Issue - meetings

To submit the report of the Council Leader.

Cyngor Gwynedd's Annual Performance Report and Self-assessment 2024/25 was approved and adopted.

The report, which summarised the Council's work over the past year, was submitted.  It was expressed that the Our Bravery Brought Justice report had been submitted after this report had been formulated, but it was emphasised that the Council would fully implement the report's findings. 

It was noted that it was miraculous that the Council had achieved so much, considering the financial gap, but that it was committed to protect the services used daily by residents. Upon reflection, it was expressed that there was so much to report and that the attention needed to be on people, not statistics. Attention was drawn to various plans, which included Supporting People. Attention was also drawn to the progress made to plans which addressed poverty and the cost-of-living, by supporting community hubs and food banks. 

⁠The work of Gwynedd Werdd was highlighted, noting that there were many examples of staff going above and beyond in all areas of Gwynedd. Attention was drawn to a high number of successful grants, and specifically £2m for Slate Communities with the LleChi LleNi scheme, which celebrated slate heritage. 

It was emphasised that the Council was facing major challenges, and that the financial situation would force very difficult decisions, but it was ensured that they would lobby and voice discontent about the lack of investment in Local Government, specifically in rural areas.  

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations.  

Members gave thanks for the report and attention was drawn to several aspects. In terms of travelling and national developments - enquiries were made about whether the developments would include rural areas such as Pen Llŷn. Gratitude was expressed for the developments happening in Penrhos, however, concern was expressed about flooding on the A499, which was serious at present. The response given stated that in terms of buses, yes, there were national changes, but it remained to be seen what would be offered in relation to rural paths. The need to carry out additional work on the A499 was highlighted, as it had been a problem for years, and it was explained that a request had been made for additional funding. 

The members gave thanks for the balanced report, which was ready to highlight risks. Attention was drawn to the engagement with staff and residents, drawing attention to two questionnaires - Staff Questionnaire and Data Cymru Questionnaire. Concerns were expressed about the low number of staff who responded to the staff satisfaction questionnaire, and in term of the Data Cymru Questionnaire, despite the encouraging responses, that a response was needed to all questions, and not just half of them. A response was given, noting that work needed to be done to obtain a higher number of responses from staff, and that a full version of Data Cymru responses would be circulated. It was also explained that consultation happened on several levels across the Council. 

Looking at A Prosperous Gwynedd, it was asked whether it was possible to obtain confirmation on how a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9