Minutes:
PRE-SCRUTINY
The Committee chose to
scrutinise the following items:
Cabinet Board Proposals
3.1 2 x
Supplementary Planning Guidance (Landscape and Seascape, Biodiversity and
Geodiversity)
The Committee received
information in relation to the 2 x Supplementary Planning Guidance (Landscape
and Seascape, and Biodiversity and Geodiversity) as contained within the
circulated report.
Members
commented that there appeared to be a low response to the consultation, and
queried whether there was a way of increasing the number of representations
made in future, possibly by utilising social media to reach more people.
Officers stated that a formal public consultation process had been adhered to
which was considered robust and in line with previous consultations. Officers
explained that this was the third consultation in a relatively short space of
time and may have contributed to the low number of responses. Officers
commented that the subject being consulted on was considered a specialist area
and could also explain why there was such a low response. Officers stated that
social media would be utilised where possible to maximise responses for future
consultations.
Following scrutiny, the
Committee were supportive of the proposals to be considered at Cabinet Board.
3.2 The Welsh
Government Targeted Regeneration Investment Programme 2018-21
The Committee received information in
relation to the Welsh Government
Targeted Regeneration Investment Programme 2018-21 as contained within
the circulated report.
Members commented that the towns of Neath and Port Talbot were categorised as tier two
settlements, and queried what the distinction was between the various tiers.
Officers stated that towns were categorised into different tiers based on
population size. Officers explained that the city of Swansea was therefore
categorised as tier one, whilst Neath and Port Talbot,
being ‘large towns’ were classified as tier two.
Members questioned how
the 27 million pounds allocated to the South West Wales region over three years
would be distributed amongst the local authorities, and how this compared to
the funding previously received by the Authority under the Vibrant and Viable
Places programme. Officers stated that each local authority had to bid for
funding under the new scheme, and that
each local authority within the region could potentially receive around
seven million pounds each, but would depend upon the way in which projects were
prioritised. Officers explained that this was a reduction when compared to the
11 million pounds received for Port Talbot under the Vibrant & Viable
Places scheme. Officers added that in the latter case, the Authority were able
to bid for funding independently, rather than as part of a region.
Members queried whether
there was a list of proposed projects with costings available to view that
officers were intending to put forward for consideration by the Local Project
Board and the Regional Project Board. Officers reported that there was a list which
would be subject to regular updates and projects could be removed and added to
reflect prioritisation and delivery. Officers added that some of the projects
currently being put forward were already contained in the Neath Strategic Hub
such as the proposed transport hub, acquisition of the Crown Food/Carnaud Metal Box and priorities identified as part of the
Valleys Task Force programme.
Following scrutiny, the Committee were
supportive of the proposals to be considered at Cabinet Board.