Venue: Hybrid Meeting - Siambr Hywel Dda, Council Offices, Caernarfon, LL55 1SH and on Zoom
Contact: Sioned Mai Jones 01286 679665
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APOLOGIES Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies
had been received from Councillor Craig ab Iago. |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST Additional documents: Minutes: No
declaration of interest was received. |
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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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MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 08 APRIL 2025 Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes
of the meeting held on 8 April 2025 were accepted as a true record. |
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FLYING START EXPANSION Cyflwynwyd gan: Cllr. Menna Trenholme Additional documents: Decision: 1. Accept the grant offer to expand the
Flying Start Programme in the county by o
extending
the full scheme to the rest of the Penygroes area due to the reduction of
eligible children in the current programme o
extending
the childcare element only to additional areas – Phase 3 2. Support the Head of Children and
Supporting Families Department, in consultation with the Head of Finance, to
submit business cases and accept grant offers for the Childcare and early years
Capital Programme. Minutes: The report was
submitted by Cllr Menna Trenholme. DECISION 1.
To
accept the grant offer to expand the Flying Start Programme in the county
by ·
extending
the full scheme to the rest of the Penygroes area due
to the reduction of eligible children in the current programme ·
extending
the childcare element only to additional areas – Phase 3 2.
To
support the Head of Children and Supporting Families Department, in
consultation with the Head of Finance, to submit business cases and accept
grant offers for the Childcare and early years Capital Programme. DISCUSSION The report was
submitted by the Cabinet member for Children and Supporting Families which gave
an overview of the proposal to extend the Flying Start Scheme. It was noted
that the report included the full extension of the Flying Start scheme to the
rest of the Penygroes area due to a reduction in the
numbers eligible for the current programme and the extension of the childcare
element to additional areas. It was explained
that the Flying Start programme was already available in seven communities in
Gwynedd. It was noted that the service had provided the first phase of
expansion of the work in parts of Tregarth, Bethesda
and Blaenau Ffestiniog. It was reported that a new area had been added in 2023,
namely Deiniolen. It was stated that the project was
still facing a decline and following analysis of the most deprived areas it was
explained that extending the service to the rest of Penygroes
would be the best step. As for phases 2 and
3, it was reported that phase 2 had been operational since 2023 and served
eight LSOA areas. Attention was drawn to the challenges within the sector such
as lack of provision in rural areas, the sustainability of the Childcare Sector
and increased staffing costs. It was noted that the success of the next steps
would depend on close collaboration between early years services, local providers
and Welsh Government funding. It was noted that
the Government had announced the third phase of expanding Flying Start, again
limiting it to funding the childcare element only. It was explained that the
scheme would target an additional 147 2-year-olds during 2025 in more areas in
Gwynedd. It was explained that areas for 2025 had been identified. It was explained
that the Early Years Service was working with the Housing and Education
departments on major capital projects in Tywyn, Penygroes, Deiniolen, Bangor and Cricieth (total capital expenditure of approximately
£3.5million) which was a great investment for children in those areas. It was
reported that taking advantage of these two early years programmes would
contribute towards the Priority areas of "Gwynedd Yfory"
and "Gwynedd Gymraeg" in the Council Plan
by giving children the best possible start in life. Observations arising
from the discussion: · Gratitude was expressed for the important work being undertaken and it was applauded but concern was expressed about the challenges facing the provision of this service. It was highlighted that ... view the full minutes text for item 6. Awdur: Sioned Owen: Early Years Service Manager, Children and Supporting Families Department |
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HOUSING ACTION PLAN Cyflwynwyd gan: Cllr. Paul Rowlinson Additional documents: Decision: 1. Extend the period of the Housing
Action Plan for another two years until the end of the 2028/29 financial year 2. Commit the usual annual sum of £6m
from the Council Tax Premium fund towards funding the extra two years. Minutes: The report was submitted by Cllr Paul Rowlinson. DECISION 1. To extend the period of the Housing Action Plan for
another two years until the end of the 2028/29 financial year 2. To commit the usual annual sum of £6m from the Council
Tax Premium fund towards funding the extra two years. DISCUSSION The report was submitted by the Cabinet Member
for Housing and Property who provided an update on the Housing Action Plan. A
request was made to extend the period of the Scheme until the end of the
2028-29 financial year. It was noted that the Cabinet needed to make a decision to enable the Housing and Property
Department to plan ahead to ensure that key projects and schemes were realised
in a timely manner and to their full potential. An overview of the scheme's background was
provided stating that the Full Council had decided to use a percentage of the
money received from raising the second home premium to provide housing for
young people in their communities. To implement this, it was explained that the
Housing Action Plan had been approved by the Cabinet to include 33 projects
across five key areas to ensure that the people of Gwynedd had a suitable,
affordable and quality home. It was noted that there had been significant changes to the housing
situation in Gwynedd in recent years, particularly in light
of the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit and, therefore, the opportunity had
been taken to review the Scheme, taking advantage of new opportunities to
expand and help even more residents of the county with their housing situation. Overall, it was reported that good progress had
been made on the Scheme so far with almost £70m invested to help the people of
Gwynedd with their housing situation. It was noted that new opportunities may
arise during the scheme, as national circumstances were continually changing.
It was explained that the flexibility already allowed to vary the exact
allocation for individual projects would enable the department to act
proactively in the face of any changes in the housing market over time. Observations arising from the discussion: ·
Support for the Premium on empty houses was highlighted, questioning
whether it was possible to raise the higher Premium on long-term vacant
properties. In response, it was agreed with the comments stated that the
current premium was appropriate. However, it was noted that consideration
should be given to raising the premium for houses that had been vacant for a
very long time. · Concern was raised about the condition of houses held by the Council in the smallholding sector. In response, it was explained that the Smallholdings Estate currently offered homes to 39 families in Gwynedd areas. It was noted that the Council had a responsibility to ensure that the houses met the requirements in terms of condition and health and safety. It was explained that there had been no investment in the vast majority of the houses attached to the smallholdings. Also, as a result, it had led ... view the full minutes text for item 7. Awdur: Carys Fôn Williams: Head of Housing and Property Department |
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FINAL ACCOUNTS 2024/25 - REVENUE OUTTURN Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng. Huw Wyn Jones Additional documents:
Decision:
Minutes: The report was submitted by Cllr Huw Wyn
Jones. DECISION To accept the report and consider the final financial
position of the Council’s departments for 2024/25:
It was noted that there was significant overspend by
the Adults, Health and Well-being Department, the Children and Families
Department, the Highways, Engineering and YGC Department, and the Environment
Department in 2024/25 (please see column A in the table above). The following financial
virements (which were explained in Appendix 2 to the report) were approved -
·
In line with the Cabinet's decision on 21
January 2025, to not allow departments to carry any underspend into the next
financial year by excluding clause 16.3.1.(C) of the Financial Regulations (See
column B in the table above). ·
Confirm the financial support of £281k above the
contractual payment to Cwmni Byw'n Iach,
and use £1.1 million from the Parc Adfer
Contributory Earnings Recovery fund to fund the overspend in the field of Waste
(See column C in the table above). ·
The departments that were overspending to
receive one-off financial support, limiting the level of overspend to be
carried forward by the Department to £100k (See column CH in the table
above). ·
On Corporate budgets: ·
use (£5.144 million) of the
underspend on corporate budgets to support departments that had overspent in
2024/25. The remainder of the underspend of (£1.548 million) on Corporate budgets to be transferred to the Transformation
Fund, to be used for the Council's priorities. Amounts had been approved to be carried forward (the
"Over/(Under) Adjusted Expenditure" column in column D above and in
Appendix 1). The financial virements from the specific reserves
were approved as outlined in Appendix 3 following a review of the
reserves: ·
harvest £1.275 million from various funds and
transfer it to the Transformation Fund. ·
De-commit £375k of historical or non-committed
schemes in the Transformation Fund. ·
Move £2.5 million from the Financial Strategy
Support fund to the Transformation Fund so that they are available for the
Council's priorities and to fund one-off bids into the future. DISCUSSION The report detailing the final financial position of the Council departments was submitted outlining the reasons for the overspending or underspending. It was highlighted that the situation had improved since the August and November reviews. It was noted that overspending continued in the out-of-county care areas of the Children and Supporting Families Department, the Derwen Service, Domiciliary Care Service and the field of Waste. It was explained that significant grant ... view the full minutes text for item 8. Awdur: Ffion Madog Evans: Assistant Head of Finance Department - Accountancy and Pensions |
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CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2024/25 - END OF YEAR REVIEW (31 MARCH 2025 POSITION) Cyflwynwyd gan: Cllr. Huw Wyn Jones Additional documents: Decision: ·
Accept the report on the end of the year review (31 March 2025 position)
of the ·
Approve the revision to the Capital Budget approved on 7 March 2024 and
revised on - an increase of £4,409,000
in the use of borrowing - an increase of £17,639,000
in the use of grants and contributions - an increase of £75,000 in
the use of capital receipts - a decrease of £422,000 in
the use of revenue contributions - a decrease of £3,898,000 in
the use of the capital reserve - an increase of £1,555,000
in the use of renewal and other reserves. Minutes: The report was submitted by Cllr Huw Wyn Jones DECISION To accept the report on the end of the year review (31 March 2025
position) of the To approve the revision to the Capital Budget approved on 7 March 2024
and revised on 15 October 2024 and 21 January 2025 from the programme’s
financing perspective (as shown in part 3.2.3 of the report), that is:
·
an increase of £17,639,000 in the use of
grants and contributions
DISCUSSION The report was submitted stating that its main purpose was to deliver the
revised capital programme, and approve the relevant
funding sources as part of the 2024/25 year-end system. It highlighted that
£82.5m had been invested in capital schemes, 72% of which was funded through
specific grants. It was added that £33.4m of proposed additional expenditure had been
re-profiled from 2024/25 to 2025/26 and 2026/27. It was noted that some of the
main schemes included £16m from Schools Schemes – Sustainable Learning
Communities and Others, and £10m from the Levelling Up Fund. Since the last review, it was highlighted that the Council had been
successful in attracting additional grants of £19.382m which included a
£10.613m Shared Prosperity Fund Adjustment from the UK Government and a £1.8m
Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme Grant from the Welsh Government. Awdur: Ffion Madog Evans: Assistant Head of Finance Department - Accountancy and Pensions |
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Cyflwynwyd gan: Cllr Nia Jeffreys Additional documents: Decision: The Cabinet resolved to: a. approve the commitment in principle
to hold the Urdd National Eisteddfod in b. approve a contribution of £200k from
the transformation fund as a contribution Minutes: The report
was submitted by Cllr Nia Jeffreys. DECISION The Cabinet
resolved to: a)
approve
a commitment in principle to invite the Urdd to hold a National Eisteddfod in
Gwynedd in 2028 b)
approve
a contribution of £200k from the transformation fund as a contribution towards
the costs of hosting the Urdd National Eisteddfod in Gwynedd. DISCUSSION The report
was submitted emphasising the importance of the Urdd along with its message of
peace and goodwill in Wales and beyond. Pride was highlighted in inviting the
Urdd to Gwynedd to host the Urdd Eisteddfod in 2028. The
Executive Support Team Leader added that the report asked for the support of
the Cabinet to invite the Urdd along with approving the associated financial
element. It was explained that the Council had been very lucky to have held
many Festivals and Eisteddfodau over the years, but it was highlighted that
there would be a demand for resources, but that it would bring benefits and a
boost to the area. It was
explained that the Urdd and National Eisteddfod had been in the county over the
years, and it was emphasised that it was a matter for the Urdd to decide on the
exact location of the field and the region it would be located. By establishing
the principle, it was expressed that the Council would need to contribute £200k
which would be funded from the transformation fund. Despite the contribution,
it was explained that the economic benefit would be much higher than this. Observations
arising from the discussion: ·
Gratitude
was expressed for the report and the desire to invite the Urdd was supported
highlighting the importance of the Urdd's work to young people, not only
locally but nationally. Awdur: Ffion Mai Jones: Executive Support Team Leader, Corporate Leadership Team |