Agenda and minutes

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

·      12^th May, 2016 (10.30 am)

·      12^th May, 2016 (2.00 pm)

·      26^th May, 2016 (Extraordinary)

The minutes of the meetings of the Isle of Anglesey County Council were confirmed as follows :-

·         12^th May, 2016 (10.30 a.m.)

·         12^th May, 2016 (2.00 p.m.)

·         26^th May, 2016 (Extraordinary)

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

No declaration of interest received.

The Chair made the following announcements :-

·           Congratulations to competitors from Anglesey who enjoyed success in the Royal Welsh Show, Anglesey Show and the National Eisteddfod recently;

·           Congratulations to those secondary school pupils who succeeded in their GCSE’s and A Levels;

·           Congratulations to members of Council staff who have succeeded in their examinations and have qualified in their relevant fields;

·           Congratulations was extended to Councillor Nicola Roberts who has graduated from Bangor University recently;

·           Congratulations to a Parents’ Football Team from Amlwch who won the competition ‘Codi Gôl’ which featured recently on S4C;

·           Congratulations was extended to Glesni Tegid from Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge who has won the ‘Welsh Student of the Year’ with Sky Sports Academy;

·           Congratulations was extended to Cerys Davies and Harri Evans from Ysgol David Hughes, Menai Bridge on being selected to serve on the National Steering Group of the Welsh Young Ambassadors;

·           Congratulations was extended to Councillor Ann Griffith who has been appointed Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner;

·           Congratulations was extended to Councillor John Griffith on his recent marriage;

·           The new reception ‘Cyswllt Môn’ will be opened officially on 7^th October, 2016;

The Deputy Leader of the Council wished to extend his condolences to the Chair of the County Council, the Leader of the Council and their families in their recent bereavements.  All Members and Officers wished to extend their sympathy to the Chair of the Council and the Leader.

The Deputy Leader of the Council further wished to extend to any Member or any staff member of the Council who have suffered bereavement recently.

Members and Officers stood in silence as a mark of sympathy and respect.

No questions received pursuant to rule 4.1.12.4 of the Constitution.

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

No petition had been received in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.11 of the Constitution.

To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

Reported by the Head of Democratic Services – that the Council needed to review the political balance arrangements on its Committee following notice that one Member had ceased to be a Member of the Independent Group.  In accordance with political management protocols the revised political management arrangements had been discussed with Group Leaders.

RESOLVED :-

·           To confirm the political balance arrangements and the number of seats allocated to each of the Groups 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;

·           In accordance with the above recommendation, the Council delegates to the Chief Executive in consultation with Group Leaders to determine the allocation of seats to Unaffiliated Members arising from these changes and advise the Head of Democratic Services accordingly;

·           The Leader to notify the Head of Democratic Services with regard to the Independent Group’s membership on various Committees as a result of the changes.

To submit a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Audit and Governance Committee on 25^th July, 2016 and the Executive on the 19^th September, 2016.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Function (Resources)/ Section 151 Officer as presented to the Audit and Governance Committee held on 25th July, 2016 and Executive on the 19 September, 2016.

RESOLVED :-

•  To note that the outturn figures contained in the report;

•  To note the provisional 2015/16 prudential and treasury indicators in the report.

To present the Statement of Accounts and External Audit report on the Audit of the Financial Statements presented to the Audit and Governance Committee on 21^st September, 2016.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Audit and Governance Committee on 21st September, 2016.

RESOLVED :-

•  To accept the Statement of Accounts 2015/16;

•  To note the acceptance of the Annual Governance Statement by the Audit Committee and referral to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive for signature.

To submit a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) as Statutory Director of Social Services.

Submitted – the report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) as Statutory Director of Social Services.

The Assistant Chief Executive (Governance and Business Process Transformation) and designated Director of Social Services reported that the annual report reviews the effectiveness of social services over the year in responding to challenges whilst also defining the objectives for the year to come. The report looks back and takes stock of how well the Social Services have responded to the areas identified for improvements by the CSSIW in its Annual Performance Report for 2014/15. The areas identified within the report was Children’s Services where CSSIW had noted that improvements remained fragile. The number of children in care has increased significantly and the number of children on the register has also increased. The recruitment and retention of experienced staff has been a problem within the service but the situation has since improved and a number of experienced and newly qualified staff have recently joined the team but sufficient time needs to be given for them to establish themselves within their roles within Children’s Services.

She further noted that Children’s Services has been given priority and a Panel of elected members was established to monitor the implementation of the Children’s Services Improvement Plan and also to increase understanding of the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014. Substantial investment has been made within Children’s Services to ensure the delivery of statutory services and compliance with statutory requirements.  CSSIW have announced that Children’s Services will be inspected during the Autumn and this will give an opportunity to evaluate the improvements made within the service and identify how much more work needs to be done.

The Assistant Chief Executive was pleased that work has started on the development of an Extra Care facility in Llangefni.

RESOLVED to endorse the Annual Report of the Statutory Director of Social Services for 2015/16.

To submit a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships, Community and Service Improvement) as presented to the Executive on 19^th September, 2016.

Submitted – a report by the Assistant Chief Executive (Improving Partnerships, Communities and Services in relation to the Welsh Language Strategy for 2016 – 2021.

RESOLVED to approve the Welsh Language Strategy for 2016 – 2021.

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development as submitted to the Executive on 19^th September, 2016.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development in relation to a review of the authority’s Gambling Policy.

RESOLVED to endorse the amended Gambling Policy.

To submit a report by the Head of Corporate Transformation.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Corporate Transformation with regard to the revised Heads of Service staffing structure.

RESOLVED to accept the revised Heads of Services staffing structure and to authorise the reference to the post of Head of Service (Planning and Public Protection) within the Council’s Constitution.