Agenda item

To consider any questions the appropriate notice for which have been given under Section 4.19 of the Constitution.

 

(1)       Question from Councillor Sion Jones

 

“What is the Leader doing to ensure that zero hours contracts are stopped in Gwynedd Council?"

 

Response from Councillor Dyfed Edwards, Council Leader

 

(The Leader’s written response had been circulated to members in advance.)

 

"Over the past few years the Council has aimed to eradicate zero hours contracts and is extremely close to doing so. That is the right thing to do and I am very pleased that the Council has been able to work towards that aim." 

 

A supplementary question from Councillor Sion Jones

 

"Can the Leader promise that within six months all of the zero hours contracts will have been eradicated and that the Council will re-examine the situation involving seasonal workers with problems arising for some individuals in terms of obtaining a mortgage?"

 

Response from Councillor Dyfed Edwards, Council Leader

 

"I don't think setting a timetable on any action is wise, that would be a mistake because it limits any possibilities. Let us examine the situation, and if there is problem then there is a duty on us as an employer to consider what those problems are. I am not aware of those problems, a little bit of work needs to be done.

 

The Councillor is right to acknowledge that there is a difference between zero hours contracts and other contracts, I am pleased that he recognises that, something he has not always done in the past, so this is a step forward. 

 

Let us get to work and I make this promise to the Council, we will investigate any difficulties and any problems that arise from the type of contracts the Councillor has referred to and we will report back to the appropriate place with any developments in the field. I think that that is the appropriate way forward."

 

(2)       A question by Councillor Aeron M. Jones

 

"With a substantial number in Gwynedd running businesses or small businesses in Gwynedd, how successful has the Council been in implementing its Keeping the Benefits Local Project in terms of keeping Council expenditure with local contractors?"

 

Response from Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies, Cabinet Member for Economy

 

(The Cabinet Member's written response was distributed to the members in advance).

 

"It is a very important field, as you will see from the 40% statistic. It is a complex field, and there are some companies with headquarters outside the County but have branches within the County that employ people here and spend money here and if you take them into consideration the percentage increases to 54%.

 

We are collaborating internally in terms of how we buy into category management rather than departments. Having said that, I am aware that it is an internal structure, there are two parts for me, there are internal matters, but also external matters and working with small businesses specifically is important to me and for me that's where the prosperity lies. We have undertaken some work through the Delivery Panel to see how we can utilise the Economy and Community Department to ask what the obstacles are and whether we can help when there are questions regarding how to fill in forms and the like.

 

In terms of the percentage it is comparatively good but that does not mean that it is not a priority, and that is why I am eager for it to remain in the Strategic Plan. 

 

I am a strong believer in social clauses, and if there is a contract going we push to get an apprenticeship or something similar involved with it, this work is ongoing. Fairly encouraging statistics but I emphasise that I want to push this further."

 

A supplementary question by Councillor Aeron M Jones

 

"Would it be possible for the Economy and Community Department to work more with local businesses to keep work and the benefit local?"

 

Response from Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies, Cabinet Member for Economy

 

"After the last meeting of the Delivery Panel, there were three points of concern for companies, namely obtaining information on how to tender, when and who. We have held meet and greet sessions with buyers. I won't mention a specific tender but there are things that we have been able to do such as not being part of a national framework so that we can break things down. It is a very complex field, but one that I am eager to develop.

 

I also work relatively closely with the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, I have already held two sessions before them and have invited myself back for the third time and I'm very happy to undertake this collaboration to develop this field."