Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair noted that the Members of the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to scrutinise the following items from the Cabinet Board agenda:

·       Item 7. Amendment to Byelaw prohibiting cycling at Neath Memorial Gates and along the path between the bottom pond and Cimla Crescent

·       Item 8. Public Space Protection Orders - Aberavon Seafront

·       Item 9. Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) - Revised Delivery Agreement (DA)

·        Item 10. Parking Review 2023

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair noted that the Members of the Scrutiny Committee had agreed to scrutinise the following items from the Cabinet Board agenda:

·       Item 7. Amendment to Byelaw prohibiting cycling at Neath Memorial Gates and along the path between the bottom pond and Cimla Crescent

·       Item 8. Public Space Protection Orders - Aberavon Seafront

·       Item 9. Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) - Revised Delivery Agreement (DA)

·        Item 10. Parking Review 2023

There were none.

There were none.

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)

Amendment to Byelaw prohibiting cycling at Neath Memorial Gates and along the path between the bottom pond and Cimla Crescent

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Public Space Protection Orders - Aberavon Seafront

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) - Revised Delivery Agreement (DA)

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Parking Review 2023

Following scrutiny, a recorded vote was proposed and seconded and agreed.

The recommendation as outlined on pages 206 - 209 of the Cabinet report was proposed and seconded.

For: Cllrs T.Bowen, W.Carpenter, R.Davies, N.Goldup-John.

Against: Cllrs S.Pursey, S.Freeguard, S.Penry, C.James, S.Grimshaw, L.Williams.

Members were not supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Amendment to Byelaw prohibiting cycling at Neath Memorial Gates and along the path between the bottom pond and Cimla Crescent

Members were concerned about the danger of any irresponsible cyclists cycling fast down the hill through the gates. Members wanted to know if it was possible to open the two side gates so they would have to unseat to pass.

Members questioned whether the gates would be open during important anniversaries of remembrance such as battle of Britain or the armistice. 

Officers advised that this was a procedural report to consult on the removal of the prohibition of cycling. To comply with Active Travel guidelines, officers would need to have the main gates open.

Officers advised they wouldn’t get support if cyclists had to dismount at the gates. Officers advised that for remembrance services officers would suspend the order and put in road closures to facilitate the events. If the gates were to remain open, after the services, wreaths would be placed in a way that won’t cause an obstruction to the cyclists.

Members wanted to keep in mind that it is a memorial and to keep people safe.

Officers advised that it may be possible for additional signage to be considered to make people aware of the need to respect the memorials when cycling past and to be careful.

The Chair felt that it was a good point about being respectful of the memorials and to reflect that in the consultation members of the public would appreciate that.

Members asked if there was a separate part of the path dedicated to cyclists.

Officers advised that the route is designed in principle, and officers will consult further what the proposals will be. There may be parts that are a shared path, and they may be able to achieve segregated cycling and walking paths in other areas. This will be consulted at the detailed design stage.

Officers explained that this is only a small part of the Active Travel route.

Members asked how routes are identified and prioritised. Members didn’t think this was an obvious priority in comparison to other routes elsewhere.

Officers advised that the adopted network route for the authority has identified 500 routes. There is no clear guidance now from Welsh Government or TFW on how to prioritise these. There are currently, High, low and medium priority routes. Officers are waiting on a software tool that is going to help local authorities prioritise the schemes further.

Officers explained that they will then try to deliver these based on the re-assessed prioritisation of routes with a view to secure grants to deliver those. Some schemes will come forward at different stages as some routes may require the purchase of land from private parties and there may also be consultation with statutory consultees as well.

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Public Space Protection Orders PSPO- Aberavon Seafront

Officers introduced the report as circulated to members.

Members expressed support for renewing the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were none.

There was none.

Access to Meetings to resolve to exclude the public for the following item(s) pursuant to Section 100A(4) and (5) of the Local Government Act 1972 and the relevant exempt paragraphs of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the above Act.

Members decided not to scrutinise any private items.

Members decided not to scrutinise any private items.

To select appropriate private items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports enclosed for Scrutiny Members).

Members decided not to scrutinise any private items.

Members decided not to scrutinise any private items.