Agenda item

The Executive Board received the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan 2006 – 2021 which was had been produced following the resolution of the County Council on the 20^th September 2017 wherein consideration was given to the second Local Development Plan (LDP) Annual Monitoring report (AMR) and its recommendations.

The Deputy Leader explained that in accordance with statutory requirements the Council had already prepared and published two Annual Monitoring Reports (AMRs) to date and that the purpose of each AMR was to assess the extent to which the LDPs strategy, policies and development sites were being delivered.  In order to ensure that regular and comprehensive assessment of whether an LDP remains up-to-date, Councils were required to undertake a full review of their adopted LDP.

The Board was advised that the Authority was in receipt of a letter from Lesley Griffiths AM which suggested that the Council consider preparing an LDP on a regional basis in future.  Members were informed that arguments for not preparing a regional LDP were included on Page 12 of the report.

It was commented with emphasis that this was a ‘Local’ Development Plan and should therefore remain local, however, it was acknowledged that consideration would of course be given to Carmarthenshire’s adjoining Counties.

Reference was made to a comment from Lesley Griffiths, AM within the content of her letter which referred to the length of time it had taken the Council to produce the LDP. A comment was raised that it had taken Inspectors within the Welsh Government considerable time ratify the plan which has added to the Councils timescales.

The Leader stated that the additional points raised would be included in response to the letter from Lesley Griffiths AM.

In accordance with CPR 11.1, Councillor D.M. Cundy commented that the LDP was one of the most important set of documents that the Council produce, strategically, tactically and operationally.  It is the main document that underpins the relationship between the Welsh Government, the Council, Community Councils throughout Carmarthenshire as well as the interactions and collaborations with other Counties throughout Wales.  The plan influences the requirements of a wide range of services and all stakeholders.  It was expressed that due to the technical nature of the LDP it was felt Council Members, particularly new Members had little understanding of the LDP and the other documents which linked to the LDP.

Taking on board the recommendations from the Community Scrutiny held on 14^th December 2017, Councillor Cundy asked, if the Executive Board felt it would be advantageous, for a full presentation of the LDP review report and methodologies to be presented as a seminar to full Council?  The Deputy Leader agreed with the comments, and took the opportunity to remind Members that in October 2017, each political party had been contacted and offered an opportunity to discuss the plan, which unfortunately, no uptake had been received.  Furthermore, it was expressed that an informal workshop approach may prove to be more conducive for discussion and increased interaction.  As a way forward, in order for all Members to gain a better understanding of the LDP documents, Members of the Executive Board agreed that it would be advantageous to hold informal workshops within each of the Political Groups.

The Executive Board Member for Culture, Sport and Tourism added that it was intended to arrange for the LDP to be presented to Town and Community Councillors in conjunction with One Voice Wales.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL:

8.1   to authorise the commencement of work on the preparation of a full revision of the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan;

8.3   to publish the Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan Review Report;

8.4   to grant officers delegated authority to make typographical or factual amendments as necessary to improve the clarity and accuracy of the Review Report.