Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Councillors Louise Hughes, Kim Jones, Edgar Owen, Beca Roberts and Einir Wyn Williams.

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the annual meeting of the Council held on 19^th May, 2022 be signed as a true record.

The Chairman signed the minutes of the Council's annual meeting held on 19 May, 2022 as a true record.

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

No declarations of personal interest were received.

To receive any Chair’s announcements.

Condolences were extended to the following:

·         Councillor Edgar Owen and the family following the loss of his mother-in-law.

·         Councillor Kim Jones and the family following the loss of her grandfather.

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.

Councillor Elfed Wyn ab Elwyn and his wife were congratulated on their wedding, and also on the birth of twins - two boys.

Well wishes were expressed to Morwena Edwards, Corporate Director, who was present at her last Council meeting.  The Chief Executive noted that Morwena had given nearly 20 years' service to the Council, in her present role as Statutory Director of Social Services / Corporate Director, and as a Head of Department before that, and she had also been acting as Deputy Chief Executive over the last three to four years.  He thanked her on a personal level for her support and assistance over the last year and also on behalf of her colleagues at the Council.  Then the Leader gave a word of thanks to Morwena on behalf of all members, for her excellent service over the years, and wished her every happiness on her retirement.

To note any items which are urgent business in the opinion of the Chair 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 from Councillor Rhys Tudur

“Given that the Council is buying houses on the market with public money, what system do you have in place to ensure that the Council is not paying too much for the houses?"

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

"In addition to the written response, I wish to say that I bought my first house around five years ago, and can testify to the fact that buying a house is the third most difficult experience after losing someone close and going through a divorce.  You don't know what the unknowns are, you cannot trust anyone and house prices are increasing every day.  You don't know who is competing against you, and it was a nightmare year for me and my family.

One of the 33 schemes we have in the Housing Action Plan is that we, as a Council, buy houses to help house local people in their communities. Of course, the process where the Council buys houses is even more complex.  We must ensure that we don't buy houses that local people are trying to buy.  We must make sure that we don't make mistakes and that it costs too much.  We must make sure that we buy houses where there is need.  It is very complicated and now, of course, unlike 4-5 years ago, we are competing against hedge funds who are now in the home buying market.  Airbnb wasn't as popular, and now people are moving here after the 'Zoom Boom' and Covid and Brexit.  But the difference between us and residents is that we know what the unknowns are.  Our Department has experience of operating in this sector. We have the qualifications.  I'm not sure how many surveyors there are in the Department, or in the Council, but even our Chief Executive is a surveyor, and we know everyone who works in the sector. We have the skills and experience and the knowledge, but more importantly in my opinion, we also have the will.  People tend to think that our staff live in ivory towers or act on the 'computer says no' principle but I can assure you - this is not the case.  I hope that the majority of you here know how I feel about the housing situation and how determined I am to do something about it.  I want you to know that all of the staff in the Housing and Property Department also feel the same as me about the subject.  They follow Ffordd Gwynedd properly and hopefully you will be able to see this soon.  hey are here to house our people in our communities. That is why they come to work every day, and very often, I discuss this with them, and discuss the projects you all will see soon hopefully, and the houses we are buying and so on.  I  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To submit the report of the Council Leader.

To approve the report as an accurate, balanced and clear reflection of the Council's performance in 2020/21, and to adopt it.

Submitted - a report by the Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, asking the Council to  approve and adopt Gwynedd Council's Performance Report 2021/22 as a clear, balanced and accurate picture of the Council's performance in 2021/22.

During his presentation, the Leader referred to successes such as developing a Regeneration Plan, building the new Ysgol y Garnedd and adopting a Climate Change Plan.  He also referred to matters to improve, such as a failure to address the post-16 education question in Arfon, but he was confident that this would be a priority in the coming years of the Council's new Plan.             He also noted there had been a delay in the Cricieth area on the development of a new school due to the need to carry out an archaeological survey.

The Leader then referred to the summary of the services' day to day work at the end of the report, thanking the Planning Service officers for their excellent work in preparing research and solutions in the second home field.  He also noted, as the Joint Local Development Plan was coming to an end, there was a need to reconsider the collaboration arrangements, and he explained, in light of discussions between Gwynedd and Anglesey planning officers, they had concluded that it should be recommended to continue with the process to terminate the existing collaboration, as a result of the changes to the national, regional and local planning policy context since the collaboration arrangement was established in 2001.   He explained further that both councils would continue to collaborate closely on arrangements to monitor the old Joint Development Plan, along with any other opportunities that would arise.  The matter would be submitted to the Gwynedd Council Cabinet and Anglesey's Council Executive on 19 July and should both bodies agree, both counties would develop their own separate Local Development Plan.

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

·         Referring to highlights of the year on page 16 of the agenda, it was asked how the Council was performing against the target in terms of recycling, reusing or composting domestic waste and in particular against Welsh Government's landfill target.  In response, it was noted that Gwynedd's performance was over 64% at the moment, compared with the statutory target of 70% by March 2025.  A possible slippage was seen over the Covid period in residual waste and there was a need to remind residents of the food waste and recycling collection service.  Further, there would be a need to look at a work programme to move the agenda to ensure that we reached the statutory target.  In terms of landfill, it was explained that no waste went to landfill and that all residual waste was incinerated at Parc Adfer, Flintshire as part of a joint partnership between councils in north Wales.

·         Referring to a comment on page 19 of the agenda that the cost of living crises "has forced the Council to divert resources and adapt by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To submit the report of the Statutory Director of Social Services.

To accept the report.

The Statutory Director of Social Services presented her annual report regarding the performance of the Social Services in Gwynedd during the previous year.

The Director thanked Manon Elwyn Hughes (Senior Executive Officer) for her assistance in compiling the annual report.  As part of her presentation, the Director highlighted some of the lessons learnt, outlining the priorities for the coming year.  She also explained how the Service assessed people's needs and placed them in the centre when shaping services and care provision.  She noted that the performance of Gwynedd Social Services was good on the whole again this year and that Care Inspectorate Wales agreed with this.  She added that the last two years had posed incredible challenges for the Service, and it was obvious from the performance that managers and staff had made a heroic effort to cope with what was required of them during this time. 

At the end of her time in the post, the Director noted that it had been an honour to be Director and before that, Head of Department, and thanked everyone she had worked with over the years.  She thanked the members, the scrutiny members and the cabinet members in the care field over the last ten years.  She also noted that she had received excellent support from three Chief Executives during her time in the post, namely Harry Thomas, Dilwyn Williams and the current Chief Executive, Dafydd Gibbard.  She also took advantage of the opportunity to thank the Heads of Department, Marian Parry Hughes (Head of Children and Families Department) and Aled Davies (Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department) and the late Gwenan Parry for their work in the care field, and also Catrin Thomas (Assistant Head of Supporting Families) and Carys Fôn Williams (Head of Housing and Property) for their work on the Gwynedd Supporting People programme. She also thanked all the in-house, external and third sector staff, unpaid carers and foster parents who had been part of her journey over the last ten years, and she wished the new Director well.

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

·         It was noted there was a need to include more information under performance measure 20 on page 196 of the agenda (Percentage of children who returned home from care during the year) to state clearly to people outside the care system, new members etc. that there were strategies in place to ensure that these children were safe.  In response, it was confirmed that the wording would be reviewed, and the members were asked to contact the Director if they were of the opinion that there was anything else in the report that was vague. 

·         Referring to the Autism Plan (page 169 of the agenda), it was noted that it had been given to understand previously that the Plan had begun with children and then moved on to people, but that children and people were mentioned in the same  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To appoint a Chair of the Democracy Services Committee.

[In accordance with the requirements of Section 14 of the Local Government Bill (Wales) 2011, the Chair of the Democracy Services Committee shall be appointed by the Full Council and it cannot appoint a member of a political group which is represented on the executive.]

To elect Councillor Dewi Owen as Chair of the Democracy Services Committee for 2022/23.

The Council was invited to appoint a chair for the Democracy Services Committee for 2022/23.

The former chair of the committee, Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones thanked the Head of Democracy Services, the Language and Democracy Manager and the staff of the Democracy Service for all their support over the past two years.

RESOLVED to elect Councillor Dewi Owen as Chair of the Democracy Services Committee for 2022/23.

To submit the report of the Head of Democracy Services.

To accept the report.

The Head of Democracy Services presented his annual report on behalf of the Democracy Services Committee in respect of support for members.  The Head of Department thanked the Chair of the Democracy Services Committee during the time of the report, Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones, members of the committee and the officers within the service who provided the day-to-day support.

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

·         It was asked whether it would be possible to arrange training for the members on how to use the Members' Intranet. In response, it was confirmed that this would be possible, and it was noted that IT Officers were available to provide day-to-day support to members also.

·         In response to an observation that Gwynedd Council had been slow in announcing the results of the recent elections, it was noted that the officers were aware there had been somewhat of a delay with some results, and were also aware of what actions to take to ensure that all results were announced on time in future. 

·         Dissatisfaction was expressed that meeting dates had changed since the Council adopted the 2022/23 committee calendar at its meeting in March. In response, an apology was made for any inconvenience this had caused the members, but it was explained that the date of this meeting of the Council had been moved forward a week for reasons related to the Council's business planning, and that this had been shared at the Business Group directly after the elections. 

·         The Democracy Service was thanked for maintaining the Council's committee system during Covid while everyone was working from home.

RESOLVED to accept the report.

To submit the Scrutiny Annual Report.

To accept the report.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Forum, Councillor Beth Lawton, submitted the scrutiny annual report for 2021/22.  She thanked the scrutiny chairs and vice-chairs and all scrutiny members for their work during the year. She also thanked the officers within the Service for supporting the members and drawing up the report.

RESOLVED to accept the report.

To submit the report of the Monitoring Office in consultation with the Head of the Democracy Services and the Scrutiny Forum.

1. To amend Section 13, Part 2 of the Constitution by removing the following function from the Governance and Audit Committee's terms of reference: "to review and scrutinise matters relating to the Council's internal operation, i.e. corporate strategies, partnerships, engagements, business transformation, efficiency arrangements and the workforce and functions carried out by the Finance Department, Corporate Support Department and Leadership Team."

2. To amend Part 7 of the Constitution in accordance with Appendix 1 to the report to allocate the responsibilities noted to the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee.

3. To accept, for information, the amendments to Section 13 - Part 2 of the Constitution, Cabinet Membership and Responsibilities.

Submitted - the report of the Monitoring Officer seeking the Council's approval to amend scrutiny arrangements for corporate matters, and also presenting information about amendments to the Cabinet. 

RESOLVED

1.       To amend Section 13, Part 2 of the Constitution by removing the following function from the Governance and Audit Committee's terms of reference: "to review and scrutinise matters relating to the Council's internal operation, i.e. corporate strategies, partnerships, engagements, business transformation, efficiency arrangements and the workforce and functions carried out by the Finance Department, Corporate Support Department and Leadership Team."

2.       To amend Part 7 of the Constitution in accordance with Appendix 1 to allocate the responsibilities noted to the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee.

3.       To accept, for information, the amendments to Section 13 - Part 2 of the Constitution, Cabinet Membership and Responsibilities.

To submit the report of the Head of Finance and the Monitoring Officer.

To amend the membership of the Governance and Audit Committee Lay Member Interview Panel to include the Council Chair, Chair of the Democracy Services Committee and Cabinet Member for Finance.

Submitted - the report of the Head of Finance Department noting that it was appropriate to review the membership of the Governance and Audit Committee Lay Member Interview Panel, as the Chair of the committee was now a lay member, and recommended amending the membership to include the Council Chair, Chair of the Democratic Services Committee and the Cabinet Member for Finance.

In response to a question, it was confirmed that the Chair and Vice-chair of the Governance and Audit Committee would not be members of the Scrutiny Forum, as the scrutiny role was moving from the committee in light of changes in legislation.

RESOLVED to amend the membership of the Governance and Audit Committee Lay Member Interview Panel to include the Council Chair, Chair of the Democratic Services and Cabinet Member for Finance.

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

1  To appoint Councillors Beth Lawton, Anne Lloyd-Jones and Dewi Owen to serve on the Standards Committee as Elected Members until the next general local government elections following their appointment.

2  To appoint Councillor Richard Parry Hughes, Llannor Community Council, to serve on the Standards Committee as a Community Committee Member until the next general local government elections following his appointment.

Submitted - the report on the Monitoring Officer on the process of appointing Elected Members and Community Committee Members to the Standards Committee, and inviting the Council to accept the recommendation of the Business Group to appoint Councillors Beth Lawton, Anne Lloyd-Jones and Dewi Owen as Elected Members of the Committee and Councillor Richard Parry Hughes, Llannor Community Council as Community Committee Member, until the next general local government elections following their appointment.

RESOLVED

1.       To appoint Councillors Beth Lawton, Anne Lloyd-Jones and Dewi Owen to serve on the Standards Committee as Elected Members until the next general local government elections following their appointment.

2.       To appoint Councillor Richard Parry Hughes, Llannor Community Council, to serve on the Standards Committee as a Community Committee Member until the next general local government elections following his appointment.

To submit the report of the Head of Democracy Services.

1.  To adopt the allocation of seats as noted in Appendix A to the report, delegating powers to the Head of Democracy Services to make appointments to the committees on the basis of political balance, and in accordance with the wishes of the political groups.

2.   To nominate Councillors Edgar Wyn Owen (Plaid Cymru Group) and John Pughe (Independent Group) to represent the Council on the Police and Crime Panel for the duration of this Council's term in accordance with the allocation given to Gwynedd.

The Head of Democracy Services submitted a report:-

·         on a review of the Council’s political balance in light of forming a new political group, namely the Labour/Liberal Group, led by Councillor Stephen Churchman;

·         inviting the Council to nominate one member from Plaid Cymru Group and one member from the Independent Group to represent the Council on the Police and Crime Panel for the duration of this Council's term in accordance with the allocation given to Gwynedd.

RESOLVED

1.         To adopt the allocation of seats as noted in Appendix A to the report, delegating powers to the Head of Democracy Services to make appointments to the committees on the basis of political balance, and in accordance with the wishes of the political groups.

2.         To nominate Councillors Edgar Wyn Owen (Plaid Cymru Group) and John Pughe (Independent Group) to represent the Council on the Police and Crime Panel for the duration of this Council's term in accordance with the allocation given to Gwynedd.

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

"Given the crisis caused by the lack of control over second homes, I propose that the Full Council calls on the Welsh Government to take urgent action on the following consultations which ended in February and March; planning legislation and policy for second homes and short-term holiday lets, Welsh language communities housing plan, second homes: local variation to land transaction tax rates."

Given the crisis caused by the lack of control over second homes, that the Full Council calls on the Welsh Government to take urgent action on the following consultations which ended in February and March; planning legislation and policy for second homes and short-term holiday lets, Welsh language communities housing plan, second homes: local variation to land transaction tax rates.

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

"Given the crisis caused by the lack of control over second homes, I propose that the Full Council calls on the Welsh Government to take urgent action on the following consultations which ended in February and March; planning legislation and policy for second homes and short-term holiday lets, Welsh language communities housing plan, second homes: local variation to land transaction tax rates.

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

·         The proposals were commendable, and the Government had to be praised for them, and although the consultations ended in February and March of this year, nothing had been proposed of published.

·         These matters could not be delayed passed another summer until next year, and it was crucial that all Gwynedd members, as representatives of the county with the highest number of holiday homes throughout Wales, pressurising Welsh Government to act, and remind them of the urgent situation in the county.

·         There were welcome signs of movement on the subject, but that we could not rely on signs only, and that the Government had to act on these consultations without delay, in the interest of our communities and our language.

RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:-

"Given the crisis caused by the lack of control over second homes, I propose that the Full Council calls on the Welsh Government to take urgent action on the following consultations which ended in February and March; planning legislation and policy for second homes and short-term holiday lets, Welsh language communities housing plan, second homes: local variation to land transaction tax rates.

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

"Since 1958, Wales has missed out on one of the biggest global stages, namely the  (Men's) Football World Cup. This changed on Sunday evening, 5 June when our National side worked excellently as a team to ensure that we reached the finals of this Competition.

The Council congratulates our National Team and wishes them every success in the Finals. The Council also congratulates the Football Association of Wales for nurturing the National Welsh awareness within the team to secure the victory. We congratulate the Association on its use of the Welsh language and also on how it has actively promoted the language. The Football Association of Wales is an example, not only to every other Sports Association in Wales, but to every Institution in our country. In the words of the Football Association of Wales, DIOLCH.

In addition, the Council calls on the Welsh Government to take every advantage of our presence in the Finals to promote Our Country and our Language on this global stage.”

Since 1958, Wales has missed out on one of the biggest global stages, namely the  (Men's) Football World Cup. This changed on Sunday evening, 5 June when our National side worked excellently as a team to ensure that we reached the finals of this Competition.

The Council congratulates our National Team and wishes them every success in the Finals.  The Council also congratulates the Football Association of Wales for nurturing the National Welsh awareness within the team to secure the victory. We congratulate the Association on its use of the Welsh language and also on how it has actively promoted the language. The Football Association of Wales is an example, not only to every other Sports Association in Wales, but to every Institution in our country. In the words of the Football Association of Wales, DIOLCH.

In addition, the Council calls on the Welsh Government to take every advantage of our presence in the Finals to promote Our Country and our Language on this global stage.

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

"Since 1958, Wales has missed out on one of the biggest global stages, namely the  (Men's) Football World Cup.  This changed on Sunday evening, 5 June when our National side worked excellently as a team to ensure that we reached the finals of this Competition.

The Council congratulates our National Team and wishes them every success in the Finals.  The Council also congratulates the Football Association of Wales for nurturing the National Welsh awareness within the team to secure the victory. We congratulate the Association on its use of the Welsh language and also on how it has actively promoted the language. The Football Association of Wales is an example, not only to every other Sports Association in Wales, but to every Institution in our country. In the words of the Football Association of Wales, DIOLCH.

In addition, the Council calls on the Welsh Government to take every advantage of our presence in the Finals to promote Our Country and our Language on this global stage.”

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

·         That the purpose of the motion was to congratulate the team on their performance, and more-so, to congratulate the Football Association of Wales for the way they have nurture pride in the National Team.

·         That the Football Association had led the way on nurturing this by brining Welsh and non-Welsh speakers together to take pride in the fact that we are a country with our own unique language and culture.

·         This was a lesson, not only to every other Sports Association in our country, but to every other institution in our country.

·         Welsh Government needed to make the most of their ability and the fact that Wales will be on a global stage, selling our country as a confident, open, thriving, active country with an unique culture.

Members expressed their support to the motion, and Wales' Women's Football Team were also wished well in their efforts to reach the finals of the Women's World Cup 2023 competition.

RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:-

"Since 1958, Wales has missed out on one of the biggest global stages, namely the  (Men's) Football World Cup.  This changed on Sunday evening, 5 June when our National side worked excellently as a team to ensure that we reached the finals of this Competition.

The Council congratulates our National Team and wishes them every success in the Finals.  The Council also congratulates the Football Association of Wales for nurturing the National Welsh awareness within the team to secure the victory. We congratulate the Association on its use of the Welsh language and also on how it has actively promoted the language. The Football Association of Wales is an example, not only to every other Sports Association in Wales, but to every Institution in our country. In the words of the Football Association of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.