Agenda and minutes

The Chair of the County Council said that it was an honour and privilege to recognise and celebrate the success of the Wales Football Team during the European Championships 2016 and especially Mr. Osian Roberts, Assistant Manager of the Welsh National Team and Mr. Wayne Hennessey, the Wales goalkeeper.  Mr. Osian Roberts was born in Anglesey and was brought up in Bodffordd.  Mr. Wayne Hennessey was born in Bangor but was raised in Beaumaris.

The Chair welcomed children from the Bodffordd Primary School and Mr. Elfed Jones who had been instrumental in supporting the County Council to honour both Osian Roberts and Wayne Hennessey. 

The Chair also welcomed staff of the County Council who are learning Welsh at present to the presentation.

The Chair presented Mr. Osian Roberts with an award in recognition of the part he played in the success of the Wales Football Team in the European Championships 2016.  Mr. Osian Roberts thanked the Chair and Members of the County Council for the honour of receiving his award.  He paid tribute to his family and the community of Bodffordd for the support he has received throughout his childhood and during his career.

The Chair presented Mr. Maurice Hennessey, Mr. Hennessey’s uncle accepted the award on behalf of Wayne, who was unable to attend due to football commitments, for his part in the success of the Wales Football Team.  Mr. Maurice Hennessey thanked the Chair and Members of the County Council for the honour of receiving the award on behalf of Wayne.

The Chair presented Councillor Trefor Lloyd Hughes with an award for his commitment and contribution to football in Wales.  Councillor Hughes has been a loyal servant to the North Wales Coast Football Association and was elected as the Football Association for Wales President in 2012 until 2015.  Councillor Trefor Lloyd Hughes thanked the Chair and Members of the County Council for the honour of receiving the award.  He paid tribute to the Wales Team and also was glad that over 1,500 children take part in Junior Football Leagues on the Island.  Councillor Hughes also paid tribute to his family for the support he has been given over the years.

Councillor T.V. Hughes and Councillor Alwyn Rowlands paid tribute to the success of Osian Roberts and Wayne Hennessey for their success in the European Championships.  They also gave a background of the childhood and support of both Osian and Wayne’s families and their commitment to the success in the sport.  

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

None received.

To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Democratic Services in relation to the 2018 Review of parliamentary Constituencies – Initial Proposals by the Boundary Commission for Wales.

The new legislation has reduced the number of Parliamentary constituencies in Wales from 40 to 29.  No existing constituency would remain unchanged under the initial proposals.  Ynys Môn is one of seven principal councils in Wales which fall below the maximum of the statutory electorate range and which therefore could be included wholly with a new constituency.  Due to the number of additional electors required and the requirement for the Commission to take into account local government boundaries, the constituency should encompass the wards surrounding Bangor and including the Town of Caernarfon and those wards immediately to the east of Caernarfon.  An alternative would be to include electoral wards to the north of Bangor, but particularly given the geographic size of ‘Gogledd Clwyd and Gwynedd’ and the electorate of ‘Colwyn and Conwy’, it was considered that this would involve adverse effects on the surrounding constituencies which would be less desirable.  The suggested name for the constituency is ‘Ynys Môn ac Arfon’ and the suggested alternative name is ‘Isle of Anglesey and Arfon’. 

The Committee considered the report and the majority of the Members were of the opinion that an Ynys Môn Parliamentary Constituency needs to be retained.  The historic context of Parliamentary representation and need to safeguard the unique identify of the Island and its natural administrative boundaries.  Members considered that the Island of Ynys Môn should be compared to the Isle of Wight.  In England it has been proposed that the Isle of Wight has 2 Members of Parliament as they have over 110,000 electorate.

Following deliberations it was RESOLVED to oppose the Boundary Commission for Wales’ suggestion that the Ynys Môn constituency should encompass the wards surrounding Bangor and including the Town of Caernarfon and wards immediately to the east of Caernarfon.

To submit a report by the Head of Corporate Transformation, as presented to the Executive on 19^th September, 2016.

Submitted - the Head of Corporate Transformation report on the Annual Performance 2015/16.

The Portfolio Holder (Performance Transformation, Corporate Plan and Human Resources) reported that the report highlights the Council’s progress against its  Improvement Objectives for 2015/16 as outlined through 7 key areas set out in the 2014/15 Annual Delivery Document. 

It was RESOLVED to accept and approve the Annual Performance Report for 2015/16 for publication by the 31 October, 2016 statutory deadline.

To consider adoption of the following:-

“Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from meeting during discussion on the following item on the grounds that it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test”.

The Chief Executive drew attention to the reasons noted in the Public Interest Test to exclude the item.  One reason referred to the fact that Members not having had a chance to consider the draft response to PAC 2 and that this could prejudice the eventual decision.  The other reason referred to the possibility of prejudicing any subsequent planning application.  However, he noted that Elected Members wishes to discuss the item in public session and provided Members  confine their observations to general, strategic issues then the item could be held in public. 

Members unanimouslyRESOLVED that the matter be discussed in public.

The Chief Executive to report on the above.

Submitted – the report of the Chief Executive incorporating the Authority’s response to Horizon Nuclear Power’s Second Stage Pre-Application Consultation (PAC 2) regarding the Wylfa Newydd project.

It was reported that the proposed New Nuclear Build at Wylfa Newydd requires a Development Consent Order (DCO) application to be submitted in respect of the main power station and offsite integral developments.  Horizon Nuclear Power anticipates submitting the DCO application to the Planning Inspectorate in May 2017.  Following examination of the application a recommendation will be made by the Planning Inspectorate to the Secretary of State for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy who will determine the application and the final conditions (called requirements) which will apply to any consent if granted.  Under the statutory regime in Wales all enabling works such as highways improvements and site preparation, and associated developments will not be included in the DCO application but will be subject to 10 separate Town and County Planning Act (TCPA) applications.  These applications will be submitted to the Planning Authority for determination over the coming months. 

The second stage pre-application consultation (PAC 2) follows PAC1 which was carried out in September 2014 and an interim consultation in January 2016.  PAC2 is the final formal consultation prior to submission of the DCO and covers all of the main nuclear site, the integral offsite developments and the associated development.  PAC2 has an 8 week consultation period which began on 31st August, 2016 and will come to an end on 25th October, 2016.

The Leader of the Council gave a presentation and noted that the project covers the following  :-

•  Main power station site and offsite integral developments (e.g. MEEG) in DCO;

•  Enabling works (highways and site preparation);

•  Associated development (e.g. Workers Accommodation) in 10 TCPA applications to be submitted to the County Council.

He stated that main consultation document covers 22 separate chapters; Consultation Overview Document; Preliminary Environmental Information Report (PEIR) (29 separate chapters);Specific Appendices to the PEIR (6 documents); Technical Documents (5 Papers) i.e. Language Impact Assessment, Health Impact Assessment, Habitat Regulations Assessment Draft Evidence Plan, Sustainability Assessment; Topic Papers (15 separate papers); Masterplans (4 papers); Strategic Questions (11 questions); Community Benefits Scheme and Local Noise Mitigation Plan.

The Leader stated that in preparing a response to PAC 2, feedback has been sought from Officers in service areas of the County Council, Elected Members briefing sessions and specialist input from professional and legal consultants (funded by HNP via the Planning Performance Agreement agreed with the County Council).  The Authority remains supportive, in principle, to the Wylfa Newydd project but further detail is required with regard to Education, Skills and Jobs, Supply Chain, Worker Accommodation/Housing, Welsh Language & Culture, Tourism, Health & Wellbeing and Site Selection Methodology.

The Committee considered the report and raised the following issues :-

•  The Company needs to be aware and respect the ethos, culture and the Welsh language of the Island;

•  The quality of life of Anglesey and its communities needs to be protected due  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.