Agenda item

To consider any questions 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 distributed to the members in advance).

 

(1)       Question from Councillor Owain Williams

 

“The continuous habit by various public bodies, the press and the media of referring to 'North Wales' and 'South Wales' and 'Mid Wales' etc. is creating rifts amongst our nation, at a time where national unity is required. I ask the Leader whether or not he would be willing to contact the Senedd in Cardiff to ask them to intervene in every possible manner in order to influence a change in this habit, which is causing rifts in this nation?"

 

 

 

 

Response by the Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn

 

"I am not sure if I understand the question, or what influence Welsh Government has on the names of our regions, but it is true to say that there is a North Wales Region.  It is also true to say that there is a Mid-Wales Region and it is true to say that there is a Cardiff City Region and a Swansea City Region. I fully agree that there is a need for us to be confident as a nation, and united as a nation, but being concerned about this type of observation shows our lack of confidence.  Let us continue to name our regions as we see fit. I do not know if the questioner has any suggestions in terms of what we should be naming these places?"

 

Supplementary Question from Councillor Owain Williams

 

"I am sure the Leader would agree with me that the union is being fragmented?"

 

(2)       Question from Councillor Kevin Morris Jones

 

"A large number of events take place at the village of Llanberis, nearly every week. Although this can be a very good thing for the area's economy, the number of events can sometimes be excessive and have a negative impact on the area, the residents and visitors.

 

I would like to know if the Council is aware of how many people are competing in the events on the day in the Llanberis area and how many races (running, cycling and swimming) are being held and whether or not Gwynedd Council is permitting all of these events?"

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, Councillor Gareth Thomas

 

"As the permission of Gwynedd Council is not required in order to hold all types of events, it is not possible for the authority to be aware of the number of races and events being held in Llanberis, or how many are taking part.  Only events being held on Council land, or events that require an entertainment or alcohol licence, require the Council's permission. Therefore, it is problematic. A number of events use Council land and I would be very willing to have a conversation with the Councillor to discuss this type of thing. I am aware of the pressure this places on the community of Llanberis and I have asked officers from the Economy and Community Department to collaborate with relevant officers across Council services and key partners, such as Snowdonia National Park, to support the Councillor and the community to see how we can have better control of events in Llanberis in future."

 

Supplementary Question from Councillor Kevin Morris Jones

 

"Is Gwynedd Council willing to open Glyn Rhonwy for every future event, bearing in mind that there is only 1,174 parking spaces in Llanberis?" 

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for Economy and Community, Councillor Gareth Thomas

 

"There is a working group examining Glyn Rhonwy and the member is a member of that working group, and this is something that is being discussed within that working group. As I reported earlier, I have asked officers from the Department to sit down with the Councillor, the community, officers from the Park and other officers across the Council to see how we can have better control of the situation.  I am aware that it creates problems and I am eager to try to resolve those problems, therefore, I will be working towards this in future."

 

(3)       Question from Councillor Louise Hughes

 

"During the previous meeting of the Fairbourne Community Council, a topic that comes up often was mentioned, namely overnight camping on the Point. They requested that I asked for guidance from Gwynedd Council regarding the best way of dealing with the matter. I am certain that this is a topic that most of us in the chamber have had to address in our wards at some time or other.

 

The problem is that people do not stay for one night only. More people are coming here in their camper vans and staying for a week or more. Can the Cabinet Member give any advice on how to deal with this dilemma?"

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Gareth Griffith

 

"The Department is putting forward four options. One of them is a court order, but it is possible that this is not practical, as it is something that cannot be acted upon quickly. The others are parking orders, physical barriers and signage.  However, I believe that the point with signage is that it has no powers, and as this is not unique to Fairbourne as it happens in Felinheli and other places as well, I would currently suggest that we get together and get to the bottom of this. There is an argument in favour and against."

 

Supplementary Question from Councillor Louise Hughes

 

"Is there a way for us to enforce any parking orders?"

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Gareth Griffith

 

"This is why having the discussion is important. It is becoming more problematic and there are more people with camper vans instead of cars, and they come to Gwynedd, and I believe that it is important to get the balance in terms of what we can do.  We welcome people but there is a right way of dealing with this.  But as I say, it is important for all of us.  We are all affected by this and it is important for us to sit down together and move forward with this. I mentioned to someone this morning to consider scrutinising the matter. I am not sure whether it has been scrutinised, and not proceeded, but it is possible that a piece of work can be done so that councillors can share problems from their areas. I totally accept the point, but I believe that further discussion is needed."

 

(4)       Question from Councillor Elin Walker Jones

 

"We are living in a time when global warming has reached crisis point, and we desperately need to reduce our carbon emissions.

 

Gwynedd is also a large and rural geographical area, and travelling from one place to another to attend meetings is expensive, contributes to carbon emissions, and it is a waste of time and resources.

 

We also realise that it can be difficult to combine work, family responsibilities and to attend meetings. We are eager to attract new members from more varied backgrounds than what we currently have, in order to promote inclusive representation and expand true democracy.

 

Technology plays an increasingly important part in our 21st century lives.  For example, video conferencing can facilitate people's participation at meetings across the County and, in fact, the whole of Wales.

 

Women or men who look after children can participate in evening meetings remotely.

 

It is, therefore, our duty to create structures to facilitate participation in meetings by using technology, and reduce the pressure on the environment, reduce the use of cars, reduce the need to travel to meetings, and increase the potential for meaningful contribution by our members, and increase opportunities to be more inclusive. What use does the Council make of technology in the field of democracy and how can we expand this?"

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support, Councillor Nia Jeffreys

 

"Thank you very much to Councillor Elin Walker Jones for her comments.

 

I totally agree with here that there are environmental benefits from using modern technology and to being more inclusive, increasing the potential for participation and attracting more individuals from different backgrounds to Local Government, and to also save money.

 

I note that the Council has increased its use of technology, but there is an opportunity to expand that and I will continue to emphasise this in our performance challenge meetings and at my regular meetings with the Head of Department.

 

✓ Most of us here today read our committee documents electronically; we have now become used to this and think nothing of it.

✓ We tend to communicate with our constituents electronically (e-mail, social media, etc.). 

✓ Skype provision is available to all members in order to contact each other electronically and remember that a brief training session on using Skype is available if you want to learn more.

✓ The Council also uses video conferencing facilities for smaller meetings.  I would like to see this being extended over the coming months and I will discuss this with the Head of Department.

 

But there is room for improvement and the Democratic Services Committee is looking at developments in the field.  

 

I understand that due consideration must be given to matters such as simultaneous translation, the ease of use of the technology, chairing multi-location meetings whilst ensuring that everyone is treated fairly, and protocol when any faults arise with the technical provision - but in my opinion, these considerations are not obstacles for the Council and Councillors to take full advantage of the technology available in Gwynedd Council, and that are now common in many workplaces.

 

There are opportunities for us to trial different methods, perhaps not all will be successful, but there are opportunities for us to try things in future. 

 

On the other hand, we all have a responsibility to consider the environment when organising meetings and participating in them, and I encourage us all to think before travelling. In the meantime, I will continue to place pressure on the service to proceed with arrangements to make it as easy as possible for Councillors to take advantage of modern technology in their work.

 

I hope to see real progress in the use of technology over the coming year and I look forward to updating Councillor Walker Jones on the developments."

 

Supplementary Question from Councillor Elin Walker Jones

 

"Is there a specific timetable for this?"

 

Response from the Cabinet Member for Corporate Support, Councillor Nia Jeffreys

 

"No, there is no specific timetable, but that is a great idea, therefore, I will take that on board."

 

(5)       Question from Councillor Nia Jeffreys

 

"We know that there is an intention for the National Eisteddfod to visit Gwynedd in 2021 and, therefore, what input has the Council had so far in the process of identifying a suitable hosting location?"

 

Response from the Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn,

 

"Last year, the Council received a request for assistance from the National Eisteddfod to identify sites, and our Property Department has been busy travelling across the county to see what sites are suitable to host the Eisteddfod.  Believe me, regulations in terms of finding suitable sites for the Eisteddfod in this day and age are very substantial, where the Eisteddfod has all types of requirements. As you can see, no request was received from the Eisteddfod to look for sites in Meirionnydd. I do not know whether that is because the Eisteddfod has been very successful in Meirionnydd many times, and we are very proud of that - you will remember that it visited Bala of course in 2009.  As you can see in the written response, one of the factors considered was the available surface area.  I believe we are talking about approximately 150 acres of flatland. Transport matters along with electricity and water availability are a consideration, and a short list of four sites of the 30 sites considered was drawn up for a further discussion. Detailed technical studies have been commissioned and discussions are ongoing with the owners of these sites. Therefore, to confirm, the Council only has a supporting role in this process and the final decision will be in the hands of the Eisteddfod itself. Following consideration of all relevant information by their Technical Committee, the Board and Council of the Eisteddfod, I understand there will be an announcement on Friday at the Eisteddfod regarding the location of the Eisteddfod in Gwynedd, and we look forward and welcome the Eisteddfod to wherever it will visit."