Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Kevin Morris Jones, Mike Stevens and Gethin Glyn Williams.

To receive any declaration of personal interest

None to note.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None to note.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held on 13 January 2022, be signed as a true record. 

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Committee held on 13 January 2022 as a true record.

THE CABINET MEMBER – COUNCILLOR GARETH GRIFFITH

To update the Committee on the progress to date in terms of managing vehicles and powers in relation to motorists who park illegally.

To accept the report and note the observations received.

An update was presented by the Head of the Environment Department on the progress to date on the Task Group recommendations. The committee was reminded that the Task Group was established in July 2019 to undertake a comprehensive review of the current operational parking strategy and consider its suitability and relevance to the Council's requirements and the requirements of its communities today. It was explained that reviewing the parking arrangements across the County was also inevitable in terms of financial sustainability and the authority’s budgets to ensure that our practical management arrangements are effective and efficient. It was added that a comprehensive report was submitted to the Communities Scrutiny Committee in December 2020, proposing innovative and appropriate recommendations for solving some of the issues relating to parking. A final report was presented to the Cabinet in February 2021, and the following was approved: 

·         Adopt a new Parking Fees Structure that will ensure consistency across the County

·         Review the parking proposal over the Christmas period

·         No changes to the Blue Badge Scheme

·         No changes to the Resident Parking Scheme

·         Strengthen the Parking Enforcement Team

It was confirmed that these recommendations had been implemented.

As a result of the pandemic restrictions, it was recognised that a number of issues had a considerable impact on the County's communities in the context of parking. A further update was given on the work undertaken to respond to two specific areas, namely management of motorhomes and powers to deal with motorists who park illegally.

In the context of motorhomes, it was explained, in response to a number of complaints about motorhomes parking in unsuitable locations and the lack of control over these vehicles in the County, that extensive work had been undertaken jointly with the Economy Department to try and identify the implications of the increase in motorhome use (due to overseas travel restrictions) and the impact within the County.  Caravan site operators in Gwynedd, the motorhome sector as well as the public and communities across the County were consulted via a questionnaire and it was reported that the response had been very positive and highlighted the need for measures to better manage the motorhome sector in the County.

Following the decision made by Cabinet in November 2021, a pilot scheme to develop parking spaces for motorhomes in the Council's car parks was adopted to encourage the use of town centres and reduce the density of motorhomes who use unsuitable parking places. It was added that a Project Board had been established to proceed with the work and planning applications would need to be submitted to adapt the car parks in question.

It was explained that in the context of adopting powers to tow vehicles away, that the system had come into force as a result of parking problems across the County, particularly in the Llyn Ogwen and Pen y Pas areas.  It was considered that a fine of £35 was not a sufficient deterrent, and therefore a scheme to remove vehicles was implemented if they  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

CABINET MEMBER – COUNCILLOR DYFRIG SIENCYN

An update on what the Council is currently doing to meet the challenges of climate change and nature and other steps that are practical for the Council to act on in future.

To accept the report and note the observations received.

An update was presented by the Council Leader reporting on what the Council was doing in response to climate change and nature challenges and other practical steps the Council could implement in the future. 

It was reported that the Cabinet had adopted the Climate and Nature Emergency Plan (compiled by a task force established by the Cabinet - Climate Change Board) on 8 March 2022. It was noted that the Climate Change Board included Cabinet Members and Chief Officers and more recently the Biodiversity Champion and a representative from the Communities Scrutiny Committee had been invited to be standing members of the Board. 

It was explained that the Emergency Plan was led by the Head of the Environment Department, however, there was a responsibility on every Council department to implement the plan together with contributions from the County's communities.  It was highlighted that a comment had been made that there was no reference to Pension Fund investments, and a response had been received from the Head of the Finance Department noting that significant steps had been made in the investment field although the Fund had no direct control of the investment.

It was noted that the challenge was to attain a net zero target by 2030.  It was accepted that there were challenging steps to be undertaken, however, the Council was determined to reach the target set by the Welsh Government. The Environment Department Head highlighted that the plan was a document that was being developed and adapted regularly and it was noted that there were two phases to the plan:  Phase 1 was the current plan that included establishing an appropriate procedure and the steps the Council proposes to take to change the services it provides directly. Phase 2 will be presented following a consultation process and will include more information about the Council's intention to advise and support activities in the community on issues, e.g. buildings and energy, land use and management, recycling, flood zones. 

Thanks were expressed for the report and the Board was thanked for extending the membership.  It was proposed that consideration should be given to inviting Arfon and Dwyfor-Meirionnydd representatives from the Welsh Youth Parliament to be members of the Climate Change Board.  The Leader noted that he would present the proposal to the Board.

During the discussion, the following observations were submitted by members:-

·         There was an opportunity for Gwynedd Council to lead the way by influencing and delivering the plan effectively. 

·         There was a need to encourage the third sector and the private sector to consider similar adaptations.

·         It would be beneficial to have a cost and benefit analysis to demonstrate how much money could be saved alongside with the reduction in carbon emissions. By noting a close percentage in terms of impact it would be possible to encourage the third sector and private individuals.

·         It was possible to identify buildings where a ground heating system could be introduced.

·         Would consideration be given to investment in solar hot water systems together  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.