Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The report of the of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development with regard to the future of the Anglesey and Gwynedd Joint Planning Policy Unit was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

Councillor Nicola Roberts, Portfolio Member for Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change presented the report which set out the intention to end the current collaboration arrangement with Gwynedd Council for the provision of the Joint Planning Policy Unit in March, 2023. Councillor Nicola Roberts reported that ending the collaboration agreement means that a new Planning Policy Service and Team for Anglesey will have to be created. The current joint working arrangement has been successful leading to the creation of Wales’s first Joint Local Development Plan for the Anglesey and Gwynedd local planning authority areas. Councillor Nicola Roberts confirmed that the same report would also be presented for approval to today’s meeting of Gwynedd Council’s Cabinet.

The Head of Regulation and Economic Development said that the Joint Planning Policy Unit (JPPU) was established by Anglesey and Gwynedd Councils on 1 May, 2011 and, following a review in 2017, the arrangement was renewed until 31 July 2022 with both Councils’ agreement.  As the collaboration agreement expires at the end of this month there have been high level discussions between Officers of the two authorities about the future of the JPPU. A joint conclusion has been reached that it be recommended to Anglesey’s Executive and the Cabinet for Gwynedd Council that the current joint working agreement be wound down. The planning context nationally, regionally and locally has changed considerably since 2011 as have the aspirations, priorities and needs of the two authorities. Also, the establishment of the regional Corporate Joint Committee which is statutorily required to prepare a Strategic Development Plan for North Wales adds a new layer of planning policy that did not exist when the JPPU was created in 2011.  It is recommended that the joint working agreement be extended until 31 March, 2023 in order to ensure an orderly disengagement and that the Executive agrees in principle to establish a new Planning Policy Team for Anglesey. The Planning Service is considering a staffing structure and recruitment process, resource requirements and a work programme with it being the intention that a further report on cost implications be brought to the Executive in due course. It should also be noted that it is a requirement that the Joint Local Development Plan should continue to be monitored until 2026.

Councillor Robin Williams, Portfolio Member for Finance commenting as a member of the Joint Planning Policy Committee said that while it had been a pleasure to serve on the Joint-Committee recent meetings had shown the two councils to have diverging views in terms of future planning policy direction, needs and operational arrangements.

The Chair proposed with regard to recommendation 5 of the report that the Planning Portfolio Member be also consulted in relation to agreeing collaboration arrangements with Gwynedd Council with regard to the ongoing statutory monitoring of the Joint Local Development Plan.

It was resolved –

·         That the current joint-working arrangement for the provision of the Joint Planning Policy Unit be extended up to 31 March, 2023.

·         That the joint-working agreement and therefore the Joint Planning Policy Unit and the Joint Planning Policy Committee come to an end on 31 March, 2023 and that there is agreement in principle for a new Planning Policy Team to be created for the Anglesey planning authority area.

·         That the new Planning Policy Service prepare a new Local Development Plan for the Anglesey planning authority area.

·         That arrangements for supporting and decision making on the process of preparing a new Local Development Plan and relevant planning policy issues are presented for the Anglesey planning authority area.

·         That authority be delegated to the Head of Regulation and Economic Development Service to agree on collaboration arrangements with Gwynedd, in consultation with the Chief Executive and Portfolio Holder, to ensure that the Council continues to meet the statutory requirement (and any related work) which is required for monitoring the Joint Local Development Plan.