· To submit the following Notices of Motion by Councillor Kenneth
P Hughes: -
· “We call on Anglesey County Council to adopt a blanket policy of
objection to the development of solar farms in the countryside of
Ynys Môn.”
· “We call on Anglesey County Council in view of the uncertainty in the
agricultural industry to reaffirm its commitment to Ynys Môn
agriculture by ensuring that all repairs to agricultural buildings in the
small Holdings Estate of the County Council are carried out as a
matter of urgency. Also, a review of the funding formular for the small
Holding Estate is instigated”.
· To submit the following Notice of Motion by Councillor Derek Owen: -
“We call on Anglesey County Council to seek an urgent meeting with
the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Milliband,
to enable him to confirm the start date for the Wylfa Newydd project
on the Wylfa site, Cemaes Bay.
The Wylfa site is the best site in Europe to host nuclear power station
or stations.
This follows on from the letter sent from the Llanbadrig Community
Council seeking answers recently.”
Minutes:
· Submitted – a Notice of Motion by Councillor Kenneth P Hughes :-
‘We call on Anglesey County Council to adopt a blanket policy of objection to the development of solar farms in the countryside of Ynys Môn.’
The Motion was withdrawn.
· Submitted – a Notice of Motion by Councillor Kenneth P Hughes :-
‘We call on Anglesey County Council in view of the uncertainty in the agricultural industry to reaffirm its commitment to Ynys Môn agriculture by ensuring that all repairs to agricultural buildings in the smallholdings estate of the County Council are carried out as a matter of urgency. Also, a review of the funding formula for the smallholding’s estate is instigated’.
Councillor Aled Morris Jones seconded the Motion.
Councillor Kenneth P Hughes said that the Council were previously selling smallholdings to fund maintenance of other smallholdings on the estate. The selling of smallholdings reduces the opportunities for people, with an interest in agriculture, to be able to be a tenant within the smallholding’s estate. He noted that half of the rental income from the smallholding’s estate goes into the central fund of the Council; whilst previously all the rental income went into the central fund. The tenants are waiting for months and some for over a year for repairs and maintenance to be undertaken on their smallholding. He further referred that one smallholding has been empty for a year and a half.
The Leader of the Council said this Council is proud to be the owners of the second largest proportion of smallholdings in Wales. He noted the importance of the smallholdings estate who contribution to the economy which is paramount to the Island’s prosperity. There is a challenge to fund capital funding for maintenance to the estate as there is no specific funding available from Welsh Government. He said that a Strategic Plan is to be established within the Council as regards to the smallholding’s estates and as Leader of the Council he would write to the Cabinet Member for Finance and the Cabinet Member for Rural Affairs in the Senedd, to request the release of capital funding from the current budget to be utilised for funding the maintenance of dwellings and buildings within the smallholding’s estate and to enable the Council’s zero net vision for 2030 to be realised.
The Portfolio Member for Highways, Property and Waste said there are 92 tenants within the smallholding’s estate on Anglesey which covers over 6,000 acres of land. He noted the commitment of the Council to the smallholdings estate and the agricultural industry on the Island which contributes to the rural economy and supports young people to be able to be a tenant on the estate. He further referred that currently, £300k is invested for the maintenance and to improve the standards of the estate. The Smallholding’s Strategic Policy if to be undertaken for the period of ten years has been undertaken and a cross-party Working Group is to be established to see as to how the estate can be modernised and to address the financial issue to ensure the future of the smallholdings estate.
Councillor Aled Morris Jones said that agriculture is important for the economy of the Island, and he welcomed that a Working Group was to be established to discuss the smallholding’s estate and noted that Councillor Kenneth P Hughes would be the Anglesey Independents Group representative on this group as he has the highest proportion of smallholdings within the Talybolion Ward. He questioned as to the current backlog in the maintenance of the smallholding’s estate at present. The Portfolio Member for Highways, Property and Waste responded that the details would be forwarded to Members in due course.
Councillor Douglas M Fowlie said that the Council’s Smallholdings serve as an entry point into the agricultural industry for young people. He referred to the Welsh Government’s controversial environmental policies with farmers and smallholding tenants facing stringent regulations with regards to the storage of dirty water and manure on their farms. He questioned whether the Council has carried out its own compliance audit to determine if farms meet/do not meet the Government’s criteria and what financial support can the Council provide to its tenants. He further asked as to whom will be liable for any fines imposed by Natural Resources Wales if the Council’s smallholding farms do not meet the stringent environmental regulations. The Portfolio Member for Highways, Property and Waste responded that he did not have the exact figures available, but he was sure that the Council is working to a plan to meet the environmental regulations which will need to be adhered to, and details will be afforded in due course. The Chief Executive said that written response will be afforded as regards to the responsibilities/liabilities on the storage of dirty water and manure on farms. He further referred that the Council is not able to be offering financial support to the smallholding tenants, but the matter could be raised within the letter the Leader of the Council is intending to write to Welsh Government as mentioned previously.
Councillor Aled Morris Jones requested that a Recorded Vote be undertaken. In accordance with Paragraph 4.1.18.5 of the Council’s Constitution the requires 9 Members of the Council Meeting to request a Recorded Vote was not achieved, therefore there was no recorded vote undertaken.
Following a unanimous vote:-
The Motion was carried.
· Submitted – a Notice of Motion by Councillor Derek Owen :-
‘We call on Anglesey County Council to seek an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Ed Milliband, to enable him to confirm the start date for the Wylfa Newydd project on the Wylfa site, Cemaes Bay.
The Wylfa site is the best site in Europe to host nuclear power station or stations.
This follows on from the letter sent from the Llanbadrig Community Council seeking answers recently.’
Councillor Aled Morris Jones seconded the Motion.
The Leader of the Council assured the Council of his commitment to attract a development at the Wylfa site. He noted that since becoming the Leader he has met with Lord Hunt and has invited him to Anglesey together with an invitation to Mr Michael Shanks MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. The Leader assured the Council that he would write to the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Mr Ed Milliband MP inviting him also to Anglesey to view the excellent site at Wylfa.
Councillor Derek Owen said that the North of the Island is in dire need of investment and answers need to be given as to the future of the Wylfa site.
Councillor Aled Morris Jones thanked the Leader for his strong commitment to attract development on the Wylfa site with either a large reactor or smaller Small Modular Reactors (SMR’s). He noted that Great British Nuclear has purchased the land at Wylfa and decisions need to be undertaken for the future of the site. During a meeting in the House of Commons when the previous government was in power it was decided that the issue of nuclear would not be politically driven. He referred that the current government’s priorities are that the Country is energy secure and carbon targets are met together with the nuclear industry been pivotal energy producer across the UK. The Nuclear Industry Association Conference is to be held on 5 December, 2024 and it is hoped that discussions will be undertaken as regards to the Wylfa site and its future.
Councillor Pip O’Neill said that it must be considered that there is a large proportion of people who oppose nuclear power even though it is accepted that there is a dire need for employment on the Island and especially the North of the Island. Councillor Ken Taylor expressed that his concerns are the contaminated waste from such nuclear facilities for the future generations.
The Leader said that he respected the opinion of those who are against nuclear facilities. As a Council there is a need to engage with people that have different opinions as regards to nuclear facilities and their opinions are respected to enable the economy of the island to be prosperous for the future generations.
Councillor Pip O’Neill proposed an amendment to the Notice of Motion stating that clarity is required whether the nuclear facility will be built/not built on the Wylfa Site rather than the start date of the nuclear site. Councillor Ken Taylor seconded the proposed amendment.
The Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer said that the amendment to the Notice of Motion is not acceptable as a proposal needs to add or remove words to the Motion.
Councillor Pip O’Neill withdrew his amendment to the Notice of Motion.
Following the vote:-
Councillor Ken Taylor voted against the Motion. Councillor Arfon Wyn abstained from voting.
The Motion was carried.