Agenda item

To consider the report.

To accept the report, noting the observations made during the meeting.

Submitted - the report of the Programme Manager - Public Services Board to update the members on the progress of the work streams. It was added that this was a statutory requirement under the Well-being of Future Generations Act. It was noted that the pandemic had created challenges, nevertheless, there had been progress in some areas.

It was reported that the sub-groups had gone back to their work plans and that the Board was advising them to consider their original brief and consider what had been achieved and what needed to be done.

Members were guided through the report in detail and the main points that would be of interest for the Committee members were highlighted as follows:

- It was noted that there was collaboration to increase the use of the Welsh language within public bodies, such as in receptions

- There was mention of the work that coincided with the housing strategy to secure more affordable homes in Gwynedd. It was noted that they were sharing information and collaborating in order to avoid duplicating work that had already taken place.

- There had been correspondence with Welsh Government to reiterate the importance of the availability of housing in contributing to the well-being of communities.

- Reference was made to work on climate change, and that the Sub-group had met with Natural Resources Wales and shared their area statements.

During the discussion, the following observations were made by members:-

- The Programme Manager - Public Services Board was thanked for the report in question.

- Attention was drawn to a section of the report that referred to the Board's seven operating principles and the manager was asked if it was possible to note them in the next report along with the five ways of working, to remind the Committee of what needed to be done.

- It was asked whether appraising sites for housing for local people was a task for the Planning Department.

- It was suggested that the priority should be to look at schemes and evaluate affordability and policies in order to avoid duplication.

- In relation to Climate Change, reference was made to residents who had received advice on protecting their properties from further flood damage. It was asked whether it would be possible to share additional information with residents in areas at risk of flooding.

In response to the comments, the Programme Manager - Public Services Board noted the following points:-

- It was noted that the brief of the Sub-group with the affordable housing was to look at joint development, for example, looking at dormant sites to see if there was scope to develop them.

- An additional technical group had considered this.

- She thanked for the comments on the Climate Change stream and the comments would be fed back before engagement.

RESOLVED

To accept the report, noting the observations made during the meeting.