Agenda item

To consider the report of the Llŷn AONB Service Manager.

Submitted – the report of the Llŷn AONB Service Manager providing an update on the work of updating and reviewing the AONB Management Plan. Members were guided through four draft chapters of Part 2 of the management plan, 'Clean Environment and Tranquility', 'Habitats and Wildlife', 'Work, Produce and Skills' and 'People and Communities' which was appended to the report.

Attention was drawn to the fact that these were the final chapters of the draft Plan to be considered. It was reported that the next step would be to create an action plan to coincide with the policies and bring all materials together to create a complete revised Management Plan in draft form. Subsequently, a public enquiry would be held for at least six weeks before the Joint Committee reconvenes with details of the responses and recommendations received.

Members were given the opportunity to make observations. The following main points were noted:-

Habitats and Wildlife

·        Page 31 - Neptune Campaign should be referred to under the heading 'Marine species'.

·        Page 32 - not happy that CO₂ emissions are referred to under the heading 'Climate Change', climate change can be noted but responsibility should not be placed on human activity. Of the opinion that the sun was a big factor in climate change.

·        That the wording of policy BP5 was weaker than that noted on page 32. Also, it was noted in the final paragraph on page 32 '...creating renewable energy on a suitable scale...'; what is meant by suitable scale should be clearly stated in the policies.

Work, Produce and skills

·        That some of the figures included in the chapter were misleading as it would not be possible to obtain such detailed analysis from STEAM figures. The Abersoch and Llŷn Tourism Partnerships Representative stated that the figures should be discussed with Steven Jones (Senior Tourism Services Officer) and that he would also be willing to assist. He added that it was difficult to obtain concrete figures for the AONB.

People and Communities

·        Page 55 - consideration should be given to noting, under the chapter of 'Holiday Homes and House Prices', the need to look at the reasons why so many houses are for sale in some specific areas of the AONB.

·        Page 56 - Fuel Poverty - direct link between the tax on carbon and the fact that the United Kingdom had to import fuel as new coal fired power stations were no longer allowed, policy had led to fuel poverty among many people. 

·        With regard to the order of chapters, consideration should be given to putting this chapter at the beginning of the plan, in order to give the chapter greater emphasis.

·        That communities were ageing and the need to look at the way in which individuals could be supported to stay in their communities. Even though this was not unique to the AONB, consideration should be given to making reference to the matter.

The Llŷn AONB Service Manger stated that observations had been received by the representative of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural Wales on the draft chapters and that they would be considered and incorporated into the chapters. He added that any member was welcome to send him observations on the chapters.

It was noted that the representative had expressed his opinion that the full plan should be submitted to the Joint Committee before going out to consultation. A discussion took place on the matter. In response to a question about the timetable, the Llŷn AONB Service Manger noted that the intention was to consult on the plan during July and to bring it to the Joint Committee in September/October with comments made during the consultation period, and for the plan to be adopted before the end of the year. A consensus was reached that the draft plan should come before the Joint Committee before a public consultation.

RESOLVED:

(i)     to accept the report;

(ii)    that the Llŷn AONB Service Manager amend the draft chapters in accordance with the comments of the Joint Committee. 

(iii)  hold a meeting of the Joint Committee to discuss the draft Management Plan before the public consultation is held.