Agenda and minutes

A number of council meetings are live-streamed.

All meetings are also uploaded after the event onto the our webcasting site.

Venue: Committee Room 1, Council Offices, Llangefni. View directions

Contact: Mrs Mairwen Hughes 

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

Minutes:

As noted above.

2.

Declaration of Interest

Minutes:

None received.

3.

Minutes

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 February, 2020 were confirmed as correct.

 

Arising from the minutes

 

North Wales Fire and Rescue Service

 

Councillor K P Hughes questioned whether a letter has been sent to Welsh Government expressing disappointment that the funding for the ‘Falls within the Home’ scheme has ceased and that Welsh Government should reconsider affording funding towards this scheme.  The Scrutiny Officer responded that the letter to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services will be sent this week.

 

4.

Public Speaking Protocol for Scrutiny

Minutes:

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

 

The Portfolio Holder – Corporate Business said that the aim of introducing the Public Speaking Protocol is to provide the public with a clear and accessible process for making their views known to the Scrutiny Committees as part of their deliberations. 

 

The Solicitor – Corporate Governance and Contracts outlined the report to the Committee and said in accordance with Section 62 of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, and under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill the County Councils must ensure that those who live or work in their area are able to contribute their views on any matter that is to be considered by Scrutiny Committees.  She said that having a clear guidance allows consistency and transparency to the public, elected members and officers.   The introduction of the Public Speaking Protocol will assist the public to understand the process that needs to be followed and will ensure that a consistent process is adopted, which manages the public’s expectations in relation to their contribution.  Details of the protocol as regards to request to speak at a Scrutiny Committee meeting was outlined within the report. 

 

The Committee considered the report and made the following points:-

 

·      Reference was made that the legislation that allows for public contribution at meetings and questions were raised whether the Public Speaking Protocol will be reviewed on a regular basis.  The Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer responded that if the Public Speaking Protocol is approved by full Council in May, the protocol will be incorporated within the Communication Plan and will be reviewed after six months and thereafter after twelve months to gauge if the protocol has been effective.  The awareness of the public is paramount to enable them to contribute their views on any matter under consideration by Scrutiny Committees;

·      Questions were raised as to whether the Public Speaking Protocol will allow for public speaking at the Executive and full Council meetings.  The Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer responded that legislation allows for public participation during consultation on a particular issue but adopting a Public Speaking Protocol is not legislative but it does afford for public participation at meetings;

·       Questions were raised as to how the prioritisation of persons who wish to speak will be administered.  The Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer responded that a procedure will be administered to prioritise who has asked to speak at Scrutiny Committee i.e. ‘for and against’ and from all perspectives.   The administration of the protocol to speak at Scrutiny Committee will be undertaken by the Scrutiny Officers;

·      Reference was made as to whether the Chairs of the Scrutiny Committees will need to seek legal advice when a late request is received for public participation at Scrutiny Committees.  The Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer responded that the need to seek advice from relevant Officers by Scrutiny Chairs is not mandatory but it could be requested that it would be expected that Scrutiny Chairs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

5.

Progress Report on the Delivery of the Wellbeing Plan for the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Service Board

Minutes:

To submit a report by the Programme Manager of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board.

 

The Programme Manager of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Service Board reported that the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board was established in 2016, in accordance with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. There are 4 statutory members within the Board which include the County Councils, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, National Resources Wales and North Wales Fire and Rescue together with 10 public organisations attending the Board meetings. 

 

The Public Services Board agreed on priority areas to achieve 2 objective of the Wellbeing Plan. The following Sub-Groups have been established under Objective 1 – Communities which thrive and are prosperous in the long-term:-

 

·      Welsh Language Sub-Group – the first actions for the Sub-Group was to participate in the ‘Arfer’ project.  The Isle of Anglesey County Council is one of the partners participating in the scheme.  The ‘Arfer’ project has already been trialled by Bangor University and there was an increase in the use of the Welsh language in the workplace, and confidence in using the language.  The Public Service Board has asked the Welsh Language Sub-Group to consider setting up a project to look specifically at how to promote and encourage the use of Welsh language in reception areas;

·      The impact of climate change on the Wellbeing of our Communities Sub-Group – the Sub-Group has identified the need to educate, work in collaboration with local communities in order to prepare them for the current challenges of climate change and those we will face in the future.  Regional discussion took place recently and it was agreed that a workshop on climate change adaptation be organised by the Sub-Group to discuss the communities that would benefit from climate adaptation schemes. Part 1 of the workshop has been held and a further workshop will be held during March 2020 and feedback from the workshop will be shared with both local authorities thereafter;

·      Homes for local people Sub-Group – the Sub-Group works with the housing sector to ensure more suitable and affordable housing in the right places to meet local needs.  A Project Management Officer, on a part-time basis, has been appointed to lead the work of the Sub-Group and an Action Plan has been produced for the Sub-Group;

·      The impact of poverty on the Wellbeing of our Communities - poverty remains a priority for the Board but there is no sub-group leading on the work at present.  It has been agreed that there was an opportunity through the Board to address the work already underway within both authorities before considering options for the Board to work in a more integrated and cohesive way.  In addition, the Public Service Board Support Officers have undertaken a two study areas (1) transport and in particular the barriers facing individuals across the region that prevent them from reaching work locations or training organisations and (2) understanding poverty and deprivation on the lives of residents and on their well-being.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Developing Leisure Provision for Future Generations

Minutes:

Submitted - a report by the Interim Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

 

The Leader of the Council said that the Leisure Plan attempts to demonstrate an integrated approach to preventative health care on Anglesey by ensuring the provision of sustainable and high quality leisure facilities to enable residents to live active lives, to prevent ill health and improve well-being.  She noted that a number of briefing session has taken place to assess the future of the Authority’s leisure facilities.

 

The Interim Head of Regulation and Economic Development reported that a review of the leisure facilities has taken place to identify potential capital improvements to the leisure centres.  It has been estimated that it would cost £21m to partially refurbish the leisure centres in line with modern building practices.  The costs of constructing three new replacement leisure centres would be £37m.  It is the Council’s intention to retain the four current leisure centres and given the current financial situation, it is proposed that a smaller scale investment programme, focussing initially on essential maintenance and smaller scale improvement works, is required to maintain current provision for the short to medium term; the value of these works is £1m and £3m respectively.  He further referred to the capital improvements that has already taken place which was included within the report.  Opportunities currently exist to secure modest levels of external funding to improve each leisure centre and the leisure services must be able to produce robust projects to be able to apply for such funding.

 

The Commercial Leisure Manager gave a brief presentation to the Committee and noted that the service users of the 4 leisure services has increased to 530,000 during 2018/2019. The centres provide many opportunities for physical activity and they encourage healthy lifestyles.   He further said that Môn Actif brand has improved the perspective of the leisure facilities afforded to the public and direct debt packages has attracted further users of the facilities at the 4 leisure centres together with a corporate discount facilities for businesses. 

 

The Committee considered the report and made the following points:-

 

·      Reference was made that the leisure service intends to secure external funding to improve the leisure services on the Island.  Questions were raised as to whether grant funding can be source from the Island Games that will be held on Anglesey in 2025.  The Commercial Leisure Manager responded that it is not anticipated that extensive grant funding will be source from the Island Games in 2025 as the Island Games Association consider that the current facilities on Anglesey are adequate following installation of new 3G pitches at Plas Arthur, Llangefni and Menai Bridge and fitness suite at Holyhead.  He referred to the Inter Games Football Tournament held on Anglesey in 2019 which was an immense success and noted that the aim of the Island Games is to celebrate leisure facilities and to afford opportunities for people to participate at the games;  

·      Reference was made to the introduction of the direct debt packages afforded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

Forward Work Programme

Minutes:

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Manager.

 

It was RESOLVED to note the Work Programme to April 2020.