Minutes:
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 on the
Councils GIS system. This information is also used to feed into the Flood Risk
Management Plans that the Head of Streetcare is responsible for producing.
Members were concerned that there was no update
included in the report on the Transport Hub. Officers advised that a future
report would be coming to committee from the Head of Property and Regeneration
which would include updates on the current projects that are taking place
within the Neath Port Talbot area as a consequence of the Viable and Vibrant
Places Programme. The Transport Hub would be included within this update.
Members asked whether the Authority is using the
S106 agreement for Development Sites to the best of its ability. Officers
confirmed that they can ask only ask for contributions for S106 to offset the
impact of a development. We have secured financial contributions towards
community funds in the past but this is secured outside of the planning process
as they are not necessary to offset the impacts of a development.
Members asked how the Public are made aware of the
ability to speak at Planning Committee. Officers confirmed that this ability is
referred to on the Planning notices, on the website and are included on the
front of the Planning Committee agenda.
The Chair of the Planning Committee attended the
Meeting to hear the views of the Scrutiny Committee. It was noted that if there
are any concerns in relation to flooding issues then to direct them to the NRW.
It was highlighted that the department was under pressure and commend the work of
the officers.
Members of the Committee and the Chair of the
Valleys Task and Finish Group highlighted general concerns that may affect the
Valleys. Officers confirmed that a significant amount of information is held by
the Planning Service which was secured as part of the LDP process, which is
available for use by the Task and Finish Group.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposal to be considered by the
Cabinet Board
4.3 Integrated Network Map – Active Travel
Members received information following a
consultation on the revised Existing Route Map and Integrated Map for Neath
Port Talbot.
Members asked if there were any future development
for the cycle route from Cwmllynfell to Cwmtrwch. Officers confirmed that the
route from Cwmllynfell to Cwmtrwch has been identified as a priority and the
Council would continue to look at the routes moving forward.
Members asked what the timescale would be. Officers
confirmed that the plan was aspirational and extended over a period of 15 years
although there were short, medium and long term proposals within the plan ie 5,
10 and 15 year projects.
Members queried why there was no Equality Impact
Assessment included. Officers confirmed that a screening had taken place and
there is no requirement to attach a Screening document.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of
the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.
4.4 Local
Development Plan (LDP)
Members received an update on the findings,
conclusions and recommendations of the first Local Development Plan Annual
Monitoring Report and the submission and publications procedures to be
implemented.
Members queried the Green field sites in
Pontrydyfen. Officers highlighted that the Green wedge the Member was referring
to is still included in the Local Development Plan and that a Green Field is
different to a Green wedge.
Members queried why certain areas of land have been
removed from the Local Development Plan, when the authorities are trying to
develop the Valleys. Officers highlighted that there could be a number of
reasons why sites are removed eg, flooding, inability to demonstrate
deliverability, ecology etc Officers
highlighted to Members to come forward if they are interested in any particular
sites and we will provide them with the information available. Depending on the
location of the site and the constraints involved, will depend on the
likelihood of it coming forward for development at a future date
Members asked what the likelihood is, of sites
being included back in to the LDP. Officers confirmed that the Local
Development Plan has only recently been agreed and unless the Annual Monitoring
Reports identified that the plan was not succeeding in achieving its
objectives, a review of the plan is not intended to start until 2020.
Members asked if we had met the targets for housing
from the Welsh Government. Officers highlighted that the housing completions
for this monitoring period were lower than the annual target; officers
confirmed that the main reason that this target was not met was due to a lack
of progress on Coed Darcy. It was however confirmed that we still have a
housing supply of greater than five years and as such it is not a cause for
concern at the moment.
The Chair of Planning attended the meeting and
commended the officers for their input and work that is involved within the
Local Development Plan.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of
the proposal to be considered by the Cabinet Board.