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: Councillor
Dilwyn Morgan declared an interest for item 6 as he had a grandson who attended
one of the schools in the Bala catchment area. It was a prejudicial 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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MINUTES OF THE MEETINGS HELD ON 2, 9 and 16 JANUARY 2018 PDF 222 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The
Chairman signed the minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 2, 9 and 16 January
2018, as a true record. |
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3-19 LEARNING CAMPUS, Y BALA PDF 404 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Councillor Gareth Thomas Additional documents:
Decision: Resolved to:
i.
Approve the proposal
for the closure of Ysgol Bro Tegid, Ysgol Beuno Sant and Ysgol y Berwyn on 31
August 2019 and for the Welsh Medium 3-19 Learning Campus, community status, to
be established on the existing site of Ysgol y Berwyn to open on 1 September
2019.
ii.
To approve publishing
statutory notices on the proposal in (i) above in accordance with the
requirements of Section 48 of the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act
2013. Minutes: The item was
submitted by Cllr Gareth Thomas RESOLVED Resolved to: i.
Approve the proposal for the closure of Ysgol
Bro Tegid, Ysgol Beuno Sant and Ysgol y Berwyn on 31 August 2019 and for the
Welsh Medium 3-19 Learning Campus, community status, to be established on the
existing site of Ysgol y Berwyn to open on 1 September 2019.
ii.
Approve the issue of statutory notices on the proposal in (i) above in
accordance with the requirements of Section 48 of the Schools Standards and
Organisation (Wales) Act 2013. DISCUSSION The report was submitted and the background for
this item was noted. It was explained that the Cabinet, on June 27, had decided
to withdraw the proposal approved in September 2015 to establish a Voluntary
Controlled 3-19 Learning Campus (VC, Church in Wales). It was noted that a
pre-consultation had been carried out with the Church following the Cabinet in
June and it was noted that the pupils were the priority. In the Cabinet on 24 October, it was resolved
to undertake a statutory consultation in accordance with Section 48 of the
School Standards and Framework (Wales) Act 2013. 28 observations were received
following the consultation, and it was added that the observations supported
changing the status of the school to be a Community School. It was noted that
the next step would be to issue statutory notices proposing the closure of the
schools and for the new school to open in September 2019. It was explained that
the building would be ready in September 2018 and that arrangements were in
place for the schools to make use of the building for the year before it is
opened. Observations arising from the discussion -
It
was noted that this item had been discussed for a long time but it was
appreciated that the department was legally bound and that the right process
needed to be followed. It was noted that
the people of the area were disappointed that the work had taken time but,
nevertheless, it would improve the standard of education in the area. The
community facilities were discussed, and it was noted that they should be
praised and it was added that the library was back on the site. Awdur: Garem Jackson |
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COUNCIL PLAN 2018-2023 PDF 96 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn Additional documents:
Decision: To approve the 2018-23 Council
Plan for submission to the Council on 1 March 2018. Minutes: The report was
submitted by Cllr. Dyfrig Siencyn DECISION To approve the 2018-23 Council Plan for
submission to the Council on 1 March 2018. DISCUSSION The report was submitted and it was noted that,
in recent months, work had been carried out to prepare the Council Plan that
would set a direction for the Council's work for the 2018-23 period. Contrary
to previous years, it was noted that this was the Council Plan and not an
improvement plan only. It was noted that, although the document gave
the Council a direction for the next five years, it was emphasised that it was
a live document and there would be an opportunity for the Cabinet to review it
during that period. It was emphasised that work had been carried out in
relation to its style and language in order to ensure that it was easy to read. Observations arising from the discussion -
It
was noted that the Plan had been written in a clear manner and that it was good
to see introductions to each department within the Council. It was stressed
that this should assist Council members to take ownership of the Plan. -
It
was explained that the ambition was clear but the reality was that the
financial situation was likely to hinder what could be done. It was added that
a Fund was available for the Plan's priorities but that additional funding may
need to be earmarked. -
One
member referred to an item which seemed to be missing from discussions held in
the Bangor Well-being Area. Awdur: Dewi W Jones |
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SUPPORT FOR FAMILIES PDF 72 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Dilwyn Williams Additional documents: Decision: The Chief Executive's proposal to restructure a little in order to focus
more on the work of supporting families was noted and supported. Minutes: The report was
submitted by Dilwyn Williams DECISION The Chief Executive's proposal to restructure a little in order to focus
more on the work of supporting families was noted and supported. DISCUSSION The report was submitted and it was noted that
a discussion had arisen following the development of the Children and
Supporting Families Department's family support strategy. In order to ensure
that there is focus on the preventative work of supporting families, the
Cabinet Member for Children and Families and the Head of Department believed
that it was necessary to appoint a Senior Manager to focus on this field. Due to the financial pressure on the Council,
and the need to make substantial savings, it was noted that it would be
possible to satisfy the need in a different way by transferring the Senior
Learning Manager from the Economy and Community Department to the Children and
Supporting Families Department. The Senior Manager would bring the Youth Service
with her and the Senior Manager would also take the lead in co-ordinating work
in the tackling poverty field. A discussion had been held with the Heads and
the Senior Manager in question and there is no objection to this transfer. Observations arising from the discussion Support was
expressed to this transfer and particularly the element of bringing the Youth
Service with her as there was a clear link with preventative work. It was added
that preventative work was a priority for the department and the Council and
that this was one way of escalating this priority. |
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CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION SERVICE PDF 130 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr. Gareth Griffith Additional documents:
Decision: i.
Set up unmanned Close Circuit Television
provision ii. Assign £489,000 in capital funding from the Council's Invest to Save Fund to implement the change Minutes: The report was
submitted by Cllr Gareth Griffith DECISION
i.
Set up unmanned Close Circuit Television provision
ii.
Assign £489,000 in capital funding from the
Council's Invest to Save Fund to implement the change DISCUSSION The report
was submitted and the recommendation was noted. It was explained that the system
currently used was a cause of concern as it was nearing the end of its
operational life and it could not be renewed. It was added that, during the
Gwynedd Challenge exercise, the budget for the service was cut to £90k and,
this year, Cartrefi Cymunedol
Gwynedd decided not to contribute £35k annually to the Service to monitor the Maesgeirchen and Maes Barcer estates. It was noted that
the department recommended Option 2 but it was stressed that there was a
significant impact in terms of job losses. It was explained that an initial
discussion had been held with staff. It was noted
that the Police used the system most and, with the new system, the Police would
be able to access the cameras with wi-fi connection.
Although the department was requesting assigning £489,000 from the Council's
Invest to Save Fund, it was stressed that the department hoped to receive it as
a loan and it would repay the Fund within approximately two and a half years. Observations arising
from the discussion -
The Police's use of the system was discussed and it was asked whether there
would be any chance of asking for additional funding from the Police as they
made the greatest use of the system. However, it was noted that it was a
statutory responsibility on the Council and, in addition, the Council had a
duty to reduce offending. -
When looking at the system currently in place, it was noted that the
pictures were often of a poor quality. The new system would have more cameras
and, therefore, more good quality pictures would be available. It was noted
that it was worth investing in technology to the future. Awdur: Gwyn Morris Jones |
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2018/19 BUDGET AND 2018/19 - 2020/21 FINANCIAL STRATEGY PDF 166 KB Cyflwynwyd gan: Cyng / Cllr. Peredur Jenkins Additional documents:
Decision: To recommend that the Council (at its
meeting on 1 March 2018): i.
Establish a budget of £242,862,930 for
2018/19, to be funded by £175,127,330 of ii.
Establish a capital programme of £8.389 in
2018/19 to be funded by sources noted in clause 9.4 of the report. To note the Medium Term Financial Plan in
Section B, and adopt the strategy which is in part 32-34 of the Plan. Minutes: The report was
submitted by Cllr Peredur Jenkins DECISION To recommend that the Council (at its
meeting on 1 March 2018): i.
Establish a budget
of £242,862,930 for 2018/19, to be funded by £175,127,330 of Government Grant
and £67,735,600 Council Tax income, with an increase of 4.8%. ii.
Establish a capital programme of £8.389m
in 2018/19 to be funded by sources noted in clause 9.4 of the report. To note the Medium Term Financial Plan in
Section B, and adopt the strategy which is in part 32-34 of the Plan. DISCUSSION A full
presentation on the 2018/19 Budget and 2018/19 - 2020/21 Financial Strategy was
given which was an overview of the budgetary forecasts for the coming years. It
was stressed that discussions had been held with elected members in four
seminars in Caernarfon, Dolgellau and Pwllheli and, in addition, that the
2018/19 Budget and the Financial Strategy had been submitted to the Audit and
Governance Committee for scrutiny. The budgetary
forecasts for the three financial years of 2018/19 - 2020/21 were discussed,
which had been placed in a fan chart. When looking at the range of likely
scenarios, it was noted that the Council would need to identify up to £20m in savings
between 2018/19 and 2020/21. It was added
that it would be possible to protect the Council's service for the people of
Gwynedd and address the 2018/19 deficit by means of a 4.8% increase to the
Council Tax and the implementation of the savings and cuts schemes already
considered. Expenditure
requirements for 2018/19 were presented noting that 72% of the budget came from
the general grant settlement for local government. It was explained that there
was concern that the Government had cut specific grants to schools and,
specifically, the Schools Improvement Grant which was -£618k. It was added that
the Council would not be able to fill this gap and, consequently, the schools
would shoulder the Government's cut. The budget
for 2018/19 was discussed and it was noted that by identifying £896k of
efficiency savings, implementing the savings and cuts schemes already agreed
and an increase of 4.8% in the Council Tax, this would be adequate to balance
the budget. It was stressed that no additional cuts would be required during
2018/19 and, therefore, increasing the tax would protect services for the
residents of Gwynedd. Observations arising
from the discussion -
It
was noted that the series of workshops for members about the budget had been
valuable; it was felt that it was an opportunity to obtain more information and
a better understanding of the budget. It was added that there had been a change to the constitution and that any member who wished to propose a change to the budget in the Full Council would need to ensure that the proposal was financially clear and balanced. In addition, the proposal would need to be sent to the Statutory Finance Officer at least two days in advance Awdur: Dafydd Edwards |