Agenda, decisions and minutes

To elect a Chairperson of the Isle of Anglesey County Council for 2021/22.

(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 Glyn Haynes be elected Chairperson of the County Council 2021/22.

In accepting the honour of being appointed, Councillor Glyn Haynes assured the Council that he would endeavour to fulfil his duties as Chairperson to the best of his abilities.  He thanked his predecessor Councillor Margaret M Roberts for the dignified and honourable way in which she carried out her duties as Chair of the County Council during the difficult period of the pandemic.

The outgoing Chairperson, Councillor Margaret M Roberts thanked all the Members and Officer for their support during her two year term of office due to the pandemic.  She noted that it has been a challenge to conduct the services of the Council and she wished to thank the staff of the Council for their work.  Councillor Roberts said that whilst the civic duties of the Chairperson of the Council has not been able to take place over the last year she wished to thank Mrs Carys Bullock and Mr J Huw Jones of the Democratic Services for their support during her term of office.  However, during the 2019/20 civic year the Chairperson gave a summary of the highlights of the ceremonies she attended and especially the Arms Forces Day in Holyhead and the presentation of the Freedom of the County to the Royal Navy Submarine Service.  She also attended on the same day the Memorial Service to mark 80 years since the loss of HMS Thetis. She also referred to the Football Tournament Award Ceremony as part of the Island Games in Holyhead and the Fun Day for Children in Care at Ysgol Uwchradd Bodedern.  She referred to the Chairperson’s Sunday at Carmel Chapel, Moelfre held on 13 October, 2021 with the proceeds towards the Wales Air Ambulance.

To elect a Vice-Chairperson of the Isle of Anglesey County Council for 2021/22.

Councillor Ieuan Williams proposed that Councillor Dafydd Roberts be elected as Vice-Chair of the Council.   Councillor Llinos M Huws seconded the proposal.

Councillor Bryan Owen said that as the Opposition Group they would be abstaining from voting as in 2011 there was an understanding between the political groups that the Chair and Vice-Chair would alternate between the ruling group and the opposition group on an yearly basis. 

The Leader of the Council ascertain whether there is an expectation within the Council for the Chair and Vice-Chair to be elected between the ruling group and the opposition group.  The Monitoring Officer responded that there is no statutory requirement nor within the Constitution for the Chair and Vice-Chair to be elected between the ruling group and the opposition group.  There was a process in place, which was an informal arrangement, when the Council was under special measures by Welsh Government but this process has not continued thereafter. 

Councillor A M Jones said that an informal protocol did exist within the Council in 2013 – 2017 and this protocol has been broken by the ruling group.  He expressed that it is a shame that the ruling group insist on bringing politics into the nomination of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Council. 

Councillor J Arwel Roberts proposed that a recorded vote be taken.  Councillor Ieuan Williams seconded the proposal for a recorded vote.

The Monitoring Officer advised that in accordance with paragraph 4.1.18.4 of the Constitution the vote will take place if a total 8 Member support the proposal for a recorded vote.

In accordance with paragraph 4.1.18.4 of the Constitution the required number of members requested a recorded vote as follows:-

Councillors T Ll Hughes MBE, Vaughan Hughes, A M Jones, Carwyn Jones, R Meirion Jones, Nicola Roberts, Dafydd R Thomas, Robin Williams.

The recorded vote was taken to appoint Councillor Dafydd Roberts as Vice-Chair of the Council :-

In favour

Councillors R A Dew, John Griffith, Richard Griffiths, T Ll Hughes MBE, Vaughan Hughes, Llinos M Huws, Carwyn Jones, R Meirion Jones, G O Jones, Alun Mummery, Bob Parry OBE FRAgS, Dylan Rees, Margaret M Roberts, Alun Roberts, Dafydd Roberts, J Arwel Roberts, Nicola Roberts, Dafydd R Thomas, Ieuan Williams, Robin Williams.      TOTAL 20

Against

None                                                                                      TOTAL 0

ABSTAINED

Councillors Jeff Evans, K P Hughes, A M Jones, R Ll Jones, Bryan Owen,

Peter Rogers.                                                                       TOTAL 6

It was RESOLVED that Councillor Dafydd Roberts be elected

Vice-Chairperson of the County Council 2021/22.

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

None received.

To receive any announcements from the Chairperson, Leader or Chief Executive, and any comments from the out-going Chair upon her term of office.

None received.

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 Paragraph 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.

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 (a Sub-Committee of the Council)

·      Standards Committee Appointment Panel

·      Standing Advisory Council of Religious Education (SACRE)

·      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 (a sub-committee of the Council)

·      Standards Committee Selection Panel

·      Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE)

·      Indemnities Sub-Committee

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

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

Councillor Richard Dew with Portfolio responsibility for Planning and Public

Protection;

Councillor Llinos M Huws (Leader) with Portfolio responsibility for Social Services;

Councillor Carwyn Jones with Portfolio responsibility for Major Projects and

Economic Development;

Councillor R Meirion Jones with Portfolio responsibility for Education, Youth,

Libraries and Culture;

Councillor Alun Mummery with Portfolio responsibility for Housing and Supporting Communities;

Councillor Bob Parry OBE FRAgS with Portfolio responsibility for Highways,

Property and Waste;

Councillor Dafydd R Thomas with Portfolio responsibility for Corporate Services;

Councillor Ieuan Williams (Deputy Leader) with Portfolio responsibility for

Transformation and the Welsh Language;

Councillor Robin Williams with Portfolio responsibility for Finance.

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

In accordance with Paragraph 3.4.12.3 of the Constitution it was RESOLVED that Councillor Robert Ll Jones be elected Chairperson of the Democratic Services Committee for 2021/22.

To submit a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding 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 Groups under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;

·      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 a report by the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services regarding the appointment to Outside Bodies was presented for consideration.

It was RESOLVED to agree and confirm appointments as detailed in the

schedule to the report.

To submit a report by the Human Resources Training Manager.

The report of the Human Resources Training Manager was presented for the Council’s approval.

It was RESOLVED to accept the report.

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

·           7 September 2021                                -           2.00 pm

·           28 September 2021                              -           2.00 pm

·           26 October 2021 (Extraordinary)        -           10.30 am

·           7 December 2021                                 -           2.00 pm

·           22 February 2022                                 -           2.00 pm

·           May (Annual Meeting)             -           date to be confirmed

It was RESOLVED to approve the following programme of ordinary meeting of the County Council for the ensuing year:-

·        7 September, 2021                         -           2.00 pm

·        28 September, 2021                       –          2.00 p.m.

·        26 October, 2021 (Extraordinary) -        2.00 pm

·         7 December, 2021                         -           2.00 pm

·        22 February, 2022                          -           2.00 pm

·        May 2022 (Annual Meeting) – date to be confirmed