Agenda and minutes

The Service Director Democratic Services & Communications welcomed Members and Officers to the meeting to receive an update on the progress of the Revised LDP preparation to date, to provide clarification on the alternative proposals to Revise the LDP and to begin the preparation of a new Revised LDP with an amended and extended Plan Period of 2022 – 2037.

He clarified the need to appoint a chair to the Steering Group and handed the meeting to the Vice Chair for the subsequent agenda items.

Apologies for absence were received from County Borough Councillors L M Adams, D Grehan and M Powell.

To receive disclosures of personal interest from Members in accordance with the Code of Conduct

Note:

1. Members are requested to identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest: and

2.    Where Members withdraw from a meeting as a consequence of the  disclosure of a prejudicial interest, they must notify the Chairman when they leave.

In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no declarations made pertaining to the agenda.

To appoint a Chair to the Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP) Members Steering Group.

It was RESOLVED to appoint County Borough Councillor S Rees as Chair of the RLDP Members Steering Group.

To receive the minutes of the RLDP Members Steering Group meeting held on the 9^th June 2021, as an accurate summary of the discussions.

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the RLDP Members Steering Group for the 9^th June 2021 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.

To receive an update from the Director of Prosperity & Development on the new proposals for the Rhondda Cynon Taf Revised Local Development Plan (RLDP).

The Director of Prosperity & Development presented his Power Point slides which provided Members with an update on progress of the LDP to date to include the considerable work undertaken on the preparation of the revised LDP throughout the Covid pandemic. The Director advised how the Covid pandemic had prevented the preparation of the Preferred Strategy in this necessary timeframe, including the restrictions on engaging with all necessary stakeholders and the general uncertainty of  the ever-changing circumstances on which to base evidence of the overall Strategy.

The Director commented that following discussions with Welsh Government Officials the most appropriate way forward is to cease preparation of the RLDP 2020 – 2030 and begin a new RLDP for 2022 -2037. He outlined a number of benefits that this proposal would bring, such as ensuring the evidence base is more stable following a period of uncertainty, allowing for larger and more strategic development sites to be allocated, if necessary and the longer-term financial rewards associated with the revised timeline.

The Director concluded his presentation with a timetable for the revised LDP 2022 – 2037 which would see its adoption in 2025.

Members were in agreement with the additional time given to the RLDP which would provide an opportunity for significant development projects to be included and were pleased that the previous work of the Steering Group would also be taken into account.

Following further discussion, it was RESOLVED to note the content of the presentation and the revised timetable.

The Chair wished to place on record her thanks to the previous Chair, Councillor G Caple for his role in the Steering Group to date.