Agenda, decisions and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

None.

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

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

Approved.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Climate Change & Nature Recovery Service Transformation Committee held on 6 January 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.

For information.

Matthew Bowyer, Group Leader – Highways & Transportation, supported by Stuart Davies, Head of Highways & Transportation, Chloe Lewis, Team Leader – Highways & Transportation and Lee White, Sterling Transport Consultancy presented a ‘for information’ report which provided a progress update on the development of the South West Wales Regional Transport Plan.

It was explained that the Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) for South West Wales had been mandated to produce a Regional Transport Plan (RTP) for the region by Welsh Government, in conformity with the Transport (Wales) Act 2006 and to complement Llwybr Newydd: Wales Transport Strategy 2021.

It was added that the new plan would focus on the period 2025-30 and was currently in draft form and would be available for consultation from 10 February to 6 April 2025.  Delivery of the Final Regional Transport Plan was programmed for Summer 2025.  The plan would form part of the process to secure transport funding from Welsh Government over the plan period.

The report also updated the Committee on the work undertaken to date, including the Regional Transport Plan progress, draft Regional Transport Delivery Plan, timescales and consultation / stakeholder engagement to date. In addition, further development and delivery focussed upon delivering the RTP, statutory consultation and next steps.

Detailed discussions occurred regarding the following: -

·       RTP – key documentation and internal priorities;

·       Processes currently being undertaken and the overall process / outcome the Council is working towards;

·       Ward Member consultation process and the varying issues faced in Wards throughout Swansea, including public transport issues;

·       The importance of connectivity in respect of all public transport services, including timetables and tickets;

·       Parkway Station and the surrounding opportunities;

·       The importance of active travel routes being open all year and not being unavailable during inclement weather and the funding difficulties surrounding providing that service;

·       Noting the capital against revenue funding challenges being faced;

·       The regional view in respect of difficulties faced in respect of school transport;

·       Bus franchising within authorities and travelling across boundaries in the region;

·       Key third party interdependencies involving rail, bus and the metro;

·       The importance of retaining local control;

·       The significant transport modelling being undertaken;

·       The impact of heavy goods vehicles throughout the region, particularly on rural communities; and

·       Information / data being presented at in person meetings.

·       Potential use of alternative fuels for Council vehicles, along with the potential cost and impact of pursuing this option.

In summary, the Chair commented that there was a consensus supporting the priorities contained in the Plan. The Committee also recognised the key interdependencies between third party providers, particularly rail, bus and the metro. It was added that data around accessibility being made available at in person sessions was important. The Committee also felt that retaining local control of the implementation, even though it was badged as regional, was important.

She thanked the officers and consultant for the time and effort they had already committed to the Plan.

For information.

Councillor D H Hopkins, Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the item and welcomed the input of the Committee into the LDP2.  He added that while discussions were not site specific at present, there would be opportunities to discuss these in the future.

Tom Evans, Placemaking and Strategic Planning Manager presented a ‘for information’ report which informed the Committee of progress on LDP2 and the next steps in the process, including a comprehensive public consultation and stakeholder engagement process to be undertaken in accordance with statutory requirements.

It was outlined that in July 2023, the Council approved a Delivery Agreement (DA) to pave the way for the preparation of the Swansea LDP 2023-2038, known as LDP2.  LDP2 would be the new planning blueprint for the whole County and once adopted it will replace the current Plan as the primary consideration for decision making on development proposals.

The report detailed the key stages of the LDP preparation process; the LDP2 pre-deposit stage – the preferred strategy, including the scope, purpose, consultation, engagement and core components; integrated sustainability appraisal and habitats regulations assessment process; candidate sites register; revised LDP2 agreement, including the LDP2 timetable; climate change and nature recovery themes in LDP2; and next steps.

The Committee were also provided with a presentation which detailed the following: -

·       LDP2 Council Resolutions;

·       What is a pre-deposit plan?;

·       Supporting documents;

·       Consultation;

·       Climate change and nature recovery themes in LDP2; and

·       Next steps.

Lengthy discussions followed and centred around the presentation and centred on the following: -

·       How the Council viewed green, brown and grey field sites, particularly prioritising brownfield sites;.

·       Refurbishment of existing buildings for housing;

·       Guidance on Section 106 agreements;

·       Local energy plan, particularly the use of renewable energy; and

·       Transport provision and the contrasting communities within the Council boundary.

The Chair thanked the officer for his detailed report and presentation.  She added that the overall Committee consensus from the discussions was to prioritise brownfield sites and re-use buildings for housing.

Noted.

The Chair presented an updated Work Plan 2024/25 report.

She noted the items for discussion at the next Committee meeting as follows:

·       Adaption & Mitigation Plan Update;

·       Waste Strategy; and

·       Annual Report 2024/25.

Resolved that the contents of the report be noted.