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

None received.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

The report of the Chief Executive incorporating the Council’s position on local government reorganisation and response to specific questions was presented to the Council for consideration.

The Chief Executive reported that the Green Paper sets out the Welsh Governments’ intent for a ‘Stronger, more empowered local government in Wales’.  The Green Paper advocates reorganisation of local government which is different to the position in the 2017 White Paper which focused on greater collaboration between authorities.  He noted that there are 3 options within the Green Paper as follows :-

Option 1 – voluntary merger between local authorities

Option 2 – phased approach

Option 3 – single comprehensive merger by 2022

He noted that the Group Leaders established a Local Government Reorganisation Panel to consider the Council’s draft response which is enclosed as Appendix 2 to the report.  The Chief Executive wished to thank the Members and the Head of Democratic Services for their work as regard to this matter. 

He said that both the Panel and Group Leaders concluded that these proposals would not be supported and strongly opposes any future reorganisation of the authority based on the facts proposed.   The Council’s position is shaped on the principles set out in page 1 of the draft response namely :-

1)     The need to provide effective and efficient services for the residents of Anglesey.  It is acknowledged that this could involve regional and sub-regional collaboration in order to ensure that the required specialism and resilience is in place and that an arrangement needs to be established to ensure direct local accountability for the quality of services.  In this context, an understanding is required of the services which will be provided regionally, sub-regionally and locally, broadly aligned to the findings of the Williams Commission but also suggesting that local government needs to make decisions on collaboration structures.

2)     Any collaboration arrangement should be based on the likely benefits to the residents of Anglesey or on the presumption that services of the same quality can be provided at a lower cost.

3)     The Council is of the opinion that leadership based on local knowledge is more important than size.  The Council is of the opinion that WG’s expectations could be met through a combination of collaboration and local provision, i.e. a natural extension of the current position.  In addition, it is acknowledged that detailed consideration needs to be given to any possibilities to provide services in a more cost-effective manner, e.g. reducing the costs of management or support services.

These key matters should be central to any debate on reforming local government rather than lines on maps.

The Leader of the Council said that merging with a neighbouring authority would have a detrimental effect on the Island’s residents in terms of service provision; local democracy and accountability as well as an impact on the local economy and Council Tax levels.  She said that the Council Tax level for Band D properties in Gwynedd are £100 higher than that of Anglesey County Council which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.