Agenda item

To submit the report of the Council Leader (attached).

The Leader presented a report inviting the Council to adopt the Gwynedd Council Plan 2018-23 (2020/21 Review).

It was noted that it was intended to commence the process of reviewing the Plan later on next year.

It was noted that the recent flooding emergency had emphasised the role of the Council and local members. Gratitude was expressed for the work undertaken, and the residents and communities that had suffered from flooding were wished well.

During the discussion the following matters were raised by individual members:-

·         It was noted, although it was acknowledged that delivering the Climate Change Action Plan was a responsibility on all Council departments (page 53 of the programme), that one person needed to be appointed to lead on the work on behalf of the Council in order to ensure a consistent implementation method. In response, it was noted that there was an intention to report to the Cabinet soon on the work of the sub-group that was addressing climate change. Possibly, the Cabinet would establish a board with a Chair and a specific officer serving the Board, so that the field received attention on the same level as the Regeneration Board and the Supporting People Board.

·         It was noted that the Council's ambition to see the residents of Gwynedd earning a sufficient salary to be able to maintain themselves and their families was praiseworthy, but a question was asked about the definition of a 'sufficient wage' and the achievability of that. In response, it was noted that the current economy development plan defined high paid jobs as jobs with a salary of over £26,000, but that the Council, through its economy development work, was seeking jobs with much higher salaries than that. Very few employment opportunities were available in a rural area such as Gwynedd, and it was required to continue with the work of developing the economy in order to reach for the aim of securing good employment for people in Gwynedd. It was believed that the aim was achievable in the long-term. It was considered that the Council was going in the right direction despite the circumstances that were difficult to overcome; however, much of what was affecting the poverty levels in our areas depended on what happened in Westminster.

·         It was enquired whether the Cabinet had considered re-taking Council houses over as money was available and interest rates were low. In response, it was explained that although there may possibly be an argument in favour of taking back the housing stock, this was not a priority for Gwynedd, and the Council had an important role in terms of developing different and innovative ideas on how to provide housing in the correct places and as people needed them. There was a variety of ways to do so, and the forthcoming Housing Action Plan was eagerly awaited.

·         The Women in Leadership Scheme (Improvement Priority 3) was welcomed, and the Cabinet Member was asked to elaborate on the progress made with the work.   In response, it was noted that there were two workshops - one for women and the other for men, had highlighted that a lack of confidence, caring responsibilities and work-life balance were the main barriers that prevented women from applying for higher jobs within the Council. Following the workshops, a joint draft action plan had been developed, and one of the main priorities of that scheme would be to develop a programme for developing potential for women. It was also intended to review the recruitment and appointment arrangements to consider whether the Council went far enough to address the barriers of caring for children and relatives when women were considering their careers. In addition, it was intended to look in more detail at the flexible working arrangements, paternity and maternity leave, etc., contribute to the Council's Working Conditions Project Group and offer guidance on the perspective of women in the workforce. It was also intended to create a Forum for women and there was a political role for the Group of Women Councillors to be encouraging more women to be councillors.

·         The Cabinet Member referred to some steps that were taken within the Highways and Municipal Department and Gwynedd Consultancy to bring the climate emergency into the Council Plan. The statutory and timely function of Gwynedd Consultancy as the county's flooding authority was elaborated upon. Those communities that had suffered from flooding recently were sympathised with and gratitude was expressed to the Council's employees who had been out in awful conditions attempting to ensure that the county's communities remained safe. It was noted that the Highways and Municipal Department already contributed to the work of reducing carbon emissions in the county, i.e. by changing street lighting to LED lights, looking at decarbonising vehicles, including investigating hydrogen as a potential fuel and looking into the potential of offering community use of the fleet. It was also noted that the Council was likely to reach its recycling target of 64% by the end of the month, and over the next year, it was intended to develop a new waste strategy that would place the emphasis on reusing as well as maximising recycling. There was a wish to discuss ideas with the members and the communities they represented, and there was also a desire to take every opportunity to maximise the importance of biodiversity.

·         The introduction of Welsh Government's Self-build fund was welcomed, however, it was a noted that this conflicted with the difficulties that some young people in the Llŷn area had faced when going through the planning process. It was enquired whether it was intended to reconsider the policies in order to see whether this type of people could be considered to secure suitable and quality homes within communities. In response, it was noted that the Local Development Plan was reviewed regularly, and that there would be an opportunity for members to look at every policy within that scheme. Although the introduction of the self-build fund was eagerly awaited, some of the restrictions placed on the fund by the Government meant that it was not as flexible as that. Nevertheless, the Council was looking at every opportunity to benefit from the fund and it was understood that it was possible to press on with one potential scheme.

RESOLVED to adopt the Council Plan 2019-23 (2020/21 Review).