Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Gareth Coj Parry, Linda Morgan, Elin Walker Jones, Einir Wyn Williams.

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

No declarations of personal interest were received.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

None to note.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meetings of this committee held on the 25^th September 2025 be signed as a true record.  (attached)

The Chair signed the minutes off the previous committee meting held on 20 September 2025, as a true record.

To scrutinise performance matters within the Department.

1.    To accept the report.

2.    To ask the Finance Department to correspond with the valuation office agency to get a list of all the empty houses in Gwynedd.

3.    To ask the Cabinet Member to send a letter to the government noting a concern about high rent in the private housing sector and press upon them to present measures to ensure that the list is affordable and reduces homelessness.

4.    To encourage the Housing and Property Department to publicise new specialist housing developments for people with specific needs.

The report was presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property and the Head of Department. It was highlighted that the report included information about the department's performance from April to the end of September 2025.   The Cabinet Member explained that he would report on the latest figures to give a correct picture to committee members as the original meeting had been postponed. The statistics for the number of empty houses that have come back into use due to Council support in Gwynedd was corrected as well as the number that have come back into use via the empty homes grant. Reference was made to the measures, and it was noted that 306 houses had come back into use because of the Council's support, with 123 of these via the Empty Homes Scheme grants. It was noted that the figures had increased by the end of November to 321 houses that had come back into use, and 128 via the Empty Homes Scheme, this reflected a huge success. It was stated that the Empty Homes Schemes continued to be successful, and were at the forefront in Wales in terms of bring empty homes back into use for local owners.

Concern was expressed that the current system for grants applications was rather bureaucratic. It was noted that many people waited a long time during the process and could not commence the work required before they moved in. It was asked whether it was possible to amend elements of the grant to speed-up the process? It was suggested that an additional measure should be introduced to identify what took so much time. It was also noted that the deadline of 6 months by which time the owners had to undertake the work was unfair, bearing in mind how busy contractors were, especially in rural areas. It was asked whether it was possible for people to get a time extension? In response, details were given about the grant provision, and it was noted that it was specifically to provide a financial support grant for people to restore essential features in housing to make the houses warm and safe. Because of this, it was emphasised that it was difficult to create a scheme that was suitable for all.

Details were given of the projects underway in the department, to act on the pledges in the 2023-28 Council Plan. The successful progress made during last year was reported on, noting that the department was on its way to delivering every goal. Members were guided through the report as they were updated on the progress of each project to achieve the objectives of the Council Plan.

It was noted that the Tŷ Gwynedd Scheme was making good progress as part of the Homely Gwynedd scheme.  It was noted that the Dol Afon Goch development had nearly been completed, and the lettings process was underway.  It was stated that the development of the former Ysgol Babanod Coed Mawr, Bangor, was also making good progress with structural  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To scrutinise performance matters within the Department.

1.    To accept the report.

2.    To acknowledge the good work that is being done in the department, declaring concern about the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) assessment figures and the waiting list for domiciliary care.

3.    To ask for a progress report on the falls protocol.

The report was presented by the Cabinet member for Adults, Health and Well-being and the Head of Department. It was noted that the report was based on the performance of the Adults department up to the end of August. It was acknowledged that the data and figures were now dated since the original date of this committee meeting, as this data changed daily. The Cabinet Member confirmed that he was reporting on the data contained in the report. The Cabinet Member thanked all department staff and in particular the large number of staff who will be working over the Christmas period. The various key partners of the department, the third sector and the volunteers were all thanked. The department's main projects were outlined noting that the department continued to deliver despite the local and national challenges, with the increasing demand and limited capacity.

Members were guided through the report, demonstrating how the department was operating to deliver on the pledges in the 2023-28 Council Plan. An overview of the day-to-day work of the department was given and information was shared about the external audits that have taken place in the period in question. An overview was given of the impact of the challenges raised in the Llechen Lân report, which highlighted the financial and operational pressures in the health and care system.

Details were given of the project to modernise care resources to meet future needs. It was noted that upgrading the residential homes at Hafod Mawddach and Cefn Rodyn had been completed, and the dementia unit at Bryn Blodau had been opened. It was noted that the dementia unit was about to open at Plas Hedd and confirmation of the opening date was expected shortly. It was noted that discussions were developing in relation to the provision of Extra Care Housing in Caernarfon, and the site had been identified. It was highlighted that the next outline business plan for the Penyberth site had recently been approved by Cabinet. It was confirmed that construction had commenced on suitable care housing development at the Penyberth site, with a view to being ready by October 2026. It was also confirmed that the refurbishments to the Dolfeurig site were progressing and that significant developments had taken place over the last few months. It was elaborated that a resource had been identified to commence work on Extra Care Housing in the Dolgellau area and that work had commenced.

Details were shared about the increasing use of technology in the department, to improve the ability of Gwynedd residents to access care support. The telecare provision was detailed on the Council's website, which allowed the people of Gwynedd to see what was happening within their communities. It was stated that over 80% of the county's telecare devices had been transferred to new digital devices, at no further cost to the county's residents. It was noted that this was groundbreaking, and this supported individuals to be independent. Reference was made to the development of the direct payments  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To scrutinise performance matters within the Department.

1.    To accept the report.

2.    To ask the Chair of the Council to consider convening an extraordinary meeting of the Full Council to give every member an opportunity to discuss and scrutinise the Response Plan to the 'Our Bravery Brought Justice' Child Practice Review.

3.    To request that the department develops new measures, showing that looked-after children are regularly seen by Council staff and another showing progress with the response Plan to the Justice Child Practice review.

The Chair asked what was the latest with the work programme responding to the Child Practice Review – Justice Through Our Courage and when would the committee receive a report on the work programme? In response, the Corporate Director confirmed there would be an extraordinary meeting of the Committee in January 2026. The process was explained, noting that the Council had established a Board and Response Plan, which had been revised and renewed since the Child Practice Review was published, and it was confirmed that there would be an opportunity for scrutiny at the extraordinary meeting. It was ensured that the Department was committed to act and respond fully to the recommendations. A request was made by members of the Committee for an extraordinary meeting of the Full Council to give all members the opportunity to scrutinise this all-important Plan.

The report was presented by the Cabinet member for Children and Families. An update was provided on what had been achieved by the children's department up to the end of September. It was noted that the Children and Supporting Families Department had two projects in progress in the Council's Plan, the Autism Plan and the Children's Residential Provision Development Scheme in small group care homes.

The Autism Plan was detailed, noting that the work was thriving and the demand for a service continued to rise. It was noted that the consultation system between the Autism Team and the social workers was working effectively, and several cases of early intervention and specialist support had resulted in a decrease in need and status, with many cases closed following intervention.

It was noted that the staff training programme continued and was developing with different levels of training, and the exact level to be achieved depended on the post. It was elaborated that the team was now training employees to facilitate and run support and educational groups and programmes for parents and carers as well as identity groups for autistic young people. It was reported that the 'Cuppa and Chat' groups for parents and carers and a Neuro club for young people continued to be successful. It was noted that the Niwro Cymru App, which had been developed by Awtistiaeth Gwynedd to provide information, advice and support to the community, was now available. It was noted that the funding for the scheme expired in 2027 and therefore consideration would need to be given to how to ensure future continuity of service from a sustainability perspective.

The plan to develop residential provision for children in care in a small group home, which had developed significantly, was detailed. It was noted that a home in Morfa Bychan was now operational, with two children living there. In response to an enquiry, it was confirmed that there was room for two children only in the home, to ensure a homely household for the children in line with the national strategy. It was explained that developments were taking place at the Deiniolen site, noting that a deputy manager had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To adopt the brief and to elect members.

1. To adopt the brief.

2. To elect Councillors Elwyn Jones, Sian Williams, Menna Baines, Angela Russell and Elin Walker Jones to be members of the task and finish group. Councillor Beth Lawton was elected as a reserve member

A presentation was given on the complaints task and finish group brief. It was confirmed that the Scrutiny Forum had approved the resources to hold the Task and Finish Group. Five members were elected to be in the group, with one reserve member

1. To adopt the brief.

2. To elect Councillors Elwyn Jones, Sian Williams, Menna Baines, Angela Russell and Elin Walker Jones to be members of the task and finish group. Councillor Beth Lawton was elected as a reserve member