Agenda and minutes

To receive and consider the attached Schedule of Correspondence and any recommendations thereon (below).

There was no correspondence, and no apologies for absence received.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items on the agenda.  Members’ attention is drawn to the sheet attached to the attendance sheet and the need to record their declarations verbally and in writing, specifying the nature of the interest.

If Members have declared an interest in an item please ensure that you inform the Chair when you are leaving the room, so that this can be recorded in the minutes.

No declarations of interest were made.

1. To approve the following minutes and authorise the Chair to sign them

as a correct record:

a)     National Park Authority – 26/11/21

b)    Extraordinary General Meeting – 14/12/21

c)     National Park Authority – 23/12/21

d)    Extraordinary General Meeting – 20/01/22

2. To receive the following minutes:

Audit and Scrutiny Committee – 22/10/21

RESOLVED:

a)      To approve the following minutes and authorise the Chair to sign them as a correct record:

·     National Park Authority - 26 November 2021

·     National Park Authority –  EGM 14 December 2021

·     National Park Authority – EGM 23 December 2021

·     National Park Authority – EGM 20 January 2022

b)      To receive the minutes of the Audit and Scrutiny Committee held on 22 October 2021.

To give opportunity for members of the public to address the meeting in accordance with the Authority’s Public Speaking Scheme.

There were no requests to speak.

To receive a verbal report on meetings and events attended by the Chairman since the last meeting of the Authority.

The Chair advised that he was experiencing some health issues at present and appreciated the support of all.  He thanked officers for the papers on the agenda today which required very important decisions for the Authority.

He reminded members of the requirement to have an annual Personal Development Review, or, if a member was aware they would not be standing again, an exit interview.  In addition, he advised that the Chair was now required to submit an annual report to Welsh Government on all its appointed members.

To receive a report from the Chief Executive on meetings attended and progress made on Authority business since the last meeting of the Authority.

The Chief Executive (CEO) referred to the busy and challenging period and thanked members for the positive comments made at Audit and Scrutiny Committee about progress with projects.  She stressed the ongoing capacity issues in the Authority, and the loss of corporate memory and experience with the loss of three key heads of service. Both resource and morale were low but decisions made today would enable Future Beacons to be delivered.

She gave updates on meetings held and forthcoming events.

The CEO presented the draft plan which was a transitional one to orientate for the future. Outcomes would be key and resources shifted to priority areas, but this would be limited by capacity and what the organisation could tolerate.

Members were supportive of the plan and suggested some minor amendments which would be incorporated.

Members considered the draft budget for 2022-23 and noted that the Authority had not yet received final confirmation of the grant offer.  The Finance Manager drew attention to the use of reserves which was not sustainable in the longer term, and advised that were the Welsh Government able to provide figures over multiple years, it would give the Authority more ability to plan resources over a longer period.

A member requested that the CEO provide details of the capital grant from Welsh Government when available.

The CEO presented the revised scheme and thanked members who had contributed during the consultation phase.  She addressed a number of questions and suggestions from members and confirmed that delegated items remained with and could also be considered by the Authority if necessary.

Regarding the scope and interpretation of delegated powers within the Scheme of Delegation the CEO agreed to add the Chair. Regarding this inclusion in the consultation process on UK and Welsh Government policy she advised that an Authority response would be drafted in line with its existing policies, but that anything additional would come to the Authority.

Asked about the separation of finance and audit the CEO explained that this was good practice and that the impetus of the new Portfolio office supported the need for an additional committee, which would allow more sophisticated performance reporting.

The CEO advised that she would widen the delegated powers for the Director of Nature Recovery and Climate Change to use s39 powers up to a set financial limit.

She acknowledged the concern raised about achieving equality and diversity on the various committees and referred to the effort of Welsh Government to address these in local democracy.

The Monitoring Officer advised in response to a member’s query that rights of way would be delegated to the Director of Planning and Place, which would deal with the majority of issues quickly and smoothly, but this would not preclude anything contentious being put to the Authority for decision.

The Chair proposed that any further changes be delegated to himself and the CEO, and then the final version would be brought back to the Authority for noting.

RESOLVED:

a)      That members approve the revised Scheme of Delegation;

b)      That the proposed committee structure withing the revised scheme is adopted from the AGM 2022;

c)      That any final changes be delegated to the Chair and CEO and a final version brought back to the Authority for noting only.

Members considered a three Welsh Park position statement prepared by former officer Ceri Bevan but amended to take account of the pandemic.

The absence of images depicting a diverse range of visitors was highlighted, as this might prevent a feeling of ownership and belonging.  Officers noted this and would try to rectify the use of images.

There was some discussion about the ability of local authorities to increase council tax on second homes, and about the potential for small hydro units in the Park.

Cllr S McNichol left the meeting.

In response to other comments the officer advised that the scope of this position statement was limited to Valued and Resilient and the socio-economic duty but that the National Park Management Plan had addressed wider issues.

RESOLVED:  To accept the report.

Officers presented a proposed response to Welsh Government consultation on legislation and policy for second homes and short term holiday lets. Asked about how this aligned with the Corporate Joint Committees the officer advised that this was a localised intervention although the impact of second homes would figure as part of the strategic view of housing.

Members were supportive of the response and congratulated the officer on a clear report.

It was suggested that the Chair might send a letter to all constituent authorities urging them to consider following the example of Powys in increasing the council tax on second homes.

The inability of the Authority to progress its Local Development Plan due to the phosphates issue was also highlighted, as was the recognition of changing social structures such as working from home and multi-generational houses.

Officers confirmed that the RTPI had held a series of meetings on the issue and produced its own research paper. 

RESOLVED:  That members endorse the proposed response to the consultation as the position of the Authority, subject to the inclusion of views expressed during the meeting on the LDP and the socio-economic impact.

Mr J Marsden left the meeting.

Members considered the need to fill vacancies on committees.

RESOLVED: to make the following appointments until the next Annual General Meeting of the Authority:

a)    To note the appointment of Cllr J Davies as Deputy Chair of Policy Forum;

b)    To appoint S Holden  to the Audit and Scrutiny Committee;

c)    To appoint L Davis to the Appointments Committee;

d)    That the vacancy on the Sustainable Development Fund be brought forward to the next Authority meeting.

To receive a report from the Landscape and Biodiversity Member Champion.

A report from the Landscape and Biodiversity Champion was noted.

Cllrs A Webb and E Roderick left the meeting.

No declarations were made.

Any other business that the Chair considers of sufficient urgency and has been

notified to him in advance.

The Chair reported that he had not been advised of any further business.

RECOMMENDATION: to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 16 and 17 in accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED: To exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 16 and 17 in accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chair advised that this concluded the public part of the meeting.

The CEO reported back to the Authority on actions she had taken under delegated powers to carry out a scoping exercise on a possible purchase of land.

The Monitoring Officer reported that work would shortly commence on land in relation to this matter.