Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed all those present to this meeting of the Executive.

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

No declaration of interest was received.

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

None to report.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the virtual meeting of the Executive held on 13 July 2020.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Executive held on 13 July, 2020 were presented for confirmation.

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Executive held on 13 July, 2020 be confirmed as correct.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive setting out the progress to date with regard to local recovery planning and delivery was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Chief Executive introduced the report updating the Executive on local and regional recovery progress and reported that following the Executive’s endorsement at its 13 July meeting of the internal structures and responsibilities to oversee the County Council’s and the Island’s further development and recovery from the Coronavirus emergency, the priority and focus has remained on enabling further easing of lockdown restrictions, maintaining the safety of officers and residents and achieving positive outcomes whilst collaborating meaningfully with relevant partners and stakeholders.

The Deputy Chief Executive guided the Executive through the main points of the report as follows –

•           Advised that it continues to be a challenging and uncertain period for residents, communities and businesses with changes that have an impact on the Island’s recovery economically and community wise taking place weekly. The Council has a role in leading on actions towards recovery and the report provides an overview of progress to date and the steps to be taken as the recovery proceeds.

•           Outlined the national changes made by Welsh Government during July and August to ease lockdown restrictions together with the local decisions taken by the Council to ensure compliance and enable the organisation, officers, residents, and local business to move into the “next normal” safely and effectively emphasising that a great deal of work is undertaken by Officers in the background before each decision is implemented.

•           Referred to recovery progress on a regional basis and the part played by the Council in collaborative efforts highlighting that whilst the Council’s priorities and focus remain on enabling and facilitating local recovery it seeks to do so in partnership and to learn from what other authorities and organisations are doing in terms of approach and practice. The regional role is evolving into one of co-ordinating and planning for the medium to long term with immediate, day to day actions and decisions happening at a local level.

•           Detailed the various elements of the  local recovery process confirming that work has begun on preparing 4 local recovery plans based on the Economy; Tourism and Destination services incorporating community and environmental aspects; Social and Community services and Organisational Design and Culture (Working Differently).

•           Emphasised the importance of capital schemes to economic recovery. The authorities in North Wales have endeavoured to highlight the critical role of local authorities in driving capital projects forwards with a schedule of potential schemes having been prepared in readiness for the release of additional capital funding. However to take full advantage, schemes need to be fully developed and “shovel ready” hence the report’s recommendation that funding be released to develop priority capital schemes.

•           Referred to the Council’s continuing collaboration with and delivery of the local Track, Trace and Protect Strategy which is critical in managing local outbreaks alongside the valued work of the small team of environmental health  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services seeking the Executive’s approval for a temporary partial change to the Common Allocations Policy for housing in response to the impact of Covid-19 on emergency/temporary accommodation for homeless households following the Welsh Government’s recommendation with regard to homelessness was presented.

The Portfolio Member for Housing and Community Support introduced the report noting that Welsh Government has confirmed that any households provided with emergency accommodation during the pandemic lockdown will be owed a full duty for permanent re-housing. To achieve this, Housing Services will need a flexible approach to being able to move households from emergency or temporary accommodation into settled accommodation hence the proposed temporary change to the Common Allocations Policy for a period of up to 6 months. By approving the recommendation, the direct lets approach will be made for up to 50% of the notices received during this period.

In supporting the proposal, the Chair asked for an update in a year’s time on the effects of the temporary, partial policy change.

It was resolved to approve the following –

•           A temporary partial change to the Common Allocations Policy for housing in response to the Covid-19 impact on emergency/temporary accommodation for homeless households for a period of up to 6 months following the Welsh Government recommendation with regard to homelessness.

•           That allocations made during this period for Homeless Households is approved by the Housing Options Team Manager.

•           That the Executive be provided with an update in a year’s time on the effects of the temporary partial change to the Common Allocations Policy.

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 the following item 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.”

It was resolved –

“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 on the grounds that it involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the Public Interest Test as presented.”

To submit a report by the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services seeking the Executive’s approval to develop 5 additional housing units on the Marquis site, Rhosybol was presented.

The Portfolio Member for Housing and Community Support introduced the report highlighting that on 15 July, 2019 the Executive approved the construction of 10 units on the site which has extant planning permission for 15 units. It was originally resolved to proceed with 10 units in line with the level of identified housing need in the village. Current figures show that the housing need has increased and that some properties can be offered through a shared ownership scheme. The Portfolio Member said that it is now recommended that the remaining 5 units are constructed on site and he proposed the recommendation to the Executive.

It was resolved to proceed to build five additional units on the Marquis site, Rhosybol.