Agenda, decisions and minutes

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meetings of the County Council held on the following dates:-

·      6 December 2022

·      26 January 2023 (Extraordinary)

The minutes of the following meetings of the County Council were confirmed as correct:-

·           6 December, 2022

·           26 January, 2023 (Extraordinary)

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

The Chief Officers declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 13 – Pay Policy Statement 2023 and left the meeting during discussion and voting thereon.

The Chief Executive read out a joint statement by the 2 Sisters Company and Unite Union, which was received before the meeting, which noted that to date there have been no viable alternatives but to close the factory at Llangefni. The statement notes that in the best interest of all the workforce that a winding down period be as short as operationally possible, and the intention is for the last date of production to be the 31^st March.

The Chair made the following announcements:-

·           Congratulations extended to Mr Wil Stewart who is a Warden at the Breakwater Park in Holyhead on being recognised for his work by the Futre Generations Comnmissioner recently.

·           Congratulations extended to Mr Owain Evans from Llangefni, a former pupil of Ysgol Llangefni who was a member of the Wales Under 20’s rugby squad in the six nations recently.

·           Congratulations extended to Casi Evans from Penysarn, a pupil at Ysgol Syr Thomas Jones, Amlwch who represented Wales’ Football team Under 17’s in a competition in Portugal in February. She played against Serbia, the Czech Republic and Portugal. 

·           Congratulations to Bodedern Young Farmers Club who competed in a national entertainment evening at Pontio last weekend.

·           Congratulations to Anglesey Youth Choir for winning at the North Wales Choir Festival – Young Voices recently.

·           Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Anglesey Half Marathon recently.

·           The Chair wished to thank the children of Anglesey who walked through the towns and villages to celebrate St Davids Day on March the 1st. He thanked Menter Iaith Môn for arranging the processions and to MônActif staff for their support.

·           Best wishes to Mr William Young from Holyhead who is performing the role of ‘Lennie ‘ in the production of ‘Of Mice and Men’ at Birmingham Theatre. William is a former pupil of Ysgol Bodedern and has been member of the Hijinx Theatre North Academy since 2014.  

*          *          *          *

Condolences were extended to the family of Mr Llyr Bryn Roberts who worked in the Social Services Department.

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

Members and Officers stood as silent tribute.

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 Llinos Medi:-

“Anglesey County Council call on the Welsh Government to hold an urgent review into the resilience of the link between Anglesey and the mainland. The situation in Anglesey is unique to any other area in Wales as there are only two links, not only to arrive at the busiest port in the UK, but so that residents of the island can live their lives from day to day. There is a need to ensure that the residents of the island can gain access to work, education and emergency services. Also, there is a need to ensure an economic connection to the island from a tourist perspective as well as the Freeport application. The economic future and the welfare of Anglesey residents is dependent on this link.”  

Submitted – the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Llinos Medi:-

‘Anglesey County Council call on the Welsh Government to hold an urgent review into the resilience of the link between Anglesey and the mainland.  The situation in Anglesey is unique to any other area in Wales as there are only two links, not only to arrive at the busiest port in the UK, but so that residents of the island can live their lives from day to day.  There is a need to ensure that the residents of the island can gain access to work, education and emergency services.  Also, there is a need to ensure an economic connection to the island from a tourist perspective as well as the Freeport application.  The economic future and the welfare of Anglesey residents is dependent of this link.’

Councillor Dafydd R Thomas seconded the Motion.

Councillor Aled M Jones said that he supported that urgent view is needed into the resilience of the link between Anglesey and the mainland and the effects sustained by local residents and the residents of Anglesey when the Menai Suspension Bridge was closed at short notice.  Councillor Jones recommended that an amendment be made to Motion that pressure be put on Welsh Government to compensate the businesses in Menai Bridge together with free parking for a year be in the car parks that the Authority is responsible for so as to encourage people to the shops that have been affected. 

Councillor Derek Owen seconded the amendment.

The Leader of the Council responded that negotiations are still on-going as to the support for the businesses in Menai Bridge as the required works on the Menai Suspension Bridge has yet to be finished.  She considered that the review into the resilience of the link between Anglesey and the mainland is different issue.

The Chief Executive said that a case has been forwarded to the Minister for Economy at Welsh Government for support for businesses in Menai Bridge following work undertaken to collate information and a review with businesses in the Town.  However, the case for compensation has been refused as Welsh Government policy is not compensate businesses that have been affected due to road closures. 

The Chair said that following legal advice, he considered that the Motion put forward by the Leader and the amendment by the Opposition Group are different issues and under two separate Ministers within Welsh Government.  As Chair he rejected the amendment to the Motion. 

The Leader said that support has been received by all the emergency services as to the review of the resilience of the link between the Island and the mainland.  She further said that there is a need to ensure that the residents of the island can gain access to work and also for the future generations to be able to access links with the mainland.

Following a unanimous vote:-

The Motion was carried.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

Submitted – the report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Member for Finance, Corporate Business and Customer Experience said that there is a funding shortfall in school budgets due to the cost of the pay award for teaching and non-teaching staff.  The assumption was that pay would increase by 2.5%, for both category of workers, however, the pay award, which is recommended to Welsh Government by an independent pay body, set the pay award at 5%.  The Executive recommended that Full Council make up that gap from the Council general reserve with the additional allocation to be distributed to schools through the funding formula.

It was RESOLVED that a further £1.7m from general balances be released to address the additional costs faced by schools.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer, as presented to the Executive on 2 March 2023.

The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Executive on 2 March, 2023 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

It was RESOLVED:-

·           to accept the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2022/2023.

·           to approve the change in counterparty limit to other local authorities as per section 5.3 of the report.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer, as presented to the Executive on 2 March 2023.

The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Executive on 2 March, 2023 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

It was RESOLVED to approve the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2023/2024.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer, as presented to the Executive on 2 March 2023.

The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Executive on 2 March, 2023 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Member for Finance, Corporate Business and Customer Experience said that it is a requirement under the revised CIPFA Prudential Code (September 2017) that all authorities must produce a capital strategy. This must set out the long term context in which capital expenditure and investment decisions are made.  The requirement is aimed at ensuring that authorities take capital and investment decisions in line with the service objectives and properly take into account stewardship, value for money, prudence, sustainability and affordability.  The Portfolio Member further referred that a number of these strategies are included within the Council Plan.

Councillor Aled M Jones said that whilst he supported the Capital Strategy he referred to  the reference within the report to business units in Bryn Cefni, Llangefni and Penrhos, Holyhead and believed that business units area are also to be available in Amlwch.  He noted that reference needs to be referred to small units in the North of Anglesey as the NDA has afforded funding for the second year towards such developments in Amlwch.

The Leader responded that work is currently undertaken to build small industrial units in Amlwch.  She noted that the Council Plan refers that the Authority is looking at economic development across the Island and is part of the Capital Strategy. 

It was RESOLVED to accept the Capital Strategy.

(a)      Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget 2023/24 

         To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151

         Officer, as presented to the Executive on 2 March 2023.

(b)      Capital Budget 2023/24      

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151

         Officer, as presented to the Executive on 2 March 2023.

(c)      Council Tax Resolution 2023/24

    To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151

         Officer, as presented to the Executive on 2 March 2023.

The Portfolio Member for Finance, Corporate Business and Customer Experience presented the Executive’s proposals for the Revenue Budget resulting Council Tax for 2023/2024 the Council’s updated Medium Term Financial Strategy and the use of any one-off funds to support the budget – Item 10 (a) to (c) within the Agenda.  He said that the Executive discussed the initial budget proposals at its meeting held on 24 January, 2023 and the provisional budget settlement which the Welsh Government had published on 14 December, 2022.  The Executive proposed a budget for 2023/2024 of £172.438m and, given the provisional AEF of £123.555m, this would require an increase of 5% in Council Tax and the use of £1.78m of the Council’s general balances to balance the budget.  However, there has been a significant change impacting on the budget since the presentation of the initial draft proposals arises from the announcement two weeks ago of an initial pay offer to the Council’s non-teaching staff for 2023/24 which amounts to an average increase of in the region of 7%; this has been put forward by the employer as a “full and final offer.” Given that the 2023/24 draft budget allows for a pay increase of 3.5%, this places an additional £2m as a pressure on the budget. The Executive has considered how this additional cost can be funded and proposes that it be met through the use of reserves deeming the identification of £2m of unplanned for savings at this late stage unrealistic and a higher increase in Council Tax as unacceptable.  The Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting held on 28 February, 2023 accepted the recommendations.

The Portfolio Member emphasised the importance of having sufficient reserves to meet such additional costs and especially when unexpected situations arise. Having been prudent of the Council’s finances in recent years has allowed reserves to be built up and those resources are now available to help support the Council during difficult times and also ensure its financial security for the future. He proposed the recommendations to the full Council.

The Leader seconded the proposal and she wished to thank the Portfolio Member, the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and his staff for their work in presenting the budget before the meeting.

Councillor Aled M Jones said that the budget of the Council is nearly £175m, however, it must be considered as to how the Council will spend the resources in total.  He referred to the total spent on the employment of agency staff within the services of the Council as each services are able to employ agency staff without having to confirm with the Human Resources Department.  He considered that local people should have the opportunity to be able to apply for these posts and not filling the posts with agency staff.  Councillor Jones asked for a report on the number of posts within the Council that are filled with agency staff.  He also raised the need to afford work required by the Council to local businesses on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer, as presented to the Executive on 2 March 2023.

The report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer as presented to the Executive on 2 March, 2023 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Member for Finance, Council Business and Customer Experience said that the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 includes a requirement that local authorities must include in their Executive arrangements provision enabling two or more councillors to share office on an Executive.  Whist the Council Constitution includes provision for the Leader to share office and for two or more Councillors to share office as Executive Members: there is no express provision for the Deputy Leader role to be shared. 

It was RESOLVED to agree that Constitutional changes are made to:-

·           allow for one or more members to job share as leader, deputy leader and as portfolio holders on the Executive;

·           allow the maximum number of members on the Executive to be amended to reflect the statutory maximum numbers where Executive members share roles; and

·           detail the arrangements in relation to quorum and voting when Executive members are job sharing:-

(a)   in accordance with the wording in Appendix 1 in the report;

(b)  any further consequential amendments that are required as a result of this decision.

Should any changes be made by way of job-share arrangements and/or the number of individuals in receipt of a senior salary change due to job-share arrangements, the Council will inform the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) and promptly publicise the same.

To submit a report by the Head of Profession – HR and Transformation, as presented to the Executive on 2 March 2023. 

The report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation as presented to the Executive on 2 March, 2023 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Member for Finance, Council Business and Customer Experience reported that the report is the culmination of 12 months of preparation, and during this time, it has been a process of understanding as to what staff, councillors and the residents of Anglesey would like to see the Council focusing on over the next five years, during the period of the Council Plan.  The consultation process was highlighted within the report. 

The Leader of the Council referred to the Council’s high level strategic aims and objectives which are:-

·           The Welsh Language – increasing opportunities to learn and use the language

·           Social Care and Well-being – providing the right support at the right time

·           Education – ensuring an effective provision for today and for the future generations

·           Housing – ensuring that everyone has the right to call somewhere home

·           Economy – promoting opportunities to develop the Island’s economy

·           Climate Change – responding to the crisis, tackling change and working towards becoming a net zero organisation by 2030. 

The Chief Executive outlined that the Council Plan will create a direction, influence and inform the work and decisions of staff and elected members over the next 5 years to enable the Island to be prosperous and ensure that everybody can thrive.

Councillor Aled M Jones said that there is a need to ensure that public transport provision on the Island is sufficient to allow residents to be able to go to work and specifically the bus routes that the Authority is responsible for on the Island.  

The Portfolio Member for Highways, Property and Waste responded that the Authority is conducting a review of transport provision across the Island with the provision of promoting walking, using electric vehicles, using public transport and the use community bus routes.

It was RESOLVED to adopt the Council Plan for 2023 – 2028.

To submit a report by the Head of Profession – HR and Transformation.

The report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation was presented to the Council by the Portfolio Member for Finance, Council Business and Customer Experience.

It was RESOLVED to endorse the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2023.

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development, as presented to the Executive on 14 February 2023.

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development as presented to the Executive on 2 March, 2023 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

The Portfolio Member for Planning and Climate Change said that a decision was made by both Anglesey and Gwynedd Council’s to terminate the collaboration agreement on planning policy issues on 31 March, 2023.  The existing Joint Planning Policy Committee will have to be dissolved and new arrangements will need to be made by the respective authorities to contribute towards the creation of a new Local Development Plan and associated planning work. 

It was RESOLVED:-

·      To establish a new Planning Policy Committee for the Isle of Anglesey County Council.

·      To amend the Constitution to dissolve the Joint Planning Policy Committee and delegate powers to the Monitoring Officer to implement these changes.