Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed those present to this meeting of the Executive. He said that the morning session would deal primarily with financial matters including approving the final Budget proposals for 2017/18 for recommendation to the full Council to enable the Council at its meeting on 28 February, 2017 to formally set the Council’s Budget for 2017/18.  The Chair explained that in terms of the Budget, this meeting of the Executive is the culmination of many months of discussions, challenge and scrutiny which has involved Members, Officers, the public and other stakeholders; their input which has helped shaped the proposals under consideration at today’s meeting, is very much appreciated.

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

Declarations of interest were made as follows –

Councillor Richard Dew declared a personal and prejudicial interest with regard to item 10 on the agenda.

Councillor H. Eifion Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest with regard to item 8 on the agenda and also a personal interest only with regard to item 25.

Councillor Aled Morris Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest with regard to items 13 and 22 on the agenda.

The Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer declared an interest with regard to item 13 on the agenda.

No urgent matters at the time of dispatch of this agenda.

None to report.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 23^rd January, 2017.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Executive held on 23rd January, 2017 were presented for confirmation.

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Executive held on 23rd January, 2017 be approved as a correct record.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer setting out the financial performance of the Council’s services for the third quarter of the financial year from 1 April, 2016 to 31 December, 2016 along with the projected position for the year as a whole was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Finance reported that the overall projected financial position at Quarter 3 for the 2016/17 financial year including Corporate Finance and the Council Tax Fund is for an overspend of £16k, or 0.01% of the Council’s net budget for 2016/17.This is a significant improvement on the £660k overspend predicted during Quarter 2; the decrease in the forecast overspend is attributable in the main to the underspend in the Finance budget. The Portfolio Member said he was hopeful this position could now be maintained to the end of the financial year; the experience in previous years has shown that Quarter 4 does not usually deliver any surprises.

The Executive, while accepting that revenue spending in total reflects a balanced position, noted that there are distinct variances in individual service budgets with a number of over and underspends; it sought clarification of how these have been factored into next year’s plans.

The Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer said that the services that are experiencing significant budgetary pressures and are consequently overspending are Lifelong Learning and Children’s Services. With regard to the latter the Executive has approved funding to establish an Edge of Care Team as an early intervention measure to support families and thereby to reduce the number of children being taken into the Authority’s care when the costs are incurred.  Two elements of the Lifelong Learning budget are overspending, namely School Transport and the Out of County Education budget which meets the cost of education provision for children who because of their needs, are in placements outside Anglesey. Next year’s budget plans acknowledge the pressure on this particular budget and provide an additional allocation to the Education Service to meet the rising costs in this area. It is a difficult budget to manage because it is demand led; the cost of meeting the needs of one child out of county can be significant and tip the budget into overspend.

It was resolved:

•           To note the position set out in respect of the financial performance to date.

•           To approve the transfer of any underspend at year-end on the winter gritting budget to an earmarked reserve to help fund additional costs in future years arising from adverse winter conditions.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer setting out the financial performance of the capital budget for the third quarter of the 2016/17 financial year was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Finance reported that there have been no major changes as regards the main risks to the capital budget from those reported at the end of the second quarter. While the profiled budget spent to the end of the third quarter for the General Fund is 100%, only 51% of the annual budget has been spent to date the reason being that a number of schemes are weighted towards the last quarter of the financial year. The position in relation to capital receipts has improved and it is hoped the projected total of £8m can be realised by the end of March, 2017. This will contribute to the costs of meeting the 2017/18 capital programme which is an ambitious programme, and will thereby reduce the Council’s borrowing needs.

The Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer reported on the position with regard to slippage with reference to the Housing Revenue Account, the highway improvements for the Wylfa Newydd project and the Holyhead and Llangefni Strategic Infrastructure Project. These are the most significant schemes to the Council, and while there is likely to be some slippage on these schemes, the funding for them via the Housing Revenue Account in the case of HRA schemes and via Horizon and WEFO grant funding in the case of the other two schemes will be also be available next year, meaning there will be no loss of funding to the Council.

It was resolved to note the progress of expenditure and receipts against the capital budget.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer on the use of reserves and balances was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Finance reported that as at 31 March, 2016 the level of general balances stood at £8.886m.In the 2016/17 budget, a £1m fund was created from general balances in order to fund individual projects that could generate efficiency savings for the Authority. The Council’s overall financial position is currently good with a healthy level of general balances and earmarked reserves. However there are a number of risks which have to be assessed in determining the level of general balances required in future years and these are documented in section 3.3 of the report.  Since 2011/12, the Council has seen the general balances rise from £5.796m in 2012 to ££8.86m in 2016. The recommendation based on the Section 151 Officer’s assessment, is that the Council should seek to maintain a minimum level of general balances of £6m.

The Executive sought confirmation with regard to earmarked reserves that the expenditure thereon is in keeping with that profiled for each reserve.

The Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer said that earmarked reserves are monitored to ensure that expenditure is in accordance  with the purpose for which the reserves have been set aside; some earmarked reserves are restricted and are required to fund potential future costs;  their use is restricted  to a specific purpose. Others are grant holding reserves which hold the amount of any unapplied grants received. A number of the balances held in reserve therefore are balances which the Council has to hold in addition to the General Fund.

It was resolved –

•           To note the general policy on reserves and balances adopted on 1 March, 2016 as at Appendix A.

•           To set the minimum level of general balances for 2017/18 as £6m in accordance with the Section 151 Officer’s assessment.

•           To confirm the continuation of the existing earmarked reserves.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer with regard to the level of fees and charges for 2017/18 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Finance reported that the Executive has set an objective that all non-statutory fees and charges are increased by an average of 3% across each individual service. While this has allowed Service Heads to increase individual fees by more or less than 3%, overall, the increase across the service equates to a 3% increase. The report takes a more proficient approach to the review of fees and charges whereby those pertaining to each service (apart from Social Care fees which are dealt with separately) are brought together in one composite schedule. The Portfolio Member said that it is prudent that consideration be given to raising fees and charges incrementally each year so that they keep pace with inflation; so that the Council does not find itself lagging behind other authorities and having to play catch-up and also in order to be equally fair to those who receive the services and to the taxpayer.

It was resolved to approve the schedule of fees and charges for 2017/18.

To submit a report by the Head of Adults’ Services.

The report of the Head of Adults’ Services seeking the Executive’s approval to set the level of the Authority’s Standard Charge for local authority care homes for the year April, 2017 to March, 2018 was presented consideration.

Having declared a prejudicial interest in this matter, Councillor H. Eifion Jones withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and determination thereof.

The Head of Adults’ Services reported that the standard charge is the fee which the Authority is obliged to charge those residents who have the financial means to pay the full cost of their residential care. He referred to this Authority’s approach to setting the standard charge and the factors taken into account in calculating the fee for 2017/18. As noted in table A of the report consideration has been given to increasing the charge to the full cost of provision, but this has been rejected on the basis that this would require a significant and disproportionate increase for residents.

It was resolved –

•           That while the Council acknowledges the costs incurred within residential care, the actual cost of delivery is not reflected in the charge to residents.

•           That the increase for those contributing towards the cost of care is consistent with the guidance for council services and set at 3%, and that a fee of £584.29 is set.

To submit a report by the Head of Adults’ Services.

The report of the Head of Adults’ Services seeking the Executive’s approval to set independent sector care home fees for 2017/18 was presented for consideration.

The Head of Adults’ Services reported that in setting the fee levels for independent sector care homes, the Authority is required to show that it has fully considered the costs of the provision in determining the standard care fees. This is done in collaboration with the other North Wales authorities and the Health Board by utilising a regional fee methodology (Appendix 1). The North Wales Methodology recommendations are set out in Table 1 of the report. The Authority proposes to use the methodology for all the categories in Table 1 apart from Residential (Adults) on the basis that implementing the model in full across all sectors is not deemed affordable. The recommendation is therefore to implement the rates set out in Table 2 of the report. The Officer added that as part of the process of consulting on the fees with local providers, it may be necessary to consider individual submissions. Should there be clear evidence that the fee set is not sufficient in any individual case, the Council will need to consider exceptions to the fee rates.

It was resolved –

•           To acknowledge the North Wales Fee Methodology as implemented hitherto by Authorities in North Wales as a basis for setting fees in Anglesey during 2017/18 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

•           To approve the recommendation to increase fee levels as noted in Table 2 of the report.

•           In line with other authorities, to authorise the Social Services and Finance Departments to respond to any requests from homes to explore their specific accounts and to utilise the exercise as a basis to consider any exceptions to the agreed fees. Any exceptions to be agreed with the Portfolio Holder, the Head of Finance and the Head of Adult Social Care from within current budgets. In the absence of agreement, the matter will be referred to the Executive for a decision.

To submit a report by the Head of Adults’ Services.

The report of the Head of Adults’ Services seeking the Executive’s approval to set the fees and charges for community based non-residential Social Care Services for 2017/18 was presented for consideration.

Having declared a prejudicial interest in this matter, Councillor Richard Dew withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and determination thereof.

The Head of Adults’ Services reported that it is usual practice to review the charges in respect of domiciliary services annually to coincide with Central Government’s revision of benefit and pension levels which will apply this year from 1 April, 2017. The report sets out community based non-residential social care fees and charges for 2017/18 in accordance with the Social Services and Well-Being Act (Wales) 2014. The Officer referred specifically to the two areas regarding which a public consultation was held namely in relation to Home Care charges and Telecare charges and the outcome thereof. The objective in both cases was to agree charging arrangements that are consistent, fair and are capable of being clearly understood.

It was resolved –

•           To approve the Home Care charges as outlined in Table 2 of the report.

•           To adopt the recommendation as outlined in paragraph 2.13 to implement the new banding for domiciliary care 2017/18.

•           To approve the charges for meals in day services as outlined in Table 3 of the report i.e.

Meals in Day Services for adults (excluding people with Learning Disability) - £5.70

Mid-day snack in day services for people with Learning Disability - £2.30

Other refreshments (tea/coffee/cake) in day services - £1.30

•           To approve the charges for telecare services as outlined in Table 4 of the report i.e.

Tier 1 everyone to pay £45.24

Tier 2 and 3 everyone to pay £90.22

•           To adopt the recommendation as outlined in paragraph 4.8 of the report to implement 50% per year over 2 years on the increase agreed under the bullet point above.

•           To approve a rate for Direct Payments of £10.50/hour as per paragraph 5.2 of the report.

•           To maintain a charge of £10 for the administration of Blue Badge requests and replacements as per paragraph 6.1 of the report.

•           To increase the fee for purchasing day care services in independent residential homes by 3% to £31.28

•           To increase the fees paid for commissioned domiciliary care from £15.50 to £15.90 per hour.

•           To offer all providers a base rate of £14.50 for Learning Disability packages, and agree packages on an individual basis for 2017/18.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer incorporating the detailed revenue budget proposals for 2017/18 and the resulting impact on the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s revenue budget was presented for consideration. The report also updated the Medium Term Financial Plan which provides a context for work on the Council’s future budgets. The Executive was asked to make final recommendations to the County Council which has the responsibility for approving the definitive Budget for the following year.

The Portfolio Member for Finance reported on the process which had led to the detailed revenue budget proposals and which had involved contributions by Members, Officers, the public and other interested groups and stakeholders. The initial draft Budget proposals for 2017/18 were approved by the Executive in November, 2016 and were thereafter issued for public consultation. These were based on an increase of 0.3% in the Welsh Government’s draft revenue support grant settlement (which accounts for around 80% of the Council’s funding) which although better than expected, was not sufficient to bridge the funding gap. The Welsh Government’s final and improved settlement announcement of a 0.5% increase was made in December, 2016; this was still below the rate of inflation and left the Council with a budget deficit to address. The bulk of the Council’s spending is made up of staff costs; for 2017/18 the staff pay award is 1%. Services across the Council are experiencing budget pressures; these are being felt most acutely in Children’s Services and Adults’ Services and in the Out of County Education budget. There are also significant changes planned in the schools sector in Anglesey with some of the cost of borrowing for the 21st Century Schools programme likely to be experienced in the revenue budget. Savings in the region of £2.9m were identified as necessary in November when the public consultation was launched; following the receipt of the public’s responses and consideration of the issues raised therein, the budget proposals have been amended as set out in paragraph 10 of Appendix 1 with the modified proposals addressing the predominant concerns expressed via the public consultation. The revisions to the budget proposals have had the effect of reducing the total value of the savings proposals to £2.444m (Appendix 3) and these relate primarily to smarter working and have minimal direct impact on services. Despite the changes proposed, the Council’s overall financial position remains robust.

The Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer said that he was required to ensure as far as possible that the process by which the Budget has been formulated and the assumptions and estimates on which it is based are robust; he could say that he was satisfied that that is the case and that the budgets are deliverable. The different risks to the budget are acknowledged and set out in section 8 of the report and because of those risks it is advisable and necessary to have funds in reserve so as to be able to meet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer setting out the final proposals for the 2017/18 Capital Programme was presented for the Executive’s consideration and for recommendation to the full Council on 28 February, 2017.

The Portfolio Member for Finance commended the capital programme to the Executive.

Councillor R. Meirion Jones, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee reported that as part of its scrutiny of the 2017/18 Budget proposals the Committee had at its meeting on 6 February, 2017 considered the Capital Programme. The Committee had sought, and had received assurance as to its affordability.

It was resolved to recommend the following capital programme to the Full Council:

•           Committee schemes brought forward from £2016/17          £8.826m

•           Investment in existing assets (including Disabled

 Facilities Grant)                                                                                          £2.301m

•           Invest to Save projects                                                                 £0.186m

•           Highway Maintenance                                                                  £0.761m

•           New major capital schemes                                                       £11.675m

•           21st Century Schools                                                                   £  6.865m

Total General Fund Capital Schemes                                                   £30.614m

HRA Capital Schemes                                                                              £09.889m

Total Proposed Capital Programme 2017/18                                      £40.503m     

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer seeking the Executive’s approval to extend the current Discretionary Business Rates Relief Policy for Charities and Non Profit Making Organisations to 2017/18 was presented.

Having declared a prejudicial interest in this matter, Councillor Aled Morris Jones withdrew from the meeting during the discussion and determination thereof.

It was resolved –

•           To adopt the current Discretionary Business Rates Relief Policy – Charities and Non-Profit Making Organisations as detailed in Appendix A to the report for the financial year 2017/18 only and to instruct the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer to ensure that administrative procedures before 31 March, 2017 advise relevant charities and non-profit making organisations that the policy will apply for 2017/18 only and will cease on 31 March, 2018.

•           To delay the public consultation on the policy during 2016/17 and that the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer reports back to the Executive regarding the development of this policy for the future after taking into account the Welsh Government’s review of its relief for small businesses and the effect of the revaluation regarding the cost of the current policy during 2017/18.

The Executive adjourned at this point and reconvened at 1:00 p. m. when the following items were considered.

To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services incorporating the Executive’s Forward Work Programme from the period from March to October, 2017 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Head of Democratic Services highlighted the changes to the Forward Work Programme as follows :-

Item 4 – 2016/17 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report – Quarter 3 and Item 9 – North Wales Regional Growth Bid – Governance dealt with by this meeting.

Item 7 – North Wales Economic Ambition Board needs to be removed from the Forward Work Programme as it is the same item as Item 9 noted above.

Items new to the Forward Work Programme

Item 15 – Energy Strategy scheduled to be considered by the Executive at its 20 March, 2017 meeting;

Item 16 – Highway Inspection Policy scheduled to be considered by the Executive at its 20 March, 2017 meeting;

Item 17 – Littering and Dog Fouling Enforcement scheduled to be considered by the Executive at its 20 March, 2017 meeting.

Items rescheduled for consideration

Item 12 – Welsh in Education – Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020 rescheduled to be considered by the Executive from the 14 February, 2017 to the 20 March, 2017 meeting. 

New Item to be considered which is not on the Forward Work Programme :-

Childcare Provision up to 30 hours a week will be considered as a delegated item by the relevant Portfolio Holder.

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Executive’s updated Forward Work Programme for the period March to October, 2017 subject to the additional changes outlined at the meeting.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

The report of the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer with an amendment to the Council’s Constitution was presented for the Executive’s consideration. 

It was RESOLVED to recommend to the County Council that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make and publish the following amendments to the Council’s Constitution :-

·           That paragraph 2.2.2 shall now read ‘the regular election of Councillors will be held on the date and at the intervals determined by the Welsh Government.  The terms of office of Councillors will start on the fourth day after being elected and will finish on the fourth day after the date of the next regular election.’

·           That paragraph 2.7.3 shall now read ‘The Leader’s term of office will be for the duration of the term of the Council, subject to paragraph 2.7.3.3 below.’

·           Any consequential amendments relevant to 1 and 2 above, including those arising from the Government of Wales Bill, or the exercise of powers under the Local Government Act 2000.

To submit a report by the Head of Adults’ Services.

The report of the Head of Adult’s Services referred to the need to amend the Council’s Constitution to include the Population Needs Assessment under the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (2014).

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) reported that a single report must be prepared for the North Wales Region and be approved by the six County Councils and the Board of the Local Health Service by the 1 April, 2017.  She noted that the Social Services and Wellbeing Act (2014) requires that Local Authorities and Local Health Boards produce a population assessment report per electoral cycle every 5 years, together with a review of the assessment after two years.  It was noted that the Population Needs Assessment will be submitted to the full Council for approval at its meeting to be held on 28 February, 2017. 

The Vice-Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee gave a summary of the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee held on 24 January, 2017 and referred specifically that the Committee had expressed concerns in respect of the level of funding available for implementation of the Local Area Plan, that will follow on from the North Wales Population Assessment and that any additional costs should not be borne by affected groups.  The Chair accepted the recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee and agreed with their concerns but noted that it is impossible to forecast whether costs to the bodies connected to this Assessment will materialise.  

The Chair said that Welsh Government should consider a way to analyse the whole data connected with the Population Needs Assessment as the information contained in the documentation is updated on a regular basis. The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) responded that the North Wales Region Board has had to analyse a huge amount of data sets which is complicated and time consuming with regard to this Assessment.  She noted that it would be advantageous if a computerised system could be produced to analyse the whole data; she said that she would raise the matter at the North Wales Region Board and with the Welsh Government in due course.  

It was RESOLVED to recommend to the full County Council :-

·           That the report be approved;

·           To amend Section 3.2 of the Constitution to include the approval of a Population Needs Assessment under the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act (2014) as a function which can only be exercised by the full Council;

·           To authorise the Council’s Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer to make the necessary changes to the matters reserved as functions which require full Council approval under the Constitution, and any other consequential amendments, to reflect the approval of the same.

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services with regard to the Supporting People Programme is a policy and funding framework initiative by the Welsh Government that provides housing related support was presented to the Executive for consideration.

The Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) said that correspondence was received by the Welsh Government in December 2016 declaring an indicative sum for Anglesey for 2017/2018 of £2,643,866.  This grant is an important grant to the Supporting People Programme which focuses on the planning, commissioning and monitoring of supported accommodation and support services which are delivered by various providers across a range of tenures that include accessible and affordable housing, council stock, housing association stock, private rented, sheltered accommodation, owner occupied, assisted living, supported tenancies and extra care housing.

The Principal Development Officer (Supporting People) said that this grant is important to support 800 vulnerable people in order to avoid homelessness and helping people to live independently.

It was RESOLVED :-

·           To approve the recommendations of the Supporting People Commissioning Plan 2017 – 2020;

·           To approve the allocation of funding per service area, as outlined on page 47 of the Supporting People Commissioning Plan document.

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services seeking approval of a Policy on Equity loans for first time buyers and empty homes grants financed thorough the Empty Homes and Second Homes Council Tax premium was presented to the Executive for consideration.

The Portfolio Holder (Housing & Social Services) said these two schemes will use part of the additional revenue of £170k funded from the Council Tax premium which will be raised on second homes and empty homes on the Island from April 2017.  The policy will be operational in the specified communities listed within the report which have the highest numbers of second homes and/or the lowest numbers of homes at lower quartile house prices. 

The Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer said that the risk associated with this scheme is that it will be uncertain as to the level of income that will be generated from the collection of Council Tax premium raised on second homes and empty homes as this is the first year of the scheme.  He noted that owners of second homes and empty homes may be spurred into taking action to rent out their properties when they receive higher Council Tax premiums; the level of income from the scheme may decrease due to the action taken by the owners of the second and empty homes.     

It was RESOLVED to approve the policy for the implementation of the following two schemes to be funded from the Council Tax premium which will be raised on second homes and empty homes on the Isle of Anglesey from April 2017 :-

·           a grant to help first time buyers to purchase and renovate an empty homes;

·           an equity loans to help first time buyers.

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

The update report of the Head of Housing Services with regard to the possible permanent and temporary gypsy and travellers sites at Penhesgyn and Star was presented to the Executive for consideration. 

The Head of Housing Services reported that Capita was awarded the tender to prepare a Preliminary Appraisal Report on both the Penhesgyn and Star potential sites.  Mr. Jon Stoddard from the Consultants Capita was in attendance at the meeting.  She said that the next stages with regard to both identified sites is to prepare outline designs in accordance with good practice guidelines and for discussions with key stakeholders to ensure that other technical and health and safety requirements are incorporated into the scheme proposals to comply with the Welsh Government guidelines.   There may be a requirement for further technical or environmental assessments to be undertaken in order to ensure all the information required.  A draft copy of the Health Impact Assessment on both Star and Penhesgyn sites was attached to the report to the Committee.  Costings of the both schemes are required to be undertaken and will be presented to the Executive during the Summer of 2017.  However, the Officer said that both schemes are dependent on being afforded planning approval.

A workshop was held on the Health Impact Assessment facilitated by the Operations Manager – Environmental Health in January 2017 which was attended by the three local elected members, Mr. Bryn Hall from Unity who is a Gypsy and Travellers Community Engagement Specialist, representatives from Capita and Officers from the Local Authority and the Joint Planning Policy Unit.  The Health Impact Assessment is currently being consulted upon with those who attended the workshop.  Overall both sites are considered to have a positive impact on the health and welfare of gypsies and travellers over the existing provision. 

The Head of Housing Services further reported that the local community of Star has presented a Risk Assessment of the site.  Capita has considered the relevant risks identified within their Appraisal Report and have noted measures within their report as to how these risks can be mitigated. The Officers wished to thank the representatives from the community of Star for their work. 

Councillor R. Meirion Jones who had requested to speak on this matter said he needed to refer to the minutes of the Executive held on 25 July, 2016 which recommended ‘further assessment of any safety or technical risks posed by the site’; he considered that the risks have not been dealt with appropriately by the Council.  He said that local representatives from the community of Star have identified 15 risks within their documentation to the authority, but it seems that the local community have not received any feedback as to the findings.  Councillor Jones further said that arrangements are to be made by the Council for a workshop for Officers and Capita; he considered that a public meeting should also be held in Star to address the issues raised with regard to safety and technical risks from the proposed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The report of the Head of Economic and Community Regeneration with regard to a request by the Llangefni Partnership to extend the Llangefni Golf Course agreement was presented to the Executive for consideration.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships, Community and Service Improvement) reported that the Llangefni Partnership are of the opinion that the Golf Course plays a critical role in their overarching ambitions to regenerate Llangefni.  The extension of the agreement with enable them, together with the County Council and other stakeholders, to further progress the ongoing efforts to establish a coherent and robust vision and delivery plan to improve and strengthen Llangefni. 

It was RESOLVED to extend the current agreement with Llangefni Partnership (Llangefni Social Enterprise) until 1^st July, 2018.

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

The report of the Head of Learning with regard to incorporating the Draft Library Service Strategy for 2017 – 2022 was presented to the Executive for consideration.

The Portfolio Holder for Education said that the Draft Library Service Strategy has been discussed at the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 6 February, 2017.  He wished to thank the Officers for their work in respect of the matter and wish it to be noted that the service will continue to discuss and consult with the parties that are interest within the communities before any final decision is taken transform the Library Service.

The Head of Learning said that the purpose of the Strategy is seeking to ensure that the Library Service on Anglesey meets the needs of the residents of the Island and to fulfil the statutory requirements over the coming years.  She noted that a public and stakeholder consultation process was undertaken during October 2015 to gather views on the options identified and to invite any alternative ideas.  There were nearly 2,000 responses to the consultation but there was no clear favoured option.  However there was evidence that it would be beneficial to seek opportunities for a ‘community support’ models.  The Library Service is now planning to hold a public consultation on the Draft Strategy and to progress discussions with interested parties.  Following the public consultation exercise a definitive Library Service Strategy will be presented to the Executive for a final decision in the autumn of 2017.

The Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee reported on the discussions and recommendations of the Scrutiny Committee to the Executive.

It was RESOLVED :-

·           To note the process followed to develop the strategy and the reasoning behind what is being proposed within the Draft Library Service Strategy;

·           To approve the Equality Impact and Needs Assessment;

·           To authorise the Officers to proceed to a public consultation on the Draft Library Service Strategy in line with the timetable as shown within the report;

·           To note that the service will continue to discuss and consult with interested parties and to report back with options identified for the transformation of the Library Service to the October meeting of the Executive.

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

The report of the Head of Learning with regard to the options for the remodelling of the Youth Service was presented to the Executive for consideration.

Having declared a prejudicial interest Councillor Aled M. Jones left the meeting during discussion and voting thereon.

The Portfolio Holder for Education said that extensive consultation has been carried out with the options for remodelling the Youth Service.  During the second consultation young people highlighted their preferred priorities.  These priorities were noted within the report. 

The Head of Learning said that the Youth Service Team has spent a considerable amount of time with regard to the consultation process and thereafter the evaluation all the responses received with the remodelling of the Youth Service.  In 2013/14 the Lifelong Learning Service were tasked to find possible cuts of between 10% and 60% in the youth service budget; 5 service delivery models were identified to achieve the budget cuts.

The Vice-Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee outlined the discussion taken with regard to the options for the remodelling of the Youth Service.  A copy of the discussions and recommendation was included with the report to the Executive. 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance said that the options put forward needs to be sustainable in the medium term; he considered that Option 2 would be a preferable option for the service.

The Chair questioned as to the effect on the service with regard to Option 1 and 2.  The Principal Youth Worker explained that both options will entail remodelling of the service but Option 2 would still allow the service to afford a Youth Worker in secondary schools catchment areas; the 2 clubs that cater for those with special educational needs would be kept open as at present.  The structure allows for most of the small rural clubs to remain but those who have limited attendance will need to be closed.

It was RESOLVED that Option 2 within the report be implemented for the transformation of the Youth Service.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

The report of the Chief Executive relating to the Growth Vision and Strategy for the Economy of North Wales was presented to the Executive for consideration.

The Leader of the Council said that the growth vision sets out a clear strategic ambition for North Wales for infrastructure development, skills and employment, and business growth.  North Wales has been formally invited to develop the strategy into a ‘Growth Bid’ for national investment and the conferment of powers to the region by the UK and Welsh Governments.  Work is ongoing to prioritise the content of the strategy for inclusion in a formal bid.  The six councils have reached an outline agreement on a governance model for the regional economic strategy. 

The Executive expressed that it is important to collaborate and support the Growth Vision and Strategy for the Economy of North Wales.

It was RESOLVED :-

·           To endorse the preferred regional governance model of a statutory joint committee for further development;

·           To invite the newly elected Council to enter into a statutory Joint Committee model with the five partner councils, within the first three months of the new Council term, once a detailed constitution and inter-authority is available.

To consider adopting the following:

“Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on item 8 below on the grounds that it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test”.

RESOLVED to adopt the following :-

“Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following item as it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

The report of the Head of Learning in relation to the full Business Case for the new primary school in Newborough and the refurbishment tof Ysgol Brynsiencyn and Ysgol Parc y Bont was presented to the Executive for consideration.

It was RESOLVED :-

·           To approve the full Business Case for the new primary school in the Bro Rhosyr and Bro Aberffraw area;

·           To approve the submission of a full Business Case to Welsh Government;

·           To approve the sale of Ysgol Bodorgan and the School House, Ysgol Dwyran, Ysgol Niwbwrch and Ysgol Llangaffo once vacant, and for those capital receipts to be ring fenced for the construction of the new primary school, subject to no issues arising with selling the sites.