Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To elect a Chair for 2022/23.

To elect Councillor T. Victor Jones as Chair of the Llŷn AONB Joint Advisory Committee for the year 2022/23.

RESOLVED to elect Councillor T.Victor Jones as Chairman of the Llŷn AONB Joint Advisory Committee for the year 2022/23.

To elect a Vice-Chair for 2022/23.

To elect Councillor Sian Parri as Vice-Chair of the Llŷn AONB Joint Advisory Committee for the year 2022/23.

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Sian Parri as Vice-chair of the Llŷn AONB Joint Advisory Committee for the year 2022/23.

To receive apologies for absence.

An apology was received from Andrew Davidson (Principal Archaeologist - Gwynedd Archaeologist Trust), Eirian Allport (Clynnog Fawr Community Council) and Molly Lovatt (Natural Resources Wales).

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 Chair shall propose that the minutes of this committee, held on 16 March 2022, be signed as a true record.

The Chairman signed the minutes of the previous meeting of this Joint-committee held on 16 March 2022, as a true record.

Bleddyn Jones, AONB Officer to inform members on the AONB Management Plan.

To accept the information stated in the report on the AONB Management Plan.

The report on the AONB Management Plan was presented noting that the Joint-committee had a role to play in the process of preparing, coordinating and reviewing the Plan. It was noted that the current Management Plan was dated and needed reviewing. It was reported that background work had already been completed as well as commissioning an update of the Report on the Condition of the AONB. A summary of the main findings had been included with the report as appendix 1.

Information on the next steps was provided that would include reviewing notes, aims and the policies of the present Management Plan and suggestions to change some aspects. The timetable and what is proposed to complete was discussed including the period of consulting and considering the responses in 2023. The aim was to adopt and implement the revised Management Plan before the end of 2023.

During the discussion, members raised the following matters:-

-        An observation was made on the agricultural information in the report on the condition of the AONB which showed a reduction of 17% in the use of land for growing crops between 2008-2012. It was questioned how reliable the information was.

-        The importance of tightening the protection for traditional buildings was expressed and reference was made to planning applications for extensions that were contrary to the character of traditional houses. It was believed that the procedure and observations received from the AONB on planning applications should be strengthened.

-        Reference was made to the current work the Llŷn Landscape Partnership were undertaking with the Connectivity Strategy to try and improve the Llŷn landscape following the nature emergency and climate change. It would be appreciated if the AONB Unit was part of this process.

-        It was believed that the significant decline that had taken place over the years in the appearance of the AONB and in the Welsh language needed to be recognised and it was important to note this in the report.

-        It was recognised that habitats and protecting nature was important, but it was highlighted that food production was the main aim of the landscape, and it should be ensured that enough land was earmarked for this purpose.

In response, it was noted:

-        That the information in the report on the condition of the AONB was dated. It was noted that it had been challenging for the consultants to find recent information. The AONB Officer would try and follow up with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in order to receive recent information for the plan.

-        That the AONB Unit was an advisor and provided observations on planning applications. It was believed that there would be an opportunity when the Local Development Plan was updated.

-        The AONB Unit would contact the National Trust regarding connectivity along the coast when reviewing the plan.

-        It was explained that the full report did exist but only a summary was presented to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Bleddyn Jones, AONB Officer to give a report on the Membership of the Llŷn AONB Joint Advisory Committee.

To accept the report on the Membership of the Joint Consultative Committee.

The report on the AONB Management Plan was presented noting that the Joint-committee had a role to play in the process of preparing, coordinating and reviewing the Plan. It was noted that the current Management Plan was dated and needed reviewing. It was reported that background work had already been completed as well as commissioning an update of the Report on the Condition of the AONB. A summary of the main findings had been included with the report as appendix 1.

Information on the next steps was provided that would include reviewing notes, aims and the policies of the present Management Plan and suggestions to change some aspects. The timetable and what is proposed to complete was discussed including the period of consulting and considering the responses in 2023. The aim was to adopt and implement the revised Management Plan before the end of 2023.

During the discussion, members raised the following matters:-

-        An observation was made on the agricultural information in the report on the condition of the AONB which showed a reduction of 17% in the use of land for growing crops between 2008-2012. It was questioned how reliable the information was.

-        The importance of tightening the protection for traditional buildings was expressed and reference was made to planning applications for extensions that were contrary to the character of traditional houses. It was believed that the procedure and observations received from the AONB on planning applications should be strengthened.

-        Reference was made to the current work the Llŷn Landscape Partnership were undertaking with the Connectivity Strategy to try and improve the Llŷn landscape following the nature emergency and climate change. It would be appreciated if the AONB Unit was part of this process.

-        It was believed that the significant decline that had taken place over the years in the appearance of the AONB and in the Welsh language needed to be recognised and it was important to note this in the report.

-        It was recognised that habitats and protecting nature was important, but it was highlighted that food production was the main aim of the landscape, and it should be ensured that enough land was earmarked for this purpose.

In response, it was noted:

-        That the information in the report on the condition of the AONB was dated. It was noted that it had been challenging for the consultants to find recent information. The AONB Officer would try and follow up with the Welsh Government and Natural Resources Wales in order to receive recent information for the plan.

-        That the AONB Unit was an advisor and provided observations on planning applications. It was believed that there would be an opportunity when the Local Development Plan was updated.

-        The AONB Unit would contact the National Trust regarding connectivity along the coast when reviewing the plan.

-        It was explained that the full report did exist but only a summary was presented to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Wyn Williams, Countryside Manager to give a report on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan.

To accept the information stated in the report.

The report on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan was provided to members of the Joint-committee to inform the Joint-committee of the intention regarding the Plan. It was explained that it was a strategic document that set the direction and priorities for the work of maintaining and developing the rights of way network and other access assets in Gwynedd.

It was explained that a new ROWIP had been prepared; the original Plan was adopted in 2007. The new Plan reflects the changes in resources and legislation since that period.

It was noted that the new ROWIP was now live on the Council's website and that it was possible to provide observations on the Plan during the public consultation period which would continue until mid-September 2022. It was added that a message had been sent to the Community and Town Council Clerks regarding the consultation and Members would also receive a message soon. It was hoped that the responses to the consultation could be looked at in the Autumn before moving forward to adopt the Plan.

Members did not have any observations or questions.

          DECISION

To accept the information noted in the report.

Morus Llwyd Dafydd, AONB Project Officer to provide members with an update on the Sustainable Development Fund, and to elect new Grant Panel members.  

a)    To accept the report on the situation of the Sustainable Development Fund.

b)    Councillor Angela Russell was nominated to take the vacant seat on the Panel.

The report on the Rights of Way Improvement Plan was provided to members of the Joint-committee to inform the Joint-committee of the intention regarding the Plan. It was explained that it was a strategic document that set the direction and priorities for the work of maintaining and developing the rights of way network and other access assets in Gwynedd.

It was explained that a new ROWIP had been prepared; the original Plan was adopted in 2007. The new Plan reflects the changes in resources and legislation since that period.

It was noted that the new ROWIP was now live on the Council's website and that it was possible to provide observations on the Plan during the public consultation period which would continue until mid-September 2022. It was added that a message had been sent to the Community and Town Council Clerks regarding the consultation and Members would also receive a message soon. It was hoped that the responses to the consultation could be looked at in the Autumn before moving forward to adopt the Plan.

Members did not have any observations or questions.

          DECISION

To accept the information noted in the report.