Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all attendees to the meeting and extended a particular welcome to Councillor Celfyn Furlong recently elected to the Council and a new member of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

The apologies for absence were presented and were noted.

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

No declaration of interest was received.

To present the minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 18 February 2026.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 18 February 2026 were presented and were confirmed as correct.

To present the report of the Head of Democratic Services.

The report of the Head of Democratic Services incorporating the Annual Equality Report 2025 was presented for the Committee’s consideration and review.

Councillor Alun Roberts, Portfolio Member for Leisure, Tourism, Maritime and Property presented the report in his role as champion for equalities and diversity, noting that the report outlines how the Council has met its statutory duties under the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Wales) Regulations 2011, during 2024/25. The report provides an overview of progress made towards delivering the Strategic Equality Plan (SEP) 2024-2028, highlights key achievements and presents workforce equality data for the period from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025. It also details the steps taken to eliminate discrimination, advance equality and foster good relations.

Looking ahead, the Council intends to build on the progress made during 2024/25 by focusing on five priorities – strengthening the use of equality data, increasing focus on measurable outcomes, further developing collaboration with regional community cohesion colleagues, completing monitoring and reporting arrangements and preparing for the new statutory health impact assessment duty coming into force in April 2027. Overall, the report demonstrates that the Council continues to make positive progress in promoting equality, improving inclusion and embedding fair practices across its services. It reaffirms the Council’s commitment to providing a fair, accessible and inclusive service and to fostering a positive culture of equality both within the organisation and in its engagement with the public.

In reviewing the report, the committee discussed the following matters –

·      The reasons why the Council employs more women than men.

The committee was advised that for social and longstanding reasons, women continue to undertake unpaid caring roles at much higher rates than men, which in turn makes part-time, flexible or fixed roles - the type  of jobs typical in local government – more attractive. This means that the Council naturally attracts a higher proportion of female applicants. The Council’s workforce therefore reflects wider trends across the sector in Wales. While officers acknowledged that this pattern is the result of longstanding social factors, they noted that the Council recognises the importance of continuing efforts to address the imbalance.

·      Members asked whether addressing this trend forms part of the Council’s collaborative work with partners.

Members were advised that the relationship with Coleg Llandrillo Menai is particularly  important in promoting the employment opportunities available within the Council, as are the structures in place to support young people to join the organisation and progress. The committee was given examples of the Council’s wider partnership work to promote equality and inclusion, including collaboration with the regional community cohesion team. This partnership has enabled the Council to identify new groups and organisations to engage with, drawing on the team’s knowledge and understanding of local communities. This has been a notable strength in the reporting period and is an area the council intends to continue developing.  Working alongside the community cohesion team, the Council has hosted several staff events involving third sector partners and charities. Because the team is regionally based  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To present the report of the Head of Performance, Digital and Modernisation.

The report of the Head of Digital, Performance and Modernisation incorporating the Corporate Scorecard for Quarter 3 of the 2025/26 financial year was presented for the Committee’s consideration. The scorecard report details the performance of key indicators in delivering the Council’s day to day operations which support the broader objectives of the Council Plan.

Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Housing and Community Safety presented the scorecard report noting that  the majority of indicators (86%) with set targets performed well during the quarter, achieving Green or Yellow RAG status. Notable examples of good performance are detailed in section 2.3 of the report. Eight indicators are currently rated Red or Amber against their targets – these, and the associated mitigation measures are detailed in section 2.2 of the report and relate to Social Care and Wellbeing (re-referrals within Children’s Services), Housing Services (re-letting void properties and delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants), the Economy (the total number of customers with mooring contacts and the percentage of high risk businesses subject to planned inspections that were inspected for compliance with food hygiene legislation), Climate Change (specifically waste recycling), and Whole Council Health (timeliness of responses to FOI requests). He confirmed that all these areas are being monitored by the Leadership Team.

In reviewing the corporate scorecard for the third quarter, the committee raised the following matters –

·      The committee wanted to know what more could be done to increase the percentage of visits to the Welsh language interface of the Council’s main website.

Members were advised that the Welsh Language forum has been discussing ways to make forms, documentation and consultations easier and more accessible through the medium of Welsh. The performance indicator is also monitored by the Welsh Language Steering Group. Although there has been a slight improvement, further consideration will be given to additional actions when the Welsh Language Promotion Strategy is reviewed at the end of the year. The Council would like to see a higher percentage of users accessing the Welsh language interface, particularly given that Anglesey has one of the highest densities of Welsh speakers. One of the challenges is encouraging residents to feel confident that their standard of Welsh is good enough to use the Welsh language version of the site.

·      Members noted a decline in the Q3 performance in Climate Change PI 02 – the percentage of domestic waste reused, recycled or composted when compared with the Q3 performance over the past two years. Members acknowledged that dry weather earlier in the year had reduced the amount of green waste collected, and they queried whether the target for Q3 should be adjusted to reflect this. Members also asked whether the Council had engaged with other authorities that have successfully met Welsh Government’s 70% recycling target.

The committee was advised that the Council does engage with other councils through various forums and organisations, including the WLGA and the Regional Partnership Board. The Council has identified that its food waste recycling rate at 52kg per household is significantly  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To present the report of the Head of Housing Services.

The report of the Head of Housing Services incorporating the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan 2026-2056 was presented for the committee’s consideration.

Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Housing and Community Safety presented the report noting that the HRA Business Plan sets out the Council’s long term strategy for  maintaining, improving and expanding its council housing stock while ensuring the Housing Revenue Account remains financially sustainable. The plan is required to secure Welsh Government’s Major Repairs Allowance of approximately £2.7m for 2026/27. Through the HRA, the Council manages and owns 4,095 properties and 581 garages across the Island. During the period of the Business Plan, the housing stock will grow by more than 25%, to more than 5,000 properties to meet the increasing demand for social housing with over 950 people currently on the waiting list. The Business Plan includes a £16m capital programme for 2026/27 covering WHQS works, maintenance, adaptations, and energy efficient measures alongside £15.5m for new developments including Extra Care Housing in Menai Bridge.

The Head of Housing Services outlined the pressures associated with achieving WHQS 2023, decarbonising existing homes and meeting local housing demand while keeping rents affordable. He noted that although the HRA Business Plan remains viable, careful management is essential given the planned £57m of borrowing over the 5 year capital programme to 2030/31.

In scrutinising the HRA Business Plan, the committee raised the following points –

·      The committee sought assurance that the Council’s partnership with housing associations in developing new social housing would not result in overdevelopment that could undermine the character and balance of communities and villages.

The committee was advised that the Council manages its own housing stock and that housing association partners allocate homes using the Council’s housing list. The Council has carried out a local housing needs assessment which provides the baseline for identifying what types of housing are required and where. When a development opportunity arises, the Council considers whether it meets an identified need. It also draws on local intelligence, including waiting list data that shows how many individuals require housing, the type of accommodation they need and preferred locations.

·      The committee enquired whether Housing Services still face a challenge in accessing properties to undertake necessary maintenance and/or improvement works to enable them to meet targets.

The committee was advised that under tenant choice, the Council as landlord respects the wishes of tenants who decline improvements because they are satisfied with their homes as they are. In those circumstances the service can only make its desired  improvements when the property becomes vacant and is re-let. However, the Council must still carry out mandatory annual checks, such as boiler servicing. If a tenant refuses access, the Council can use legal powers to gain entry in order to meet its statutory obligations.

·      Members enquired about rent affordability and the help available for tenants facing financial difficulties.

They were informed that the Housing Service’s Financial Inclusion Team helps tenants in hardship and can signpost them to additional sources of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To present the report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager incorporating the Committee’s Forward Work Programme for 2026/27 was presented for consideration.

In response to a specific request and with the consent of the Chair as these were not matters on the agenda, the Chief Executive provided an update on the Holyhead Gateway project, which aims to expand Holyhead Port and forms part of the North Wales Growth Deal. He also outlined the situation regarding the redevelopment of the former Anglesey Aluminium site and reported on ongoing work to address issues relating to the provision of parking facilities for lorries traveling to Ireland through Holyhead Port.

It was resolved to agree the current version of the Forward Work Programme for 2026/27.