Agenda, decisions and minutes

Prior to commencing the business of the meeting the Chair referred with regret to the death of Sir David Amess, MP who was fatally stabbed during a constituency surgery in Essex on Friday, 15 October, 2021; the Committee’s thoughts were with his family and friends during this very sad time. A minute’s silence was held as a mark of respect for the late Sir David Amess.

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

Councillor Bryan Owen declared a personal but not prejudicial interest with regard to any matter that may arise in connection with the Authority’s small group homes (Cartrefi Clyd) on the grounds that the Authority had bought a property to be utilised as a small group home close to where he lived.

At the request of the Chair, the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer confirmed that the interest was not prejudicial unless the Committee was to enter into full discussion with regard to the specific small group home nearby Councillor Owen’s own home. 

Likewise Councillor Aled Morris Jones declared a personal but not prejudicial interest on the basis that the Authority is in the process of purchasing the next door property for conversion into a small group home (Cartref Clyd).

Councillors Dylan Rees declared an interest with regard to item 3 on the agenda as a volunteer with Bwyd Da Môn; Councillor Alun Roberts in also declaring an interest in respect of item 3 having volunteered during the pandemic said that he understood that that did not prevent him from taking part in the discussion.

At the request of the Chair, the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer confirmed that an interest of the kind was neither personal nor prejudicial unless a specific body/organisation in which a Member(s) had an interest was to be the subject of discussion.

To present the minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 13 September, 2021.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 13 September, 2021 were presented and were confirmed as a correct record.

To present the report of the Head of Profession (HR) and Transformation.

Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas, Portfolio Member for Corporate Business presented the draft Annual Performance Report for 2020/21. The Annual Performance Report is a statutory document which analyses the Council’s performance over the preceding financial year against the improvement priorities outlined in the Council’s well-being objectives as set out in the Council Plan, and it must be published by 31 October annually. The Council wants to ensure that the people of Anglesey can thrive and realise their long-term potential; it seeks to support vulnerable adults and families and keep them safe, healthy and as independent as possible and it endeavours to work in partnership with the Island’s communities to ensure that they can cope effectively with change and developments whilst protecting the natural environment.

The Portfolio Member for Corporate Business reported that the draft Annual Performance Report looks at the output and outcomes against what the Council said it would achieve under its three specific well-being objectives in what was an extraordinary and challenging year where the Council had to change and adapt its services to deal with the evolving regulatory expectations related to mitigating the effects of the worldwide pandemic. The report highlights the Council’s achievements as well as identifying areas where further improvements are needed which is equally important in terms of making progress and reaching targets. The Council’s main aim during this period was to keep residents, visitors and the Council’s workforce safe whilst continuing to maintain key frontline services. In doing so the Council succeeded in delivering over and above what was essential and the report gives numerous examples of new initiatives/services either as a direct response to the pandemic crisis or as a progression of planned projects. The Portfolio Member concluded his presentation by acknowledging that the last 18 months have been difficult for the people and communities of Anglesey as well as the Council’s staff and that further challenges are expected this coming winter. He thanked all those who had helped support the Council through this most challenging of periods.

The Head of Profession (HR) and Transformation acknowledged that the period which the Annual Performance Report covers was extraordinary and unprecedented in the history of the Council. Whilst the pressure on staff has been significant and still continues for some services, the level of achievement which the Annual Performance Report reflects is testament to the efforts of staff at a time when many were re-directed or re-assigned to work on pandemic related matters.

The Programme, Business Planning and Performance Manager advised that the Annual Performance Report must be adopted as a fair reflection of the year’s performance by 31 October, 2021 and that this will be the last time this statutory requirement applies. It is hoped that the Annual Performance report will be seen as having accurately captured the year’s performance and that it will be acknowledged that although a number of new work areas emerged as a result of the pandemic to which the Council had to respond, the report shows the impact of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To present the report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager with regard to nominating a member of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to serve on the Waste Steering Group with WRAP Cymru was presented for the Committee’s consideration.

The Head of Service (Highways, Waste and Property) in providing background information reported that in discussing the Council’s Quarter 1 2021/22 performance against national and local indicators at its 13 September, 2021 meeting, the Committee highlighted indicator 32 on the Corporate Scorecard 2021/22 – the percentage of waste reused, recycled or composted – as underperforming (64.5% against a target of 70% for the quarter). The Committee was informed at the time that a steering group has been established to mitigate the current underperformance whose membership includes senior members, officers and partners from the Welsh Local Government Association and WRAP Cymru (details provided at Appendix 1 to the report). Subsequently, the Executive at its meeting on 27 September, 2021 in considering the Corporate Scorecard resolved that a member of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee should be nominated to sit on the newly established Waste Steering group. The Committee is therefore invited to consider making a nomination to the said group.

It was resolved to nominate Councillor John Arwel Roberts to serve as a member and Scrutiny representative on the Waste Steering Group with WRAP Cymru.

To present the report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager incorporating the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for 2021/22 was presented for consideration.

The Scrutiny Manager confirmed that following discussion with the Director of Function (Resources)/ Section 151 Officer it is recommended that the Committee’s proposed budget meeting on 1 November, 2021 be deferred to after Christmas.

The Chair highlighted the very full agenda for the Committee’s scheduled 16 November, 2021 meeting and asked that where appropriate, consideration be given to deferring some of the items listed to the January, 2022 meeting.

It was resolved –

·                  To agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2021/22 subject to noting the deferment of the 1 November, 2021 meeting and to re-considering the scheduled business for the 16 November, 2021 meeting.

·                  To note progress thus far in implementing the forward work programme.

ADDITIONAL ACTION: Scrutiny Manager in consultation with the Chair and relevant officers to reconsider the business of the 16 November, 2021 meeting with a view to where appropriate, deferring some of the items to the January, 2022 meeting.