Agenda item

Derbyn Cynghorydd y Fwrdeistref Sirol R. Bevan (Aelod o'r Cabinet ar faterion Menter, Datblygu, a Thai), i roi trosolwg i Aelodau'r Pwyllgor Craffu o'r gwaith sy'n rhan o bortffolio'r Aelod o'r Cabinet. (Mae adroddiad, i gael ei drafod gan Aelodau, wedi'i atodi i fynd gyda'r eitem yma.)

The Director of Prosperity and Development, in conjunction with Councillor R. Bevan (Cabinet Member for Enterprise Development & Housing), provided an overview of the portfolio responsibilities of the Cabinet Member to include Town Centres, Planning and Housing.

The Cabinet Member reminded Members that the focus has been to develop and promote the County Borough in order to encourage economic growth. The Cabinet Member emphasised that the department is evolving in respect of tourism and stressed the importance of advancing the opportunities coming forward.

Discussions ensued and Councillor Bradwick referred Members to page 19 of the report and praised the redevelopment work of the former Boot and Black Lion Hotels. However, the Member also noted that more community engagement should be done in respect of local letting policies. The Cabinet Member confirmed that there will indeed be a local letting policy and that the Council are in the process of looking at the impact on the community as a whole. In respect of the Boot Hotel, Councillor Bradwick noted his disappointment in the lack of retail development in the downstairs area of the building and commented that further detailed design development is required to bring the historic building back into full use.

Councillor Cullwick referred the Committee to page 20 of the report, paragraph 6,4.3, and praised the Porth Town Centre Regeneration Strategy. The Member queried whether the Strategy would force owners of derelict buildings to bring the buildings back into use. The Member felt that the regeneration of derelict buildings would help to make Porth more attractive to visitors. The Director of Prosperity and Development agreed and informed Members that there are a range of initiatives that the Council can offer to owners of derelict buildings, such as grants, acquiring the building or the use of a compulsory purchase order. The Cabinet Member emphasised that the Council is extremely focused on town centre regeneration and noted that generally, the loss of town centre banking has led to a drop in footfall. The Cabinet Member advised Members that further initiatives include the possibility of community banking or the possibility of several different banks operating out of one facility.

Discussions continued in respect of the regeneration of town centres and Councillor Cullwick queried whether there were any plans to increase the footfall in Tonypandy. The Member felt that despite recent initiatives to develop the town centre, the footfall has continued to decline. The Cabinet Member advised Members that key development proposals are in place and will be brought forward, however, the Cabinet Member emphasised that due to its confidential and sensitive nature, further details could not be disclosed at this point.

Councillor Yeo referred the Committee to page 22 of the report and queried when the formal revision of the LDP will be adopted. The Director of Prosperity and Development informed Members that the formal revision process of the LDP is due to finish in early 2022 and that in the meantime, the Service will continue to collate further evidence in respect of the Review Report and Draft Delivery Agreement. The Cabinet Member emphasised that it was important to note that the previous LDP was inherited from another Local Authority. The Director suggested supplementary planning guidance as a way of dealing with over saturation of certain types of development in RCT’s town centres.

Discussions continued in respect of Pontypridd Town Centre and Members queried how the Council could ensure that the residents benefit from the recent investments in this area. Members also raised concerns in respect of the potential impact on traffic from the Trefforest DWP development.  In respect of Pontypridd Town Centre, the Director of Prosperity and Development advised Members that the Service continues to work closely with local providers and that the regeneration team has been focusing its work on expanding the local economy. The Director emphasised that there has been an influx in private sector companies who want to invest in Pontypridd. In respect of Trefforest and the potential influx of traffic, the Cabinet Member informed Members that the Leader is working closely with Transport for Wales. Members were advised that proposals will be brought forward in respect of a rapid bus transportation system and that improved transport links will help to bring Pontypridd and Trefforest together. The Cabinet Member also emphasised the Council’s desire to make town centres in RCT fit to invest in and to create a stable economy.

A number of Members praised the Council’s focus on the regeneration of RCT’s town centres. A number of Members agreed that whilst investment from commercial companies such as McDonald’s and Starbucks are welcome, the danger is that large commercial companies often do not re-invest profits into the local economy. Councillor Cullwick referenced ‘The Imperial Hotel’ in Tonypandy as an example of a derelict building and commented that the Council’s focus needs to be on the visual appearance of town centres.  Councillor Bradwick queried why the downstairs of the Boot Hotel was still open to let. The Director of Prosperity and Development advised Members that the tenancy at the Boot Hotel fell through and that a meeting is scheduled to take place with the developers to discuss the tenancy arrangements. The Director confirmed that he would feedback to the Committee accordingly.

The Vice Chair referenced sites that have been approved and started in Rhigos but subsequently abandoned. The Vice Chair queried whether this was a problem throughout RCT. In respect of the two developments in Rhigos, the Director of Prosperity and Development confirmed that he would obtain further information and update Members accordingly. The Vice Chair also queried the Council’s plans in respect of building on the manufacturing industry and queried whether the Cynon gateway takes account of the Hirwaun Industrial Estate. The Cabinet Member informed Committee that the Council has opportunities for development and around Climate Change in particular. The Cabinet Member stressed that as part of the Council’s LDP review, the Council would like to see development orders to bring forward other parts of the Hirwaun estate for development. The Cabinet Member emphasised that improvements to the A465 would also improve access to the Hirwaun Industrial Estate.

Discussions ensued and Councillor Yeo raised the importance of developing infrastructure in relation to the number of houses being built in and around the M4 and A4119. The Cabinet Member agreed and stressed the importance of the Cardiff Capital Region Strategic Development Plan. In respect of infrastructure and supporting economic growth. The Cabinet Member emphasised the importance of creating employment opportunities in the South Wales Valleys and the Council’s focus on creating a sustainable highway structure network.

Following discussion, Members RESOLVED to note the content of the update on the progress made in advancing the portfolio responsibilities of the Cabinet Member.