Agenda, decisions and minutes

As noted above.

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

None received.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the previous meeting of the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 12 February, 2025.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 January, 2025 were confirmed as correct.

Arising thereon:-

Item 4 – Welsh Language Policy Review

Action 2 – That a letter be sent to Welsh Government to request and emphasise the need for new legislation to protect Welsh historic place names.

Awaiting response to the correspondence.

Action 3 – That the Leader of the Council be requested to raise the issue with the WLGA.

Awaiting response to the issues raised with the WLGA.

Item 5 – Additional Learning Needs & Inclusion Report – A summary of the current ALN & I situation

Action 2 – That a letter be sent to Welsh Government that additional funding needs to be made available for the Additional Learning Needs & Inclusion service.

Awaiting response to the correspondence.

Action 3 – That the support of the WLGA needs to be undertaken, to put pressure on Welsh Government, on behalf of the 22 local authorities, that additional funding is needed towards Additional Learning Needs & Inclusion.

Awaiting response to the issues raised.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

The report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer was presented for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services & Community Safety said that the Annual Report includes an outline of the work undertaken during 2024 towards achieving the objectives of the Strategic Equality Plan 2024-2028 and there is also strong links between the Plan and the Council Plan for 2023-2028.  Under the Equality Act 2010 (Statutory Duties) (Wales) Regulations 2011, the Council must publish an Annual Equality report by 31 March each year following the reporting period.  There are specific requirements in terms of what must be reported annually.  In accordance with these requirements, the reports includes employment information during the period between 1 April, 2023 and 31 March, 2024; an overview of the steps taken during 2024 to identify and collect relevant information and how the information is used in terms of general equality duty to eliminate discrimination, harassment and unlawful persecution, promote equal opportunities and foster good relationships between different groups.

The following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·     Questions were raised as to how the data gap can be address for protected characteristics of current staff while respecting individuals’ rights to withhold personal information.  The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services & Community Safety responded that everyone has the right to withhold personal information.  The Council is encouraging staff to revisit their personal data whilst ensuring that the information is totally confidential.  He expressed that the Council wishes to create a culture of trust and respect so that staff feel confident in sharing personal information.  The Chief Executive said that data is important, and a new steering group – Welsh Language and Equality Promotion Group has been established to ensure that the requirements are complied with and to monitor activity to ensure that each member of staff is treated equally.  The Group will consider how data gaps can be reduced.

·     Reference was made to the Council’s gender pay gap as of 31 March 2024 which is positive at 9.7%.  Questions were raised as to what steps can be taken to eliminate this gap entirely.  The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services & Community Safety assured that there is no difference in the pay scale of any equivalent posts for persons within the Council.  He noted that it is evident that female employees tend to occupy lower paid roles, and this is common across local authorities and other public sector organisations.  The Council wishes to promote the opportunity for females to apply for high level posts.

·     Questions were raised as to whether there is a process in place to deal with discrimination and bullying of staff members based on their gender identify.  The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services & Community Safety responded that any discrimination and bullying of staff or Elected Members is not tolerated within the Council. The Chief Executive said that there are robust policies and processes in place to address any discrimination and the culture of the Authority is that staff can discuss any issues  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development was presented for consideration by the Committee.

The Leader and Portfolio Member for Economic Development said that the UK Government launched the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as a replacement to the European Structural Fund programmes.  The EU Structural Fund has been a major funding source in Wales for several decades and Anglesey had always been a significant recipient of these funds which supported businesses, developing skills, increasing employability as well as capital infrastructure programmes. The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a £2.6 billion of funding provided by UK Government for local investment across the UK between December 2022 and March 2025.  The allocation for Anglesey through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund was £16,081.937 (with £2.78m ringfenced towards Multiply).  Funding was approved and released from UK Government on an annual basis.  The priority has been to ensure that all allocated project expenditure is utilised, and meaningful benefits are achieved, for the benefit of Anglesey residents and businesses with financial support to 496 businesses, enterprises and organisations, supported 913 residents to improve their numeracy skills, supported the creation of, or safeguarded, 80 jobs on the Island and helped 361 people to secure a qualification. 

The following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·     Questions were raised as to the next steps following the completion of the current programme in March 2025 and whether there are projects, who may have not been successful within the current funding opportunities, ready to take advantage of any funding available.  The Leader and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that the original timescales of the SPF Programme have been extended into 2025/2026, but it represents a significant reduction in the funds available compared with the first available funding.  The Chief Economic Development Manager said that the funding for 2025/2026 is £5m which will have a limited timescale of 1 year. It is uncertain as to the amount of funding that will be available thereafter, but discussions are being undertaken within the WLGA to ensure that Anglesey has a share of the funding that will become available. 

·     Questions were raised as to the 80 jobs created or safeguarded as regards to the SPF funding.   The Leader and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that this Authority took advantage of the Multipy Scheme.  This was a positive step, demonstrating the relevant Delivery Partners’ capacity to spend additional funding and to realise greater benefits for the Island. 

·     Reference was made that the projected forecast for the number of people accessing mental and physical health support leading to employment was 76, yet the actual number recorded is 0.  Questions were raised as to what the reasons behind this significant gap are.  The Chief Economic Development Manager responded that the figures received as regards to the people accessing the support is currently 46. Work will be undertaken with the partner organisations to ascertain the barriers young people are facing to the transition of working environment. 

·     Reference was made that there will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Manager.

It was RESOLVED to defer the item until discussion are undertaken to review the structure of the Scrutiny Panels. 

To submit a report of the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager setting out the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee’s indicative Forward Work Programme for 2024/2025 was presented for consideration.

It was RESOLVED to:-

·         Agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2024/2025;

·         Note the progress thus far in implementing the forward work programme.