Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Profession for Human Resources Transformation.

Submitted – the report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation in relation to the above.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services said that the Annual Delivery Document sets out the targets the Council would achieve within its key priorities over the next twelve months, which is linked into the aspirations and objectives in the County Council’s Plan for 2017-2022.  He noted that the Annual Delivery Document shows that the Authority is prepared to take on challenges as it modernises its services.  He expressed that each objectives within the Annual Delivery Document are important but gave examples of priorities within the document :-

·      A new school modernisation strategy needs to be adopted which highlights the importance of developing new learning environments in order to improve the provision and raise standards and the achievement of the Island’s children and young people;

·      The Council has launched the new ‘Denu Talent Môn’ scheme (Attracting Anglesey Talent) this year which will give 9 or 10 individuals of 16 years old and over to have a 12 week paid experience of work within the Councils’ services over the Summer;

·      Opportunities for residents of the Island to participate within sport and leisure activities for the well-being and health;

·      The Council needs to work with the Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board and this has already taken shape with a Dementia Care unit at Garreglwyd, Holyhead and a new model of Homecare facility across the Island;

·      There is an intention to build approximately 60 new social housing across the Island;

·      A wider choice of placement for looked after children is being considered either by offering more services, increasing the available foster placements or by providing care in a different way;

·      To continue with the County Council’s intention and achievement of ensuring that over 70% of all household waste is recycled.

The Deputy Leader said that the Annual Delivery Document has 38 objectives that shows that this Authority is prepared to take on challenges as it modernises its services for the residents of the Island. 

The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development expressed that the documents contains worthwhile projects that this authority is committed to investing in, and improving its services in an innovative way. He said that this Authority wishes to be able to attract employment opportunities for its young people and to be able to raise people’s quality of life.  He referred to the major projects that have/are to locate on the Island i.e. MSparc at Gaerwen, Wylfa Newydd, Bluestone Project at Holyhead, Môrlais at Holyhead,  Market Hall at Holyhead, Visits from Cruise Ships, potential third bridge over the Menai Straits.  He hoped that developments may be undertaken at Octel at Amlwch, Lairds at Beaumaris and the Halal site in Gaerwen in the future. 

The following questions were raised by Members :-

·      Councillor Aled M Jones referred that a total of 15 new business units are to be built in Llangefni and Holyhead.  He questioned as to why business units are not been built in Amlwch as the town is the nearest to Wylfa Newydd project.  He said that such new business units in Amlwch would enhance the economy of the town and the north of the Island.  The Deputy Leader responded that he agreed that extra new business units is required in Amlwch but the land to build such units is not available on the current site and other potential site for such a development is at present in private ownership.  The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects & Economic Development said that the Council is currently conducting a consultation process to ascertain the needs of the community  within the ‘Shaping Places’ programme and to gather the opinion of the Amlwch Town Council and the local residents as to the future opportunities within the area.   He further said that the owners of the Octel site has expressed their vision for the future of the site.   Councillor Aled M Jones requested that a meeting be arranged with the Amwch Town Council, Local Members and Officers of the Council to discuss building new business units in Amlwch as a matter of priority;

·      Councillor Aled M Jones referred to the potential 3G pitch at Plas Arthur Leisure Centre and questioned as to where the established Hockey Club, who have been using the facilities in Llangefni will practice as the 3G pitch is not suitable for hockey.  The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development responded that the 3G pitch at Plas Arthur Leisure Centre is an achievement for this Council as such a facility is paramount for sports on the Island as clubs have faced going to the mainland to partake in such a facility.  He noted that the revenue from a 3G pitch would allow for the leisure centres be able to stay open.  He further said that ‘astro turf’ is more suitable to play hockey and he understood that negotiations are taking place.  He further noted that there is an ‘astro turf’ in RAF Valley;

·      Councillor Bryan Owen and Councillor Peter Rogers referred to the new Ysgol Santes Dwynwen, Newborough and were concerned that parents, with children in schools that will close, will not send their children to this school.   Councillor Owen said that he was disappointed that as Local Members they had not been invited to meetings, recently held at Bodorgan Primary School, as regard that the School may have to close this summer as parents have moved their children to other schools within the community.   The Assistant Chief Executive (Partnerships, Community & Service Improvement) responded that the Head of Learning received a request, at short notice, from the Governing Body and Head of Bodorgan Primary School to attend a meeting last week to discuss matter raised by the school and that he intended to discuss the matter with the Local Members thereafter.  Councillor Peter Rogers expressed that people are parking across the access to the new school in Dwyran and the matter needs to be addressed.  The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Property and Waste responded that adequate consultation period needs to be undertaken to allow the local residents to submit comments are regards to parking restrictions i.e. yellow lines near the school and surrounding area;

·      Councillor Peter Rogers said that there has been no mentioned within this report as to issues as regard to flooding in the Dwyran and the continued problems to households within the village for the last 8/9 years and specifically at the Ael y Braint estate.    The Authority started to clear the ditches in Dwyran in January but the work was inadequate and left in a complete mess.  Within the last two weeks the Council has again started to clear the ditches in this area.  Councillor Rogers considered that the Council has wasted valuable resources and local landowners should be made to clear ditches.  The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Property & Waste responded that Natural Resources Wales have been slow to respond as regard to drawing up a plan to address the issues of flooding in Llangefni and in Dwyran.  He referred to the comment made that work carried out on the ditches in Dwyran in January left a mess but expressed that the land was waterlogged during this time of year;

·      Councillor Peter Rogers whilst welcoming the building of social housing expressed that adequate play area should be afforded with social housing.  He referred to the 16 social housing in the Dwyran area with children having to play in the most dangerous location within the village.   The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Supporting Communities responded that he was unaware that there were 16 social houses on the Ael y Braint estate.  Councillor Rogers expressed that most of the houses are in the ownership of a Housing Association and a mix of housing should not be allowed due to inadequate facilities for the residents;

·      Councillor Aled M Jones referred whilst accepting that the projects within the document are worthwhile he expressed that the resources towards such projects needs to be within the appropriate areas.  He expressed further that the Joint Local Development Plan has not been mentioned, which he considered to be a failing, as local people will not be afforded permission to build homes within the countryside following adoption of the Plan.

It was RESOLVED to adopt the Annual Delivery Document for 2018/19.

Councillors Aled M Jones and Bryan Owen abstained from voting.