Decisions

That the Economic Well-being Sub-Committee approves the Full Business Case for the 4G+ (Connected Key Sites and Corridors) project stating that the initial phase of grant scheme design after approval of the Full Business Case will require a final subsidy management assessment of the proposed Subsidy Scheme.

That the Economic Well-being Sub-Committee delegates the right to the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, the Vice Chair, the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer to agree on the final design of the grant scheme. 

That the Economic Wellbeing Sub-Committee delegates the submission of the project to the Portfolio Director including subsequent individual grant awards in accordance with the final grant scheme up to £500,000.

That the Sub-Committee agrees to the project-specific recommendations, as set out in section 5 and Appendix 1 of this report following the completion of the portfolio review.

To approve the establishment of a Reserve List as set out in section 7 and Appendix 2 of this report, together with the criteria and timetable for the Expression of Interest (EOI) process to appoint projects to the reserve list. 

To add an alternative scheme for Trawsfynydd to the formal Reserve List of the Growth Deal.

That the Sub-Committee asks the Office of Portfolio Management (PMO) to agree to a streamlined assurance and approval process with the Welsh and UK Governments to enable decisions on new projects to be made in an effective and efficient manner.

1.     That the Sub-Committee appoints Dylan Williams (Chief Executive of the Isle of Anglesey County Council) as the new Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) for the Growth Deal.

2.     That the Sub-Committee agrees to review the arrangements in 12 months' time.

To agree on the Forward Work Programme

To confirm that the Chair may amend the Plan to consider variations in scheduling work subject to the Plan being brought to the following meeting of the Sub-Committee for agreement.

To postpone the discussion and decision on this matter until the next Meeting.

To adopt the Terms of Reference

To elect Councillor Charlie McCoubrey as Vice-Chair for 2024/25.

To elect Councillor Mark Pritchard as Chair for 2024/25.

DECISION

1.    To note the draft policy and note the observations.

2.    To welcome the fact that the draft policy was proceeding to consultation.

3.    That the Committee makes a request to the Scrutiny Forum to prioritise resources for the formation of a task and finish group, with the brief to examine the wording of the Draft Education Language Policy to consider whether suggestions need to be made to the Cabinet Member / Education Department, and report back to the committee at the 19 June 2025 meeting.

4.    Should the application to the Scrutiny Forum be successful, the Scrutiny Adviser to send an email to Committee members giving them the opportunity to put their names forward to be members of the Task and Finish Group.

DECISION

1.     To accept the report and note the observations.

2.     To recommend to the Cabinet Member / Education Department:

-        Consistency in the provision needs to be ensured across the County.

-        To identify ways of engaging more broadly with young people and in particular specific groups of young people.

-        Consultation should take place with Town and Community Councils with a view to increasing the number of community clubs.

-        Work should continue with partners to ensure the best provision, for example the Urdd, Young Farmers.

3.     To ask the Youth Service Manager to share data on the number of individuals participating in the provision, and good practice in relation to community clubs, with committee members.

DECISION

1.    To accept the report and note the observations.

2.    Ask the Cabinet Member for Education

·       To consider examining whether the membership of the guidance group for admissions to special schools should be amended.

·       To look at ways to identify, improve provision and facilitate arrangements for the specific cohort of children who are in the mainstream, who have profound needs but  do not meet the threshold for receiving support

·       To look at ways to continue to protect the budget for special schools and monitor that money is being spent appropriately and in line with the guidelines.

·       to encourage practitioners to take advantage of training, and to ascertain whether it is possible to ensure funding received for training is spent solely on training

·       To investigate the possibility of providing satellite provision in some schools.

·       To correspond with Welsh Government to express concern about the lack of funding and resources available for additional learning needs and the challenges facing schools

To accept and note the information in the report.

1.     To adopt the option of creating a Portfolio Pupil Referral Unit Model (multi site). 

2.     To accept the financial plan presented in the report delegating the timetable for implementation and realising the plan to the Head of Education Department in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education.

To accept and note the information in the report.

1.    To agree to the continuation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund's regional governance procedure  for the 2025/26 transitional year, and authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department - in consultation with the Head of Finance, Head of Legal Service and the Chief Executive - to confirm the arrangements.

2.    To agree to continue with the UK Shared Prosperity Fund's local governance arrangements in Gwynedd for the 2025/26 transitional year.

3.    To agree that it is required for every scheme in Gwynedd, which receives funding from the Shared Prosperity Fund, to realise two principles, namely:

3.a.        That targeted efforts are made to ensure that SPF money and the resulting benefits are beneficial to communities and residents in all parts of Gwynedd

3.b.        That targeted efforts are made to encourage activities (and organisations), that have not previously received funding, to obtain access to support.

4.    To agree to evolve and adapt activities from the existing projects and extend then for the transitional year, in accordance with the principle of the UK Government that the 2025/26 funding of the Shared Prosperity Fund is an extension of the 2022/24 to 2024/25 period, which transitions to a new funding procedure.

5.    To ask the Shared Prosperity Fund Panel to give detailed consideration to the individual schemes being considered for the Gwynedd allocation of the Shared Prosperity Fund, and present a recommendation back to the Cabinet on the individual allocations.

6.    Within the £7,900,000 budget, to agree to the continuation of four funds (with a total budget of approximately £2.29 million) to distribute smaller sums of Shared Prosperity Fund money to the county's enterprises and communities, authorising the continuation of three funds under Cyngor Gwynedd's control.

To approve the adoption of the Corporate Parenting Charter published by the
Welsh Government.

1.     To allow a reduction of 50% (25% for a short break Foster Carers) in Council Tax bills of the main residence of foster carers who are registered with the Council, before considering any discounts, exemptions and/or Council Tax Reductions they are
already eligible for.

2.     To offer a free annual parking permit.

3.     Unlimited use of leisure centres.

4.     Adopt a Fostering Friendly policy for Maethu Cymru Gwynedd foster carers who
are employed by the Council.

1.     To note High Court leave decision relating to the Article 4 Direction and further information provided. 

2.     Having regard to the contents of the report and the appendices, confirm its support for Option 3 to continue to defend the case.

Allow dispensation to speak but not to vote on the matter when the matter arises.

To elect Councillor Beth Lawton to represent the Scrutiny Committee on the Mid Wales Health and Care Joint Committee Scrutiny Group.

To accept the report.

a)    To accept the report

b)    To request that the cabinet member re-visits the Tŷ Gwynedd scheme to consider whether it provides value for money and should the money be invested in another project within the Housing Action Plan.

a)    To accept the report.

b)    To encourage the Cabinet Members to write to the Welsh Government asking for permanent funding for the Autism Team.