Agenda and minutes

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

•  27th September, 2016

•  18th October, 2016 (Extraordinary)

The minutes of the previous meetings of the County Council held on the 27 September, 2016 and the 18 October, 2016 (extraordinary) were presented and confirmed as correct.

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

Councillor R. Meirion Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest with regard to item 7 on the agenda.

Councillor Richard Dew declared a personal interest with regard to item 8 on the agenda.

The Chair made the following announcements:

•  Congratulations are extended to everyone who was successful at the Winter Fair at Mona last month and also at Builth Wells.

•  Congratulations are extended to Anglesey’s Young Farmers who competed successfully in the Young Farmers National Eisteddfod held in Swansea.

•  Thanks are due to the staff and service users of Blaen y Coed and Gerddi Heulfre for decorating the County Council’s Christmas Tree in the Cyswllt Môn foyer.

•  It was with sadness that the County Council learnt of the death of one of its former Members, Mrs Bessie Burns at the age of 89. Mrs Burns was elected Chair of the County Council in 2003/04 and served the Llanfaethlu electoral area. During her career as a county councillor, Mrs Burns took a particular interest in the Social Services.

•  Condolences are extended to any Member of the Council or any member of staff who have suffered bereavement recently.

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

The Chair referred to the Christmas Concert at Canolfan Addysg y Bont which he had the great pleasure of attending, and he extended his and the Council’s gratitude to staff and pupils at Canolfan Addysg y Bont for all their hard work. The Chair wished all those present at today’s meeting of the Council a happy and a peaceful Christmas and New Year.

No questions received pursuant to the aforementioned rule.

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

In accordance with Paragraph 4.1.11 of the Constitution, the Leader announced that a petition had been received from parents of pupils at Ysgol Talwrn opposing any closure of the school. The Chair said that the petition would be referred to the Council’s Lifelong Learning Service.

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

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer with regard to the requirement to adopt a Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2017/18 was presented for the Council’s consideration. The Council is required to revise its current scheme or replace it with another Council Tax Reduction Scheme no later than 31 January in the financial year preceding that for which the revision or replacement comes into effect. The report set out the details of a review of the current 2016/17 scheme (Appendix B) in terms of its impact and the position in respect of the local discretions to the scheme which the Council is able to, and has applied.

It was resolved –

•  Not to revise or replace the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme with another scheme.

•  That the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Appendix A) be formally adopted for the 2017/18 financial year.

•  That the  Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer be authorised to make administrative arrangements so that all annual changes for uprating of financial figures or technical revisions in any amending regulation or regulations are reflected in the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme and for each subsequent year.

To submit a joint report by the Head of Function (Council Business)/ Monitoring Officer and the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The report of the Head of Function (Council Business)/ Monitoring Officer seeking the Council’s approval to adopt the powers as at Enclosure 1 of the report and for such powers to be delegated to the Head of Service (Regulation and Economic Development) was presented for consideration.

Having declared a prejudicial interest in this matter, Councillor R. Meirion Jones withdrew from the meeting during the consideration and determination thereof.

It was resolved –

•  That the powers listed in Enclosure 1 to the report be adopted.

•  That the Scheme of Delegation in the Constitution be amended to delegate the exercise of the said powers to the Head of Service (Regulation and Economic Development.

•  That the Council’s Head of Function (Council Business) /Monitoring Officer be authorised to make the necessary changes to the Scheme of Delegation, and any consequential amendments, to reflect the adoption and delegation of the said powers.

To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services with regard to the protocols and procedures required to confer the Freedom of the County to the Royal Navy Submarine Service was presented for the Council’s consideration.

It was resolved –

•  That a special meeting of the Council be convened for the purpose of resolving the granting of the Freedom of the County to the Royal Navy Submarine Service. A two thirds majority is required in order to pass the resolution.

•  That uniformed representatives of the Royal Navy Submarine Service be invited to the special meeting.