Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

None received.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 7 September 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 September, 2021 were confirmed as correct.

The Chair made the following announcements:-

·           Congratulations was extended to the Ynys Môn Housing Department who have been working with Gwynedd Council on the First Time Buyers Empty Homes Grant Scheme.  They have won the Chartered Institute of Housing’s 2021 award for Supporting Future Generations in Wales.

·           The County Council’s scheme to regenerate Holyhead Market Hall has also won a national award – AJ100 Community Impact Award from the Architect’s Journal. 

·           Congratulations was extended to Carl Edwards, Gethin Jones and Tudur Jones, Council Staff, together with other Members of Gwalchmai Biking Club who have raised £13,000 for Dementia and Alzheimer Charity whilst cycling from Trearddur Bay to Aberystwyth – a total of 116 miles.

·           Congratulations was extended to Mrs Celyn M Edwards on her appointment as the Chief Executive of Isle of Anglesey Charitable Association.

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Condolences were extended to Councillor Ieuan Williams and his family in the lost of his father in law recenlty. 

Condolences were extended to any Member of the Council or Staff who had suffered a bereavement.

The Chair further referred to the tragic events that unfolded in Leigh on Sea Essex on the 15^th October, resulting in the untimely death of Sir David Amess MP.  He expressed his deepest sympathy with Sir David Amess’ family.

To submit a report by the Head of Profession, HR and Transformation, as presented to the Executive on 25 October 2021.

 Submitted – a report by the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation as was presented to the Executive on 25 October, 2021 was submitted for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Business reported that the Annual Performance Report provides an evaluation of how well the Council delivered against its three key well-being objectives during 2020/21 as reflected in the performance indicators data and analysis contained therein in what was a very challenging year due to the pandemic. The Council’s main aim had been to keep its workforce and the people of Anglesey safe and well during this difficult time and to ensure that statutory services were maintained.  He noted that further progress has been made in a number of areas across services taking planned initiatives and projects forward as described within the report. Councillor Thomas wished to thank the hard work of its staff, partners and those contracted to undertake work for the Council.  However, it is expected that the Council will still face further challenges as it enters the winder period.

The Portfolio Holders for responsibilities for the services of the Council wished to thank the staff, partner organisations and contractors for their work during the pandemic in maintaining the services of the Council during the difficult period due to the pandemic.

Councillor R Ll Jones said that he also would like to thank the staff for their hard work in maintaining the services of the Council and especially with the rise in Mental Health, Substance Misuse and Old People suffering Domestic Violence and young people being excluded from their families and friends.  He further referred to the requirement to reduce the carbon footprint within local authorities. 

Councillor J Arwel Roberts reiterated the statement that the carbon footprint needs to be reduced.  He referred to the report that the Council currently holds 7 electric vehicles and 107 diesel vehicles and that an additional 4 electric vehicles have been ordered; Councillor Roberts questioned whether 4 electric vehicles was adequate.  The Leader of the Council responded that the Council’s vehicles fleet is currently  under review to ascertain as to the number of vehicles that will be required in the future as travelling to different meetings has been reduced due to virtual meetings taking place.  She further said that negotiations as on-going with Welsh Government as to the financing of electric and hydrogen fuel vehicles and the use of public transport.

It was RESOLVED that the 2020/21 Performance Report is an accurate reflection of the Authority’s work over the period and that it should be published by the statutory date 31^st October, 2021.

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

 The report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation was submitted for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Business said that the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 (the Act) introduces the statutory requirement for hybrid meetings to be put in place for all Council and committee meetings.  A draft Protocol was attached at Enclosure 1 of the report which sets out general principles around how hybrid meetings should be conducted at this time, when there are still covid restrictions in place and social distancing requirements reduce seating capacity in the Chamber/Committee Rooms.  He further said that the Protocol at Enclose 1 is intended to be a working Protocol which is likely to need revision, especially in the period of training, testing, piloting and prior to implementation. It will also need to be revised once restrictions have been further eased/lifted. 

Councillor Aled M Jones proposed an amendment to paragraph 3.10 of the Protocol which includes the provision ‘no other person/s may be present in the room from which members are accessing a remote meeting’.  Councillor Jones said that he considered that paragraph 3.10 is restrictive and not all are able to have access to a private meeting room.  Councillor Jones proposed an amendment to paragraph 3.10, that it is only when confidential/sensitive items are discussed do members need to ensure that no other person is present in the room from which members are accessing a remote meeting.  This amendment was seconded by Councillor Carwyn Jones.  The amendment was put to the vote and was carried.

It was RESOLVED:-

·           the document at Enclosure 1 to the report, as amended in paragraph 3.10, is adopted as the Protocol for the conduct of hybrid meetings; with Officers to progress the technical solutions required to conduct such meetings;

·           Any changes to the Protocol, which fall outside the Monitoring Officer’s existing authority under 3.5.3.6.6 of the Scheme of Delegation, shall be made by the Monitoring Officer, but only with the explicit consent of all the Group Leaders.  Any changes which do not have such consent to be authorised first by full Council;

·           Whilst Covid restrictions remain in place, any informal meetings/briefings and training/development sessions to continue to be held remotely.

To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services, as presented to the Democratic Services Committee on 19 October 2021.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Democratic Services, as was presented to the Democratic Services Committee on 19 October, 2021 was submitted for the Council’s acceptance.

The Chair of the Democratic Services Committee said that earlier this year the Boundary Commission for Wales announced the start of the 2023 review of Parliamentary Constituencies in Wales, in accordance with the provisions of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.   Initial proposals have recently been published for consultation with a closing date of 3 November, 2021.  The constituency of Ynys Môn is not subject to any changes and is retained.  He further said that there are presently 40 constituencies in Wales and proposals recommend reducing the number of constituencies to 32.   Councillor Bryan Owen seconded the proposal of the Chair of the Democratic Services.   

Councillor Dafydd Roberts said that he welcomed the proposal that the constituency of Ynys Môn is to be retained but proposed an amendment that the Authority should respond to the consultation process that 40 constituencies in Wales needs to be retained.  Councillor Ieuan Williams seconded the proposal.

The Chair, having received legal advice, rejected the amendment on the basis that it was beyond the scope (insufficient direct connection to the Council/the Council area).  Accordingly, the Chair took a vote on the substantive motion put forward by the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee and seconded by Councillor Bryan Owen. 

6 members voted in favour of the resolution, 8 members voted against the resolution and 12 members abstained on the resolution.

It was RESOLVED that:-

The motion was not carried.