Meetings

PAC(5)-19-20 Paper 1 – Welsh Government Response

3.1 The Members considered and noted the Welsh Government’s Response to the Committee’s report.

3.2 It was agreed that the Chair will write to the Welsh Government seeking clearer commitments, appropriate timescales and a series of measurable actions with regard to Recommendations 5, 6 & 7.

PAC(5)-13-20 Paper 3 – Draft Report

7.1 Subject to a minor addition, the Report was agreed and arrangements will be made for it to be published in June 2020.

PAC(5)-12-20 Paper 4 – Draft Report

4.1 The Committee considered the draft report and will return to further consideration of the draft on 8 June 2020.

Research Briefing: Key Issues

4.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received on 9 March 2020 and considered the key issues paper.

Research Briefing

PAC(5)-09-20 Paper 1 – Welsh Government

Andrew Slade - Director General Economy, Skills and Natural Resources Group, Welsh Government

John Howells - Director, Climate Change, Energy and Planning, Welsh Government

Neil Hemington  - Chief Planner, Welsh Government

3.1 Members questioned Andrew Slade, John Howells and Neil Hemington as part of their inquiry into the Effectiveness of Local Planning Authorities in Wales.

3.2 Andrew Slade agreed to send copies of the Planning Aid Wales Guidance to the Committee.

3.3 The Chair advised the witnesses that he would write with the questions that were not reached.

6.1 Due to time constraints, this item was deferred until the next meeting.

Research Briefing

PAC(5)-07-20 Paper 1 - Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

Nick Bennett - Public Services Ombudsman for Wales

3.1 The Members questioned Nick Bennett, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Effectiveness of Local Planning Authorities in Wales.

PAC(5)-07-20 Paper 2 – Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

PAC(5)-07-20 Paper 3 – Future Generations Commissioner for Wales’ response to the Welsh Government’s National Development Framework for Wales

Sophie Howe - Future Generations Commissioner for Wales

Marie Brousseau-Navarro - Director of Policy, Legislation and Innovation, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales Office

4.1 The Members questioned Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and Marie Brousseau-Navarro as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Effectiveness of Local Planning Authorities in Wales.

6.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

6.1 The Committee considered the evidence received.

Research Briefing

PAC(5)-06-20 Paper 1 – Royal Town Planning Institute

Dr Roisin Willmott - Director of Wales and Northern Ireland, Royal Town Planning Institute

2.1 The Members questioned Dr Roisin Willmott from the Royal Town Planning Institute as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Effectiveness of Local Planning Authorities in Wales.

Craig Mitchell - Head of Waste Support, Welsh Local Government Association

Mark Hand - Head of Placemaking, Housing, Highways and Flooding, Monmouthshire County Council

Andrew Farrow - Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy)

Flintshire County Council

Llinos Quelch – Head of Planning, Carmarthenshire County Council

Nicola Pearce - Corporate Director of Environment and Regeneration, Neath Port Talbot Council

3.1 The Members questioned representatives from the Welsh Local Government Association as part of the Committee’s inquiry into the Effectiveness of Local Planning Authorities in Wales.

5.1 Feedback from the discussions was given from both Groups.

5.2 The Chair thanked everyone for their contributions and for attending.

Mark Harris - Planning & Policy Advisor Wales, House Builders Federation

Hayley MacNamara - Policy & External Affairs Manager, Community Housing Cymru

Dr Roisin Willmott - Director of Wales and Northern Ireland, Royal Town Planning Institute

Representatives from Planning Officers Society for Wales

Gareth Jones – Gwynedd Council

James Clemence – Head of Planning, City of Cardiff Council

Nicola Gandy - Director of Planning and Park Direction, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

Jonathan Parsons -  Group Manager Planning & Development Services, Bridgend County Borough Council

4.1 Members discussed the issues with the stakeholders who included:

·         Hayley MacNamara, Community Housing Cymru

·         Dr Roisin Willmott, Royal Town Planning Institute

·         Gareth Jones, Gwynedd Council

·         Nicola Gandy, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority

·         Mark Harris, House Builders Federation

·         James Clemence, City of Cardiff Council

·         Jonathan Parsons, Bridgend County Borough Council

Briefing

Paper 1: Effectiveness of Local Planning Authorities in Wales: Welsh Government response to the Auditor General for Wales' Report (13 December 2019)

1.1        The Chair welcomed everyone to the event.

1.2        Apologies were received from Nick Ramsay AM, Vikki Howells AM, Gareth Bennett AM and Adam Price AM. Delyth Jewell AM substituted for Adam Price AM.

1.3        Rhianon Passmore AM declared an interest in that her Special Advisor is the Chair of the Cardiff Council Planning Committee.

1.4 The Wales Audit Office gave a presentation on the aims and objectives of the event.

Research Briefing

PAC(5)-21-19 Paper 1 - Auditor General for Wales' Report

5.1 The Auditor General for Wales briefed the Members on this report.

5.2 Members agreed to undertake an inquiry into the effectiveness of local planning authorities in Wales in the new year. The Committee noted the forthcoming reports on how local authorities are implementing their new responsibilities under the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 (report published September 2019); and the new duties placed on them and their partners by the Violence Against Women Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 (report scheduled to be published November 2019) and will take into account as part of a themed inquiry in the new year.