Agenda, decisions and minutes

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the County Council held on the 9 March 2023.

The minutes of the County Council held on 9 March, 2023 were confirmed as correct.

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

None received.

None received.  It was explained that the Chairperson’s announcements would be made in the Annual Council meeting in the afternoon.

·     To submit the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Llinos Medi: -

“We as Anglesey County Council wish, in principle, to invite the URDD National Eisteddfod to Anglesey in 2026. The Eisteddfod is one of the main youth events throughout Europe and there is no better place than Anglesey to stage a Welsh event for the young people of Wales.”

·     To submit the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Dafydd Rhys

Thomas: -

“We are calling on Welsh Government to re-visit the decision to bring the BES3 financial assistance to an end on 24/07/23 for public buses. This funding is of essential importance to safeguard bus services on the Island.”

·         Submitted – the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Llinos Medi:-

‘We as Anglesey County Council wish, in principle, to invite the URDD National Eisteddfod to Anglesey in 2026.  The Eisteddfod is one of the main youth events throughout Europe and there is no better place than Anglesey to stage a Welsh event for the young people of Wales.’

Councillor Aled M Jones seconded the Motion as he welcomed the invitation for the URDD National Eisteddfod to Anglesey.

Members of the County Council unanimously supported the Motion to invite the URDD National Eisteddfod to Anglesey in 2026 as it is a national youth event and will also promote the Welsh language.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Llinos Medi expressed her appreciation to the full Council for their support and further said that most children and young people of Wales have gain experiences through the URDD over the years. 

It was RESOLVED that the Motion be unanimously carried.

·         Submitted – the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas:-

‘We are calling on Welsh Government to re-visit the decision to bring the BES3 financial assistance to an end on 24/7/23 for public buses.  This funding is of essential importance to safeguard bus services on the Island’

Councillor Gary Pritchard seconded the motion and said the effect of the reduction of rural bus services has an effect on people going to work, the elderly and vulnerable persons.

Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas said that during the pandemic, Welsh Government realised that a lot of bus services would not be able to be sustained without financial assistance as the funding is of essential importance to safeguard bus services on the island. He noted that public transport is crucial for local communities. He further said that public transport services are different in rural areas of Anglesey compared to the largest cities in Wales. Councillor Thomas said that whilst Welsh Government is reviewing the issue it is essential that funding is secured for it to support bus companies as at present it is impossible to plan ahead with the current system. Members of the County Council unanimously supported the Motion that Welsh Government should re-visit the decision to bring the BES3 financial assistance to an end on 24/7/23 for public buses.

It was RESOLVED that the Motion be unanimously carried.

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

No petitions received.

To consider the Council Leader’s Annual Report in accordance with Paragraph 4.1.11 of the Constitution.

The Annual Report of the Leader of the Council for 2022/2023  was presented.

The Leader of the Council firstly wished to express her gratitude for the work of the staff of the Council for their commitment to ensure the authority’s success and to provide good services to the residents of Anglesey. She expressed that working together shows the strength and capability of a small Island to the whole of Wales. The Leader of the Council highlighted the progress that has been achieved over the last year as is noted within her report with regard to the Economy, Social Services, Education, Leisure, Housing, Climate and the Environment. She referred that during the year companies on the Island have closed due to the challenging energy costs, high inflation and the general uncertainty in terms of the UK economy. The 2 Sisters food processing factory in Llangefni with the loss of over 700 jobs was devastating news to the workforce and their families together with the economy of the Island. She thanked the partner organisations who supported the workforce during the difficult period.

On a positive note, the Leader was pleased that the Council, having worked closely with Stena Line, has been able to complete the first step in creating a Freeport status on the Island. The Leader further referred to the opening of the new Ysgol Corn Hir, Llangefni which is the result of the Authority’s vision to provide the best opportunities for the children and staff of the school. She further said that she has worked on a regional, national and UK level to deliver benefits for the Council and the Island. The Council was given the opportunity to ask questions of the Leader on the contents of the Annual Report.

Councillor Jeff Evans, whilst welcoming the achievements of the Council, expressed that the Council needs to address facilities for young people as there are problems with anti-social behaviour and recently the use of vaping. Reference was also made to the problems incurred by people who are unable to attain doctors’ appointments, lack of dentist and police officers together problems with the recruitment of care workers which all need to be addressed.

The Leader of the Council responded that 10 years of financial austerity has had an impact on public services over the years. She noted that the youth service is now within the Social Services Department so as to give more resilience within the youth service. The Leader further said that it is important that communities need to make sure that there are facilities for young people within the local communities. She further referred to the comments about the lack of police officers and noted that work has been undertaken with the police on the Safer Streets programme recently together with collaboration to make communities safer for people.

Members of the County Council welcomed the report and were appreciative of the achievements of the Council over the last year.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

The report of the Chief Executive on the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board Well-being Plan 2023-2028 was submitted for consideration.

The Leader of the Council reported the latest draft of the Well-being Plan outlines how the Public Services Board intends to make a tangible difference to the lives of residents by working together in order to deliver results for the entire area.  In using the evidence from the well-being assessments, the Board has identified three Well-being objectives as was noted within the report.  She noted that the Welsh language is promoted in all the field of work within the work of the Board and to work with communities to develop Welsh medium services and activities.

It was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board Well-being Plan 2023-2028.

To submit a report by the Head of Profession, HR and Transformation.

The report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation on the Corporate Self-Assessment 2023 was submitted for consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Corporate and Customer Experience said that the report reflects the Isle of Anglesey County Council’s second self-assessment as expected under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.  The report reflects the output of the corporate planning and performance management framework and provides an evidence base on how the Council has performed, how the Council is using its available resources and how it is managing and mitigating associated risks. 

It was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the document as a ‘working draft’ and invite further consideration as to its contents by the Governance and Audit Committee at its meeting to be held on 29 June, 2023.