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.

Councillor Euryn Morris declared a personal interest in respect of Item 7 – Annual Report – Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board and Item 9 – Quarter 4 : 2022/2023 – Progress Report – North Wales Growth Bid (North Wales Economic Ambition Board).

To submit, for confirmation, the following minutes:-

·           Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April, 2023;

·           Minutes of the meeting held on 23 May, 2023.

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

·           Minutes of the meeting held on 19 April, 2023;

·           Minutes of the meeting held on 23 May, 2023 (Election of Chair/Vice-Chair).

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

The Welsh Language Annual Standards 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 Deputy Leader, in the absence of the Leader of the Council, said the report evaluates the Council’s compliance with the Welsh Language Standards Regulations and documents the ways in which the Council promoted and facilitated opportunities to use the Welsh language during the year. He referred that there have been a number of highlights within the year with mainly:  making the Welsh language a strategic priority within the Council; Care Inspectorate Wales identifying the good work as regards to the Welsh language with vulnerable residents; Estyn highlighted the good work undertaken within the Education Service as regards to the Welsh Language within education; technical prominence for on-line users; staff praising the support given to improve their Welsh language skills. 

The Head of Democracy reported that the Annual Report has been structured in accordance with the requirement of the Welsh Language Commissioner and to comply with the headings that is required to be reported upon.  He further said that the Anglesey’s prospective has also been incorporated within the report so as to highlight the wider successes attained within the Authority during the last year.  He further referred to the language policy of the Council which refers as to how the Welsh Language Standards are achieved and also the aim of the policy to make the Welsh language the main administration language of this Authority.  The Head of Democracy further said that intensive work has been undertaken with specific departments within the Authority to give training and support to staff to use the Welsh language on a daily basis.

In considering the report, the Committee discussed the following matters:-

·     Questions were raised as to whether there are specific risks that raise concern about the Council’s compliance with the Welsh language standards?  The Head of Democracy responded that non-compliance with the Welsh Language Standards would be a specific risk which would result in an investigation by the Welsh Language Commissioner.  He noted that the complaints received with non-compliance is low with only 6 complaints last year and it is hoped that the new CRM system within the Council will assist in addressing concerns by the public in a constructive manner. He further noted that there is a higher risk when working with third party organisations which staff need to be aware of so as to comply with the Welsh language standards.  Compliance with the policies within the Welsh Language policies can be of high risks which can be complex at times due to the processes required and expert advice is sought through the Welsh Language Commissioner. He further said that during a recent meeting with the Welsh Commissioner positive comments were received as to how the Council is complying with the Welsh Language Standards.

·     Reference was made to the Welsh language courses afforded to the staff of the Council as noted within the report.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

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 Deputy Leader, in the absence of the Leader of the Council, 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.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People reported that the report is set out in three sections which highlights update on data, arrangements for the re-categorizing of Anglesey school in terms of language in accordance with national and non-statutory guidance and the latest development within schools and organisations on the Island.  He said that the Welsh language is one of the six strategic proprieties of the Council and is reflected within the Education Service so as to increase the provision for children and young people who study through the medium of Welsh.  He further said that regulations made under the School Standards and Organisation (Wales) Act 2013 requires local authorities to prepare a Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) which must include a requirement to ‘set a target outlining the expected increase during the lifespan of the Plan in the amount of Welsh-medium education provided in its maintained schools which provide education through the medium of both English and Welsh’.  WESP data reports on the position of Welsh in education on Anglesey over the period of June 2022 to June 2023.  The report notes the stability of outcomes 1,2,3, 5 and 6 and growth in outcomes 4 and 7 (the Anglesey’s WESP data for 2022/2023) was included within the appendices to the report.    The Director of Education, Skills and Young People referred to the School Categorisation process conducted over this year, and the Learning Service has mapped, informed the process and consulted with schools to steer the profile of Schools Categorisation.  He noted that the Learning Service has consulted on and discussed Language Categories with schools before coming to a decision on the category.  The Learning Service has 3 categories – Category 1 – English medium; Category 2 – Dual Language; Category 3 – Welsh medium.  All primary schools part from one and three of the secondary schools are in Category 3.  Since one of the intentions of the new regime of categorisation is to encourage Anglesey schools to increase their Welsh language provision, one primary school has been placed in Category 2 and two secondary schools are in a transitional sub-category T2 to facilitate the process for schools to move to Category 3. 

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People further referred to the early years’ ‘Makaton and Language Journey’ programme which was highlighted within the report.  He referred specifically to the guidance on the transfer of Year 6 language cohort information that all schools have received guidance, support and assistance to report on the language cohort of each pupil.  Reference was also given to the Anglesey language centre which have received recognition for their work by schools, through social media  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive a verbal report by the Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel.

Submitted – a verbal report by the Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel for consideration by the Committee.

The Chair of the Education Scrutiny Panel said that the Panel at its meeting held on 13 June, 2023 considered the report on the Welsh Language Standards – Annual Report: 2022/2023 with the Director of Education, Skills and Young People, Primary Sector Senior Manager and the Lead Teacher from the Language Unit in attendance.  The Panel was given the opportunity to consider in detail the progress in 2022/2023 against the key outcomes of the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan.  The vision, aims and objectives in Anglesey for Welsh medium education were considered and detailed consideration was given to a case study looking at the work of the Language Unit.  He noted that the Panel raised the following matters:-

·         The Panel ascertained the opportunities for children and young people to use the Welsh language and to what extent there is a scope to further extend these opportunities;

·         The effects of the pandemic on pupils to develop language skills and to use the Welsh language verbally was discussed;

·         Discussions were undertaken as to the schools categorisation process and to what extent the schools categorisation data is accurate.  Consideration was also given as to the arrangements to provide evidence when categorising individual schools;

·         Discussions were undertaken as to ‘dashboard 7’ of the Welsh Education Strategic Plans (WESP’s) as a tool to measure performance and progress;

·         Discussions as to the possible effect of the immersion provision for children and young people who move to the Island through the language units at Cybi and Moelfre Schools and arrangements for secondary schools.  Questions were raised as to the extent the current resources are appropriate to ensure provision and opportunities to increase Welsh speakers;

·         Consideration was given to the risks to the immersion provision and it was noted that resources was the highest risk with the dependence on grant funding from Welsh Government to re-enforce the core budget. 

The Education Scrutiny Panel recommended that the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee :-

·         Accepts the progress report on the Welsh Education Strategic Plan 2022/23;

·         To confirm the arrangements for the re-categorisation of Anglesey schools in accordance with the national non-statutory guidelines.

It was RESOLVED to note the progress report.

ACTION : As noted above.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

Submitted – a report by the Chief Executive for consideration by the Committee.

The Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board Programme Manager reported that this is the final year of the Boards Well-being for 2018 – 2023.  The report reflects what has been achieved as a Board to improve the well-being of communities during the period 2022/2023.  She noted that the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 places a duty on public bodies to improve the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales.  The Act also established the Public Services Boards with representation from public bodies and the third sector.  Every five years, Public Services Boards must prepare and publish an assessment of the state of economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being in their areas and use this as a basis for the Well-being Plan for the next five years.   She further said that the Board has started preparing for the 2023 – 2028 Well-being Plan and in May 2022, Local Well-being Assessments for Gwynedd and Anglesey were published.  In accordance with the requirements of the Act, a public consultation was held on the draft plan for a period of 12 weeks between 12 December 2022 and 6 March 2023 with appropriate opportunities provided for individuals, interested groups and organisations to participate in the consultation process by holding workshops and information sessions.  She noted that it is an intention to re-visit the local communities so that they can assist with the fulfilment plan for the new Well-Being Plan. The Programme Manager referred that a Climate Change Sub-Group was established, under the leadership of NRW, to encourage collaboration among public organisations on mitigating the impact of climate change.  She further said that work has been undertaken by the Board as regards to the Welsh language as it is important to local communities to be able to live their lives through the medium of Welsh and having access to services and activities in Welsh.  The Board has undertaken collaborating with partnerships and other national bodies to avoid duplication and to share ideas to identify caps and a risk assessment on a strategic level has been undertaken in Gwynedd and Anglesey. 

In considering the report, the Committee raised the following matters:-

·     Reference was made that as the Public Services Board has undertaken work as regards to the Welsh language during 2018-2023. Questions were raised whether it would be beneficial for a report to be submitted to this Committee as to what the Board has accomplished through there aims as regards to the Welsh Language.  The Programme Manger responded that the Welsh language is not one of the specific aims of the Board, which has been challenged, as the Welsh language is part of all of the work achieved by the Board. She further referred that the Board has identified three aims as priority areas over the next year and the Welsh language with be at the forefront of each identified aim;.

·     Reference was made that the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board do  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

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 Portfolio Member for Leisure, Tourism and Maritime said that the visitor economy is fundamental to the sustainable economic position of Anglesey with £360m per annum generated into the local economy. However, over the last 3 years, visitor numbers to the Island has increased and this can have a negative impact on local communities and especially on the coastal areas of the Island.  He noted that the Destination Management Plan is set out to deal with the opportunities and the challenges for the Island.  The Portfolio Member further referred to the priorities of the Plan for 2023-2028, as set out within the report, and especially protecting the Welsh language, heritage and environment of the Island together with the economic benefits for Anglesey.  He further said that the draft Destination Management Plan has been submitted for public consultation between 28^th April, 2023 to 9^th June, 2023 which resulted in 48 responses which is accepted is fairly low response to the documentation.  However, the responses were constructive and of high quality.   The Portfolio Member said that a Sub-Group is to be established with membership from different establishments with a focus in creating an Action Plan for the balance of attracting tourism to the Island whilst focusing also on the potential effects on local communities.

The Head of Regulation and Economic Development reiterated the comments by the Portfolio Member that the tourism sector is the largest sector on the Island.  The Island experienced an influx of visitors during the last 3 years and it is necessary to mitigate the negative effects of tourism.  He noted that there is a need to redefine the relationship with the tourism sector to ensure constructive dialogue.

The Committee considered the report and raised the following matters:-

·         Reference was made as regards to improvements for maritime activities noted within the Plan. Concerns were raised as to problems encountered with inconsiderate use jet skis on the coasts of Anglesey.  The Head of Regulation and Economic Development responded that the management of the seas is an issue and there is a need for a corporate response in respect of resources as regards to this matter;

·         The Chair expressed that he considered that the Anglesey Town Centres Improvement Strategy (which was considered at the last meeting)  needs to be incorporated in the Destination Management Plan whilst consideration is given to reviving the local communities and the economy.  The Head of Regulation and Economic Development responded that a number of draft documents are currently reviewed for public consultation at present which are his responsibility as Head of Service. He assured that alinement will be undertaken between the documentation;

·         Reference was made that it was not considered that 48 responses to the public consultation on the draft Destination Management Plan was sufficient.  Questions were raised as to whether the use of social media would improve the responses to such public consultation processe?  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

Submitted – a report by the Chief Executive for consideration by the Committee.

The Deputy Chief Executive in response to a question by the Chair said that there has been no specific progress since the last quarterly report to this Committee.

In considering the report, the Committee raised the following:-

·         Questions raised as to the association between the CJC’s and the Economic Ambition Board and as to how the resources are shared?  The Deputy Chief Executive responded that there is no formal association between the CJC’s and the Ambition Board at present as they have currently separate structures.  He noted that there are legal processes  currently been undertaken with regard to the implications that may incur for the Ambition Board to be incorporated under the CJC’s.  He further said that there will be an opportunity for this Committee to scrutinise any decisions taken in due course.

It was RESOLVED to note the progress made during Quarter 4 : 2022/2023.

ACTION : As noted above.

To present the 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 2023/2024 was presented for consideration.

It was RESOLVED :-

·      To agree the current version of the forward work programme for

2023/2024;

·      To note the progress thus far in implementing the forward work

programme.