Agenda item

To authorise the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in respect of the A496 Llanbedr Road Improvement Scheme.

To authorise the Head of Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and the Head of Legal Services to acquire all necessary interests in the land set out in Appendix 5 of the report to deliver the A496 Llanbedr Road Improvement Scheme and, where required to take all necessary steps to acquire those interests by way of a CPO including pursuing its confirmation with the Welsh Ministers should the Council fail to reach a negotiated settlement for the purchase of those interests within the scheme timescales.

The report was presented, and it was noted that the Cabinet was asked to authorise two things. Firstly, permission to make a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in respect of the A496 Llanbedr Road Improvement Scheme.
Secondly, to authorise the Head of Environment Department, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and the Head of Legal Services, to acquire all necessary interests to deliver the Llanbedr Road Improvement Scheme.

One change to the report was noted. In point 2.3 - European Funding - the reported noted that the 'funding would be spent by the end of March 2019'. This had been deleted and the date changed to December 2022 which was the date which had now been agreed with Welsh Government via the Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO). It should be noted that Council officials meet on a monthly basis with WEFO to update them on progress with the project and that they were willing to consider extending the date further as the work progressed.

The Head of Environment Department added that this would give assurance for the department to realise the scheme in accordance with the timeframe but that in the meantime they would continue to negotiate with landowners to reach a purchase agreement.

It was noted that restrictions on the timeframe as a result of the funding situation remained and that the ability to issue a draft order would facilitate any delay.

Members were reminded that the scheme had been submitted before the National Park planning authority twice in the past but that the report submitted to the Cabinet today was a different phase of the scheme. It was said that lands were required in order to secure access to the aerospace site to enable any further developments.

The discussion was opened for members to ask further questions. Observations on the scheme were provided including the acknowledgement that it had been underway for some considerable time and that developments which ensured that the scheme would be realised were welcome. It was noted that the Environment Department should be thanked or their perseverance with the scheme to ensure that funding would be provided in order to realise the scheme. In response to a question from a member on the scheme's funding allocation, the Head of Environment Department referred to the report and noted that the cost of building the bypass/access road would be approximately £14.38m. He noted that the Council was contributing but that the remaining financial contributions were as noted in point 2.1 of the report.

In comments on behalf of the Local Member, it was noted that she was very supportive for the scheme to proceed. Observations from local residents who had been waiting eagerly to see the scheme being completed were noted.

Observations arising from the discussion

-       It was noted that realising this scheme would be beneficial for the local area and the area's residents due to traffic concerns.

-       It was also noted that the compulsory purchase order would be used should the Council fail to reach an agreement after negotiations on land purchase within the scheme's timeframe.

-       It was added that the scheme was crucial in order to give opportunities for the businesses already on the aerospace site to develop further.

-       Reference was made to European Funding contributions and the importance of taking advantage of this while the opportunity remained was emphasised.