Agenda item

The Gwynedd Council Performance Report 2019/20 was approved, and to recommend its adoption by the Full Council.

The report was presented by Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn. 

DECISION

The Gwynedd Council Performance Report 2019/20 was approved, and to recommend its adoption by the Full Council.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that it highlighted the Council's performance in 2019/20. It was expressed that the report was clear and legible, and highlighted the Council's successes during the period. The Cabinet Members noted the successes in their fields, and they emphasised that the report had been written for the period prior to Covid-19.

The Cabinet Members for Adults noted that the report highlighted how the department had responded to the emergency. He added that the department had responded swiftly and positively, and pride was expressed that care workers were now seen as key workers. It was noted that the report highlighted the department's successes and what the Covid-19 situation had forced the department to do.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Supporting Families expressed that the report provided a fair and accurate outline of the department's work over the year. It was noted that reference to Covid-19 was only made in the final paragraph. It was added that the Department had revisited operational issues and staff were thanked for their hard work.

The Cabinet Member for the Economy and Community noted that the impact of Covid-19 on the economy was astounding. It was emphasised that the Department's performance prior to Covid was very good and that they were supporting businesses with Brexit. It was expressed that the number of high value jobs had substantially decreased during the past year. The work of the Supporting Communities Service was emphasised.

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Municipal expressed that it was very strange to look back at the department's successes. Attention was drawn to the fact that the department had reached the recycling target of 64.7%. It was noted that the street lighting project had saved over £185,000 thus far, as well as having a positive environmental impact from changing the lights. The challenges facing the department were highlighted, which included flooding actions and the need to respond to the climate emergency.

The Cabinet Member for the Environment drew attention to the public's dissatisfaction with regard to the means of contacting the Planning department and that the service was looking at this. From all of the county's plans, it was noted that 38% of them were applications for affordable housing. It was expressed that the Joint Planning Policy Committee was continuing to meet and that the Countryside Service was still busy. Work that the department was doing with Track, Trace and Protect was highlighted.

In the Budget section, it was noted that the report highlighted the fact that the budget had shrunk since 2015, but that it was under firm control. From the savings' schemes, it was expressed that 16 were slipping and that this was raising concerns for the future. It was emphasised that taxation levels had improved and that the department had assisted 1700 people from the discretionary housing fund. In terms of Information Technology support, it was noted that the number of people working from home had increased from 138 to 1292, and that the service was prepared for changes. The staff were thanked for their hard work.

The Cabinet Member for Housing noted that the department had nearly completed the restructuring of the department, and the housing restructuring plan would be submitted to the Cabinet in due course. It was noted that the Housing Allocation Policy was in place, which prioritised housing for local people compared to the previous system. It was noted that fuel poverty needed to be emphasised to ensure that people were not in small, damp and cold houses.

The Cabinet Member for Corporate Support expressed that the number of accidents reported to Health and Safety had decreased from 59 to 51, noting that one of the main reasons for this was the significant increase in manual handling injuries, and this had been the subject of further training within one specific Service. It was highlighted that 17 apprentices had been appointed during the year, and more would be recruited during the coming year.

In terms of the Education Department, it was noted that the report reflected the work in the department and that it was nice to see plans being realised. It was added that it had been a challenge for the department to respond to Covid-19 but that the department had progressed well.