Agenda item

Bleddyn Jones, AONB Officer to give a report on the AONB Management Plan.

To note and accept the information in the report on the AONB Management Plan.

The Joint Committee was guided through the AONB Officer's report which noted that there was a need to review the AONB Management Plan every five years.  It was noted that the current Management Plan that was implemented from 2015-2020 was now dated and a review should have been held already. It was explained that various reasons had affected the timetable e.g. the pandemic and capacity matters.

It was reported that some background work had been completed and that there was an intention to bring the report before the next meeting of the Joint Committee with more information and a timetable for reviewing the Management Plan as soon as possible.

During the discussion, members raised the following matters: -

-       The reports prepared by external companies was mentioned and a query was raised regarding the possibility of sharing these with the members of the joint committee. The AONB Officer noted that those reports were currently in English but could organise for them to be translated and distributed

-       It was asked if it was possible to strengthen the policies that protected the AONB and the traditional buildings within the border when reviewing the Plan.

-       Concern was expressed regarding the review period noting that it was a shorter period this time compared with the previous plan and it was questioned how this would work.

-       It was noted that many reviews and consultations were held recently regarding houses and it was expressed that we should be ready to act quickly so we could assist and support any plans if changes derived from the Government.

In response, the following was noted:

-       The review of the management plan provided an opportunity to review the policies and a chance to see if they needed amending and updating.  It was noted that there were guidelines from the Countryside Council for Wales that would need to be followed roughly and that the current structure needed to be followed to some extent. The plan could not be fully changed but there was definitely room for amendments if needed.

-       There was hope that much of the work could be completed on the plan in a year. It was hoped there was a possibility to review the plan quicker than the three years it had taken in the previous period. It was noted that it was hard to anticipate when the plan would be finally completed as there were many other considerations e.g. documents including the National Planning Policy and the Gwynedd and Anglesey Local Development Plan. Another report would be submitted to the committee soon.

-       That officers were in the process of being appointed in this area to undertake the work on the Dwyfor Pilot Scheme; it was suggested that the AONB Officer could contact them to see if there was anything the Joint Committee could do to facilitate their work.

DECISION

To note and accept the information in the report on the AONB Management Plan.

At the end of the meeting it was noted that a new Chair would be elected at the next meeting and the Chair took the opportunity to thank the Members for their service on the Joint Committee.

The meeting commenced at 4.05pm and concluded at 4.55pm.