Agenda, decisions 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:-

·      Minutes of the meeting held on 22 October, 2020.

·      Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November, 2020.

The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed as correct:-

·      Minutes of the meeting held on 22 October, 2020.

·      Minutes of the meeting held on 10 November, 2020.

·           Progress Report GwE 2020/21: support to schools during the Covid 19 pandemic;

·           An Estyn terms of reference report regarding the work of the Authority to support learning communities within schools since March 2020.

·           Progress Report GwE 2020/21 : support to schools during the Covid 19 pandemic

Submitted – a progress report - GwE 2020/21 : support to schools during the Covid 19 pandemic.

The Portfolio Holder for Education, Libraries, Culture and Youth said that the report refers to the work that has been undertaken between GwE and the local authority in order to support schools during the pandemic. He expressed that there has been a willingness between the organisations to discuss, to share ideas, adapt to achieve the vision of the support to schools and pupils.  He said that as Portfolio Holder he wished to express his appreciation to the staff of the Education Department (Team Môn), GwE and Estyn for their work over the difficult situation as regards to the pandemic and the effect on schools.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People reported that GwE and the local authority have adapted their work in order to continue to provide effective services and support for all their school communities during the pandemic. There has been a need to ensure that the well-being of school leaders, their staff and learners is paramount to the decision making and ensuring that the right level of support, operational or professional, can be directed accurately by the service.  Regular contact with school leaders has been well received and has contributed to Head teachers felling that they could turn to a professional colleague to share challenging issues and to find solutions to address day to day issues.  He further said that whilst virtual schooling is not as effective as having children in schools, every effort has been undertaken to provide the best education possible for the pupils. 

Mrs Sharon Vaughan, GwE reported that the reported presented to this meeting is how the regional consortium, in partnership with the Local Authorities, has evolved and adapted to support schools during the pandemic.  Throughout the pandemic, collaboration between the Education Department, GwE and schools has been effective, open, transparent and constructive.  A summary of the work undertaken was attached to the report as follows:-

·      Phase 1 – Pre-lockdown

·      Phase 2 – Supporting schools at the beginning of the lockdown

·      Phase 3 – Distance Learning

·      Phase 4 – Supporting schools to re-open

·      Phase 5 – Blended Learning

·      Phase 6 – Accelerating Learning/Recruit, Recover and Raise Standards

·      Phase 7 – Deepening collaboration and developing robust networks

Mrs Sharon Vaughan gave a brief summary of the Appendix 2 to 5 attached to the report to the Committee.

Mr Rhys Williams GwE reported that the welfare and wellbeing has been paramount to the joint working with the local authority and GwE over the difficult period of the pandemic.  During this difficult period GwE supported the local authority by introducing and supporting Risk Assessment procedures and producing guidance for using Live Streaming in classes.  The Anglesey Team working principle is fundamental to the clear approach and lines of communication between everyone.  As a result, specific support has been tailored to the needs of every school  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Team Leader, Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint Planning Policy Unit Service in relation to the above.

Submitted – a report by the Team Leader, Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint Planning Policy Unit Service in relation to the above.

The Leader of the Council in the absence of the Portfolio for Planning said that the role of this Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) is to give detailed advice on special policies linked to tourism in order to ensure that they are implemented effectively and consistently across the Plan area and to support Planning Officers when application are submitted.   Following the original consultation process in 2018 and as a result of the comments received, it was considered to be appropriate to undertake a further amendments to the Guidance.  A draft version of this SPG was approved for public consultation by the Joint Planning Policy Committee on 4 September, 2020.  The SPG thereafter has been subject to a public consultation from 16 October, to 27 November, 2020.  She noted that there is recognition that tourism is important for the Island and it can be seen within the SPG that there is a balance for support for the tourism sector and there is also a recognition the need to safeguard local communities moving forward. 

The Interim Head of Regulation and Economic Development reported that tourism sector is important to the economy of the Island.  It is hoped that a gradual easing of the lockdown will see the tourism sector reopening when it is safe to do so and in a sustainable manner.  The SPG gives clear policies for the planning authority on the quality, environment and the Welsh language when dealing with planning applications.

The Chief Planning Officer said that tourism is important for the Island and in general the planning policies in general do promote development of such tourism subject to that they are sustainable and of high standard. 

The Team Leader, Gwynedd and Anglesey Joint Planning Policy Unit reported that the SPG has been produced to support the policies with the JLDP.  During the Joint Local Development Plan Panel meeting held on 22 March, 2019 the Consultation Report on this further consultation was presented, which noted that no further amendments to the Guidance was necessary as a result of the observations received during the consultation period, and a request was made to the submit the Guidance to a meeting of the Joint Planning Policy Committee for adoption.  Since the meeting the guidance was submitted to Gwynedd Council’s Communities Scrutiny Committee on 4 April, 2019.  As a result the discussion at that meeting, it was considered that it would be appropriate to make a minor amendment to the working of the Guidance. Furthermore, a recent appeal decision in relation to considerations linked to assessing ‘over-provision’ of holiday accommodation has highlighted the need to further amend the Guidance.  A draft version of the SPG was approved for public consultation by the Joint Planning Policy Committee on 4 September, 2020.  This draft was prepared in consultation with the relevant Officers of both Authorities.  The SPG was subject to a public consultation from 16  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Officer.

Submitted – a report by the Scrutiny Officer.

It was RESOLVED to note the Work Programme from September 2020 to April, 2021.