Agenda item

The Chair noted that it was with a heavy heart that the difficult decisions regarding the cuts were made, but during a period of national cuts the Council had to make these difficult decisions. Thanks were expressed for the councillors' thorough work and he referred to the enthusiasm of Gwynedd's residents during the Gwynedd Challenge consultation and their lobbying work during the past weeks and months that had been essential to come to a conclusion on the cuts.

 

He referred to a petition that had been submitted before the meeting. The Cabinet Member for Economy expanded that she had received a petition regarding the arts, 'Don't cut the arts in Gwynedd,' with 1,225 names.

 

In response to a question regarding the costs of upgrading the Council offices’ secure access doors, the Head of Finance noted that a bid for £60,000 had been submitted by the Regulatory Department to improve the security of the offices access arrangements as a result of incidents. It was noted that the work was funded equally by the Regulatory Department and the bid funding.

 

The Cabinet Member for Resources proposed the Cabinet's recommendations on the 2016/17 budget and the Council Tax. He emphasised that the Council had to set a balanced and viable budget. He guided the members through the report, noting that the strategy aimed to safeguard the services provided by the Council for the people of Gwynedd and to keep the increase in Council Tax to the minimum. The proposal was seconded.

 

          The Chair reminded the members of the note that he had distributed detailing the procedure for dealing with this matter. Members were invited to propose amendments to the Cabinet's recommendation by referencing the number of the plan in question and bearing in mind that any amendment had to note how it would ensure a balanced budget.  

 

          In response to a member’s question regarding the procedure of establishing a budget and setting the Council Tax, the Monitoring Officer noted, in accordance with the statutory procedure, that the Cabinet recommended a budget and Council Tax to the Full Council.

 

          A member noted that the Cabinet Members had received more information than the other members in order to come to a decision. In response, the Chief Executive noted that the Cabinet had received comprehensive information so that they could draw up a list of possible cuts before releasing the list to consult with the public. He accepted that only a summary had been given to the members when they were consulted the previous summer in order to avoid overloading the members and striking a balance in terms of the information that was required.  He noted that the additional information was available to other members if they so wished.

 

During the subsequent discussion, the following main points were noted:-

·         An appreciation of the work of officers and the public as part of the Gwynedd Challenge consultation.

·         Given that the Strategic Plan had noted that approximately 6.9 million tourists had visited Gwynedd in 2014, creating £975 million in revenue, had consideration been given to relocating the tourist information centres?

·         A Scrutiny Working Group had recommended charging a fee for using the County's toilets, had considered either transferring them to others or opening some seasonally but this had not been implemented.

·         The Lloyd George Museum was an important resource in terms of education and tourism with on-line petitions and calls from Assembly Members to keep this resource of national importance. Had consideration been given to contacting Welsh Government and asking it to adopt it as part of the National Museum?

·         Two or three line manager posts should be cut from the Council staffing structure rather than cutting tourist information centres which were extremely important for tourism. If it was decided to close the tourist information centres, the centre located in Neuadd Dwyfor should be saved. 

·         Only approximately 2% of the people of Gwynedd had taken part in the Gwynedd Challenge consultation.

·         Concern regarding the order of the meeting.

·         Welsh Government's Public Health White Paper recommended that the Council provided a sufficient number of public toilets. Therefore, why were the Council going to close 50 out of 73 public toilets in the County?

·         Several individuals had not completed the on-line questionnaire as part of the Gwynedd Challenge consultation because it had been too complicated and that the number of responses received was low given this expensive exercise.

           

In response to the members’ observations, the Chief Executive noted the following:-

·         In terms of the public toilets, it was only economically possible to charge a fee by installing payment machines for some of the toilets, and should there be a wish to remove plan number 51 (Close 50 out of 73 of the County's public toilets) from the cuts then another plan would need to be added to the cuts or the Council Tax would have to be increased. There was work to be done in terms of which public toilets would be closed and how to realise the cuts and perhaps the Scrutiny Committee should be part of the process.

·         It was acknowledged that there would be an impact on tourism by including some plans in the list of cuts but should a plan be removed from the list then another plan would have to be added or the Council Tax would have to be increased.

·         Discussions had not been held with Welsh Government regarding the Lloyd George Museum but it was recommended to postpone acting on the cut until 1 April 2017, in order to give the Service an opportunity to hold discussions with anybody that wished to take responsibility for the museum. 

·         Further work was to be undertaken on some of the plans included in the list of cuts before they could be implemented.

 

An amendment was proposed to remove plan number 12 (reduce 50% of the grants given to voluntary organisations for specific projects) and plan number 26 (delete the Canolfan Noddfa grant) from the list of cuts and increase the Council Tax by 4.03%.

 

The Head of the Finance Department noted that removing both plans from the list of cuts would mean raising the Council Tax by 4.09% in order to set a balanced budget. The proposer accepted the adjustment.

 

The amendment was seconded.

 

In response to enquiries by members relating to declaring an interest, the Monitoring Officer noted that he had made a request for members to ask for guidance in advance. He added that the members had received training on the Code of Conduct and it was a matter for the individual Councillor to decide in terms of declaring an interest. 

 

In accordance with Procedural Rules, the following vote was recorded on the amendment:-

 

In favour: (8) Councillors Gwynfor Edwards, Aled Evans, Gwen Griffith, Aled Wyn Jones, Sion Wyn Jones, Dilwyn Morgan, Mike Stevens and Glyn Thomas.

 

Against: (49) Councillors Craig ab Iago, Stephen Churchman, Annwen Daniels, Lesley Day, Dyfed Edwards, Elwyn Edwards, Trevor Edwards, Thomas Ellis, Alan Jones Evans, Jean Forsyth, Gweno Glyn, Simon Glyn, Selwyn Griffiths, Alwyn Gruffydd, Siân Gwenllian, Annwen Hughes, John Brynmor Hughes, Louise Hughes, Sian Wyn Hughes, Peredur Jenkins, Anne Lloyd Jones, Charles W. Jones, Dyfrig Jones, Elin Walker Jones, John Wynn Jones, Beth Lawton, Dilwyn Lloyd, Dafydd Meurig, Linda Morgan, Dewi Owen, Michael Sol Owen, Caerwyn Roberts, Gareth A. Roberts, John Pughe Roberts, W. Gareth Roberts, Mair Rowlands, Angela Russell, Dyfrig Siencyn, Gareth Thomas, Ioan Thomas, Eirwyn Williams, Elfed Williams, Gethin Glyn Williams, Hefin Williams, John Wyn Williams, Owain Williams, R. H. Wyn Williams, Mandy Williams-Davies and Eurig Wyn.

 

Abstentions: (7) Councillors Chris Hughes, Aeron M. Jones, Brian Jones, Eric Merfyn Jones, Eryl Jones-Williams, June Marshall, Hefin Underwood.

 

During the subsequent discussion on the original proposal, the following main points were noted:-

·         The Council's decision not to supply salt bins could mean an increase in Community Council precepts.

·         The Council had consulted on a larger scale than other councils in Wales and had weighed up the evidence to safeguard public services as the people of Gwynedd were dependent on them.

·         It was acknowledged that it would have been beneficial to receive a higher number of responses to the consultation.

·         The cuts were inevitable because of Westminster Government's policy.

·         If there would be difficulties in terms of realising the cuts following further work, that the Cabinet would receive a report.

·         Could a note be made of the Council's intention to charge a premium on long-term empty properties and second homes from the 2017/18 financial year onwards without designating a percentage?

·         In order to safeguard vulnerable people, the Cabinet recommended not including plan number 34 (Cut 10% on the Support Service given to Children from Derwen) because it would have a detrimental impact on the Derwen service, which was already implementing efficiency savings.

·         There was still work to be done on several plans before the cuts could be realised and everyone who had taken part in the Gwynedd Challenge consultation was encouraged to continue with the work of discovering alternative delivery methods. 

·         There had been a composite inflation increase of 67% on the Council Tax since 2005 compared with the general composite inflation increase of 37% in the same period, it was recognised that the situation was difficult and that the Council's movement towards the living wage would be welcomed but there had been insufficient scrutiny on the possible cuts. Therefore, a member wished to increase the Council Tax by 3.5% and asked the Scrutiny Committee to consider the information during the next three months and recommend the way forward to the Cabinet.

·         Support keeping the tourist information centres and public toilets but it would mean a further increase in the Council Tax. The details of some of the plans were not known and therefore the member would abstain.

·         There was a need for work to be carried out to reconcile what the communities and the Council were undertaking.

·         A high number of the responses to the consultation were from organisations and services but the response level was low in terms of plans that would affect children and vulnerable adults and the member was therefore happy that the Council was going to take care of them.

·         Could an explanation be provided as to why some names in the additional information provided to members had been deleted?

 

In response to the members’ observations, the officers noted:-

·         In terms of charging a premium on long-term empty properties and second homes, a clear warning would need to be provided regarding the premium if it was going to be implemented from the 2017/18 financial year onwards. The Holiday Homes and Taxes Scrutiny Investigation was being carried out at present and it was recommended to wait for the result of the investigation and then assess the situation with all the information before coming to a decision.

·         In terms of the aspiration to increase the Council Tax by 3.5% and to ask the Scrutiny Committees to consider the information during the next three months and recommend the way forward to the Cabinet, it was not an appropriate amendment as it was a legal requirement to set a balanced budget as noted at the beginning, it would have to note specifically how it intended to address the financial deficit.

·         It was acknowledged that there was inconsistency in terms of funding from the Council and the Community Councils. Meetings with Community Councils were currently being held and work would be undertaken in the near future to examine the situation while searching for further efficiency savings and perhaps the Scrutiny Committees could take part in the process.

·         Data in the additional information such as personal e-mail addresses had been hidden in order to comply with data protection rules as they were public documents.

 

In accordance with Procedural Rules, the following vote was recorded on the motion:-

 

In favour: (58) Councillors Craig ab Iago, Annwen Daniels, Lesley Day, Gwynfor Edwards, Dyfed Edwards, Elwyn Edwards, Trevor Edwards, Alan Jones Evans, Aled Evans, Jean Forsyth, Gweno Glyn, Simon Glyn, Gwen Griffith, Selwyn Griffiths, Siân Gwenllian, Annwen Hughes, Chris Hughes, John Brynmor Hughes, Sian Wyn Hughes, Peredur Jenkins, Aled Wyn Jones, Anne Lloyd Jones, Brian Jones, Charles W. Jones, Dyfrig Jones, Elin Walker Jones, Eric Merfyn Jones, John Wynn Jones, Beth Lawton, June Marshall, Dafydd Meurig, Dilwyn Morgan, Linda Morgan, Dewi Owen, Michael Sol Owen, W. Roy Owen, W. Tudor Owen, Caerwyn Roberts, Gareth A. Roberts, John Pughe Roberts, W. Gareth Roberts, Mair Rowlands, Angela Russell, Dyfrig Siencyn, Mike Stevens, Gareth Thomas, Ioan Thomas, Hefin Underwood, Ann Williams, Eirwyn Williams, Elfed Williams, Gethin Glyn Williams, Gruffydd Williams, Hefin Williams, John Wyn Williams, R. H. Wyn Williams, Mandy Williams-Davies and Eurig Wyn.

 

Against: (9) Councillors Stephen Churchman, Thomas Ellis, Alwyn Gruffydd, Louise Hughes, Jason Humphreys, Aeron M. Jones, Sion Wyn Jones, Dilwyn Lloyd and Owain Williams.

 

Abstentions: (2) Councillors Eryl Jones-Williams and Glyn Thomas.

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.      To approve the recommendations submitted by the Cabinet, as noted in the report, which will result in an increase of 3.97% in Council Tax for 2016/17.

 

2.      To note that the Cabinet Member for Resources, in a decision notice dated 6 November 2015, approved the calculation of the following amounts for 2016/2017 in accordance with the Regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (“The Act”):-

 

(a)    49,932.37 being the amount calculated as Gwynedd's Tax Base in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995 as amended, as its Council Tax base for the year.

 

(b)    Part of the Council’s Area - Community Tax Base -

 

Aberdaron	526.68		Llanddeiniolen	1,809.82
Aberdyfi	925.62		Llandderfel	489.47
Abergwyngregyn	116.15		Llanegryn	153.55
Abermaw (Barmouth)	1,085.90		Llanelltyd	272.58
Arthog	607.53		Llanengan	1,958.38
Y Bala	760.10		Llanfair	305.07
Bangor	3,640.77		Llanfihangel y Pennant	204.16
Beddgelert	306.95		Llanfrothen	209.90
Betws Garmon	130.77		Llangelynnin	390.27
Bethesda	1,641.55		Llangywer	133.74
Bontnewydd	439.05		Llanllechid	336.18
Botwnnog	436.07		Llanllyfni	1,376.49
Brithdir a Llanfachreth	397.62		Llannor	891.25
Bryncrug	331.06		Llanrug	1,122.86
Buan	225.99		Llanuwchllyn	300.51
Caernarfon	3,449.47		Llanwnda	771.51
Clynnog Fawr	432.03		Llanycil	195.06
Corris	293.73		Llanystumdwy	861.68
Criccieth	911.69		Maentwrog	273.75
Dolbenmaen	582.77		Mawddwy	331.44
Dolgellau	1,183.41		Nefyn	1,382.45
Dyffryn Ardudwy	788.20		Pennal	219.60
Y Felinheli	1,105.05		Penrhyndeudraeth	749.49
Ffestiniog	1,675.41		Pentir	1,022.55
Y Ganllwyd	80.70		Pistyll	239.92
Harlech	745.00		Porthmadog	1,934.14
Llanaelhaearn	430.45		Pwllheli	1,700.31
Llanbedr	307.34		Talsarnau	305.16
Llanbedrog	678.35		Trawsfynydd	500.78
Llanberis	766.49		Tudweiliog	440.50
Llandwrog	989.69		Tywyn	1,554.84
Llandygai	958.16		Waunfawr	545.21

 

being the amounts calculated as the Council Tax Base amounts for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more specific items relate.

 

3.     That the following amounts are now calculated by the Council for the 2016/2017 year in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Act:-

                       

(a)  £340,323,810	The aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (2) (a) to (e) of the Act (gross expenditure).
(b)  £111,524,200	The aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (2) (a) to (e) of the Act (income).
(c)  £228,799,610	The sum that corresponds to the difference between the above aggregate 3 (a) and the above aggregate 3 (b) calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budgetary requirements for the year (net budget).
(ch) £166,696,539	The aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its fund in respect of redistributed National Non-domestic Rates and the Revenue Support Grant, less the estimated cost to the Council of discretionary non-domestic rate relief granted.
(d)  £1,243.74	The amount in 3 (c) above, less the sum in 3 (ch) above, all divided by the sum noted in 2 (a) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with 33(1) of the Act, being the basic amount of Council Tax for the year (Gwynedd Council tax and the average community council tax).
(dd) £1,826,710	The aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34 (1) of the Act (community council precepts).
(e)  £1,207.16	The sum in 3 (d) above, less the result of dividing the amount in 3(dd) above divided by the amount in 2(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34 (2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates (Band D for Gwynedd Council Tax only).

(f) For parts of the Council’s area -

 

Aberdaron	1,224.25		Llanddeiniolen	1,215.45
Aberdyfi	1,232.62		Llandderfel	1,225.34
Abergwyngregyn	1,224.38		Llanegryn	1,233.21
Abermaw (Barmouth)	1,255.05		Llanelltyd	1,231.01
Arthog	1,221.15		Llanengan	1,232.69
Y Bala	1,232.16		Llanfair	1,230.11
Bangor	1,298.22		Llanfihangel y Pennant	1,235.35
Beddgelert	1,234.85		Llanfrothen	1,232.41
Betws Garmon	1,217.10		Llangelynnin	1,227.15
Bethesda	1,241.72		Llangywer	1,237.07
Bontnewydd	1,242.46		Llanllechid	1,229.47
Botwnnog	1,218.63		Llanllyfni	1,235.09
Brithdir a Llanfachreth	1,222.25		Llannor	1,224.17
Bryncrug	1,231.96		Llanrug	1,229.42
Buan	1,223.75		Llanuwchllyn	1,240.44
Caernarfon	1,264.70		Llanwnda	1,230.75
Clynnog Fawr	1,225.68		Llanycil	1,224.08
Corris	1,227.53		Llanystumdwy	1,224.57
Criccieth	1,244.45		Maentwrog	1,227.80
Dolbenmaen	1,224.32		Mawddwy	1,223.75
Dolgellau	1,249.41		Nefyn	1,243.31
Dyffryn Ardudwy	1,232.53		Pennal	1,234.48
Y Felinheli	1,238.83		Penrhyndeudraeth	1,252.52
Ffestiniog	1,290.72		Pentir	1,236.37
Y Ganllwyd	1,245.57		Pistyll	1,230.08
Harlech	1,229.98		Porthmadog	1,234.56
Llanaelhaearn	1,265.24		Pwllheli	1,248.62
Llanbedr	1,242.95		Talsarnau	1,239.93
Llanbedrog	1,232.22		Trawsfynydd	1,233.12
Llanberis	1,233.25		Tudweiliog	1,220.78
Llandwrog	1,246.06		Tywyn	1,255.40
Llandygai	1,228.24		Waunfawr	1,229.17

 

the amounts given by adding the amounts of the item or specific items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above, to the sum given in 3(e) above, divided in each case by the amount of 2(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate.

 

(ff)   For parts of the Council’s area, the figures noted in Appendix 1, being the amounts given by multiplying the sums specified in 3(f) above by the number which, in the proportions set out in Section 5 (1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36 (1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

 

4.      To note that for the 2016/2017 year the Police and Crime Commissioner North Wales has stated the following amounts in a precept issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:

 

	Band A	Band B	Band C	Band D	Band E	Band F	Band G	Band H	Band I
	160.08	186.76	213.44	240.12	293.48	346.84	400.20	480.24	560.28

 

Having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3 (ff) and 4 above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Act, hereby sets the amounts noted in Appendix 2 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2016/2017 for each of the categories of dwellings shown in the Appendix.