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 – Regional Partnership Board – Annual Report : 2022/2023.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the meeting held on 19 September, 2023.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 19 September, 2023 were confirmed as correct.

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

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

The Chief Executive reported that the Council has emergency planning and response duties under the Civil Contingencies Acts 2004.  The Council is a principal responder and meets its obligations by collaborating with the North Wales Local Authorities through the North Wales Councils Regional Emergency Planning Service.  He said that following consultation and ratification through the political process in each Local Authority, Emergency Planning functions for all 6 local authorities in North Wales were amalgamated into one service under an inter-authority agreement since 2014.  He further referred that as an Island, with two bridges over the Menai Straits, it is important that this Council is fully committed within Regional Emergency Planning Service so that it addresses any emergency that may occur on the Island, and that the emergency services are able to attend.  The Chief Executive referred to the Annual Report and noted that it gives assurance that the Regional Emergency Planning Service is resilience service, and this Council engages fully within the service.

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

·         Questions were raised as to the key risks facing the Island and to preparedness of the Council as regards to future emergencies.  The Executive Manager (Leadership Team) responded that risks are identified and managed effectively during discussions within a Resilience Forum which the Authority is represented.  She noted that there is a National Risk Register and the Regional Emergency Planning Service and the Council contribute to identify any potential risks.  She further referred that the main key risk are power cuts, storms, cyber security, and effects on the resilience of both the Menai Suspension bridge and the Britannia bridge.  The Chief Executive said that he considered that the Authority is ready for any eventually, as the governance and participation levels are in place, however, it is dependent on the support of other emergency organisations.  He expressed that the main concerns are the resilience of the two bridges and the potential of both bridges been closed at the same time could cause major problems if an emergency was to occur on the Island.  He said that it is important to continue to put pressure on Welsh Government to recognize the reliability and resilience of both bridges.   

·         Reference was made to the risk of wildfires at Newborough Forest due to dry weather conditions as there is only one highway through and out of the village of Newborough and only one car park in the vicinity.  Questions were raised as to what arrangements are in place to support the emergency planning arrangements to address potential wildfires in the area and to what extent has consultation been undertaken with external partners.  The Chief Executive responded that National Resources Wales are the responsible authority for Newborough Forest, and they have an emergency response plan in place.  He noted that the Council has not been part of any emergency exercise with NRW.   The Local Member for Newborough expressed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Director of Social Services.

Submitted – a report by the Director of Social Services for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services said that the aim of the North Wales Partnership Board is to work collaboratively across health and the six social care services to help support resilient communities and ensure a seamless service for individuals that require care and support.  He noted that this is the Annual Report of the North  Wales Regional Partnership Board for 2022/23 as is required within Part 9 of the Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 that each Regional Partnership Board prepares, publishes, and submits its Annual Report to Welsh Government.

The Director of Social Services reported that the report is set out in accordance with guidance for the completion of the Annual Report by Welsh Government.  The Annual Report highlights the work that has been achieved regionally and sub-regionally with the Area Plan which notes the Autistic Plan, Carers Plan, Young Carers Plan, Children and Young People Plan and Learning Difficulties strategy.   He noted that focus has also been made to the needs of children and young people in North Wales and on Anglesey.   The capital funding process was highlighted to the Committee.

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

·     Questions were raised as to the role and purpose of the Regional Partnership Board.  The Director of Social Services responded that the governance process is complex within the Regional Partnership Board.  He noted that the role and purpose of the Regional Partnership Board could be explained within a Briefing Session for Elected Members. 

·     Questions were raised as to the relationship between the Regional Partnership Board’s Annual Report and the Statutory Director of Social Services’ Annual Report.  The Director of Social Services responded that both reports are incorporated within each other as the capital funding to fund many projects within Social Services is regionally funded. 

·     Questions were raised as to the role of the Regional Partnership Board in facilitating the situation of a high number of patients unable to be discharged from Ysbyty Gwynedd to their permanent residence due to the lack of Care provision available.  The Director of Social Services responded following an assessment of a patient that requires a Care package the Local Authority must address the needs of the patients with the Care providers.  He noted that there is a close working relationship between the Health Board and the Social Services Department on Anglesey to provide care provision within Residential Homes before a patient is able to return to their main residence and also to conduct a dialogue with the families of the patients to ascertain whether they could assist to allow the patient to be cared for by the family before a Care package can be put in place.  He expressed that there is a national recruitment issue within the Care sector as the pay provision is not attractive for people to apply for roles within the care sector.  He said that unless Welsh Government addresses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation.

Submitted – a report by the Head of Profession (Human Resources) & Transformation for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Corporate and Customer Experience said that under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, local authorities in Wales must produce a Participation Strategy which notes how local people are encouraged to take part in the Council’s decision-making process.  The strategy aims to encourage people to take part in the Council’s business and build on success that the Council has achieved in engaging with residents as recognised by Audit Wales.  A consultation exercise was undertaken with Council Officers for a four-week period.  A high percentage of respondents agreed with the content of the Strategy which shows support for the Strategy and the intention to review it regularly.  It was recognised that improvement is required as regards increased participation by children and young people in the Council’s decisions, looking at new methods of gathering and presenting feedback digitally and considering ways of reporting successes/lack of successes in terms of participation.   He noted that the Public Participation Strategy will be submitted to the Executive at its meeting to be held on 24 October, 2023 and thereafter to the full Council on 26 October, 2023 for ratification.

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

·     Questions were raised as to what the additional arrangements and processes are proposed to be put in place to ensure full compliance with the new requirements.  The Programme Manager responded that participation and responses to consultations needs to be improved especially as responses to the consultations are lower within the 16 to 24 age group.  The Children’s and Young People Forum is to be re-established to attract responses from the younger generation to the work of the Council.  Re-establishment of the Engagement and Consultation Board needs to be undertaken to ensure compliance with the Public Participation Strategy.  He further said that work needs to be undertaken to assess different ways to gather digital responses to consultations.  Demographic factors need to be considered due to the ageing population on Anglesey; in some cases, the older population do not use the digital platform to respond to consultations and would rather respond in the traditional methods. 

·     Reference was made that youth participating needs to be encouraged within the democratic functions of the Council.  The Vice-Chair said that children from Valley Primary School were invited by the Leader recently to view the democratic functions and explanations of the work of the departments within the Council.  The Portfolio Member for Children, Youth and Housing Services said that the voice of children and young people is paramount to the Local Authority’s services which impact their daily lives.  Reference was made that Secondary School pupils should also be encouraged and invited to the Council and they have a strong opinion as to what they would like to happen within their communities.  Questions were raised as to whether Work Experience opportunities are afforded by the Council and whether the schools and local  ...  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.