Agenda and minutes

The Chair, Councillor Douglas Fowlie, was present for the initial introductions but left immediately afterwards due to a personal commitment. The remainder of the meeting was chaired by the Vice-Chair, Councillor Sonia Williams. Councillor Geraint Bebb was elected to serve as Vice-Chair for this meeting only.

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

Councillors Jackie Lewis and Llio Angharad Owen both declared a personal interest only with regard to item 3 on the agenda.

To present the minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 11 March 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 11 March 2025 were presented and were confirmed as correct. Progress against the actions agreed at the meeting was outlined and was noted.

To present the report of the Head of Adult Services.

The report of the Head of Adult Services setting out the progress made in the last six months against all the improvement areas highlighted by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) following its inspection of the Social Services Department in 2022 and subsequent improvement check review in June 2024 was presented for the committee’s consideration and scrutiny.

Councillor Alun Roberts, Portfolio Member for Adult Services, Equality and Community Safety presented the report and he summarised the background saying that the Social Services covering both Children and Families and Adult Services were inspected by CIW in October 2022 as part of its routine Performance Evaluation Inspection. The inspection highlighted areas of strength, good practice and service development with no areas of significant risks or safeguarding matters identified. An improvement check visit conducted by CIW in June 2024 assessed progress on the previously identified areas for improvement and the key findings and evidence are summarised in the report. A Development Plan was created to monitor improvements and the plan and accompanying report were presented to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee in October 2024. The committee requested a further update in six months and this report fulfils that request and includes at Appendix 1 an updated service development plan detailing the progress made in that period against all the improvement areas highlighted by CIW.

The Head of Adult Services confirmed that reports and information had been consistently shared with CIW throughout the process to the Inspectorate’s satisfaction. A final meeting is  scheduled for May to conclude the process.

In acknowledging the positive progress and improvement in the Social Services highlighted in the update report, the committee raised a number of matters in the ensuing  discussion to which  the Portfolio Member for Adult Services, Equality and Community Safety and the Head of Adult Services responded as follows –

·      Questions were asked about the training provided for domiciliary care staff with assurances sought that all staff undergo a comprehensive training programme to equip them to meet clients’ needs thereby ensuring  a positive client experience. Further enquiries were made about the oversight and monitoring of arrangements and service provision.

The committee was informed that CIW has stringent  requirements for staff regulation and has high expectations regarding staff training. Any concerns in this area should be promptly brought to the service’s attention. The Head of Adult Services confirmed that the service actively monitors and reviews the quality of domiciliary care provision which is also subject to external regulation and inspection by CIW.

·      Enquiries were made about waiting lists and whether individuals continue to face delays in receiving care and support.

The committee was advised that waiting lists across all areas have decreased  since the inspection. However, challenges in delivering care remain particularly in relation to staff recruitment, although the staffing position has now stabilised. It was noted that the situation can change depending on factors such as demand, workforce availability, the specific needs of individuals and seasonal variations.

·      Reference was made to advocacy provision and questions were asked about how  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To present the report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property Services.

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property incorporating the Isle of Anglesey’s proposed consultation response to the North Wales Regional Transport Plan was presented for the committee’s consideration and scrutiny.

Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas, Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property  presented the report setting out the Council’s proposed response to the consultation held by the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) on the draft North Wales Regional Transport Plan (RTP). The RTP establishes the priorities and interventions within the various parts of the transport system and sets the direction of travel for the next five years. The North Wales RTP will be managed and governed by the CJC which has a statutory duty to create both a Strategic Development Plan and a Regional Transport Plan. The CJC has established a Strategic Transport Planning Sub-Committee to carry out its statutory functions. The sub-committee has met and has conducted work to draft the RTP in accordance with Welsh Government guidelines. Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas urged everyone to participate in  the public consultation on the RTP before the closing date of 14 April 2025 highlighting that approximately 1,400 people had already taken part with over 500 having visited the virtual community hall. Additionally, two call-in sessions have been conducted in Holyhead and Llangefni as part of the consultation process.

The Head of Highways, Waste and Property explained that the RTP is a high level strategic document outlining the vision for the region. The Council’s proposed response to the RTP aims to balance the region’s strategic priorities with the unique needs of Anglesey as a rural area whose needs differ significantly from other parts of the region. The draft response will also  incorporate the views of elected members, town and community councils, service users and the general public. As the RTP is expected to align with the Welsh Government’s Llwybr Newydd – The Wales Transport Strategy 2021 (WTS), the Council must ensure that its aspirations are achievable within the parameters of Welsh Government policy. However the North Wales Transport Commission’s review and a review of the  resilience of the Menai crossings led by Lord Burns have provided a robust starting point. Ultimately, the success of the RTP depends on the availability of the resources and capacity to execute the Delivery Plan over the next five years. Therefore it is crucial that the Plan does not overly raise expectations.

In the subsequent discussion on the proposed response to the Regional Transport Plan, the following matters were raised by the committee –

·      Given the strategic importance of Holyhead Port in serving Wales, the wider UK and internationally to connect Ireland with mainland Europe, questions were asked about the timeline for fully reopening the port after it was damaged during Storm Daragh.

The committee was advised that subject to confirmation by Stena, the second damaged berth is expected to reopen by summer 2025. A task group which includes the Council Leader has been formed  by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To present the report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager incorporating the Committee’s proposed Forward Work Programme for 2025/26 was presented for consideration.

Responding to suggestions made by Councillor R. Llewelyn Jones regarding topics for inclusion in the committee’s forward work programme, the Scrutiny Manager confirmed that she would submit the suggestions to the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs forum for review and consideration.

It was resolved to agree the current version of the Forward Work Programme for 2025/26.