To consider any questions the appropriate notice for which
have been given under Section
4.19 of the Constitution.
Minutes:
Question from Councillor
Sion Jones
"Very recently,
a company working on behalf of Vodafone installed a 15m high mast at a prominent location on Council land
in Bethel. Planning permission was not required, neither was consultation with local residents. Is this a fair policy?"
Answer from the Head of Environment Department
(The written
response of the Head of Environment Department to the question was circulated to members beforehand).
"It is not usual policy to erect telecommunications masts. This is legislation and the Council, therefore, has no choice as
to whether planning permission is required or not. This comes to us
as law. And
the basis of this legislation is that Welsh Government is very eager for people
in Wales to have access to the best possible 3G/4G phone connectivity to improve our businesses and to improve the economy and so that we are
able to communicate as well as anyone
else. I believe that this is what's
behind this. They are attempting to reduce obstacles for companies such
as Vodafone, or whoever, to install equipment. So planning permission
is not necessary.
The only matter they have to satisfy
is that they have to consult by informing the Planning Authority of their intentions; the only thing the Planning Authority can examine is the setting and appearance of that which they intend
to do. This matter has been
to consultation since the Planning Authority is required to do so, and this consultation has taken place
with the Community Council. Notices have been
placed on the site as required and nearby residents have also been
informed. There were two
objections - one by the local councillor
and the other from one of the nearby residents, but they were not reasons
for refusing the application. The
mast, which stands at 12.5 metres in height,
has now been
installed. There are light
columns and are other columns there
also. I don't believe the setting is poor. We have been to look at the site. It is in accordance
with what the company has been
saying. We did
not have much scope to object to this and to insist that the company put forward a planning
application. Whether the matter is fair or not, this
is up to you as politicians; but we, as officers,
work within the procedures and legislation that are laid out
before us."
A supplementary question by Councillor Sion Jones
"Was Gwynedd Council given
any money from Vodafone for erecting this mast?"
Answer from the Head of Environment Department
"The written explanation touches on another
piece of legislation which enables companies
such as Vodafone, BT, the Water Board, etc. to install equipment. They have the right under the Highways Act and the Streets Act to install equipment on our
roads without payment. They do have to inform us of the work they're carrying
out, but this is permitted. The location of this mast is on part of the highway; as such, they
have the right to do this and they can do it for free
as long as it does not impact the safety of road users etc. No, the Council has not received money for this.
The Council would have been delighted
if it was off-road land, and there are arrangements
where the Council has received money
for such installations, but not on this occasion. There was no way for
us to obtain money from the company."