Issue - meetings

To submit the report of the Council Leader.

Approval and adoption of Cyngor Gwynedd's Annual Performance Report and Self-Assessment 2023/24.

In the absence of the Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, the Deputy Leader, Councillor Nia Jeffreys presented the report asking the Council to approve and adopt the Annual Performance Report and Self-assessment 2023/24.

The Deputy Leader thanked all Council employees for their work over the year, during a very challenging period. ⁠ She also thanked the members of the Governance and Audit Committee for their observations and to the Cabinet Team for their work leading on the specific areas.

The Deputy Leader referred to some priority areas in the report, namely:- 

·         Gwynedd Yfory - nearly 5,000 primary age children received a hot, nutritious lunch, every day in schools.

·         ⁠A Homely Gwynedd - over 200 additional homes had been created for Gwynedd residents.

·         A Caring Gwynedd - the first house had been purchased for the Small Group Homes service for children in the Porthmadog area and the light extra care housing provision for adults had opened in Pwllheli.

·         A Green Gwynedd - work to transform two landfill sites in Gwynedd had led to the restoration of 74 acres at Ffridd Rasus, Harlech and 32 acres at Llwyn Isaf, Penygroes.

The Deputy Leader then referred to one story behind the statistics, highlighting the importance of putting a face  to Council work and names to the statistics and also to acknowledge successes.

Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions.  The following matters were raised by individual members: -

·         It was noted that the story behind the statistics was not at all unique and all the work undertaken by officers made a positive difference to the lives of Gwynedd residents, despite the financial crisis. The Deputy Leader's gratitude was reiterated to all Council staff.

·         Special thanks was given to the Ardal Ni Teams, the street cleaners, street enforcement staff and also the refuse disposal staff for their hard work in all weathers.

·         It was noted that the statistics indicated that 5,400 people had left Gwynedd during the year, and it was asked what the reason for this was.  In response, it was explained that a very high percentage of the 5,400 was as a result of deaths and lack of births, rather than outward migration. Obviously, young people were also leaving the County, however, it was trusted that work opportunities, provision of affordable housing, together with other schemes in the Council Plan would assist to attract them back.

·         It was noted that Osian Rhys, a young officer working on the Arfor Scheme, had given an inspired presentation in a Seren Network evening in Pontio recently on the benefits of returning to this area to live and work. It was intended to give him an opportunity to give this presentation to a wider audience as many young people were bound to identify with him and his passion and wish to see young people returning to Gwynedd. These messages needed to be maximised and disseminated.

·         The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being was thanked and everyone working to push the Penrhos Site Scheme  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7