Agenda item

To submit the report of the Council Leader.

Cyngor Gwynedd's Annual Performance Report and Self-assessment 2024/25 was approved and adopted.

The report, which summarised the Council's work over the past year, was submitted.  It was expressed that the Our Bravery Brought Justice report had been submitted after this report had been formulated, but it was emphasised that the Council would fully implement the report's findings. 

It was noted that it was miraculous that the Council had achieved so much, considering the financial gap, but that it was committed to protect the services used daily by residents. Upon reflection, it was expressed that there was so much to report and that the attention needed to be on people, not statistics. Attention was drawn to various plans, which included Supporting People. Attention was also drawn to the progress made to plans which addressed poverty and the cost-of-living, by supporting community hubs and food banks. 

⁠The work of Gwynedd Werdd was highlighted, noting that there were many examples of staff going above and beyond in all areas of Gwynedd. Attention was drawn to a high number of successful grants, and specifically £2m for Slate Communities with the LleChi LleNi scheme, which celebrated slate heritage. 

It was emphasised that the Council was facing major challenges, and that the financial situation would force very difficult decisions, but it was ensured that they would lobby and voice discontent about the lack of investment in Local Government, specifically in rural areas.  

Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations.  

Members gave thanks for the report and attention was drawn to several aspects. In terms of travelling and national developments - enquiries were made about whether the developments would include rural areas such as Pen Llŷn. Gratitude was expressed for the developments happening in Penrhos, however, concern was expressed about flooding on the A499, which was serious at present. The response given stated that in terms of buses, yes, there were national changes, but it remained to be seen what would be offered in relation to rural paths. The need to carry out additional work on the A499 was highlighted, as it had been a problem for years, and it was explained that a request had been made for additional funding. 

The members gave thanks for the balanced report, which was ready to highlight risks. Attention was drawn to the engagement with staff and residents, drawing attention to two questionnaires - Staff Questionnaire and Data Cymru Questionnaire. Concerns were expressed about the low number of staff who responded to the staff satisfaction questionnaire, and in term of the Data Cymru Questionnaire, despite the encouraging responses, that a response was needed to all questions, and not just half of them. A response was given, noting that work needed to be done to obtain a higher number of responses from staff, and that a full version of Data Cymru responses would be circulated. It was also explained that consultation happened on several levels across the Council. 

Looking at A Prosperous Gwynedd, it was asked whether it was possible to obtain confirmation on how a vibrant town centre could be obtained, as they were currently very bleak. The response noted that work was to be done and that there were definitive plans in place, but that work had also already been undertaken. 

The Housing and Property Department was thanked for their work with Clwyd Alyn to build supported housing in Llan Ffestiniog, which were full of local people. 

The Cabinet Member for the Environment was thanked for his work of bringing the last train on the Cambrian Line back into use. 

Gratitude was expressed for the small grants submitted to Town and Community Councils last year for projects that would benefit the area, asking whether the same would be available this year. However, disappointment was also expressed that the costs of public toilets were increasing, and there was no time for Community Councils to respond. The response noted that community grants returned with more notice and money, hopefully, and in terms of public toilets, it was explained that correspondence with adjustments to the first letter, was on the way.   

It was highlighted that there was no reference to the Ysgol Friars case until page 62 of the report, and it was explained that one would have expected it to be referenced earlier in the report. Similarly, it was noted in terms of strengths that the Estyn report highlighted that the Council promoted Child Welfare back in 2024 - should it be included in light of this case? In response, it was stated that seeing it appear so late in the report gave the wrong impression and that it should be more prominent. 

It was noted that an e-mail had been received from Members of Cylch yr Iaith about the unwillingness to use Welsh place-names on maps. Assurances were sought that the Council's departments would only use Welsh place-names, in accordance with policy. In response, examples were sought of Council departments using the names, in order to address this, and to emphasise that political pressure was needed regarding the maps and that an update would be provided when more information was received. 

It was noted that the future of two schools in Dyffryn Nantlle were at stake, and it was asked how this would improve the community and the use made of the language. It was explained that the future of schools was a sensitive issue, but that there was a need to be alert to the reduction in birth rates and it was the Council's duty to consider the future of schools to ensure that a specific level was attained. 

Council staff were thanked and specifically care staff for their work in light of the difficult challenges facing both departments. 

RESOLVED  

Cyngor Gwynedd's Annual Performance Report and Self-assessment 2024/25 was approved and adopted.