Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Menna Baines, Stephen Churchman, Nia Jeffreys, Linda A. Jones and Beca Roberts.

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 6^th October, 2022 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 6 October, 2022, as a true record.

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

Members had received a briefing note from the Monitoring Officer in advance regarding item 7 - Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2022/23, and Item 8 - Council Tax: Discretionary Powers to Allow Discounts and / or Raise a Premium 2023/24.

(1)       The following members declared a personal interest in item 7 on the agenda - Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2023/24 for the reasons noted:-

·               Councillor Jina Gwyrfai as a member of the family claimed a benefit.

·               Councillor Gareth A. Roberts as a close family member had received Council Tax discount.

·               Councillor Dewi Jones as a member of the family received a reduction.

The members were not of the opinion that they were prejudicial interests, and they did not withdraw from the meeting during the discussion on the item.

(2)     The following members declared a personal interest in item 8 on the agenda - Council Tax: Discretionary Powers to Allow Discounts and / or Raise a Premium 2023/24 for the following reasons:-

·               Councillor Jina Gwyrfai as she currently owned an empty house, but was intending to rent this to a local Welsh speaking family.

·               Councillor Huw Llwyd Rowlands because a close relative owned a second property in Gwynedd that was likely to be affected by any decision to increase (or reduce) the Council Tax premium during 2023/24.

·               Councillor Angela Russell because she owned a second home.

·               Councillor Linda Morgan because she had family and friends with second homes and empty property.

·               Councillor Elfed P. Roberts because he owned property that was let and he had family who let property.

·               Councillor Dewi Jones as a member of the family owned an empty property.

The members were of the opinion that they were prejudicial interests, and they withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on the item.

To receive any Chair’s announcements.

Condolences were extended to the following:-

·                Councillor Dafydd Davies and his family on the loss of his father.

·                Councillor Elin Walker Jones and family following the loss of her brother. 

·                Councillor Beth Lawton and family following the loss of her sister.

·                Councillor Nia Jeffreys and her family on the passing of her uncle.

Condolences were also extended to the following:-

·         The family of Godfrey Northam, who had represented the Bethesda area on this Council for several years, and one who had given years of service to his local community.

·         The family of Will Roberts, who was the Council's Principal Estates Officer for many years.

·         The family of John Eryl Thomas, former Principal Administrative Officer in the Education Department for many years.

It was also noted that the Council wished to sympathise with everyone in the county’s communities who had recently lost loved ones.

The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect and remembrance.

Best wishes were extended to Councillors Anne Lloyd Jones and Louise Hughes, who had recently undergone surgery and also to Councillor Rob Triggs, who was currently undergoing surgery and to anyone else who had recently undergone surgery.

Congratulations were extended to Rhun ap Gareth, former deputy Monitoring Officer at this Council, on his recent appointment as Chief Executive of Conwy County Borough Council.

In addition, congratulations were extended to Ian Jones on his appointment as the Head of Corporate Support and Head of Democracy Services. 

The following were also congratulated:-

·         Mared Jones from Dinas Mawddwy Young Farmers' Club for winning the Crown at the Wales Young Farmers' Eisteddfod.

·         Dinas Mawddwy Young Farmers' Club for winning the Meirionnydd Young Farmers' Eisteddfod.

·         Osian Pryce on winning the British Championship in rallying.

It was noted that CND Cymru had recently organised a 7-day journey from Trawsfynydd Nuclear Power-station to the Wylfa Nuclear Power-station. The Deputy Leader met them when they arrived in Caernarfon, and they presented her with a statement.   It was noted that this statement was available to anyone who wished to see it.

To note any items which are urgent business in the opinion of the Chair so they may be considered.

None to note.

(a)  To consider any questions from members of the public, the appropriate notice for which have been given under Section 4.18 of the Constitution.

Question by Mr Paul D. Gill (address provided in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution)

“Why is the Council imposing an increase in the Council Tax Premium in an area which is very dependent on the tourist industry and tourist spending locally without independent research and a report thereon to the Council on the effect of such a policy on the local economy bearing in mind that the imposition of the increase will reduce local tourist expenditure putting local jobs and businesses in jeopardy especially at a time of high inflation and energy bills? 

(b)  To consider any questions from elected members, the appropriate notice for which have been given under Section 4.19 of the Constitution.

(The Cabinet Members' written responses to the questions had been published in advance.)

(A)      A question from a Member of the public

          Question from Mr Paul D.Gill (address provided in accordance with the
requirements of the Constitution)

Why is the Council imposing an increase in the Council Tax Premium in an area which is very dependent on the tourist industry and tourist spending locally without independent research and a report thereon to the Council on the effect of such a policy on the local economy bearing in mind that the imposition of the increase will reduce local tourist expenditure putting local jobs and businesses in jeopardy especially at a time of high inflation and energy bills?

Response by the Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas

By empowering councils to charge a Premium on Council Tax for second homes and long-term empty dwellings, the Welsh Government has published statutory guidance for the administration of the Premium, namely the Guidance on the Implementation of the Council Tax Premiums on Long-Term Empty Homes and Second Homes in Wales.

The Statutory Guidance outline the kind of factors that can be helpful for a local authority to consider when proposing the introduction of a Premium. Each time Cabinet and the full Council considers the Premium it considers this guidance.

As the Statutory Guidance sets out, the discretion given to local authorities to charge a premium is intended to be a tool to help local authorities to bring long-term empty homes back into use to provide safe, secure and affordable homes, and support local authorities in increasing the supply of affordable housing and enhancing the sustainability of local communities.

The aim of the Premium is to assist the housing field, and the commitment of the Housing Action Plan is evidence of this.

The premium is a sincere attempt of trying to strike a fair balance between the impact of second homes and empty properties on our communities and maintaining the visitor economy.  The Cabinet is well aware of the importance of the tourism industry.  On the other hand, we must have sustainable tourism and that will be the subject of a separate study in due course.  But most of all, we believe that the basis of a sound economy is an economy where the people of Gwynedd have homes and contribute to the local economy. We can't ignore a situation where it is estimated that 1,400 individuals will have presented themselves as homeless by the end of this year – double the number presenting before Covid-19.  As a Council we will be accommodating over 600 people in temporary accommodation this year, where the figure was around 200 before the Covid-19 period.  This is not the foundation of a robust, sustainable economy.

Raising and increasing the premium is not an easy matter and Cyngor Gwynedd has never claimed it is a simple choice. Members are required to weigh-up a number of factors before reaching a decision today, including the impact of the premium on the visitor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance.

1.         To continue the Council's Local Scheme for the year commencing 1 April 2023 as it was in 2022/23.  Therefore, the following conditions (a - c below) regarding the continuation of the discretionary elements would apply:

a)    To apply a 100% disregard for war disablement pensions, war widows’ pensions and war widowers’ pensions, for both pensioners and working age claimants.

b)    Not to increase the extended reduction periods for pensioners and working age claimants from the standard four weeks in the Prescribed Scheme.

c)    Not to increase the backdate period for pensioners and working age claimants from the standard three months contained within the Prescribed Scheme.

2.     Where appropriate, to delegate powers to the Head of Finance Department, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to make minor amendments to the scheme for 2023/24, provided that it will not change the substance of the scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas, submitted a report asking the Council to confirm the continuation of the current Local Scheme to provide assistance towards paying Council Tax for the year commencing 1 April 2023.

On a general matter, the Leader of the Independent Group noted that it would be beneficial for the opposition and the people of Gwynedd to know in advance which items on the meeting agenda where Plaid Cymru had placed a whip on members. In response, the Cabinet Member for Finance confirmed that no whip had been placed for any item on the agenda.

RESOLVED

1.         To continue to operate the Council's Local Scheme for the year commencing 1 April 2023 as it was in 2022/23.  Therefore, the following conditions (a - c below) regarding the continuation of the discretionary elements would apply:

a)        To apply a 100% disregard for war disablement pensions, war widows’ pensions and war widowers’ pensions, for both pensioners and working age claimants.

b)        Not to increase the extended reduction periods for pensioners and working age claimants from the standard four weeks in the Prescribed Scheme.

c)        Not to increase the backdate period for pensioners and working age claimants from the standard three months contained within the Prescribed Scheme.

2.       Where appropriate, to delegate powers to the Head of Finance Department, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, to make minor amendments to the scheme for 2023/24, provided that it will not change the substance of the scheme.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance.

For the 2023/24 financial year, that Cyngor Gwynedd:

·         Allows NO discount on class A second homes, in accordance with Section 12 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (i.e. no change from 2022/23).

·         Allows NO discount and CHARGES A PREMIUM OF 150% on class B second homes in accordance with Section 12B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (i.e. increase from 100% to 150%).

·         Allows NO discount on homes that have been empty for 6 months or more and CHARGES A PREMIUM of 100% on homes that have been empty for 12 months or more, in accordance with Section 12A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (i.e. no change from 2022/23).

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas, presented a report asking the Council for formal ratification for 2023/24, of previous decisions not to allow any discounts for second homes and to disallow discounts on empty properties, and to raise a Premium of 150% or 100% on such relevant properties. The Head of Finance gave an outline of the principal points of the public consultation, and he thanked the Communication and Engagement Team and the Research and Information Team for their invaluable work preparing the consultation and analysing the results. 

 He also thanked his colleagues in the Finance Department who had assisted with the work.

Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. 

A member noted:-

·         That he welcomed the additions to what had been before the Governance and Audit Committee, however he was not convinced that the additions, and specifically the reference to Simon Brookes' report on second homes, had not been considered deeply enough.

·         The impact of a holiday home on an area's language profile was less than the impact of a non-Welsh speaking residential dwelling, and the report did not entirely consider the likely impact of increasing the Premium on the percentage of the population who speak Welsh in those areas, nor the direct impact that is likely to be on the native population.

·         There was a risk for the proposal, as it stood, to deliver unintentional and deviant results, namely to motivate native people to sell property to outsiders and motivate holiday home owners to transform them into residential households.  

·         He did not believe that the report gave consideration to the possibility of working from home, the impacts of the pandemic or the arrival of the Bontnewydd Bypass, that all facilitated the demographic shift.

·         There was not a never-ending population of Welsh speakers in these areas or a matching demand for houses compared to the number of holiday homes we have in these areas. The demographic/linguistic situation in these areas was extremely fragile, and the Brookes report referred to the catastrophic results of moving too quickly to reduce the number of holiday homes. 

Based on these arguments, the member proposed the following amendment, and it was seconded:-

That the Premium should not be increased for the 2023/24 financial year, and a comprehensive linguistic impact assessment should be received of the likely impacts of increasing the Premium, clarity regarding exceptions, and to also give full consideration to the other measures to control holiday homes. 

A member noted that it would be better if the Council voted on the three clauses of the recommendation separately, as there were some matters that he would support and others that he would object.  

The amendment was supported by a number of members.  It was noted that:-

·         If a public consultation was conducted, then the results should not be disregarded, and 75% of the respondents objected increasing the Premium for linguistic and economic reasons.

·         The owners of second homes spent locally, and increasing the Premium would have an adverse  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To submit the report of the Council Leader.

To approve and adopt Cyngor Gwynedd's Self-assessment report for 2021/22.

Submitted - a report by the Leader inviting the Council to approve and adopt the first Cyngor Gwynedd Self-assessment Report, looking back at 2021/22.   It was explained that the report was a new statutory requirement under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

RESOLVED to approve and adopt Cyngor Gwynedd's Self-assessment report for 2021/22.

To submit the report of the Monitoring Officer.

To appoint Mr Mark Jones as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years.

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report recommending the Council to appoint Mr Mark Jones as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years.

On behalf of the members of the Standards Committee, Dr Einir Young was thanked for her work chairing and leading the committee over the years.

In response to a question, it was explained that it was difficult to get external persons to serve as independent members of the Standards Committee, and also as lay-members on the Governance and Audit Committee and this was a general problem, and the Monitoring Officer would make this observation when he would be talking next with Government officers.

RESOLVED to appoint Mr Mark Jones as an Independent Member of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years.

To submit the report of the Chair of the Interview Panel.

To appoint Mrs Carys Edwards as a Lay Member of the Governance and Audit Committee for a period of 5 years.

The Chair of the Interview Panel, Councillor Ioan Thomas, submitted a report recommending the Council to appoint Mrs Carys Edwards as a Lay Member of the Governance and Audit Committee for a period of 5 years.

RESOLVED to appoint Mrs Carys Edwards as a Lay Member of the Governance and Audit Committee for a period of 5 years.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support.

To adopt the Petitions Scheme.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Support, Councillor Menna Jones, submitted a report requesting the Council to adopt a Petitions Scheme, in accordance with the requirements in Part 3 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

RESOLVED to adopt the Petitions Scheme.

To submit the report of the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support.

To accept the information and ask the Head of Democracy Services to use the results as a basis to establish the committees’ calendar for 2023/24 in line with the guidance of the relevant statutory Guidance.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Support, Councillor Menna Jones, submitted a report on the results of the questionnaire sent to all the councillors in October 2022, seeking their views on the timing of the Council's meetings, satisfaction with the service from the Democracy Team and communicating with councillors.  

A member noted that moving Planning Committee meetings to 10am would entail that site visits would have to be held on the previous Friday, leading to additional unnecessary costs.  In response, it was explained that the report was for information on the results of the questionnaire, and further consideration would have to be given to these results alongside the practicality / implications of changing the time when proceeding to organising the committees calendar for next year.

RESOLVED to accept the information and ask the Head of Democracy Services to use the results as a basis to establish the committees calendar for 2023/24 in line with the guidance of the relevant statutory Guidance.

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the Constitution, Councillor Huw Rowlands will propose as follows:-

“I propose that Gwynedd Council writes to the Governments and relevant train companies, expressing dissatisfaction regarding the standard of train service provided by Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales in Gwynedd, and the negative effect of this on the County’s residents and economy.”

That Cyngor Gwynedd writes to the relevant Governments and train companies, expressing discontent about the quality of the train services provided by Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales in Gwynedd, and the negative impact of that on the County's residents and economy.   

(A)  Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Huw Rowlands in accordance with Section 4.20 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

I propose that Cyngor Gwynedd writes to the Governments and the relevant train companies, expressing dissatisfaction regarding the standard of train service provided by Avanti West Coast and Transport for Wales in Gwynedd, and the negative effect of this on the County's residents and economy.     

The member set out the context to his motion, noting that:-

·                The prices charged for tickets were totally incommensurate with the standard of service, with trains late, cancelled, crowded and dirty, no guarantee of a seat, although it could cost up to £100 to travel one-way from Bangor to Cardiff on some services.

·                People who travelled to work in Gwynedd, who were dependent on the train service to do so, were often late to work following the cancellation of trains without any notice, or having to stand throughout the journey.

·                There were plenty of examples of crowded trains going to Cardiff on international rugby and football days, with the trains full leaving Bangor even, with only two carriages, despite the fact that Transport for Wales knew about the games months in advance. 

·                All this had an adverse impact on the economy and the well-being of the people of Gwynedd, and also on our international image to overseas visitors.

·                That £100bn was being invested in England to create the HS2 service, and this was with ratepayers money, including the ratepayers of Wales, namely finance that we in Gwynedd do not get any benefit from. 

·                The direct service from Bangor to London had been reduced substantially since Covid, with no specific date for when these services would be re-commenced to the previous level, if at all. It must also be borne in mind that the service from Bangor to London linked the principal cities of Dublin and London, and it was not a track to one place.

·                A significant reduction had also been seen in the number of trains that run directly from Bangor to Cardiff.

·                Why should Gwynedd residents be second-class citizens and have to change in Crewe to catch a train from Manchester to London?

·                There was also concern regarding the standard of customer service and the lack of availability of some types of tickets.

·                The train service in Gwynedd had got worse, not improved, over the last few years, and the people of Gwynedd deserved better than to accept without question a service that was amongst the worse in Europe.

Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions.  It was noted that:-

·         It was important not to compare Avanti West Coast with the Cambrian Railway and the line between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, as the Cambrian listened to complaints and had invested substantially in the railway.

·         There was a need for a much clearer, easier and regular connection to the world from Pwllheli.  

RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:-

That Cyngor Gwynedd writes to the relevant Governments and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14a

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the Constitution, Councillor Llio Elenid Owen will propose as follows:-

“The Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) is a vital emergency medical service and it is totally essential for the residents of Gwynedd. Closing their existing sites at Dinas Dinlle and Welshpool and centralising it in north-east Wales will slow down the emergency response to the furthest and most difficult to reach areas. This is extremely concerning for our residents here in Gwynedd. This will also mean that another exceptionally important service is moving from north-west Wales to the north-east, to the detriment of our rural communities.  

The rural nature and secluded roads of our areas here in Gwynedd means that saving lives is challenging, and relocating the WAA will make this an even greater challenge.

This invaluable service must be safeguarded.

I therefore propose that Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Wales Air Ambulance and relevant bodies to keep the centres at Dinas Dinlle and Welshpool, and build on the services in their current locations.”

That Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Wales Air Ambulance and relevant bodies to retain the centres at Dinas Dinlle and Welshpool, and builds on the services in their current locations.

(B) Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Llio Elenid Owen in accordance with Section 4.20 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

That Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Wales Air Ambulance and relevant bodies to retain the centres at Dinas Dinlle and Welshpool, and builds on the services in their current locations.

The member set out the context to her motion, noting that:-

·                We as councillors were eager to clearly state our support and gratitude, as local people, to the Wales Air Ambulance charity. The work they did in order to provide emergency care in our communities was totally invaluable. The Wales Air Ambulance had an important role to play here in Gwynedd, it was one of the charities that was closest to people's hearts, particularly in my local community in the Dinas Dinlle area.

·                The Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) is a vital emergency medical service and it is totally essential for the residents of Gwynedd. The rural nature and road networks means that saving lives in Gwynedd is challenging at the best of times. Relocating the service to north-east Wales would without a doubt mean even more of a challenge to the area. 

·                It was understood that this was not entirely in the hands of the charity.  The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service (EMRTS Cymru) and the Emergency Ambulance Service Committee played a part in this proposal and plans, and the opportunity to meet with the Air Ambulance Chief Executive was welcomed to understand their view and position. 

·                Challenges already faced the Wales Ambulance Service, and there were whole communities here in Gwynedd that are totally reliant on the charity in an emergency.   How will changes to the Air Ambulance impact the service provided to the residents of Gwynedd?   Will this mean slowing down the emergency response?  Will there be a risk of losing lives?  Was there certainty that there will be no adverse impact to reach residents?   

·                The Emergency Medical Retrieval and Transfer Service notes that the changes to the service will reduce the geographical unfairness to patients with critical care needs, however it was not understood how exactly relocation would achieve this, and it was difficult to see how this could lead to nothing more than a longer waiting time for emergency care in some areas. 

·                The relocation proposal notes that it will be possible to respond to the demand and go out 580 times more a year, however there were real misgivings regarding the reliability of the data used to try and justify this. This had been reiterated by our Members of Parliament, and there were too many unanswered questions.  To this end, the Plaid Cymru Members in the Senedd had called on the First Minister to commission an independent analysis themselves of this data.

·                The whole purpose of the Air Ambulance was to serve the most rural areas, and there was no sense at all to move the service from Dinas Dinlle, or from Welshpool, on the outskirts of some of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14b

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the Constitution, Councillor Elfed Wyn ab Elwyn will propose as follows:-

“That the Council supports the Welsh Government’s aim to re-open the railways of Wales, to create a railway through west Wales, and to call on them for a scoping / feasibility study of the line between Afon Wen and Bangor.”

That the Council supports the aim of the Welsh Government to re-open the railways of Wales, to create a railway through west Wales, and calls on them for a scoping/viability study of the line between Afon wen and Bangor. 

(C) Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn in accordance with Section 4.20 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

That the Council supports the Welsh Government's aim to re-open the railways of Wales, to create a railway through west Wales, and to call on them for a scoping/feasibility study of the line between Afon wen and Bangor.  

The member set out the context to his motion, noting that:-

·                The Beeching cuts had been very painful to our nation in the 1960s.    Hundreds of miles of train lines were torn from the ground, leaving only scars on land where the lines used to cross for over a century. 

·                Once the trains disappeared, the communities around the old line were now further from each other, and the car did not bind these rural communities as the train had done.  As well as giving assurance to residents of being able to travel from one place to another, the trains meant less pressure on the roads, and offered an alternative option to travel by car to the far reaches of the country.

·                That it was mad that it was taking so much time for us to reach our own capital city, and we were forced to go through another country to get to Cardiff. 

·                It was essential that Wales had a railway line that links our communities once more.

·                The line in its new guise would not only link our nation internally, but would give a huge boost to our economy, creating new jobs, opportunities for new economic developments and would be a catalyst for the scattered communities throughout the county. 

·                A railway from the south to the north, would not only be a modern backbone to our national transport system, but would also reinforce our confidence as a nation.

Several members expressed their support to the proposal.

A member noted the importance of ensuring that no plans to re-open railways would affect green lanes, such as Lôn Eifion.

RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:-

That the Council supports the Welsh Government's aim to re-open the railways of Wales, to create a railway through west Wales, and to call on them for a scoping/feasibility study of the line between Afon wen and Bangor.  

To submit, for information – letter from the Welsh Government in response to Councillor Elfed Wyn ab Elwyn’s notice of motion to the 6th October, 2022 Council meeting regarding the Prince of Wales title.

Submitted, for information - a letter from the Welsh Government in response to Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn's notice of motion to a Council meeting on 6 March, 2022, regarding the title of the Prince of Wales.