Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairperson of the Isle of Anglesey County Council for 2015-16.

(Members are referred to the Order of Business regarding the ceremony for election of Chairperson of the County Council which will be tabled at the meeting).

It was resolved that Councillor Jim Evans be elected Chairperson of the County Council for 2015/16.

In accepting the honour of being appointed, Councillor Jim Evans assured the Council that he would endeavour to fulfil his duties at Chairperson to the best of his abilities and he thanked his predecessor in that office, Councillor Vaughan Hughes for the dignified way in which he had carried out his civic duties during his tenure as Chair of the Council. Councillor Evans also took the opportunity to thank Mr R. P. Jones, Chief Executive for his guidance and wise counsel in that role and wished him the best for his retirement at the end of May, 2015.

The outgoing Chairperson, Councillor Vaughan Hughes, thanked all the Members and Officers for their support during his term of office and said that being the civic head of the Isle of Anglesey had been a great and priceless privilege. Councillor Hughes gave a summary of the highlights of his year as Chair of the Council including raising £3,700 for good causes. Councillor Hughes also extended best wishes for a happy retirement to Mr R. P. Jones and thanked him for his long and honourable service to the Isle of Anglesey.

To elect the Vice-Chair of the Isle of Anglesey County Council for 2015-16.

It was resolved that Councillor R. G. Parry, OBE be elected Vice-Chairperson of the County Council for 2015/16.

Councillor R. G. Parry, OBE thanked his fellow Members for the honour and said that he looked forward to working with the Chairperson and supporting him in his duties during the forthcoming year.

Mr Richard Parry Jones, the Chief Executive, acknowledged the kind tributes paid to him both by the incoming Chairperson and by the Council’s Members during the Council’s morning meeting and said that he appreciated the generosity and sincerity of the sentiments expressed. Mr Jones related the history of his personal association with the Isle of Anglesey and he extended his thanks to the retiring Chairperson for his year of service in which he had been an effective ambassador for the Isle of Anglesey County Council. He wished all the best to Councillor Jim Evans in the year ahead and likewise the Leader of the Council. He said that he hoped that he was leaving with the Council in a stronger and more robust position which success he said was attributable to the efforts of the Council’s Members. Mr Jones also acknowledged the contribution made by the Council’s staff who were deserving of praise and respect. He referred to the unique opportunities which lie ahead for Anglesey as well as the risks which those might bring and emphasised the importance of cherishing and safeguarding the Island’s wealth of heritage and ensuring that any changes that are made are done so for the benefit of the Island’s residents. He wished the Council all the very best for the future and said that he would continue to follow its fortunes with interest.

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

No declaration of interest was made.

In accordance with Paragraph 4.1.1.2 of the Constitution, to be informed by the Leader of the names of Councillors he has chosen to be Members of the Executive, together with their Portfolio responsibilities.

In accordance with Paragraph 4.1.1.2 of the Constitution, the Leader named the following as the Members he had chosen to serve on the Executive along with their Portfolio responsibilities –

Councillor Richard Dew with Portfolio responsibility for Planning and the Environment

Councillor Kenneth Hughes with Portfolio responsibility for Education

Councillor Aled Morris Jones with Portfolio responsibility for Housing and Social Services

Councillor H. Eifion Jones with Portfolio responsibility for Finance

Councillor J. Arwel Roberts with Portfolio responsibility for Highways, Property and Waste Management

Councillor Alwyn Rowlands with Portfolio responsibility for Council Business, Performance Transformation and Human Resources

Councillor Ieuan Williams (Leader) with Portfolio responsibility for Economic Development, Leisure and Tourism

To elect a Chairperson in accordance with Paragraph 3.4.12.3 of the Constitution.

In accordance with Paragraph 3.4.12.3, it was resolved that Councillor Vaughan Hughes be elected Chairperson of the Democratic Services Committee for 2015/16.

The Chairperson will confirm such part of the Scheme of Delegation as the Constitution determines it is for the Council to agree (as set out in Part 3.2 of the Constitution).

It was resolved to confirm such part of the Scheme of Delegation as the Constitution determines it is for the Council to agree as set out in Part 3.2 of the Constitution.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services in review of the Council’s political balance arrangements was presented for consideration.

It was resolved –

•  To confirm the political balance arrangements and the number of seats allocated to each of the Group under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, and the number of seats given by custom and practice to the Members not subject to political balance as set out in the matrix appended to the report.

•  Subject to the above, to confirm that the seats designated to the unaffiliated Members continue on the basis of current appointments.

•  That Group Leaders advise the Head of Democratic Services as soon as possible if there are any changes to Group Membership on Committees.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services on the scheme for Member remuneration for 2015/16 was presented for consideration.

It was resolved -

•  To confirm the allocation of senior salaries to office holders for 2015/16 as per paragraph 2.19 of the report.

•  To confirm that level C allowances as determined by the Independent Remuneration Panel should be payable to the offices of civic head and deputy civic head, taking account of anticipated workloads and responsibilities as per paragraph 2.7 of the report.

•  To note that the Democratic Services Committee at its meeting on 25th March, 2015 resolved that the requirement to review the level of support provided to Members to carry out their duties would be addressed as part of its work programme for 2015/16.

•  To note other details on payments and allowances for 2015/16 as prescribed by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales and set out in the report.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services seeking confirmation of the schedule of appointments made to outside bodies was presented for consideration.

The Council was informed that Councillor R. G. Parry, OBE was replacing Councillor Ann Griffiths as the Council’s representative on the Anglesey Access Group (no.14 on the schedule).

It was resolved to confirm the appointments as detailed in the schedule presented subject to the inclusion of Councillor R. G. Parry, OBE as the representative on the Anglesey Access Group.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services incorporating the Member Development Plan for 2015/16 was presented for consideration.

It was resolved to adopt and undertake the Training Plan for Members as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

The Chairperson will confirm the re-appointment of the following Committee structure as referred to in Section 3.4 of the Council’s Constitution, together with the following:-

·           Pay and Grading Panel (a Sub-Committee of the County Council)

·           Standards Committee Appointments Panel

·           Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education

·           Special Educational Needs Joint Committee

·           Indemnities Sub-Committee

The Chairperson confirmed the re-appointment of the Committee structure as referred to in Section 3.4 of the Council’s Constitution together with the following –

•  Pay and Grading Panel

•  Standards Committee Appointments Panel

•  Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education

•  Special Educational Needs Joint-Committee

•  Indemnities Sub-Committee

To approve the following programme of ordinary meetings of the County Council for the ensuing year:-

·           29^th September, 2015               -           2.00 pm

·           9^th December, 2015                  -           2.00 pm

·           24^th February, 2016                  -           2.00 pm

·        12^th May, 2016                          -            2.00 pm (Annual Meeting)

It was resolved to approve the following programme of ordinary meetings of the County Council for the ensuing year –

•  29th September, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

•  9th December, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

•  24th February, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.

•  12th May, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. (Annual Meeting)