Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor T Ll Hughes declared a prejudicial interest as regard to Item 3 – Annual Delivery Document 2018/2019 (3G pitch) and left the meeting during discussion and voting thereon.

To note that 1 petition has been received. 

The Chair reported that a petition of 1,010 signatories had been received against the closure of Talwrn Primary School.  He noted that the petition has been forwarded to the Education Department. 

To submit a report by the Head of Profession for Human Resources Transformation.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services said that the Annual Delivery Document sets out the targets the Council would achieve within its key priorities over the next twelve months, which is linked into the aspirations and objectives in the County Council’s Plan for 2017-2022.  He noted that the Annual Delivery Document shows that the Authority is prepared to take on challenges as it modernises its services.  He expressed that each objectives within the Annual Delivery Document are important but gave examples of priorities within the document :-

·      A new school modernisation strategy needs to be adopted which highlights the importance of developing new learning environments in order to improve the provision and raise standards and the achievement of the Island’s children and young people;

·      The Council has launched the new ‘Denu Talent Môn’ scheme (Attracting Anglesey Talent) this year which will give 9 or 10 individuals of 16 years old and over to have a 12 week paid experience of work within the Councils’ services over the Summer;

·      Opportunities for residents of the Island to participate within sport and leisure activities for the well-being and health;

·      The Council needs to work with the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board and this has already taken shape with a Dementia Care unit at Garreglwyd, Holyhead and a new model of Homecare facility across the Island;

·      There is an intention to build approximately 60 new social housing across the Island;

·      A wider choice of placement for looked after children is being considered either by offering more services, increasing the available foster placements or by providing care in a different way;

·      To continue with the County Council’s intention and achievement of ensuring that over 70% of all household waste is recycled.

The Deputy Leader said that the Annual Delivery Document has 38 objectives that shows that this Authority is prepared to take on challenges as it modernises its services for the residents of the Island. 

The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development expressed that the documents contains worthwhile projects that this authority is committed to investing in, and improving its services in an innovative way. He said that this Authority wishes to be able to attract employment opportunities for its young people and to be able to raise people’s quality of life.  He referred to the major projects that have/are to locate on the Island i.e. MSparc at Gaerwen, Wylfa Newydd, Bluestone Project at Holyhead, Môrlais at Holyhead,  Market Hall at Holyhead, Visits from Cruise Ships, potential third bridge over the Menai Straits.  He hoped that developments may be undertaken at Octel at Amlwch, Lairds at Beaumaris and the Halal site in Gaerwen in the future. 

The following questions were raised by Members :-

·      Councillor Aled M Jones referred that a total of 15 new business units are to be built in Llangefni and Holyhead.  He questioned as to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

Submitted – the report of the Chief Executive on the Growth Vision and Strategy for the Economy of North Wales – Governance Agreement.

The Deputy Leader reported that the Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales sets out a collective and strategic ambition for North Wales for infrastructure development, skills and employment, and business growth.  The five other North Wales Authorities have adopted this strategy and have agreed on a preferred governance mode i.e. a regional joint-committee under the working title of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board: the model is now well established and is on track to present a Bid to Government for initial agreement within 2018.  A governance Agreement has been developed for this first stage of the Growth Deal Bid (GA1) for adoption by all partners to the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

The Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer reported that the Governance Agreement has been adopted by the other five North Wales local authorities and will be considered by the four colleges in September.  She noted that the adopted governance model for the Board is an Executive Joint Committee and not a Joint Committee of the Council.  There will be one representative from each of the 10 partners and the representative from Ynys Môn will be the Council Leader.  The Chair of the Board will be appointed on an annual basis from the local authorities’ representatives but will not have a casting vote.  Gwynedd Council will act as the host authority and the Board will adopt their Standing Orders and Procurement Rules etc.  The Board will be held on a monthly basis and will adopt the Access to Information Regulations i.e. publish Agendas, decisions and minutes.  The quorum for the body will be 4 out of the local authorities’ representatives with one vote each but the non-local authority parties will not be entitled to vote.  However, the agreement states that they have a right to be heard.  She further noted that there is a procedure to deal with deadlock, but that at the end of that procedure, if there is no majority support the decision will fall. The Board has the capacity to create Sub-Boards, which might have either a statutory basis or an advisory basis, depending on their functions, powers and memberships.   The first Board meeting will establish a Transport Sub-Board and the Digital Delivery Sub-Board.  Both of these will be formally constituted as sub-committees, on a statutory basis, to be capable of having powers delegated to them.  A Code of Conduct is attached to the Agreement and this will apply to the non-local authority parties but this Council’s Code of Conduct will apply to our representative.  

The Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer further reported that the Agreement will cease when the second stage, GA2 commences.  The Growth Deal Bid is now at an advanced stage of development with Bid content about to be prioritised according to (1) regional choice and ambition (2) informal Government advice on the programmes and projects,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.