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  • Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

    The Council - Thursday, 1st May, 2025 1.30 pm

    • Attendance details
    • Agenda frontsheet PDF 213 KB
    • Agenda reports pack
    • The Council - Item 8 PDF 175 KB
    • Printed decisions PDF 203 KB
    • Printed draft minutes PDF 280 KB

    Venue: Hybrid - Siambr Dafydd Orwig, Swyddfeydd y Cyngor, Caernarfon LL55 1SH. View directions

    Contact: Eirian Roberts  01286 679018

    Media

     
    Items
    No. Item

    1.

    CHAIR

    To appoint a Chair for 2025/26.

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 1.

    Decision:

    To appoint Councillor Ioan Thomas as Chair for 2025/26.

     

    Minutes:

    RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Ioan Thomas as Chair for 2025/26.

     

    Councillor Ioan Thomas read and signed the declaration accepting the post of Chair of Cyngor Gwynedd for 2025/26, in the presence of the Chief Executive.

     

    2.

    VICE-CHAIR

    To appoint a Vice-chair for 2025/26.

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 2.

    Decision:

    To appoint Councillor Elin Walker Jones as Vice-chair for 2025/26.

     

    Minutes:

     

    Two names were proposed and seconded for the post of vice-chair, namely Councillor Beth Lawton and Councillor Elin Walker Jones.

     

    RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Elin Walker Jones as Vice-chair for 2025/26.

     

    Councillor Elin Walker Jones read and signed the declaration accepting the post of Vice-chair of Cyngor Gwynedd for 2025/26, in the presence of the Chief Executive.

     

    3.

    APOLOGIES

    To receive any apologies for absence.

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 3.

    Minutes:

    Apologies were received from Councillors Beth Lawton, Edgar Owen, Nigel Pickavance, John Pughe and Gareth Roberts.

     

    4.

    MINUTES pdf icon PDF 321 KB

    The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 6th March, 2025 be signed as a true record.

    Additional documents:

    • Appendix 1 , item 4. pdf icon PDF 76 KB
    • Appendix 2 , item 4. pdf icon PDF 77 KB
    • Appendix 3 , item 4. pdf icon PDF 81 KB
    • Webcast for 4.

    Minutes:

    The Chair signed the minutes of the previous Council meeting held on 6 March 2025 as a true record.

     

    5.

    DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST

    To receive any declarations of personal interest.

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 5.

    Minutes:

    No declarations of personal interest were received.

     

    6.

    THE CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

    To receive any Chair’s announcements.

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 6.

    Minutes:

     

    Deepest condolences were extended to Councillor Angela Russell and family following the loss of her husband in March, and her brother-in-law last month. 

     

    Condolences were also extended to the families of two community benefactors who had passed away recently, namely:-

     

    ·         The family of Selwyn Williams, Blaenau Ffestiniog, a campaigner and academic who had been at the forefront of the establishment of community initiatives.

    ·         The family of Gareth Roberts, Deiniolen, a local historian who brought the past to life in the quarry areas.

     

    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.

     

    It was noted that several Council members had been ill recently and they were all wished a full and speedy recovery.

     

    Councillor Geraint Wyn Parry was welcomed to his first meeting of this Council as the Member for Teigl, and former Councillor Linda Ann Jones was once again thanked for all her work over the years.

     

    Councillor Gwilym Jones was congratulated on becoming a grandfather again, to a little girl called Nansi.

     

    Caernarfon Rugby Club (Men) were congratulated on winning the Welsh Rugby Union Division 1 Cup – the first North Wales club to win it.

     

    Following the recent announcement that the Senedd Election would be held on 7 May 2026, it was noted that the Council's 2026 Annual Meeting would be moved from that date to May 14.

     

    It was noted that this was the last meeting of the Full Council where Eirian Roberts (Democracy Services Officer) would be taking the minutes as she would be retiring at the end of July.  She was thanked for her service taking the minutes in Council meetings over a number of years, and having worked in her position for over forty years.

     

    7.

    URGENT ITEMS

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

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 7.

    Minutes:

    None to note.

    8.

    QUESTIONS pdf icon PDF 113 KB

    To consider any questions the appropriate notice for which have been given under Section 4.18 of the Constitution.

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 8.

    Minutes:

     

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

     

    (1)       Question from Councillor Gruffydd Williams

     

    In the context of the latest decision by the Supreme Court, what arrangements are in place to confirm that women in Gwynedd have access to places and opportunities of all kinds for women only?

     

    Response from the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Legal Services and for the Welsh Language, Councillor Llio Elenid Owen

     

    I will read the official answer first.

     

    "The Council is in the process of considering the implications of the ruling taking into account further information e.g. the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Interim Guidance, published on 25 April. It should be noted that the Commission is looking to update their guidance after consultation, and put it before the Westminster Government before the summer recess. According to the Commission “We know that many people have questions about the ruling and what it means for them. Our updated guidance will provide more clarity.”

     

    We will look at our policies, guidelines, procedures and so on, to see if they align with the ruling."

     

    As has been stated in the response, the Equality and Human Rights Commission's Interim Guidance, which was published last week, follows the Supreme Court's ruling on the legal definition of a woman, and the final guidance that will go before the Government before the summer will need to be awaited for further clarity and guidance on the situation.

     

    I would like to draw your attention to what the Supreme Court has stated, which is that this is not a victory for either side.  This is a definition within the Equality Act only.  It is extremely important to emphasise that this legal opinion does not diminish trans people's legal rights against discrimination, and gender reassignment is one of the 9 features protected in the Equality Act 2010.

     

    Supplementary question from Councillor Gruffydd Williams

     

    According to the Equality Act, gender means biological sex, and women have a legal right to public changing rooms, bathrooms and single-sex crisis centres, and a gender recognition certificate does not make a man a woman under the law. The ruling cannot be clearer than that, and as a result I would like to ask what arrangements, facilities need to be made, and where and when will we see the change to reflect the decision?

     

    Response from the Cabinet Member for Corporate and Legal Services and for the Welsh Language, Councillor Llio Elenid Owen

     

    To emphasise what was said in the answer to the first question, we, like all other organisations, need further guidance to be able to respond fully and legally to this ruling.

     

    I would also like to take this opportunity to declare our support and solidarity here with the trans community.  Everyone should be free to choose their own gender identity and we should respect that, and we certainly shouldn't exclude trans people from society. To quote and complement what Councillor Beca Roberts said at the beginning of this meeting, everyone  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

    9.

    ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE COUNCIL'S POLITICAL BALANCE pdf icon PDF 208 KB

    To submit the report of the Head of Democracy.

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 9.

    Decision:

     

    ·         To adopt the list of committees and sub-committees to be established for the municipal year, as noted in Appendix A (below), together with the adoption of the seat allocation and the senior salaries set out in the Appendix.

    ·         To delegate the authority 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.

    ·         To allocate the chairpersonships of scrutiny committees on the basis of political balance as follows:-

     

    Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee - Plaid Cymru Group

    Communities Scrutiny Committee – Plaid Cymru Group

    Care Scrutiny Committee - Independent Group

     

    ·        To adopt the seat allocation for the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee Overview and Scrutiny Joint Committee for the term of this Council unless there is a significant change in the political balance – there is 1 seat for the Plaid Cymru Group and 1 seat for the Independent Group

     

    APPENDIX A - ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON COMMITTEES

     

    A

    Plaid Cymru

    Independent

    Labour Liberal

    Total

    Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee

    12

    6

    0

    18

    Communities Scrutiny Committee

    12

    5

    1

    18

    Care Scrutiny Committee

    12

    5

    1

    18

    Governance and Audit

    8

    4

    0

    12

     

    B

    Plaid Cymru

    Independent

    Labour Liberal

    Total

    Democratic Services

    10

    4

    1

    15

    Planning

    10

    4

    1

    15

    Central / General Licensing

    10

    5

    0

    15

    Language

    10

    5

    0

    15

    Chief Officers Appointment

    10

    5

    0

    15

    Employment Appeals

    5

    2

    0

    7

    Number of seats

    99

    45

    4

    148

     

     

    C

    Plaid Cymru

    Independent

    Labour Liberal

    Total

    Pensions

    4

    2

    1

    7

    Local Joint Consultative Committee

    7

    4

    0

    11

    SACRE

    5

    2

    0

    7

     

    Total seats

    115

    53

    5

    173

     

     

     

     

    Senior Salaries

    In accordance with the previous decision of the Council, the senior salaries are paid as follows:

    · Leader

    · Deputy Leader

    · 8 other Cabinet members

    · The Leader of the largest Opposition

    · Committee Chairs

    - Scrutiny Committee (x3)     

    - Planning Committee

    - Licensing Committee (Central and General counts as one Committee)

    - Pensions Committee

     

    ·         Civic head (Chair of the Council)

    §    Deputy civic head (Vice-chair of the Council)

     

    Minutes:

    The Democracy and Language Services Manager presented a report setting out the annual review of the Council’s political balance.

     

    The Leader of the Independent Group noted that in order to ensure succession, it was vital that the vice-chairpersonship of each scrutiny committee went to the same group as the chairpersonship.  In response, the Monitoring Officer noted:-

    ·         That the scrutiny committees were unique because the chairpersonships were allocated on the basis of statutory political balance.

    ·         That the chairpersonships and other vice-chairpersonships, and the vice-chairpersonships of the scrutiny committees were a decision for the individual committees in statute.

     

    It was noted that there had been a number of vacant seats on committees for years and the Democracy Services Committee was asked to look into that.

     

    RESOLVED

     

    ·         To adopt the list of committees and sub-committees to be established for the municipal year as noted in Appendix A (below), and adopt the allocation of seats
    and senior salaries as noted in the Appendix.

    ·         To delegate the authority 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.

    ·         To allocate the chairpersonships of scrutiny committees on the basis of political balance as follows:-

     

    Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee - Plaid Cymru Group

    Communities Scrutiny Committee – Plaid Cymru Group

    Care Scrutiny Committee - Independent Group

     

    ·           To adopt the seat allocation for the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee Overview and Scrutiny Joint Committee for the term of this Council unless there is a significant change in the political balance – there is 1 seat for the Plaid Cymru Group and 1 seat for the Independent Group

     

    APPENDIX A - ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON COMMITTEES

     

    A

    Plaid Cymru

    Independent

    Labour / Liberal

    Total

    Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee

    12

    6

    0

    18

    Communities Scrutiny Committee

    12

    5

    1

    18

    Care Scrutiny Committee

    12

    5

    1

    18

    Governance and Audit

    8

    4

    0

    12

     

    B

    Plaid Cymru

    Independent

    Labour / Liberal

    Total

    Democracy Services

    10

    4

    1

    15

    Planning

    10

    4

    1

    15

    Central / General Licensing

    10

    5

    0

    15

    Language

    10

    5

    0

    15

    Chief Officers Appointment

    10

    5

    0

    15

    Employment Appeals

    5

    2

    0

    7

    Number of seats

    99

    45

    4

    148

     

    C

    Plaid Cymru

    Independent

    Labour / Liberal

    Total

    Pensions

    4

    2

    1

    7

    Local Joint Consultative Committee

    7

    4

    0

    11

    SACRE

    5

    2

    0

    7

     

    Total seats

    115

    53

    5

    173

     

     

     

     

    Senior Salaries

    In accordance with the previous decision of the Council, the senior salaries are paid as follows:

    · Leader

    · Deputy Leader

    · 8 other Cabinet members

    · The Leader of the largest Opposition

    · Committee Chairs

    - Scrutiny Committee (x3)        

    - Planning Committee

    - Licensing Committee (Central and General counts as one Committee)

    - Pensions Committee

     

    ·         Civic head (Chair of the Council)

    ·         Deputy civic head (Vice-chair of the Council)

     

     

    10.

    APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRACY SERVICES COMMITTEE 2025/26

    • View the background to item 10.
    • View the decision for item 10.

    To appoint a Chair of the Democracy Services Committee for 2025/26.

     

    [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.]

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 10.

    Decision:

    To appoint Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones as Chair of the Democracy Services Committee for 2025/26.

     

    Minutes:

    The Council was invited to appoint a chair for the Democracy Services Committee for 2025/26.

     

    RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones as Chair of the Democracy Services Committee for 2025/26.

     

    11.

    APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE - INTERVIEW PANEL RECOMMENDATIONS pdf icon PDF 132 KB

    • View the background to item 11.
    • View the decision for item 11.

    To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 11.

    Decision:

    That the Council appoint Non Gibson and Sonal Khade as Independent Members of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years.

     

    Minutes:

     

    Submitted – the Monitoring Officer's report recommending that the Council appoint Non Gibson and Sonal Khade as Independent Members of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years.

     

    RESOLVED that the Council appoints Non Gibson and Sonal Khade as Independent Members of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years.

     

    12.

    AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION pdf icon PDF 159 KB

    • View the background to item 12.
    • View the decision for item 12.

    To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

    Additional documents:

    • Item 12 - Appendix 1 , item 12. pdf icon PDF 52 KB
    • Webcast for 12.

    Decision:

    To accept the report on the amendments to the Scheme of Delegation in Appendix 1 to the report submitted to the Council.

     

    Minutes:

    Submitted – the Monitoring Officer's report reporting on delegated amendments to the Scheme of Delegation in Section 13 of the Constitution (included in Appendix 1 to the report).

     

    RESOLVED to accept the report on the delegated amendments in Appendix 1 to the report submitted to the Council.

     

    13.

    URGENT CABINET DECISION pdf icon PDF 141 KB

    To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 13.

    Decision:

    To accept and note the report.

     

    Minutes:

     

    Submitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer, for information only, stating that:-

    ·         An exempt report was submitted to Cabinet on 8 April 2025 regarding the judicial
    review of the Cabinet's decision in 2024 to confirm the Article 4 Direction, and seeking Cabinet direction on the matter. 

    ·         Due to the timetable for the submission of documentation and evidence to the Court it was necessary to make an urgent decision in accordance with Section 7.25.2 of the Constitution so that the call-in procedure would not apply to allow for a Cabinet decision to come into immediate effect.

     

    A member stated that he did not understand why the report had gone out for public comments, but that the comments did not come back to the full Council, and he questioned how the Council had come to this situation, and why.  In response, the Monitoring Officer explained:-

    ·         The report was not related to the judicial review and that item was not on the agenda.

    ·         That a public case was ongoing and that he could send details to the member as to the grounds being argued before the Court.

    ·         That this was a Cabinet decision, and that was not the subject of a legal challenge at all, nor part of the case before the council.

     

    RESOLVED to accept and note the report.

     

    14.

    NOTICES OF MOTION

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 14.

    14a

    Notice of Motion by Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn

    In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn will propose as follows:-

     

    The Council calls upon the Westminster Government to devolve powers over water reservoirs and the water network in Wales, which will allow Wales to benefit from one of its most important resources.

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 14a

    Decision:

    The Council calls upon the Westminster Government to devolve powers over water reservoirs and the water network in Wales, which will allow Wales to benefit from one of its most important resources.

     

    Minutes:

    The following notice of motion was submitted by Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn in accordance with Section 4.19 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

     

    The Council calls upon the Westminster Government to devolve powers over water reservoirs and the water network in Wales, which will allow Wales to benefit from one of its most important resources.

     

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

    ·         That the cost-of-living crisis had hit most people terribly hard, and that seeing the water bill almost doubled had thrown many families into panic and anxiety.

    ·         It was therefore disheartening to see that water was being sold from Wales without this country receiving fair money for it.

    ·         It was outrageous that such an amount of money was literally being pumped out of Wales, adding next to nothing to the Welsh economy.

    ·         As noted by a Parliamentary committee, charging less than a penny per litre on water could bring £400m to Wales to use to invest in the water network and lower prices for customers.

     

    RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:-

     

    The Council calls upon the Westminster Government to devolve powers over water reservoirs and the water network in Wales, which will allow Wales to benefit from one of its most important resources.

     

    14b

    Notice of Motion by Councillor Beca Brown

    • View the background to item 14b
    • View the decision for item 14b

    In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Beca Brown will propose as follows:-

     

    1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood, and this figure could be even higher.

     

    Not only were these experiences horrific to them at the time, but they must live with the effects of these dreadful crimes throughout their lives. 

     

    Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and that there is insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry every day, forever.

     

    1 May is an annual day to remember the victims; to raise awareness of this appalling crime, and to remind us that sexual abuse can happen to any child, in any community. Sexual abuse does not recognise cultural, social, linguistic, religious, gender or racial differences. It can happen anywhere, to anyone.

     

    Not My Shame is the campaign group that organises this annual event, holding a minute's silence on this date each year to remember the pain of sexual abuse victims around the world.

     

    We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to recognise this date every year from now on, and to adopt it as a day of remembrance for victims. We call on the Council to fly the campaign flag above its headquarters on 1 May every year to clearly state that sexual abuse is not the victim's shame, it is the offender's shame. We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to draw public attention on 1 May every year to the support available to victims, and to explain to the public how and where they can report sexual abuse or child protection concerns. 

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 14b

    Decision:

     

    1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood, and this figure could be even higher.

     

    Not only were these experiences horrific to them at the time, but they must live with the effects of these dreadful crimes throughout their lives. 

     

    Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and that there is insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry every day, forever.

     

    1 May is an annual day to remember the victims; to raise awareness of this appalling crime, and to remind us that sexual abuse can happen to any child, in any community.  Sexual abuse does not recognize cultural, social, linguistic, religious, gender or racial differences. It can happen anywhere, to anyone.

     

    Not My Shame is the campaign group that organises this annual event, holding a minute's silence on this date each year to remember the pain of sexual abuse victims around the world.

     

    We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to recognise this date every year from now on, and to adopt it as a day of remembrance for victims.  We call on the Council to fly the campaign flag above its headquarters on 1 May  every year to clearly state that sexual abuse is not the victim's shame, it is the offender's shame.  We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to draw public attention on 1 May every year to the support available to victims, and to explain to the public how and where they can report sexual abuse or child protection concerns.

     

    Minutes:

    The following notice of motion was submitted by Councillor Beca Brown under Section 4.19 of the Constitution and seconded:-

     

    1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have experienced sexual abuse during their childhood, and this figure could be even higher.

     

    Not only were these experiences horrific to them at the time, but they must live with the effects of these dreadful crimes throughout their lives. 

     

    Victims of sexual abuse consistently say that there is not enough support available to them, and that there is insufficient awareness of the trauma they carry every day, forever.

     

    1 May is an annual day to remember the victims; to raise awareness of this appalling crime, and to remind us that sexual abuse can happen to any child, in any community. Sexual abuse does not recognise cultural, social, linguistic, religious, gender or racial differences.  It can happen anywhere, to anyone.

     

    Not My Shame is the campaign group that organises this annual event, holding a minute's silence on this date each year to remember the pain of sexual abuse victims around the world.

     

    We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to recognise this date every year from now on, and to adopt it as a day of remembrance for victims. We call on the Council to fly the campaign flag above its headquarters on 1 May every year to clearly state that sexual abuse is not the victim's shame, it is the offender's shame. We call upon Cyngor Gwynedd to draw public attention on 1 May every year to the support available to victims, and to explain to the public how and where they can report sexual abuse or child protection concerns.

     

    https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifThe member set out the context to her motion, noting:-

    ·         That victims of sexual violence often carried the shame of the crime, as well as deep pain for the rest of their lives, and that the aim of the Not my Shame campaign was to put the shame back where it should be, which was on the shoulders of the offender.

    ·         That sexual abuse shattered lives, tore families apart and scarred communities and had a negative impact on mental health, physical health, on the ability to form relationships, on the ability to parent effectively and on educational and economic attainment.

    ·         That receiving a supportive response greatly improved the world of victims who exposed their abuse, and that professionals (including politicians) could play a part, not insignificantly, in mitigating the effects of abuse if they responded appropriately, in a timely manner, supportively, and compassionately.

    ·         That sexual abuse had cast its shadow over this county, as it was everywhere, and because institutions where a high number of children accumulated could attract criminals, it was important to always be alert to those risks.

    ·         It was also important to remember that child sexual abuse could occur in any context, and more often than not, in their own homes.

    ·         'Project 90-10', which offered support to schools to highlight ways to keep children safe, referred to the alarming statistic that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14b

    14c

    Notice of Motion by Councillor Gwynfor Owen

    • View the background to item 14c
    • View the decision for item 14c

    In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Gwynfor Owen will propose as follows:-

     

    Welsh public services are facing a loss of up to £65m due to the increase to national insurance announced by the Labour government in Westminster.

     

    Once again, Welsh Councils will experience an actual loss as the government uses the Barnett formula to determine how much funding is allocated to devolved countries. The Barnett formula is based on population size rather than on need.

     

    It is unfair that Welsh public services will not receive full funding for the increase. This is another example of how Wales is at a total disadvantage as a result of a Labour government in the Senedd in Wales and in Westminster.

     

    As we are still awaiting details from the two governments it is not possible to calculate the exact figure at present, but Cyngor Gwynedd is likely to be at a loss of around £1m, which is an amount we have had to pass on to our taxpayers.

     

    Cyngor Gwynedd is therefore calling on the Welsh Government to demand a fairer method of funding our country from their masters in London.

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 14c

    Decision:

     

    Welsh public services are facing a loss of up to £65m due to the increase to national insurance announced by the Labour government in Westminster.

     

    Once again, Welsh Councils will experience an actual loss as the government uses the Barnett formula to determine how much funding is allocated to devolved countries. The Barnett formula is based on population size rather than on need.

     

    It is unfair that Welsh public services will not receive full funding for the increase. This is another example of how Wales is at a total disadvantage as a result of a Labour government in the Senedd in Wales and in Westminster.

     

    As we are still awaiting details from the two governments it is not possible to calculate the exact figure at present, but Cyngor Gwynedd is likely to be at a loss of around £1m, which is an amount we have had to pass on to our taxpayers.

     

    Cyngor Gwynedd is therefore calling on the Welsh Government to demand a fairer method of funding our country from their masters in London.

     

    Minutes:

    Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Gwynfor Owen under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

     

    Welsh public services are facing a loss of up to £65m due to the increase to national insurance announced by the Labour Government in Westminster.

     

    Once again, Welsh Councils will experience an actual loss as the government uses the Barnett formula to determine how much funding is allocated to devolved countries. The Barnett formula is based on population size rather than on need.

     

    It is unfair that Welsh public services will not receive full funding for the increase. This is another example of how Wales is at a total disadvantage as a result of a Labour government in the Senedd in Wales and in Westminster.

     

    As we are still awaiting details from the two governments it is not possible to calculate the exact figure at present, but Cyngor Gwynedd is likely to be at a loss of around £1m, which is an amount we have had to pass on to our taxpayers.

     

    Cyngor Gwynedd is therefore calling on the Welsh Government to demand a fairer method of funding our country from their masters in London.

     

    https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifThe member set out the context to his motion, noting:-

    ·         That the Central Government contributed 81.8% of the Council's budget in 1997, but by this year, that figure had fallen to 69.5%.

    ·         That clearly showed how the Westminster Government had gradually changed the way local government was funded, slowly moving from an income tax system, which was progressive tax, to a council tax system, which was a non-progressive tax. That meant shifting the tax burden from the rich to the poor.

    ·         When the UK Government announced the national insurance rise for employers, they were promised that they would compensate public services for the extra cost they faced.  That had happened in England, but not in Wales.

    ·         That this was just one example of how Wales is underfunded by the UK Government, and that the Welsh Government should demand that the UK Government change the funding formula, not just for national insurance compensation, but for the financing of our country as a whole.

     

    Support for the proposal was expressed by members on the grounds that there was a need for an appropriate funding system that identified a need and that the Barnett Formula worked against rural communities.

     

    RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:-

     

    Welsh public services are facing a loss of up to £65m due to the increase to national insurance announced by the Labour Government in Westminster.

     

    Once again, Welsh Councils will experience an actual loss as the government uses the Barnett formula to determine how much funding is allocated to devolved countries.  The Barnett formula is based on population size rather than on need.

     

    It is unfair that Welsh public services will not receive full funding for the increase. This is another example of how Wales is at a total disadvantage as a result of a Labour government in the Senedd in Wales  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14c

    14d

    Notice of Motion by Councillor Elin Hywel

    In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, Councillor Elin Hywel will propose as follows:-

     

    1.    This Council notes the disproportionate and cumulative effects of austerity policies on the most vulnerable inhabitants of our society by successive UK governments – whether Conservative or Labour governments.

    2.    Following the UK Government's recent announcement of further cuts to benefits totalling £5 billion, this Council recognises that these cuts are the continuation and progression of austerity policies. With a proportion of 18.1% of Gwynedd's population considered as being disabled, the people of Gwynedd will be hit particularly hard by the cuts. Furthermore, people considered as disabled in Gwynedd are less likely to be in employment, with only 50.5% in a paid job, and are therefore more likely to rely on benefits as their only source of income.

    3.    The Council notes our growing responsibility to mitigate the brutal effects of austerity policies through the Council's services. We are seeing an increase in demand for services such as social housing, emergency accommodation and social care, and the subsequent increasing cost of maintaining these services. We recognise the pressure this places on the Council's budgets.

    4.    For the sake of the residents of Gwynedd, Cyngor Gwynedd calls upon the Welsh Government to stand up for Wales and demand that their fellow Labour members in the UK Government make a U-turn on their plans to cut benefits.

    5.    In order to ensure respect and dignity for all, Cyngor Gwynedd calls upon the Welsh Government and the UK Government to adequately fund benefits and social services.

    6.    In order to end austerity in Wales, this Council demands that the Welsh Government calls upon the UK Government to devolve welfare and benefits, together with all the necessary levers to enable the Welsh Government to protect, care for and sustain our society.

     

    Additional documents:

    • Webcast for 14d

    Decision:

     

    1.    This Council notes the disproportionate and cumulative effects of austerity policies on the most vulnerable inhabitants of our society by successive UK governments – whether Conservative or Labour governments.

    2.    Following the UK Government's recent announcement of further cuts to benefits totalling £5 billion, this Council recognises that these cuts are the continuation and progression of austerity policies. With a proportion of 18.1% of Gwynedd's population considered as being disabled, the people of Gwynedd will be hit particularly hard by the cuts. Furthermore, people considered as disabled in Gwynedd are less likely to be in employment, with only 50.5% in a paid job, and are therefore more likely to rely on benefits as their only source of income.

    3.    The Council notes our growing responsibility to mitigate the brutal effects of austerity policies through the Council's services. We are seeing an increase in demand for services such as social housing, emergency accommodation and social care, and the subsequent increasing cost of maintaining these services. We recognise the pressure this places on the Council's budgets.

    4.    For the sake of the residents of Gwynedd, Cyngor Gwynedd calls upon the Welsh Government to stand up for Wales and demand that their fellow Labour members in the UK Government make a U-turn on their plans to cut benefits.

    5.    In order to ensure respect and dignity for all, Cyngor Gwynedd calls upon the Welsh Government and the UK Government to adequately fund benefits and social services.

    6.    In order to end austerity in Wales, this Council demands that the Welsh Government calls upon the UK Government to devolve welfare and benefits, together with all the necessary levers to enable the Welsh Government to protect, care for and sustain our society.

     

     

    Minutes:

    Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Elin Hywel under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

     

    This Council notes the disproportionate and cumulative effects of austerity policies on the most vulnerable inhabitants of our society by successive UK governments – whether Conservative or Labour governments.

     

    Following the UK Government's recent announcement of further cuts to benefits totalling £5 billion, this Council recognises that these cuts are the continuation and progression of austerity policies.  With a proportion of 18.1% of Gwynedd's population considered as being disabled, the people of Gwynedd will be hit particularly hard by the cuts. Furthermore, people considered as disabled in Gwynedd are less likely to be in employment, with only 50.5% in a paid job, and are therefore more likely to rely on benefits as their only source of income.

     

    The Council notes our growing responsibility to mitigate the brutal effects of austerity policies through the Council's services. We are seeing an increase in demand for services such as social housing, emergency accommodation and social care, and the subsequent increasing cost of maintaining these services. We recognise the pressure this places on the Council's budgets.

     

    For the sake of the residents of Gwynedd, Cyngor Gwynedd calls upon the Welsh Government to stand up for Wales and demand that their fellow Labour members in the UK Government make a U-turn on their plans to cut benefits.

     

    In order to ensure respect and dignity for all, Cyngor Gwynedd calls upon the Welsh Government and the UK Government to adequately fund benefits and social services.

     

    In order to end austerity in Wales, this Council demands that the Welsh Government calls upon the UK Government to devolve welfare and benefits, together with all the necessary levers to enable the Welsh Government to protect, care for and sustain our society.

     

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

    ·         That she was tabling this motion because she was appalled by the living circumstances of our most vulnerable residents, due to cruel and ideological decisions by the Westminster Government, which have turned their backs on the people of Gwynedd.

    ·         That there had been further cuts to the benefits system in recent months, including Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Universal Credit and housing cost support, and that these cuts had come without any meaningful consultation, without a thorough social impact assessment, and completely unaccounted for in terms of their impact on real people's lives.

    ·         The number of people in Gwynedd receiving Universal Credit had remained high over the years, with many of them in work, yet unable to afford to live.

    ·         The cuts to housing cost support were creating unprecedented pressures, with private rents rising and options decreasing.

    ·         That the cuts were increasing demand on our welfare services, housing, debt advice, and even our libraries, which had developed over the past few years into a place of refuge and support.

    ·         That this Council, year after year, had to step into the gap that had been created by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14d

     

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