SUSTAINABLE FUTURES EXECUTIVE GROUP Minutes of a meeting held on 06/12/12 at 2pm in the Council chamber, Penmorfa, Aberaeron Present: Ceredigion County Council Careers Wales Countryside Council for Wales Menter Aberteifi University of WalesTrinity Saint David DWP, Jobcentre Plus CAVO Twristiaeth Ceredigion Tourismm Coleg Ceredigion Antur Teifi Ceredigion County Council - DECS Ceredigion County Council - DHPW Ceredigion County Council - DESH Ceredigion County Council - CE Ceredigion County Council - CE Ceredigion County Council DECS, Ceredigion Youth Service Ceredigion County Council - DF Lead Body In attendance Gareth Lloyd (Chair) Donna Evans Sue Byrne Ann Stokoe Jane Davidson Alan Dutton Teleri Davies David Pickworth Luned Jones Dewi Williams Mari Morgan Keith Morgan Huw Williams Allan Lewis Peter Austin Llywelyn Rees Ann Ireland Mike Shaw, Gareth Rowlands, Eirlys Lloyd, Alison Kinsey Catrin Myles (on behalf of One Voice Wales) Actions The Chair welcomed new members to the second meeting of the Sustainable Futures Executive Group and introductions around the table took place. 1 Membership University of Wales Trinity Saint David had reviewed their membership of the Sustainable Futures Group. They proposed that Matt Briggs would be their alternate member and that Jane Davidson would be the full member. Members agrees the proposed change of representation by University of Wales Trinity Saint David a) To agree a Vice Chair Following discussion, Jane Davidson was nominated as Vice Chair by Allan Lewis and seconded by Mari Morgan. The Chair welcomed her to the Group. 2 Apologies Welsh Government Environment Agency Tai Ceredigion Aberystwyth University Ceredigion County Council - ESH Aberystwyth Arts Centre Peter James Phil Pickersgill Steve Jones Tony Orme Dewi Roberts Louise Amery 1
DWP, Jobcentre Plus Careers Wales One Voice Wales Llandysul Pontweli Ymlaen Ceredigion County Council - HPW Members noted the apologies Sara Kenny Melfyn Evans Graham Evans & Rhian Haf Evans Ann Jones Rhodri Llwyd 3 Disclosure of Personal/Prejudicial Interests Jane Davidson noted that she was president of the Ramblers Association Item 6a. CAVO noted that they had two projects running under RDP Axis 3. Item 6a. Gareth Rowlands noted that he had a personal interest in CER54. 4 To agree minutes of last meeting of Adfywio Ceredigion Regeneration 19/10/12 The minutes were agreed. 4a To consider matters arising not elsewhere on the agenda The Group noted the update on the outstanding Actions on Minutes / Matters Arising paper. Changes and actions were noted. 5 Items for Information a Presentation on Welfare Reform DWP (Jobcentre Plus) The Group received a presentation on the implications of Welfare Reform highlighting the wide ranging implications for the County. Following discussion it was agreed that Lead Body would circulate presentations. (Queries could be directed through them to the correct person). Members thanked DWP for the presentation. b Developing a future Regeneration Strategy for Ceredigion It was noted that the County had had in the past, very successful regeneration strategies and Local Action Plans in place. However, there was now need for a more comprehensive Strategy, not only to bid for European funding but also to provide a wider and more joined up content and to draw together visions for the County. This approach had been agreed and endorsed by Cabinet and a tender brief to consultants would now be circulated. It was proposed that the initial report would be presented to this Group for validation prior to being received by Cabinet. Members noted the report. LB c LSB Single Integrated Plan update Lead Body thanked members for their work at the previous Sustainable Futures meeting to develop the two theme concepts to take forward to the LSB. The LSB had prioritized all themes received, but further work was needed on them. However, a number of principles were identified and from this three priority themes were agreed upon:- Supporting Families Economy and Place 2
Independent Living Following discussion on these themes, it was agreed that should members wish to make any comments, they would do so by the following morning. Formal consultations on the SIP would follow. Members noted the update. d e Active Travel (Wales) Bill Members noted the paper. The Welsh Governments response to Business Rates review A report was received on Business Rates review and it was highlighted that the Welsh Government will make a fund available for Business Improvement Districts totalling 200,000 over the next three financial years. In the run up to that period, the Welsh Government will welcome the opportunity to work with interested areas in establishing a BID. The match funding will cover the critical start-up costs. The BIDs will offer town centres an opportunity for businesses and others to work together to make positive decisions for a locality. It is intended that a bid for Aberystwyth and potentially Cardigan will be submitted. Members noted the report. f Report on TraCC workshop 3/12/12 There had been a meeting of three Local Authorities Ceredigion, Gwynedd and Powys to discuss various action plans. Key points noted by the Group included: Bus funding had been reviewed The focus on collaboration quick wins A transport event had been held earlier that day, covering issues such as future and current transport. An update will be given to the Group at their next meeting. Members noted the report. g Travel Plan arrangements in Aberystwyth Meetings had been held between the Local Authority and the Welsh Government regarding travel arrangements and reduction of carbon emissions. The CCC Carbon Management Group had also discussed this. Further meetings would be arranged to move this agenda forward. Members noted the update. KM h Ceredigion County Councils Carbon Management Plan This programme had now been updated. It was also noted that the LSB has a Carbon Management Project. The LSB agreed in July 2010 to the following targets in relation to nondomestic buildings: Target for carbon reduction will be 60% over 15 years. A short term 3 year target of 15% 5 year target to achieve a DEC rating of C for public buildings They are currently in the process of gathering updates from each of the 3
partner organisations. Members noted the information. 6 Items for decision a (i)the minutes of the Cynnal y Cardi Local Action Group 25/09/12 Lead Body noted item 7b. The applications for extension to the Axis 4 projects had been submitted to the Welsh Government by the due date. The outcome would be known by the end of December. Members agreed and endorsed the minutes. (ii) The remit of the Axis 3 RDP Working group Members agreed the remit and make-up of the Axis 3 Working group. (iii) Minutes of Axis 3 RDP working group 22/11/12 Members agreed the minutes of the Axis 3 Working group. (iv) Axis 3 RDP Evaluation Report Members received and agreed the Axis 3 Evaluation Report. (v) Quarterly Project Progress reports for CER 52, CER 54 & CER 58 Members agreed that the Quarterly Project Progress reports for CER 52, CER 54 & CER 58 and authorised the Chair to sign them off and that they should be submitted to the Welsh Government. b To consider a response to Vibrant and Viable Places: New Regeneration Framework Lead Body showed a brief presentation provided by the Welsh Government on the Vibrant and Viable Places: New Regeneration Framework and noted that Welsh Government were unable to send a representative on this day. Comments would need to be submitted by 14 th January 2013. Formal discussions would be taking place in Aberystwyth with the RA Board and Group members were invited to join that meeting. Members agreed to form a small ad hoc group to develop a response. Representation from Antur Teifi, CAVO and the Council to discuss a response and circulate a draft for the Group. Lead Body would coordinate this. Members agreed the approach. LB 7 Items for Endorsement a To note the response to the Welsh Government s consultation document The Common Agricultural Policy Reform, Conversation on the Way Forward for Wales the Rural Development Plan Lead Body took members through the responses that had been submitted since the last meeting. They had been circulated earlier for comment and agreement. Members endorsed the submission. b To note RDP extensions and enhancement sent to WG on 9 th November Members agreed and endorsed the Axis 3 and 4 project extensions and 4
enhancements circulated electronically on 2 nd and 7 th November 2012 and subsequently submitted to the Welsh Government by the due date. 8 Work Programme a To consider arrangements to establish a broad strategic approach to Sustainable Futures and identification of headline indicators to monitor this approach It was agreed that this would be discussed at a future meeting. 9 AOB CCC DHPW asked members to note a Welsh Government consultation Document Sustainable Development Bill White Paper recently issued. The consultation explained the Welsh Government s plans for legislation to place a Sustainable Development (SD) duty on some organisations in Wales and create a new independent SD body. Start of consultation: 03/12/2012 End of consultation: 04/03/2013 WG want views on: the proposals for a new duty to embed sustainable development as the central organising principle of selected organisations in Wales; the proposals for an independent sustainable development body; the proposed phasing and implementation of the duty, including the timing for the creation of the independent sustainable development body; and the proposals to improve the accountability framework for sustainable development in Wales WG will be hosting Consultation Events across Wales to obtain the views of organisations. Nearest Events to Ceredigion - Carmarthen 15 January 6-8pm: SD Bill General Information Session 16 January 10-4pm: SD Bill Consultation workshop Llandrindod Wells 12 February 6-8pm: SD Bill General Information Session 13 February 10-4pm: SD Bill Consultation workshop Also, there is to be a Finance Leadership Network event at Coleg Morgannwg, Nantgarw, Heol y Coleg, Parc Nantgarw, Cardiff on 8 February 2013. This event is led by the Network. It provides an opportunity for Finance Directors and senior staff to consider the Bill s implications and hear from those already embedding the principles in their practice. Finance staff are encouraged to attend this event if possible 5
An Elected Members Panel Meeting will be arranged in due course. Members noted that this would need to be discussed at the next meeting. ALL 10 Date of next meetings 2013 Proposed dates for 2013 were discussed and it was agreed that Lead body would circulate these to all members. Signed:. Date: 6