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 5 – Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan – 2023-2028.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the meeting held on 17 October, 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 October, 2023 were confirmed as correct, subject to the inclusion within the action points noted at item 4 – Regional Emergency Planning Service – Annual Report : 2022/2023, that the Chief Executive writes to Welsh Government to express that a specific plan needs to be put in place for the Island due to the resilience of the two bridges if a major incident was to occur.

To submit a report by the Head of Highways, Property and Waste.

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property was submitted for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property said that the Resources and Recycling Strategic Plan for 2023-2028 supports the Council’s key ambitions in the Council Plan.  The Council Plan states that by 2028 the Council needs to reach a recycling rate of 70% and to reach the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030.  He noted that all residents and tourists have a duty to reduce waste and to increase recycling.  The Council has a good working relationship with partner organisations within the WLGA, Welsh Government and WRAP Cymru to assist in reaching these target rates of recycling of 70% and at present the current recycling rates on Anglesey is 64% (which can vary during different periods within the year).  The Portfolio Member referred to the recent six weeks public consultation which took place between 11 September and 20 October, 2023.  The consultation was designed to gather feedback on the key work streams to reduce, reuse and recycle more of household waste and nearly 200 responded to the consultation process (the response received was highlighted within the consultation document attached to the report).   He further said that reference has been made that the recycling box to hold carboard is insufficient and other avenues of affording cardboard collection needs to be considered i.e. affording sacks for additional carboard.   He further noted that there is a need to re-educate people as to importance of recycling and especially the younger generation .

The Chief Waste Management Officer reported that the main strategic priorities are to reduce waste, increase recycling, reduce fly-tipping, improve street cleaning together with improving recycling and waste within Council buildings.  He also noted that to deliver services that are fit for the future there will be a need for efficient fleet to ultra-low emission vehicles that will need to transfer from diesel vehicles to electric vehicles to collect waste and recycling and the machinery within the recycling site at Gwalchmai and Penhesgyn in the future.  He further said that the consultation process was supportive of the need to increase recycling and to reduce the black bin waste.

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

·         Reference was made that the Resource and Recycling Strategic Plan’s objectives are ambitious.  Questions were raised as to what else can the Council do to achieve the 70% statutory recycling rate by 2020.  The Chief Waste Management Officer responded that the recycling rate of 70% in Wales is high and residents on the Island have already been able to achieve a 64% recycling level.  He noted that other ways of recycling will need to examined with raising awareness of the importance of recycling and to consider other ways to make sure that everything that can be recycled is recycled.  An analysis has been undertaken of the contents of black bin waste and there are still recyclable materials within the black bins that can  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Deputy Chief Executive.

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive was submitted for consideration by the Committee.

The Leader of the Council, in the absence of the Portfolio Member said that the Annual Report give an opportunity to view the statistics and the challenges as working in partnership is fundamental to community safety. 

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

·         Questions were raised as to what extent does the Committee agree with the Partnership’s priorities, which are based on a local needs assessment process, and are there other matters which need to be prioritised.  Further questions were raised as the report refers to the changes in reporting and as to how it is possible to get a true picture of any improvement or deterioration in individual communities. The Community Safety Senior Operational Officer for Gwynedd and Anglesey responded that the Gwynedd and Ynys Môn Community Safety Partnership priorities within the Action Plan are based on a regional strategy by the Safer North Wales Board. The focus of the Board is to make sure that Gwynedd and Anglesey is a safe place to live, work and to visit .  The Partnership’s Strategy is also influenced by the Police Strategic Assessment and reports on the crime issues within the area. The Strategy places a framework of priorities for all the partner organisations within the Community Safety Partnership.  She noted that the changes to the recording process was highlighted within the report and the Police will have an extended period to prioritise victims of crime without having to duplicate records.  This will ensure a consistent method of recording across the UK which is more accurate than the previous system.  She further noted that North Wales is in a positive place in terms of crime reduction.

·         Questions were raised as to what ways does the statutory partnership add value and work in an effective and efficient manner in accordance with the expectations of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.  The Community Safety Senior Operational Officer responded that under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 the Community Safety Partnership has a duty to work closely with its partner organisations to ensure greater collaboration and sharing information.  She noted that there are different work areas that are undertaken by the Community Safety Partnership and the local authorities are in a better position to address any issues that may arise.  The Deputy Chief Executive, as Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, said that work is undertaken on a strategic process to raise awareness on different issues of concerns that would otherwise not been aware of, and action can be undertaken purposely and improve how to tackle crime issues that may arise. Further reference was made by the Committee that it is noted within the report that the Home Office does not acknowledge anti-social behaviour as a crime, but the Police Authority does acknowledge that anti-social behaviour is a crime.  The Community Safety Senior Operational Officer responded that she is given to understand that anti-social behaviour is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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

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

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development said that a decision was take not to pursue and submit a bid in the first Levelling Up Programme (LUF) due to unrealistic timescales to develop a sufficient detailed bid.  Instead, a decision was taken to focus on inviting expressions of interest (EOI’s) from external partners on schemes that could be delivered in collaboration with the County Council in preparation for the second round of the LUF.  During the assessment it came apparent that only a bid focussing upon addressing Holyhead socio-economic needs would likely meet the UK Government’s specific requirements and have any opportunity of being successful.  A total of 5 expressions of interest were submitted from Holyhead which included Môn Communities First & the Town Council; The Church in Wales; Ucheldre Centre; Maritime Museum and the Isle of Anglesey County Council – Heritage Regeneration. She noted that a progress report been produced which includes the governance arrangement for the programme with stringent management arrangement in place to ensure financial management, compliance, and risk management.   The Leader wished to thank the staff involved in the project for the work in achieving this successful bid.

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

·         Questions were raised as to how the Levelling Up projects are measured in terms of direct and indirect outputs.  The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that robust governance arrangements were submitted at the start of the bidding process to UK Government which also included establishing a Programme Board in partnership with the partner organisations.  He noted that the Board meets regularly every six weeks to ensure that monitoring and progress reports are discussed especially in areas such as procurement to ensure full compliance with regulations.  With regard to direct benefits to the area of Holyhead, the culture of the town is considered i.e. St. Cybi Church; empty buildings redeveloped into use; upgrading the shops within the town centre; employment opportunities for local people in the area.  He noted that the indirect benefits are the additional use of community benefits within the town centre; cruise ships visiting the town; increasing the general atmosphere of the town to attract visitors. 

·         Reference was made that within the report, that 5 main risks associated with the programme are discussed.  Questions were raised as to what measures are in place to manage and mitigate these risks?  The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that comprehensive governance measure have been put in place within the scrutinizing process.  A corporate risk register has been established which is monitored on a regular basis by the Programme Board.  The Chief Executive said as Chair of the Programme Board, that the main risk is procurement, and the programme is monitored to ensure whether it is achievable in terms of costs and in line with the set timeframe of the LUF funding.  The Chair of the Committee said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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 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.