Agenda, decisions and minutes

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on 7 March 2024.

The minutes of the meeting of the Isle of Anglesey County Council held on 7 March, 2024 were confirmed as correct, subject to an amendment in the Welsh version of the minutes should read (Eitem 8 – Cyllideb 2024/2025 - Ar ddechrau’r broses o osod y gyllideb roedd bwlch o £14.391m rhwng y gyllideb refeniw ddigyfnewid a’r cyllid oedd ar gael cyn cynyddu’r Dreth Gyngor).

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

None received.

The Chair made the following announcements:-

·          Congratulations extended to the athletes Eli Jones and Joseff Morgan for being chosen to represent Wales at an International Athletics Event in Loughborough held on Sunday. Eli was part of the Wales 100m relay while Joseff competed in the 800 meters.

·          Congratulations extended to Tudur Jones and Begw Ffransis Roberts from Llangefni Rugby Club who represented Wales recently. Tudur played for Wales Under 18s and Begw played for Wales Under 18s at the Six Nations Festival.

·          Congratulations extended to Gareth Parry, for being recognised by the Rugby Union for his hard work in developing girls’ rugby in Anglesey and North Wales.

·          Congratulations was also extended to Osian Roberts, originally from Anglesey, on his success as Como 1907 FC Manager in Italy. Osian led Como 1907 to promotion from Serie B and Como 1907 will play their football in the main Italian league, Serie A, next season.

·          Congratulations also to Gwalchmai Football Club on winning the North Wales Intermediate Cup last Saturday. 

·          The Chair wished to extend her congratulations to everyone who competed in Eisteddfod Môn over the weekend. It was a very successful event again this year and congratulations to Councillor Gwilym Jones and former Councillor Bob Parry for being accepted to Eisteddfod Môn’s ‘Orsedd’. Best wishes also to everyone from Anglesey who will be competing at the Urdd Eisteddfod in Meifod next week.  

·          The Chair referred that Mr Noel Thomas from Gaerwen had been included in the list of people recognised by the ‘Orsedd’ in the National Eisteddfod this year. Mr Thomas has served his community conscientiously for many years as a sub-postmaster and Councillor. As one who has suffered serious injustice, he has worked hard to draw the attention of the public to the failings of the Post Office. 

·          Congratulations extended to the Anglesey Youth Choir, led by Mari Lloyd Pritchard, for reaching the final of Côr Cymru after winning the “Show Choir” category in the S4C programme. The competition was one of an international standard and an excellent experience for over 100 of Anglesey’s children.

·          Congratulations was also extended to Beaumaris Youth Band who came third throughout Europe representing Wales in the European Youth Band Championships in Palanga, Lithuania earlier in the month.  

·          The Chair congratulated all members of Anglesey Young Farmers who represented the County in the Young Farmers Public Speaking Festival in Builth Wells in March with the Anglesey reading team coming second and in the drama competition at Brycheiniog Theatre; congratulations to Rhosybol for coming second. Congratulations extended to Elliw Mair from Bodedern Club for coming second as member of the year Under 18 in Wales. 

·          Congratulations extended to Mr Gerallt Llewelyn Jones of Menter Môn for winning the ‘Spirit of the Sea’ prize at the Tidal Energy Wales Conference recently. The prize is recognition of his contribution and passion as an individual for the tidal energy sector in Wales and of the success of the Morlais tidal energy project here in Anglesey.  ...  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 consider the Council Leader’s Annual Report in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.16 of the Constitution.

The Annual Report of the Leader of the Council for 2022/2023 was presented.

The Leader of the Council expressed that the Council in March approved one of its most challenging budgets after overcoming an initial funding gap of £14m.  She referred to the adoption of the Council’s Plan and its vision to create an Anglesey that is healthy and prosperous where the residents can thrive.

The Leader referred to the education element and noted that the new Corn Hir School was opened in April, 2023 and it was a pleasure seeing children from the island being offered educational opportunities in a modern building. The Leader referred that two secondary schools on Anglesey who faced a challenging time as a result of a change in legislation regarding RAAC concrete.  Holyhead Secondary School and David Hughes Secondary School could not open their door to pupils following the summer holidays and urgent repair work had to be done in many different buildings on both sites. Many of the Council’s services worked together and efficiently to ensure that the schools continued to provide education whilst the premises were closed, and that both schools could safely reopen their doors as soon as possible. She thanked the Heads, the staff, pupils, and families for working closely with this Council during a very difficult period.   The Leader further referred that during 2023, Anglesey’s Estyn profile was exceptional, with only one school on Anglesey having to be placed in a category. She noted that there has been an increased used within the Library Service. 

The Leader referred to the social care element and highlighted that Anglesey is leading the way in terms of becoming a Trauma Informed Island, and the Council has worked tirelessly to operate and promote the Trauma Informed Island Strategy in the council, with partners and in the community. She further said that the Council in June 2023 was awarded membership with the Global Network of Age-friendly Communities and this shows a commitment to creating an Age-friendly Anglesey, where there are no barriers stopping people from ageing well.  The Leader referred to the Dementia Actif Môn project which has made significant progress in the last 12 months.  The Cartrefi Clyd project has now four units that provide a home for up to six of the authority’s Looked After Children.

The Leader referred to the economy and highlighted the SPF and LUF funding that has been secured and she also referred to the Arfor programme.  She noted that the success of these projects is additional to the work undertaken by the staff within the Economic Development Department in co-operation with the local communities.  The Welsh Government and the UK Government have approved Anglesey’s application to be one of Wales’s first free ports, with the potential to deliver real change for communities across Anglesey and the wider North Wales region.  The Leader further said that the Council is continuing to press the Welsh Government for a third Menai crossing. She further said that a new, modern visitor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Chairs of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee and Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee.

 The report of the Chairs of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee and Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

Councillor Dylan Rees, Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee said that this Annual Report encompasses the work undertaken by the two scrutiny committees between May 2023 and May 2024.  He said that he wished to thank the Scrutiny Team for their leadership, support and willingness to assist.  He also thanked his Vice-Chair, Councillor Gwilym O Jones and the Elected Members of both Scrutiny Committee. 

It was unanimously RESOLVED :-

·      To approve the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/2024;

·      To note the continued progress made in implementing the Scrutiny journey and the impact this is having on practice;

·      To appoint the Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee as the Scrutiny Champion for the period May 2024 to May 2025.

To submit a report by the Head of Highways, Waste and Property, as presented to the Executive on 19 March 2024.

The report of the Head of Highways, Property and Waste as presented to the Executive on 19 March, 2024 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Asset Management Strategic Plan 2024-2029.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer, following a Portfolio Decision taken by the Portfolio Member for Corporate and Customer Experience on 29 April 2024.

 The report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer following a Portfolio Decision by the Portfolio Member for Corporate and Customer Experience on 29 April, 2024 was presented for the Council’s acceptance.

It was unanimously RESOLVED:-

·          To designate the Corporate Self-Assessment (CSA) and Panel Performance Assessment (PPA) as Executive functions;

·          To agree that the Council’s first PPA shall take place in 2025;

·          To authorise the appointment of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) to support the Council’s first PPA, at an estimated cost of £35,000 (less the cost of co-designing the specification);

·          To delegate authority to the Chief Executive to make all operational decisions and arrangements for conducting the PPA, but specifically excluding the appointment of the independent panel and its terms of reference, which shall be Executive decisions.