Agenda and minutes

To receive any declaration of interest from any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

None to declare.

The Chair of the Council expressed his congratulations and best wishes to the Wales Team at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.  He also expressed his best wishes to all who will be competing at the National Eisteddfod in Llanelli and at the Anglesey Show in August.  Congratulations were extended  to all who were successful at the Royal Welsh Show last week.

The Chair further expressed his congratulations to staff of the County Council who have been successful in their professional examinations.

On a sadder note, the Chair referred to two individuals from the Island who had passed away recently.  Firstly, Mr. Derek Williams from Llanuwchlyn, one of the three who set up Cwmni Theatr Maldwyn and was responsible for numerous musical shows.  Mr. Williams was originally from Amlwch.  Less than a week ago after a long illness, Mr. Robin Evans a Maritime Historian from Moelfre pass away.  He was a son of sailor and continued in the tradition of Mr. Aled Eames documenting the maritime history of Moelfre and beyond in numerous books and publications including ‘Moelfre and the Sea’, ‘Anglesey and the Sea’ and ‘Wales and the Sea’. 

The Chair also sympathised with any Member or Officer who had suffered bereavement since the last meeting of this Council.  Members and Officers stood in silent tribute as a mark of their respect.

(a)          To submit the following extract from the minutes of the Executive held on 14^th July, 2014 :-

“ It was resolved to recommend the new Nuclear Build (NNB) Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to the County Council at its meeting in July, 2014.”

(b)          To submit a report by the Corporate Director (Sustainable Development) and other Senior Officers in relation to the above.

Additional Background Papers :-

http://www.anglesey.gov.uk/business/energy-island/energy-island-news/new-nuclear-build-at-wylfa-supplementary-planning-guidance/123426.article

Submitted – a report by the Corporate Director (Sustainable Development) and other Senior Officers in relation to the above.

The Corporate Director (Sustainable Development) introduced Mr. Christian Branch, Mr. Gareth Hall (Energy Island) and Mr. Alex Melling (AMEC Environment & Infrastructure) to the meeting. 

The Corporate Director stated that given the scale, complexity and timescales of the proposed New Nuclear Build, the preparation and adoption of the SPG is a priority activity for the County Council.  The SPG will contribute towards ensuring that the potential known impacts of the New Nuclear Build and its associated developments are identified, avoided, mitigated and compensated where possible and that the socio-economic benefits associated with the construction and operation of the power station are fully realised. 

The preparation of the SPG has been co-ordinated by the Economic and Community Regeneration Service under the guidance of a number of County Council Senior Officers.  AMEC Environment & Infrastructure (the County Council’s providers of multi-disciplinary support and expertise) have been responsible for drafting the document.  Resources to fund the preparation of the SPG have been secured through the Planning Performance Agreement with Horizon Nuclear Power.    

The Principal Development Officer (Strategy) gave a slide presentation to the County Council.  He referred to the project wide guiding principles which were contained within the report and the 7 Zones identified which seek to guide the New Nuclear Build related developments to Anglesey’s largest settlements along key transport corridors.  Mr. Alex Melling noted that formal consultation on the SPG commenced in February 2014 and a total of 52 individual responses received.  The nature of the comments was included within the report.

The Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee informed the meeting of the main issues raised at the Scrutiny Committee.

Issues raised by Members in respect of the following :-

·           The effect on the Welsh language and heritage of the Island.  The Officers responded that Horizon Nuclear Power has agreed in principle to co-fund a secondee from the Welsh Government’s Welsh Language Unit to develop appropriate integration and mitigation measures.

·           The effect on small local businesses on the Island and potential difficulties in retaining staff during the construction of the new nuclear site. The Officers responded that Coleg Menai and Bangor University will lead on the skills development programme to enable local companies to be able to compete for work during construction of the Wylfa site;

·           The effect on housing i.e. rented and social housing.  It was noted that the Council has done a lot of work in respect of the demand for construction workers accommodation and the effect it may have on tourism, housing market and rented accommodation. 

·           Concerns about the storage of nuclear waste.  The Officer responded that the principles of new nuclear developments, including the storage of nuclear waste, were outside the scope of the New Nuclear Build SPG.

·           Questions raised whether adequate safety/evacuation procedures are in place for the residents of the Island if a major incident occurred at Wylfa.  The Officers responded that highways infrastructure  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.