Agenda and minutes

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

None received.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 25 June 2025.

The draft minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 25 June 2025 were presented and confirmed as correct.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Democratic Services on the above.

The Head of Democratic Services reported that the Commission’s first draft annual report is out for consultation until 18 November 2025, and a final version will be published by the end of the calendar year.

It was noted that the Commission is considering increasing member remuneration but has kept to the same framework as the previous Independent Remuneration Panel.  The Commission intends to prioritise and modify the framework before the next local government elections, in time for next year’s annual report.

Reference was made to the schedule of proposed changes to the current remuneration levels for the members’ basic salary together with senior and civic salaries for 2026/27. The basic salary will increase by 6.4%, in line with the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), which will incur an additional £63,000 on the Council budget.

The Head of Democratic Services outlined the Commission’s priorities for the year ahead. He referred to payments for co-opted and lay members and stated that these allowances have not increased for many years. It was noted that Welsh Government is reviewing co-opted and lay members’ remuneration, and the Commission will consider the outcome of that review.

Discussion focused on the Commission’s intention to consult on whether any financial recognition will be provided to reflect the additional commitment and responsibilities undertaken by members of Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs).

RESOLVED that the Committee considered the Commission’s draft determination for 2026/27 and authorises officers to respond to the consultation in line with the Committee’s deliberations.

To submit the report of the Head of Democratic Services.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Democratic Services following a consultation on a review of the timing of Council meetings held between August and September this year. The Head of Democratic Services stated that 26 responses had been received to the consultation from elected and lay members, being a positive result.

Members were afforded an opportunity to indicate their preferred times for convening Council meetings and provide feedback. An analysis of the responses concluded that a high number of members favoured moving the start time of the County Council meeting from 2:00 pm to 1:00 pm.

With reference to the Executive, Scrutiny Committees, Planning and Orders Committee, Governance and Audit Committee and Democratic Services Committee, the majority of members opted to keep to the current timing of meetings. It was noted that a small majority favoured convening meetings at 2:00 pm, whilst 10:00 am was also accepted.

Members were reminded that they may claim additional care costs to carry out their duties, includes childcare or dependent adult care costs.

Discussion focused on the impact the timing of meetings can have on members’ work commitments, family responsibilities and Council staff. A request was made to keep to the current arrangement of convening meetings between Tuesdays and Thursdays, together with Committee schedules remaining the same as the current calendar.

RESOLVED that the Committee: -

•  pay due attention to the findings of the consultation.

•  support moving the start time of County Council meetings from 2:00 pm to

   1:00 pm for the 2026/27 civic year as a trial period.

•  that a further questionnaire be conducted following the trial period (a further

   review of meeting times will be required shortly after the 2027 Local

   Government elections).

•  recommend that the County Council confirms the new 1:00 pm start time for

   County Council meetings for 2026/27 at its Annual Meeting in May 2026.

•  authorise the Head of Democratic Services to remind members that they can

   claim care costs.

To submit the report of the HR Learning and Development Manager.

Submitted – an update report by the Human Resources Learning and Development Manager on the training provision that has been offered to members since the Committee’s last meeting held in June 2025.  

The Head of Democratic Services reported that a high number of members have now attended mandatory training in Anglesey compared to other local authorities in Wales.  He stated that further work has been undertaken on the Safeguarding e-learning model to meet the requirements of the new Safeguarding Standards introduced in 2024.  He explained that training provision is currently available on this model for staff and is being adapted to share with members on Learning Pool.

Reference was made to the Development Plan for Group Leaders, where specific work has been undertaken and good progress is being made in implementing the Plan.

It was noted that discussions are ongoing on providing additional training on Equality and Scrutiny for members, as well as training by North Wales Police on personal safety.

RESOLVED to note the content of the report.