Agenda and minutes

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 30 September 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 September, 2022 were confirmed as correct, subject to the name of Councillor Non Dafydd included in the members present.

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

Councillor Dylan Rees declared a personal interest in respect of Item 4 – Corporate Self-Assessment 2022 and Item 5 - Annual Performance Report 2021/22.

Councillor Robin Williams declared a personal interest in respect of Item 4 – Corporate Self-Assessment 2022 and Item 5 - Annual Performance Report 2021/22.

The Chair made the following announcements:-

·      Congratulations was extended to Meinir Thomas from Llangefni who has represented Wales in the over 55’s Women’s Hockey Squad in the World Cup in South Africa recently.  She also plays football for the Amlwch Town Women’s Team.

·      Congratulations was extended to Steven Roberts, Rob Owen, Alan Whiston and Martin Jones from the Amlwch Walking Football Team who represented Wales in the over 50’s walking team in Bordeaux recently.

·      Congratulations was extended to John Pritchard from Amlwch who represented the Wales over 60’s walking team in the Six Nations Challenge.

The Deputy Leader, Councillor Carwyn Jones referred that on Friday, 21 October, Welsh Government made the decision to close the Menai Suspension Bridge to all traffic with immediate effect on the advice of structural engineers due to serious structural issues.  Since the closure of the bridge, Officers from the County Council attend daily meetings with Welsh Government together with partner organisations including the transport sector, North Wales Trunk Road Agency, the local Health Board, colleges and the emergency services.  The Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Mr Lee Waters MS made a full statement to the Senedd in Cardiff referring that discussions are taking place as regards to the possibility of opening the Menai Suspension Bridge to the emergency services in an emergency.  Currently the bridge is open for walkers and cyclist walking with their bicycles and Welsh Government is currently monitoring the impact and is committed to opening the bridge as soon as possible when it is safe to do so. 

To submit a report by the Head of Profession, HR and Transformation, as presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 20 October 2022.

The report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation as presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 20 October, 2022 was presented for the Council’s acceptance. 

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Business and Customer Experience presented the report and said that as part of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 there is a duty on the Council to undertake a review of its performance and to make sure that it is exercising its functions effectively, that it is using its resources economically, efficiently and effectively and that it governance is effective for securing the matters set out above, together in connection with all financial years that it make a report setting out its conclusions as to the extent to which it met the performance requirements.   The draft Self-Assessment for 2021/2022 was originally considered by the Executive at its meeting held on 19^th July, 2022 and thereafter the Governance and Audit Committee at its meeting held on 26^th July, 2022.  The draft was adopted by the full Council as a working draft at its meeting held on 30^th September, 2022 prior to inviting further comments by the Governance and Audit Committee on 20^th October, 2022 with a further 2 comments proposed to be included as is noted within the report.

The Opposition Group said that concerns have been raised previously as to the telephone system of the Council and still it was considered that the system was inadequate in answering calls from the public.  The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Business and Customer Experience said that improvements with regard to the telephone operation have been identified and noted in the self-assessment report by the Senior Leadership Team.

It was RESOLVED:-

·      To agree the adaptations listed within the report and authorise Officers to amend the final draft;

·      To adopt the Corporate Self-Assessment 2022 and that is sent to the following list of recipients within the period of four weeks following this meeting as is required under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 :-

·           The Auditor General for Wales;

·           Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales;

·           The Welsh Ministers.

(Councillor Douglas M Fowlie abstained from voting)

To submit a report by the Head of Profession, HR and Transformation, as presented to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 19 October 2022.

The report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation as presented to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee on 19 October, 2022 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Business and Customer Experience presented the report and said that in accordance with the Constitution, the Council is required to prepare and publish an Annual Performance Report. The report is a document that analyses the performance over the previous financial year against the improvements and priorities outlined by the Council. 

The Opposition Group raised the premium on empty properties that are currently being renovated and the need for a flexible system so as to extend the period when renovation works have to be completed before the full premium is payable.  The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Corporate Business and Customer Experience responded that the period for renovation works on empty properties has been extended to 2 years due to the difficulties in obtaining building materials and tradesmen to carry out the works.    

The Opposition Group further raised as to the poor conditions of some rural roads on the Island.  The Head of Highways, Property and Waste responded that expenditure is prioritised on Class A, B and C roads as they are used by the majority of traffic. 

It was RESOLVED to adopt the Annual Performance Report 2021/2022.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer, as presented to the Democratic Services Committee on 4 October 2022.

The report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer as presented to the Democratic Services Committee on 4 October, 2022 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Chair of the Democratic Services, Councillor Keith Roberts said that in accordance with the statutory guidance issued by the Welsh Government under Section 6(1) of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011, the Council is required to survey Members in respect of the times at which meetings of a local authority are held.  A survey was sent to all members to obtain their view.  The responses to the survey was noted within the report. 

It was RESOLVED to accept the recommendations of the Democratic Services Committee at its meeting held on 4 October, 2022 as follows:-

·      that the current start times be retained for ordinary meetings of the County Council (2.00 p.m.); Executive (10.00 a.m.) and all other committees (2.00 p.m.) subject to that the start times of the Planning and Orders Committee, and Standards Committee, should be decided by those committees, following advice from their lead officers;

·      where possible, committee meetings should be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, to held with combining other work and responsibilities with the role of a member;

·      that the Council takes the opportunity to raise awareness about the availability of financial support towards the costs of care and personal assistance; and

·      to note that, in light of draft statutory guidance awaited from Welsh Government, there is an intention to carry out a further review of the timing, frequency and length of committee meetings early in 2024.