Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

No declaration of interest was received.

No urgent matters at the time of dispatch of this agenda.

None to report.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services incorporating the Executive’s Forward Work Programme for the period from January to August, 2016 was presented for the Executive’s approval.

The Head of Democratic Services updated the Committee on the contents of the Work Programme as follows –

•  That item 3 on the work programme, Procurement Strategy and Policy scheduled for consideration at the Executive’s December, 2015 meeting has been deferred to January, 2016.

•  That item 6, Schools Modernisation (Bro Rhosyr and Bro Aberffraw) and item 7, Llangefni Skate Park are items new to the work programme for consideration in January, 2016. Subsequent to the Executive’s last meeting, but not currently shown on the work programme, the matter of the

Weekly Waste Collection Options Appraisal will be revisited at the Executive’s January meeting.

•  That item 10, Rent and Service Charge for Council Housing Tenants scheduled for March, 2016 had been brought forward for consideration at the Executive’s February, 2016 meeting.

In response to a question regarding the inclusion of the Application to Suspend Right to Buy on the work programme for the March, 2016 meeting given that the Executive has already assented to such an application being made, the Executive was informed by the Head of Democratic Services that it was understood that the report in March is intended to inform the Executive of progress and the outcome of consultation on the matter. The Portfolio Member for Housing and Social Services confirmed that due process has been followed.

It was resolved to confirm the Executive’s updated Forward Work Programme for the period from January to August, 2016, subject to the additional change outlined at the meeting.

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

The report of the Head of Resources and Section 151 Officer incorporating the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review for 2015/16 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Finance informed the Executive that the mid-year review report is to be referred to the Audit and Governance Committee and to the County Council and covers the Authority’s borrowing and investment arrangements. The Portfolio Member said that the position has not changed significantly from that of last year due to the continuing low level of interest rates and the outlook for the UK economy.

In response to a question about debt rescheduling and whether the authorised boundary for external debt has been assessed following the announcement of the draft settlement for Anglesey, the Head of Resources and Section 151 Officer said that the Authority has sought guidance from its treasury advisors regarding the benefits of debt rescheduling but because the premium charge that would  occur on all premature repayment of loan is greater than the savings in interest payments it was deemed not to be cost-effective. The situation will be kept under review in line with any interest rates movements. The Officer said that because the report was prepared before the announcement of the local government settlement was made, no assessment of the authorised boundary for external debt has been carried out. However, he foresaw that the Authority would remain within limits and that the details will be included in the report to the Executive on the capital programme.

It was resolved:

•  To accept the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review report and to forward it to the next meeting of the County Council without further comment.

•  That the report is referred on to the Audit and Governance Committee for its review and feedback to the Executive.

To submit the final report of the Scrutiny Outcome Panel on the disposal of assets.

The final report of the Scrutiny Outcome Panel appointed by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to examine the Authority’s approach to the management and disposal of assets including the smallholdings portfolio, was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

Councillor R. Meirion Jones, Chair of the Scrutiny Outcome Panel reported on the main substance of the Panel’s findings.

It was resolved:

•  To approve the Final Report together with its 6 main conclusions and 25 individual recommendations.

•  To note that this Final report is to establish the basis and precedent for working practice, inputs and presentation format of final reports in respect of other scrutiny panels to the future.

•  To note the intention of the Panel to reconvene in 9 months’ time (September, 2016) in order to monitor progress with the revision of the Asset Management Policy and Procedures Document and also to examine the Council’s Smallholdings Development Programme.

To submit the report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property.

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property Services incorporating the Corporate Asset Management Plan for Land and Buildings for 2015 to 2020 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property reported that the Corporate Asset Management Plan for Land and Buildings is a high level strategic document that sets out the direction for the management for the Council’s assets for the next five years.

The Chair suggested that the associated Asset Management Action Plan be amplified to include details of the officer and/or forum responsible for monitoring progress against the actions therein and that also, consideration be given to bringing forward priority actions e.g. the development and adoption of a corporate energy policy. The Corporate Asset Transformation Manager said that he would in consultation with the Head of Highways, Waste and Property, look at how the Action Plan can be reworked to include more detail and to reschedule high priority actions.

It was resolved to recommend to the full Council the adoption of the Corporate Asset Management Plan for Land and Buildings for the period 2015-2020.

To submit the report of the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services incorporating the Council Housing Development Strategy for 2015 to 2020 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Housing and Social Services reported that the Strategy sets out the Council’s vison for the development of council housing and how that vision is to be delivered over the course of the next five years.

In response to a question whether in view of the consideration being given by the Westminster Government to discontinue lifetime tenancies, the Authority would similarly consider such an option to ensure flexibility and the best use of its housing resource, the Housing Services Business Manager said that the matter is devolved to the Welsh Government but that he was not aware that it is under consideration.

The Chair referred to the timetable for considering establishing a subsidiary company or special purpose vehicle as per clause 9 of the Strategy. The Chief Executive said that whilst initial discussions have taken place, further work needs to be undertaken in the next quarter to examine what is the best way forward.

It was resolved to approve the Council Housing Development Strategy 2015-2020.

To consider adoption of the following:-

“Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during discussion on the following item on the grounds that it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A (Paragraphs 14 & 16) of the said Act”.

It was considered and resolved under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following item on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A (Paragraphs 14 and 16)  of the said Act.

To submit the report of the Head of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

The report of the Head of Council Business/Monitoring Officer in relation to Garreglwyd Care Home, Holyhead was presented for the Executive’s information.

It was resolved to note the report.