Agenda item

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

The report of the Chief Executive outlining the review of the delivery arrangements of the Public Services Board and monitoring the progress of the Board in the implementation of the 2023-2028 Well-being Plan was presented for the Committee’s consideration and scrutiny.

The Deputy Leader & Portfolio Member for Children, Youth & Housing Services reported that the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 places a duty on public bodies to improve the social, economic, environmental, and cultural well-being of Wales.  The Act also established the Public Services Boards across Wales with members consisting of public bodies and the third sector.  The Public Services Board works collaboratively as partner organisations to ensure that strategic plans are aligned with, and support achievement of local well-being objectives.

The Chief Executive reported that the culture of the Public Services Board has strengthen over the last 12 months, with a new Chair, Mr Aled Jones-Griffith being appointed.   He also wished to congratulate Mr Jones-Griffith on his appointment as the new Chief Executive of Grŵp Llandrillo Menai.  He said that there is pressure on residents within the local communities due to the cost-of-living crisis, resulting in poverty and well-being.  The main principles of the Council are collaborating with partner organisations and the third sector especially due to budget restraints and cuts to front line services.

The Gwynedd and Anglesey Public Services Board Programme Manager reported that the Delivery Plan of the Public Services Board will be subject to ongoing review.  Due to the previous success and ongoing focus of the Welsh Language Sub-Group, the Board agreed that it should continue in its current form.  Regional work has recently been undertaken as regards to recruiting within the public sector when the Welsh language is essential for different posts. She further said that following an independent academic assessment of the effectiveness of the other Sub-Groups, it was decided to proceed with the recommendation to set up more operational focussed Task and Finish Groups for each action of work by the Board. 

In considering the report the Committee raised the following issues:-

·         Reference was made as the Well-being Plan is underway, to what extent do the current arrangements support the delivery and what opportunities, challenges and risks face the Public Services Board going forward.  In response, the Chief Executive said that the Board has developed to align with the Well-being Plan and has matured with partner organisations sharing good practices and information. He referred to the achievement of the Welsh Language Sub-Group which has been able to share good practices within the other partner organisations to improve the use of the Welsh language within their organisations.  He said that the risk faced by the Board is similar to the local authorities as there is a lack of resources to meet the increase demand for support by local residents and communities. The structures put in place and the method of working has strengthened the Boards ability to add value. 

·         Questions were raised as to what added value has been highlighted by working in partnership within the Public Services Board and whether all partners align to the partnership working within the Board.  The Programme Manager gave examples of the work of the Board and said that one of the aims is to align the effects of poverty with the work already taking place within the local authorities and thereafter, ensuring that people are receiving the benefits they are entitled.  She referred to another example that the Board has adopted a methodology as regards to Health Wales Plan. The Chief Executive gave an example that work has been undertaken in relation to the Woodland in Newborough and the impacts of visitor numbers on the local community. Reference was also made that the issues raised by this Committee at a previous meeting as regards to statutory consultees were not responding to planning applications during the consultation process.  The Programme Manager said that the Board has been able to influence the partner organisations to respond to planning applications as statutory consultees.  The Chief Executive said that whilst the Board has influenced the partner organisations to respond to planning applications it is also beneficial that the Board partner organisations can also potentially support the local authorities as regards to the future amendments needed to the national planning policies.  

·         The Chief Executive in response to the question as regards as to whether all partner organisations align to the partnership working within the Board, he said that he considered that the commitment of all the representation of the partner organisations has strengthened and was consistent.  He referred to the Healthy Living/Health Weight programme and noted that high levels of obesity in young people have been identified on Anglesey.  Working in partnership within the Board to tackle obesity is important as a local authority is unable to tackle the problem on its own.  Questions were raised as to where the data was received to identify obesity in young people on the Island.  The Programme Manager responded that data has been shared by Public Health Wales and Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board with the Public Services Board.  Detailed information has been also received as to specific areas within local communities where obesity has been identified on Anglesey.   The Chief Executive said that further contact would be made with Public Health Wales to afford the data of the specific areas where obesity has been identified and will be shared with the Leader and the relevant Portfolio Members together with other Elected Members.

·         Reference was made that the Council and CAB Ynys Môn have received £250k from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund to help to tackle the cost-of-living crisis. Questions were raised as to how the Council will avoid duplication of the work already undertaken to address poverty and how does the Public Services Board poverty objective complement the work stream. The Programme Manager responded that the opportunity to add value as regards to the cost-of-living crises is greater due to having the partner organisations on the Board and within the Task and Finish Group addressing poverty and therefore avoiding duplication of the work undertaken.

·         Questions were raised as to whether the cost-of-living crisis will influence the ability of the Board to achieve its aims as regards to poverty.  The Programme Manager responded that the Board does not have any financial resources, but it is hoped that in sharing good practices and collaboration will support the challenges that communities are facing due to the cost-of-living crisis.  The Chief Executive said that the wording of the Well-being strategic aim is important as the Board is working with the partner organisations in addressing the effects on communities due to poverty and the cost-of-living crisis.  The Deputy Leader and Portfolio Member for Children, Youth and Housing Services expressed that the Council does not have the ability to address poverty on its own but working in partnership with the different organisations within the Board give the ability to share good practices and to target areas that are facing poverty.

It was RESOLVED to note the progress made by the Public Services Board in implementing the 2023-2028 Well-being Plan. 

ACTION : As noted above.