Agenda and minutes

Members noted the minutes with the following amendment.

That Cllr. Dean Cawsey be added to the attendance.

Members noted the Forward Work Programme.

Officers highlighted to Members that there was a Special Regeneration and Sustainable Scrutiny Committee on the 10^th November, 2017 to discuss the City Deal. Members also noted a Special Regeneration and Sustainable Development Scrutiny Committee on the 27^th November 2017 to scrutinise the Budget proposals for 2018/19.

This item was withdrawn for consideration from today’s meeting and would be brought back to a future meeting.

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following items:

Cabinet Board Proposals

4.1     Neath Food and Drink Festival 2017

Members received an update on the success of the 2017 Neath Food and Drink festival.

Members queried how there was a loss of just over £3,000 and how to prevent there being a loss for future events. Officers confirmed that the reason for this loss was due to an extra supply of generators and additional barriers.

Members asked if the timing of the Neath Food and Drink Festival could be changed from September. Officers confirmed that they had previously looked at doing this and having a date earlier in the summer; however, due to there being similar events throughout the country there was no option of having a different date.

Members asked how much is spent on advertising for this event each year as it was noted that there was not as much advertising this year in comparison to previous years. Officers highlighted that due to the cost of traditional advertising it was more cost effective to use.

Following scrutiny, it was agreed that the report be noted.

4.2     Annual Planning Performance report 2016-2017

Members received information on the annual Planning Performance, as detailed within the circulated report.

Officers were asked for clarification in relation to the individual projects that are detailed on page 95 of the report. Officers highlighted that the report had been written in accordance with the format and requirements of Welsh Government. Numerous planning applications are received annually and the report would only provide a brief overview. Officers asked Member’s to speak to them directly if Members had any query or wanted specific information.

Member’s asked for clarification in relation to paragraph 1 on page 95 where it states ‘The Council acknowledge that large areas of land are identified as being at risk of flooding and whilst we are able to refuse applications immediately upon submission if they are within zone C2, we are aware that developers have in the past been able to address the concerns of NRW to ensure that future occupiers are not at risk of flooding nor will there be third party detriment.’  Officers highlighted that we have a number of constraints affecting developments, one of which is flooding. If this constraint can be addressed through the submission of an acceptable FCA then we give applicants the opportunity to do so. We have not approved any developments within a floodzone without discussing and agreeing them with NRW. 

Members asked about the TAN 15 policy and asked what contractual safeguards are put in place for any flooding in the future. Officers informed Members that the Development Advice Maps contained within TAN 15 are now the responsibility of NRW as opposed to WG. Rather than having updates every few years, they are now updated quarterly. They are therefore being kept up to date more regularly and are a more accurate refelectin of the risks in place. These updates are sent to the authority and are kept  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The Committee chose to scrutinise the following items:

Cabinet Board Proposals

6.1     Former Afan Lido Procurement

Members received an update on the procurement tender for the disposal of the former Afan Lido Leisure Centre and overflow car park site.

Members asked if the development had a timescale. Officers confirmed that it would be over a 5 year period at the most.

Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.