Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Cabinet Members and Officers were welcomed to the meeting.

No apologies were received.

No declarations of personal interest were received.

There were no urgent items.

There were no matters arising from overview and scrutiny.

The Chairman signed the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 27 July 2021, as a true record.

To note and accept the information in the report.

The item was submitted by Cllr. Catrin Wager

RESOLVED

To note and accept the information in the report. 

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that it looked back over the Covid period and the staff were thanked for their work. It was explained that the department was now looking to return to work on strategic plans and the plans that can be seen on in the Council Plan were highlighted.

Attention was drawn to the Clean and Tidy Communities project highlighting that this exciting project meant working together with residents and communities to develop a Realisation Plan. The need to work with individuals and groups who were keen to play a role was emphasised, groups such as litter picking or gardening groups to allow collaboration in order to benefit the communities. The four work streams which were a part of the project were highlighted, noting that the first step would be to engage with Gwynedd residents and stakeholders and the work was started back in July 2021.

It was explained that Strengthening Communication and Engagement was one of the department's other priorities, seen in the Council Plan. It was explained that it was extremely important that residents were confident in the department's services and that concerns and enquiries were dealt with effectively.

It was noted that the work of replacing street lighting and signs to LED technology was continuing. It was explained that the street lights were dimmed at night and that this assisted wildlife also as flies and moths would not fly towards them. It was explained that the review of the control of the Council's fleet project continued and it was noted that the department had committed to take definite steps to reduce carbon emissions. It was explained that the department had recently ordered the first electric litter collection vehicle which would arrive before the end of the financial year and which would be a major step in reducing the service's carbon emissions.

It was noted that the Consultancy Department's work was progressing. It was highlighted that the department's work with flooding had increasing importance as protecting the residents of Gwynedd was very important.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾      It was noted that the department attracted a vast amount of money in order to maintain road standards and it was noted that this money was coming to an end and it was asked what the department would do. It was explained that the department took advantage of the grant funding and that it often funded improvements to Class 1 and 2 Roads and therefore the department's money funded the Class 3 and unclassified roads. It was explained that the standard of class 3 and unclassified road would deteriorate if the grant funding came to an end but that the department was in the process of creating a road asset plan which would give an idea of the department's priorities and standard.

¾      The need to live in clean and tidy communities was stressed, and that following years  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note and accept the information in the report.

The item was submitted by Cllr. Gareth Griffith.

RESOLVED

To note and accept the information in the report. 

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that it highlighted what the department did and the main challenges facing it. The staff were thanked for all their work during the period as there had been additional pressure on the departments specifically. Attention was drawn to the fact that the Climate Change Project was proceeding and that a report would be submitted to the scrutiny committee in due course.

In terms of other schemes, it was explained that a report about the increase in the number of Motor Homes visiting the county would be submitted to the Cabinet shortly. Attention was drawn to the Joint Planning Policy Service which had worked hard to create a paper about second homes which had been presented in December. It was explained that, after it had been sent to Welsh Government, they had commissioned a report by Dr Simon Brooks looking at the situation. It was noted that the department continued to put pressure on the Government to deal with the matter, but that there was very little else that the Council could do.

Observations arising from the discussion:

¾    It was noted that most of the department had been working to ensure an adequate service during the pandemic. It was noted that there was very little attention to the work of the Test, Trace and Protect Team but that their service was vast. It was explained that the service faced significant challenges specifically with the rising numbers and the number of people who did not want the call. It was stressed that the TTP Team would be funded until the end of March.

¾    With the number of people using public transport reducing, it was asked whether there was a risk to this service in the future. It was explained that it was a challenge as the Government was eager to see a reduction in the number of people using cars, but that the past year had seen people's confidence levels in using public transport declining. It was added that the shortage of drivers was an additional challenge but that there was full support to ensure public transport was provided.

¾    The staff were thanked for their work and it was noted that the department was under pressure and that the effect of 10 years of cutback was obvious.

To approve the Forward Work Programme included with the meeting papers. 

The report was submitted by Cllr. Dyfrig Siencyn

RESOLVED

To approve the Forward Work Programme included with the meeting papers.