Issue - meetings

To report to the Scrutiny Committee on the performance of the Highways, Engineering and YGC Department.

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

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Highways, Engineering and YGC, along with the Head and Assistant Head of the Highways, Engineering and YGC Department.

All were reminded that the Department is responsible for three of the Council's 2023-28 Plan schemes and that this report was an update on their development up to the end of September 2025.

It was confirmed that the Department has received support from the Welsh Government Play Opportunities grant to improve the quality and accessibility of playgrounds. It was explained that this development was a major development in the project 'Extending play and socialising opportunities for the County's children and young people' within the Council's Plan. It was elaborated that effective collaboration had been underway with Bangor City Council as the process of handing over the Maes Tryfan playground to them continued.

An update on the 'Action on flood risks' project was provided noting that the Local Flood Strategy had been adopted and was operational.

It was reported that a cleaning circuit optimisation system had been introduced in the Arfon area as part of the 'Clean and Tidy Communities' project. It was explained that this system was part of a pilot scheme in the Arfon area and noted that it was hoped that the arrangements will be extended to Pwllheli and Porthmadog in spring 2026. It was elaborated that the purpose of the system was to reduce the service current overspend by ensuring that an effective working order is implemented.

Attention was drawn to 29 performance measures that are operational within the Department, such as 'Corporate/departmental measures', 'Highway maintenance', 'Street lighting', 'Street Scene', 'Public Toilets' and 'Gwynedd Consultancy' and there was pride that 62.1% of these measures were in green. It was explained that this was confirmation of the service's positive work and the effective performance of services. However, it was noted that 37.9% of the measures were recorded in amber, ensuring that these measures received further attention as part of the performance challenge process. Pride was expressed that no measure had been recorded in red.

Reference was made to the Department's 2025-26 Savings schemes, which amounted to £533,500. It was confirmed that the department was on track to deliver £212,500 of these Savings schemes, recognising that there was a possibility that £321,000 will not be realised. It was also highlighted that some budgets were affected by the weather as an additional budget needs to be secured to address any unpredictable severe weather.

It was updated that the numbers of the workforce that had undertaken mandatory training had increased, and that 77.4% of staff had completed the core 'Abuse' training, 72.4% had completed the 'Safeguarding' title, and pride was expressed that over 67% of the department's staff had completed all mandatory training titles. It was acknowledged that there was room for improvement to increase these numbers in the future, but challenges had emerged as there are not many frontline staff members with access to the modules as they do not have electronic equipment.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5