Agenda, decisions and minutes

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the previous meeting of the County Council held on 20 May, 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Isle of Anglesey County Council held on 20 May, 2025 were confirmed as correct.

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

None received.

To receive any announcements from the Chairperson, Leader of the Council or the Chief Executive.

The Chair made the following announcements: -

•  Congratulations to everyone who organised the Anglesey Agricultural Show

   for yet another successful year, as well as everyone from the Island who

   was successful in the Royal Welsh, Eisteddfod yr Urdd and the National

   Eisteddfod.

•  Congratulations to the individuals from Anglesey that were inaugurated to

   the Orsedd during the National Eisteddfod in Wrexham, including Hywel

   Wyn Owen, Mared Lewis, Gwyn Anwyl, Nia Wyn Jones and Rhun ap

   Iorwerth.

•  Congratulations to the young people of Anglesey on their successful GCSE,

   A Level and other level 2 and 3 qualification results over the summer. She

   expressed her best wishes to those young people who will be leaving for

   University.  The Chair also congratulated the Council’s Looked After

   Children on their recent success with GCSE qualifications and other

   achievements. She expressed her gratitude to all staff, teachers, parents

   and foster parents who have supported young people during their exams.

•  The Chair referred to the County Councils’ Dyfydol Môn scheme that gives

    local graduates an opportunity to complete valuable work experience within

    the Council as they work towards a post graduate qualification.  The

    Council has been successful in appointing four graduates through the

    Dyfodol Môn scheme. 

•  The Chair referred to a special event held in Mona last weekend to welcome

    the Eisteddfod yr Urdd in 2026 to the Island.

•  The Chair said that the Rownd a Rownd television series celebrated 30

    years since it was first broadcasted. The series, located in Menai Bridge,

    has attracted significant financial investment to the area over the years, and

    more than 100 people now work on the programme.

•  Congratulations was extended to businesses on the Island that have

    recently won awards. Cybi Brewery and the honey production company,

    Anglesey Bees won stars in the Great Taste Awards, and Llanfairpwll

    Distillery won the best small drink producer award in the Welsh Food and

    Drink Awards.

On behalf of the County Council, the Chair wished to thank the Fire Service for their work managing and fighting fires on Mynydd Bodafon during the summer. At one point, the fire had spread to 1,500 meter squared and thankfully no one was injured during the incident.

The Chair referred that earlier this month, a special event was held with key partners and stakeholders to celebrate the County Council’s journey to becoming a Trauma Informed Island. One of the highlights was naming Ysgol Gyfun Llangefni as the first mainstream secondary school in the United Kingdom to receive the Trauma Informed and Mental Health award from Trauma Informed Schools UK.

The Chair referred that on the 15th of August, the County Council and Officers from RAF Valley came together to commemorate 80 years since VJ Day with a flag raising ceremony outside the Council Offices in Llangefni. Many also attended the remembrance event that was organised by Councillor Aled Morris Jones at Parys Mountain in the evening. Both events, as well as the VE Day event in May, were opportunities to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive any petition in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.11 of the Constitution.

No petitions received.

·     To receive the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Aled M Jones: -

“Anglesey Independents call on Anglesey County Council to seek a judicial review of the decision by The Welsh Government to allow planning permission to the Alaw Môn, Solar Farm development.

This proposed development has caused a great deal of concern in our communities and we as a County Council must seek all possible means to challenge this decision.”

·     To receive the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Gary Pritchard: -

“The Council expresses its disappointment and frustration in the Welsh Government’s decision to permit the Alaw Môn solar farm development contrary to its policies on the use of best and most versatile agricultural land.

The Council is asked to investigate every possible option, including legal options, to challenge the decision.”

•  Submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillor Aled M Jones:-

‘Anglesey Independents call on Anglesey County Council to seek a judicial review of the decision by the Welsh Government to allow planning permission to the Alaw Môn, Sola Farm development.

This proposed development has caused a great deal of concern in our communities and we as a County Council must seek all possible means to challenge this decision’.

Councillor Kenneth P Hughes seconded the motion. 

Councillor Hughes said that there are immense concerns that the decision to approve the Alaw Môn Solar Farm by Welsh Government and not allowing the  County Council to make such a decision.  He expressed strongly that the Council needs to apply for a Judicial Review of the decision taken by Welsh Government and hopefully overturn the decision.  The Island already generates enough energy for the whole of Wales and good agricultural land should not be used for solar farm developments.  He further said that Cadw Tir Môn has asked through email that if the Council is unable to apply for judicial review that financial assistance be afforded to help the Community Group to pursue a judicial review of the decision. 

•  Submitted a Notice of Motion by Councillor Gary Pritchard: -

‘The Council expresses its disappointment and frustration in the Welsh Government’s decision to permit the Alaw Môn Solar Farm development contrary to its policies on the use of best and most versatile agricultural land.

The Council is asked to investigate every possible option, including legal options, to challenge the decision.’

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Gary Pritchard said that he would withdraw his Notice of Motion, subject to an amendment as there is unity agree by the political groups to the frustration and disappointment that Welsh Government’s decision has been to approve the Alaw Môn Solar Farm.  He noted that Welsh Government have ignored their own policies on the use of good agricultural land and this Council has expressed objection from the start of this development.

The Leader outlined his amendment to the Motion by Councillor Aled M Jones as follows: -

•  ‘The Council expresses its disappointment and frustration in the Welsh

   Government’s decision to permit the Alaw Môn Solar Farm development

   contrary to its policies on the use of best and most versatile agricultural

   land;

•  The proposed development has caused a great deal of concern in our

   communities as well as creating real concerns regarding future food

   security;

•  The Council is asked to investigate every possible option, including seeking

   a Judicial Review, to challenge this decision as well as seeking to work

   alongside other Community Groups who are working towards a similar goal;

Councillor Jeff Evans seconded the amendment to the Motion. 

The Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer advised that the amendment to the Motion is appropriate and a vote was undertaken.  28 Members voted in favour of the amendment to the motion, and 3 Members abstained.

Councillor Ieuan Williams, on behalf of the Independent Group, said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit the report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer, as presented to the Executive on 17 July 2025.

The report of the Director of Function (Resource)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Executive on 17 July, 2025 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Annual Treasury Management Review for 2024/2025.

To submit the report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer, as presented to the Executive on 23 September 2025.

The report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer as presented to the Executive on 23 September, 2025 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

It was unanimously RESOLVED to: -

•  approve the constitutional changes required to reflect the merging of

   the Annual Self-Assessment Report and the Annual Performance

   (Wellbeing) Report into a single integrated document called the Annual

   Self-Assessment and Performance (Wellbeing) Report;

•  approve the changes to the Constitution to reflect that the merged

   report referred to above shall be a function of the Executive;

•  authorize the Monitoring Officer to make the constitutional changes

   required to implement the above.  

To submit the report of the Director of Social Services.

The Annual Director’s Report on the Effectiveness of Social Services was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Director of Social Services gave a brief video presentation to the Council and said that the Annual Report is a statutory report which highlights the successes within the Social Services Department.  He said that there are financial challenges, across Wales and the United Kingdom.  He referred to the challenges in finding placement for looked after children which has resulted in the Children’s & Families Services overspending but plans are in place to address the overspend with the Cartrefi Clyd initiative and the foster carers package to try and keep the looked after children on the Island. The Adults’ Services are underspending at present due to the plans put into that service.  He further referred to the incentive as regard to Authority and the staff becoming Trauma Informed.   Work continues as regard to the Age Friendly Island and the Older People’s Commissioner Wales visited the Island for a week visiting several activities afforded together with the third-sector activities.  The Director of Social Services referred to the work of modernising the learning disabilities services across the Island and supporting individuals with learning disabilities to live independently.  He further referred that the transition of staff leaving the authority has reduced significantly, and staff are trained to a high standard where they can improve their prospects to apply for higher roles within the service.  Several students from Bangor and Wrexham Universities have taken the opportunity to train to become Social Workers and other roles within the service. Work has also been undertaken with Coleg Llandrillo Menai highlighting the roles available for young people in Social Services roles within the Council.    The Social Services Scrutiny Panel continue to meet on a regular basis together with the Corporate Parenting Panel.  Work is undertaken with the Care Inspectors Wales and meeting are undertaken on a regular basis.  

The Director of Social Services wished to thank the staff of the Children’s and Adults’ Services for their work.

Councillor Ieuan Williams raised that there has been recently reported in the press that a child that was placed in care and who needed to be placed in ‘out of country’ costed a local authority £1m.  He considered that local authorities in Wales should collaborate through the WLGA and Welsh Government to afford quality care for individuals in their local communities. 

The Portfolio Member for Children’s and Families responded that work is continued with other local authorities but agreed that affording quality care in their communities is paramount.

The Leader of the Council said that Caretrefi Clyd on Anglesey is an innovated service for caring for young people and allowing them to stay within  their Welsh local communities and that costs of caring for young people in care are not paid to private companies across the border. 

It was unanimously RESOLVED to accept the Annual Director’s Report on the Effectiveness of Social Services 2024/2025.

To receive the report of the Chair of the Standards Committee, as presented to the Standards Committee on 12 June 2025.

The report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Annual Report of the Standards Committee was presented by Mr Trefor Owen, Chair of the Standards Committee.

Mr Owen said that the Standards Committee is required by legislation to report annually to the Council in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. Mr Owen detailed that the report outlines the duties of the Standards Committee, and he highlighted the work undertaken with the County Council Members, Group Leaders and the Town and Community Councils in discharging its duties. Mr Owen further said that the report outlines the work the Committee has undertaken in accordance with its responsibilities in 2024/2025 and the Committee’s Work Programme for 2025/2026 was submitted for the Council’s approval.

It was unanimously RESOLVED: -

•  To approve the Annual Report of the Standards Committee for

   2024/2025;

•  To approve the Standards Committee’s Work Programme for

   2025/2026, whilst accepting that some additional matters may be

   included, in accordance with demand.

To receive the report of the Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee, as presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 26 June 2025.

The report of the Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee as presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 27 June, 2024 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

Mr Dilwyn Evans, Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee said that the report meets the requirements of the Committee’s Terms of Reference that it report annually to the Full Council on its findings, conclusions and recommendations concerning the adequacy and effectiveness of the Council’s governance, risk management and internal control frameworks, financial reporting arrangements, complaints handling and internal and external audit functions. The Committee’s activities within 2024/2025 are detailed within the report. He further said that he wished to sympathise with the family of the late Mrs Sharon Warnes, a member of the Governance and Audit Committee who passed away at the beginning of the summer.  He wished to thank the Members of the Governance and Audit Committee for their work and the Democracy staff that supports the Committee. 

It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Annual Report of the Governance and Audit Committee for 2024/2025.

To submit the report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property.

Submitted a report by Head of Highways, Waste and Property on the North Wales Regional Transport Plan.

The Leader of the Council reported that the North Wales Regional Transport Plan aligns with the Welsh Government’s Llwybr Newydd : the Wales Transport Strategy 2021 (STC), a document that provides the strategic direction, vision and priorities for transport in Wales.  The North Wales Joint Corporate Committee (CJC) was established on 1 April, 2021 which has a statutory duty to prepare a Regional Transport Plan.  The CJC has established its Transport and Strategic Planning Sub-Committee to carry out its statutory functions and therefore leads and governs the North Wales Regional Transport Plan and has prepared a Regional Transport Plan in accordance with Welsh Government guidance.  He noted that the report has been submitted to the relevant Scrutiny Committee for discussion. 

He further said that the resilience of both bridges across the Menai Straits and public transport challenges faced by rural areas as been highlighted in the report.  However, there are challenges to ensure that this Authority can attract grants when a function is a regional entity. 

Councillor Kenneth P Hughes said that the CJC’s have been forced upon local authorities by Welsh Government.  He noted that the CJC has a statutory duty to prepare a Strategic Development Plan and a Regional Transport Plan. These plans are key in ensuring that the transport infrastructure is adequate to address the needs of the local communities and the environment of the region.  Councillor Hughes said that the CJC has not considered the bus routes within rural areas with recent reduction in bus services.  

Following the vote of 25 in favour, 6 against and 0 abstentions.

It was RESOLVED to adopt the North Wales Regional Transport Plan July 2025.