Minutes:
The
Committee scrutinised the following Cabinet Board items:
Neath
Port Talbot Local Development Plan (LDP) – consideration of: the findings,
conclusions and recommendations of the third LDP Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)
Members
received an overview of the circulated report.
Officers
explained that the Council was required to prepare an Annual Monitoring Report
(AMR) to be submitted to Welsh Government by 31 October. The report provided the basis for monitoring
the effectiveness of the Local Development Plan (LDP).
Officers
stated that information on the review of the LDP would be available at an all
Members Seminar on 28 November, Members were urged to attend the event.
Discussions
took place regarding delivery of housing at Coed
Darcy. Officers explained there had been
challenges with the development, but negotiations are continuing and would
continue as part of a review.
It
was highlighted that the LDP contained an economic-led strategy, and that
certain areas of economic activity had improved, and progress had been made
towards achieving the economic-led strategy.
In
response to Members queries officers emphasised that it was important for
Members, local businesses and developers to support and be involved in the LDP
review process. It was highlighted that
landowners and all other interested parties will have the opportunity to put
forward sites to be considered for inclusion in the Replacement Plan.
Following
scrutiny it was agreed that the report, be noted.
Welsh
Government Consultation: National
Development Framework 2020-2040 - Consultation Draft
The Committee received information on the
Welsh Government Consultation on the draft National Development Framework
(NDF).
Members were pleased that the towns of Neath and Port Talbot had been identified as part of an area
of national growth.
It was noted that the NDF policy framework
requires a Strategic Development Plan (SDP) to come forward from each region,
the implication being that informal regional arrangements or commitments to
work collaboratively will no longer constitute the form of regional planning
required by the NDF.
Officers explained that work on the SDP will
now need to gather pace and will build upon the collaborative work already
completed and underway. Officers also highlighted that given the fact that the
current adopted LDP will expire in 2026, the review of the LDP will be
progressed in parallel with the emerging SDP. Although the SDP will not have
any weight until it is formerly adopted, the review of the LDP will need to
ensure that the document will align with the emerging regional framework.
Following scrutiny, the Committee was
supportive of the proposals to be considered by the Cabinet Board.
Neath
Port Talbot County Borough Council – 2019 Air Quality Progress Report
Members
received an overview of the 2019 Air Quality Progress report.
A discussion took place on
the location of the Air Quality Management Area at Taibach/Margam, officers explained that this was the most suitable
place and would continue to remain in force.
Officers
explained that the Council works with Tata, Natural Resources Wales and Welsh
Government in a joint working group, in order to manage air quality.
In response to concerns
raised with regard to the limited number of Air Quality Management Areas
(AQMAs) Officers explained that AQMAs are declared when air quality is close to
or above an acceptable level of pollution, therefore it is good news that we
have just one AQMA.
Officers went onto explain
that air quality in the county borough is improving and that we have no issues
of serious concern. We do continue to
monitor PM10s and they continue to decline.
Measurements at Port Talbot Fire station have decreased and continue to
easily comply with air quality objectives.
It
was highlighted that there are various stations for various pollutants
throughout the county borough. It was
explained that previously stations that were no longer recording air quality
problems had been withdrawn as they were no longer problem at these area. It was highlighted that a report had been
taken to a previous Committee with recommendations to close the stations, these
had been agreed by Members.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.
Wales
Audit Report – Environmental Health
Councillor
S.Rhaman made a declaration of interest and left the
room before the commencement of this item.
Members
received information on the Wales Audit Office’s (WAO) findings from their
follow-up work based on the national report “Delivering with less – the impact
on Environmental Health Services and Citizens”.
Following
scrutiny, the Committee was supportive of the proposals to be considered by the
Cabinet Board.