Agenda, decisions and minutes

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance.

To adopt the Capital Strategy for 2022/23.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas, submitted a report, providing a high-level overview on the manner capital expenditure, capital funding and the treasury's management activity contributed to the provision of local public services.  The report also gave an overview of the way associated risks could be managed, and the implications for future financial sustainability.

RESOLVED to adopt the Capital Strategy for 2022/23.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing.

To approve the Assessment of the North Wales Population Needs 2022.

The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, Councillor Dafydd Meurig, submitted a report providing an overview, and seeking the support of the Full Council to approve the North Wales Population Needs Assessment 2022, drawn up as a requirement under the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014.

The Project Manager, Adults, Health and Well-being Team, elaborated further on the content of the report.

Councillor Gwynfor Owen enquired whether he should declare an interest as he had recently used the North Wales Integrated Autism Service, and as he was also involved with other matters within the field.  In response, the Monitoring Officer explained that the member was within his rights as this was a report of a general assessment for North Wales.

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

·         It was noted that it was understood that this was a live document, and it was enquired how quickly it could be changed. In response, it was explained that the document submitted was a version that would be approved by the Council today, it was hoped, and by the Regional Partnership Board further along in the month, before it would be forwarded to Government and published. The officers were undertaking more detailed work on Gwynedd's details and needs, therefore anything could be adapted as a part of that work.   The document would also be reviewed within 5 years, but the officers would also carry out some work during that time.  It was noted that the Gwynedd document would be a separate assessment, that was not linked to any statutory publication date, and this would be the actual live document that would be available to amend and add to it from day-to-day.

·         Concern was expressed that members only had five days to read this 450-page document, and it was asked how it had been possible for them to scrutinise the matter and ask detailed questions.  It was also suggested, since members could only speak once on a matter in the Full Council, that important matters were being pushed through without discussion.  It was also questioned how valuable a document of this size would be for the people of Gwynedd.  In terms of the observations regarding the 'live' document, it was noted that the members had heard about such things previously, and had subsequently found out that it was not possible to change those documents for years. There was also concern that the new Council would be told that they could not change the document, as the previous Council had adopted it, and a call was made for the Cabinet Member and the officers to be more considerate from now on.

·         It was noted that the Care Scrutiny Committee had scrutinised this matter, and had supported and sympathised with the officers, who had had to prepare the documents in a very short time-frame.

To close, the Cabinet Member noted:-

·         That the officers had completed heroic work within a considerably tight timetable,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment.

To agree to publish the Review Report in Appendix 1 to the report and to present it to Welsh Government, so that the preparation of the Replacement Plan can commence.

The Chair explained that a report on the next step of the process of reviewing the Local Development Plan was being submitted, and that this was not an opportunity to have a discussion on individual planning policies.  He explained, should the Council agree to proceed to hold a full review of the current plan, then there would be many opportunities to have input into individual policies and discuss specific fields at a later date. 

The Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Gareth Griffith, submitted a report seeking approval from the full Council to publish a Review Report and forward it to Welsh Government, in order to proceed with the work of preparing an Amended Plan.

The Assistant Head of the Environment Department elaborated on the content of the report.

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

·         It was noted that a lot of work had gone into the report, and the Cabinet Member and officers involved with this were thanked.

·         It was expressed that the phraseology and bureaucracy associated with the document was immense and incredible, and that the entire planning system was so complex, so that the majority of people, including elected members, did not fully understand what was going on.  It was suggested that the latest consultation work could be used as an example of that, since only 5 members had responded to this all-important consultation. 

·         Disappointment was expressed that officers were not of the opinion that the one out of almost 80 indicators used to save the Welsh language highlighted that harm was being caused to the language, and that it appeared, without Brexit and Covid, that no changes would be mentioned at all.

·         Concern was expressed about what exactly was being submitted, and what exactly would be returned from Welsh Government, and worse than that, there was major concern that the Joint Planning Policy Committee would be dealing with any changes. 

·         It was noted, in 2017, that the Joint Planning Policy Committee had given its approval to bring the plan before the Council, and it had been passed there by a whisker.  All members could do at the time was approve it or refuse it, and it was not possible to ask for more time in order for the new members at the time to have an opportunity to discuss the policies.

·         It was noted that we were seeing, time and time again, that planning policies were working against the wishes of members to seek to protect our Welsh communities, and it was concerned, when a response was received from Welsh Government, that the new members would not understand the importance or significance of this.

·         A wish to abolish the Joint Planning Policy Committee was expressed, so that Gwynedd Council implemented this on its own, but it was concerned that this would not happen, despite all evidence highlighting that there was a major difference between our wishes in Gwynedd and the wishes of Anglesey.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

To submit the report of the Chair of the Interview Panel.

To appoint Mr Hywel Eifion Jones, Mrs Sharon Warnes, Mr Elwyn Rhys Parry and Mrs Clare Hitchcock as Lay Members of the Governance and Audit Committee for a period of 5 years

The Chair of the Interview Panel, Councillor John Pughe Roberts, submitted a report asking the full Council to appoint Mr Hywel Eifion Jones, Mrs Sharon Warnes, Mr Elwyn Rhys Parry and Mrs Claire Hitchcock as lay members of the Audit and Governance committee for a period of 5 years.  

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

·         Disappointment was expressed that so few had applied for the role.

·         It was suggested that it would have been of interest for the Council to obtain some more background information on the 4 persons that could be recommended for appointment.  In response, the Monitoring Officer explained that the usual process had been followed, and that the Council needed to be satisfied that the interview panel had followed the appointment criteria, and had submitted recommendations that corresponded to those criteria.

The Chair of the Interview Panel confirmed that the panel was completely happy with these 4 persons.

RESOLVED to appoint Mr Hywel Eifion Jones, Mrs Sharon Warnes, Mr Elwyn Rhys Parry and Mrs Clare Hitchcock as Lay Members of the Governance and Audit Committee for a period of 5 years.

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Gwynfor Owen declared a personal interest as, in his translation business, he received a great deal of work from Mr Aled Jones. 

The member was of the opinion that it was a prejudicial interest, and he withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on the item.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report noting that the membership term of Mr Aled Jones, an independent member on the Standards Committee, was ending, and recommended to the Council that he be re-appointed to serve for a further four-year term.

It was noted, as an existing member of the Standards Committee, that information on Mr Aled Jones was available in the Standards Committee's Annual Report.

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

A member expressed his discontent that no background information was submitted regarding this person, and he emphasised the need for openness and transparency, noting that there was a need to look at how these appointments were being made.

The Chair noted that he was given to understand that this person had been serving on the Standards Committee already, and that he had done praiseworthy work in the past.

RESOLVED to re-appoint Mr Aled Jones as an independent member of the Standards Committee to serve for a further four-year term.

To submit the report of the Head of Democracy Services.

To adopt the Committees Calendar for 2022/23.

The Head of Democracy Services submitted a calendar for the dates of Council meetings for 2022/23.

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

·         It was questioned whether there was a point approving the calendar, since many of the current members would not be serving on the Council after May.  In response, it was noted, despite the observation, that the calendar for the year needed to be arranged and dates put in place, and for officers to make arrangements, with plenty of notice.

·         In response to a question regarding the practicality of holding a meeting of the Council on 2 March, 2023, that should an additional day's leave for staff be approved on 1 March, it was confirmed that this would not cause any difficulties whatsoever.

RESOLVED to adopt the Committees Calendar for 2022/23.

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the Constitution, Councillor Judith Humphreys will propose as follows:-

“The Council calls on Welsh Government, Westminster Government and the relevant organisations to commit to:

·         professionalise women’s sport so that women have the same opportunities and pay as men.

·         ensure that women are represented on sports bodies at all levels.

·         ensure facilities suitable for women’s sport particularly football and rugby.

·         that women’s sport is given coverage equal to that of men’s sport in the media and Press.”

That the Council calls on Welsh Government, Westminster Government and the relevant organisations to commit to:

- professionalise women's sport so that women have the same opportunities and pay as men.

- ensure that women are represented on sports bodies at all levels.

- ensure facilities suitable for women's sport particularly football and rugby.

- that women's sport is given coverage equal to that of men's sport in the media and Press.

(A)      Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Judith Humphreys, in accordance with Section 4.20 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

"That the Council calls on Welsh Government, Westminster Government and the relevant organisations to commit to:

- professionalise women's sport so that women have the same opportunities and pay as men.

- ensure that women are represented on sports bodies at all levels.

- ensure facilities suitable for women's sport particularly football and rugby.

- that women's sport is given coverage equal to that of men's sport in the media and Press."

The member set out the context to her motion, noting that:

·         That fewer women than men took part in sports, and that women were more likely to not continue with sports after they started.

·         According to the "Women's Sports Foundation" established by Billie Jean King, the main reason for having equal opportunities in sports was in order for women to also receive the important benefits obtained by participating in sports - i.e. the psychological, physiological and social benefits.

·         That this was a matter that merited serious attention from public health officers, sports leaders, educators and our politicians.

·         Historically, that women did not have the right to participate in sports, but that the sporting culture in our society to date was more male-orientated than female-orientated, with greater status given to male sports, because male sports received much more investment and it was much more obvious and visible in the media.

·         According to the "Women's and Sports Fitness Foundation", that commercial investment, and the attention that women's sports received in the media, were intertwined.

·         In order to increase women's participation in sports, women needed to see inspiring role models in the media, and receive the encouragement that men received.

·         Although S4C was to be praised for the attention they gave women's sports on the whole; women were much less visible in the media and the Press than men.

·         In 2018, a report on the visibility of women's sports in the media across European countries was published.  Five countries were under the spotlight, and the results of the report showed that the proportion of women's sports broadcasting did not raise above 10% in any of the five countries.  Around 7% was the percentage for broadcasting women's sport in Britain!

·         Also, unfortunately, when women received attention, the focus could be on what they wore, instead of their athletic conquests.

·         That there was very little commercial investment in women's sports.  This means that women's pay is less, as well as less opportunity to have quality coaches and facilities.

·         Considering the lack of attention, the type of attention, the lack of promotion and investment, it was no surprise that women had less motivation to participate.

·         That it was no surprise that women were worried about being criticised, worried that they were not good enough, and that many women pulled out of sports when they were teenagers.

·         As a result, women lost out on the benefits to their health and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16a

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the Constitution, Councillor Beca Brown will propose as follows:-

“With the cost of living rising sharply and people and families often having to choose between eating or heating, there is more demand than ever before on the services of local food banks and food schemes.  According to FareShare Cymru, there were four food schemes in North Wales before the pandemic, but that figure is expected to rise to approximately 40 by April this year.

Local voluntary groups must pay an annual membership fee to receive food from schemes such as FareShare and, during lockdown, Welsh Government funded the first year of membership only.

However, after the first year, local food schemes must find the money to pay their own membership fee, which can be approximately £3,000 a year.

We call upon Welsh Government to commit to funding 70% of the cost of food (i.e. the membership fee of FareShare or similar distribution schemes) for a period of 5 years in order to protect these local food schemes which provide a crucial service to people and families at a time of great hardship.”

With the cost of living rising sharply and people and families often having to choose between eating or heating, there is more demand than even before on the services of local food banks and food schemes.  According to FareShare Cymru, there were four food schemes in North Wales before the pandemic, but that figure is expected to rise to approximately 40 by April this year.

Local voluntary groups must pay an annual membership fee to receive food from schemes such as FareShare and, during lockdown, Welsh Government funded the first year of membership only.

However, after the first year, local food schemes must find the money to pay their own membership fee, which can be approximately £3,000 a year.

We call upon Welsh Government to commit to funding 70% of the cost of food (i.e. the membership fee of FareShare or similar distribution schemes) for a period of 5 years in order to protect these local food schemes which provide a crucial service to people and families at a time of great hardship.

(A)      Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Beca Brown, in accordance with Section 4.20 of the Constitution and it was seconded:-

"With the cost of living rising sharply and people and families often having to choose between eating or heating, there is more demand than even before on the services of local food banks and food schemes.  According to FareShare Cymru, there were four food schemes in North Wales before the pandemic, but that figure is expected to rise to approximately 40 by April this year.

Local voluntary groups must pay an annual membership fee to receive food from schemes such as FareShare and, during lockdown, Welsh Government funded the first year of membership only.

However, after the first year, local food schemes must find the money to pay their own membership fee, which can be approximately £3,000 a year.

We call upon Welsh Government to commit to funding 70% of the cost of food (i.e. the membership fee of FareShare or similar distribution schemes) for a period of 5 years in order to protect these local food schemes which provide a crucial service to people and families at a time of great hardship."

The member set out the context to her motion, noting that:-

·           As FareShare delivered surplus food, that would otherwise be thrown out, that the scheme not only provided necessary support to people in need, but also contributed to reducing food waste.

·           That the substantial increase in the number of food schemes in North Wales had happened before the cost of living crisis had really struck, and who knows how many food schemes would arise across the county and the rest of the country in another year.

·           Although the money received from Welsh Government to fund the first year's membership in the FareShare scheme was greatly appreciated, having assurance that 70% of the membership money had been paid by the Government for a five-year period, whilst people faced the double challenge of finding their feet after the pandemic and dealing with the cost of living crisis, would take the stress and anxiety off food schemes of having to think where the money would come from.   This, in turn, would give assurance to the people who received the food that this essential service would not end abruptly.

Due to a glitch in the audio during her presentation, the proposer was asked to send a written copy to the members after the meeting.

Members expressed support to the proposal and noted:-

·         That the Councillors for Bangor and Plaid Cymru Bangor volunteers supported the food scheme established by Councillor Steve Collings, and that he had introduced the idea of FareShare in Bangor.

·         That the motion was praiseworthy and ensured that vulnerable people and people in need received the food they needed, and addressed social inequality.   It also helped to save the planet and was a way of reducing waste.

·         That it was important that schemes like this were known to everyone across the county as the need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(i)            To submit, for information - Letter from the UK Government in response to Councillor Elwyn Edwards’ notice of motion to the 7th October, 2021 Council meeting regarding officially recognising St David’s Day as a bank holiday in Wales.

(ii)          To submit, for information – Letter from the Welsh Government in response to Councillor Gethin Glyn Williams’ notice of motion to the 2nd December, 2021 Council meeting regarding the creation of woodlands in Wales.

Submitted for information:-

(a)     A letter from the Westminster Government in response to Councillor Elwyn Edwards's notice of motion at the Council meeting on 7 October, 2021, regarding acknowledging St David's Day formally as a bank holiday in Wales.

(B)     A letter from Welsh Government in response to Councillor Gethin Glyn Williams's notice of motion at the Council meeting on 2 December, 2021, regarding the creation of woodlands in Wales.