Agenda and minutes

Apologies as noted above.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the following meetings :-

·      Minutes of the special meeting held on 11 July, 2014.

·      Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July, 2014.

The minutes of the following meetings were confirmed :-

·           Minutes of the special meeting held on 11 July, 2014.

·           Minutes of the meeting held on 24 July, 2014.

To submit a report by the Senior Partnerships Manager, Gwynedd and Ynys Môn.

Submitted – an update report by the Senior Partnerships Manager, Gwynedd and Ynys Môn in relation the initial steps in the Local Services Board transformation journey.

The Leader of the Council reported that a joint Local Services Board for Gwynedd and Ynys Môn had been established in April 2013.  He noted that the Local Service Boards was a high level strategic board with its membership comprising of Chief Executives and Leaders of the principal public service organisations.

The Senior Partnerships Manager reported that the Local Services Board had adopted an initial 3 step approach to its transformation journey which was detailed within the report.  Step 2 of the journey was currently being planned – thematic session to articulate key priorities of the Board for the next 2 years. The Board would next meet on the 26th September (Step 3) to complete the initial transformation work.

Further development of elected member scrutiny arrangements would be one of the prioritised workstreams over the coming months to underpin the work of the Gwynedd and Ynys Môn Local Services Board.  The next step was to hold detailed discussions with Gwynedd Council in order to :-

•  Reaffirm agreement/sign off of both Local Authorities to joint Elected Member scrutiny arrangements underpinning the Local Services Board;

•  Negotiate a programme of themes to be scrutinised through the joint arrangements/process on the work of the Local Services Board/Single Integrated Plan/Strategic Partnerships.

The Officer further noted that the Local Services Board will be statutory by 2016. Following a question and answer session it was RESOLVED :-

•  To note the contents of the report and the transformation of the joint Gwynedd and Ynys Môn Local Services Board.

•  That further developed elected member joint scrutiny arrangements be arranged to underpin the work of the Local Services Board.

ACTION : That an update report be submitted to the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee in respect of the Single Integrated Plan for Gwynedd and Ynys Môn., Local Services Board transformation journey and joint Elected Member Scrutiny arrangements.

To submit a report in relation to the above.

The Chair welcomed representatives from the Môn Communities First to the meeting.

Submitted – a progress report on the implementation of the Communities First Programme in Anglesey.

The Council’s Grants Manager (who’s post is jointly funded by Môn Communities First) reported that the County Council is the Lead Delivery Body for £1.658m of funding for the period 1 February, 2013 to 31 March, 2015 whilst Môn Communities First Ltd., is the Delivery Organisation.The breakdown of expenditure for 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 budget was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

Môn Communities First has developed rapidly over the last 18 months and there have been increases in the number of staff that is currently employed and the amount of funding that has been secured. The organisation provides a range of support services and activities for the electoral wards of Kingsland, Morawelon, London Road, Porth-y-Felin, Maes Hyfryd and Town in Holyhead as well as Tudur Ward in Llangefni.  Môn Communities First is managed by a voluntary Board of Directors and the Board also includes observer representation from the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Social Services, Head of Housing Services and Grants Manager.

Môn Communities First was chosen by Welsh Government as the only cluster in North Wales to pilot a ‘Workless Households Scheme’ called LIFT. The scheme  will provide £228k funding to March 2016 to specifically target and work with households where adults have been out of work for 6 months or more with a view to getting them back into work, work experience or training.  A DVD is available showing case studies.

The Community Voluntary Academy has gone from strength to strength and can now provide accredited training to people aged 14-64 targeting those who are least likely to attend mainstream college provision.  Môn Communities First is working closely with employers to ensure that the vacancies they have can be matched to the participants at the Academy.

The ‘Pantri Pobl’, food bank, has reached an all-time high during August 2014, with over 1,000 meals being provided.  Both people in receipt of benefits and working people with families are struggling to find enough money to buy food.

Reference was made by the Head of Housing Services to examples of programme bending between Môn CF and Housing Services and that more needs to be done to facilitate this across the Council.

Issues raised by Members :-

•  Members questioned if a more comprehensive budget report is afforded to the authority. The Head of Service (Housing) responded that the yearly statement of accounts if afforded to the local authority and it is also audited by Welsh

Government. She noted that a copy of the accounts could be afforded to this Committee for information or to the Council’s Audit Committee.

•  Members raised that other local communities on the Island are within deprived area i.e. Llanfaes. These areas are unable to attract funding.  Officers from Communities First responded that as these areas are not within the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Head of Service (Housing).

Submitted – a report in relation to the Local Housing Strategy for Anglesey 2014/2019.

The Portfolio Holder (Social Services and Housing) reported that the Local Housing Strategy has been open for public consultation since early August 2014 and will close at the end of September.  He noted that the comments of this Scrutiny Committee will be included within the final Strategy Action Plan, being presented to the Executive on 20th October, 2014 and thereafter to the full Council on 4^th December, 2014. A Housing Partnership has also been established to deliver and monitor the Local Housing Strategy.

The Head of Service (Housing) reported that the first Housing (Wales) Act 2014 has become law earlier in September and covers the key elements as follows :-

•  Introduction of a compulsory registration and licensing scheme for private rented sector landlords and letting and management agents;

•  Reform of homelessness law, including placing a stronger duty on local authorities to prevent homelessness and allowing them to use suitable accommodation in the private sector;

 •  Placing a duty on local authorities to provide sites for Gypsies and Travellers where a need has been identified;

•  Introduction of standards for local authorities on rents, service charges and quality of accommodation;

•  Reform of the Housing Revenue Account Subsidy system;

•  Giving local authorities the power to charge more than the standard rate of council tax on long-term empty properties and certain types of second homes;

•  Assisting the provision of housing by Co-operative Housing Associations;

•  Amendment of the Leasehold Reform, Housing and Urban Development Act 1993.

She noted that workshops for elected members will be arranged during the coming months to give in-depth consideration to the implications of the new Housing (Wales) Act 2014 for local authorities.

The Housing Strategy and Development Manager addressed the key issues in the Local Housing Strategy which were included within the report to the Committee.

Issues raised by Members of the Committee :-

•  Affordable housing is required for local people and the need to address housing needs;

•  Consideration will need to be given to the influx of workers to build the proposed Wylfa Newydd and the housing they will require;

•  The resources and capacity needs to be supported by the County Council to be able to fulfil the requirements of the new Housing (Wales) Act 2014 and the Local Housing Strategy.

RESOLVED :-

•  That the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee recommends the adoption of the Local Housing Strategy for Anglesey 2014/2019 by the full Council in December.

•  That a workshop be arranged before the full Council to give indepth discussions on the Housing Strategy.

ACTION : To note that the Local Housing Strategy will be submitted to the full Council for adoption.

To submit a report in relation to the above.

Submitted – a report by the Principal Development Officer Tourism & Maritime in relation to Charter/Pleasure Boat Fees 2014/2015.

It was reported that apart from the annual fees for commercial pleasure boat operators (sightseeing/fishing/adventure trips) all other maritime fees and charges (berthing/mooring/registration and launching etc.) have been adopted by the

Authority to be backdated from 1st April, 2014. Discussions have been undertaken over a number of months with the operators in respect of this matter.

Controversy over maritime fees and charges lies in Amlwch Port where historic anomalies in mooring/berthing fees together with charges for licenced passenger vessels (charter boats) were apparent. Appendix 1 attached to the report showed a five year analysis of fees in Amlwch Port. The 2013/14 charter boat fees were never adopted and remain ‘in dispute’ with the operators.  Appendix 2 attached to the report was a SWOT analysis of all four of maritime ports/harbours were the Authority is the statutory Port Authority i.e. Amlwch Port, Pier in Beaumaris, St. George’s Pier, Menai Bridge and one charter boat vessel operates from the Fish Dock, Holyhead.

The Officer referred the Committee to Appendix 3 attached to the report which gave 6 Options for Charter/Pleasure Boat Fees. It was noted that Option 3 was the favoured option for a single annual payment of £840 or a lower annual payment of £420 with a passenger surcharge/levy of 26p passenger applied. The Charter Boat operators to choose either option.

Issues raised by Members of the Committee :-

•  If Option 3 was the favoured option, this would entail them having to pay a total fee of £1,340. The Charter Boat operators are already paying a berthing fee of £500.  Questions were raised as to what facilities operators at Amlwch Port were receiving for the total amount of £1,340 as the facilities are not of a high standard compared to other areas.  The Officers agreed that the facilities at Amlwch Port were not as good as other locations.

•  Questioned raised as to why Commercial Fishing Boats who fish on the Irish Sea are not charged for berthing at Amlwch Port.  Consideration should be given to imposing a levy on these boats in line with other ports in Britain. The Corporate Director (Sustainability) responded that the matter would be given due consideration.

•  The berthing fees seem to be different at other berthing area. Members gave examples of berthing fees along the North Wales coast.  Members questioned as to where these berthing fees had originated from? The Officers responded that these fees are historical fees and it is very difficult to compare fees along the coastline of North Wales. Using Beaumaris as an example, the boats can use the Pier at Beaumaris to launch and it could be argued that the facility can be used 24 hours a day.  The Officers stated that Conwy County Borough Council has invested a great amount in the Marina in Conwy and it is anticipated that the berthing fees are low due to an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To submit a report in relation to the above.

Submitted – a report with regards to the work programme for the Anglesey Integrated Delivery Board (IDB) for Health and Social Care Services.

The Head of Service (Adults Services) reported that the aims and objectives of the IDB is to work towards more integrated services. This includes improved alignment of business plans, budgets and organisational cultures. The IDB will include consideration of innovative approaches to pooled budget frameworks for Anglesey to make best use of the resources available. The IDB will take on the role of a ‘county forum’ and will take the opportunity to review its function following the announcement of the restructure of BCUHB Board and the review of the LSB.

The changing structure of the population means more pressure and greater demands on a range of services e.g. health care, domiciliary and residential services, housing, welfare and other services used by the population. This requires collective action and early intervention to empower and support people.

The Chair invited Mr. J. R. Jones, Medrwn Môn to respond to this matter. Mr. Jones stated that there is a need to strengthen the partnership working with the third sector in respect of the matter.

RESOLVED to approve the work programme for the Integrated Delivery Board so that the Board can assist the development of Community Health and Care Service on Anglesey.

ACTION : None

To submit a report in relation to the above.

The Chair welcomed Mr. Simon Smith, Chief Fire Officer, Ms. Dawn Docx, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Ms. Alwen Davies, Member Liaison Officer and Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies (Chair of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority to the meeting.

Mr. Simon Smith and Ms. Dawn Docx gave a brief presentation to the Committee on Consultation on the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service Improvement Plan 2015/2016. They explained that the Fire and Rescue Authority had frozen its budget for the last three years. This had required savings of 7.5% of the budget to be made, in order to maintain services to the public.          The representatives from the Fire and Rescue Authority outline the current council tax levy the residents of the Island contribute at present and the proposed maximum increase in future years.

Following a question and answer session it was RESOLVED :-

•  To thank the representatives from the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority for their presentation.

•  To await for the consultation period on the Improvement Plan 2015/16 to conclude and that the matter be referred to the County Council for consideration thereafter.

ACTION : That the County Council shall consider the outcome and financial implications in respect of the consultation on the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority Improvement Plan 2015/2016.

The Chair noted that the Vice-Chair and Councillor John Griffith together with the Scrutiny Officer will attend the Gwynedd Councils Services Scrutiny Committee on the 2nd October, 2014. An invitation had been afforded, as observers, to a presentation by representatives from the Betsi Cadwaladar University Health Board.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Officer.

Submitted and noted – the draft Work Programme.

The Scrutiny Officer reported that a request had been received to include the following items on the Agenda of the next meeting to be held on 27 November, 2014 :-

•  Social Services Representation and Complaints Procedure 2013/2014 – Annual Complaints Report.

•  Adults Safeguarding

Members of the Committee agreed that items for future scrutiny should include the following topics :-

•  Wylfa Workers Accommodation Strategy;

•  Availability of Gypsy sites for short stay and permanent sites on the Island;

•  Ambulance performance on the Island to include invitation to representatives from the Welsh Ambulance Service to attend.

RESOLVED to accept the report.

ACTION : To request the Scrutiny Officer to make arrangement for the above items to be discussed at future meetings of this Committee.