The Communities, Homes and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee met on Tuesday 16 April 2024 to discuss the progress of the Pentre Awel development, review the council's performance in the third quarter of the 2023/24 financial year, and examine the revenue and capital budget monitoring reports. The committee also received explanations for the non-submission of several scrutiny reports.

Pentre Awel Progress Report

The committee received an update on the Pentre Awel project, a significant regeneration development in south Llanelli. Alex Williams, Head of Health-Related Capital Projects, presented the report, highlighting that construction on Zone 1 was progressing, with the steel frame complete. While the project was approximately two weeks behind schedule due to adverse weather, efforts were being made to bring it back on track. The report detailed the various components of Zone 1, including an enhanced leisure offer, Swansea University's Health and Wellbeing Academy, and Hywel Dda University Health Board's Clinical Delivery Unit.

Discussions also covered the Business and Innovation Plan, designed to attract businesses to the site, and the operational running of Zone 1. Further work was underway on Zones 2 and 3, which would include a public sector-led nursing home and an assisted living development, respectively. Zone 4 was planned to include a hotel and housing. The committee was informed about the community benefits being delivered during the construction phase, including job creation and apprenticeships.

Councillor Russell Sparks declared an interest in this item due to his swimming business, but remained in the meeting for its consideration.

2023/24 Quarter 3 Performance Report

The committee reviewed the performance report for the period of 1 April to 31 December 2023, which detailed progress against the Corporate Strategy and Well-being Objectives. Councillor Sparks again declared an interest due to his swimming business.

A key point of discussion was action 16546, relating to improving the customer experience of the planning application register. It was confirmed that while some adjustments had been made, delays in further improvements were due to competing priorities and resource allocation. The committee also discussed the council's current practices for notifying residents about planning applications and whether these could be made more inclusive. While the existing process includes site notices and proof of posting, extending this to a postal drop to nearby properties would have resource implications. The council's pre-application service and Developer Days were highlighted as ways to engage with potential developers.

Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2023/24

The committee examined the revenue and capital budget monitoring reports for the period up to 31 December 2023. It was noted that the revenue budget was forecasting a £306,000 underspend, the capital budget a £48,489,000 underspend, and the Housing Revenue Account was forecasting an £84,000 overspend.

Councillor Sparks again declared an interest due to his swimming business.

Discussions touched upon the budget setting process for 2025/26, which had commenced but could be affected by the timing of the Chancellor's Autumn budget statement and a potential general election. The redevelopment of the Station Road / Tyisha area in Llanelli was also mentioned, with the Head of Housing Property and Strategic Projects confirming that tender documents for a developer would be issued shortly, and the budget had been re-profiled to reflect later spending.

Explanation for Non-Submission of Scrutiny Reports

The committee received explanations for the non-submission of several scrutiny reports: Alternative Town Centre Usage, Major Regeneration Projects Update, and Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Local Development Plan. For the Alternative Town Centre Usage and Major Regeneration Projects Update reports, further research and work were being undertaken by officers to provide purposeful options for the committee's consideration, and it was deemed beneficial to consider these alongside the Alternative Town Centre Usage report in May. The Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Local Development Plan report's non-submission was due to a delay in its presentation to the Cabinet Member for Resources, with a revised submission date to be confirmed.

Forthcoming Items and Scrutiny Action Update

The committee received a list of forthcoming items for its next meeting on 16 April 2024, including a Pentre Awel Update report. A suggestion was made for the committee to undertake a site visit to view progress on the Pentre Awel development, which was subsequently resolved. The committee also received a report detailing progress on actions and referrals from previous meetings.

Minutes of Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2024 were signed as a correct record.