SCRUTINY COMMITTEE (ECONOMY
AND ENVIRONMENT)
MINUTES of a meeting held on 2nd
July, 2008.
Present: Councillor C.J. Williams
(Chairman); Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen (Vice-Chairman);
Councillors Ms. M.E. Alexander, R.F. Curtis, G. John,
Mrs. S.I. Sharpe, W.C. Vaughan, M.R. Wilson,
Ms. M. Wright.
Also present: Councillors A.D. Hampton,
N.P. Hodges, H.J.W. James, N. Moore and R.L. Traherne.
111 APOLOGIES FOR
ABSENCE -
These were received from Councillors J.C. Bird
and E.T. Williams.
112 MINUTES -
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the minutes of the
meeting held on 8th and 21st April, 2008
and 21st May, 2008 be approved as a correct record.
113 DECLARATIONS OF
INTEREST -
The following Members declared interests as
shown below and vacated the room during consideration of the
same:
Councillors Ms. M.E. Alexander, R.F. Curtis,
G. John and C.J. Williams, as former Cabinet Members, in
· agenda item no. 5 –
Barry Waterfront Development Principles
· agenda item no. 7 –
Regional Waste Plan Review
· agenda item no. 8 –
Draft SPG: County Treasures.
Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen also declared an
interest in Agenda Item No. 8 as the owner of a County Treasure and
vacated the room during the consideration of that item.
114 WATERFRONT PUBLIC
LIAISON GROUP -
Councillor N. Moore had requested that the
Committee should consider the activity of the above Group.
The Group had been set up by ABP many years ago and, in fact, had
not met for some considerable time. The Group had been
organised and chaired by ABP and, as such, was independent from the
activities of this Council. ABP had recently sold off the
bulk of its development plans to a Consortium but had however
retained the Mole, as well as some other areas of operational land,
and continued to manage and own all the operational aspects of
Barry Docks. Councillor Moore referred also to WAG’s
continuing interest in the area and asked that the issue of liaison
group, particularly with local members and other interested
parties, be looked into since he considered it useful, if not
imperative, to ensure that the developers kept everyone informed as
had been the original intention of the Group and received feedback
from local Councils and the community. He asked for an
updated report which would lead to the reconvening of the Group or
the establishment of a suitable alternative mechanism to facilitate
local involvement as soon as possible.
Recognising the benefit of improved liaison,
the Director provided Members with various options.
Consideration was therefore given as to
· whether ABP should be
requested to reconvene the Group
· whether this Committee
should assume that role
· whether the Consortium
should be requested to establish a liaison mechanism.
Reason for recommendation
To facilitate the exchange of information and
views.
(Note: Councillor N. Moore spoke on the above
matter with the consent of the Committee).
115 REVENUE AND
CAPITAL MONITORING: 1ST APRIL - 31ST MAY 2008
(DEER) -
The projected outturn for the 2008/09 Revenue
Budget was shown in comparison with the Amended Annual Budget at
Appendix 1 to the report, the current forecast being for a balanced
budget. Details were presented within the report of the
current variances within the Revenue Budget and details in relation
to the Capital Programme as at 31st May, 2008 were also
appended. Particular attention was drawn to the grant award
from the Countryside Commission for Wales in respect of Coastal
Access Improvement in the sum of £14k. Cabinet, on
9th July, 2008, would be requested to approve the
Capital Programme be increased by that amount in order for works in
relation to coastal access improvements to continue.
During the course of subsequent discussion and
in response to questions, further details were given in respect of
various capital schemes, including the MUGA at Cadoxton, Penarth
Headland Link and Knap Shelter refurbishment. As regards the
gym extension at Barry Leisure Centre and matters pertaining to the
Rural Local Regeneration Plan, the Director confirmed that reports
would come before Committee in due course. In response to a
request, the Director also undertook to discuss further the future
of the Pumphouse with the Buildings Preservation Trust.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the position with regard
to the 2008/09 Revenue and Capital Monitoring be noted.
Reason for recommendation
To be aware of the current position.
116 SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
– TRACKING OF RECOMMENDATIONS (DLPPHS) –
Members were informed of progress in relation
to recommendations made by the Committee between April 2007 and
April 2008. Their views were requested in relation to the progress
against each recommendation and whether further action might be
required to ensure the required action was undertaken. In addition
Members were asked those actions which were completed. During the
course of subsequent discussions, reference was made to the
importance of maintaining progress in respect of the following
uncompleted issues contained within Minute No. 1014 – Review of
Scrutiny Arrangements, namely R(11), R(12) and R(13).
Reference was also made to other uncompleted actions including
Highway Safety Concerns (Mins. No. 135 and 220), Barry Town Hall -
Exhibition Area (Min. No. 388), and The Waterfront (Min. No. 788).
Members was also agreed that matters pertaining to Rhoose Point
were as yet uncompleted although significant progress was being
made and that the Committee should maintain a watching brief.
RECOMMENDED –
(1) T H A T the
actions detailed as completed below be agreed:
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17 Apr 2007
Min. No. 1014 -
Review of Scrutiny Arrangements (CX)
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Recommended that the content of the Review be
accepted and the following recommendations contained therein
endorsed:
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R (6) Further develop website
content to enable the public to engage with the Scrutiny
process.
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Research of other local authority examples
underway. Working groups established to look at development
of these pages. Basic upgrade completed. Since
development of the website will be ongoing, Committee is therefore
asked to confirm this action as completed.
Action completed.
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R (10) Explore the feasibility of reducing the
size of Committee membership.
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Discussed at Democratic Renewal Working
Group. Action anticipated to be completed by January
2008. Smaller Scrutiny Committee membership approved at the
Annual Meeting on 21 May 2008.
Action completed.
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R (14) Annually produce a summary of
consultation activities from the previous year to feed in
consultation to assist in the development of a yearly work
programme.
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To be undertaken by the Corporate Consultation
Officer.
Action completed.
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R (15) Implement a series of triangulation
meetings on a quarterly basis for each Scrutiny Committee involving
relevant Scrutiny Chairs/ Vice, officers and Executive Members to
discuss work programme items and any matters of concern.
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Officers to consider options for ensuring
consistency of approach in respect of all four Scrutiny
Committees. This matter is also being considered by the
Democratic Renewal Working Group.
Action effectively completed - Agenda
Conferences now used for that purpose.
Committee is therefore asked to confirm this
action as completed.
Action completed.
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17 Apr 2007
Min. No. 1022 -
Site of the Former Knap Pool, Barry, (DEER
& DLPPHS)
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Recommended
(4) That Cabinet be requested to
review the drainage scheme previously agreed for the Lake vis a vis
the current problems with the Lakeside.
(5) That a progress report be
submitted to the Committee in July, 2007.
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There are no longer any outstanding
resolutions for Cabinet on this matter.
Action completed.
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20 Jun 2007
Min. No. 132 - Specific Grant Exposure -
Sustainable Waste Management (DEER)
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Recommended
(2) That Cabinet be requested to
endorse the Grant expenditure allocated in line with the amounts
for 2007/08 and indicative amount from WAG for 2008/09 and 2009/10
as follows and that further reports be submitted to this Committee
in due course:
- contribution towards funding of
the existing domestic kerbside recycling in the Vale (alternate
weekly Wk1 paper, glass and cans, Wk2 plastic and cardboard) to
100% of properties: £1,039,928
- green waste collection:
£105,494
- funding for Waste Educational
and Awareness Initiatives: £123,000
- contribute towards the cost of
enforcement team covering flytipping, litter and dog fouling:
£50,000
- further development of waste
management options including Phase 1 and 2 of the Waste Resource
Park: £41,000.
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Allocation of Grant expenditure accepted by
Cabinet 4 July 2007 (Min. No. C3098).
Reports to be submitted in due course.
(Committee noted at its previous meeting that
Cabinet had endorsed the Grant expenditure and that that action had
therefore been completed.)
Action completed.
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17 Jul 2008
Min. No. 223 - Vale of Glamorgan Local
Development Plan (LDP): Strategy Options Stakeholder Workshop
Findings (DEER)
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Recommended
(2) That all Members of the
Council be offered training on new planning legislation and
subsequent guidance.
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Training given on 3 June 2008.
Action completed.
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15 Jan 2008
Min. No. 701 - Penarth Leisure Centre - Effect
of International Sports Village (DEER)
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Recommended
(2) That Cabinet be requested to
consider maximising those suggestions as to ways in which to
improve and expand services, including making available additional
funding for asset renewal.
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Cabinet noted the recommendations on
13 February 2008 (Min. No. C3386), taking the view it was
premature at this stage to consider making available additional
funding.
Action completed.
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(4) That further consideration be
given to means of publicising the facilities on offer at all the
Council’s leisure facilities, including the feasibility of
advertising on bus tickets and on Council owned bus stops -
promoting at the same time the frequency of Cardiff Bus Services
(quoted in the case of the Penarth Leisure Centre as being every 7
minutes as opposed to every 30 minutes to the ISV).
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Whilst the OM was currently investigating the
matter of publicising the facilities as required by Rec (4),
Cabinet also suggested that any additional publicity campaign
extend to rail services.
Following an evaluation of the options - and
the limited budget available - no further action was deemed
appropriate by officers.
Action completed.
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(5) That a site visit be held at
one of the Council’s Leisure Centres in order to see at first hand
possible areas for expansion and potential investment and to
identify possible threats / opportunities.
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Visit held at Barry Leisure Centre on Tuesday
11 March 2008.
Action completed.
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15 Jan 2008
Min. No. 703 - Town Centre Task and Finish
Group (Chairman of T&FG)
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Recommended that consideration of the report
be deferred to allow a progress report on the various matters
contained therein to be submitted and the Chairman of the Task and
Finish Group the opportunity to present the findings of the Task
and Finish Group.
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Report endorsed by E&E on 12 February 2008
and by Cabinet on 5 March 2008 (Min. No. C3422).
Action completed.
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08 Apr 2008
Min. No. 965 - Request for Call-in from
Councillors H.J.W. James and B.I. Shaw (Quarella Street Multi Use
Games Area, Barry) (C3429)
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Recommended that the Scrutiny Committee
(Economy and Environment) recommend to Cabinet that they seek
Regulation 3 Planning Application Temporary Consent for a Multi Use
Games Area on the site at Quarella Street and any conditions to the
consent be left for the Planning Committee to decide.
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The recommendation of the Committee was not
accepted by Cabinet on 23 April 2008.
Action completed.
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08 Apr 2008
Min. No. 968 - Scrutiny Committee - Draft
Annual Report May 2007 - April 2008 (DLPPHS)
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Recommended that the contents of the draft
Annual report for the period May 2007 - April 2008, subject to any
further minor amendments being agreed in consultation with the
Chairman, be approved and it be presented to Full Council.
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Presented to Full Council on 23 April
2008.
Action completed.
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21 Apr 2008
Min. No. 1014C - Crowd Control Barriers -
Cwrt-Y-Vil Playing Fields - Call-in Cabinet Minute No. C3460,
2nd April, 2008
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Recommended
(1) That Cabinet be requested to
further investigate the issue in relation to the drainage of Pitch
A and whether any further remedial work could be undertaken to
address the matter.
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Additional information reported to Cabinet on
28 May 2008 - Cabinet informed that required standards could
be met and subsequently permitted the erection of a barrier around
Pitch A.
Action completed.
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(2) That the South Wales Football
Amateur League be requested to provide in writing details of the
reasons why Pitch A would not be suitable for Amateur League status
and that officers from the Authority meet with the League to
discuss the issues of concern.
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Additional information reported to Cabinet on
28 May 2008.
Action completed.
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(2) T H A
T the progress made in respect of the following actions be
noted:
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17 Apr 2007
Min. No. 1014 - Review of Scrutiny
Arrangements (CX)
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That the content of the Review be accepted and
the following recommendations contained therein endorsed:
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R (3) Review the Scrutiny Handbook to ensure
roles and responsibilities are clear and transparent
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Forms Year 2 of Action Plan
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R (5) Develop and implement a post-review
analysis to evaluate review outcomes against review
objectives
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Forms Year 2 of Action Plan
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R (7) Produce an executive public summary of
the Scrutiny Annual Report that is accessible to the public
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Forms Year 2 of Action Plan
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R (8) Investigate the feasibility of further
developing task and finish groups for appropriate Scrutiny work
programme items.
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Forms Year 2 of Action Plan
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R (9) Organise a workshop enabling Members to
discuss and review any changes required to the process for
developing Corporate Plan priorities.
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Forms Year 2 of Action Plan
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R (11) Investigate the feasibility of Member
development of specialist functions within Scrutiny, enabling
Members to increase their expertise in certain Scrutiny areas.
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A pilot group of four Members of the former
Community Wellbeing and Safety Scrutiny Committee have undertaken
detailed examination of performance data to increase expertise in
their area. Further groups to be established for all Scrutiny
Committees September/ October 2008.
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R (12) Develop a proposal to facilitate in
increasing public participation in the Scrutiny process and
meetings.
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Forms Year 2 of Action Plan
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R (13) Revise the format of Scrutiny meetings
by restructuring the content of meetings and the development of
themed agendas.
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Incremental progress being made. The
Leader and Deputy Leader have agreed that Cabinet will no longer
refer reports to Scrutiny Committees purely for information.
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20 Jun 2007
Min. No. 129 - Land at Rhoose Point: Planning,
Highways and Drainage Issues - Current Position (Ref. - Min. No.
C3045)
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Recommended
(2) That representatives from
Cofton and from Arup be invited to a meeting of this Committee, the
timing of the invitation to be determined by the Chairman.
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Planning applications being considered which
would it was anticipated would address infrastructure issues.
Progress being maintained.
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20 Jun 2007
Min. No. 135 - Highway Safety Concerns, Ffordd
y Mileniwm, Barry Waterfront (DEER)
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Recommended
(1) That the findings presented in
the Safety Audit report appended to the report be noted.
(2) That further consideration be
given to retaining the character of the roundabouts and the
retention of the signs, and that a further report on options to
improve visibility be submitted to this Committee.
(3) That additional funds be
sought in due course from a future Asset Renewal Budget or the
Capital Programme to undertake the further “essential” works to
improve the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists and to
provide the three pedestrian crossings identified.
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Report submitted to E&E on 17 July
withdrawn, three recommendations forwarded to Cabinet -
consideration deferred for a further report (Min. No. C3100) it
being noted that a further report would be made in due course
following completion and analysis of a more recent Highway Safety
Audit.
Report anticipated in September 2008.
Asset Renewal report to go to Cabinet in July
2008.
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17 Jul 2007
Min. No. 218 - Review of the Council’s Pest
Control Service (Ref - Min. No. 156)
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Recommended
(1) That Option C be supported and
that the Council continue to provide free Pest Control Treatment
for pests of public health significance and charge for other pests
in line with current practices.
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(2) That Cabinet be requested to
ensure that an adequate allocation to provide the service required
was contained in future budgets in the interests of public health
and to avoid possible additional costs in the future which could
fall on the Council as a consequence of increased infestations.
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Cabinet deferred consideration for a further
report (Min. No. C3146).
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17 Jul 2007
Min. No. 220 - Highway Safety Concerns, Ffordd
y Mileniwm, Barry Waterfront (DEER)
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Recommended that it be noted that a further
report would be submitted to this Committee in due course.
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Report anticipated September 2008.
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17 Jul 2007
Min. No. 221 - Bus Shelters (DEER)
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Recommended that the position be noted and a
monitoring report submitted at the end of the financial year.
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Report anticipated March 2009.
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17 Jul 2007
Min. No. 223 - Vale of Glamorgan Local
Development Plan (LDP): Strategy Options Stakeholder Workshop
Findings (DEER)
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Recommended
(3) That the above training either
include a contribution from the Section 106 Officer or that she
attend a future meeting of this Committee.
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Above training included S106 issues but
further report on this will be submitted in July 2008 together with
a presentation.
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04 Sep 2007
Min. No. 296 - Building and Vehicle Services -
Appointment and Development of Apprentices (DEER)
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Recommended
(3) That the feasibility of
utilising actual examples of apprentices selected in publicity
material for new recruits be investigated in order to help attract
as wide a range of interest as possible from all sectors of the
community
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Ongoing.
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02 Oct 2007
Min. No. 388 - Barry Town Hall - Exhibition
Area (Min. No. C3198)
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Recommended that the matter be further
considered by both the Scrutiny Committees (Lifelong Learning) and
(Corporate Resources) given the view of this Committee that the
sheer scale of the proposals inevitably prejudiced the Exhibition
Area and could give rise to a serious distraction and diversion to
the Library staff away from their key duties and
responsibilities.
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Deferred at Cabinet on 17 October 2007
for a further comprehensive report (Min. No. C3238) encompassing
the views of each of the Scrutiny Committees together with the
report of the DEER arising from the Cabinet’s initial proposal.
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15 Jan 2008
Min. No. 698 - Graffiti (Request for
consideration submitted by Councillor M.R. Wilson)
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Recommended
(1) That a further report
examining the variety of technical solutions available relating to
the prevention and/ or removal of graffiti be made to a subsequent
meeting, preceded by, if feasible, a physical demonstration of the
products used.
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Further report to be submitted following
demonstration of various graffiti removal techniques and evaluation
of their cost effectiveness and efficiency.
Report anticipated September / October
2008.
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(2) That, given that the
expeditious removal of graffiti was considered to be a prime
motivator as regards a reduction in such incidents, consideration
be given to the Council taking a lead in raising public awareness
of ways in which graffiti could be prevented or removed by
publishing such information through its website and / or Vale waves
for example, such information to be subject to a disclaimer that
the Council accepted no liability in respect of the effectiveness
of such products nor for any subsequent damage to property
occasioned as a consequence of their use.
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Information to be included following the
recommendations of the Committee after it considers the outcome of
the on-site demonstrations and subsequent additional report.
Report anticipated September / October
2008.
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12 Feb 2008
Min. No. 788 - The Waterfront, Barry
(DEER)
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Recommended
(1) That Mr. Keogh be thanked for
his presentation, and that quarterly reports on progress be made to
this Committee.
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First Progress Report to go to Committee in
July 2008.
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26 Feb 2008
Min. No. 850 - Barry Steam Railway Project -
Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company (DEER)
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Recommended
(1) That the Director of
Environmental and Economic Regeneration, in consultation with the
Director of Finance, ICT and Property and the Director of Legal,
Public Protection and Housing market the opportunity to run the
Heritage Railway at Barry on the basis of the terms contained in
the Draft Service Plan appended to the report.
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Discussions ongoing.
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(2) That a further report be
submitted to Cabinet indicating the outcome of the marketing
exercise.
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Awaiting marketing exercise.
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11 Mar 2008
Min. No. 901 - Service Plans
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Recommended
(3) That, as indicated above,
reports be submitted to a future meeting on the achievements of the
Section 106 Officer and on the implementation of the coastal access
programme.
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In addition to the training given on 3 June
2008, a report will be prepared on the S106 issue and presented
during July 2008.
As regards the coastal access programme, it is
anticipated that a report will be submitted to Committee in July
2008.
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08 Apr 2008
Min. No. 966 - Charging for Café and Related
Licences on the Highway (DEER)
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Recommended
(1) That the Cabinet be requested
to approve the fee for licences for café and related licences on
the highway be £360 per three year based on twenty square metres,
pro-rate £360 for other areas with a minimum fee of £260 per three
years.
(2) That delegated powers be
granted to the Director of Environmental and Economic Regeneration
in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Visible Services to
vary the fee in special circumstances.
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Matter deferred by Cabinet on 23 April 2008
for a further report to be submitted in respect of Health and
Safety issues and the types of licences issued.
Ongoing.
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Reason for recommendations
(1&2) To maintain effective tracking
of the Committee’s recommendations.
117 SUSTAINABLE
INTEGRATED PUBLIC TRANSPORT TASK AND FINISH GROUP (DLPPHS) -
Members received a progress report on the work
of the above, the scope and terms of reference of which had been
agreed with the following objective: “to consider greater
integration within the Vale and, in both existing and proposed new
development, locally and regionally”.
The focus of the Group had been identified
as:
· To
consider aspects for sustainable integrated public transport within
the Vale of Glamorgan in respect of the following local areas -
(i) concessionary
travel
(ii)
travel plans
(iii) home
zones
(iv) bus /
rail integration
· To
evaluate how the service can be further enhanced.
The desired outcomes of the review had been
agreed as follows:
· To
encourage further integration in the public transport system and to
highlight to the public the various options / opportunities
available
· To
establish a clear understanding of the current position
· To
identify ways that the service can be improved.
To date, work had been undertaken in respect
of bus / train integration and travel plans with the following
three issues being identified as matters which should be progressed
further:
· Consider
personal travel arrangements through, for example, “travel buddies”
and utilising the service provided by Modus (from Travel Line
Cymru) - details of which were available on the Council’s website -
producing perhaps a Code of Practice for Members’ Travel
· Reconsider
the provision of designated parking at Council sites other than for
disabled spaces
· Further
examine options for integrated ticketing between bus and train
services and, despite the difficulties brought about by
deregulation, between bus services.
Work had also commenced on concessionary
travel. The Group had considered that before any recommendations
could be made, a mapping exercise would be necessary in order to
take a view on the overall bus service provision within the Vale.
Whilst accepting the need for such an exercise, it had been
acknowledged that the Council did not have the required resources
and Members suggested that a request be made to WAG for funds to
conduct the exercise. In the interim, however, it was suggested
that certain routes would benefit from minor adjustments. Members
of the Group considered that the scope could be extended to
encompass the provision of bus routes.
No work had commenced in respect of home zones
and the officer with primary responsibility for that area of work
had recently left the Council’s employ. Members considered,
therefore, that it would be reasonable to defer further
consideration of sustainable integrated public transport until
later in the year when a new postholder had been appointed. In
addition, further consideration was to be given to the Committee’s
Forward Work Programme later in the meeting and it was felt that
agreement would be reached at that stage to incorporating and
progressing more pressing issues.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the progress to date be noted.
(2) T H A
T consideration as to the appointment of a Sustainable Integrated
Public Transport Task and Finish Group be deferred to later in the
year.
(3) T H A
T consideration be given at that stage to amending the Scope to
encompass the provision of bus routes as proposed in paragraph 9 of
the report which would result in the following matters being
contained therein:
To consider aspects for sustainable integrated
public transport within the Vale of Glamorgan in respect of the
following areas -
(i) concessionary
travel;
(ii) the provision of bus
routes; and
(iii) home zones.
Reason for recommendations
(1) To
recognise the work undertaken to date.
(2&3) To ensure that the work
of the Task and Finish Group is continued.
118 FORWARD WORK
PROGRAMME (DLPPHS) -
Members considered the Forward Work Programme
as agreed by the Committee prior to the local government elections
in May, 2008 together with options to revise that Programme to
accommodate the views of the current membership.
RECOMMENDED -
(1) T H A
T the Forward Work Programme as set out in paragraph 2 of the
report and approved in March 2008 be approved.
(2) T H A
T the Forward Work Programme also include consideration of the
regeneration / revitalisation of the town centre of Penarth and
that, to facilitate that work, a Task and Finish Group of five
Members comprising 2 Conservatives, 1 Labour, 1 Plaid Cymru and 1
Independent member be established.
(3) T H A
T the previously proposed Forward Work Programme item relating to
excess packaging be expanded to Development of a Waste Minimisation
Strategy.
(4) T H A
T, for reasons given earlier in the meeting, any work on
sustainable public transport be deferred until later in the current
municipal year.
(5) T H A
T it be noted that further matters relevant to the work of the
Directorate would be reported to Committee throughout the year.
Reason for recommendations
(1-5) To agree the Forward
Work Programme and progress the work of the Committee.
At this juncture the Chairman and Councillors
Mrs. M.E. Alexander, R.F. Curtis and G. John vacated the
room. Councillor Mrs. M. Kelly Owen, as Vice-Chairman,
assumed the Chair.
119 BARRY WATERFRONT
DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES: DRAFT FOR CONSULTATION (REF) (MIN. NO.
C3586) -
Both Cabinet and the Planning Committee had
endorsed the above document for consultation purposes. The
document, as appended to the report, set out the key principles
which had to be considered as part of any future master plan and
subsequent planning submission for the Waterfront. In
particular the document made it clear that the Council expected a
highway link to the Island in advance of the occupation of any
development on the West Pond and South Quay sites, the provision of
a range of non-residential uses, including community-based and a
range of leisure and commercial facilities to be delivered in a
phased manner. Furthermore, the document made it clear that
the Council required an exemplar development in terms of design and
sustainability.
In response to a question, the Director
confirmed that consultation on the principles would be focused on
Barry but that information would be available at libraries
Vale-wide and on the website. Subject to timing, it was
thought that an exhibition could be staged at the Tourist
Information Centre on Barry Island. A suggestion was put
forward that the Committee visit the development site to view the
area, possibly by water. Reference was also made to there
being a need for a major feature to be erected in the area -
possibly a large scale work of art, which would be an additional
attraction and act as a magnet to both potential developers and
visitors.
RECOMMENDED - T H A T the Draft Barry
Waterfront Principles Document be endorsed for the purposes of
consultation.
Reason for recommendation
To allow the Council to consult of the content
of the document.
120 ENDORSEMENT OF THE
REGIONAL WASTE PLAN - 1ST REVIEW (DEER) -
The Operational Manager – Waste Management and
Cleansing presented the report. He commenced by explaining
that the Regional Waste Plan (RWP) 1st Review
provided a long term strategic waste management strategy and land
use planning framework for the sustainable management of wastes and
recovery of resources in South East Wales. It was a
non-statutory plan prepared through a voluntary joint arrangement
of 11 Local Planning Authorities with the assistance of other key
stakeholders and would become a strategic framework for the
preparation of Local Development Plans and a material consideration
in the development control process. The RWP
1st Review would be reported to the Planning Committee
on 3rd July, 2008 with the views of both this and that
Committee being submitted to Cabinet on 9th July
2008.
The Foreword and Executive Summary of the
Review were appended to the report. As referred to above, the
RWP provided the baseline policy to allow the delivery of a
strategic network of new waste management resource / recovery
facilities enabling South East Wales to meet its future waste
management needs whilst maximising the potential recovery value on
the waste produced in the region. It provided strategic
information on waste management facilities and the types of
location likely to be acceptable for their construction including
“Areas of Search” for new sites. Additionally, it provided
preferred options for main treatment technologies that were most
acceptable for the treatment of waste generated in South East
Wales. The RWP Technology Spatial Strategies, when included
within the Council’s LDP, should determine actual locations of
facilities. Endorsing the revised RWP would allow the Council
to provide enhanced guidance including Life Cycle Assessment,
Sustainable Appraisal and Strategic Health Impact and identified
Areas of Search for facilities when considering its LDP although it
would not however bind the Council.
Discussion ensued on the 7 Preferred Options
of the RWP Technology Strategy which provided strategic information
as to the types of waste management / resource recovery facilities
required in South East Wales and an explanation given on the types
of facility listed. The suggestion was made that Members should
receive specific training on the technological aspects in order to
enhance their understanding and assist in formulating proposals for
the future. In addition, it was considered that visits to nearby
facilities could be useful in order to view various of the
processes in situ. During the course of the discussion on the
technology strategy, reference was made to discharges from Aberthaw
Power Station and a proposal put forward that the Committee visit
the Education Centre at the Power Station and / or receive a
representative from the Environment Agency to discuss issues
pertaining to emissions at a future date.
As referred to above, the report would be
considered by the Planning Committee on 3rd July and by
Cabinet on 9th instant. Following further discussion on
the content of the report and related issues, it was
RECOMMENDED – THAT the endorsement of the RWP
1st Review be supported and the comments of this
Committee referred to Cabinet.
Reason for recommendation
The endorsement of the RWP is the first step
in the process of making the RWP a material consideration in the
development control process.
(Note: Councillor H.J.W. James spoke on the
above matter with the consent of the Committee.)
At this juncture, Councillor Mrs. Kelly Owen
vacated the room. Councillor Mrs. S.I. Sharpe was duly
elected Chairman for the following item.
121 DRAFT
SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING GUIDANCE: COUNTY TREASURES (DEER) -
The views of the Committee were sought on the
draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG): County Treasures as
appended to the report. Both Cabinet and the Planning Committee had
already endorsed the draft for consultation purposes. A further
report would be submitted to Cabinet outlining the responses to the
consultation exercise together with any proposed changes to the
draft SPG.
The Director explained that the County
Treasures project, a collaborative effort with a number of local
bodies including Town and Community Councils, was unique in Wales
in providing a unified list of historic built assets within the
Vale. It was now proposed to upgrade the status of the
document to SPG in order to support the policies and proposals
within the VOG Unitary Development Plan. He further confirmed that
suggestions to amend the list of “treasures” contained within the
document could be made at any time and drew attention to the fact
that the Theatre Royal in Barry had recently been incorporated into
the list. Suggestions from the floor as to possible future
additions to the list included the Paget Rooms, Penarth, Merthyr
Dyfan Chapel and gravestones within cemeteries in both Barry and
Penarth. Attention was drawn to the historic interest of such
sites, to their potential as tourist attractions, and to the
possibility of external funding being made available as a
consequence for their conservation and enhancement. Attention was
also drawn to a typographical error on page 11.
Following further consideration it was
RECOMMENDED – THAT the recommendations of
Cabinet and the Planning Committee to approve the content of the
draft SPG, subject to the correction of any typographical errors,
and associated actions be endorsed.
Reason for decision
In order to assist in the process of
determining planning applications relating
to locally listed County Treasures.
(Note: Councillors A.D. Hampton and N.P.
Hodges spoke on the above matter with the consent of the
Committee.)