Agenda item

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

Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development for the Committee’s consideration.

The Planning Policy Manager reported that the report focuses on the Staffing of the new Planning Policy Team; Work Programme; Delivery Agreement & Community Involvement Scheme; Senior Officer Group; Annual Monitoring Report 2024; Second Homes and Short-Term Holiday Lets (Article 4 Direction) and Member Training.

·      Staffing

The Planning Policy Manager reported that three newly appointed officers have commenced their duties since 8 January, 2024.  The post of Planning Policy Team Leader remains vacant and was re-advertised on 13 February.  If a lack of capacity persists from the perspective of work activities, external assistance can be requested from framework contractors.

·      Work Programme

The Planning Policy Manager reported that an indicative work programme highlighting the programmed tasks over the next six months was attached to the report in Appendix 1.

·      Delivery Agreement & Community Involvement Scheme

The Planning Policy Manager reported that the intention is to prepare and consult on the Delivery Agreement (DA) and the Community Involvement Scheme (CIS) which has a timetable for completion with a view to reporting to the Full Council in September, 2024 in order to obtain the Council’s endorsement before submitting the documentation to Welsh Government for agreement.   The Local Development Plan Regulations requires that the Council works in partnership with stakeholders and the community early in the process of preparing the Local Development Plan.  He noted that there is also a role for the Elected Members within their local communities to promote the work in the preparedness of the LDP.  He further said that any changes to the timetable due to any delay in the process will need to have Welsh Government’s agreement. 

Questions were raised as to when the Committee will be in a position to discuss the planning policies in detail.  The Planning Policy Manger responded that the completion of the Delivery Agreement is required before detailed discussion can be undertaken as regards to the policies within the LDP, however, Members will be able to have an input during the Delivery Agreement process as part of the engagement process.

·      Senior Officer Group

The Planning Policy Manager reported that a Senior Officer Group is to be established with the Chief Executive as Chair.  The Group will meet on a regular basis with a view to ensure cross Council input to inform and shape the preparation of the new LDP to ensure it reflects the Island’s needs and challenges; and to provide leadership and direction in relation to the formulation of a Preferred Strategy to be adopted in the preparation of the Anglesey Replacement Local Development Plan.  The Planning Policy Committee will receive regular feedback from the Senior Officer Group.

·      Annual Monitoring Report 2024

The Planning Policy Manager reported that monitoring of the Joint Local Development Plan (JLDP) policies is a statutory requirement.  It will be necessary for the preparation of the Annual Monitoring Report for 2024 to be submitted to Welsh Government by 31 October, 2024.  Given that the JLDP was produced jointly with Gwynedd Council, discussion have been undertaken with Welsh Government as to whether a separate Annual Monitoring Report could be submitted, however, the expectation from Welsh Government is that one such report is prepared to address a single plan.  Welsh Government have said that they remain open to discussions on a single LDP reports and advised that the timetable to submit the 2024 report could be extended beyond Christmas if appropriate justification was provided.  Although appreciating the staffing difficulties in recruiting to a new Planning Policy Team, Welsh Government Officers emphasised the need to continue monitoring activities in order to collect appropriate data to inform future Plan development.  He noted the need for continued dialogue with Gwynedd Council where submission of joint data to outline progress in relation to priority indicators of the JLDP.

·      Second Homes and short-term holiday lets (Article 4 Direction)

The Planning Policy Manager reported that a Local Housing Challenge Co-ordinator has recently commenced in post and given that Gwynedd Council’s recent experience in progressing the Article 4 Direction it was felt that a meeting with the relevant officer from Gwynedd Council would benefit Anglesey’s work in this regard.  Monitoring Gwynedd Council’s progress in this area will prove instructional.  Eryri National Park Authority’s recent decision to progress in this direction has also been noted and contact has been made with them confirming this Authority’s interest in learning from their experiences. 

In response to questions as to the timeframe for Gwynedd Council to respond to the Article 4 Direction, the Planning Policy Manager said that response will take place in September 2024.  The Head of Regulation & Economic Development said that the work involved as regards to the Article 4 Direction is immense.  He noted that learning from other local authorities will enable this Council to be able to have a robust LDP.

·      Member Training

The Planning Policy Manager reported that in response to the request made at the last meeting, a training programme for members is being prepared and will consist of an overview of the development plan preparation process supplemented by more detailed sessions looking at specific elements of the process focusing on individual work area.  A full training programme for 2024/2025 will be submitted to the next meeting of this Committee.

The Head of Regulation & Economic Development said that training sessions will be afforded to the Members of the Planning Policy Committee together with training sessions for all other Elected Members in due course.