Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillors Anwen Davies, Selwyn Griffiths, Charles W. Jones, Aeron Jones, Linda Ann Jones, Dewi Owen, Peter Read and Angela Russell.

 

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 19th December, 2019 be signed as a true record  (attached).

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 19 December 2019 as a true record.

 

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

The Monitoring Officer declared a personal interest in item 8 - Annual Review - Council's Pay Policy 2020/21 - on behalf of the chief officers who were present as the report involved their salaries.

 

He was of the opinion that it was a prejudicial interest and, along with the Head of Finance Department and the Head of Corporate Support, the Monitoring Officer left the meeting during the discussion on the item.

 

To receive any Chairman’s announcements.

Condolences were expressed to the following:-

 

·         Councillor Linda Ann Jones on the recent loss of her husband;

·         Councillor Angela Russell on the recent loss of her father;

·         The family of Bob Daimond, the former Highways Director at Gwynedd Council, who had died recently.

 

It was also noted that the Council wished to sympathise with everyone within the county’s communities who had recently lost loved ones.

 

The Council stood as a mark of respect.

 

Councillor Linda Morgan was welcomed to the meeting following recent ill-health.

 

Best wishes were extended to the following:-

 

·         Councillor Charles W. Jones, who was currently undergoing treatment.

·         Councillor Aeron Jones following recent ill-health.

 

Elfyn Evans was congratulated on becoming the first Briton to win the Swedish Rally.   It was noted that he was currently leading the world championship, and he was wished the best of luck over the rest of the championship.

 

To receive any correspondence, communications or other business brought forward at the request of the Chairman.

None to note.

To note any items which are urgent business in the opinion of the Chairman so they may be considered.

None to note.

To consider any questions the appropriate notice for which have been given under Section 4.19 of the Constitution.

(The Cabinet Members' written responses to the questions had been distributed to the members in advance).

 

(1)     Question by Councillor Annwen Hughes

         

"Following the recent announcement that harm will be caused to the agriculture industry and the rural economy if county councils continue to sell their stock of farms, I hereby ask you today for certainty that this Council is not considering selling the small-holdings in its ownership?"

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Craig ab Iago

 

"This Small-holding Estate gives us power over the shaping of the economy, the environment and the language in these areas, therefore, there is no intention to do so at all."

 

Supplementary Question by Councillor Annwen Hughes

 

"Could you tell us how much income the Council makes from these small-holdings annually?"

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Craig ab Iago

 

"10 years ago, we were losing £17,000 a year, and last year, I believe we earned £31,000.  This is all down to the good work done by the staff, and I wish to thank them for that."

 

(2)     Question by Councillor Dewi Roberts

         

"What plans have been provided by the Council regarding Coronavirus and are these plans and information available to staff and councillors?"

 

The member thanked the Chief Executive for sending a message out to the councillors and staff since he had sent in his question. 

 

Response by the Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn

 

"This is obviously a very timely question and this is a matter of daily discussion and concern to us.

 

Every Member will now have received a message from the Chief Executive summarising the Council's efforts to prepare and respond to the potential spread of Coronavirus to Gwynedd.   That message emphasises that Public Health Wales is responsible for responding to the virus and that this Council has a supporting role, along with all other local authorities.

 

It is noted that the Council has taken the following steps to date:

 

·         Convened a meeting of heads of department / senior officers from every department in order to coordinate our preparations and response - the group has already met twice and will meet on a weekly basis from now on;

·         Provided guidance for managers in terms of what to do if they receive enquiries about the virus from staff or by members of the public, including a link to Public Health Wales's web pages;

·         Information has been shared with the majority of the Council's staff also - this was done via the managers' network, the intranet, the staff's Facebook group and by displaying posters around work locations. Additional information will be shared if and when it will be published by Public Health Wales.

 

I would like to take advantage of this opportunity to refer you to Public Health Wales's website for the latest advice. The link to that website has been included in the message sent to you by the Chief Executive."

 

Supplementary question by Councillor Dewi Roberts

 

"When will the emergency plan regarding Coronavirus be available, and does the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support (attached).

The Chair of the Chief Officer Appointment Committee presented a report recommending that the Council approves the recommendation of the Chief Officer Appointment Committee to adopt the Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21. 

 

RESOLVED to approve the recommendation of the Chief Officer Appointment Committee to adopt the draft Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21 in Appendix 1 of the report.

 

To submit the report of the Council Leader (attached).

The Leader presented a report inviting the Council to adopt the Gwynedd Council Plan 2018-23 (2020/21 Review).

 

It was noted that it was intended to commence the process of reviewing the Plan later on next year.

 

It was noted that the recent flooding emergency had emphasised the role of the Council and local members. Gratitude was expressed for the work undertaken, and the residents and communities that had suffered from flooding were wished well.

 

During the discussion the following matters were raised by individual members:-

 

·         It was noted, although it was acknowledged that delivering the Climate Change Action Plan was a responsibility on all Council departments (page 53 of the programme), that one person needed to be appointed to lead on the work on behalf of the Council in order to ensure a consistent implementation method. In response, it was noted that there was an intention to report to the Cabinet soon on the work of the sub-group that was addressing climate change. Possibly, the Cabinet would establish a board with a Chair and a specific officer serving the Board, so that the field received attention on the same level as the Regeneration Board and the Supporting People Board.

·         It was noted that the Council's ambition to see the residents of Gwynedd earning a sufficient salary to be able to maintain themselves and their families was praiseworthy, but a question was asked about the definition of a 'sufficient wage' and the achievability of that. In response, it was noted that the current economy development plan defined high paid jobs as jobs with a salary of over £26,000, but that the Council, through its economy development work, was seeking jobs with much higher salaries than that. Very few employment opportunities were available in a rural area such as Gwynedd, and it was required to continue with the work of developing the economy in order to reach for the aim of securing good employment for people in Gwynedd. It was believed that the aim was achievable in the long-term. It was considered that the Council was going in the right direction despite the circumstances that were difficult to overcome; however, much of what was affecting the poverty levels in our areas depended on what happened in Westminster.

·         It was enquired whether the Cabinet had considered re-taking Council houses over as money was available and interest rates were low. In response, it was explained that although there may possibly be an argument in favour of taking back the housing stock, this was not a priority for Gwynedd, and the Council had an important role in terms of developing different and innovative ideas on how to provide housing in the correct places and as people needed them. There was a variety of ways to do so, and the forthcoming Housing Action Plan was eagerly awaited.

·         The Women in Leadership Scheme (Improvement Priority 3) was welcomed, and the Cabinet Member was asked to elaborate on the progress made with the work.   In response, it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance  (attached).

The Cabinet Member for Finance submitted:-

 

·         A report recommending a budget for the Council's approval for 2020/21;

·         The draft decision on the Council Tax based on the Cabinet's recommendation to the Council (based on an increase of 3.9%), along with tables showing the Council Tax level and the increase per community.

 

The Cabinet Member thanked the staff of the Finance Department, and specifically the Senior Finance Manager and the rest of the support team, for all of their work during the Head of Finance's absence.

 

During the discussion the following matters were raised by individual members:-

 

·         It was noted that Fairbourne had become known worldwide as the village without a future, and that the effect of the Council's Shoreline Management Plan meant that houses in Fairbourne had almost lost a third of their value. The Community Council was angry that the Council Tax continued to rise, although the village had been condemned by Gwynedd Council, and they called for a reduction in the Tax. In response, it was noted that it was important to underline that it was not the Council who had condemned Fairbourne. What the Council had done; however, was highlight the risk that the village was facing in the future. In relation to the Council Tax, the only way of receiving a reduction would be for the Valuer to reconsider the bands, and it was vowed that the Council would contact the Valuer on behalf of the people of Fairbourne to ask them to come there to consider the situation.

·         It was noted that the Council had been facing cuts and more cuts for 12 years now, and that the continuous increases in the Tax were having a serious impact on those people on low salaries.  An enquiry was made asking when the Council intended to stand as one against the cuts that were coming from the direction of Cardiff and Westminster. In response, it was noted that the observations were understood, but that the Council had to set a balanced budget, and that it was lobbying constantly via the WLGA and a number of other bodies.

·         It was noted that Band D Council Tax in Gwynedd had risen from £889 in 2004 to £1,699 in 2018. Only five other Councils in Wales had higher Band D tax levels than Gwynedd, and this county had very deprived areas. The salaries of the general population in Gwynedd had not increased, and although Council staff had recently received a pay raise, this was taken away from them through the increase in the tax. The impact of increasing taxes, as well as charging for parking in the towns, was having a huge impact on the businesses of Gwynedd.   It was felt that nobody was taking responsibility for taxes in Wales and Welsh Government was continuing with the model of giving councils the freedom to increase the rates without noticing the impact this had on people. A reduced disposable income meant that less expenditure happened in our economy, and this,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance  (attached).

The Cabinet Member for Finance 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 2020/21.

 

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer  (attached).

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report on changes to the officer delegation scheme, following the establishment of the Housing and Property Department.

 

RESOLVED to accept the report.

 

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support  (attached).

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report seeking the Council's approval to the outcomes of a review of polling districts and polling places in the Arfon and Dwyfor Meirionnydd parliamentary constituencies.

 

RESOLVED to approve the outcomes of the review of polling districts and polling places in the Arfon and Dwyfor Meirionnydd parliamentary constituencies.

 

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services  (attached).

The Head of Democratic Services presented a calendar for the dates of Council meetings for 2020/21.

 

          RESOLVED to adopt the Committees Calendar for 2020/21.

 

To submit, for information, a letter from the Welsh Government in response to Councillor Owain Williams’ notice of motion to the 19^th December, 2019 meeting regarding the National Anthem  (attached).

Submitted, for information - a letter from Welsh Government, in response to Councillor Owain Williams's notice of motion to the meeting on 19 December 2019, in relation to the National Anthem.

 

To submit, for information, letters from the Welsh Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in response to Councillor Gruffydd Williams’ notice of motion to the 19^th December, 2019 meeting regarding the Palestinian Territories  (attached).

 

Submitted, for information - a letter from Welsh Government and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in response to Councillor Gruffydd Williams's notice of motion at the meeting on 19 December 2019, in relation to the Palestinian Territories.