To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on the following dates:-

•  25^th September, 2018

•  22^nd October, 2018 (Extraordinary)

The minutes of the following meetings of the Isle of Anglesey County Council were confirmed as correct :-

·      25^th September, 2018

·      22^nd October, 2018 (Extraordinary)

To receive any declaration of interest from a Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

None received.

The Chair made the following announcements :-

·      Congratulations to competitors who had enjoyed success at the Winter Fairs at Mona Showground last month and also at Builth Wells;

·      Congratulations to members of Anglesey’s Young Farmers who competed at the National Young Farmers Eisteddfod at Barry, Vale of Glamorgan;

·      He thanked the staff and service users of Blaen y Coed and Gerddi Haulfre for decorating the Christmas Tree at the Cyswllt Môn reception area;

·      Congratulations to Ifan Wyn Erfyl Jones from Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge who has been elected to represent Ynys Môn on the Youth Parliament for Wales.

Congratulations and best wishes were extended to Dr Caroline Turner on her appointment as Chief Executive of Powys County Council.

The Chair further referred :-

·      The 3G full size pitch at Plas Arthur Leisure Centre, Llangefni was officially opened by the Wales Nation Football Team Manager, Mr Ryan Giggs and Mr Osian Roberts, Assistant Manager.  The new £200k 3G pitch represents a major investment by the County Council in the Island’s leisure service.  He wished to congratulate the Môn Actif Team of the Council for their work.

·      Congratulations to the Llangefni Town Football Club on their success in the JD Welsh Cup recently when they beat Llanelli who are in the higher tier of Welsh Football.  They will now go forward to play Llandudno FC in the next round.

Councillor Robert Ll Jones as the Older People’s Champion referred to the recently opened Hafan Cefni Extra Care Facility at Llangefni.  He noted that the new purpose built facility offers an unique combination of an independent lifestyle, backed up by 24 hour on site care and support for the residents.  He thanked the staff of the Social Service Department for their hard work.

*          *          *          *

Condolences were extended to the family of Ms Sioned Emrys, Business Manager Oriel Ynys Môn who has passed away recently.

Condolences were extended to the family of the former Councillor Raymond Jones, Holyhead who passed away recently.

Condolences were extended to the family of the former Head of Economic Development, Mr Huw Griffiths who passed away recently.

Condolences were extended to the family of Reverend Euros Wyn Jones who passed away suddenly recently.  Reverend Euros Wyn Jones was a member of this Council’s Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) and a Lecturer, Author, Preacher and Editor.  He officiated at many Chairmen Sunday Services over the years.  He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and acquaintances. 

Condolences were extended to any Member of the Council or staff who had suffered bereavement. 

Members and Officers stood in silent tribute as a mark of their respect and sympathy. 

Condolences were extended to any Member of the Council or staff who had suffered bereavement.

Members and Officers stood in silent tribute as a mark of their respect and sympathy.

To submit the following question on notice by Councillor Robert Ll Jones to Councillor Carwyn Jones, the Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development:-

“The destruction of the Holyhead Marina has hit the town badly. What action have you taken in order to complete the clean up as there remain a large number of pontoons with thick polystyrene floats near to the shoreline in and around Newry Beach. Is Stena Line or Conygar responsible for this work?”

Submitted – the following question on notice by Councillor Robert Ll Jones to Councillor Carwyn Jones, the Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development :-

“The destruction of the Holyhead Marina has hit the town badly.  What action have you taken in order to complete the clean up as there remain a large number of pontoons with thick polystyrene floats near to the shoreline in and around Newry Beach.  Is Stena or Conygar responsible for this work?”

Councillor Carwyn Jones responded that whilst Holyhead Marina is not the responsibility of this Authority, staff of this Council helped in the cleaning operation at the Marina.  He noted that it is understood that the Marina is the ownership of the Holyhead Marina itself but this Council has afforded support and guidance as regards to the Welsh Government grant to help local business affected.  As the Marina is a private business they have requested sufficient time, up to April 2018, to decide whether to salvage, reconstruct or recycle the polystyrene pontoon on site. 

To submit the following Notice of Motion by Councillors Bryan Owen and Peter Rogers:-

“We need to discuss the seriousness of a call-in, and that people are not referred to as ‘showboating’ in the National Press when they make a call-in”.

Submitted – the following Notice of Motion by Councillors Bryan Owen and Peter Rogers :-

Councillor Peter Rogers submitted the following Notice of Motion :-

“We need to discuss the seriousness of a call-in, and that people are not referred to as ‘showboating’ in the National Press when they make a call-in”.

Councillor Bryan Owen seconded the motion.

Councillor Rogers said that he had concerns that an Executive Member had made comments at a special meeting of the Democratic Services Committee last month as regards to some members using Scrutiny Committees such as the recent ‘call-in meetings’ for ‘showboating, political posturing and grandstanding’.  He referred to the Auditor General for Wales’ report as regards to the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny which highlights that the Scrutiny Committees are well-run, and they saw examples of the robust challenge and well informed debate.  Councillor Rogers further said that the Auditor General for Wales’ report also specifies that the public involvement in overview and scrutiny in general is more limited and public attendance at Committee meetings is rare and limited to controversial issues.  He said that webcasting of these meetings would be beneficial to increase awareness of the public as to the work achieved within the meetings.  

Councillor Bryan Owen expressed that he did not feel that the comments made by the Executive Member were prudent.  He noted that the ‘call-in’ of the issues as regards to the closure of schools within particular areas was of dire concerns to parents and local communities with young children having to travel to a new school. 

Councillor Aled M Jones as the Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee who dealt with the ‘call-in’ as regards to the closure of schools expressed that community concerns needs to be heard.  Representatives from the schools and community were allowed to speak at these ‘call-in’ meetings to express their concerns as to the effect on pupils and the community when a school is closed. 

The Leader of the Council noted that the Executive Member did not refer at the Democratic Service Committee held on 27 November, 2018 to the ‘call-in’ meetings as suggested by the Member.  She suggested that the issue should have been dealt with through other structures that are available i.e. Leaders monthly meetings.

To receive any petition in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.11 of the Constitution.

The Chair reported that the following petitions received:-

·      Petition by a campaign group against the closure of schools – petition forwarded to the Education Department;

·      Petition with 15 signatures against the code as regards to school transport to 21^st Century Schools – petition forwarded to the Highways Department and thereafter to the Executive;

·      Petition with 350 signatures by the residents of the Aethwy Ward against the proposed changes to the bus route as part of the Authority’s bus service consultation. It is an intention to cease bus numbers 43 and 47 from the bus timetable – petition forwarded to the Highways Department and thereafter to the Executive.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Executive on 26 November 2018.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer with regard to the requirement to adopt a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20 was presented for the Council’s consideration. 

It was RESOLVED :-

·      That the current local Council Tax Reduction Scheme should not be revised or replace with another scheme;

·      To formally adopt the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the financial year 2019/20;

·      That it provides authority to the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer to make administrative arrangements so that all annual changes for uprating of financial figures or technical revisions in any amending regulation or regulations are reflected in the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme along with any required procedural changes as regards the scheme that may be required after the Full Digital Service for Universal Credit has been introduced in the Authority’s area from 4 December, 2018.

To submit a joint report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer, as presented to the Executive on 29 October 2018.

Submitted – a joint report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer, as presented to the Executive on 29 October, 2018.

It was RESOLVED to approve the changes to the Council’s Constitution, being updated terms of reference for the Audit and Governance Committee as contained in the Appendix to the report.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer as presented to the Executive on 29 October 2018.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer as presented to the Executive on 29 October, 2018.

It was RESOLVED to :-

·      adopt the Officers’ Code of Conduct included within Enclosure 2 of the report;

·      adopt the Local Guidance to the Officers’ Code of Conduct included in Enclosure 3 of the report;

·      authorise the Council’s Head of Function (Council Business)/ Monitoring Officer to make the necessary changes to the Constitution, including any consequential amendments, to reflect the adoption of Enclosure 2 and 3 of the report.

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development as presented to the Executive on 26 November 2018.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development as presented to the Executive on 26 November, 2018.

It was RESOLVED to adopt the Statement of Gambling Policy 2019-2022.

•  To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

•  To report that the Democratic Service Committee at its meeting on 27 November 2018 RESOLVED to recommend that no changes be made to the current arrangements for webcasting. 

Submitted – a report by the Head of Democratic Services in relation to the above.

The Chair of the Democratic Services, Councillor R Ll Jones said that there would be additional webcasting costs as well as staffing costs if the webcasting of other meeting was considered.  

Councillor A M Jones, as Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny said that he considered that webcasting of the Scrutiny Committees would not incur additional costs as the facilities already exist within the Council Chamber.  He further said that he considered that webcasting of the Scrutiny Committees would promote scrutiny which has been noted within the Auditor General for Wales’ report as regards to the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s Overview and Scrutiny.

Following further deliberations and the ensuring vote it was RESOLVED that no changes be made to the current arrangements for webcasting.

(Councillor A M Jones abstained from voting).

•  To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

•  To report that the Democratic Service Committee at its meeting on 27 November 2018 RESOLVED to recommend no change to the Council’s Constitution.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Democratic Services in relation to the above.

Councillor A M Jones said that whilst public participation in meeting does not take place in Wales it does occur in some local authorities’ in England.  He considered that the heading of the report was misleading; the reason the matter was raised was to allow the public to put forward items for discussions at meeting by Elected Members and not take part in meetings. 

It was RESOLVED that no change be made to the Council’s Constitution.

(Councillor A M Jones abstained in voting).