Agenda, decisions and minutes

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 following meetings:-

·         Minutes of the meeting held on 9 April, 2025;

·         Minutes of the Election of Chair and Vice-Chair held on 20 May, 2025.

 The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed as correct:-

·         Minutes of the meeting held on 9 April, 2025;

·         Minutes of the Election of Chair and Vice-Chair held on 20 May, 2025.

Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 February, 2025 – Item 4 – Welsh Language Policy Review

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

The Chair said that a response has now been received by the Cabinet Member with responsibility for the Welsh language approving the steps taken by the Authority through the Welsh Language Policy.  A commitment by the Welsh Government and other public bodies has been secured to ensure that Welsh historic place names are protected. 

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

The Welsh Language Annual Report was presented for the Committee’s consideration and for comment prior to its submission for delegated approval by the Portfolio Member for publication.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that in accordance with the Welsh Language Standards Regulations 2015 the Council must prepare an Annual Report regarding the compliance with the standards. He referred that there has been an increase in staff receiving Welsh language training over the year and the National Centre for Learning Welsh has supported the Council.

The following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·         Reference was made that it is encouraging that there has been a 200% increase in the number of Officers and Elected Members receiving training to improve their Welsh language skills.  Piloting a new language awareness session for learners and confident Welsh speakers was afforded by Iaith Cyf., recently and comments were made that feedback from these sessions would be advantageous and whether there will be further sessions provided in due course.  It was further noted that Elected Members should be invited to the sessions to celebrate the efforts of Welsh learners. The Policy and Welsh Language Manager responded that the feedback from the Training Session was positive and those who attended were appreciative of the opportunity to attend the session.  She noted that the Training Team within the Human Resources Department are considering holding a similar session in the future. The sessions to celebrate the efforts of learners affords opportunities to support leaners to practise and speak the Welsh language is considered advantageous within a more natural environment rather than a formal setting.  The Tutors set a task for the learners to arrange such activities and to practise their Welsh language skills.  The Policy and Welsh Language Manager further said that there is an opportunity for Elected Members and Staff to attend general sessions as regards to improving language skills within the Council. 

·         Questions were raised as to what extent does the Council miss an opportunity by focusing recruitment of staff who already speak the Welsh language, rather than considering non-Welsh speakers and learners who could benefit from the Council’s language training. Further questions were raised as to what the financial costs of re-advertising roles for a third time due to unmet Welsh language requirements.  The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language responded that he considered that the Council is affording training opportunities to staff who do not feel confident in their Welsh language skills.  The 5 criteria that measures the language requirements for applying for posts within the Council is dependent on the language skills and responsibilities requirements of the post together with addressing the requirements to respond to enquiries from the public within their preferred language of choice.  The Head of Profession (Human Resources) & Transformation said that there a no additional costs in re-advertising posts within the Authority as the posts are advertised on the Council’s website. 

·         Questions were raised as to how the Council evaluate the language  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

Submitted – a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that the purpose of the report is to provide an annual update on the progress made as regards to the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.  He noted that the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan measures the effectiveness of the Plan in achieving the 7 Outcome Targets.  The report for 2024/2025 notes the stability of Outcomes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 but a decline in Outcomes 4 and 7. 

The following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·         Reference was made to Outcomes 4 which notes that there has been decline in the percentage of pupils learning Welsh GCSE first language and more registering for second language GCSE.  Reference was also made to Outcome 7 which notes that there has been a decline in teaching staff able to teach Welsh and teaching other subjects through the medium of Welsh.  Questions were raised as to what the underlying causes of these trends. The Portfolio Member for Education and Welsh Language responded that the focus of education is to help pupils to reach their potential.  He noted that there is currently a Welsh first language and Welsh second language GCSE’s available to pupils.  However, there will changes introduced in two years with Welsh Language and Welsh Literature examinations being combined into one GCSE for pupils in the Welsh medium and bilingual schools and a Welsh Second Language GCSE will be discontinued and a new GCSE in Welsh will be created for learners in English medium settings. He further said that there are national recruitment challenges of teaching staff and specific steps have been undertaken with working closely with Bangor University to highlight the potential opportunities within the education sector.  The Primary Senior Manager – Education said that regular strategic meetings are undertaken with recruitment Officers from Bangor University and representative from the Education School and Psychology School of the University.  Collaborative working is undertaken with CaBan, which is a partnership group working with schools and Bangor University. 

·         Questions were raised as to what additional support will be provided to Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi to help them fully achieve their ambitious goal of reaching Category 3 by September 2029.  The Primary Senior Manager – Education responded that the Learning Service is an integral part of supporting Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi to gaining wider support for the school.  A WESP Project Group has been established in May 2024, with an extensive focus on establishing a Category 3, Year 7 class, establishing a language centre within the school that also supports teaching of Humanities through the medium of Welsh and a programme of specific support to support the teaching staff.  The Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel said that the Education Scrutiny Panel visited Ysgol Uwchradd Caergybi and were able to see the willingness in promoting the Welsh language within the school.  Year 7 had confident Welsh speakers,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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

Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development for consideration by the Committee. 

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development reported that this is the fourth of five-update report submitted to this Committee outlining progress in the delivery of the UK Government funded Programme for Holyhead. 

The following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·         Questions were raised as to the total number of jobs created by the programme.  The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that 52 full time posts were agreed as part of the programme with UK Government and the number of jobs created will be apparent when the scheme has been completed in March 2026.  He noted that contractors that have undertaken the works have employed additional employees.  The Programme Manager responded that 12 full time posts have been created as part of the Programme.   

·         Questions were raised that due to rising costs, what impact is this having on outputs and whether the intended outcomes are still to be achievable and has this risk been formally raised with UK Government.  The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that the risk associated with rising costs due to inflation impacting on materials was identified as a risk at the start of the process to the Programme Board.  He noted that continued discussions are undertaken with the delivery partners and some elements of the projects have been removed due to cost implications. 

·         Questions were raised whether there are businesses ready to occupy the units that have been created through the UK Government Funded Programme.  The Programme Manager responded that the businesses have applied through an open process and interviews were undertaken with the interested parties.  The businesses that were successful in attaining the units will mostly have a 1 year- lease.  Further questions were raised whether a 1 year-lease is sufficient and whether the businesses will have to re-tender for the lease of the units and whether the short-term lease has affected the number of businesses applying for the units.  The Programme Manager responded that the success of the businesses within the units will be monitored throughout the year and thereafter they will be offered a further lease.  He noted that it is not considered that the offer of only a 1 year-lease impacted the interest in the units as there was a number of businesses interested in the units on offer.   

·         Questions were raised as to what assurances can be provided that rising costs are not compromising the quality of delivery, and whether there are sufficient financial resources to manage these increased expenses.  The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that as a member of the Programme Board the Board are ensuring that quality of the work addresses the requirements within the UK Government Funded Programme.

·         Questions were raised whether the recent fire at St Cybi’s Church posed a financial risk and impacted the project  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Manager.

The report of the Scrutiny Manager setting out the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee’s indicative Forward Work Programme 2025/2026 was presented for consideration.

It was RESOLVED to agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2025/2026.