Agenda and minutes

Councillor Rosalyn Davies              Re: Design Options for the Remediation of Cilmaengwyn Tip above Godre’r Graig Primary School as she is a Governor at Godre’r Graig Primary School.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 March 2021 were approved.

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet agenda for pre-decision scrutiny (reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members)

The Committee scrutinised the following Cabinet Board items

Accessibility to Aberavon beach via the new Slipway Access Ramp at Scarlett Avenue Car Park

Members received a report in relation to the accessibility to Aberavon beach via the new slipway access ramp at Scarlett Avenue car park.

Officers provided an overview of the circulated report which contained four different options that the Council could consider implementing, along with the associated risks; option one and option three were noted to be the most suitable options, particularly option one which minimised the many risks associated with using the ramp. It was added that Officers had received some correspondence from the public in regards to having access via the ramp, in which option three would permit; however, this would include taking on board the risks associated with this and carrying out the relevant measures listed in the circulated report including installing signage and additional disabled car parking close to ramp.

Local Members for Sandfields West and Sandfields East, who were in attendance at the meeting, shared their concerns in regards to the recommended option one and the accessibility issues to Aberavon Beach; some of these concerns had also been highlighted by a number of their residents. The local Members also provided their thoughts on the other options contained within the circulated report and why the ramp should be utilised for access onto the beach.

Taking account of the Council’s duty of care to the public and its obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation, Officers stated that they would not recommend simply opening the ramp for public use as it had not been designed for this; if Members wanted to look into this as an option, it was noted that the Committee would require an additional report.

Members were informed that it was as a result of a planning condition, as to why the ramp wasn’t allowed to be opened to the public, through biodiversity approaches etc.; the ramp was built to provide access for coastal defence work and to an associated standard which did not include for general public access.  It was subsequently retained to provide access and egress to the foreshore for beach cleaners and emergency access only. The options were prepared in this context.

A discussion took place in relation to the timescales of implementing option three, to which it was noted that progress could be made within a month to six weeks.

Concerns were expressed in relation to leaving the gate open as it could encourage people to drive onto the beach, which would have an impact on the safety of other users. On the other hand, it was noted that the ramps onto the beach were the only way to bring sail boats and the like onto the beach; this was an opportunity for the community and could encourage more people to use it.

A formal amendment to the recommendation contained within the circulated report was proposed and seconded, which changed the recommendation from ‘option one’  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The Committee noted the Forward Work Programme 2021/22.