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