Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham County Borough Council and

Alan Price, Partnership Officer North East, NRW.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider the minutes of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Committee held on 11 September 2020 (copy attached).

The minutes of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Committee held on 11 September 2021 were submitted.  They were agreed as accurate and there were no matters arising.

RESOLVED that the minutes of Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Committee held on 11 September 2020 be approved.

To note the minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2021 (copy attached).

The draft notes of the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership on 19 February 2021 were provided for information.

RESOLVED that the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership draft notes be noted.

Standing Item report (copy attached) presented by Steve Gadd – Head of Finance and Property and Paula O’Hanlan – Senior Finance and Assurance Officer.

The Head of Finance and Property, Steve Gadd, introduced the report (previously circulated).

The report provided a summary of the AONB’s projected revenue outturn for 2020/21 detailed in Appendix 1. The projected outturn position showed a contribution from the reserve in total of £11,705, of which £2,614 was to support the revenue budget, the remaining £9,091 was to fund a part time temporary member of staff through a WG grant (funds received).

The Head of Finance and Property was asked if there had been any success in applying for covid grants to remain compliant regarding covid guidance for visitors to popular tourist attractions.  Issues were raised as to when lockdown was eased, car parks would not have capacity for the number of visitors.  This was a countywide problem and work was required with both the Highways Department and North Wales Police.

The Head of Finance and Property confirmed there would be covid funding for the next six months and a monthly expenditure claim was required to be completed.  Each Local Authority recognised this would be a pressure going forward.

RESOLVED that the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Committee notes the latest forecast financial outturn for 2020/21 (Appendix 1) and the progress against the agreed budget strategy

·                    WENFFRWD POCKET PARK AND MOEL FAMAU PROJECT (Verbal) (DS)

·                    SMS AND VISITOR PRESSURE IN COVID (Verbal) (RJ)

·                    OUR PICTURESQUE LANDSCAPE (Verbal) (KT)

·                    MOORLAND PROJECT (Verbal) (GB)

(a)  Wenffrwd Pocket Park and Moel Famau Project.

The AONB Senior Countryside Officer, David Shiel, introduced a verbal report regarding the Wenffrwd Pocket Park and Moel Famau Project.

During lockdown, the decision was made to close Loggerheads, Moel Famau and Llantysilio Green.  Signage was placed on the A494 to inform visitors the parks were closed.   Due to snow over Christmas a further decision was taken to close the approach roads to stop visitors.  For this, work took place with DCC, NRW and North Wales Police.   Work also took place with the Communications Team to ensure the message of the closure of the Parks was publicised but people still attempted to visit the Parks during this period of time.

Funding had been secured from the Welsh Government and part of the funding had been utilised to carry out a traffic flow report of Forestry Road leading to the main Moel Famau car parks.  A key recommendation had been to introduce parking restrictions.  Discussions were currently underway as to whether implement double yellow lines or clear way.

There was also a proposal to provide on-street parking leading up to the gates which were locked at night so visitors could still visit in the evenings.

Work was also being undertaken with Highways Department to re-design a layby outside the car park.

Funding had been secured to increase the capacity of the car parks to create an additional 50-60 spaces.  Also the pay and display machines were to be replaced with machines that accept cards and work would take place to improve the footpaths.

(b)  SMS and Visitor Pressure during Covid.

Rachel Jones (AONB Team Leader North), guided members through a presentation.

The Team Leader explained to members that care was taken as to which animal would be introduced on sites.  Animals were also moved around sites but before moving them to a site they were given a few days on the site so they could adapt.  Community involvement was also extremely important.

(c)  Picturesque Landscape to be deferred to the next meeting.

(d)  Moorland Project.

The Moorland Officer, Graham Berry, was unable to attend the meeting and the AONB Senior Countryside Officer, David Shiel, introduced the verbal report in his absence.

The Moorland Officer, had been appointed in November 2020 and working on a three-year project.

The Senior Countryside Officer gave a Project overview.

Concern was raised regarding car racing at the back of Llandegla Mountain as some vehicles had potential to cause fire.  It was confirmed that the Moorland Officer would be looking into this issue.

RESOLVED that the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Committee notes the updates received.

To receive revised updated work programme (copy attached).

The AONB Officer presented the AONB JC forward work programme (previously circulated).

It was confirmed funding was awaited from NRW plus there would be a grant of £100k from Welsh Government.

AONB Management Plan to go to the June Committee.

It was stated that the Forum was currently suspended until September 2021.

Next years allocation of £225k from the Welsh Government had been earmarked for a number of projects.

Revenue funds for climate change had been allocated and a Climate Change and Catchment Officer would be appointed.

It was requested that presentations be circulated to members prior to the meeting and it was agreed presentations would be included with the publication of the Agenda pack.

RESOLVED that the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Joint Committee notes the forward work programme.

Friday 25th June            2021

Friday 5th  November    2021

Friday 18th   March        2022

Friday 24th June            2022

Friday 4th   November   2022