To submit the
report of the Deputy Leader (attached)
Minutes:
The Deputy Leader made a
short presentation to set the context.
Submitted - annual reports
of the three scrutiny committees for 2015/16.
The Corporate Scrutiny
Committee
The Chairman of the
Corporate Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Jason Humphreys, provided details on
the terms of reference and work of the committee during 2015/16, and he thanked
the former chair, Councillor Dyfrig Jones, members of the committee and
officers for their support.
During the discussion the
following matters were raised:-
·
It was noted that adopting a policy of charging a higher rate of council
tax on holiday homes could have a negative effect on the economy as there would
be a number of houses in the county that local people would not wish to
purchase. In response, it was noted that
this issue would be on the agenda of the next scrutiny committee meeting on 20
October, and the members would doubtlessly look at the issues in detail.
·
Concern was expressed at local companies' lack of success in tendering
for contracts, such as to provide school meals, etc., and the importance of
keeping the benefits local was emphasised.
In response, it was agreed that there was a need to keep on top of the
situation and confirmation given that the members' observation would be given
consideration. Furthermore, the scrutiny
committee received regular reports on category management and on keeping the benefits
local.
·
It was suggested that devolving business rates of county councils in
Wales, as had happened in England, would be a grave mistake as a number of
places were losing out because of it and Gwynedd received a fair settlement in
terms of business rates.
Communities Scrutiny
Committee
The former Chair of the
Communities Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Angela Russell, discussed the
committee's remit in 2015/16 in detail, thanking the current Chairman,
Councillor Caerwyn Roberts, committee members and officers for their support.
During the discussion the
following matters were raised:-
·
It was noted that the new system of three weekly refuse collection worked
well in general, but that there was need to bear in mind the need for
flexibility, e.g. in areas where there was a high density of homes.
·
The fact that the Cabinet Member had accepted all the recommendations of
the Homelessness Scrutiny Investigation.
·
The question was
posed as to the way the scrutiny committee felt about the changes with the
brown bins. In response, it was noted
that the results were not yet known, but that the arrangements would have to be
put to the test and to wait and see how things developed. The Council would have to maximise the
materials that were being recycled to avoid polluting the earth whilst bearing
in mind that the Council was facing massive cuts.
·
It was noted that the
workforce needed to be reminded to close the side flaps on recycling lorries to
prevent recyclable materials from falling onto the roadsides. In response, it was noted that new seals had now
been put on the lorries.
Services Scrutiny Committee
The Chair of the Services
Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Beth Lawton, provided details on the terms of
reference and work of the committee during 2015/16, thanking the former chair,
Councillor Peter Read, members of the committee, and officers for their
support.
During the discussion the
following matters were raised:-
·
Concern about the implications of Deprivation of Liberty and financial
risk to the Council. In response, it was
noted that members of the Services Scrutiny Committee had undergone training in
the field and had recommended that every councillor be offered the same
training. The Council had identified the
risk and was currently working on this and the scrutiny committee would also keep
an eye on what's going on.
·
Concern about the Cabinet's decision to contribute a sum of £750,000
toward area committees in the field of education. In response, it was noted that members would
have the opportunity to ask questions about this at the next Preparatory
Meeting and it was believed that there would be representation from the
scrutiny committee on the working group in this field.
The Leader thanked the chair
persons, vice-chairs, and members of the three scrutiny committees for all
their work.
Supporting documents: