Agenda item

To receive a presentation by Menter Môn.

The Chair welcomed Mr Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director and Elen Hughes, Project Director – Menter Môn to the meeting to give an overview of the services provided by Menter Môn.

The Leader of the Council, as the relevant Portfolio Holder, presented the item and handed over to Menter Môn officers. Mr Dafydd Gruffydd, Managing Director, said that Menter Môn was established by the County Council in 1995, and this year the company is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. In 1996, a decision was made to establish the organisation as a ‘not for profit’ company to provide the EU’s LEADER programme that was aimed at developing solutions for the challenges that faced rural areas.

The enterprise has developed over the years, completing regional and national projects, but the variety and emphasis of the work on Anglesey has been consistent. Today, 80 members of staff are employed by the enterprise, with a medium age average of 35. The company’s values have stayed the same. They prioritise developing potential to strengthen the economy and culture. The company focuses on three main portfolios which are Community, Economy and Energy. They find, create and offer opportunities to support and develop people, strengthen the economy, improve the environment and vitalise their culture.

The Managing Director said that the relationship between Menter Môn and Anglesey County Council has improved. Regular meetings are held with the Council’s Chief Executive, and the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council are also Menter Môn board members.

Following the presentation, the following discussion points were raised by the Committee:

Questions were asked about the effects of uncertainty regarding public funding (grants) and the company’s ability to achieve its priorities/key aims.

• Councillor Margaret Roberts asked, what effect does uncertainty regarding public funding have on Menter Môn’s ability to achieve its main priorities and aims? The Managing Director said that many grant planning programmes were available around 10 years ago, but today, there’s more uncertainty around community planning. They aren’t transformational, but the keep the wheel turning. The enterprise is waiting to see what will happen with Balchder Bro. The Chief Executive said that he doesn’t underestimate the way in which the enterprise has to work with different funding processes, as they constantly change. Consistency makes a real difference to the possibility of realising capital projects. Over the last 4 years, Anglesey’s Local Prosperity Fund has granted 5 million (500 million to the whole of Wales). Unfortunately, it seems that less grant funding will be available in the future, which makes it even more important to concentrate on language, energy and wildlife.
• Councillor Gwilym Jones referred to the extraordinary work of the previous director at Menter Môn, Gerallt Llywelyn. He asked what percentage of the funding is being spent on Anglesey, and how much is provided to the mainland? Dafydd Gruffydd said that some plans are relevant to both counties, and some are relevant only to one county, but the amounts spent has to be reported to funders. At times, it is speculated that funding for Anglesey is spent over the bridge, and vice versa, but he confirmed that this isn’t true. If the company continued to only work on Anglesey, it might not exist today. It’s an advantage to have an able company that employs 80 young people.
• Councillor Douglas Fowlie thanked Dafydd Griffydd for his presentation. He said that he represented Aberffraw Community Council and that Menter Môn once sold Cegin Llys Llywelyn to fund the gap in pensions. He asked if that was true and what assurance is there that Menter Môn would not sell community assets to fund any gap again? Dafydd Gruffydd confirmed that Cegin Llys Llywelyn was sold back in 2013 under the leadership of Gerallt Llywelyn Jones, as the asset wasn’t being used. They received funding from Europe to renew the asset to become a hospitality business and a launderette, and it ran like that for 10 years. There was a mutual feeling that Menter Môn wasn’t the appropriate leader to run that sort of organisation, therefore it was sold, and the money was used to start the Morlais Project (around 100 million). He highlighted the Menter Môn is a non-profit company that is currently facing extreme challenges, and the money certainly wasn’t spent on pensions. Gerallt Llywelyn Jones’ work is an attribute to Anglesey, and he has achieved something remarkable.

Questions were asked about monitoring developments, achievements, and key challenges since Menter Môn met with the Scrutiny Committee last in October 2024.

• Councillor Euryn Morris asked what measures or performance indicators are in place to assess the social and economic effects of Menter Môn’s projects on the Island’s communities? What steps have Menter Môn taken to keep experienced staff and attract new staff? Dafydd Gruffydd said that there are key performance indicators for each scheme, and that they are collected and reported on. This is on the ‘to do’ list to show how Menter Môn enrichens Ynys Môn. In regard to attracting staff, they feel they have been more professional recruiting Human Resources staff to tighten policies and processes.
• Councillor Non Dafydd asked what steps have Menter Môn taken to deal with the challenge of keep experienced staff and attracting new talent to the company? The Managing Director said the company needs to be portrayed as an interesting workplace with plenty of variety. Good terms are available for staff members, and a positive number of people are interviewed for jobs.
• In regard to the Hydrogen Hub, Councillor Pip O’Neill asked what challenges Menter Môn face as they move forward. Dafydd Gruffydd said that a draft business case and a final business case are being completed, and that an agreement with ‘EDF Dynamics’ need to be signed. It doesn’t receive funding for the work, therefore it is all capital funding. It is a challenge to fund all the preparations.
• Councillor Ken Taylor said that it was nice seeing the enterprise celebrating all its success. He noted that the County Council has employed 4 young students and asked if that’s something Menter Môn offers? Dafydd Gruffydd said that the Llwyddo’n Lleol scheme is something that’s very close to their hearts. The type of work that the organisation does at the moment isn’t something that can be used in apprenticeships.  A lot of work has been done with Morlais to engage with young people, and maybe work will be available to them in the future. It’s important to note that energy schemes are essentially regeneration schemes. Keeping young people in the area would promote the Welsh language.    
• The Chair noted that there are strong strategic links between Menter Môn and the Council, but he was concerned that there wasn’t as much connection between Menter Môn and the wards. The process might need to be formalised. Elen Hughes said that Menter Môn staff are instructed to contact Local Members when activities happen, especially with Balchder Bro. Currently working in 30 locations across the island. It isn’t always possible to monitor connections with members, but more than happy to consider that and report back. It was appreciated that strengthening communication would benefit the enterprise.                

Action 1:

Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of working with Menter Môn and Local Members to strengthen and formalise the process, noting improvement areas.

• Councillor Gwilym Jones gave his thanks for the information shared about the Traffwll Solar Park and the excellent age friendly work, Balchder Bro, that is being done. He referred to the Parti Paned in the Glanhwfa Centre and the Age Well events held over the winter, and said that without Menter Môn, this wouldn’t have been possible.
• Councillor Non Dafydd said that she was aware of the differentiating feelings regarding solar on Anglesey. She said that some of her concerns were visibility and jobs, and she asked how to portray to the people of Bryngwran and Caergeiliog that Menter Môn is developing something good for the area and the people? The Managing Director said that Traffwll has received planning permission and that money has been spent, therefore it is definitely happening. A request was made for them to sell the Park to Menter Môn so that benefits were kept local. He accepted the point regarding jobs, but it is a good thing if it’s possible to use the money. A discussion is needed with local members on how to model this.
• Councillor Douglas Fowlie said that councillors should take responsibility if they need anything done in their own area. He asked what Menter Môn would like to see from councillors to strengthen the relationship? Dafydd Gruffydd said maybe it was a matter of picking up the phone or sending an email. Anyone is welcome to contact him, or any member of staff. Elen added that they are arranging a series of face to face meetings with each ward. Cooperation to move this along is appreciated.
• Councillor Gary Pritchad explained some points that had been raised during the discussion. He said that he is aware that they receive less funding this year, and that it looks as though they’ll receive even less next year. It’s a challenge that is discussed regularly with Dafydd and Elen and the Executive. The community element is incredibly important. As part of his role as Leader and Portfolio Holder, it is recognised that there are many benefits to the enterprise that aren’t recognised under the key performance indicators. There is a financial challenge, but praise need to be given to Menter Môn. He wanted to thank them for all their work and for making a real difference in Anglesey.

IT WAS RESOLVED TO accept the presentation and its content.