Agenda item

To receive any Chair’s announcements.

Condolences were extended to the family of the former chair of this Council, Evie Morgan Jones, and Councillor Annwen Hughes paid tribute to him.

Condolences were also extended to the following:-

·         Councillor Menna Baines and her family on the passing of Menna's father.

·         Councillor Eirwyn Williams and his family on the passing of Eirwyn's mother at a hundred years old.

·         The Member of Parliament for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, Liz Saville Roberts and her family, at the passing of Liz's mother.

·         The family of Aled Roberts, the Welsh Language Commissioner, who had died recently. 

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.

The Leader gave a statement on behalf of the Council on the situation in Ukraine.  He noted:-

·         That he wished to express the Council's support to the people of Ukraine and their fundamental right to decide their own fate, without being oppressed through violence by a dictatorial state.

·         That Gwynedd Council would be ready to play its part in welcoming any refugees and offering them unconditional sanctuary.

·         That he was angry that the Westminster Government was not accepting refugees unconditionally in the same way as other European nations, and that their attitude was merciless and cruel.

·         That he had attended a meeting the previous day between the leaders of Welsh councils and Welsh Government and voluntary organisation representatives, and that the work of coordinating and making preparations was underway.

·         That the people of Gwynedd were eager to help in every way possible, and that the Council would do its best to provide guidance and support wherever it could. 

·         That the links recommended by the Government in terms of assisting and making contributions would be shared with the members in due course.

The Leader noted further that he had received a question about any commercial links to Russian companies, and specifically regarding the investments of the Gwynedd Pension Fund. He explained that the Gwynedd Pension Fund invested via the Wales Pension Partnership and that a statement prepared by that partnership noted:-

"The total of our links to Russian Investments are very small and are less than 1%.  Nevertheless, in light of the awful events we are seeing and the economic sanctions set internationally, we have made a mutual decision that we should divest from these holdings as soon as practicably possible.

Under the circumstances, we do not believe that being involved with these companies is a possible option."

The Leader noted further that the huge tragedy in this case was that a close and friendly relationship existed between the people of  Ukraine and the people of Russia, and that it was also important to realise that the people of Russia were also suffering, and that this was not their war. He added that the bravery of those who were prepared to express their objection to this war in the face of harsh prosecution was to be admired, and it was very much hoped that the discussions would continue, and that peace would prevail eventually.

The Chair noted, at the brink of the 2022 local elections, that the 22 leaders of Welsh councils had approved a statement regarding the election campaigning, which called on political groups and candidates to commit to campaign both fairly and respectfully. It was explained that the "Fair Campaign Pledge" report was to be seen on the Members' intranet, and that every member would receive a link to this report.

The Chair noted, since this was the final meeting of the Full Council before the elections, that he wanted to wish all the best to those members who would be standing for election, as well as to those members who had decided to stand down, and he thanked everyone for their cooperation over the past five years. Also, as a member who would be standing down, he expressed his sadness at the fact that this final meeting of the Council was being held virtually, and that members were unable to bid farewell to friends with whom they had collaborated over the years, and he expressed his hope that the Chamber would be full once again following the May elections.