Agenda item

To submit the Council Leaders’ Annual Report in accordance with paragraphs 4.1.11 of the Constitution.

The Annual Report of the Leader of the Council for 2019/20 was presented.

The Leader of the Council provided highlights of the progress that was achieved in the preceding year as follows:-

·      Business Units continue to be developed on the Island.  The new units in Llangefni have already been filled and the new Units in Holyhead continue to attract a considerable number of enquiries;

·      North Anglesey Recovery Plan – following Rehau’s decision to close the factory in Amlwch, the Executive decided to support the area by agreeing the North Anglesey Economic Recovery Plan - ££495,000 was received from the NDA for this work;

·      Energy Island Programme – continue to support the Energy Island programme to support economic development based on energy generation;

·      North Wales Growth Bid – the six North Wales leaders signed the ‘Heads of Terms’ with both Governments in order to progress the North Wales Growth Bid to the next stage;

·      Arfor – a grant scheme for businesses to develop and use the Welsh language;

·      Supply and construction of Housing – 104 empty homes returned to use for households.  6 sites across the Island are been developed for housing;

·      Llawr y Dref – refurbishment scheme has been completed;

·      Trac and Adtrac – the scheme has worked successfully with a group of young people;

·      Leisure – upgrade of the fitness room at Plas Arthur and a grant was received to fund a small 3G pitch at David Hughes, Menai Bridge;

·      Market Hall, Holyhead – the Hall was opened following major repairs after being vacant for years.  The Library has been incorporated into the new building;

·      Parc Adfer – opened in Deeside as a recycling centre serving 5 North Wales authorities.  This development will generate electricity from the waste;

·      Rationalizing the Council’s Energy Use;

·      Flood Prevention Scheme – in Llansadwrn, Pentraeth and Beaumaris;

·      Foster Parents – a number of foster parents increased during the year;

·      Care Centres – childcare cabins at Ysgol Morswyn, Holyhead and Ysgol Pencarnisiog;

·      Denu Talent – scheme was successful again this year with 9 young people taking advantage of the opportunity provided under the scheme;

·      Place Shaping – in collaboration with Medrwn Môn;

·      Engaging with young people – invitation given to schools to be able to visit the Council to raise awareness of the Council’s services.

The Leader reported on the response of the Authority to the Covid-19 pandemic and she wished to thank the Chief Executive and the Senior Leadership Team together with all the staff of the Council for their work in protecting the vulnerable within the communities and support those in need.  She wished to thank the partnership working between the third party organisations to create community support for the residents of the Island.    The Deputy Leader of the Council said that he wished to thank the Leader for her work as regards to the pandemic and has been attending numerous daily internal meetings, regional meetings and meetings with the WLGA. He also said that the Leader worked closely with Public Health Wales as regards to the outbreak at the 2 Sisters factory in Llangefni.  

The Council was given the opportunity to ask questions of the Leader on the contents of the Annual Report.

Councillor Peter Rogers said that young people of the Island needs support.  There is no playarea in the Dwyran area now as the school has been closed due to the modernisation of schools programme and it is the intention to build on the land which is on a floodplain. The Leader responded that there was a playarea in Dwyran put it had to be closed as it did not conform to required standards.  She suggested that the local community needs to establish a committee to attract grants to have a playarea in Dwyran similar to other communities on the Island. 

It was RESOLVED to receive the Leader of the Council’s report and to note its contents.