The Vale of Glamorgan Council

Planning Committee: 7th June, 2018

Report of the Managing Director

Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee

Purpose of the Report

To confirm the re-appointment of the Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee, its membership and Terms of Reference.

Recommendations

That the Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee, comprising five Members, be re-appointed.
That the membership and Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee for the Municipal Year 2018/19 be as set out in paragraphs 4 and 5 below.

Reason for the Recommendations

1&2 To facilitate decision-making.

Background

The Committee is required to confirm the re-appointment of any Sub-Committees required at its first meeting of each Municipal Year. The Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee (comprising five Members) was included in the "Political Balance" table which was used at the Annual Meeting on 9th May, 2018 in terms of the appointment of Committees generally.
The requirements of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 require the Council, as far as is practicable, to reflect in the allocation of seats across all Committees the overall representation of each Political Group on the Council. As part of this exercise, it is often necessary for a Group or Groups, to have to make certain adjustments to their seat numbers indicated in order to give effect to the requirements of the Act.

Relevant Issues and Options

At the Annual Meeting in 2017, one of the adjustments made by the Plaid Cymru Group was to not take up a place on the Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee. As a result, the membership of the Sub-Committee comprised 3 Conservative Group Members, 1 Labour Group Member and 1 Llantwit First Independent Group Member. Prior to the Annual Meeting, the respective Group Leaders provided the following names of Members to be appointed to the Sub-Committee:

Conservative Group - Councillors Ben Gray, Andrew Parker and Bob Penrose
Labour Group - Councillor Margaret Wilkinson
Llantwit First Independent Group - Councillor Edward Williams.

At this year's Annual Meeting, the respective Group Leaders confirmed there was no change to the above.
The Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee are as follows:

(1) To consider and determine under delegated powers applications for Footpath Orders made under Sections 25, 26, 118 and 119 of the Highways Act 1980 and Orders made under Sections 53(3)(b), 53(3)(c) and 54 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in respect of modifications of the Definitive Map.

(2) To consider and determine under delegated powers applications for Footpath and Bridleway Orders affected by development under Section 257 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 where opposition which has been raised as a result of pre-order consultation remains unresolved.

Members are also asked to note that there is provision for public speaking at meetings of the Public Rights of Way Sub-Committee. The Guide to Public Speaking can be found at: Guide to Public Speaking.

Resource Implications (Financial and Employment)

None as a direct result of this report.

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

None as a direct result of this report.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

None as a direct result of this report.

Crime and Disorder Implications

None as a direct result of this report.

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

None as a direct result of this report.

Corporate/Service Objectives

None as a direct result of this report.

Policy Framework and Budget

The formal appointment of the Sub-Committee is a matter for the Planning Committee.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

This is an internal matter and, therefore, no external consultation is necessary.

Relevant Scrutiny Committee

Environment and Regeneration.

Background Papers

Report to Annual Meeting: 9th May, 2018.

Contact Officer

Jeff Wyatt, (01446) 709408

Email: jrwyatt@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Officers Consulted

None.

Responsible Officer:

Rob Thomas, Managing Director