-23 Municipal year.

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of

Swansea, no interests were declared.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of

Swansea, no interests were declared.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Gower AONB Advisory Group Meeting held

on 31 January 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Gower AONB Advisory Group Meeting held

on 31 January 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.

For information.

The Gower AONB Advisory Group Terms of Reference were presented ‘for information’.

Resolved that: -

1)    The following be appointed to the Sustainable Development Fund Panel: -

·       Councillor Paul Lloyd (Chair)

·       Councillor Andrew Stevens

·       Councillor Lynda James

·       Councillor Sarah Keeton

·       David Cole

·       John France

·       Cari Jones

·       Francis Morgan

2)    The following be appointed to the Sustainable Development Fund Appeals Panel: -

·       Barbara Parry (Chair)

·       Councillor David Hopkins

·       Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams

·       Hamish Osborn

·       Peter Lanfear

·       Clive Scott

·       Anthony Thomas

·       Judith Doyle

Mike Scott, Gower AONB Officer presented a report which sought the appointment of membership to the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Panel and Appeals Panel.

It was explained that Welsh Government provided annual funding for the SDF grant scheme (currently £100,000 per year).  The scheme is managed locally by the Gower AONB Team, with a grants panel and an appeals panel to consider and approve grant applications.

The SDF Panel and the SDF Appeals Panel, are appointed by the Gower AONB Advisory Group, each with a membership of eight, as set out in the Terms of Reference document.

Noted comments of Carrie Townsend Jones in relation to membership of the Sustainable Development Fund Panel.  It was explained that Councillors were appointed at the Annual Meeting of Council and any changes to their membership had to be agreed by Council.

Resolved that: -

1)    The following be appointed to the Sustainable Development Fund Panel: -

·       Councillor Paul Lloyd (Chair)

·       Councillor Andrew Stevens

·       Councillor Lynda James

·       Councillor Sara Keeton

·       David Cole

·       John France

·       Cari Jones

·       Francis Morgan

2)    The following be appointed to the Sustainable Development Fund Appeals Panel: -

·       Barbara Parry (Chair)

·       Councillor David Hopkins

·       Councillor Paxton Hood-Williams

·       Hamish Osborn

·       Peter Lanfear

·       Clive Scott

·       Anthony Thomas

·       Judith Doyle

For information.

Mike Scott, Gower AONB Officer presented the Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) Panel Financial Summary report ‘for information’.

It was outlined that Welsh Government had confirmed the SDF budget for 2022/23 at £100,000.

To date, 11 projects had been supported, with £54,378 committed.  A further 8 applications were in progress, requesting £45,622.

If these were approved, this would fully commit the funds for 2022/23.

It was added that the Committed Funds figure included the CCS Management Fee of £10,000.

A detailed report would be produced after April and circulated to Advisory Group members, highlighting the work done by the projects supported.

The SDF budget for 2023/24 had been confirmed as £100,000 by Welsh Government.

A new SDF Grants Panel had been appointed and would meet on 27 February 2023.

Noted.

Paul Meller, Natural Environment Manager presented a report which summarised the work of the Gower AONB team since the last Steering Group meeting in March 2022.  

It was added that more detailed update reports would follow in due course as project work progressed.  It was anticipated that sub groups of the Advisory Group would be established to work with the Gower AONB Team to help progress these and other projects / AONB Management Plan Actions as appropriate. 

The report provided details on the following areas: -

·       New Terms of Reference for the AONB Advisory Group.

·       Gower AONB Management Plan.

·       Mapping a Local Ecosystem Resilience Baseline for Swansea.

·       Carbon Baseline Assessment of Gower (working towards Net Zero).

·       Dark Sky Gower.

·       Landscapes Wales Seminar at Down to Earth, Cilibion, Gower 9/10,     March 2023.

·       Clyne Valley Country Park.

·       Port Eynon Waterfront development.

·       Port Eynon Sand Dunes - Geomorphological Assessment and Management Options Appraisal.

·       Archaeology and Scheduled Monuments Works (various).

·       Other Ongoing Project work – Gower Places of Worship / Fairwood Common / Cefn Bryn / Gower Drystone Walling Project.

·       Grant Funding Update.

Mike Scott, Gower AONB Officer added that the Advisory Group would be provided with regular updates in between meetings.

The Steering Group requested that future meetings commence at 6.30pm.

Resolved that the contents of the report be noted.