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.
The two priority areas of ‘Health and Care of Adults’ and ‘Welfare and achievement of children and young people’ contribute towards Objective 2. In relation to the learning disabilities work-stream, work is underway in Anglesey with pooled budgets to strengthen the learning disability services.
The Leader of the Council referred to the Welsh Government’s support grant for Public Services Boards across the region. The Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Service Board has proposed to use this source of funding to fund the study of promoting the Welsh language within reception areas. This proposal will be circulated to other Public Services Boards across the region in due course, and it is anticipated that the findings of the pilot could be used regionally, if not nationally.
The Committee considered the report and made the following points:-
· Questions were raised as to the main risks and challenges in terms of achieving the objectives of the Well-being Plan and how the Public Services Boards will address these mitigating risks. The Programme Manager of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Service Board referred to the risk register in Appendix 1 and that the main risks were included such as the lack of resource and the commitment of the members of the Board as regards to the work of the Sub-Groups are the main risks of achieving the objectives of the Well-being Plan. She also noted that the risk register was a working document and that members of the Sub-Groups would contribute towards the register and the mitigating actions;
· Questions were raised whether the work of the Public Service Board could duplicate the work already undertaken by the Local Authorities. The Leader of the Council gave an example as regards to promoting the Welsh language within the workplace. She said that whilst work is undertaken within the local authorities to promote the use of the Welsh language and as members of the Public Services Board the local authorities are able to promote and encourage other bodies within the Board as to the importance of the Welsh language within the workplace. Reference was also made to the Poverty Sub-Group. It was noted that there is no sub-group at present dealing with poverty. The Programme Manager of the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board responded that the Board has agreed to keep an overview of the progress made by local authorities as regards to addressing poverty and thereafter the Board will agree where to focus its resources to add value to the work undertaken by the local authorities. This is an example where the Board has attempted to minimise duplication;
· A Member referred to the priority of the Public Service Board to address homes for local people. He considered that policies within the Joint Local Development Plan can be an obstacle for allowing local people to build homes within their communities and he questioned whether this is a risk as regards to the priorities of the Board. The Leader of the Council responded that it would not be considered as a risk to the Board. The policies within the Joint Local Development Plan allow for the development affordable dwellings within the plan. She further said that through the work of the Public Service Board the Health Authority and the Police have identified potential vacant land available for the development of home for local people.
It was RESOLVED to note the progress of the work of the Public Service Board.
ACTION : As noted above.