Agenda item

To submit a report by the Programme Manager, Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board.

Submitted – a report by the Programme Manager, Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board in relation to the above.

The Leader of the Council said that the report highlights the progress and delivery of the Well-being Plan by the Public Services Board. She noted that the pandemic has slowed the progress of the Sub-Groups which support the implementation of the work of the Board, but now all the Sub-Groups are revisiting their work plans. The Public Services Board has continued to meet during the pandemic period which demonstrates the commitment of the Board to the work.

The Programme Manager, Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board gave an update on the progress of the Sub-Groups. She noted that of each of the Sub-Group are led by a member of the Board. A workshop was undertaken in September 2020 to discuss the Board’s role in the recovery of the pandemic. It was agreed that the role of the Board is to keep an overview of the work that is currently undertaken by the organisations. At the last meeting of the Board the Sub-Groups were challenged to report on their work undertaken as regards to their work plans and achievements; each Leader of the Sub-Groups will give an update report to the next full meeting of the Board. The Programme Manager reported on the each Sub-Group as follows:-

·      Homes Sub-Group – the sub-group has a part-time project manager who ensures that the project operates to an expected timetable and resources. The purpose of the sub-group is to look for opportunities to develop innovative housing, which complement and not duplicate the work arising from the Anglesey housing strategy. One site at Maes Mona, Amlwch has been identified for development in the near future.

·      Climate Change Sub-Group – the sub-group over the last few months has focused on revising their work plan since the delay due to the onset of the pandemic. A workshop was undertaken in January, 2021 to attract a wider representation of public organisations. The sub-group has identified that they need to consider how to engage with communities, to focus on long term

objectives and to identify the role of each organisation when faced with flooding issues.

·      Health and Care Integrated Sub-Group – this sub-group is an example of good practise that has added value towards current plans with professional officers being able to share experiences and joint working. The Sub-Group continues to address specific aspects such as children, adults, mental health, learning disabilities and transformation. The need to work together, share information and ensure easy access to services was recognised as a common purpose for all work streams.

·      Welsh Language Sub-Group – Mr Aled Jones Griffith of Coleg Llandrillo a Menai has now agreed to take the role of leading the sub-group which will be approved by the Board at the meeting in March. The Sub-Group is to consider its work plan for the coming months. The Sub-Group was to view the use of the Welsh language as members of the public make initial contact with public organisations and it intended to conduct a study to consider the language us in reception areas with the hope of increasing the use of the Welsh language.

The Programme Manager referred to the Well-being Assessments and it is intended to engage and consult with Anglesey residents from the 6 well-being areas. It is intended to work closely with the Council and other partners in order to engage effectively and try to avoid duplication. In addition the Public Services Board will publish its Annual Report by June 2021.

The Committee considered the report and made the following main points:-

·      Questions were raised as to how the Public Services Board assures that the work undertaken does not duplicate the work already afforded by the local authorities. The Programme Manager responded that as regards to the established Sub-Groups there is a representative from the local authorities on each of the sub-groups and this gives an opportunity to highlight any duplication of work streams the sub-group intends to undertake and to make sure it adds value to the intended projects. The Chief Executive gave an example of the work streams as regards to identifying land for development of innovative housing which has materialised from the work of the sub-groups;

·      Questions were raised as to the future of the Public Services Board due to the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill being passed by the Senedd on 18 November, 2020 and the established Corporate Joint Committees across Wales. It was considered that it will be a challenge for local authorities to manage to attend and work within different established organisations in the future. The Leader of the Council responded that the establishment of Public Services Board was to address the statutory obligations of the Well-being of Future Generations Act. It is also important to assure a strong representation on a local footprint for the Public Services Board within the regional landscape;

·         Questions were raised as to the role of the Board during the recovery period following the pandemic. The Programme Manager responded that the Sub-Groups have revisited their work plans. The Board also held a workshop in September 2020 to discuss the role of the Public Services Board in the recovery work. It is expected that individual organisations will report to the Board to endure that work is undertaken to restore local communities following the pandemic. The Chair ascertained whether further questionnaires were to be distributed as regards to the well-being assessments; reporting that communities of Anglesey had already been asked to participate in a range of questionnaires. He noted that the response to the questionnaires and engagement sessions during the last round of the well-being assessment had been disappointing. The Programme Manager responded that the approach as to gather evidence as regards to the well-being assessment this time round had not been decided until it is clear as to the requirements and expectations. This will be discussed further at the next Public Services Board meeting;

·         Questions were raised as to the work undertaken by the Climate Change Sub-Group and whether discussion are undertaken as regards to Global Warming. The Programme Manager responded that the Climate Change Sub-Group focuses on organisations working together to address flooding issues. The Sub-Group is reviewing its work programme to enable improvements to organisations working within the local communities. Members raised that this Committee should receive regular updates on the work undertaken as regards to the Authority’s efforts to reduce carbon footprint. The Chief Executive said that work is undertaken on issues regionally as part of the National Strategy to reduce carbon footprint. The Authority is focusing on a strategy plan to reduce climate change and reducing carbon footprint within the services of the Council and regular update reports will be available. She noted that the Public Services Boards has agreed to focus on flooding issues and the role of community engagement when communities are faced with flooding in their areas.

It was RESOLVED to note the progress of the work of the Public Services Board.

ACTION : As noted above.