Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted and were noted as documented above.

To receive any declaration 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 for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meetings of the Executive held on the following dates: -

          ·  18 February 2025

          ·  27 February 2025 (Budget)

The minutes of the previous meetings of the Executive held on the following dates were presented for confirmation: -

• 18 February, 2025
• 27 February, 2025

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meetings of the Executive held on the following dates be confirmed as correct –

·      18 February, 2025

·      27 February, 2025

To submit the report of the Head of Democracy.

The report of the Head of Democracy incorporating the Executive’s Forward Work Programme for the period from April to November 2025 was presented for confirmation.

The Head of Democracy updated the Executive on the changes to the Forward Work Programme which included the rescheduling of the Further Education Trust Annual Report and Accounts 2023/24 from the March 2025 meeting to the April 2025 meeting, the inclusion of a new item on the Anglesey Freeport for the April 2025 meeting and the addition of performance and budget monitoring items to the November 2025 meeting.

It was resolved to confirm the Executive’s updated Forward Work Programme for the period April to November 2025 with the changes outlined at the meeting.

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

The report of the Head of Profession (HR) and Transformation incorporating the Corporate Scorecard for Quarter 3 2024/25 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Corporate Business and Customer Experience who confirmed that the majority (87%) of the indicators monitored during the quarter had performed well against their targets and were ragged Green or Yellow showing overall robust performance. He referred to the six underperforming indicators which are currently Red or Amber against target with some recurring over quarters and he suggested that targets might need to be re-evaluated to ensure they align with resources and circumstances. Councillor Carwyn Jones highlighted the Corporate Scrutiny Committee’s detailed review of the Q3 2024/25 scorecard report on 11 March 2025 which had included discussions on target setting and clarity in KPIs such as redefining KPI 07 Education – Môn Actif (average number of children undertaking swimming lessons throughout the year) to specify Swim Time lessons. Councillor Carwyn Jones also suggested examining consistently high performing indicators to better understand the factors that are contributing to the strong performance and to identify any transferable practices across the organisation. Councillor Carwyn Jones thanked the Corporate Planning, Performance and Programme Manager for drawing all the elements of the scorecard together each quarter and everyone who had contributed to it.

The Corporate Planning, Performance and Programme Manager confirmed that the task of reviewing the Corporate Scorecard for 2025/26 has already commenced.

In Councillor Douglas Fowlie, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee’s temporary absence, the Head of Democracy shared feedback from the committee’s review of the Q3 scorecard report at its meeting on 11 March 2025. Key issues raised included the missed targets and actions to improve performance against the relevant KPIs. Councillor Douglas Fowlie subsequently confirmed that the committee after receiving assurances from Portfolio Members and Officers with regard to the matters raised, had resolved to note the corporate scorecard report for Q3 2024/25 along with the areas which the Leadership Team is exploring and investigating to manage and secure improvements into the future and to recommend the report and outlined mitigating measures to the Executive.

The Executive’s members agreed that targets must remain realistic and relevant and adapt to evolving circumstances, and that they should be based on up to date data reflecting shifts in service demands and limitations on resources. It was suggested that KPI 07 Education – Môn Actif (average number of children undertaking swimming lessons throughout the year) and KPI 03 - Housing (average number of calendar days to let lettable units of accommodation) might need to be reassessed in this context. It was also recognised that there is a tendency to focus on areas ragged Red and Amber potentially overlooking valuable lessons from areas that are performing well. Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas, Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property highlighted ongoing efforts to bring the percentage of domestic waste reused, recycled or composted up to the 70% target (KPI 02 - Climate Change)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To submit the report of the Director of Social Services.

The report of the Director of Social Services which sought the Executive’s approval for an uplift to the foster carers core offer was presented for consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Nicola Roberts, Portfolio Member for Planning, Public Protection and Climate Change on behalf of Councillor Dyfed Wyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Children, Young People and Families who had submitted an apology for absence due to another meeting commitment. She explained that the uplift proposal includes increasing fostering allowances for 2025/26 in line with Welsh Government’s recommended increase to the National Minimum Allowance (NMA) (as the NMA has yet to be confirmed by Welsh Government a 5% inflationary increase has been modelled and is provided for in the 2025/26 budget), restructuring the fostering skills payments from 5 tiers to 3 tiers and increasing the Council Tax discount from 50% to 100%. Details of fostering and skills allowances trends over the past four years were set out in the report along with the proposed new skills allowances and costs. The additional cost equates to seven new independent fostering placements transferring inhouse which the service regards as achievable. Councillor Nicola Roberts highlighted that Anglesey is only the second local authority to offer 100% Council Tax reduction for foster carers and was the first local authority to offer a benefits package for foster carers which has proved popular with such incentives deemed essential to recruit and retain foster carers and to show appreciation for their efforts.

The Director of Social Services advised that the proposal aligns with Welsh Government’s legislation to remove profit from children’s care including fostering in two years. From then on care will only be provided by non-profit organisations including local authorities. To prepare for the change, the Council needs to increase its internal pool of foster carers and the proposal if approved will contribute to meeting this need. Plans are in place to advertise for new foster carers and those wishing to transfer from the private sector, ensuring prompt assessment of applications.

The Executive in acknowledging the important contribution of Anglesey foster carers in offering care and support to children during challenging periods in their lives also highlighted that the proposal is designed as an invest to save initiative and aims to ensure long term cost-efficiency and the effective use of resources.

It was resolved to approve the uplift to the Foster Carers Core Offer as outlined to include an inflationary increase in fostering allowances for 2025/26 in line with Welsh Government’s recommended increase in the National Minimum Allowance which is to be confirmed (modelled at 5%), a restructuring of the fostering skills payments from 5 tiers to 3 tiers and an increase in the Council Tax discount from 50% to 100%.

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

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property incorporating the Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan was presented for the Executive’s consideration and approval. The Plan sets out the Council’s ambitions for managing flood risk in Anglesey for a six year period.

The report was presented by Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas, Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property who highlighted the importance of the Plan to Anglesey and of working collaboratively with Risk Management Authorities to address the challenges posed by flooding and to reduce flood risk. The Council is statutorily required to prepare a local flood risk management plan and the plan has been subject to public consultation with details attached, and a workshop has also been held with elected members to enable their input into the draft strategic plan. The plan was also scrutinised in detail by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 11 March 2025.

The Head of Highways, Waste and Property confirmed that as part of the Strategic Plan, an annual action plan will be developed for each of the six financial years to address both revenue and capital related tasks.

Councillor Douglas Fowlie, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee shared Scrutiny’s perspective on the Flood Management Strategic Plan from the 11 March, 2025 meeting.  Members had raised issues regarding public engagement with the consultation, the Plan’s alignment with the Council Plan and the progress of plans and works in the Dwyran and Menai Bridge areas. Having reviewed the scope and content of the Flood Management Strategic Plan, the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had resolved to recommend the Plan for Executive approval and adoption with the addition of appendices showing the planned maintenance schedule and capital plan for 2025/26 including planned expenditure on flood relief schemes in the next financial year.

The Executive expressed full support for the Local Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan commending the team and service for their efforts. Executive members emphasised the value of flood mitigation schemes implemented in their areas and how much they were appreciated by the communities involved given the devastating impact which flooding can have on the people, households and businesses affected. They also highlighted the importance of local knowledge in providing insight into local conditions and vulnerable areas along with collaboration with partner agencies. Questions were asked about future funding for flood alleviation generally as well as the availability of funding for works in areas where road infrastructure not properties is at risk for example in areas of Beaumaris. Questions were also asked about supporting private landowners in maintaining watercourses and whether pressure could be brought to bear on Welsh Government to do more in this regard.

The Head of Highways, Waste and Property explained that while the flood prevention budget prioritises homes at risk of flooding, applications can be submitted to Welsh Government’s Resilient Roads Fund for funding to improve road resilience. Additionally, efforts are being made to elevate the significance of road resilience in Welsh Government’s funding processes due to the wide-ranging impact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To submit the report of the Head of Housing.

The report of the Head of Housing Services incorporating the HRA Business Plan 2025 to 2055 was presented for the Executive’s consideration and approval.

Councillor Robin Williams, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Member for Finance and Housing presented the HRA Business Plan required by Welsh Government as part of securing the Council’s Major Repairs Allowance of approximately £2.7m for 2025/26. Prepared by Housing and Finance Officers, the Business Plan serves as the primary financial tool for managing and delivering the Council’s housing stock. It demonstrates how the Council ensures its stock complies with Welsh Housing Quality Standards (WHQS), how it intends to work towards WHQS 2023 and the investment required to fund its programme for developing new social housing. Councillor Robin Williams noted that the Council’s housing stock will grow by more than 25% to exceed 5,000 properties during the period of the Plan addressing the increasing demand for social housing. Currently, more than 852 people, including 94 families in temporary accommodation, are on the waiting list which is unprecedented.

The Head of Housing Services said that the Business Plan outlines the investment needed to maintain the Council’s housing stock to meet tenants’ needs and to fulfil Welsh Government expectations for continued improvement through decarbonisation and development of new social housing. The Council will receive £1.1m in addition to the £2.7m Major Repairs Allowance for 2025/26 supporting its significant housing stock investment. The Plan includes a capital programme of approximately £13m for 2025/26 with £3m funding 500 solar panels with battery storage. A sum of £3.76m has been included in the 2025/26 budget to develop new council houses and buy back former council houses. The Head of Housing Services referred to the tension now being felt between Welsh Government’s ambitious housing goals and its rent cap restrictions that limit the revenue for housing investment. A robustness test to consider the risks separately and collectively to ensure the viability of the business plan throughout its 30 year period failed because of the rent restriction and demands on capital expenditure resulting from WHQS 2 2023. The Housing Service intends to raise concerns with Welsh Government regarding the unsustainable requirements on the HRA.

Councillor Douglas Fowlie, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee summarised the committee’s review of the HRA Business Plan at its meeting on 11 March 2025. Discussions had focused on the plan’s alignment with the Council Plan, the risks of the proposed expansion programme and its affordability and WHQS 2 2023 achievability. The committee also enquired about leasing privately owned properties from/on behalf of property owners and noted the Leasing Scheme Wales.  After reviewing the documentation and noting the assurances provided in relation to the issues raised, the committee had resolved to recommend the HRA Business Plan 2025-2055 to the Executive alongside additional actions to publicise the Leasing Scheme Wales and to engage with Welsh Government to make WHQS 2 2023 compliance more realistic.

The Chair pledged to highlight the growing imbalance between rent income and expenditure demands particularly in meeting WHQS  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.