Agenda item

To receive any Chair’s announcements.

The Chair noted, with sadness, the news of the death of Mrs Patricia G. Larsen, Penisarwaun, the former chair of this Council, and one who gave a lifetime of service to her local community.  He paid tribute to her, expressing the Council's deepest condolences with Councillor Cai Larsen, and the family in their loss.

It was also noted that former Councillor Wyn Myles Meredith, Dolgellau, had died recently.  Councillor Peredur Jenkins paid tribute to him and expressed the Council's deepest condolences with his family.

It was also noted that Cefin Edwards, a staff member of Gwynedd Consultancy had died very recently. The Chief Executive paid tribute to him and expressed the Council's deepest condolences with his family.

It was also noted that the Council wished to sympathise with everyone in the county’s communities who had recently lost loved ones.

The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect and remembrance.

In congratulating Dewi Morgan, who had been appointed Head of Finance Department, the Council also conveyed best wishes and gratitude to Dafydd Edwards, who was attending his last meeting of the Council in that role. The Chief Executive also thanked Dafydd Edwards for his service over the years, and for his support for him personally.

It was noted that several staff members had been taken ill recently, and they were all wished a speedy recovery.

The Chief Executive noted that the Covid case numbers in Gwynedd were higher than they had ever been, although there were signs that we had now reached the peak of the wave, and we would see a fall in cases soon. Until the situation was stable, specific units within the Council were still under pressure, with a number of staff absent from work, and service continuation arrangements were now in place in several units across the Council. The Council's emergency management arrangements were entirely robust at the moment; however, it was inevitable there would be an impact on services in the short-term, and the members were asked to assist by spreading this message in their communities.  However, it was very much hoped that there would be no impact on front-line services, and it was noted that the members would be updated regularly on the situation.

It was noted that Tim and Inger Hancock who had come forward to provide foster care for seven siblings, had been honoured with an 'Outstanding Contribution to Foster Care' Award by the UK Fostering Excellence Awards. The Council sent them its warmest congratulations for being recognised by the awards and their outstanding contribution to fostering in Gwynedd.  It was also noted that this was an opportunity to thank all our foster carers who looked after for our children, noting that the Council very much appreciated their hard work and commitment.

It was noted that the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service had recently been presented to Barmouth Community First Responders by Edmund Bailey, the Lord-Lieutenant for Gwynedd.  This was the highest award given to voluntary groups in the United Kingdom, awarded to outstanding voluntary groups who had a positive impact on the lives of others.  This committed group of volunteers delivered goods to vulnerable self-isolating members of the rural communities of Bontddu, Barmouth, Talybont and Dyffryn Ardudwy, in addition to their usual activities during the first lockdown.

Darron Garrod from Llanengan Ward was congratulated for his part in the British Rally Championship.