Decision details

The Head of Sports, Leisure and Parks provided Members with an update in relation to the infrastructure and spatial planning for The RCT National Eisteddfod of Wales 2024. 

Members were advised that under the direction of a Council Senior Leadership Oversight Board, two Workstream groups, made up of RCT officers and partners, have been established to work directly with the National Eisteddfod to deliver the comprehensive infrastructure and community engagement aspects of the Eisteddfod, which is to be held in Ynysangharad Park on the 3^rd August for 5 days. 

The Committee were informed that the Infrastructure Group meets monthly to discuss:

•         Highway/Traffic Infrastructure.

•         Transport.

•         Car Parks/Park and Ride.

•         Hospitality.

•         Camping, Tourism.

•         Licensing.

•         Town Centre liaison.

The Officer provided Members with further detail in relation to each of the above mentioned aspects, providing current position statements. 

Such information included the positioning of the main Eisteddfod Site (Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Maes B (the National Eisteddfod Youth Fringe Festival - Pontypridd High School Fields) and key park and ride sites such as Hawthorn School site.  For Committee awareness, other non-council locations that are subject to separate private agreements between the National Eisteddfod and the relevant third party were also highlighted within the meeting, which included:

•         Private Land off Berw Road (Caravan and Camping Site)

•         The Muni (Performance and Competition Venue)

•         YMa (Performance and Rehearsal venue)

•         University of South Wales Sites at Glyntaff and Treforest

(Trader   and Staff parking, Park and Ride and Accommodation Offer)

Due to the location of the event, and the good public transport links available the RCT Eisteddfod will therefore promote a greener travel message to visitors, and a number of initiatives to promote use of the train network and wider park and ride facilities will be in place.

Reference was made to the Pontypridd Spatial Plan and the Officer provided detail of the phased release of parts of the Park in the lead up to the event to provide minimum disruption to service users.

It was confirmed that the arrangements put in place for the National Eisteddfod would be subject to further scrutiny and approval in due course by the Event Safety Advisory Group (ESAG).

The Leader of the Council spoke of the localised disruption that would be witnessed by the event, however spoke of the longer term benefits that would also be witnessed through the hosting of this National Event, commenting on the positive historical and economic impact for the whole of the County Borough.  The Leader referenced the positive engagement with Traders within the Town Centre and surrounding areas, although noted the traffic implications. The Leader commented on the importance to emphasise the use of public transport to access the event, although advised of the ongoing work with highways and traffic control.

The Deputy Leader reiterated the positive impact that the event would bring to the County Borough and referenced her disappointment to the negative comments that had been received by some.  The Deputy Leader reaffirmed the focus on hosting the event with minimum disruption to service users and residents in the lead up to the event.

The Director for Public Health and Protection and Eisteddfod Lead Officer thanked Members for the positive comments and spoke of the lengthy discussions and work taken forward to date to establish the current position in partnership with the Eisteddfod.  The Officer spoke of the challenges faced, as this was not a typical Eisteddfod location and how these had been overcome.  The officer confirmed that the Committee would be provided with regular updates on the developments taken forward.

The Eisteddfod spoke of the importance of partnership working and the role all have to play in the success of the Eisteddfod, with the Eisteddfod, the Council and wider ranging stakeholders such as business community.  The Officer gave thanks for the continued support provided by the Council and also reiterated the need for the Eisteddfod to be sustainable and inclusive. 

The Chair thanked all for the work undertaken and the exciting opportunities that lay ahead, commenting on the opportunity to illustrate to other Local Authorities how a Town Centre setting could host such a National Event.

Following discussions it was RESOLVED:

       i.          To note the content of the report.

      ii.          To approve the use of Council owned (or controlled) land identified in the Infrastructure Plan for use by the National Eisteddfod and delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, Protection and Community Services and the Director of Corporate Estates to ensure appropriate agreements are in place to secure the same.

(N.B Due to the need to progress the work needed to be undertaken to deliver on the National Eisteddfod of Wales, including confirmation of infrastructures and spatial planning to ensure appropriate agreements are in place, the Service Director, Democratic Services and Communications confirmed that the decision would be exempt from call in subject to the approval of the Presiding Officer.)