Agenda item

To consider the report of the Llŷn AONB Service Manager.

Submitted – the report of the Llŷn AONB Service Manager detailing the Council’s arrangements in relation to a consultation on service cuts. It was noted that abolishing the AONB Unit had been included as a potential cut.  It was added that abolishing the unit would save £39,150 for the Council.

It was noted that correspondence had been sent to members of the Joint Committee and working partners of the AONB Unit to draw their attention to the threat facing the unit. Members were encouraged to complete the Gwynedd Challenge questionnaire and it was noted that the public consultation period had been extended to 30 November 2015.

The Cabinet Member - Regulatory noted that responses to the consultation were assessed on the totality of information rather than on the number of individuals who had chosen whichever option. He encouraged members to complete the questionnaire either online or by completing the hard copy questionnaire.

He added that the cuts were being enforced on the Council and there would be implications for a number of services. He noted that approximately 65 Councillors had assessed the number of options in workshops before the Cabinet would decide on the list of cuts which was the subject of the consultation. It was noted that further workshops would be held with all councillors at the beginning of 2016 to discuss the responses before the Cabinet would consider the proposals, and then the Full Council would decide on the budget for 2015-16 on 3 March 2016.

During the ensuing discussion, members noted the following main points:

·        The questionnaire was not positive;

·        No alternative proposals could be submitted;

·        The Review of Designated Landscapes supported the designation of the AONB and its national importance;

·        The review noted that the AONB administration would continue to be part of the Council;

·        There was a statutory requirement in terms of protecting the area of beauty;

·        The questionnaire was difficult to complete and too complicated;

·        An approximate number of 1,500 had completed the questionnaire thus far and that this was disappointing bearing in mind that Gwynedd’s population was approximately 120,000;

·        The amount had to be saved in full to be able to submit a response online, and therefore, individuals did not continue with the questionnaire which meant that good ideas from a cross-section of the community could not be submitted in the last box of the questionnaire where it was asked for any other comments;

·        More discussions should be held with Community Councils and relevant groups;

·        The unit administrated the Sustainable Development Fund, therefore, what would be the implications in terms of allocating grants?

The Cabinet Member - Regulatory was thanked for attending the meeting.

It was suggested that the Chairman should send a letter in response to the consultation noting the need to save the AONB Unit in order to protect the designation.

RESOLVED:

(i)     to accept the report;

(ii)    that the Chairman should send a letter in response to the consultation noting the need to save the AONB Unit in order to protect the designation.