Agenda and draft minutes

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The minutes were confirmed, with amendments from Councillors Dymock, Brown and Lucas, which are to be incorporated into the minutes before they are included in the RLDP Deposit Plan report going to Council later in the month.

To conduct pre-decision scrutiny.

Cabinet Member Sara Burch introduced the report, Nicola Edwards delivered a presentation with Kevin Ford, and they answered the members’ questions with Colette Bosley, Craig O’ Connor and Nigel Leaworthy:

How will Monmouthshire leverage the Cardiff Capital Region and the Marches Growth Deal for partnership marketing and promoting its visitor offer?

The Cabinet Member confirmed the plan would open opportunities to work regionally, especially with Cardiff Capital Region, as visitors often travel across counties for events and attractions. Strengthening regional networks is a priority.

Did the visitor survey identify critical gaps in tourism assets, such as a dedicated conferencing centre or other infrastructure?

The Cabinet Member stated there are no plans to rival the ICC but to work with existing venues like Celtic Manor. Gaps identified include activities for families during poor weather and more open-air destinations. The Shire Hall renovation and new music venue are expected to help address these gaps.

What insights have been gathered from neighbouring border counties, and how can Monmouthshire differentiate its tourism offer?

The officer explained that global trends show visitors seek local cultural experiences and community connection. Monmouthshire’s focus is on sense of place and celebrating unique local culture and traditions to stand out from similar counties.

What stakeholder feedback has been received regarding the proposed Welsh Government tourism levy and the tax/rates treatment for holiday lets?

The officers noted the fast-changing policy environment and that Monmouthshire County Council will not consult on the visitor levy until after the current administration. A Shared Prosperity Fund project will assess policy impacts on businesses and the destination to inform future decisions.

Can you provide further details on Monmouthshire’s partnerships with the Marches Partnership and Cardiff Capital Region?

The officer described Monmouthshire’s engagement in the Marches Partnership, including a completed tourism feasibility study aligned with local priorities. The Chief Officer added that work with Cardiff Capital Region includes promoting Monmouthshire for economic and tourism development, supporting sustainable tourism, and helping businesses access funding.

How will the Council manage potential tensions between increased visitor numbers and the protection of sensitive environmental areas such as the Wye Valley, River Usk, and Gwent Levels?

The officers explained that collaboration with partners is key, and marketing efforts aim to distribute visitors more evenly and promote less-visited "hidden gems." Sensitive areas are not actively promoted, and events are used to encourage off-season visits. Monmouthshire faces fewer problems than other destinations, but issues are addressed collaboratively.

What steps are being taken to make Monmouthshire’s tourism offer more accessible for visitors with disabilities, and how will progress be tracked?

The officer described the "Destination for All" project, which provides grants to improve accessibility and enhances online resources (e.g., audio functionality, 360° tours). Partners like Abergavenny Town Council are also working on accessibility. Progress is tracked through these initiatives and ongoing improvements.

Is there a national site or self-certification system to inform residents about the accessibility of town centres or attractions, similar to difficulty ratings on walking trail apps?

The officers responded that there  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To scrutinise measures to reduce litter and fly tipping.

Cabinet Member Catrin Maby introduced the item. Carl Touhig delivered a presentation and answered the members’ questions with Mark Cleaver and Susan Parkinson:

What is being considered to change public behaviour around littering, alongside enforcement strategies?

The team acknowledged the importance of communication alongside enforcement, aiming for positive messaging to improve behaviour rather than just issuing fines. They confirmed that communication would accompany enforcement to raise awareness and encourage responsible behaviour.

How is the Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) being applied, particularly in relation to dog fouling on green spaces and sports pitches?

The officers explained that enforcement officers would cover a wide range of areas, including sports pitches, parks, and town centres, with a focus on prevention and awareness, especially for children’s play areas.

How can the public be better informed about new dog fouling rules before enforcement is applied?

The officers acknowledged the ongoing problem of dog fouling on pitches, described efforts to directly inform dog owners, and mentioned plans for additional public information, especially as sports seasons begin.

Have “clever bins” (smart bins) been installed, and are they effective in managing overflow?

The officer explained that smart bin technology had faced technical issues but was being resolved, with full deployment expected soon and data to be shared once available.

Could enforcement cases, such as roadside camera footage, be used publicly to deter littering?

The officers agreed that enforcement should be used for its deterrent effect, with publicity around enforcement actions to maximize impact and prevent future offenses.

Can general litter bins be used for dog waste, and how can signage be improved to clarify this?

The officer clarified that bagged dog waste can go in general litter bins, but if bins become too full of dog waste, it creates manual handling issues for staff, so using dedicated dog bins or taking waste home is preferred.

What are the funding amounts, durations, and contributors for EPR, Tidy Towns, Pride in Place, and Enforcement initiatives?

The officer explained EPR funding comes from packaging producers to offset public waste collection costs, with over £4 million secured for the current year and future funding to be clarified soon.

Does Tidy Towns and Pride in Place funding extend to rural areas beyond town centres?

Tidy Towns funding covers a wide range of nuisance issues, not just town centres, and Pride in Place focuses on town centres but may also support improvements to access and footpaths.

Can the council recover costs for cleaning mud left on roads by farmers when responsibility is clear?

Enforcement for mud on roads is primarily an education-first approach, with letters sent to farmers; enforcement is a last resort if cooperation fails.

A member stated that enforcement is contentious but necessary due to the high cost of litter collection, especially on trunk roads suggesting that periodic, targeted enforcement could effectively deter littering and dog fouling, drawing a comparison with parking fines, for which penalties discourage repeat offenses. The suggestion was made to work with fast food businesses to address  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.