To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.
Minutes:
The
Llŷn AONB Service Manager noted
that in error
he had not included the following item on the agenda.
Under-grounding electricity cables
Alan
Jones (SP Energy Networks) was welcomed
to the meeting. He gave a presentation on the scheme to under-ground electricity cables within the
AONB and noted that updating meetings
were conducted with AONB officers every six months. He gave details of the work that was completed during the period 2010-15 at
Aberdesach, Rhiw and Llithfaen and
the work that had been completed and was on-going since 2015 at Mynydd Cilan, Mynytho Common,
Sarn Bach, Dwyros and Bryncynan. It was noted that a budget of £8 million had been earmarked for the 3 AONB’s and National Parks in North Wales for the period 2015-22 and that it was necessary to identify future projects.
In response to members' comments regarding the landslip as a result of water erosion following the completion of under grounding work at Nant Gwrtheyrn,
and the safety of the restoration work, the representative from SP Energy Networks noted that he would
look into the matter.
The
Llŷn AONB Service Manager enquired
about the under grounding work on Mynytho Common. In response, the representative from SP Energy Networks noted that the work would progress
once the landowner had given permission.
In response to a question from a member regarding who decided on
the sites where under grounding of electricity cables was to be undertaken,
the SP Energy Networks representative
explained that the AONB officers suggested potential sites and he considered
the practicalities of under
grounding electricity
cables at those sites. He elaborated that operating on the sites where it was practically possible to undertake the work was dependent on receiving
permission from the landowner. He explained that a landowner received a way-leave payment for electricity
cables above ground due to their impact
on day to day agricultural work with a smaller
payment for under-grounded electricity
cables. He further explained
that a landowner could give notice
to terminate permission if there was no
easement operational on the land. He noted that the use of an easement
on land was rare as it was a more difficult process.
A member asked what
was the total length of overhead electricity cables in the AONB. In response, the representative from SP Energy Networks noted that only a small
portion of the whole network was overhead. He added that they focused
on the most practical areas for under-grounding
electricity cables.
The
Llŷn AONB Service Manager drew
attention to an article in the 'Llygad Llŷn'
magazine on the work completed at Cilan.
A member referred to an electricity transformer that was no longer in
operation near the former Nefyn sewerage works and asked
could it be removed. The representative from SP Energy Networks noted that he would
look into the matter.
The
Chair thanked the representative from SP Energy Works for his presentation.
The
representative from SP Energy Networks noted that he would
contact the Llŷn AONB Service Manager regarding potential sites for under-grounding electricity cables.
Countryside Champion
The
Llŷn AONB Service Manager noted
that Councillor Angela
Russell had been appointed
as Countryside Champion by Gwynedd Council. He expanded that her role would
be to promote countryside matters. He explained that the Champion received an invitation
to Joint Committee meetings as an observer, however, there was an option
to amend the constitution
to include the Countryside
Champion as a full member
of the Joint Committee.
In response to a question by a member regarding the appointment process, the Countryside and Access Manager noted that the Environment Cabinet Member was responsible for the appointment and the Councillor had been chosen as she was previously the Biodiversity
Champion.
RESOLVED to amend the Joint Committee's constitution to include Gwynedd Council's Countryside Champion as a full member of the Joint Committee.