9 PUBLIC SERVICES BOARD ANNUAL REPORT PDF 294 KB
To outline the progress of the work of the Public Services Board during
2020/21.
Additional documents:
Decision:
To approve the work
programme.
Minutes:
The report
was submitted by the Council
Leader and he noted that
the Public Services Board's
activities had been greatly affected by Covid, but had now recommenced. He turned to the Gwynedd and
Anglesey Public Services Board's
Programme Manager who guided the Committee through the report and noted
the following;
- That
the Board had four sub-groups which carried out their
work on various
roles, and an update was provided
on these.
- In relation to the Climate Change sub-group, it was noted that workshops
were being held, along with
engagement within the community.
- It was noted
that the Homes for local people sub-group
had ended as other departments had taken the lead, and that
the group's work was now complete.
- Reference
was made to the work streams under the Mental Health, Adults and Children
sub-group, and that the Board was collaborating with the leaders.
- In relation to the sub-group associated with the Welsh language, it was noted that this group
now had a leader and so the work
had recommenced.
During the discussion,
the following observations were made by members:
- A question
was asked about why the sub-group relating to housing for local people
had ended.
- It was suggested
that there was a need to engage with residents about climate change
and how to cope with challenges
such as flooding.
- The question
about houses for local people
was reiterated, and it was noted that there
was a concern about the lack of houses in more southern areas of the County, e.g. in Tywyn, which faced a housing
crisis and had a growing community.
- A question
was asked as to whether there was an intention
to plant more trees in
Gwynedd as a part of the climate
change agenda.
- That
the Welsh Government requires
a courtesy level of Welsh language skills within their jobs. The member added that
a more natural use of the
Welsh language is needed across Wales.
- That
a quota of second homes is needed in Gwynedd because of the loss of housing stock and the reduction
in rental properties available.
In response to the
above observations, the following was noted:-
- That
there was a need to avoid duplication at all costs and that
was why a decision was made to end the work on houses
for local people. The Council Leader reiterated that a huge amount
of work had been done on housing.
- It was noted
that we had a lot to learn from residents and that it was intended to go out and hold a dialogue
within communities to see what mattered
to them. In terms of climate change, it was noted that this was a future discussion topic with residents.
- That the work of the Welsh Language Sub-group regarding ensuring that the ... view the full minutes text for item 9