Agenda item

To consider any questions the appropriate notice for which have been given under Section 4.18 of the Constitution.

 

 

(The Cabinet Members' written responses to the questions had been published in advance.)

 

(1)       Question from Councillor Jina Gwyrfai

 

What monitoring is done of the social housing stock that is managed by the Housing Agencies on behalf of Cyngor Gwynedd to ensure the most effective use for our residents and communities? In particular, what statistics are available to identify

i)             Under-occupation (one person in a 3 or 4 bedroom house)

ii)            Over-occupation (family (parent(s) and two or more children) in a two-bedroom property with the children of an age to have a bedroom of their own due to age/gender legal conditions)

iii)           Tenant absence (someone who pays rent but does not live in the property permanently)

iv)           House swap by advertising for a private house swap.

 

Answer – Leader of the Council, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Housing

 

As a result of the social housing stock transfer in 2010, Cyngor Gwynedd has no role or
resources to monitor the performance of the Housing Associations operating in the
county. The role of monitoring housing associations is a responsibility for Welsh
Government through the Regulatory Framework for Housing Associations registered in
Wales.

Although the Council has a responsibility for operating the Common Housing Allocation
Policy and is responsible for the Housing Register on behalf of the Housing Partnership,
the matters raised by the Member are operational matters entirely within the control of
the individual housing associations. However, the Council has robust arrangements in
place through the Housing Partnership to facilitate collaboration in order to increase the
opportunities for Gwynedd residents to have access to affordable housing, and the
Housing and Property Department has already written formally to the housing
associations to request the information.
⁠

⁠⁠Supplementary Question from Councillor Jina Gwyrfai

 

Do you accept that these issues are the cause of cruel hurt and frustration for our people, and are having a negative impact on our communities and in the case of the 'houseswaps', they are also damaging to the Welsh language? If so, how can the Council, having received the appropriate data, influence/work with the Housing Partnership and improve the current unsatisfactory situation, to ensure the effective use of our limited housing stock?

 

 

 

Answer – Leader of the Council, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, on behalf of the Cabinet Member for Housing

 

Although he did not agree with the first statement as there was no specific evidence at the moment according to the Housing Service that aligned with the basis of these concerns, the Leader noted that he was aware that there was frustration because the Council had a lengthy waiting list and it was a significant problem for Cyngor Gwynedd and for several other Councils.⁠ However, he noted that a request had been made to the Partners, not only asking them to submit the information included in the original question, but also to investigate the situation to respond in the most appropriate way based on the evidence. In terms of under-occupancy and overcrowding, it was noted that the Council's Common Housing Allocation Policy set out priorities for allocating social properties in the county and that under-occupancy/overcrowding had already been included as priority areas. After receiving the information from the Housing Associations, he would be happy for the officers to report back and provide an update on the situation and contact Councillor Jina Gwyrfai directly to discuss the matter further.

 

(2)     Question by Councillor Angela Russell

 

          As Leader of Gwynedd's Independent Group, I would like an update on the investigations into how the former headteacher of Ysgol Friars, who has been found guilty and sentenced, was able to continue his predatory behaviour over many years in this county. Due to the seriousness of the case, the Independent Group is currently in contact with the Welsh Government to request a Statutory Public Inquiry into this distressing matter.

 

Reply – Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown

 

As the Cabinet Member for Education in Cyngor Gwynedd, she expressed that the first of July, the day the former head teacher Neil Foden was imprisoned for abusing girls, had been a culmination of some kind.  Like many of the Members, her thoughts had been with the girls who were harmed and she was full of admiration for their courage in stepping into the court and presenting their statements. She welcomed the sentence in the hope that the outcome brought some peace to the victims and their families and that they could see a way forward to begin rebuilding their lives. She noted that such crimes would cast a long shadow over the victims’ lives and when they might become mothers/grandmothers themselves, and when their children/grandchildren reach school age the experience of saying goodbye to them at the school gate would be one of painful emotion. All the girls did was to go to school – they went there to be safe.

 

She highlighted, in such a situation, that 'lessons to be learnt' was a loose and inadequate term, but by learning, to the best of our ability, we could ensure that something like this would never happen again in the County. She reported that an independent review by the North Wales Safeguarding Board had commenced, chaired by Jan Pickles – a very, very experienced person who had led on a number of high profile and complex reviews. The Cabinet Member noted that she had every confidence in Jan Pickles and her team and that she welcomed the work, even though there were limitations to the process. She noted that it would not be possible to compel witnesses or to give evidence under oath, and the review would only invite people expecting that everyone who was invited by the Chair would accept it. Despite highlighting concerns that it was not possible to force everyone who was invited to accept, that any matter which fell outside the scope of the review would be addressed by the Chair who in due course would recommend how to address those issues. Although accepting the possibility of further investigations and should the Children's Commissioner or Welsh Government feel the need for it, she would welcome this – the Gwynedd Plaid Cymru Group had already called for a public inquiry.

 

She reiterated that an e-mail address would be set-up for the review and would be shared with every Member. If anyone had any information or relevant comments on the matter they were encouraged to share the information/comments with the review.

 

No stone would be left unturned – every parent and child in the County deserved this.

 

Supplementary Observation by Councillor Angela Russell

 

There was a need to ensure that Councillors and all Council staff received training on the Whistleblowing Policy and how to implement it effectively.

                    

Answer – Dafydd Gibbard, Chief Executive

 

A clear Whistle-blowing Policy existed within the Council and staff were aware of it, and it would certainly be possible to raise awareness of the Policy amongst Councillors. Should further training be required, it would be possible to hold discussions to arrange this.

 

(3)       Question by Councillor Elin Hywel

 

Considering the inseparable bond of economy, community, language and heritage; what steps is this Council undertaking to ensure the protection and sustainability of the heritage economy sectors and related traditional skills of the communities of Gwynedd?

 

Answer – The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Economy, Councillor Nia Jeffreys. 

 

Traditional economic sectors continue to be an important component of Gwynedd's
economy. In 2023 (UK Business Counts ONS survey 2023 – NOMIS) 1,188 (22.5%)
businesses in Gwynedd were registered in the agricultural sector, 30 forestry businesses
(0.6%), 30 fishing businesses (0.6%) and 10 quarrying businesses (0.2%). While the percentages of these businesses continue to exceed the national average, the number of businesses and employees within the sectors has declined significantly over the years. In 2022 (Business Register and Employment ONS survey
2022 – NOMIS), 4,500 (7.5%) workers were recorded in the agriculture sector, 75 (0.1%)
in forestry, 35 (0.1%) workers fishing and 250 (0.4%) working in the quarrying sector.

 

The evolution of these sectors over the centuries has shaped our communities, forged
identities and left a rich cultural legacy.

 

The Council's Plan recognises the value of heritage and the relationship with the
economy and language. Prosperous Gwynedd priority projects show that action is being taken by Cyngor Gwynedd in this area, including:

 

·         Arfor Programme – Cyngor Gwynedd, through its ARFOR partnership, has been
researching the relationship between language and economy and trialling
different economic development interventions to gather evidence about the
impact of different economic policies on the Welsh language. We will continue to
monitor the impact and evaluate the investment over the next year. 

·         Slate Programme – creating prosperity from the Northwest Wales Slate
Landscape World Heritage Site designation is one of the priority areas within our
Plan. The relationship between heritage and the Welsh language is at the core of
this scheme along with the collaboration between a range of community, private
and public sector partners to own the benefits. There is an £18.6M investment
from the UK Government’s Levelling-Up Fund in the Llewyrch o’r Llechi scheme
to create more local benefits from the heritage and the successful Heritage
Lottery bid will in addition focus on developing traditional construction skills.

·         Business and Enterprise Support Programme – businesses face constant
challenges when having to face changing market demand, production costs and
technology development. Cyngor Gwynedd has taken steps to support businesses to adapt and innovate to protect and create new employment in our communities. Over £2M has been committed to support various businesses between 2023 and 2024. It is conditional for all enterprises to promote the use of the Welsh language and invest in a living wage for their employees, and a number of traditional businesses and enterprises promoting heritage have received funding. Examples from 2023 include a £250,000 investment from Cyngor Gwynedd, through the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund for EcoMuseum and £400,000 in the Môr Ni project to support the marine and fishing sector.

·         Rural Innovation Centre Glynllifon – Cyngor Gwynedd is working with Grŵp
Llandrillo Menai and its partners on the Ambition North Wales Board, to develop
a centre to further develop skills for the agri-food sector.  The work couples traditional skills with contemporary skills and technology to ensure the viability of future enterprises.

·         Diwyllesiant Project – £1.6M has been invested through the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund to support local communities and organisations between 2023 and 2024 to develop cultural and heritage projects across the county.

 

Cyngor Gwynedd will be preparing a new Economic Plan this year to set the direction for
the 2025-2028 investment programmes. I anticipate that there will be a lot more scrutiny of economic priorities over the coming months to make the best use of the resources available to maintain and create quality employment in Gwynedd into the future.

 

Supplementary Question from Councillor Elin Hywel

 

Thank you for the comprehensive information received in the response. I wish to note that I look forward to the development of the new economic plan. Our economy here in Gwynedd is a living economy that is developing consistently. Our understanding of the economy's potential to enable resilient, independent and sustainable communities is also developing. Recognising the role of the economy in serving our communities it is important to protect our traditional, heritage sectors beyond merely a share of the market or the number of jobs. Gwynedd's heritage economy and traditional skills sectors represent a unique language, culture and skills.

 

For coastal locations – such as Pwllheli, the traditional and hereditary maritime sectors are important to the continuation and development of our community, to the protection of our heritage and identity.

 

What specific strategies or plans does Cyngor Gwynedd have to work with maritime and coastal heritage sectors in Gwynedd to protect and develop these sectors?

 

Answer – The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Economy, Councillor Nia Jeffreys. 

 

Gwynedd's coast is vast, extending from Abergwyngregyn to Aberdyfi, and therefore the heritage, the stories and the history is very important for all communities to treasure, but also to bring economic benefit to the County. I am therefore pleased that the Council is collaborating by supporting and funding projects such as Eco Amgueddfa which celebrates Llŷn's Maritime Heritage and projects such as Môr Ni, which supports fishermen, businesses and enterprises that make use of sea produce, over the last two years – happy to share more information with the Councillors and others. The project succeeds in combining the traditional with the innovative, the arts with science, introducing children and young people to exciting activities that highlight local opportunities deriving from the sea and heritage. The Councillor reiterated that it was possible to do more, and understood Councillor Elin Hywel's comment on the need for an appropriate plan; welcomed the opportunity to work with Councillor Elin Hywel and representatives of other coastal wards to celebrate the maritime heritage of our communities.

 

 

 

 

(4)          Question by Councillor Richard Glyn Roberts

 

The Environment Department has been kind enough to provide a list, ward by ward, of the schemes worth more than £100,000 undertaken to improve the infrastructure of the county's roads, paths and pavements in the last five years. Of the 22 schemes, there is one that applies to the county as a whole (the 20mph scheme) and another that is split quite evenly between the main towns (Gwynedd charging points). Of the remaining twenty schemes, 5 are in Meirionnydd and 12 in Arfon and the Lôn Las Eifion scheme could be added to the latter, as, despite its name, it is in the Arfon area, apart from the extreme western end of the path which is in the Clynnog ward. That leaves two schemes in Dwyfor. Two out of twenty. What explains this disproportionality?

 

Response – Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Dafydd Meurig ⁠⁠

 

The Member's analysis is correct in the context of the information provided in response to a fairly specific question and criteria.
 

Other/wider transport projects have been realised in Gwynedd which are not included in the response to the Member. For example, there is a depot and charging infrastructure for the
innovative electric buses operating on the T22 route located in Porthmadog. We are also working on other schemes in Dwyfor including working with Aldi for the introduction of walking and cycling paths on the road outside the new supermarket in Pwllheli.

The profile of what is possible to achieve and where will also change over time and the value of projects can vary significantly which means that the number of projects is only one measure. It was reported that £350k has been secured this year to improve safe routes outside the new Ysgol Treferthyr in Cricieth.

 

The information provided refers to projects where applications for grant funding have been successful. Other applications have been submitted, including in the Dwyfor area, which have been unsuccessful for more than one reason. This is because the Welsh Government sets annual budgets for various grants and the number and value of applications significantly exceeds the funds available to develop and realise them across Wales. There are specific criteria associated with some grants not conducive to rural areas that make the case challenging, if not impossible. Developing quality applications takes considerable resource in itself, and capacity is therefore also a factor in the number and quality of applications that can be developed and presented each year.

 

Taking the above into account it would be very difficult to make an objective assessment of whether there is a disparity because there are so many factors influencing this.

 

The Transport Service will continue in its efforts to develop projects that benefit communities across Gwynedd. This is done recognising there will be different stakeholders with different views and priorities in terms of what and where projects should be undertaken. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to satisfy or meet everyone's aspirations and expectations. The Service's approach is to maximise the resources available and to continue to realise and deliver transport projects on a year-by-year basis. This will include developing and strengthening applications that have been unsuccessful in the past.

 

Supplementary Question from Councillor Richard Glyn Roberts

 

How does the department guarantee fairness in the process of developing projects and financial bids so that the actions of the department itself (independent to the Government's grant criteria) do not lead to some sort of managed decline in the case of the Dwyfor area, where Gwynedd disregards Dwyfor just as Cardiff disregards Gwynedd?

 

 

 

Reply – Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Dafydd Meurig ⁠

 

I do understand the sentiment, however, Government criteria mean that Gwynedd, in relation to such projects, is often worse off compared to more populated counties and unfortunately this is the procedure, although we do not agree with it. Nevertheless, I am pleased that there is some resource available to develop the projects in the first place, and although there are some currently on the shelf, they are ready to be delivered and unlike some other counties, Gwynedd will not give up on capacity. Although the Council faces a series of savings and cuts in the coming years, Gwynedd will do well to hold on to the resource we have.