Venue: Siambr Dafydd Orwig, Council Offices, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1SH
Contact: Sion Owen 01286 679665
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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence Additional documents: Minutes: Councillors Alan Jones Evans, Berwyn P.
Jones, Charles W. Jones, Mike Stevens. |
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The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meetings of the Council held on 15th June, 2017 and 28th July, 2017 be signed as a true record. (attached) Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman
signed the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 June, 2017, and an
extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 28 July, 2017 as true records. |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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THE CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS To receive any Chairman’s
announcements. Additional documents: Minutes: (1) Condolences Condolences were
extended to the families of former Councillors Trevor Edwards and Brian Jones.
It was noted that both had been conscientious and active councillors, serving
their communities and the county in an exemplary way. A tribute was paid to
former Councillor Trevor Edwards by Councillor Eric M. Jones, and to former
Councillor Brian Jones by Councillor Sion Jones. It was also noted
that the Council wished to express condolences to everyone in the county's
communities who had lost loved-ones recently. The Council stood
as a mark of respect. (2) Congratulations Everyone from
Gwynedd who had recently been successful at this year's National Eisteddfod in
Anglesey was congratulated, especially Gwion Hallam on winning the Crown, and
Osian Rhys Williams on winning the Chair. Thanks, also, to
all staff involved in successfully arranging the Commonwealth Baton Relay leg
in Gwynedd last month. |
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CORRESPONDENCE, COMMUNICATIONS OR OTHER BUSINESS To receive any correspondence,
communications or other business brought forward at the request of the Chairman. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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URGENT ITEMS To note any items which are urgent business in the opinion of the Chairman
so they may be considered. Additional documents: Minutes: None. |
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QUESTIONS To consider any questions the appropriate notice for which
have been given under Section
4.19 of the Constitution. Additional documents: Minutes: (1)
Question from Councillor Dewi Wyn Roberts "In my ward
(Abersoch) there is great concern about the proposals to close the branch
Surgery.
How is the
Council, in conjunction with the Health Board, preparing for the precarious situation
with doctors' services in Gwynedd at present, and what plans are in the
pipeline for the short term and long term to solve medical staff recruitment -
is there a response and/or are there discussions to ensure an appropriate
medical service for patients and the public in the County?" Response of the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health
and Well-being, Councillor W. Gareth Roberts (The Cabinet
Member's written response to the original question had been distributed to the
members in advance). "I
am very aware of the background and understand why Councillor Dewi Roberts
raises this question. The challenges facing primary care nationally and locally
are substantial. An ageing population,
dispersed geography, increasing demand, ongoing difficulty in recruiting and
retaining staff, and the need to develop new service provision patterns create
a challenging situation in the field of health and care. There
is no simple answer to this question. It is increasingly obvious that
traditional modes of operation no longer address the need and consequently it
is necessary to embark on a journey of changing and developing that which will
satisfy the complex need. In fact, this is a question
relating to the recruitment of doctors and health staff, and of course, it
would be the role of the Health Board to co-ordinate efforts to formally
respond to this situation. Having
said this, one of the Council's priorities is to meet the need to improve the
ways we support adults receiving health and care services. The work of
preventing problems from arising in the first place or responding as soon as
possible when matters do arise is one of the main principles of the Act, and I
am confident that the partnership work with the Health Board to provide care
and preventative services in Gwynedd will lead to reducing the burden and need
for clinical care. A
lot of work is being carried out in response to the need to improve the ways we
support people who receive health and care services. But we need to think
differently, and a part of this is looking across the entire range of services
and opportunities within communities. We are on an ambitious and challenging
journey but I believe that were are making good progress with the work of
improving this, although there is much more work to be done." Additional question by Councillor Dewi Wyn
Roberts. "Referring to Dr E L Jessup's letter on behalf of the North Wales' General ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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STANDARDS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT PDF 210 KB To receive the report of the Chair of the Standards Committee Additional documents: Minutes: Dr Einir Young (Chair of the Standards Committee) presented her report
for 2016/17. She noted that the
Committee's work load was testament to the high standard of conduct in public
life, and that the Committee's emphasis had been on training and improving
Gwynedd members' awareness at a difficult financial time and a politically
turbulent period. |
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STANDARDS COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP PDF 234 KB Appoint Elected Members to the Standards Committee Additional documents: Minutes: The Deputy Leader, Councillor Mair Rowlands, submitted a report stating
the need to appoint two elected members to the Standards Committee. The Council's
Business Group proposed and seconded a recommendation that Anne Lloyd Jones and
Beth Lawton be appointed members of the Standards Committee. RESOLVED To appoint
Councillors Anne Lloyd Jones and Beth Lawton as Members of the Standards
Committee. |
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ARRANGEMENTS FOR FUTURE SAVINGS A Presentation by the Chief Executive Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Peredur
Jenkins, Cabinet Member for Finance stated that the Council still faced
challenging times. He reminded the Council that the Gwynedd Challenge savings
were nearing completion and that the scheme had been successful in finding the
necessary savings. However, it had become apparent that Gwynedd needed a new
savings scheme for the future A presentation was
given by the Chief Executive. He stated that the Council had been finding
savings since 2006 in order to address the impact of inflation and pressures on
services. With the impact of UK Government cuts continuing, as well as the
uncertainty of Brexit, it had become increasingly clear that it was necessary
to start planning savings to be implemented from 2019/20 onward. The Finance
Department had made projections for a number of financial scenarios, and the
Cabinet would decide on differential savings targets for the departments in
order to address the most likely situations. The Heads of Department would then
present the possible savings to meet those targets to the Scrutiny Committees
to challenge the plans on behalf of the people of Gwynedd. After the Members
had had the opportunity to express their opinions, a public consultation would
be held, before going ahead with deciding and implementing the final savings
schemes. After the
presentation, members were given an opportunity to ask questions and make
observations: It was stated that the picture appeared to be very serious and that it
was a collective responsibility to make the most of the situation and take
part. It was stated that it appeared that the Assembly had capped the increase
in Council Tax at 5%. An enquiry was
made as to whether such a cap would continue, and what would an increase of 5%
in Council Tax mean. If the Council were to adopt a Scandinavian model, how
much would the tax need to be raised to improve services? In response, the
Head of Finance Department stated that he had not scrutinised Scandinavian models,
and whilst a 5% increase would result in an increase of approximately £3.5
million to the Council's coffers, it would not meet inflation. The Chief
Executive stated that a formal cap had never been imposed, and he suspected
that there would be a local authority somewhere facing pressure to cross the 5%
threshold before Gwynedd had to do so, as the situation had become especially
precarious in several places. It was noted that
some services were already under enormous pressure and the question was asked
as to where the line was, beyond which no further cuts could be made. In response, the
Chief Executive stated that it was not yet clear where that line was, but it
that it was necessary to ensure that every waste and every other option had
been explored before reaching a decision. It was noted that discussions had taken place in order to collaborate with Town and Community councils in order to maintain services, but that the resources available to Community Councils were scarce and that taking the ... view the full minutes text for item 10. |
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ELECTORAL REFORM IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN WALES - CONSULTATION RESPONSE PDF 86 KB To present the report of the Deputy Leader Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Mair
Rowlands, Deputy Leader of the Council, submitted draft reports prepared on
behalf of the Council. It was proposed and seconded to submit the
observations as a response to the consultation. RESOLVED
to submit the observations in response to the consultation. |
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DISTRICT AUDITOR'S ANNUAL REPORT PDF 105 KB Presenting the Welsh Audit Office’s Annual Report Additional documents:
Minutes: The Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, submitted an annual report on the
work of the Wales Audit Office on Gwynedd Council during 2016/17, stating that
it was a positive report. Mr Jeremy Evans, Local Government Manager for the
Wales Audit Office, stated that the report summarised their work for the year,
reiterating that it was a positive report in general although there was room to
improve some aspects. The recommendation
to accept the report was proposed and seconded. RESOLVED to accept
the report. |
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STRATEGIC SAFEGUARDING PANEL ANNUAL REPORT PDF 304 KB To receive the Report of the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Dilwyn Morgan, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
submitted the annual report of the Strategic Safeguarding Panel. He stated that
the purpose of the report was to update the Council on the previous year's
achievements. He emphasised that safeguarding was a high priority area for the
Council with the Strategic Panel ensuring effective arrangements. He stated
that the work of the Strategic Safeguarding Panel expanded as responsibilities
and requirements in the field increased, and that this was a responsibility for
all members of the Council. In response to a question
about the requirements of school governors and the training and support
available to them, the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People encouraged
any member of a school governing body to take the training opportunities
available related to their responsibilities in the field. The Corporate
Director stated that, so far, efforts had been concentrated on chairpersons but
that a briefing note would be circulated to every school governing body in
order to promote the field. |
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THE COUNCIL'S POLITICAL BALANCE PDF 216 KB To receive the report of the Head of Democratic Services Additional documents: Minutes: The Head of Democratic Services presented the report describing the
latest situation with regard to the political balance of the Council and
allocation of seats on committees following recent changes. The recommendation
to accept the report was proposed and seconded. RESOLVED to adopt
the political balance.
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LEISURE FACILITIES - ESTABLISHING A COUNCIL CONTROLLED COMPANY PDF 520 KB To receive the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing Leisure and Culture Appendices separate for Committee members only. The documents are exempt under Paragraphs 14 and 16 of Schedule 12A of
The Local Government ACT 1972. (Information
relating to financial, business and legal matters). The front report will be
open but the Appendices include information which is commercially and legally
sensitive. That is because releasing the full appendices would permit suppliers
who are independent of the Council to come to conclusions about the financial
performance and management fees of the various delivery models. As a
consequence, publication could undermine any future procurement exercise and
open the Council to financial risk. It also includes legal advice which is
subject to legal privelege. Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet Member
for Housing, Leisure and Culture submitted a report recommending that the
process of establishing a Council-controlled company commence in order to take
over responsibility for leisure centres in Gwynedd. He noted that the service
was popular, but that the process of finding savings had come to an end having
not found the necessary savings. Setting up a Council-controlled company to run
the service would bring financial flexibility that was not currently available,
whilst concurrently safeguarding the service's unique culture for the future.
There would be no changes to the staff's salary terms on establishing the
company, and there would be close collaboration between the new company and the
Council. Taking the
opportunity to ask questions and provide observations, the proposal to
establish the company was welcomed as an opportunity to provide the same
service to the people of Gwynedd at a lower cost. The Council was asked to not
forget about Harlech swimming pool, and whether it would be possible for this
important local asset to be incorporated into the new company, or at least to
collaborate closely with it. In terms of the constitution of the company's
management board, the need to ensure a wide range of experience and ideas from
among its membership in order to ensure success was stated. The importance of
appointing the best Chief Executive for the company was also emphasised as this
had been identified as a critical factor in other areas where similar plans had
been set up. In response, the Chief Executive stated that the financial flexibility
that would ensue as a result of establishing the company would make a strong
case for starting the process of establishing it. He also stated that he would
not wish any opportunities for collaboration to be dismissed at this point in
the process. As the process of establishing the company got under way, there
would be close collaboration with the Scrutiny procedure to ensure robust
arrangements were in place. The Head of Economy and Community stated that
creating the company was a golden opportunity to revive the Leisure sector
whilst safeguarding the identity and culture of the Council in the service. The
role of the proposed company's Chief Executive would be vital in delivering the
vision. In response to a
question about the role of the Council's officers on the board of the proposed
Company with respect to financial responsibility, the Monitoring Officer stated
that responsibility for the company's financial situation lay with the company
rather than individual directors, other than in exceptional circumstances. It was proposed
and seconded that the process of establishing a Council-controlled company for
leisure facilities in Gwynedd begin. RESOLVED To begin
the process of establishing a Council-controlled company. |
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NOTICES OF MOTION Additional documents: Minutes: None. |