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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Virtual Meeting - Zoom

Contact: Eirian Roberts  01286 679018

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

To receive any apologies for absence

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors:- Elwyn Jones, Dilwyn Lloyd, Eirwyn Williams and Gareth Williams.

 

2.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 308 KB

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 2nd December, 2021 be signed as a true record.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

3.

DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Monitoring Officer declared a personal interest in item 7, 'Annual Review - Council's Pay Policy 2022/23' 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 Corporate Director, the Statutory Head of Finance and the Head of Housing and Property Department, the Monitoring Officer withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on the item, as they did not need to be in attendance to advise.  The Chief Executive and the Head of Corporate Support remained in the meeting to advise.

 

In reference to item 12 - Review Report - Joint Local Development Plan, the Monitoring Officer noted that a few members of the Councils were among the responders to the consultation; however, due to the nature of the report and assuming that there would be no specific discussion on the details of the plan, he did not believe that anyone needed to declare an interest.

 

4.

THE CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

To receive any Chair’s announcements.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Condolences were extended to the family of the former chair of this Council, Evie Morgan Jones, and Councillor Annwen Hughes paid tribute to him.

 

Condolences were also extended to the following:-

 

·         Councillor Menna Baines and her family on the passing of Menna's father.

·         Councillor Eirwyn Williams and his family on the passing of Eirwyn's mother at a hundred years old.

·         The Member of Parliament for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts and her family, at the passing of Liz's mother.

·         The family of Aled Roberts, the Welsh Language Commissioner, who had died recently. 

 

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

 

The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect and remembrance.

 

The Leader gave a statement on behalf of the Council on the situation in Ukraine.  He noted:-

 

·         That he wished to express the Council's support to the people of Ukraine and their fundamental right to decide their own fate, without being oppressed through violence by a dictatorial state.

·         That Gwynedd Council would be ready to play its part in welcoming any refugees and offering them unconditional sanctuary.

·         That he was angry that the Westminster Government was not accepting refugees unconditionally in the same way as other European nations, and that their attitude was merciless and cruel.

·         That he had attended a meeting the previous day between the leaders of Welsh councils and Welsh Government and voluntary organisation representatives, and that the work of coordinating and making preparations was underway.

·         That the people of Gwynedd were eager to help in every way possible, and that the Council would do its best to provide guidance and support wherever it could. 

·         That the links recommended by the Government in terms of assisting and making contributions would be shared with the members in due course.

 

The Leader noted further that he had received a question about any commercial links to Russian companies, and specifically regarding the investments of the Gwynedd Pension Fund. He explained that the Gwynedd Pension Fund invested via the Wales Pension Partnership and that a statement prepared by that partnership noted:-

 

"The total of our links to Russian Investments are very small and are less than 1%.  Nevertheless, in light of the awful events we are seeing and the economic sanctions set internationally, we have made a mutual decision that we should divest from these holdings as soon as practicably possible.

 

Under the circumstances, we do not believe that being involved with these companies is a possible option."

 

The Leader noted further that the huge tragedy in this case was that a close and friendly relationship existed between the people of  Ukraine and the people of Russia, and that it was also important to realise that the people of Russia were also suffering, and that this was not their war. He added that the bravery of those who were prepared to express their objection to this war in the face of harsh prosecution was to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

URGENT ITEMS

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None to note.

6.

QUESTIONS

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

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

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

 

(1) A question from Councillor Aeron Maldwyn Jones

 

“When does this Council anticipate that staff will be back at their desks?"

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support, Councillor Nia Jeffreys

 

"Thank you to all Council staff for their work during the crisis.  The question asks when will staff be back at their desks.  Of course, all Council staff have continued to work for the benefit of the people of Gwynedd, despite the fact that the desk may sometimes be located in an attic or at the kitchen table.   The way the staff have adapted at short-notice has been incredible, and I am very grateful to them.  A lot of work has gone into this, and I have had the opportunity to report to the Cabinet, and a report has gone to the Audit and Governance Committee, but I am glad to have the opportunity today to repeat this to the Full Council. 

 

Considerable talk and attention has been given to "the working world of the future" at an all Wales level over the past year, with Welsh Government declaring an aim of enabling 30% of the country's workforce to be able to work close to, or from their homes.

 

Gwynedd Council is no different from any other organisation in its planning in this regard.  An "Offices Group" has been established since early 2021, which coordinates the preparation work in the local area, with the Chief Executive, the Director, the Head of Corporate Support and human resources officers, health and safety officers, information technology officers and property officers all serving on that Group.

 

The vision for future working within the Council has been approved by the Cabinet in February and the Audit and Governance Committee had scrutinised the content prior to that.  That vision is the output of the efforts of the Offices Group, but it is also based on a consultation with various cohorts of Council staff, as well as local trade union representatives.

 

The aim of the vision is that the Council provides the best possible service for the people of Gwynedd, whilst also showing the Council to be a good place to work, and thus attract and retain quality staff.

 

With the most recent statements from Welsh Government, and the likelihood of the further easing of restrictions in the near future, the time to implement the vision is getting ever closer and the Chief Executive has shared an outline of an action plan with staff, which is a plan that is looking to be implemented gradually, in three phases, over the coming weeks and months, namely:-

 

·               To allow all those employees who must, or wish to work from their work centres all the time, to do so from 7 March,

·               To confirm the arrangements for those employees who will mainly work from home, with a view to complete this step before the Easter holidays.

·               To reach a final agreement with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

ANNUAL REVIEW - COUNCIL'S PAY POLICY 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 221 KB

To submit the report of the Chair of the Chief Officers Appointments Committee.

Additional documents:

Decision:

To approve the recommendation of the Chief Officers Appointment Committee to adopt the Pay Policy for 2022/23. 

 

Minutes:

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 2022/23. 

 

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

 

A member noted that Gwynedd Council did not make carers a special case, since we were losing staff from the Care Department.  In response, it was explained:-

 

·         That Welsh Government had set out an aspiration to see care workers receiving pay that was equivalent to the living wage.  That this would happen here in Gwynedd, and it would be above the living wage level if the expected increase expected in national salaries in April would be realised.

·         That the vast majority of the Council's carers followed the long-awaited agreement obtained at the beginning of this year, as well as the national pay increase.  The vast majority of carers were on a salary of £9.99 per hour, backdated to 1 April 2021.  That national discussions would commence again during April / May on the 2022/23 pay rise, and there was a strong likelihood that next year's pay increase would be a percentage higher than what had been determined for the year gone by.   This meant that the carers would certainly be on a salary of between £10 and £10.50 per hour, backdated to 1 April, 2022.

 

RESOLVED to approve the recommendation of the Chief Officers Appointment Committee to adopt the Pay Policy for 2022/23. 

 

8.

GWYNEDD COUNCIL PLAN - 2018-23 - 2022/23 REVIEW pdf icon PDF 255 KB

To submit the report of the Council Leader.

Additional documents:

Decision:

To adopt the Gwynedd Council Plan 2018-2023: 2022/23 Review for it to be implemented during 2022/23.

 

Minutes:

The Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, presented the report, inviting the Council to adopt the Gwynedd Council Plan 2018-23: 2022/23 Review for it to be implemented during 2022/23.

 

The Leader thanked the Business Support Service Manager and his team for their heroic work in preparing the plan.

 

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

 

·         The Government's intention to provide free school meals to all primary aged pupils was welcomed, however, a question was asked as to whether this would incur additional costs that would need to be shouldered by the Council.  In response, it was noted that the scheme was not as simple as it appeared, but to date, there had been financial commitment from Welsh Government to meet the additional cost.  Discussions were taking place between each council and the Government in order to establish the exact amount of those costs.

  It was explained that the cost of providing, or paying for the dinner was one element, and that the cost of providing buildings, space within those buildings and support services, etc., was an additional element that was not, possibly, fully costed at this point in time.  More information would be shared with the members as the details developed, but the officers were quite confident about the current situation.  The Leader noted that he would place pressure on the Government to fully fund the scheme.  In response to a further question about the impact of the plan on school budgets, it was noted that everyone realised that the plan was having a substantial impact on some schools, particularly large schools, but it was confirmed that this was included in the discussions with the Government.

·         Concern was expressed about the direction under Improvement Priority 6 to give priority to the Dolgellau and wider Meirionnydd area when identifying opportunities for care provisions, and it was emphasised that the highest priority should be given to provide a nursing care home on the Penrhos site, since no nursing beds were left in Pen Llŷn anymore.  In response, it was emphasised that there was no competition between Meirionnydd and Pen Llŷn.  There was an excellent opportunity in Penrhos to create a very special resource that would combine all care and nursing services on one site, and it was confirmed that the Council would continue to place pressure and collaborate with the Health Service and the housing association to realise this ambition.

·         With reference to the bid (under item 9 on the agenda), to abolish the £300 fee for a post-16 travel pass, it was noted that parents in Dwyfor and Meirionnydd (particularly in the rural areas), who had been paying this fee over the past 10 years had suffered real inconsistency and unfairness, and it was suggested that the Council had considered the additional money as bait for parents in Arfon to send their children to the colleges.  In response, it was noted that should the Council approve the bid,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

2022/23 BUDGET pdf icon PDF 237 KB

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance.

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

1. To approve the recommendations of the Cabinet, namely:-

(a) A budget of £295,232,820 should be set for 2022/23, to be funded by £213,210,400 of Government Grant and £82,022,420 of Council Tax income, with an increase of 2.95%.

(b) Establish a capital programme of £59,074,980 in 2022/23, to be funded from the sources set out in Appendix 4 of the report.

 

2. That it be noted that the Cabinet Member for Finance, in a decision notice dated 9 November, 2021, approved the calculation of the following amounts for 2022/23 in accordance with Regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (“The Act”):-

 

(a) 53,715.10 being the amount calculated in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995 as amended, as its Council Tax base for the year.

 

(b) Parts of the Council’s Area – Communities Tax Base -   

 

 

Aberdaron

     571.25

 

Llanddeiniolen

  1,840.10

Aberdyfi

   1,095.65

Llandderfel

     501.76

Abergwyngregyn

     124.71

Llanegryn

     164.55

Abermaw (Barmouth)

   1,210.43

Llanelltyd

     308.89

Arthog

     654.41

Llanengan

  2,289.52

Y Bala

     781.39

Llanfair

     335.58

Bangor

   3,974.34

Llanfihangel y Pennant

     232.58

Beddgelert

     323.40

Llanfrothen

     233.04

Betws Garmon

     138.27

Llangelynnin

     433.07

Bethesda

   1,701.20

Llangywer

     145.28

Bontnewydd

     436.43

Llanllechid

     348.06

Botwnnog

     460.05

Llanllyfni

  1,425.75

Brithdir a Llanfachreth

     457.62

Llannor

     906.33

Bryncrug

     340.19

Llanrug

  1,137.62

Buan

     227.96

Llanuwchllyn

     316.77

Caernarfon

   3,640.35

Llanwnda

     807.58

Clynnog Fawr

     470.35

Llanycil

     205.27

Corris

     305.84

Llanystumdwy

     885.48

Criccieth

     972.85

Maentwrog

     303.24

Dolbenmaen

     624.58

Mawddwy

     362.81

Dolgellau

   1,275.63

Nefyn

  1,535.07

Dyffryn Ardudwy

     817.14

Pennal

     231.82

Y Felinheli

   1,165.68

Penrhyndeudraeth

     792.98

Ffestiniog

   1,786.14

Pentir

  1,272.62

Y Ganllwyd

       88.69

Pistyll

     264.01

Harlech

     821.55

Porthmadog

  2,160.67

Llanaelhaearn

     466.26

Pwllheli

  1,779.02

Llanbedr

     351.64

Talsarnau

     343.74

Llanbedrog

     780.02

Trawsfynydd

     506.49

Llanberis

     788.78

Tudweiliog

     478.76

Llandwrog

   1,051.46

Tywyn

  1,691.37

Llandygai

   1,001.64

 

Waunfawr

     569.37

                                      

being the amounts calculated as the amounts of its Council Tax base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

 

3. That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2022/23 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Act:-

                       

(a)   

£443,927,600

Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2)(a) to (e) of the Act (gross expenditure).

 

(b)   

£146,536,120

Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(3)(a) to (c) of the Act (income).

 

(c)   

£297,391,480

Being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget requirement for the year (net budget).

 

(ch)

£212,714,737

Being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable during the year into its fund in respect of the National Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, less the estimated cost to the Council of discretionary non-domestic rate relief granted.

 

(d)   

£1,576.40

Being the amount at 3(c) above less the amount at 3(ch  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

Minutes:

The Chair noted, in line with the Constitution, that the Head of Finance had to receive notice of any amendment to the budget in writing in advance, and that this amendment had to lead to a balanced budget, if it was to be discussed.  All Council members had been reminded of this the previous week, and as the Head of Finance had not received any notice of an amendment by the designated deadline, it would not be possible for the Council to consider any amendment to the budget.

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas submitted the following:-

 

·         A report recommending a budget for the Council's approval for 2022/23;

·         The draft decision on the Council Tax based on the Cabinet's recommendation to the Council (based on an increase of 2.95%), along with tables showing the Council Tax level and the increase per community.

 

The Head of Finance reminded the members of some of the main risks in Appendix 10 of the report, and he confirmed, having considered all risks and mitigation steps, that he was of the opinion that the Council Budget for 2022/23 was sound, sufficient and deliverable.

 

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

 

The following matters were raised by individual members:

 

·         A question was asked about how much less the Council Tax increase would have been if the Council had not approved 1 March as an additional day's leave for staff.  In response, it was explained that the expenditure on allowing a holiday on St David's Day was expenditure from the current financial year, and as explained to the Cabinet and the Audit and Governance Committee, it had been funded from an underspend in specific corporate budgets. It was explained that the maximum of £200,000 earmarked for that was a one-off bid, and that no decision had been made to fund the bank holiday on 1 March every year.  As a result, it would not have had any impact on the budget submitted before the Council.

·         It was noted that the Council had transferred the cost of the additional day of leave for staff to the next financial year in order to reduce the tax increase, and it was asked how much £200,000 would be as a percentage of the tax.  In response, it was explained, in brief, that a 1% increase (or reduction) in Council Tax equated to around £800,000, so £200,000 would be around 0.25%.

·         It was noted that the people of Gwynedd were angry that the Council had approved an additional day's leave for staff, and that the timing of this had been disgraceful.

·         It was noted, although the fact that money was available to spend on various bids this year, it was the greatest disappointment that general members were not given an opportunity to weigh up those bids in workshops similar to the cuts workshops held in the past, since the input of members could have led to a situation where the Council would not be looking at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

10.

CAPITAL STRATEGY 2022/23 (INCLUDING INVESTMENT AND BORROWING STRATEGIES) pdf icon PDF 312 KB

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance.

Additional documents:

Decision:

To adopt the Capital Strategy for 2022/23.

 

Minutes:

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.

 

11.

NORTH WALES POPULATION NEEDS ASSESSMENT DRAFT REPORT 2022 pdf icon PDF 265 KB

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

Additional documents:

Decision:

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

 

Minutes:

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.

12.

REVIEW REPORT - JOINT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN pdf icon PDF 232 KB

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment.

Additional documents:

Decision:

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.

 

Minutes:

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.

13.

RECOMMENDATION OF THE INTERVIEW PANEL - APPOINTMENT OF LAY MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 56 KB

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

Additional documents:

Decision:

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

 

Minutes:

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.

 

14.

RE-APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS TO THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE pdf icon PDF 103 KB

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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.

 

15.

COMMITTEES CALENDAR 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 12 KB

To submit the report of the Head of Democracy Services.

Additional documents:

Decision:

To adopt the Committees Calendar for 2022/23.

 

Minutes:

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.

 

16.

NOTICES OF MOTION

Additional documents:

16a

Notice of Motion by Councillor Judith Humphreys

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.”

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

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.

 

Minutes:

 

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

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"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

17.

Notice of Motion by Councillor Beca Brown

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.”

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

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.

 

Minutes:

 

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

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"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.

18.

RESPONSES TO PREVIOUS NOTICES OF MOTION pdf icon PDF 89 KB

(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.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

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.

 

Appendices pdf icon PDF 75 KB

Additional documents: