Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report

The report was submitted by Cllr Menna Jones  

DECISION

To accept and note the information in the report.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that the Corporate Support Department had 9 improvement priorities within the Council Plan. It was noted that one of them namely, Workforce Planning was a challenge to all and work was being undertaken within the department to look at this.  In terms of Keeping the Benefit Local, this was going in the right direction and it was expressed that the Cabinet Member was looking forward to continue with the good work undertaken in the field of equality. 

Attention was drawn to the Legal field and it was noted that training for members during the welcome period had gone extremely well.  In addition the percentage of young people 16+ who had registered to vote had now risen to 70%.  It was stated that this was due to the appointment of a member of staff to encourage young people as well as leading the work. 

On the whole, it was noted that the Cabinet Member was happy with the department's performance.

The Head of Corporate Support added that two of the improvement priorities would come to a natural end this year namely Promoting the Use of the Welsh Language and the Use of the Welsh language in Public Services. In terms of the department's performance, it was noted that there had been some delay as a result of the pandemic in the health surveillance field, and the occupational health team was trying to catch up with the work. It was added that the work of creating an independent entity for Hunaniaith was continuing and the lead group was confident that it would be possible to make an announcement at the National Eisteddfod in 2023. 

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     It was asked, with so many men on the Management Team within the Council what did the Women in Leadership project do to promote women in senior roles within the Council. It was noted that the Women in Leadership Project Group met regularly and there were several schemes such as the developing potential programme and teatime chats for staff and Councillors. It was explained that a firm foundation had been laid and there was confidence that the project will be successful but changing the culture would take time.  In addition, it was added that the number of women who had applied for senior posts had increased, however, this had not been seen in the appointments as yet. 

¾     In terms of Workforce Planning, pride was noted that the work was proceeding but it was a major challenge across the Council. It was asked how the Plan measured performance.  It was noted that the Workforce Planning Group met every month, and the statistics would be presented to Cabinet members over the next few weeks. 

¾     It was asked how opportunities within the Council, such as Cynllun Yfory and Apprenticeships were marketed to young people. It was noted that a new scheme was in the process of being developed and there had been a high number of visits to educational establishments over the last year and a half.  In addition, it was emphasised that both schemes received quality applicants applying for the opportunities. 

¾     It was expressed that there was a great deal of talk about the lack of housing and the housing crisis on Social Media, and it was noted that a number of the comments highlighted that the lack of good-quality jobs within the county was the main problem.  It was noted that this was an old narrative as there were a number of good opportunities in terms of jobs, and there was a wide variety of jobs to be seen across Gwynedd.   

¾     It was noted that women, specifically female councillors, were often seen as easier targets and treated in a different way on Social Media and it was asked what the Council had done to support women in this situation.  It was noted that there was practical help for members and a great deal of work had been done recently.  It was explained that events over the last few months had ensured that the safety of women had been discussed across the Council, in order to ensure that additional measures were taken to ensure safety.