Venue: Virtual Meeting - Zoom
Contact: Eirian Roberts 01286 679018
No. | Item |
---|---|
APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors:- Menna
Baines, Beca Brown, Dylan Bullard, Annwen Daniels, Simon Glyn, R.Medwyn Hughes,
Keith Jones, Cai Larsen, Jason Parry and Elfed Roberts. |
|
The Chair
shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 7th
October, 2021 signed as a true record. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair signed the minutes of the meeting of the
Council held on 7 October, 2021 as a true record:- |
|
DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest. Additional documents: Minutes: Members
had received a briefing note from the Monitoring Officer in advance regarding
item 7 - Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2022/23, and Item 8 - Council Tax: Discretionary Powers to Allow Discounts and/or
Raise a Premium 2022/23. (1) The following members declared a personal interest in item 7 on the
agenda - Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2022/23 for the reasons noted:- ·
Councillor Stephen
Churchman as he was in receipt of Council Tax benefit. ·
Councillor Gareth A.
Roberts because a close family member had received the Council Tax discount. The members were not of the opinion that they
were prejudicial interests, and they did not withdraw from the meeting during
the discussion on the item. (2) The
following members declared a personal interest in item 8 on the agenda - Council
Tax: Discretionary Powers to Allow Discounts and/or Raise a Premium 2022/23 for the reasons noted:- ·
Councillor Gareth A.
Roberts as he owned a vacant property that was being rebuilt. ·
Councillor Dewi Roberts
as a member of his family had a second home. ·
Councillor Angela
Russell because she owned a second home. ·
Councillor Aled Wyn Jones
because close relatives of his owned a second home and holiday homes. ·
Councillor Gethin Glyn
Williams as close connections of his owned empty properties and second homes. ·
Councillor Dyfrig
Siencyn because a close relative of his owned a second home. ·
Councillor Elwyn
Edwards as he was part owner of two flats above Awen Meirion, High Street,
Bala. ·
Councillor Peredur
Jenkins because he owned a second home. ·
Councillor Linda Morgan
as a member of her family owned a second home. The members were of the opinion that they were
prejudicial interests, and they withdrew from the meeting during the discussion
on the item. (3) Dewi Morgan (Assistant Head of Revenue and Risk)1 declared a personal
interest in item 12 on the agenda - Appointment of a New Section 151 Officer as
the decision confirmed his appointment as the prospective holder of the Post of
the Council's Head of Finance, as the new Section 151 Officer for the Authority
from 1 January 2022, in accordance with the requirements of Section 151 of the
Local Government Act 1972. The officer was of the opinion that it was a
prejudicial interest and withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on the
item. |
|
THE CHAIR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS To receive any Chair’s
announcements. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair noted, with sadness, the news of the
death of Mrs Patricia G. Larsen, Penisarwaun, the former chair of this Council,
and one who gave a lifetime of service to her local community. He paid tribute to her, expressing the
Council's deepest condolences with Councillor Cai Larsen, and the family in
their loss. It was also noted that former Councillor Wyn Myles Meredith, Dolgellau,
had died recently. Councillor Peredur
Jenkins paid tribute to him and expressed the Council's deepest condolences
with his family. It was also noted
that Cefin Edwards, a staff member of Gwynedd Consultancy had died very
recently. The Chief Executive paid tribute to him and expressed the Council's
deepest condolences with his family. 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. In congratulating
Dewi Morgan, who had been appointed Head of Finance Department, the Council
also conveyed best wishes and gratitude to Dafydd Edwards, who was attending
his last meeting of the Council in that role. The Chief Executive also thanked
Dafydd Edwards for his service over the years, and for his support for him
personally. It
was noted that several staff members had been taken ill recently, and they were
all wished a speedy recovery. The
Chief Executive noted that the Covid case numbers in Gwynedd were higher than
they had ever been, although there were signs that we had now reached the peak
of the wave, and we would see a fall in cases soon. Until the situation was
stable, specific units within the Council were still under pressure, with a
number of staff absent from work, and service continuation arrangements were
now in place in several units across the Council. The Council's emergency
management arrangements were entirely robust at the moment; however, it was
inevitable there would be an impact on services in the short-term, and the
members were asked to assist by spreading this message in their
communities. However, it was very much
hoped that there would be no impact on front-line services, and it was noted
that the members would be updated regularly on the situation. It was noted that Tim and Inger Hancock who had
come forward to provide foster care for seven siblings, had been honoured with
an 'Outstanding Contribution to Foster Care' Award by the UK Fostering
Excellence Awards. The Council sent them its warmest congratulations for being
recognised by the awards and their outstanding contribution to fostering in
Gwynedd. It was also noted that this was
an opportunity to thank all our foster carers who looked after for our
children, noting that the Council very much appreciated their hard work and
commitment. It was noted that the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service had recently been presented to Barmouth Community First Responders by Edmund Bailey, the Lord-Lieutenant for Gwynedd. This was the highest award given to voluntary groups in the United Kingdom, ... view the full minutes text for item 4. |
|
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. |
|
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) Question from Councillor
Gareth A. Roberts "Many older and ill people find it difficult to look after
themselves and we have a shortage of care homes and care workers. If a family member wishes to move in to care for an elderly or ill
relative, they are not required to pay Council Tax on their own homes, but the
person they care for will only receive a discount of 50% Council Tax. Will the Council permit both the person who provides the care and the
person receiving the care to receive a full 100% Council Tax discount?" Response from the Cabinet Member for Finance,
Councillor Ioan Thomas "A
statutory exemption exists which means that Council Tax is not payable on
property that has been left vacant by someone who has moved away to provide
personal care to someone else. There are
10 properties that receive this exemption in Gwynedd, with the taxpayers of
five of them providing care to individuals who live in other properties in
Gwynedd, and the other five are providing care for individuals who live outside
the county. The costs of any additional
discretionary discounts would be funded entirely from the Council's coffers. If
we were to talk of five properties, the cost of providing the additional
discretionary exemption would be approximately £10,000. However, there are now 400 properties receiving
either a 25% or 50% discount because at least one of the residents is receiving
care, but where no properties have been left vacant by the carer. It is noted that the question relates to a
further discount on Council Tax for care receivers. We cannot see how the
Council could make a fair decision, that can be defended legally, to give five
properties an additional Council Tax discount without giving it to up to another
400 properties also. This would cost
around £500,000 a year for the Council, and would mean having to prioritise
Council resources, and the inevitable outcome of this would be to introduce
savings and cuts elsewhere. If the person who is
receiving care pays Council Tax (or a proportion of Council Tax if they receive
a discount), the value of the amount paid is included in their financial
assessment to increase the amount of income they can keep every week before
having to begin paying for their care. Everyone can keep enough money to pay
for their Council Tax before they begin to pay for their care. Given all the factors relating to taxation matters and calculating care
costs, I cannot see how the proposal in the question could be affordable or how
it could increase fairness in the system across the county. Nevertheless, the Finance Department will
continue to consider which discretionary discounts would be appropriate, if at
all, and will keep the cases in question under consideration as part of this." (2) Question from Councillor Nia Jeffreys "Following another blow to our communities ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
|
COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION SCHEME 2022/23 PDF 127 KB To submit
the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance. Additional documents: Decision: ·
To
continue the Council's Local Scheme for the year commencing 1 April 2022 as it
was in 2021/22. Therefore, the following
conditions (a - c below) regarding the continuation of the discretionary
elements would apply: a)
To apply a
100% disregard for war disablement pensions, war widows’ pensions and war
widowers’ pensions, for both pensioners and working age claimants. b)
Not to
increase the extended reduction periods for pensioners and working age
claimants from the standard four weeks in the Prescribed Scheme. c)
Not to
increase the backdate period for pensioners and working age claimants from the
standard three months contained within the Prescribed Scheme. ·
Where
appropriate, to delegate powers to the Head of Finance Department, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to make minor amendments to
the scheme for 2022/23, provided that it will not change the substance of the
scheme. Minutes: The Cabinet Member
for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas, submitted a report asking the Council to
confirm the continuation of the current Local Scheme to provide assistance
towards paying Council Tax for the year commencing 1 April 2022. In response to a question, it was explained that there
were different types of support available for people on low wages, but as this
varied according to the individual's circumstances, it was impossible to
provide a single solution. However, anyone who was struggling was encouraged to
contact the Department to see what could be done. It was also noted that discussions were being
held to see if it was possible to operate on a more cross-departmental level to
offer support. ·
To continue the Council's Local Scheme for the year
commencing 1 April 2022 as it was in 2021/22.
Therefore, the following conditions (a - c below) regarding the
continuation of the discretionary elements would apply: a)
To apply a 100% disregard for war disablement
pensions, war widows’ pensions and war widowers’ pensions, for both pensioners
and working age claimants. a)
Not to increase the extended reduction periods for
pensioners and working age claimants from the standard four weeks in the
Prescribed Scheme. b)
Not to increase the backdate period for pensioners and
working age claimants from the standard three months contained within the
Prescribed Scheme. ·
Where appropriate, to delegate powers to the Head of
Finance Department, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to
make minor amendments to the scheme for 2022/23, provided that it will not
change the substance of the scheme. |
|
COUNCIL TAX: DISCRETIONARY POWERS TO ALLOW DISCOUNTS AND/OR RAISE A PREMIUM 2022/23 PDF 219 KB To submit
the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance. Additional documents: Decision: That the Council
makes no change to the scheme for 2022/23. For 2022/23, that Gwynedd Council: ·
Allows NO
discount on class A second homes, in accordance with Section 12 of the Local
Government Finance Act 1992. ·
Allows NO
discount and RAISES A PREMIUM of 100% on class B second homes, in accordance
with Section 12B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. ·
Allows NO
discount on homes that have been empty for 6 months or more and RAISES A
PREMIUM of 100% on homes that have been empty for 12 months or more, in
accordance with Section 12A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. Minutes: The Cabinet Member
for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas, presented a report asking the Council for
formal confirmation for 2022/23, of the previous decisions not to give
discounts to second homes and to disallow discounts on empty properties, and to
raise a premium of 100% on such relevant properties. Members were given an
opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The following matters were raised by
individual members: ·
It was noted that the circumstances
of individuals and families who owned long-term vacant properties varied
greatly, and it was asked what support could be given to those individuals. In
response, it was noted that the recommendation remained to raise a Premium on
long-term vacant properties as such properties could cause social problems in
some locations, but that a policy could be introduced under another section of
the act which allowed the Council discretion to reduce the Premium in some
cases, such as where a property had been inherited by family, and there was
work to bring the house back to order as part of the estate. ·
It was asked how close
we were to the estimation that an additional £3.9m generated by the 2021/22
premium would be available to the fund, given that 2,045 properties had been
transferred from the Council Tax list to the Non-domestic Rating list. In response, it was explained, in preparing
the estimates every year, there was a need to look prudently at how many would transfer,
anticipating that the pattern of transferring would continue without
legislative intervention. Late transfers in this financial year could mean
loss, maybe, that would be back-dated for a period. Therefore, it was impossible to say how close
we were to the £3.9m, but currently, we could be quite confident that we would
be relatively close in terms of the money coming in. ·
In response to a question, it was explained that the definition of a
property that was unsuitable for habitation was in the hands of the District
Valuer. Anyone who owned this type of
property was asked to contact the Valuer, and should the Valuer conclude that
it was unsuitable, it would be removed from the banding. The valuer had recently tightened the
definition, so that the property had to be more or less derelict before being
removed from the list. It was noted,
should members have concerns about a specific property in their ward, they
could discuss them with the Finance Department in the first instance. ·
Concern was expressed that caravan owners did not pay any Council Tax,
yet they used Council services, and it was suggested that this should be
reviewed. ·
The importance of adhering to the policy of raising a Premium on second
homes and keeping the pressure on Welsh Government to solve the holiday homes
problem was emphasised. · It was suggested that the extended exemption period of 12 months to renovate long-term empty property was not enough as it was very difficult nowadays to find a builder / joiner / plumber / electrician to collaborate and complete ... view the full minutes text for item 8. |
|
GWYNEDD COUNCIL'S DIVERSITY DECLARATION PDF 379 KB To submit
the report of the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee. Additional documents: Decision: To adopt the work programme to support Gwynedd Council's Diversity
Declaration. Minutes: The Chair of the Democratic Services Committee,
Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones, submitted a report inviting the Council to adopt a
work programme to support Gwynedd Council's Diversity Declaration. The Corporate Support
Cabinet Member thanked the Chair and the members of the Democratic Services
Committee for their work on this important subject. Members were given an
opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The following matters were raised by
individual members: ·
The Cabinet Member for Corporate Support was thanked for ensuring that
the declaration would be amended to include people who identified as LGBTQ+,
and anyone with protected characteristics were encouraged to stand for election
in May. ·
It was noted that it was very important to have diversity on the Council,
and for the Council to reflect the people of Gwynedd today. ·
The importance of keeping this matter in mind when discussing conditions
and recognition for elected members was emphasised, as these matters were
crucial in attracting people to be part of the Council. RESOLVED to adopt the
work programme to support Gwynedd Council's Diversity Declaration. |
|
To submit
the report of the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee. Additional documents: Decision: ·
To adopt the arrangements for future Council
meetings in accordance with the principles set out in paragraph 9 of the report
to Council, with meetings of the Full Council, Planning Committee and scrutiny
committees to be held from a location (hybrid) with the remainder remaining
virtual meetings. ·
Confirm
the responsibility of implementing a start date to the Head of Democracy
Services in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, Chair of Democracy
Services Committee and Council Chair, following the lifting of the current
restrictions. Minutes: The Chair of the Democratic Services Committee,
Councillor Anne Lloyd Jones, submitted a report inviting the Council to approve
arrangements to hold Council meetings in order to address the new requirements
in Part 3 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. Members were given an
opportunity to make observations and ask questions. A number of members
expressed their concerns regarding the virtual / hybrid arrangements on the
following grounds:- ·
There were broadband issues across the county, and it was asked if the
Council could do more to assist with this, for the benefit of the county's
businesses and councillors. In response,
it was noted that the Growth Deal would invest in the region's digital
infrastructure. ·
That the old arrangements (i.e. in-person meeting in the Chamber) were
better. ·
That the report did not refer to mental well-being or loneliness, and
these matters would worsen if everyone continued to work alone in front of a
screen, without the opportunity to socialise and chat with colleagues and
councillors. ·
There was concern about how new members from May onwards would receive
the support and assistance they required. ·
It was important to have in-person meetings to enable staff to get to
know new staff and for councillors to get to know their new fellow councillors
after May. Hope was expressed that
there would be a continuous review of the arrangements. The shift to hybrid meetings
was supported by other members on the grounds that it would give members the
choice of coming to the chamber, or participating in the discussion from home. Referring to the 'Virtually
only' sub-heading in the 'Type of Meeting' column in Appendix A of the report,
concern was expressed that this closed the door to in-person meetings forever,
and an amendment was proposed to remove the sub-heading, so that all meetings
would become hybrid, and therefore retaining the option for councillors to
attend meetings in a location. In response to the amendment
and to the members’ observations, it was noted:- ·
That adopting the procedure of holding some meetings virtually only would
not close the door, and it was very important to monitor and review the
arrangements continuously (at least annually). ·
There was reference in
the report to exceptions that would occur from time to time, such as initial
meetings after elections, so that new members could familiarise themselves with
the Council's work, and for returning members to be able to meet their new
fellow members. ·
That the amendment to
make all meetings hybrid would transform what the Democratic Services Committee
had put forward, and meant that every meeting would have to be held in a chamber
as a starting point. Should the
amendment be accepted, the matter would have to be referred back to the
committee to consider the implications, and to receive a further report on the
matter. The Council was not in a
position to make a decision there and then to hold every meeting in a chamber
the second the restrictions would be lifted. · The desire ... view the full minutes text for item 10. |
|
LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND ELECTIONS (WALES) ACT 2021 - AUDIT AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE PDF 361 KB To submit
the report of the Monitoring Officer. Additional documents: Decision: ·
Note the
changes to the Constitution made by the Monitoring Officer in ·
Confirm
the recommendation of the Governance and Audit Committee to set the total membership
of the Governance and Audit Committee at 12 elected members and 6 Lay Members
for May 2022. Minutes: The Monitoring Officer submitted a report detailing
the Constitutional changes to the Governance and Audit Committee and seeking
the Council's guidance on the size of the committee in future. Members were given an
opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The following matters were raised by
individual members: ·
Concern was expressed regarding the loss for the Independent Group, which
currently held the chairpersonship and vice-chairpersonship of the Audit and
Governance Committee. However, it was
understood that these were changes introduced by the Welsh Government. ·
In response to a question, it was explained that the 12 elected members
on the committee would be appointed by the groups, in accordance with the
political balance. ·
It was suggested that the lay members appointment panel appeared to be
very small. ·
In response to a question, it was explained that the lay members would be
appointed before the new provisions would come into force in May, and therefore
the current chair of the Audit and Governance Committee would be able to sit on
the panel. RESOLVED ·
To note the changes to the Constitution made by the
Monitoring Officer in ·
To confirm the recommendation of the Governance and
Audit Committee to set the total membership of the Governance and Audit
Committee at 12 elected members and 6 Lay Members for May 2022. |
|
APPOINTMENT OF NEW SECTION 151 OFFICER PDF 201 KB Report to
follow. Additional documents: Decision: That the Council confirms Dewi Aeron Morgan, as
prospective holder of the post of Minutes: Submitted - the report of the Cabinet Member for
Corporate Support, Councillor Nia Jeffreys, inviting the Council to confirm
Dewi Aeron Morgan, as prospective holder of the post of the Council’s Head of
Finance, as the new Section 151 Officer for the Authority from 1 January 2022,
in accordance with the requirements of Section 151 of the Local Government Act
1972. RESOLVED That the Council confirms Dewi Aeron Morgan, as prospective holder of
the post of the Council’s Head of Finance, as the new Section 151 Officer for
the Authority from 1 January 2022, in accordance with the requirements of
Section 151 of the Local Government Act 1972. |
|
NOTICES OF MOTION Additional documents: |
|
Notice of Motion by Councillor Gethin Glyn Williams In
accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the
Constitution, Councillor Gethin Glyn Williams will propose as follows:- Over the centuries
the lands and resources of Wales have been used for
extraction of all manner of
commodities for the benefit of others. The latest 'commodity' being seized upon
from our landscape is the potential in carbon, as investment
companies from outside Wales are purchasing farms, gaining large Glastir Woodland
Creation (GWC) grants and using the land for afforestation to offset their
carbon emissions. The council
calls on the Welsh Government to: ·
Urgently amend the eligibility of their GWC grant so that only active
farmers in Wales are able to apply. ·
Introduce planning development legislation to enable local planning
authorities such as Gwynedd to control afforestation projects. It is vital
the Welsh Government moves
to protect Wales’ rural environment and resources for the benefit of a new Green circular economy and to strengthen Welsh industries, communities and services. Additional documents: Decision: To adopt the motion, namely: Over the centuries
the lands and resources of Wales have been used for extraction of all manner of
commodities for the benefit of others. The latest 'commodity' being seized upon from our
landscape is the potential in carbon, as investment companies from outside
Wales are purchasing farms, gaining The Council calls on
the Welsh Government to: · Urgently amend the
eligibility of their Glastir (GWC) grant so that only
active farmers in Wales are able to apply. · Introduce
planning development legislation to enable local planning authorities such as
Gwynedd to control afforestation projects. It is vital the Welsh
Government moves to protect Wales’ rural environment and resources for the
benefit of a new Green circular economy and to strengthen Welsh industries,
communities and services. Minutes: Submitted - the following
notice of motion by Councillor Gethin Glyn Williams, in accordance with Section
4.20 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:- Over the centuries the lands and resources of
Wales have been used for extraction of all manner of commodities for the
benefit of others. The latest 'commodity' being seized upon from our landscape
is the potential in carbon, as investment companies from outside Wales are
purchasing farms, gaining large Glastir Woodland Creation (GWC) grants and
using the land for afforestation to offset their carbon emissions. The Council calls on the Welsh Government to: · Urgently amend the eligibility of their Glastir (GWC) grant so that
only active farmers in Wales are able to apply. · Introduce planning development legislation to enable local planning
authorities such as Gwynedd to control afforestation projects. It is vital the Welsh Government moves to
protect Wales’ rural environment and resources for the benefit of a new Green
circular economy and to strengthen Welsh industries, communities and
services." The member set out the context to his motion,
members expressed their support of the motion, noting:- ·
There was no clarity as to who the investment companies buying the farms
were. ·
That this practice had to be stopped, and ensure that the resources
remained in the hands of the people of Wales. ·
That people did not
understand how reliant farmers were on grants such as Glastir, and it should be
legislated that farms should be run as farms by local people, rather than being
used to plant trees. ·
It was claimed that using farming land in this way was an offset for
carbon emissions. However, removing
farming land from Wales meant that we were producing less food, and the
inevitable result of that was having to import food, which added to carbon
emissions. ·
That some farmers in Pen Llŷn had applied for the Government's
woodland grant, but had been refused. RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:- Over the centuries the lands and resources of
Wales have been used for extraction of all manner of commodities for the
benefit of others. The latest 'commodity' being seized upon from our landscape
is the potential in carbon, as investment companies from outside Wales are
purchasing farms, gaining large Glastir Woodland Creation (GWC) grants and
using the land for afforestation to offset their carbon emissions. The Council calls on the Welsh Government to: · Urgently amend the eligibility of their Glastir (GWC) grant so that
only active farmers in Wales are able to apply. · Introduce planning development legislation to enable local planning
authorities such as Gwynedd to control afforestation projects. It is vital the Welsh Government moves to
protect Wales’ rural environment and resources for the benefit of a new Green
circular economy and to strengthen Welsh industries, communities and services. |