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 includes the submission of the Annual Monitoring Report for agreement prior to its submission to Welsh Government and to update members on matters relating to the Delivery Agreement and Community Involvement Scheme.  He said that the Local Development Plan is required to be monitored annually and a report summarising each monitoring period must be submitted to Welsh Government by 31^st October each year.  The Annual Monitoring Report is the first report by this Authority following the working relationship coming to an end with Gwynedd Council.  The reports reflect as to how effective the policies are within the Local Development Plan, and it is also an important evidence base for the review of the Plan.  He further said that the Annual Monitoring Report lists 9 key finds are identified as was referred to within the report.  He referred mainly to :-

·        Permission granted for 178 new residential units during 2023/2024;

·        53 affordable housing units completed in 2023/2024 which is 30% of the total completions for this year;

·      It is noted that 4747 units have been completed in the Plan area between the base date (2011) and 2022/23, whilst the trajectory notes a figure of 5663 units.

·      59% of the housing units permitted during the Annual Monitoring Report period are within Urban Service Centres. 11.2% of units have been permitted within Local Service Centres with a further 29.8% permitted in Villages, Clusters and Open Countryside.

·      1 affordable housing exception site (8 units) was permitted during the Annual Monitoring Report period, 2 rural enterprise dwellings permitted and 1 affordable dwelling in open countryside permitted. 

·      5 out of 8 appeals to PEDW were dismissed during this Annual Monitoring Report time period with the other 3 being allowed. This is a 63% appeal dismissal rate.

The Portfolio Member for Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change said that the Joint Local Development Plan has shown to be an effective Plan. She said that with the development of the Authority’s Local Development Plan it is hoped to expand the work that has already been achieved and that the Plan will be of benefit to the residents of Anglesey.

Councillor Robert Ll Jones said that he appreciated the extensive work that has been undertaken to prepare the report, but he considered that the Members have not had adequate time to read the documentation and to present any comments.  He suggested that an informal meeting needed to be convened to allow Members to scrutinise the documentation.  The Chair responded that an informal meeting was held last week when Members of this Committee were presented with the report.  He noted that report must be submitted to Welsh Government by 31^st October.

The Chair further referred to the headings within the report regarding Safe Communities and Health Wellbeing together with Welsh Vibrant Communities. He considered that it gave an insight into the future of local communities and how the population is changing within these communities, together with Welsh first language people moving away to go into universities or working away or moving to other areas within the Island.  The new Local Development Plan should factor these issues in future.  He further referred to the heading within the report as regards to Open spaces and adequate play areas for children within exception sites.   The Chair noted that he considered the new Local Development Plan should include that a developer should afford adequate financial compensation towards play areas as a maintenance fund to alleviate the burden on Town/Community Council to maintain these play areas to the required standards. 

Thereafter, the Planning Policy Manager gave an update on the progress of the Delivery Agreement and Community Involvement Scheme.  He noted that the Delivery Agreement has been approved by the full Council meeting held on 26 September, 2024 for its submission to Welsh Government for approval.  Welsh Government agreement has been received and the timetable set out in the Delivery Agreement can be implemented in accordance with the dates provided.  It is required that a copy of the Delivery Agreement and the Welsh Government’s covering letter is published on the Council’s website. This will be done once a Welsh language version of the agreement letter has been provided.   He further said that the timetable lists the next step in the process as being the issuing of a ‘call for sites’ and this is scheduled to begin at the beginning of December.  The ‘call for sites’ will extend over a period of 8 weeks.   The Chair noted that a press release would be advantageous to announce the issuing of ‘call for sites’. 

Councillor Robert Ll Jones abstained from voting.

It was RESOLVED:-

·          To approve the draft Annual Monitoring Report 2023/2024 and its conclusions for submission to the Welsh Government by 31 October, 2024.

·          To note the matters relating to the Delivery Agreement and Community Involvement Scheme.