Agenda item

To submit a report by the Chief Officer of Medrwn Môn.

The Chair welcomed Mrs Sian Purcell, Chief Officer – Medrwn Môn and Mr Andrew Hughes – Chair of the Management Board Medrwn Môn to the meeting.

Submitted – a report by the Chief Officer – Medrwn Môn on the work undertaken by Medrwn Môn during 2018/19 and progress on developing the partnership work with the Council.  A copy of the Annual Report for 2018-19 was attached to the report.

The Chief Officer - Medrwn Môn reported that the aim of Medrwn Môn is to promote and support voluntary and community organisations by working with individuals, groups and communities on Anglesey to ensure they play a full and prominent role in developing the potential of the Island.  Medrwn Môn is part of Third Sector Support Wales (TSSW), a partnership between the County Voluntary Councils and the Wales Council for Voluntary Action and is one of 19 County Voluntary Councils in Wales.  The arrangements for the national partnership, Third Sector Support Wales, were reviewed during 2017-18 and 2018-19.  2018-19 was the second year of the ambitious Third Sector Support Wales change programme, which focused on improving the impact Medrwn Môn has as a partnership in supporting the third sector in Wales to flourish.  

She noted that Medrwm Môn has been working in partnerships with the County Council to develop the ‘Place Shaping Programme’ for the Island.  ‘Place Shaping’ looks at how to make communities stronger and more resilient in the future through understanding what those communities have in terms of assets – buildings, green spaces, skills & knowledge, community groups, and public services.  She referred to the support given by Medrwn Môn in the establishment of the Seiriol Alliance and work is now undertaken within the Twrcelyn Ward as part of the ‘Place Shaping Programme’. 

The Chief Office - Medrwn Môn referred to the Môn Community Link scheme which Medrwn Môn acts as a single access point for people to gain information on third sector organisations.  Community Link accepts direct contact from individuals, but also accepts referrals from partners at the County Council and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.  Medrwn Môn has also been involved in the ‘Early Action Together’ programme which aims to facilitate the transformation of policing into a multi-agency, Adverse Childhood Experiences informed approach that enables early intervention and root cause prevention. 

The Chair of the Management Board said that Medrwn Môn has now establish new ways of working and engaging with residents of the Island to enable public engagement within local communities.

The Committee considered the information presented and made the following points:-

·      Reference was made within the Annual Report to the requirement to recruit additional trustees to the membership of the Management Board of Medrwn Môn.  Questions were raised as to what extent the organisation ensure that individuals with specific skills are appointed.  The Chief Officer – Medrwn Môn responded that volunteer groups within communities nominate a representatives to be considered on the Management Board but she emphasised that some individuals may not have the required skills levels requirements.  There is a  requirement to promote the skills levels of individuals i.e. HR, IT, financial and management skills;

·      Reference was made to the Community Resources Teams within the three identified areas within the Island.  Questions were raised as to the role of Medrwn Môn within the Community Resources Teams.  The Chief Officer – Medrwn Môn responded that Medrwn Môn staff have received training to support residents within the identified areas to gain access to facilities available to them;

·      Questions were raised as to the main risks Medrwn Môn faces over the coming years.  Reference was made that there will be added pressure on the Third Sector to support organisations within local communities. The Chief Officer – Medrwn Môn responded that financial resource is the main risk factors as projects have reduced from 3 years to 1 year. She noted that this can put pressure on project management of schemes.  She further said that the uncertainties are regards to Brexit is an added pressure on voluntary organisations;

·      Questions were raised regarding as to how Medrwn Môn is promoting people to volunteer and especially difficulties in people being able to volunteer within unsociable hours and during weekends.  Reference was made that younger people need to be encouraged to volunteer within the communities.  The Chief Officer – Medrwn Môn responded that people do volunteer within their communities but a balance is required of the work people are able to undertake;

The Chair thanked the representatives from Medrwn Môn for attending the meeting.

It was RESOLVED to request Medrwn Môn to attend this Committee on an annual basis in order to report on their work on the Island in order to be able to scrutinise its partnership with the Council.

ACTION: As noted above.