Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Councillor K.P. Hughes stated that he has previously declared an interest in any discussions involving the ‘Llannau’ school.  However, since this matter involves moving ahead with the project following consultation and implementation of the decision to create a new area school in Llanfaethlu, the situation is different and he no longer has a prejudicial interest.  Therefore, as the Portfolio Holder for Education he would be leading on Item 17 as he has been given advice that the substance of the report is such that it does not constitute a prejudicial interest.

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

None received.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the Executive held on the following dates:-

•  19th October, 2015

•  9th November, 2015

The minutes of the previous meetings of the Executive held on 19 October and 9 November, 2015 were presented for confirmation.

It was RESOLVED that the previous minutes of the Executive held on the following dates be approved :-

•   19 October, 2015

•   9 November, 2015

To submit for information, the draft minutes of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee held on 14^th October, 2015.

The draft minutes of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee held on 14 October, 2015 were presented for the Executive’s information.

It was RESOLVED to note the draft minutes of the meeting of the Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee held on 14 October, 2015.

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 December 2015 to July 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:-

Items new to the Work Programme

•  Item 12 – Gypsy Travellers Accommodation Needs Assessment scheduled for 8 February, 2016;

•  Item 13 – Transformation of the Library Service scheduled for 8 February, 2016.  To be discussed at the Partnership & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 2 February, 2016;

•  Item 14 – Transformation of the Culture Service scheduled for 8 February, 2016. To be discussed at the Partnership & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 2 February, 2016;

•  Item 15 – Transformation of the Youth Service scheduled for 8 February, 2016. To be discussed at the Partnership & Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 2 February, 2016;

•  Item 16 – Licensing Policy scheduled for 8 February, 2016;

•  Item 19 – Rent and Service Charge for Council Housing Tenants 2016/2017 scheduled for 7 March, 2016;

•  Item 20 – Application to suspend Right to Buy (RTB) scheduled for 7 March, 2016;

•  Item 24 – Discretionary Housing Payments Policy 2016/17 scheduled for 14 March, 2016;

•  Item 25 – Supporting People Commissioning Plan 2016/2019 scheduled for 14 March, 2016;

•  Item 26 – Common Allocations Policy – Adoption of final policy, post consultation scheduled for 14 March, 2016.

Slippage on the Work Programme

•  Rescheduled to 25 January, 2016 is Item 6 – Llawr y Dref, Llangefni – Business Case

The Chair referred to Item 18 – Council Tax Premiums for Second Homes and Long Term Empty Property on the Forward Work Programme.  He stated that he considered that an in-depth briefing session be arranged for all Members of the County Council before consideration by the Executive on 7 March, 2016 and thereafter to the full Council on 10 March, 2016.  It was agreed that a briefing session be arranged in respect of this item.

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Executive’s updated Forward Work Programme for the period from December 2015 to July 2016 subject to the changes outlined at the meeting.

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

The report of the Head of Function (Resources) & Section 151 Officer was presented in respect of the calculation which have been carried out according to the Welsh Government Council Tax Dwellings (CT1) 2015/16 Notes for Guidance based on the number of properties in various bands on the valuation list as at 31 October, 2015 and applying discounts and exemptions.  The calculations also take account of changes to the valuation list that appear likely to occur during 2016/17.

RESOLVED to approve :-

•  The calculation by the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer for the calculation of the Council Tax Base for the whole and parts of the area for the year 2016/17.

•  That in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base)(Wales) Regulations 1995 (SI19956/2561) as amended by SI1999/2935 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) and Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings)(Wales) Amendment) Regulations 2004, the amounts calculated by Isle of Anglesey County Council as its tax base for the year 2016/17 shall be 30,250.23 and as listed within the report for those individual Town/Community area.

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

The report of the Head of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer was presented in respect of the above.

The Portfolio Holder (Finance) stated that it is anticipated that the Welsh Government will continue with the current funding of the scheme.  He recommended that the Executive should propose to the County Council that the Council Tax Reduction Scheme should be continued.

The Chair stated that discussions took place at the WLGA Council recently regarding safeguarding the local government settlement to Welsh Councils.  It was agreed that a letter be sent to the WG on behalf of the Executive in respect of this matter.

RESOLVED to recommend to the County Council :-

•  That its current local Council Tax Reduction Scheme should not be revised or replaced with another scheme.

•  To formally adopt the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme for the financial year 2016/17.

•  That it provides authority to the Head of Function (Resources)/ Section 151 Officer to make administrative arrangements so that all annual changes for uprating the financial figures or technical revisions in any amending regulation or regulations are reflected in the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme and for each subsequent year.

To submit the report of the Head of Corporate Transformation.

The report of the Head of Corporate Transformation was presented in relation to the current end of quarter 2.

The Portfolio Holder (Executive Business, Performance Transformation, Corporate Plan and Human Resource) stated that he was disappointed with the increase in the long term sickness absence figures which were highlighted within the report.  Members of the Executive agreed that the long term sickness absence needs to address by the Senior Leadership Team.

It was RESOLVED to note the areas which the SLT is managing to secure improvements into the future as per section 1.3 of the report along with the mitigation measures as outlined.

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

The report of the Head of Function (Resources)/ Section 151 Officer setting out the financial performance of the Council’s services for the second quarter  of the financial year and the projected position for the year end including the overall position and service variances was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Finance reported that the overall projected financial position for 2015/16 is an over spend of £980k. However, the 7th month has shown a reduction in the over spend of £721k.  The Executive noted the position and the remedial actions being taken where required.

It was RESOLVED :-

•  To note the position set out in respect of financial performance to date.

•  To note the projected year end deficit, and

•  To note the actions being taken to address this.

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

The report of the Interim Head of Function (Resources) and Section 151 Officer setting out the financial performance of the capital budget for the second quarter of the financial year was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

It was RESOLVED to note the progress of expenditure and receipts against the capital budget.

To submit the report of the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services was presented with regard to the Common Allocation Policy.  It was considered that a consultation period of six weeks be afforded for comments on the proposed new housing allocation scheme.

It was RESOLVED :-

•  To approve a consultation to give the Council’s partner Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) and members of the public an opportunity to comment on a proposed new housing allocation scheme, with a consultation period of six weeks for December 2015 to January 2016.

•  To note the contents of the report and the draft housing allocation policy.

•  To consider the results of the consultation in the last quarter of 2015/16, with a view to implementing a new scheme in the first quarter of 2016/17 (subject to the outcome of the consultation, and RSL approval).

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

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property was presented with regard to the termination of the Taith Joint Committee.

It was RESOLVED to note that the Taith Board had agreed that the Joint Committee has ceased since 29 September, 2015.  

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

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property was presented with regard to the waste collection options appraisal.

The Chair of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee gave the response of the Committee held on 12 November, 2015 as noted within the report before the Executive.  It was noted that all Members of the County Council were invited to attend.

The Chair of the Executive stated that it was considered that the matter should be deferred as the Council is consulting on the initial budget proposals at present and the waste collection options appraisal is included within the public consultation document.

It was RESOLVED to defer consideration of the report pending outcome of the consultation of the Budget for 2016/17.

To submit the report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection.

The report of the Head of Planning and Public Protection on the AONB Management Plan Review 2015/19.

The Portfolio Holder (Planning and Public Protection) stated that as part of the requirements of the CRoW Act 2000 it is necessary to review the plan every 5 years so that it links to current plans, policies and acts.  The statutory plan requires the Executive’s view prior to the report being presented to the full Council.

It was RESOLVED to recommend to the County Council that it adopts the reviewed management plan as required under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

To submit the report of the Head of Learning.

The report of the Head of Learning was presented in relation to the transforming of a long term derelict and disused former Market Hall, a Grade II Listed Building at Holyhead. 

The Portfolio Holder (Education) stated that the development will involve the refurbishment and conversion of this vacant building to house a relocated town Library, a local history centre, training and education uses and flexible spaces for other potential users, including other Council services together with a potential Welsh language centre related to the Energy Island programme. 

It was RESOLVED :-

•  To approve the designation of the Holyhead Market Hall Hub as a ‘Campus Development’, due to its emerging nature as a multiple service and user site.

•  To note that the preparation and submission of capital bids and acceptance of grant offers from external funding bodies for the development of the Holyhead Market Hall Hub is in consultation with the Finance Department.

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”.

It was RESOLVED to adopt 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 of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

To submit the report of the Head of Learning.

The report of the Head of Learning was presented with regard to Full Business Case for a new Primary School in North West Anglesey.

It was RESOLVED:-

•  To approve the Full Business Case for the new Primary School in North West Anglesey.

•  To approve the submission of the Full Business Case to Welsh Government.

•  To approve the selling of Ysgol Llanfachraeth and Ysgol Ffrwd Win once vacant, and for those capital receipts to help finance the construction of the new primary school.