Decisions

Cyngor Gwynedd is calling on the Westminster Government to hand over the right to the Welsh Government in Cardiff to designate 1st March of each year as an official national holiday in Wales recognising St David as the Patron Saint of Wales. This is done in the case of the Saints of Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Council also seeks the support of the Welsh Government for this (it has previously stated its support) as well as all County, Town and Community councils in Wales.

Cyngor Gwynedd is fully opposed to the brazen and cruel cuts of the Westminster Government to abolish Gwynedd pensioners' fuel payments this winter. These cuts will mean that at least 85%, namely over 20,000 Gwynedd pensioners, will miss out on fuel payments. To this end, we send steadfast correspondence to Keir Starmer, as prime minister of the United Kingdom, criticising his cruel policy and asking if he can overturn it.

1.          Cyngor Gwynedd states that we believe responsibility for the Crown Estate should be devolved to the Welsh Government. Any profits generated by the Crown Estate, here on Welsh lands and waters, should remain in Wales, for the benefit of our residents and communities. Responsibility for the Crown Estate is already devolved to the Scottish Government.

2.          This Council also states our dissatisfaction that we are obliged to pay annual fees (in the form of leases) to ensure that Gwynedd residents and visitors have access to various sites, including our beaches and other facilities. In 2023, Cyngor Gwynedd paid a total of over £161,000 to the Crown Estate. Lease fees in 2023 ranged from £35 for 'Bangor beach front', to £8,500 for 'Dwyfor beach front', to £144,000 for 'Hafan Pwllheli'. In a period of severe financial hardship for public services, we believe that it is immoral that such fees go towards the maintenance of the British Monarchy and to the coffers of the Treasury in London. This money should remain in Gwynedd to support the people of Gwynedd.

3.          We are calling on the Chief Executive to arrange to open discussions with the Crown Estate regarding the fees paid by Cyngor Gwynedd. We would urge the Chief Executive to try to persuade the Crown Estate not to charge rent on the Council until the Council's financial position has improved. We note that the Crown Estate's profits have more than doubled from £443 million in 2022/23 to £1.1 billion in 2023/24, in the same period Cyngor Gwynedd has seen their budget cut in real terms.

As we now approach a year since the war in Gaza began, Cyngor Gwynedd states that:

More than 40,000 Gaza residents have been killed by Israel security forces – the vast majority civilians. Approximately 10,000 people – mostly civilians – remain undiscovered but are almost certainly dead. Over 90,000 have been injured – again with the majority of them civilians.

Close to 200,000 have died due to the indirect effects of Israel's military campaign. The vast majority of the 2.2m people living there have lost their homes, or have had to move out of their homes. There are people whose families live in Gaza among the residents of Gwynedd.

In view of this, and in view of a number of other current horrific situations such as Ukraine, Yemen and Myanmar, the Full Council, as part of the process of the annual review of the Investment Strategy, calls for consideration to be given to adding a provision that meets the principles of protecting human liberties and respecting international law.

Approval and adoption of Cyngor Gwynedd's Annual Performance Report and Self-Assessment 2023/24.

recommend that the Integrated Well-being Appraisal (IWBA) Report including appendices are adopted by the Sub-committee which must be prepared in support of the Regional Transport Plan.

1.     To recommend that the 'North Wales Regional Transport Plan Vision statement', 'SMART objectives' and 'Cross-cutting themes' are presented to the North Wales CJC for adoption and inclusion in the 'Regional Transport Plan’s Case for Change' and 'draft North Wales Regional Transport Plan'.

2.     To note the key milestone dates for delivery of the Regional Transport Plan and to direct further work to achieve the key milestones in accordance with the Welsh Government guidelines.

3.     To note the draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan, which must be prepared in support of the Regional Transport Plan, and to recommend any additional considerations that should be included.

4.     To note that the lead officer will be a senior officer with responsibility for transportation from the Authority represented through the elected Chair. It was confirmed that this lead officer will act as the link between the Transportation Advisory Group and this Sub-committee.

·       To co-opt Members (non-voting) on the Sub-committee to support its functions and responsibilities.

·       To request that the following provide a representative as Co-opted Members:

o   Eryri National Park (individual with responsibility for the transport portfolio)

o   Transport for Wales⁠ (individual who has responsibility for the North Wales region)

To adopt the Terms of Reference.

To elect Councillor Dave Hughes as Vice-chair of the Sub-committee for 2024/25.

To elect Councillor Goronwy Edwards as Chair of the Sub-committee for 2024/25.

1.    To agree to the principle of further research on amending the charging for care policy.

2.    Request a more detailed report to include the exact figures to be charged and the charging framework.

To accept the report, and:

1.    Note concern about the waiting lists for domiciliary care in some areas of the County.

2.    Request data regarding waiting lists across the County in order to facilitate comparison between areas.

3.    Ask the Cabinet Member to update the Committee on the work of the Domiciliary Care Project to include information about reducing costs and improving the quality of data.

1.    To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

2.    Express concern that the provision is not consistent across the Council, and emphasise the importance of providing respite to unpaid carers.

3.    Request a further report on the review of Transport Policy and the review of Day Care to enable Members to provide timely input.

To accept the report, noting the observations made during the discussion.

1.     To approve the Full Business Case for the Tourism Talent Network project.

2.     To authorise the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to agree and enter into a funding agreement with Grŵp Llandrillo Menai for the delivery of the project, on the basis that Grŵp Llandrillo Menai satisfactorily addresses the 'outstanding issues' set out in section 7.1 of the report.

3.     To delegate final approval of the remaining procurement in Phase 1 to the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer where expenditures and benefits are within the parameters of the Full Business Case presented.

4.     To delegate authority to the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Vice Chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to approve the subsequent Business Justification Case for Phase 2 of the project, the fourth spoke, where expenditure and benefits are within the parameters of the Full Business Case presented.

1.     To approve the Outline Business Case for the Advanced Wireless project subject to Welsh Government and UK Government approval of the assurance process undertaken, subject to the Portfolio Management Office addressing the outstanding issues set out in Section 7 of the report, and request that a Full Business Case is prepared for the Board to consider.

2.     To delegate to the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair, final approval of the procurement specification and social value criteria prior to project funders commencing procurement.

3.     To authorise the Portfolio Director in consultation with the Host Authority Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to agree draft terms in accordance with this report for approval by the NWEAB as a basis for the final funding arrangements for the project which will form the basis of the Grant Offer Letter which will be agreed by the Board at the Full Business Case stage.

To accept the Audit Wales report which highlighted the NWEAB's Audit Plan for 2024.

1.     To note and accept the NWEAB's end of August 2024 revenue review.

2.     To note and accept the NWEAB’s reserves update.

3.     To agree the NWEAB’s revised capital expenditure profile.