Agenda item

To submit the report of the Council Leader.

DECISION

To adopt the Assets Plan 2024-2034 in accordance with the Cabinet's recommendation on 11 June 2024 and to include:

·         The financial sums recommended in Appendix 1 of the report

·         Uncommit the financial sums in the current Asset Management Plan.

·         The Cabinet to prioritise and determine the financial allocation for a) planned maintenance of buildings and b) the next phase of schools' modernisation projects, should an additional capital resource be identified in future.

Before submitting the report, the Leader of the Council took the opportunity to congratulate the Member of Parliament, Liz Saville Roberts, on a substantial win in the general election; the wonderful success of Llinos Medi on her election as the Member of Parliament for Môn, and to Catrin Wager (former Cabinet member) on her excellent performance in the Aberconwy election.

          The report was submitted by the Leader of the Council asking the Council to adopt the Assets Plan 2024-34 in accordance with the recommendation of the Cabinet at its meeting on 11 June 2024. It was explained that the Council received a capital grant from Welsh Government every year to be used for asset management priorities, such as buildings, roads, vehicles, information technology and equipment that was needed to provide the best possible services to the people of Gwynedd. The report was therefore a forewarning of the financial situation – highlighting the significant gap between what was needed and what was available to spend with inadequate resources available for capital purposes, very similar to the Council's revenue position (discussions on the revenue budget had already commenced among Heads of Departments and Cabinet Members to consider how to operate within the budget). Nevertheless, they had managed to address some basic elements and earmark money for projects that had been prioritised. The Chief Executive and his team were thanked for leading the work and conducting a process that had included consulting with Members.

          It was announced that the Welsh Government had confirmed funding for the Penrhos project – the news was to be welcomed which enabled continuing with the excellent scheme that responded to the real needs of people who needed care in the Pwllheli area.

He referred to some of the schemes that had been identified and some of the schemes that currently did not have a resource, but the situation would be reviewed continuously.

The Chief Executive reiterated, despite the lack of capital, there was not a lack of effort to provide services despite the high demands and the low level of resource. He highlighted that the core capital grant would remain at the same level – £6.6 million a year, and it would not be possible to deliver as much with the core resource given inflation levels over the last five years, £6.6 million's worth in 2009 was equivalent to £4.3 million today, which was a 34% reduction.

          The members expressed their gratitude for the report. Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The following matters were raised:-

          In response to an observation about the need to look into the population figures for Gwynedd (published in the last Census) given that the amount funded by Welsh Government was calculated according to the County's total population, the Leader noted that he was concerned about the population figure and there was a need to look at obtaining more robust statistics in the future.

          In response to an observation regarding upgrading water pipes for housing estates and why this was the Council's responsibility, the Chief Executive confirmed that due to changes in responsibility, the Council would not be responsible for the maintenance of the pipes from now on, and therefore there would be no further spending by the Council in this area and the money could be made available to other services.

          Pride was expressed at the confirmation of the Penrhos investment – it would make a significant difference to the area of Pwllheli where there was a real need for the service.

          Despite the financial challenges, the investments contributed to existing schemes across the County.

          It was hoped that discussions with the Health Board and Welsh Government on creating a Health Hub for the city of Bangor would come to fruition.

          RESOLVED

To adopt the Assets Plan 2024-2034 in accordance with the Cabinet's recommendation on 11 June 2024 and to include:

·         The financial sums recommended in Appendix 1 of the report.

·         Uncommitting the financial sums in the current Asset Management Plan.

·         The Cabinet to prioritise and determine the financial allocation for a) planned maintenance of buildings and b) the next phase of schools' modernisation projects, should an additional capital resource be identified in future.