Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting.

There were no declarations of interests received.

The minutes of the meeting, held on 18 September 2023, were approved as an accurate record.

The Committee were provided with an update on the current position of the development of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP).

Members were informed that Officers across the region had engaged with Welsh Government as part of an informal consultation; this was conducted around two years ago and was regarding an informal SDP manual. It was noted that the SDP manual was going to be produced by Welsh Government and would provide a consistent approach in terms of SDP preparation across Wales.

It was stated that whilst the informal consultation took place some time ago, Officers were still awaiting publication of a formal consultation regarding a draft version of the guidance; there had been numerous delays from Welsh Government in terms of issuing that document for consultation. It was expected that the draft manual will not come forward until Spring 2025, with final publication by late Summer / early Autumn 2025. The Committee were informed that this document was vital in terms of enabling and facilitating SDPs across Wales as it will set out the approach that needed to be taken.

Officers added that the preparation of the SDP was a mirror image of what individual Councils were doing with their Local Development Plans (LDPs), and there was a lot of work involved in preparing these plans.

It was confirmed that numerous discussions had taken place regarding financial, and staff related resources to deliver the work programme; the financial commitment to deliver an SDP was going to be substantial, with estimated figures of between £2.5 and £3.5 million. It was noted that Officers and Politicians had been lobbying Welsh Government in terms of providing sufficient and adequate resources in order for Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs) to move forward with this work programme.

A discussion took place in regard to the importance of having adequate staff available to prepare the SDP and deliver the work programme; individual Local Authorities were currently involved in preparing their Replacement Local Development Plans (RLDPs). Therefore, at this point in time, it was not an option to divert Local Authority staff away from that particular work programme in order to progress work relating to the SDP. The Committee were informed that Officers across Local Authorities had received clear instruction from Welsh Government that they were not to stop progress with their RLDPs. 

In terms of the current position, it was stated that the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC) will not be in a position to commence any work on the SDP until the resource issue was resolved.

Officers mentioned that they had received correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary regarding the requirements to produce a delivery agreement by the end of 2024; however, for the reasons mentioned above, this was not going to be achievable at this time. It was explained that a delivery agreement for the SDP will be similar to any Local Development Plan; it will set out the timetable, the scope of any community involvement scheme and the resources required. Officers were not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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 no urgent items received.