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 Sonia Williams declared a personal interest in Item 5 – UK Government Funding – Holyhead : A culture and heritage driven transformation and following legal advice she was able to take part and vote in respect of this item.

Mrs Christina Williams, Co-opted Member, Parent Governor – Secondary Schools Sector and ALN, declared a personal interest in Item 8 – Internalising the ALN and Inclusion Service on Anglesey, and following legal advice she was able to take part and vote in respect of this item.

To submit, for confirmation, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 January, 2026.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 January, 2026 were confirmed as correct.

Action point 2 arising from the meeting held on 14 October, 2026 :-

Provide an update to Committee Members following a meeting with the Health Board on 7 November in relation to the proposed reductions in Occupational Therapy services across the Island dur to funding limitations by the Senior Community Safety Operational Officer for Gwynedd and Môn.

A response has been received from the Health Board as regards to Safety Partnership as follows:-

‘The roles of the Mental Health Team were funded through ‘i-CAN’ temporarily with cluster funding in the short term.  The funding has now come to an end, which had led to decrease in the Occupational Therapy in GP surgeries.  Work is currently undertaken to create a long-term model which is sustainable, and to re-refer patients to Community Mental Health Teams or Third Sector provision to reduce the effect on patients.’

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

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development was presented for the Committee’s consideration.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development said that the vision of the Ynys Môn Freeport is to become a global hub for innovation, low carbon energy, and international trade.

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

·         Reference was made as to the funding grant of £1m revenue and £25m capital seed funding noted in the report.  Questions were raised as to whether this funding is to be shared between all the sites on Island or whether it is specifically for the previous Anglesey Aluminium site in Holyhead.  Further questions were raised whether the funding is adequate to address all the sites and whether additional funding will be available.  The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that the funding outlined in the report will be for all the identified sites on Anglesey.  He noted that once the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed the first phase of funding will be released and funding will be for the Peboc Site in Llangefni and the additional building at Msparc Gaerwen.  The Head of Regulation and Economic Development said that the Freeport status allows for securing tax-free site designation which means the sites are recognised in law as geographical areas where businesses can benefit from tax relief.  It will also give opportunity to earmark funding towards projects which will maintain and develop the economy. 

·         Reference was made that there are three aims as part of the Freeport status as is noted in the report and one of the aims is to increase employment opportunities for local people. Questions were raised as to whether young people within the Secondary Schools are being informed on the skills required for potential businesses locating on the Island as teaching subjects that are not part of the curriculum will take time to undertake.  The Leader responded that once the MOU is signed it will release the flow of funding. He further said that there is an element of caution before raising expectations for the types of employment opportunities as it is wholly depended on which businesses that intend in locating within the Freeport status before guidance can be given as to the employment opportunities that will be available.  He expressed that there has been frustration as to the time taken for the Freeport status to be confirmed as the process of applying for the status has started since September 2022.   The Chief Executive said that a Skills Plan has been prepared which has been presented with the Business Case which will need to be updated.  He noted that there will be a requirement for the experience of Coleg Menai to visit schools to inform young people of the potential employment opportunities available.  He said that as regards to the Skills Plan there are five sectors where the Business Case highlights employment within the energy environment, construction, advanced manufacturing,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

·                 Update on the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Anglesey (2022/2026)

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

·             UK Government Funding – Holyhead : A culture and heritage driven transformation

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

It was agreed that the following items be considered as one item.

·         Update on the delivery of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Anglesey 2022/2026

·         UK Government Funding – Holyhead: A culture and heritage driven transformation

The reports of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development was presented for the Committee’s consideration.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development said that the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) was administered by Gwynedd Council as the Regional Lead Authority and the Delivery Partners monitored and regularly reviewed progress, expenditure and compliance.  He noted that grant funding has supported projects across the Island which was highlighted within the report.

He further referred to the UK Government Funding : Holyhead and noted that the Council were successful in securing funding from UK Government under the LUF Programme which will come to an end in May 2026.  He noted that there has been significant improvement to the town of Holyhead which supported projects that is highlighted within the report. 

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

·     Concerns were expressed that the SPF grant will change in Wales from May 2026 with 70% capital and 30% revenue.  The Leader responded that numerous meetings have been undertaken as to the concerns of the future of the SPF grant funding.  He noted that the UK Government expects local authorities in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland to be able to administer projects whilst changes to the formula of funding.  The matter has been raised in the Welsh Affairs Committee in Westminster and in the Senedd as to the frustration to the difference in funding that is to occur in England.  He further said that the 22 Local Authorities in Wales have put pressure on both Governments that the aims of the SPF grant funding are unpractical to achieve at the same aims as the previous funding.  The changes to the formula of funding will inevitably result in the loss of employment associated with the SPF grant funding.  Members considered that a letter should be sent to the UK Government expressing deep concerns to the formula of funding in Wales.  Further questions were raised whether there is any clarity as to when the grant funding will be available and whether the Authority will need to seek the assistance of other bodies rather than the current partner organisations i.e. Menter Môn and MônCF.  The Chief Economic Development Officer responded that the grant funding for 2026/2027 will £3.1m in revenue and £1.1m in capital.  He noted that constant monitoring is undertaken with the partner organisations who administer the projects and feedback is received as to the number and nature of employment opportunities that have been created due to the grant funding which will be reported back to the UK Government.  Further questions were raised whether the grant funding will be required to be returned if the businesses  cease to exist.  The Chief Economic Development Officer responded that the original application for the SPF funding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Scrutiny Officer.

The report of the Scrutiny Officer setting out the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee’s indicative Forward Work Programme for 2026/2027 was presented for consideration.

Councillor Douglas Fowlie referred to the Committee’s Forward Work Programme and ascertained whether the invitation to the representatives from the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board could be brought forward within the Work Programme due to reported problems within the Health Board with people waiting for hours to be seen in the Accident and Emergency Department.

The Chair said that the matter, in the first instance, will be considered in the Chairs and Vice-Chairs Forum.

It was RESOLVED to agree the current version of the Forward Work Programme for 2026/2027.

To consider adopting the following:-

“Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following item on the grounds that it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

It was RESOLVED to adopt the following:-

“Under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and pubic from the meeting during the discussion on the following item on the grounds that it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

The report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People was presented for the Committee’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language said that since Gwynedd Council’s notification in June 2025 their intention to dissolve the Gwynedd and Anglesey ALN and Inclusion Partnership this Authority has considered a series of options to create an effective, efficient, fit for purpose service that will satisfy the needs of Anglesey’s children and young people.  He said that the Committee should consider the structure of the new service in the first instance.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People reported that strategic collaboration is essential to work with the most effective and efficient approach through co-planning, reduce duplication, simplify processes and use resources more efficiently.  Establishing these core arrangements will create clear opportunities to include health partners in the work following the service’s implementation, strengthening multiagency pathways and extending the preventative provision across the Island by strengthening the collaboration between the Learning Service and the Children and Families Service.  By ensuring robust organisation and processes from the start, there will be means to create a service that is more proactive, sustainable and rooted in the needs of Anglesey’s children, families and schools.

Members of the Committee expressed strongly that the children and young people should be at the forefront of the new ALN and Inclusion Service on Anglesey and the need for early diagnosis of the children and young people needs is paramount.  

It was RESOLVED recommend to the Executive that the Partnership and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee agrees with the recommendations contained in the report and for the Council to progress and prose the staffing structure to internalise the ALN and Inclusion Service on Anglesey.