Agenda item

Cabinet Member: Councillor Dafydd Meurig

 

To receive an update on the investigation

 

A report was submitted by the investigation's working group Chair requesting that the Scrutiny Committee recommend that the Joint Planning Policy Committee consider the recommendations and further comments of the working group, together with the responses of the Joint Planning Policy Committee, before proceeding with the Public Consultation on the Supplementary Planning Guidance.

 

In the presentation of the report a statement was given on the linguistic picture in Gwynedd.  Members were reminded of the Council's Leader words, when he presented the Council's Plan 8.3.18, outlining the need to prioritise the Welsh language by continuing to give guidance and promote the use of Welsh at all times. The need to operate in an innovative way was added, and he suggested that the SPG in its current form did not address this in a way that would contribute to changing the pattern and reduction of Welsh speakers in Gwynedd. It was also noted that the working group considered that the SPG had not been prepared sufficiently to conduct a Public Consultation.

 

During the ensuing discussion, the following points were highlighted by individual Members:

 

·         That the requirements of some of the recommendations were simple, and it was very disappointing that the Panel had refused the recommendations although there was strong evidence for the conclusions.

·         Possibility that some recommendations were contrary to Policy PS1, however it was necessary to be more responsive to the situation

·         It was necessary to consult with Language Organisations and the Language Officers at Bangor University and not just Council officers.

·         That the recommendations placed 'flesh on the bones' to strengthen the guidance in accordance with the requirements of the Cabinet Member

·         That the view of the officers to a statement 'that the time-schedule did not need to be extended' was difficult to understand

 

All the recommendations were discussed by considering the Panel's response and further observations / questions of the working group to those responses. 

 

            In response to the comments, the Officers noted the following observations:

·         That the observations of the working group had been addressed by giving more information on certain elements of the Guidance

·         That the Guidance was clearer as a result of some comments  

·         That there was more pressure on the applicant to undertake the assessment work

·         That it was expected that the applicant would achieve the relevant requirements - failure to do this could affect the determination.  Pressure on the applicant to act appropriately

·         To consider two of the recommendations (1a and 1b) policy PS1 would have to be modified.  This is not possible or appropriate to the Panel's work.

·         That the recommendations had not been ignored - some amendments had been made.

·         That the linguistic preparatory work had been done with the support of the language officers and the Guidance did identify the situation of the Welsh language in Wales.

·         In the context of research and analysis, it was noted that the Guidance included comprehensive information that the Policy Unit has to share with the applicant when completing assessments.

·         In the context of engagement and consultation, it was highlighted that the engagement principles had been considered and the engagement work had been addressed and the arrangements complied with the need.  It was highlighted that the engagement plan had been considered by the Council's Engagement Officers and would be an appendix to the report submitted to the Joint Planning Policy Committee (26.4.18).

·         In the context of extending the time-schedule to ensure that work of the highest possible standard was achieved, it was noted that it was the Panel's decision that no more time was required.

 

In response to a question regarding how weaknesses in policies could be adapted, it was noted that it was proposed to monitor the policies annually.  With the Joint Local Development adopted since July 2017, it was added that there was no evidence to justify that the policies were not working thus far. 

 

In response to a suggestion that Gwynedd's wish was to adapt the Guidance to prioritise the Welsh Language and that it could act on its own, it was noted that this was legally possible, but practically, there would be substantial risks for the Council.  It was added that the arrangement had ensured financial savings and separation would undermine the good working relationship between both Councils who had been pioneers in the field.  The Chairman added that there was no evidence of a difference of opinion between Gwynedd and Anglesey.

 

In response to the discussion, the Head of Environment Service noted that it was expected that the Joint Policy Committee would have an opportunity to consider the observations and further questions submitted by the Working Group together with the comments of the Scrutiny Committee.

 

It was proposed and seconded to submit the additional observations of the Working Group and the Scrutiny Committee for consideration to the Joint Planning Policy Committee.

 

            It was proposed and seconded to accept the recommendations

 

            RESOLVED:

·         To submit the additional observations of the Working Group and the Scrutiny Committee for consideration to the Joint Planning Policy Committee.

·         To accept the recommendations and submit them to the Joint Planning Policy Committee.

·         To request the policy officers for the panel's full response to the engagement principles.