Decisions

To approve the draft strategy for the unallocated Growth Deal funds as noted in section 5, Strategic Business Case of the Commercial Property Fund and the Strategic Business Case for the Innovation and Growth Fund and ask the Portfolio Director to take the necessary steps to introduce a Final Business Case for consideration. 

 

To approve the proposed decision-making framework for the proposed funds as noted in section 6 of the report and ask the Portfolio Director to incorporate the framework in the final business cases before being submitted for consideration.  The Innovation and Growth Fund's Strategic Outline Case and ask the Portfolio Director to undertake all required steps to submit a final business case for consideration.

 

To agree to the changes in the Reserve List as outlined in section 5 of the report and ask the Portfolio Director to undertake all operational steps to implement the changes.

 

To vote in favour of excluding the press and public.

 

To note the Quarter 1 Performance Report and updated Portfolio Risk Register.

 

To approve the submission of the Quarter 1 Performance Report and updated Portfolio Risk Register.

 

To note the requirement from Welsh Government for a 10 Year Regional Growth Deal and a Local Growth Fund Delivery Plan for Years 2 and 3 to be submitted by January 2027 - for Welsh Government approval to release funding from April 2027.

 

To request each partner organisation to consult internally, identify and submit by 30th October 2026 their strategic priorities in line with Welsh Government guidance and
framework for the Local Growth Fund, working with CJC officers who will co-ordinate the process.

 

That the Sub-committee approves the proposed programme of work as set out in sections 4.5 and 4.6 of this report and request that the Chief Executive working alongside officers from partner organisations and Welsh Government prepare an interim Regional Growth Plan and seek confirmation that this approach will meet the Welsh Government requirements.

 

To note that further reports on the Regional Growth Plan and Local Growth Fund Delivery Plan for Years 2 and 3 will be presented in November and December to secure input and direction from the Sub-Committee, alongside Welsh Governance guidance, before a final proposal is presented for approval in January 2027.

 

To approve the Annual Report for 2025-26, noting that it has already been endorsed by the North Wales Regional Skills Partnership Board.

 

To approve the development of the Home Adoption of Renewables Programme (HARP) for North Wales.

 

To authorise Ambition North Wales to lead on the procurement activity to appoint a provider on behalf of the participating local authorities to delegate to the Portfolio Director to take any operational steps to complete the activity.

 

Approved to release the funding for the Deployment Plans outlined in section 4.10 of the report in relation to the LPWAN project and authorise the Portfolio Director to take the required actions to enter into Grant Funding Agreements with the relevant local authorities.

 

To elect Councillor Gary Pritchard as Vice-chair.

 

To note the revenue end of July 2026 review for the Growth Deal, including the reserves position.

 

To note the Growth Deal’s revised capital expenditure profile.

 

To note and accept the revenue end of July 2026 review for the Investment Zone,
including the use of the interest on Investment Zone balances to leave a neutral position for 2026/27.

 

To note the end of July 2026 revenue review for the Regional Skills Partnership.

 

To note the virements for the Growth Deal and Investment Zone budgets noted in
the Growth Deal's Revenue Budget 2026/27.

 

Subject to a Subsidy Control Assessment, approve the allocation to Flintshire County Council of £2.5m (capital and revenue) for an SME Grants Programme and authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with Flintshire County Council.

 

Subject to a Subsidy Control Assessment, approve the allocation to Wrexham County Borough Council of £2.6m (capital and revenue) for an SME Grants Programme and authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with Wrexham County Borough Council. 

 

Approve the proposal by Transport for Wales to invest £10m of IZ revenue funds in Flintshire and £7m IZ revenue funds in Wrexham to transform bus services to key employment and skills locations.

 

Subject to Subsidy Control Assessment, authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with Flintshire County Council for £10m of IZ Revenue to support the Bus Transformation Project. 

 

Subject to Subsidy Control Assessment, authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with Wrexham County Borough Council for £7m of IZ Revenue to support the Bus Transformation Project. 

 

Subject to Subsidy Control Assessment, authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with Transport for Wales for £50,007 of IZ Revenue to support the Bus Infrastructure Project. 

 

Subject to Subsidy Control Assessment and completion of the Business Case Assurance Review by 31ten, approve the allocation to Pochin Goodman Northern Gateway Limited of £3.5m (capital) in support of an infrastructure project to unlock development land within the Deeside Gateway Investment Zone Tax Site and authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with Pochin Goodman Northern Gateway Limited. 

 

Subject to Subsidy Control Assessment, approve the allocation to Wales and West Utilities of £0.5m (revenue) in support of the pre-development work to unlock future investment in the HyLine Gogledd project and authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with Wales and West Utilities Limited.  

 

Subject to Subsidy Control Assessment, approve the allocation to MAAS Spectrometry Limited of £0.25m (capital) in support of an R&D project, forming part of the IZ Innovation Programme, to create a new mass spectrometry machine to demonstrate the application of new technology to support manufacturing growth and export opportunity and authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to enter into a Grant Funding Agreement with MAAS Spectrometry Limited.

 

 

To note that all remaining steps at the time of approving the Business Justification Case have now been completed or incorporated in the funding agreement and authorise the Portfolio Director to take every operational step to commit to the Grant Funding Agreement with the Isle of Anglesey Council.

 

To adopt the work programme for 2026/27.

To nominate the following members to represent the committee in the Environment Department's performance challenge meetings:

 

·       Councillors Stephen Churchman and Arwyn Herald Roberts (with Councillor Beca Roberts in reserve)

 

1.     To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.     To ask the Environment Department to share data including the number of road closures in urgent or emergency circumstances, the distribution across areas, and works that take longer than expected.

 

1.     To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.     To declare support for developing a business plan for investment to enable the service to undertake a high percentage of road-marking work internally.

3.     To recommend to the Highways, Engineering and YGC Department that a performance measure should be developed with regard to prioritising road marking and the safety of all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.

 

1.     To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.     To welcome the intention to discuss with Welsh Government Ministers the methodology of calculating carbon emissions in the area of Procurement, along with a successor to the EC04 scheme which is ending.

 

DECISION: To approve with conditions

 

1.               5 years

2.               In accordance with the plans

3.               Highways Conditions

4.               Tree protection fencing must be installed prior to the commencement of any construction work to avoid damage to the trees and any potential liability

5.               Biodiversity condition – Hedgerow and in line with the green infrastructure statement

6.               Welsh Water Conditions

7.               Public Protection conditions – noise mitigation measures, installation of acoustic fencing, details of air source heat pumps, working hours

8.               Submission of a Construction Environmental Management Plan

9.               Land contamination conditions

10.            Archaeological conditions

11.            Welsh Name

12.            Affordable Housing condition

13.            C3 only condition

14.            Removal of permitted rights

 

Notes

 

Highways

SuDS

Major Development

 

DECISION: To permit

 

1.     Time Limit  

The development must commence within 5 years of the date of the permission.

2.     Approved Schemes        

The development to be carried out in accordance with the approved plans and documents.

3.     Hours of Work:     

Limits construction work hours and manages out-of-hours operations.

4.     Piling

Requires non-percussive piling methods and restricts piling hours. 

5.     Lighting      

Requires approval of a lighting scheme to protect bats and control light spill before operational lighting is installed. 

6.     Enclosures 

Requires approval of colours and finishes for fences, walls, gates and other boundary treatments.

7.     Contamination      

Requires investigation and remediation of any previously unidentified contamination encountered during development.    

8.     Flood Mitigation

Requires approval and implementation of a temporary flood mitigation scheme for construction works.  

9.     Wern Registered Park and Garden     

Requires a mitigation/offsetting scheme for impacts on the Wern Registered Park and Garden. 

10. Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMP)   

Secures habitat compensation, biodiversity net benefit, habitat monitoring and INNS management over the long term.  

 

11. Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (LEMP)     

Secures landscape restoration, planting, habitat management, ecological monitoring and long-term maintenance. 

12. Archaeological Investigation (WSI)    

Requires archaeological investigation and recording before groundworks commence.  

13. Archaeological Reporting         

Requires submission of an archaeological report and archive following fieldwork. 

14. Materials and Waste Management Plan

Secures sustainable management, reuse, recovery and disposal of excavated materials and waste.

15. Public Rights of Way      

Requires management arrangements for public rights of way and National Cycle Route 8 during construction.

16. Construction Method Statement        

Prior to the commencement of any works on site, Construction Method Statements (CMS) and Risk Assessments shall be submitted to the satisfaction of the Overseeing Organisation for the Strategic Roads Network (SRN).

17. Carriageway reinstatement design     

Prior to the commencement of any works on site a carriageway reinstatement design and pavement specification shall be submitted to the satisfaction of the Welsh Government as Overseeing Organisation for the Strategic Roads Network.

18. Welsh Water Assets       

Requires surveys and protection/diversion arrangements for water and sewerage infrastructure. 

19. Surface Water Drainage

Prevents connection of surface water to the public sewer network.

20. Welsh language signs    

Requires development-related signage to be Welsh or bilingual with Welsh given priority. 

21. Minffordd Tunnel Head House CTMP 

Requires a package-specific Construction Traffic Management Plan for the Minffordd Tunnel Head House works. 

22. Minffordd Tunnel Head House CEMP 

Requests a package-specific Construction Environmental Management Plan for the Minffordd Tunnel Head House works. 

23. Minffordd Tunnel Head House HMP   

Requests a package-specific Habitat Management Plan for the Minffordd Tunnel Head House works.

24. CTMPs for the Main Work Packages   

Requires separate Construction Traffic Management Plans for the Wern CSEC, Garth CSEC, Minffordd CSEC and Glaslyn Cables work packages.   

25. CEMPs for the Main Work Packages

Requires separate Construction Environmental Management Plans for the Wern CSEC, Garth CSEC, Minffordd CSEC and Glaslyn Cables work packages.

26. Community facilities restoration plan

Bodawen Playground and Ysgol Eifionydd.

 

Note: Amendment of Dŵr Cymru/Welsh Water conditions in line with the late representations received

 

DECISION: To Refuse

 

1.     The proposal, because of its location, scale and use is considered to be unacceptable due to the level of disturbance and increase in activity compared to the current situation, consequently the proposal is considered to be contrary to criterion 7 of policy PCYFF 2 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026, which safeguards the amenities of the occupiers of local properties.

 

2.     The test of likely significant impact suggests that the proposal may cause a significant impact on the features of the Glynllifon SAC, in particular the lesser horseshoe bat which is a feature of this SAC, as a result of its location, evidence that the area is used by lesser horseshoe bats and that the proposal affects the hedges used by the bats. Insufficient information has been submitted as part of the application to enable the Local Planning Authority to complete an Appropriate Assessment in this case in accordance with the Authority's requirements under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017. It is therefore concluded that there can be no assurance that the proposal will not have a significant or adverse effect on the SAC due to the lack of information, therefore the proposal does not comply with the requirements of the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017.

 

3.     A green infrastructure statement has not been submitted as part of the application and therefore there is no assurance that the proposal complies with the requirements of Chapter 6 of Planning Policy Wales (2024) with regard to the step-wise approach and biodiversity enhancements.

 

4.     There is currently insufficient information submitted as part of the application to assess the impact of any land contamination. To this end, it cannot be confirmed whether the proposal complies with the requirements of criterion 7 of policy PCYFF 2 or policy PS6 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026.

 

5.     The site contains a designated main river (afon Rhosdican) and there are concerns about this development and the future flood risk to the proposal and to third parties. Insufficient information has been submitted as part of the application to ensure suitable and adequate access to machinery to enable future maintenance of the main river and to provide a flood flow route/buffer zone to the main river. Without this information, we cannot ensure that the proposal complies with the requirements of criterion 4 of policy PS6 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026.

 

6.     Insufficient evidence was submitted as part of the planning application to demonstrate that full consideration has been given to the loss of the best and most versatile agricultural land. The application is therefore considered to be contrary to the requirements of criterion 6 of Policy PS 6 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026 and to the advice provided in paragraphs 3.58 and 3.59 of Planning Policy Wales.

 

7.     The development does not reflect a sensitive or appropriate approach to design. It appears incompatible and intrusive within its context, and therefore it does not comply with policies PCYFF 3 and PCYFF 4 of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026 which ensures that proposals and landscaping plans respect their context and their setting in the local landscape.

 

8.     Insufficient information or evidence was submitted as part of the planning application to satisfy the sequential approach to demonstrate that the 'food to go' development combined with the retail element in a rural location would not have an adverse impact on the vitality and viability of neighbouring town centres. The application is therefore considered to be contrary to the requirements of Policies PCYFF 1, PS15, MAN 1, MAN 6 and MAN 7 and criterion v of policy TRA 1 of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint Local Development Plan 2011-2026.

 

As the meeting was no longer quorate, it was resolved to postpone the decision.

As the meeting was no longer quorate, it was resolved to postpone the decision.

 

As the meeting was no longer quorate, it was resolved to postpone the decision.

 

To delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of the Strategic Transport Sub-Committee, the Monitoring Officer, the Chief Finance Officer and relevant local authority transport leaders, to approve and submit regional change requests to the Welsh Government in respect of the in-year management of the Regional Transport Fund.

 

It was noted that the Welsh Government will continue to make the final grant decisions in relation to the Regional Transport Fund.

 

To provide guidance to officials on the CJC's appetite towards the use of reserves when preparing the budget for 2026/27.

 

To ask officers to provide a hybrid option using 80% of the estimated usable reserves available at 31 March 2027 as a basis, which would mean presenting an option that falls between option 3 and option 4 to Members at the next meeting of the CJC.

 

As the meeting was no longer quorate, it was resolved to postpone the decision.

 

As the meeting was no longer quorate, it was resolved to postpone the decision.

 

Resolved:

 

·        To note and accept the revenue end of July 2026 review for the CJC (Appendix 1), including a maximum of £39,874 to be transferred from the reserve (in addition to the £624,590 that was approved in the 2026/27 budget) to leave a neutral position (with the final figure to be confirmed when the 2026/27 out-turn report is presented).

 

·        To note and accept the revenue and capital end of July 2026 review for the Growth Deal (Appendix 2), including the reserves position (Appendix 3).  

 

·        To note and accept the Growth Deal’s revised capital expenditure profile (Appendix 4). 

 

·        To note and accept the revenue end of July 2026 review for the Investment Zone (Appendix 5), including the use of the interest on Investment Zone balances to leave a neutral position for 2026/27. 

 

·        To note and accept the revenue end of July 2026 review for the RSP (Appendix 6).

 

·        To approve the virements for the CJC, Growth Deal and Investment Zone budgets noted in Appendix 7.

 

Cllr Gary Pritchard was elected as Vice-Chair of the Joint Committee for 2026/27.

 

To consider and approve the ISA 260 report by Audit Wales for the CJC.

 

To consider and approve the CJC's Final Statement of Accounts (post-audit) for 2025/26.

 

The Annual Governance Statement 2025/26 in Annex 1 was approved as the statement of the Joint Corporate committee on internal control for the purposes of Regulation 5 of the Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations 2014 (as amended).

 

The Governance Improvement Plan for 2026/27 contained in the Statement was noted and approved.

 

To authorise the Chair and the Chief Executive to sign the Annual Governance Statement.

 

APPLICATION FOR PREMISES LICENCE - Tŷ Coffi, 23a High Street, Bala, Gwynedd

 

On behalf of the premises: Mrs Linda Williams (Applicant) and Mrs Rachel Williams (Applicant's Representative and Manager of Plas yn Dre, Bala), Mared Llwyd (Public Protection Enforcement Officer)

                                               

a)            The Licensing Department's Report

 

Submitted – the report of the Licensing Manager giving details of the application for a premises licence for Tŷ Coffi, 23a High Street, Bala. The application had been made in relation to playing live and recorded music and indoor and outdoor dance performances; supply of alcohol on the premises only.  The intention was to run the premises as a coffee shop and family café.

 

Attention was drawn to the details of the licensed activities and the proposed hours in the report. It was noted that Licensing Authority officers had sufficient evidence that the application had been submitted in accordance with the requirements of the Licensing Act 2003 and the relevant regulations.

 

Reference was made to the measures recommended by the applicant to promote the licensing objectives along with the responses received during the consultation period.

 

It was noted that one letter of objection had been received from the Public Protection Unit due to concerns regarding noise control and public nuisance.  It was highlighted that a compromise had been accepted by the applicant who had agreed not to hold any entertainment outside the premises and to limit the licence to acoustic entertainment only inside the premises.  The officer confirmed that this was acceptable. 

In considering the application, the following procedure was adhered to:-

·      Members of the Sub-committee and the applicant were given an opportunity to ask questions to the Licensing Manager.

·      The applicant was invited to expand on the application

·      Consultees were given an opportunity to present their observations

·      The licensee, or his/her representative, was invited to respond to the observations

·      Members of the Sub-committee were given an opportunity to ask questions to the licensee.

·      Members of the Sub-committee were given an opportunity to ask questions to the consultees

 

b)                  In expanding on the application, the applicant noted that she was happy with what had been presented

 

She added the following observations:

·         That she was willing not to host music events outside and would apply for a temporary licence if the need arose.

·         That only acoustic music would be played indoors and therefore this would reduce nuisance.

·         That Tŷ Coffi and Plas yn Dre were part of the same company.

·         That a number of residents lived in close proximity and above the premises who were tenants to the company and therefore they did not want to disturb them with noise.

·         That guests stayed at Plas yn Dre (next door to the premises) and therefore they did want any noise to disturb them either. 

·         That she agreed with the condition to keep the doors and windows closed when music /entertainment is playing.

·         It was agreed to receive deliveries of goods and to clear bottles / refuse at specific times.

 

In response to a question regarding the number of residents who lived above the premises, it was confirmed that there were six flats above the property and eight persons resided there.

 

c)                   The applicant and her representative withdrew from the room while the Sub-committee members discussed the application.

 

ch) In reaching their decision, the Sub-committee considered the application form along with written comments submitted by interested parties, the Licensing Officer's report, as well as the verbal comments from the applicant's representative at the hearing. The Council's Licensing Policy and the Home Office guidelines were also considered. All considerations were weighed up against the licensing objectives under the Licensing Act 2003, namely:

i.       Crime and Disorder prevention

ii.     Public nuisance prevention

iii.   Ensuring public safety

iv.   Protection of children from harm

 

RESOLVED to approve the application 

 

The opening hours were confirmed and the matters listed in the Operating Schedule were included as conditions on the licence. It was also confirmed that live music would be limited to acoustic music only and the doors and windows would be closed during any entertainment.  It was also confirmed that the meaning of references to 'appropriate times' in the application in paragraph M (d) Vi) Public Nuisance Prevention was that activities would not take place between 22:00 hours and 08:00 hours. The officer confirmed on behalf of the Public Protection Unit that this was acceptable.

 

Consideration was given to the objection received from the Public Protection Unit, Gwynedd Council as a result of public nuisance concerns.  It was considered that the premises was located in a very populated area with residential property above, and there was concern regarding the lack of noise control. 

No evidence had been submitted that the licence would undermine the objective of preventing public nuisance and under the circumstances the Sub-committee was satisfied that the application was in accordance with the licensing objectives.

 

The Solicitor reported that the decision would be confirmed formally by letter and sent to everyone present. He also notified that they had the right to appeal the decision within 21 days of receiving the letter.

 

 

The Council

·        is concerned about the number of children and young people riding e-scooters on pavements and public roads;

·        believes that this endangers the safety of those who use them and the safety of pedestrians, especially those with visual impairments;

·        states that e-scooters fall within the legal definition of 'motor vehicle'. As a result, they are subject to the same requirements as are required for other motor vehicles, such as licensing and insuring them and the need to have a driver's licence for use on public roads. As a result, they cannot be lawfully used except on private land with the landowner's consent;

·        notes that e-scooters are being trialled by the UK government and are allowed on roads within some areas but none of these are within Gwynedd;

·        believes that many parents and young people do not realise that the use of e-scooters on public roads is illegal and that the police can confiscate the e-scooter and file a traffic offence report of 'driving a motor vehicle without third party insurance', resulting in a fine of £300 and 6 points on the driver's driving licence.

 

To address this problem, the Council is calling on the Welsh Government and UK Government to consider what action they could take/what regulations they could introduce, to tackle the problem.

 

RESOLVED:

 

This Council:

 

Notes the increase in the number of motorhomes and campervans using locations across Gwynedd for parking and overnight stays, including lay-bys, car parks, coastal areas and beautiful places;

 

Recognises the important contribution that visitors who use motorhomes and camper vans can make to the economy of Gwynedd, and welcomes visitors who use appropriate facilities and respect our communities and environment;

 

Expresses concern, however, regarding cases where vehicles stay for extended periods in places not intended for that purpose, occupying parking spaces, causing problems for residents and other users, and putting pressure on some of the county's most sensitive and popular areas;

 

Notes that the Council has already established dedicated Arosfan (overnight stopover) sites for motor homes, but that parking issues and inappropriate overnight stays persist in a number of locations;

 

Recognises that constraints on the Council's capacity and human resources can make it difficult to operate in all locations at the same time, but does not accept that a lack of capacity to operate everywhere should mean that obvious and persistent problems cannot be addressed in certain locations.

 

Therefore, the Council calls on the Cabinet and the relevant Cabinet Member to address the problems arising from inappropriate overnight stays and parking by motor homes and campervans across Gwynedd, and to consider what action can be taken to bring the situation under better control.

 

To accept the report.

 

To accept the Report presented reporting on the work of the Strategic Safeguarding Panel for 2025/26.

 

To note the Safeguarding Policy.

 

To accept the report.

 

To agree to receive a complete report to decide whether to introduce a Visitor Levy in Gwynedd once the analysis, consideration and response to the content of the Consultation have been fully and appropriately completed.

 

It was decided to nominate the following two delegates to attend housing and property performance challenge meetings.

 

1.    Councillor Geraint Wyn Parry

2.    ⁠⁠Councillor Jina Gwyrfai

 

1.    To note the answers provided by the Housing Associations and thank them for their willingness to answer the questions.

2.    To receive written answers in advance from the Housing Associations in the future and to ask supplementary questions during the scrutiny session.

 

1.    To accept and note the report, noting the wish to have the relevant Cabinet Member act on the recommendations received in the Complaints Task and Finish Group and to provide an update to the committee.

2.    To ask Cabinet Members to consider whether additional resources can be made available to reduce the workload of customer care officers.

 

 

1.    To accept the report.

2.    To recommend to the Cabinet Member to add 'care and support' to the title of the report to ensure better clarity.

3.    To provide more attention in the report to problems with drugs, the need for care packages for young carers and unpaid carers, paying particular attention to parents caring for their children, and weekend palliative care, the standard of care in private care homes, and difficulties in accessing health appointments.

4.    To ask if it is possible to pre-scrutinise the area action plan when it is ready and to receive assurance that all Council departments, as well as the other relevant partners, are contributing to it.

 

DECISION:

 

To refuse the application