Agenda and minutes

As noted above.

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

None received.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the following meetings:-

·      9 April, 2019

·      14 May, 2019 (Election of Chair and Vice-Chair)

The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed :-

·        Minutes of the meeting held on 9 April, 2019.

·        Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May, 2019 (Election of Chair and Vice-Chair).

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 as it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

It was RESOLVED to adopted 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 likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

To submit a joint report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and the Acting Head of Highways, Property and Waste.

Submitted – a joint report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and the Acting Head of Highways, Property and Waste in respect of proposal to procure a new waste collection and street cleansing contract from 5 April, 2021.

Detailed discussion was undertaken on the options within the report to secure that the Waste Management and Street Cleaning Contract meets the Council’s current and future needs.

It was RESOLVED to note the options contained within the report.

ACTION : To forward the recommendation to the Executive at its meeting to be held on 17 June, 2019.

Councillor Glyn Haynes did not vote as regards to Item 5.

To submit a report by the Head of Learning.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Learning in relation to progress of pupils through the Additional Learning Needs partnership which has come into force since September 2017. 

The Portfolio Holder for Education, Youth, Libraries & Culture reported that the new Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service for Gwynedd and Anglesey was implemented in September 2017 and this reports highlights the progress of pupils within the service.

The Senior Manager (FEE) – Additional Learning Needs and Inclusion Service for Gwynedd and Anglesey (ALN & I) reported that the ALN & I Service focused on schools in Anglesey during last year.  The Teams within the Service have assessments in place in order to report on the progress of pupils receiving support by the Service.  It was noted that the level of affordability by the ALN & I Service has resulted in comparing the processes followed at the beginning of the year and in May 2019, 52% of schools have demonstrated an improvement in their ALN processes and provision.  The schools are able to demonstrate appropriate processes and provision to a good standard in May 2019 was recorded at 89%, which is an improvement on the previous RAG process.  She noted that all the services within the ALN and Inclusion are able to demonstrate contributions to developing the quality of provision through their training delivery and transference of skills (shown at Appendix 3 – 7 attached to the report) and have processes to ensure that the information is embedded within the schools.  She further said that in May 2019, a Service Questionnaire was sent out to schools in Gwynedd and Anglesey as regards as to whether the provision afforded to by the ALN and Inclusion Service was addressing the needs of schools.  It was noted that the return rate was very low but it was evident from the responses that the ALN & I service needs to improve the way it communicates with schools, pupils and their families.  The Officer further said that a positive response was received as to the work of the ALN & I Service Teams who visit schools and the worthwhile benefit the pupils receives from the Service.   

Reference was made to the Additional Learning Needs and Tribunal Act Wales (2018) and the work undertaken to meet the demands of the Act when it comes into force in September 2020.  In April 2018 an Initial Readiness Survey was completed with the Authority and the Regional ALN Transformation Lead (Welsh Government).  When the survey is repeated in July 2019, it is expected that the areas within the development will have shown sufficient progress to be considered to be within the ‘safe’ category. 

The Committee considered the report and raised the following matters:-

·           Clarification was sought as to the working relationship between Anglesey schools and the ALN & I Service in general and to assure that schools are able to help pupils, depended on specific needs, before referral to the ALN & I Service.   The Senior Manager (FEE) – ALN & I Service responded that it is important  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To submit the Annual Report of the Public Service Board.

Submitted – the Draft Annual Report 2018/19 of the Public Services Board.

The Leader of the Council said that public organisations in Gwynedd and Anglesey have agreed to work together under the Well-being of the Future Generations Act (2015) through the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board.  During the last 12 months the Public Services Board and its associated Sub-Groups have operated in line with the five national sustainable development principles as noted within the report.  It was noted that the Public Services Board has agreed through the Well-being Plan to add two principles that are important to the residents of both Gwynedd and Anglesey i.e. The Welsh language and equality.  The Leader noted that this Scrutiny Committee is part of the consultation process as regards to the Public Services Board’s Draft Annual Report.  Under the Welsh language priority the Board has established a project namely ‘ARFER’ which is to enhance the use of the Welsh language within the organisations associated within the Public Services Board. The Leader further referred that the ‘Homes for Local People’ Sub-Group has agreed to incorporate the Housing Association Groups within the Group.  The Sub-Group is now focusing on innovative housing schemes.  It is anticipated that it can lead to increased energy efficiency, a positive impact on climate change and on fuel poverty.  The Managing Director of Menter Môn expressed that Menter Môn has an innovative Smart Homes project and ascertained whether Menter Môn’s input can be incorporated into the ‘Homes for Local People’ Sub Group. 

Following a question and answer session it was RESOLVED to accept the Public Services Board Draft Annual Report.

ACTION : As above.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Manager.

Submitted – a report by the Scrutiny Manager with regard to nomination of one Member of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee to serve on the Finance Scrutiny Panel.

It was RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Glyn Haynes to serve on the Finance Scrutiny Panel.

ACTION : As noted above.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Manager.

Submitted – a report by the Scrutiny Manager on the Committee’s Work Programme to July 2019.

It was RESOLVED to note the Work Programme to July 2019.

ACTION : As above.