The Economy and Culture Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the Football Facilities Strategic Framework, a proposed visitor levy, and the Cardiff Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP). Councillors scrutinised the progress of the Football Facilities Strategic Framework, discussed the visitor levy proposals, and sought assurance that previous scrutiny recommendations were incorporated into the RLDP deposit plan.

Football Facilities Strategic Framework

The committee received an update on the council's strategic framework for football facilities, initially scrutinised in July 2024. Councillor Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sports and Parks, reported good progress on the strategy's three pillars: creating grass pitch hub sites, increasing leases to clubs, and promoting investment in 3G pitches.

Steve Morris, OM for Sports Development, presented details of the asset transfer proposal, explaining that the next step was to seek expressions of interest from clubs. He noted the consultation carried out had been encouraging, with over 50 clubs in attendance. He also updated the committee on the progress of 3G pitch development, stating that the Welsh Government had approved 60% of the capital funding for each pitch.

Key discussion points:

• Grassroots Football Status: Councillor Rodney Berman, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, asked about the current status of grassroots football in the city. Steve Morris clarified that the focus was on strengthening existing clubs rather than creating new ones.
• 3G Pitch Longevity: Councillor Owen Jones raised concerns about the renewal of 3G pitches, and Steve Morris assured him that a robust maintenance programme and sink fund would be in place for each pitch.
• Women and Girls' Participation: Councillor Margaret Lewis questioned how the framework would increase participation among women and girls. Steve Morris acknowledged the need for high-quality facilities and a safe environment.
• Central Portal: Councillor Annie Anderson enquired about the central portal for accessing 3G pitches. Steve Morris responded that it was being explored, but there were challenges in bringing different booking systems together.

Visitor Levy

The committee undertook pre-decision scrutiny of the report to cabinet on the proposed visitor levy. Councillor Hugh Thomas, leader of the council, introduced the item, emphasising the levy's potential to support the visitor economy's growth. John Day, OM for Tourism and Investments, presented the proposals, including the charge of £1.30 per person per night (£0.75 for hostels and campsites) and potential areas of spend.

Key discussion points:

• Resources: Councillor Annie Anderson asked about the resources available to carry out the work. John Day responded that they had support from other council departments, external consultants and the Welsh Revenue Authority.
• Inflation: Councillor Owen Jones asked if the charge could be linked to interest rates. John Day clarified that there was provision within the legislation to allow for inflation.
• Contingency Plans: Councillor Margaret Lewis asked about contingency plans if income was lower than forecast. Councillor Hugh Thomas responded that the income would not be used to backfill existing services.
• Collection: Councillor Eleanor asked how the council would ensure the correct amount was collected. John Day responded that it was the responsibility of the Welsh Revenue Authority.
• Administrative Burden: Councillor Rodney Berman asked about the administrative burden on the hospitality industry. John Day responded that the WRA were working with the sector to reduce the burden.

Cardiff Replacement Local Development Plan

The committee carried out monitoring scrutiny of the Cardiff Replacement Local Development Plan, seeking assurance that recommendations from previous scrutinies had been incorporated. Stuart Williams, group leader for planning policy, confirmed that accepted recommendations had been included in the latest version of the LDP.

Key discussion points:

• Cycle Storage: Councillor Annie Anderson questioned the lack of detail on cycle storage usability in the RLDP. Stuart Williams explained that detailed design would be covered in supplementary planning guidance (SPG).
• SPG Hooks: Councillor Owen Jones sought assurance that the RLDP would have sufficient hooks for subsequent SPGs. Stuart Williams confirmed that there were adequate hooks in the plan.
• HMOs: Councillor Peter Jenkins asked if the hooks in the RLDP were sufficient, given past issues with HMOs. Stuart Williams responded that the policy had been strengthened, and standards had been lifted into the policy.
• Sustainable Transport Target: Councillor Rodney Berman raised concerns about achieving the 75% sustainable transport target. Andrew Gregory, director of planning, transport and environment, acknowledged the challenge but stated that the target was achievable with funding.
• Affordable Housing: Councillor Andrea asked about the affordable housing percentages. Stuart Williams explained that they were based on viability studies.
• Section 106 Contributions: Councillor Andrea asked whether purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) would be excluded from section 106 contributions. Stuart Williams confirmed that this was the case, based on Welsh Government advice.
• Local and District Centres: Councillor Mike Ash Edwards asked if there was enough in the plan to enable centres to be viable. Stuart Williams responded that the plan sets out a strategy to protect existing centres.
• Section 106 Transparency: Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones asked about a system to show section 106 money, as in Bristol. Stuart Williams responded that it was beyond the scope of the RLDP.

Councillor Peter Wong, Chair of the Committee, thanked Stuart Williams and Andrew Gregory for their attendance and helpful answers.

The committee requested a formal response to the scrutiny task and finish group and information about expressions of interest and trust.

Cardiff Council is the governing body for the city of Cardiff, Wales. Councillor Peter Wong is the Chair of the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Burke is the Cabinet Member for Culture, Sports and Parks. Steve Morris is the OM for Sports Development. Councillor Rodney Berman is the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group. Councillor Owen Jones is a Cardiff Councillor. Councillor Margaret Lewis is a Cardiff Councillor. Councillor Annie Anderson is a Cardiff Councillor. Councillor Hugh Thomas is the leader of the council. John Day is the OM for Tourism and Investments. Councillor Eleanor is a Cardiff Councillor. Stuart Williams is the group leader for planning policy. Andrew Gregory is the director of planning, transport and environment. Councillor Peter Jenkins is a Cardiff Councillor. Councillor Mike Ash Edwards is a Cardiff Councillor. Councillor Helen Lloyd Jones is a Cardiff Councillor. Councillor De'Ath is the Cabinet Member – Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport. Simon Gilbert is the Head of Planning. Andrea Redmond is the contact for the meeting. Debbie Marles is the Director of Governance & Legal Services and Monitoring Officer. Llanrumney is a district in Cardiff. Pentwyn is a district in Cardiff. Splott is a district in Cardiff. Trelai Park is a park in Cardiff. The Barrage is a landmark in Cardiff Bay. Grangetown is a district in Cardiff. Butetown is a district in Cardiff. Lanishen is a district in Cardiff. Lequith is a district in Cardiff. Canal Park is a park in Cardiff. Lidstead Park is a park in Cardiff. Splott Park is a park in Cardiff. Grange Gardens is a park in Cardiff. Tremay Park is a park in Cardiff. Poncana is a park in Cardiff. Lander Fields is a park in Cardiff. Blackweir is a park in Cardiff. Rumney Hill is a hill in Cardiff. Corpus Christi is a school in Cardiff. Cantoni is a school in Cardiff. Willows is a school in Cardiff. Cardiffi is a school in Cardiff. Broeddin is a school in Cardiff. St. Hiltids is a school in Cardiff. Plasmara is a school in Cardiff. Llandaff Fields is a park in Cardiff. Llanishen Park is a park in Cardiff. Lydstep Park is a park in Cardiff. The Welsh Revenue Authority is the organisation responsible for collecting devolved taxes in Wales. UK Hospitality is a trade body for hotels, restaurants, leisure venues and other hospitality businesses in the UK. UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by top-division European clubs. FIFA Women's World Cup is an international football competition contested by the senior women's national teams of the members of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the sport's global governing body. Planning Policy Wales (PPW) is a document published by the Welsh Government that sets out the land use planning policies of the Welsh Government. Technical Advice Note 15: Development and Flood Risk (TAN15) provides technical guidance to supplement Planning Policy Wales (PPW) in relation to development and flood risk. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is a law passed by the Welsh Government that requires public bodies in Wales to work towards achieving seven well-being goals. The Equality Act 2010 is a law that protects people from discrimination. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is a human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health, cultural and environmental rights of children. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Planning (Wales) Act 2015 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Public Health Wales (Act) 2017 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 is a law passed by the Welsh Government that aims to promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language. The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Highways Act 1980 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017 is a statutory instrument that sets out the requirements for environmental impact assessments in Wales. The Town and Country Planning (Local Development Plan) (Wales) Regulations 2005 is a statutory instrument that sets out the requirements for local development plans in Wales. The Conservation of Habitats & Species Regulations 2017 is a statutory instrument that sets out the requirements for the conservation of habitats and species in the United Kingdom. The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales to make provision about active travel. The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 is a statutory instrument that sets a default speed limit of 20mph on restricted roads in Wales. The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024 is an Act of the Senedd Cymru that makes provision about air quality and soundscapes. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is a standards organisation that certifies microgeneration products and installers in the UK. The Severn Estuary is the estuary of the River Severn, the longest river in Great Britain. The Cardiff Beech Woods is a Special Area of Conservation. The Gwent Levels is a low-lying area of land in south-east Wales. The River Taff is a river in South Wales. The River Ely is a river in South Wales. The River Rhymney is a river in South Wales. The M4 Motorway is a motorway in the United Kingdom. The Cardiff Central Enterprise Zone is a designated area in Cardiff that aims to attract new businesses and investment. The Cardiff Capital Region is a regional partnership of 10 local authorities in South East Wales. The Cardiff Local Wellbeing Plan 2023-2028 sets out the Council's vision and priorities for improving the well-being of people in Cardiff. The Cardiff Transport White Paper 2019 sets out a 10-year plan to tackle the climate emergency, reduce congestion and improve air quality in the city. The One Planet Cardiff Strategy sets out the Council's 10-year ambition to be carbon neutral in its own activities. The Welsh in Education Strategic Plan 2022 – 32 sets out the Council's vision for Welsh-medium education. The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 places a duty on local authorities in Wales to plan for active travel routes. The Welsh Placemaking Charter sets out a vision for creating high-quality places in Wales. The Local Development Plan Manual provides procedural guidance on the preparation of local development plans in Wales. The Cardiff Open Space SPG provides guidance on the provision and protection of open space in Cardiff. The Biodiversity SPG provides guidance on biodiversity issues in Cardiff. The Managing Transportation SPG provides guidance on transportation issues in Cardiff. The Archaeology and Archaeologically Sensitive Areas SPG provides guidance on archaeological issues in Cardiff. The Food and Drink Uses SPG provides guidance on food and drink uses in Cardiff. The Conservation Area Appraisals provide information about the character and historic interest of each conservation area in Cardiff. The Local Housing Market Assessment (LHMA) assesses housing needs in Cardiff. The Economic Background Technical Paper provides background information on the economy of Cardiff. The Minerals and Waste Background Technical Papers provide background information on minerals and waste issues in Cardiff. The Transport Background Technical Paper provides background information on transport issues in Cardiff. The Welsh Language Background Technical Paper provides background information on the Welsh language in Cardiff. The Candidate Site Assessment provides information on the methodology and rationale as to why sites have been included or excluded from the Deposit RLDP. The Health Impact Assessment Report assesses the health implications of the Plan. The Equality Impact Assessment Report assesses the equality implications of the proposed decision. The Welsh Language Impact Assessment Report assesses the Welsh Language Implications for the Plan. The Habitats Regulations Assessment Report determines the likely significant effects of the Plan on European Sites of nature conservation importance. The Integrated Sustainability Appraisal Report ensures that the Replacement LDP policies reflect sustainability principles and take into account impacts upon the environment. The Summary of Regional Collaboration details the regional collaboration in the plan. The Final Review Report sets out the extent of likely changes to the existing LDP. The Delivery Agreement sets out the prescribed stages in the preparation of a Replacement Local Development Plan. The Community Involvement Strategy sets out how the council will engage with the community in the preparation of the LDP. The Consultation Report identifies the bodies engaged or consulted, the main issues raised and how they have influenced the Deposit RLDP, and the steps taken to publicise plan preparation. The Schedule of Minor Changes sets out any minor editing changes including drafting and typographical amendments. The List of Supporting Documents provides a full list of the documents and supporting information which are proposed to be submitted to the Welsh Government for independent examination. The Statement of suggested main issues sets out the main issues for consideration at the examination and a suggested procedure for dealing with them. The tests of soundness self-assessment sets out how the Council considers the document contents and preparation process accord with these tests. The Monitoring Framework sets out how key objectives, strategic and detailed policies will be assessed against a set of indicators. The Housing Trajectory sets out the projected delivery of new homes over the plan period. The Glossary of Terms defines the key terms used in the LDP. The Bibliography lists the key documents and sources used in the preparation of the LDP. The Key Diagram is a map that illustrates the key spatial elements of the LDP strategy. The Proposals Map shows the spatial extent of the policies and proposals in the LDP. The Constraints Map shows the key environmental and other constraints that affect development in Cardiff. The Local Area Energy Plan (LAEP) identifies the preferred combination of technological and system changes needed to the local energy system. The Gypsy & Traveller Study Accommodation Assessment assesses the accommodation needs of Gypsy and Traveller communities in Cardiff. The Special Landscape Area Study identifies landscapes of the highest quality and most value that could merit local designation. The Green Wedge Study identifies areas of countryside that should be protected from development. The Green Infrastructure Assessment identifies and assesses the city's green infrastructure assets. The Minerals Statement of Sub Regional Collaboration sets out the sub-regional collaboration on minerals planning. The Demographics Study provides an analysis of the population of Cardiff. The Regional assessment of future growth and migration assesses future growth and migration in the Cardiff Capital Region. The Local Housing Market Assessment assesses housing needs in Cardiff. The Viability Assessment assesses the viability of different types of development in Cardiff. The Regional HMO Study assesses the impact of HMOs on communities in the Cardiff Capital Region. The Employment Land and Premises Study assesses the supply and demand for employment land in Cardiff. The Retail and Leisure Study assesses the retail and leisure needs of Cardiff. The Strategic Flood Consequences Assessment assesses the flood risk implications of the Plan. The Cardiff County Council, Atlantic Wharf, Cardiff Bay, CF10 4UW is the address of the Cardiff Council. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Planning (Wales) Act 2015 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Environment (Wales) Act 2016 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Historic Environment (Wales) Act 2016 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Public Health Wales (Act) 2017 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011 is a Measure of the National Assembly for Wales. The Town and Country Planning Act 1990 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Highways Act 1980 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Wales) Regulations 2017 is a statutory instrument. The Town and Country Planning (Local Development Plan) (Wales) Regulations 2005 is a statutory instrument. The Conservation of Habitats & Species Regulations 2017 is a statutory instrument. The Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Restricted Roads (20 mph Speed Limit) (Wales) Order 2022 is a statutory instrument. The Environment (Air Quality and Soundscapes) (Wales) Act 2024 is an Act of the Senedd Cymru. The Flood and Water Management Act 2010 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 is an Act of the National Assembly for Wales. The Severn Estuary is a Special Area of Conservation. The Cardiff Beech Woods is a Special Area of Conservation. [The Gwent Levels](https://www.google