Venue: Siambr Hywel Dda, Council Offices, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1SH
Contact: Annes Siôn 01286 679490
No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet Members and Officers were welcomed
to the meeting. No apologies
were received. |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST Additional documents: Minutes: There were
no declarations of personal interest. |
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URGENT ITEMS Additional documents: Minutes: There were no urgent
items. |
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MATTERS ARISING FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY Additional documents: Minutes: There were no matters arising from overview
and scrutiny. |
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Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Dilwyn Morgan Additional documents: Decision: To assign £34,382 from the Council
Plan Fund to finance a transformation officer post for a period of one year in
the Children and Supporting Families Department to undertake a specific
intervention in order to ensure that the Department's services are operating in
the most efficient way possible. Minutes: The report was submitted
by Cllr. Dilwyn Morgan DECISION To
assign £34,382 from the Council Plan Fund to finance a transformation officer post for a period of one year
in the Children and Supporting Families Department to undertake a specific intervention in order to ensure
that the Department's services are operating
in the most efficient way possible. DISCUSSION The report was submitted
and it was noted that the Children and Supporting Families Service was an ambitious department. It was expressed that they were eager
to undertake a review of
the department's work in order to ensure
that they were working efficiently.
It was added that receiving the resource would provide evidence
in order to challenge not only the department's processes but the processes of regional and national partners as well. It was expressed
that identifying collaboration opportunities across the Council and partners was a key part of the work, and that it was in keeping with the wider vision such
as developing the Supporting
Families Strategy. It was added that there
would be financial benefits for the department following the review, but it was stressed that this
was not the main objective of the department.
Rather, it was to ensure that
the department was working in the most efficient way possible. The Head of Children
and Supporting Families Department added that discussions had been held in
order for the department to move towards working more efficiently, noting that historically the service had not made the most of
the opportunities to realise
efficiencies. It was added that a key part
of the work would be to change the culture and to strengthen the Ffordd Gwynedd mindset,
and in doing so offer the best service to the residents of
Gwynedd. It was expressed that
the department had gone through a full national inspection of its services last
year, therefore, the department was aware that their processes
were robust and effective. It was expressed that the request was for a Part Time
(3 days a week) Officer, for a specific period who would not only
undertake the review but would be a resource to realise the recommendations. Observations
arising from the discussion -
It was noted that a secondment to the post would be a good idea as staff understood the
Ffordd Gwynedd mindset. It was added
that a secondment would also offer an opportunity for officers to develop their skills. - Reviewing processes was discussed, noting that if challenges were faced outside the Council's processes, it was important that the department challenged them. - It was noted that the exercise would be valuable and that there would be implications beyond the Children field Awdur: Marian Parry Hughes |
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APPRENTICESHIP - BID TO THE GWYNEDD COUNCIL PLAN FUND PDF 117 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Nia Jeffreys Additional documents: Decision: a)
Approve the establishment of an apprenticeship scheme. b)
Commit £300,000 from the Council Plan Fund in order
to establish the apprenticeships
scheme to employ at least 20 new apprentices
in 2019. Minutes: The report was submitted by Cllr. Nia Jeffreys RESOLVED a)
Approve
the establishment of an apprenticeship scheme. b) Commit £300,000 from the Council Plan Fund
in order to establish the apprenticeships scheme to employ at least 20 new
apprentices in 2019. DISCUSSION The report was submitted
and it was noted that the scheme was simple, but innovative and progressive.
The staff were thanked for their hard work in developing the scheme. The Cabinet Member elaborated on the
political vision behind the scheme.
I.
Language - it was noted that the scheme would
provide more opportunities to receive training and develop skills and expertise
through the medium of Welsh. It was hoped that this would encourage an increase
in the use of the language.
II.
Country - it was noted that the apprenticeship scheme
was a national objective. In addition, it was expressed that it was an
opportunity for Gwynedd Council to lead by example and show the scheme's
potential to other councils and public bodies.
III.
People - it was explained that there was a
definite link between this scheme and improving the lives of the residents of
Gwynedd. The member elaborated by noting that this was not only for the twenty
people receiving apprenticeships but the wider community as well. It was added
that it would evoke a feeling of hope and confidence in the communities of
Gwynedd. IV.
Children - it was noted that the scheme would be
an opportunity to challenge social stereotypes. It was noted that this would be
a long journey but that it would be an opportunity for children to be able to aim
for their ideal jobs. It was expressed
that departments could be a part of the scheme, and that heads would need to
contact in order to see what opportunities were available in their services. Observations
arising from the discussion -
It was expressed that the item was timely, given
the situation with Wylfa. It was noted that having apprenticeships would
certainly offer opportunities to young people to remain in the area and to use
the Welsh language. -
It was stated that it must be borne in mind that
funding was available for innovative schemes despite all the talk of savings.
The importance of keeping young people in the area in order to have sustainable
communities was highlighted. -
As well as the importance of giving
opportunities to young people and investing in them. Awdur: Geraint Owen |
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BID FOR COUNCIL RESOURCES TO TRANSFORM THE SCHOOLS SYSTEM PDF 110 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Gareth Thomas Additional documents: Decision: a)
To commit £103,492
from the Council Plan Fund for a two-year period to fund a Project Manager
post, which would enable the Education Department to respond to, and implement
individual projects to transform the schools system in a timely manner as they
arise and in accordance with the adopted education principles. b)
To review the
situation when the initial two-year period ends, and/or if an increase is
anticipated in the number of further individual projects that will need to be
implemented to transform the schools system in light of adopting the education
principles. Minutes: The item was submitted by Cllr. Gareth Thomas RESOLVED a)
To commit £103,492
from the Council Plan Fund for a two-year period to fund a Project Manager
post, which would enable the Education Department to respond to, and implement
individual projects to transform the schools system in a timely manner as they
arise and in accordance with the adopted education principles. b)
To review the
situation when the initial two-year period ends, and/or if an DISCUSSION The report was submitted
noting that the Education Department had several exciting schemes as part of
the Council Plan. It was noted that the Department was responsible for high
level projects which encompassed matters of transforming the system,
strengthening leadership and modernising education. It was added that the
department had adopted new Education Principles as the basis for fulfilling the
department's vision. It was noted that
the department had non-capital schemes which would need to be addressed under
the leadership of the Area Education Officers. It was added that the schemes
were in keeping with the principles, namely: ·
Setting up a formal federal arrangement between
Ysgol Brynaerau and Ysgol Talysarn ·
Change the admission ages of Ysgol Dyffryn
Ardudwy and Ysgol Llanbedr ·
The future of Cwm-y-Glo. It was noted that
all of the above projects needed to follow a complete statutory process, which
was heavy on project resource, no matter how small the change intended to be
implemented was. It was noted that it was a period of significant change within
the education department and it was possible that other non-capital
opportunities would arise. In order to
allow the Department to respond and follow the principles, it was explained
that additional resources would need to be secured. Observations
arising from the discussion -
It was noted that the money would ensure that
projects would be completed and would ensure that the education system
progressed. Awdur: Garem Jackson |
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REVENUE BUDGET 2018/19 - END OF NOVEMBER REVIEW PDF 82 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Peredur Jenkins Additional documents:
Decision: -
To
accept the report on the end of November 2018 review of the Revenue Budget and
consider the latest financial position in respect of the budgets of every
department/service. -
To
ask the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, together with the
Head of Department, to get to the root of the Provider service overspend and
take steps to reduce the overspend, and to report to the Cabinet on the
response plan. -
Due
to an increase in the overspend on a number of budget headings by the Children
and Supporting Families Department since the last review, to consider the
situation when receiving the Cabinet Member’s performance report (29/01/19
Cabinet) with a view to attempt to reduce the overspend by the end of the
financial year. -
Due
to the level of overspend on pupils’ transport by the Education Department, to
consider the situation when receiving the Cabinet Member’s report (29/01/19
Cabinet). -
To
allow the Environment Department to allocate (£60k) of the department's
underspend to conduct a review by commissioning research by the University and
employing extra officers to collect evidence in the Public Transport field
following a number of issues over recent years. -
Harvest
(£2,984k) of the net underspend on Corporate budgets, ·
with
(£700k) associated with the Council Tax premium to be allocated to a specific
fund to be considered for the Housing Strategy. ·
(£435k)
relating to capital costs to be transferred to the capital programme’s
financing fund. ·
with
the remainder of (£1,849k) to be transferred to the Supporting the Financial
Strategy Fund to assist with inevitable one-off pressures on the Council's
budgets. Minutes: The item was submitted by Cllr Peredur Jenkins DECISION -
To accept the report on the end of November
2018 review of the Revenue Budget and consider the latest financial position in respect
of the budgets of every department/service. -
To ask the Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, together with the Head of Department, to get to the root of the Provider service overspend and take steps to reduce
the overspend, and to report
to the Cabinet on the response
plan. -
Due to an increase in
the overspend on a number of budget headings by the Children and Supporting Families Department since the last review, to consider the situation when receiving the Cabinet Member’s performance report (29/01/19 Cabinet) with a view to attempt to reduce the overspend by the end of the financial year. -
Due to
the level of overspend on pupils’ transport
by the Education Department,
to consider the situation when receiving the Cabinet Member’s report (29/01/19
Cabinet). -
To allow the Environment Department to allocate (£60k) of the
department's underspend to conduct a review by commissioning research by the University and employing extra officers to collect evidence in the Public Transport field following a number of issues over recent years. -
Harvest
(£2,984k) of the net underspend on
Corporate budgets, ·
with
(£700k) associated with the
Council Tax premium to be allocated to a specific fund to be considered for the Housing Strategy. ·
(£435k)
relating to capital costs to be transferred to the capital programme’s financing fund. ·
with the remainder of (£1,849k) to be transferred
to the Supporting the Financial Strategy
Fund to assist with inevitable one-off pressures on the Council's budgets. DISCUSSION The report was submitted, noting that the department detailed the latest review of the revenue budget, along with the projections for the end of the financial year. It was expressed that it was a mixed picture with
acceptable financial control in a number
of the Council's departments. It was added that significant overspend was anticipated in the Education Department, Children and Supporting Families Department and Highways and
Municipal Department. It was reported that five
departments, together with the Corporate budgets, would underspend, but the other five departments
would overspend. It was noted that the Adults, Health and Well-being department was overspending as a result of overspend in the Provider service and a slippage in the savings schemes. It was added that there
would be a reduction in the overspend as a result of using grant funding. It was noted that overspend in the Children and Supporting Families Department was getting worse. However, a grant received from Welsh Government recently had reduced the overspend slightly. It was explained that school taxi and bus transport continued to cause an overspend in the Education Department. In looking at the Economy ... view the full minutes text for item 8. Awdur: Dafydd L Edwards |
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CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2018/19 - END OF NOVEMBER REVIEW PDF 162 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr. Peredur Jenkins Additional documents: Decision: To accept the report on the end of November
review (30 November 2018 position) of the capital programme, and approve the revised financing as shown in part
4 of the report, that is: -
£9,000
increase in the use of borrowing -
£3,502,000
increase in the use of grants and contributions -
£30,000
increase in the use of capital receipts -
£488,000
increase in the use of revenue contributions -
£220,000
increase in the use of renewal funds and others Minutes: The report was submitted by Cllr. Peredur Jenkins DECISION To accept the report on the end
of November review (30 November 2018 position) of the capital programme, and approve the revised financing as shown in part 4 of the report, that is: -
£9,000
increase in the use of borrowing -
£3,502,000
increase in the use of grants and contributions -
£30,000
increase in the use of capital receipts -
£488,000
increase in the use of revenue contributions -
£220,000
increase in the use of renewal funds and others DISCUSSION The report was submitted, noting that its
main purpose was to present
the revised capital programme and to approve the relevant financing sources. It was noted that the analysis in the report noted
a capital programme worth £51m for the next three years.
It was added that the report detailed the sources, mainly grants that had been attracted, to fund the net increase of over £4m since the last review. It was noted that the Council had definite schemes in place
in order to invest approximately £28.5 million this year,
£6.9 million of which was funded via grants. Awdur: Dafydd L Edwards |
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SAVINGS OVERVIEW - PROGRESS REPORT ON THE REALISING SAVING SCHEME PDF 116 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Peredur Jenkins Additional documents:
Decision: To accept the report
and note the encouraging progress towards realising the savings schemes during 2018/19 and previous years. Minutes: The report was submitted by Cllr. Peredur Jenkins DECISION To accept the report and note the encouraging progress towards realising the savings schemes during 2018/19 and previous years. DISCUSSION The report, which outlined
the progress on realising the Council's savings schemes annually, was submitted. Attention was drawn to the appendix
which showed that over 95% of the savings for 2015/16 - 2017/18 had
been realised. It was added that some slippage
had been seen with 15 schemes, seven of which were from the Adults,
Health and Well-being Department, where the challenge of delivering some schemes continued. It was added that four schemes
were in the Highways and Municipal Department,
where the Cabinet had agreed
to postpone implementing
the 'Recycling Centres' scheme.
It was noted that one scheme, namely
'End to End' was being slipped by the Children and Supporting Families Department. It was noted that the Council had schemes worth over £2.5 million in savings
in the 2018/19 Financial Strategy.
It was added that 64% of
the schemes had been realised, with seven on track
to be delivered on time, and five slipping. It was noted that one
of the slippages was the 'End
to End' Scheme has and that a review of the scheme had been held by the Children and Supporting Families Department, with Finance and the Research and Information
officers, in which the predictions of the original model were revisited. It was explained that realising nearly £27m in savings since
April 2015 had been a challenging time for the Council, and staff and
all Cabinet Members were thanked for their
work. Observations
arising from the discussion -
Thanks were expressed for the work, and it was added that it was a good thing that
the Council was acting efficiently. It was added that the Council was facing having to realise more savings, but that the welfare
of the people of Gwynedd needed
to be ensured in making these decisions. Awdur: Dafydd L Edwards |
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PERFORMANCE REPORT OF THE CABINET MEMBER FOR CORPORATE SUPPORT AND LEGAL DEPARTMENT PDF 122 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Nia Jeffreys Additional documents: Decision: To accept and note the information in the report. Minutes: The item was
submitted by Cllr Nia Jeffreys DECISION To accept and note the information in the report. DISCUSSION The report was
submitted noting that this was the Cabinet Member's second performance report.
Attention was drawn to the departments' projects, with emphasis on some
specific projects. When looking at the project of promoting the use of the
Welsh language within the Council's services, it was noted that she took pride
in the fact that the Council's internal proceedings were held through the
medium of Welsh. It was added that the Council ensured that support was
available in order to provide the best service to the residents of Gwynedd. It
was noted that there was support for officers and manager also to develop their
linguistic skills further, as there was a specific Learning and Development Officer
for the Welsh language. The Health,
Safety and Well-being Service was thanked for its hard work in ensuring that
the IOSH course materials were now available through the medium of Welsh. It was noted that
there had been an increase of 4% in the Council's revenue and capital
expenditure, and it was stressed that it was important to strike a balance
between ensuring the best value for money and the benefit of spending with
local companies. Attention was drawn to the 'Reducing the Pay Gap between Women
and Men' scheme, which sought to increase the number of women within leadership
in the Council. It was noted that any element of the work conditions within the
Council that were a barrier to women applying for leadership posts needed to be
eliminated. Attention was drawn
to the Self-service development on the Council website which gave residents
access to information 24 hours a day. It was noted that the numbers of
self-service accounts continued to increase and 36,197 accounts had now been
created. It was noted that there had been two 'information breaches' between
July and the end of October where information had been sent to the wrong
address or stolen/lost. It was noted that there were reasons for this, and that
arrangements had since been tightened in order to ensure it would not happen
again. It was noted that
the Cabinet Member was satisfied with the progress of the Legal Service and the
Member congratulated the Service for once more succeeding in maintaining the
LEXCEL standard. This was the recognised standard of the Law Society for
“Excellence in legal practice management and client care”. Matters arising
from the discussion: - Attention was drawn to the
deficiencies that had been highlighted in the programmed inspections of the
Highways and Municipal Department, and the Cabinet Member for Highways and
Municipal noted that he would discuss the data with the department. -
The Gwynedd App was discussed, and a question
was asked about the numbers using the app. 386 had downloaded it to date, but it
was added that it had not yet been fully launched. Awdur: Dilwyn Williams |
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PERFORMANCE REPORT OF THE CABINET MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PDF 133 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Ioan Thomas Additional documents: Decision: To accept and note the information in the report. Minutes: The item was
submitted by Cllr Ioan Thomas DECISION To accept and note the information in the report. DISCUSSION The report was
submitted noting that it had been written following the department's performance
challenge meetings which included Scrutiny Committee members as part of the
panel. The Council Plan projects were discussed, and attention was drawn first
of all to the Businesses receiving support to Prosper scheme. It was noted that
some businesses had difficulties contacting the Council, it was expressed that
Denbighshire County Council now had one member of staff to deal with any
enquiries regarding economic development from businesses. It was noted that the
Cabinet Member was eager to move ahead to develop a similar scheme in Gwynedd. The scheme to
Create High Value Jobs was discussed, and it was noted that the work of
developing the Llanbedr site was continuing. It was noted that the National
Park would make a statement shortly giving an update on the planning to build a
new road in Llanbedr. The owners of Llanbedr Airfield had expressed that an
increase had been seen in the number of enquiries from aerospace businesses in
relation to temporary locations and establishing themselves within the
development site. It was added that construction work was continuing in order
to develop the site further. Attention was drawn
to the Arloesi Gwynedd Wledig programme, noting that a Drone School had been
run with over 25 young people attending activities over six weekends which had
been successful. It was added that, following a successful bid to Welsh
Government to establish a public WiFi provision in rural communities,
arrangements were in place to install the equipment in seven communities. It was noted that
the UK Government had now confirmed that the Welsh Slate nomination would be
the next to be submitted from Britain to the World Heritage Committee. The Maritime and
Country Parks Service was discussed, and that the work of dredging the Victoria
Dock marina basin had been completed successfully. It was noted that it was
timely to look at the future of Hafan, Pwllheli and a Project Board had been
set up. The Tourism, Marketing and Events Service was continuing with the work
of creating a tourism Snowdonia Mountains and Coast website. It was added that a new version of the
website was about to be released to the sector for its input, with the
intention of going live within the next few months. Observations
arising from the discussion - Attention was drawn to the lack of
business space which continued to be an obstacle for companies who were keen to
locate themselves in the county. It was noted that discussions about the Asset
Plan for the next ten years were in the pipeline and that it may be possible to
provide business space. It was added that businesses wanted buildings rather
than units. Awdur: Iwan Trefor Jones |
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PERFORMANCE REPORT OF THE CABINET MEMBER FOR FINANCE PDF 138 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr Peredur Jenkins Additional documents: Decision: To accept and note the information in the report. Minutes: The item was submitted by Cllr Peredur Jenkins DECISION To accept and note the information in the report. DISCUSSION The report was submitted, noting that it outlined what had happened in the Finance Department, and noting that the Cabinet Member was happy
with the department's performance overall, but that appropriate
steps had been taken to improve performance where appropriate. In
looking at the Total value of various debts over six
months old, it was noted that the Health Board was responsible for a substantial proportion of those debts, and following the performance meeting, discussions had been held with
relevant officers from the Health Board in order
to resolve the problem. It was noted that the Internal Audit Service, as part of adding value and attracting additional income, had been offering an
audit service to 67 Town
and Community Councils. It
was added that, in a recent national
review, the Wales Audit
Office had shown the Gwynedd report
format as 'good practice'. The Information Technology (IT)
Service was discussed, noting
that a new IT Strategy was under discussion, and would be submitted to the Cabinet in May.
It was added that work had been done
together with the Education Department in order to develop
a new IT strategy for schools also.
It was explained that the schools' internet connection had improved and was substantially quicker. Observations
arising from the discussion -
The staff of the Department
were thanked for doing their
work so effectively.
Awdur: Dilwyn Williams |