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.

None received.

To submit a report by the Deputy Chief Executive.

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

The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services and Community Safety said that there is a statutory duty on Local Authorities, in accordance with the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, and subsequent amendments within the Police ad Criminal Justice Act 2002 and 2006, to work in partnership with the Police, Health Service, the Probation Service and the Fire and Rescue Service which are the main agencies that make up the Community Partnership Safety Partnership.  The Annual Report give an opportunity to view the statistics, and the challenges faced and ensure that working in partnership is fundamental to community safety.

The Community Safety Senior Operational Officer for Gwynedd and Anglesey reported that the areas of responsibility of the Community Safety Partnership Board was originally Crime and Disorder, Substance Misuse and Reducing re-offending.  She noted that additional responsibility has been included as regards to Serious Crime and Domestic Homicide Reviews that are reported to the Home Office.  She highlighted that the Community Safety Partnership does not have specific budgets for local projects and grants must be applied for through the Regional and National Level.  The priorities of the Board are based upon the Safer North Wales Board’s Strategy which are :-

·         Preventing Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour

·         Tackling Violent Crime

·         Tackling Serious Organised Crime

·         Protecting and building resilient communities and maintaining public safety

She further noted that the Partnership Board receives data on crime levels by the Police on a quarterly basis which were highlighted within the report.   One of the goals of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund is to build resilient, safe and healthy communities, which includes targeted improvements to the built environment and innovative approaches to crime prevention.  Projects under this funding has resulted in the upgrading and installation of a new CCTV in Holyhead and Llangefni, with the aim of improving perception of safety and reducing neighbourhood crime.  £250k has been awarded to Anglesey under this project and will be completed by the end of February 2025.  Continued work is undertaken as regards to ongoing Domestic Homicide Reviews and several awareness sessions were convened to share good practice. 

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

·         Questions were raised as to what extent is the Action Plan sufficiently robust to deal with aspects of the priority areas for the benefit of the Anglesey’s communities.  The Community Safety Senior Operational Officer responded that she was confident that the Action Plan is sufficiently robust as all the responsible partner organisations work in partnership within the Partnership Board with the resource available. Whilst local grants have ceased the Board must take advantage of any funding available through the Safer Street Fund and Shared Prosperity Fund.   The Chief Executive said that there has been improved working relationship within the partners of the Partnership Board recently.

·         Questions were raised as to the processes in place to deal with the consistent anti-social behaviour as it seems that there is an increase  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

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 and Portfolio Member for Economic Development said that the new UK Government has chosen to remove the term ‘Levelling Up’ with all funding now promoted as ‘Funded by UK Government’. He said that the report focuses on the UK Government Funded programme being delivered by the Diocese of Bangor at the St Cybi’s Church in Holyhead. He further referred to the successful opening of the refurbished kiosks at Newry Beach, Holyhead with four businesses operating from these kiosks. 

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

·         Questions were raised as to whether the Levelling Up programme can impact on the Isle of Anglesey’s economy and local communities be quantified. The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that it is premature to consider the impact of the change in government at present.  He noted that the refurbishment of the kiosks at Newry Beach, Holyhead has opened with 4½ posts been created and 7 construction posts were afforded during refurbishment of the kiosks.  Construction materials were also purchased mostly from local builders’ merchants. 

·         Questions were raised as to the measures currently in place to promote and increase awareness of the effective local partnership work behind the programme. The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that it is considered that community engagement is paramount to inform the residence of Holyhead as to work undertaken in the area.  He further noted that a PR company, Ateb Cyntaf Cyf has been appointed to promote the programme and raise awareness of key milestones.  The Programme Delivery Team works closely with each of the Delivery Partners to progress their projects and a monthly meeting is convened to monitor key issues and risks.  He considered that working collaboratively with the Delivery Partners has set a foundation for island wide projects. 

·         Questions were raised as to what degree does the recent change in UK Government have an impact on the current Programme and prospects for future funding/programmes in other local communities.  The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that there is no change to the Programme due to the recent change in government with only the name of the programme been changed to ‘Funded by UK Government’.  He noted that the Arfor and SPF projects are still ongoing, however, beyond 2026 it is uncertain whether there will be funding available towards these projects.  The Chief Executive said that additional funding for an additional year was announced in the Budget in October.  However, it will be awaited as to what funding arrangements will be in place thereafter towards such programme and it is hoped that funding will be awarded directly to the Council to decide on its expenditure. 

·         Reference was made that several projects have had to be re-tendered as the tendered costs were much higher than the available budget.   Questions were raised as to the risks that the projects will not be able to be delivered.    The Levelling Up  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To submit a report by the Director of Social Services.

The report of the Director of Social Services was submitted for consideration by the Committee.

The Portfolio Member for Adults’ Services and Community Safety said that the Social Services Department continues to face significant challenges, with the demand increasing and resources decreasing.  The Council Plan confirms the commitment to social care and wellbeing, and it is timely to recognise as to how to modernise the service to fulfil the Council’s duties effectively and efficiently.  The aim of the Strategic Plan is to confirm the pathway towards developing elements of the service and to ensure they are appropriate and affordable for the future, whilst continuing to become an Age Friendly Island.  As the pressure and demand continues to increase, and the Island’s population getting older along with persons with learning and physical disabilities, consideration must be given as to how Authority can modernise the services provided.  Whilst the Adult’s Modernisation Strategy is challenging there will be a need to work with key partners, the Health Board, the third sector and other organisations to realise the vision within the Strategy for the benefit of the residents of the Island. 

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

·     Questions were raised as to what extent can the Service achieve all the objectives within the Strategy and what are the risks and the financial obstacles to the Service.  The Director of Social Services responded that it must be recognized that it is not the older generation that require the services afforded but young people also require the services of the Social Services Department which is a significant part of the demand for the services and addressing the need will be challenging.  He further said that options will need to be considered whether the service provided can be delivered at a lower cost to the Council as the funding is not increasing even though the demand for the service is increasing. Working in partnership with the third sector and other organisations will be paramount to the success of the Adults’ Service Modernisation Plan.

·     Questions were raised that due to increase in demand for the services provided by the Social Services Department, what assurances can the Service provide to ensure that sufficient capital funding is available to meet the demand and how will the Service attract grants and external financial support.  The Director of Social Services responded that whilst it is accepted that Adults’ Services is overspending the demand for the services must be addressed.  He noted that the service will need to adapt to ensure a better service by working in partnership with the third sector and other organisations. 

·     Reference was made that it is a challenge in attaining accommodation for a couples when they are faced with having to have care within a residential home.  The Director of Social Services accepted that there is a challenge in accommodation for couples within a residential home sector due to costs associated with the demand for such a double room within the residential home.  ...  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 for 2024/2025 was presented for consideration.

It was RESOLVED to :-

·       Agree the current version of the forward work programme for 2024/2025;

·       Note progress thus far in implementing the forward work programme.