To submit the following Notices of Motion by:-
• Councillor Robert Llewelyn Jones
“Holyhead Port is such an important economic business for us in Ynys Môn that we as a Council must now take a lead in trying to bring a so called SOFT BREXIT to the border between Wales and the Republic of Ireland. We as a group are calling for the following action to be taken:-
1. For a letter to be sent to the Leader of the Dublin City Council from this Council stressing our desire and support for a continued free border between our two countries with an invitation for them to send a delegation over for us to talk, and to demonstrate our desire to continue
to work together.
2. For an invitation to go out to our political representatives in Westminster and Cardiff inviting them to visit us in order for us to know what they are doing to press the case for as open a border as possible between our two countries.
It is only by engaging the will of the people that we can achieve a decent solution to this looming crisis that could have a devastating effect on the port of Holyhead and the port of Dublin”.
• Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas
That Anglesey County Council:-
1. promotes plastic free ventures and promotes and supports such events.
2. works towards reducing the use of disposable plastic used at its sites and schools.
3. encourages businesses to use less disposable plastic.
4. elects a representative on the coastal no-plastic Group.
• Councillor Nicola Roberts
This Council calls:-
1. For the UK Government to delay the introduction of Universal Credit.
2. For Welsh Government to insist on devolution powers to vary how Universal Credit is paid in Wales.
Minutes:
Submitted – the following Notices of Motions by:-
· Councillor Robert Llewelyn Jones
“Holyhead Port is such an important economic business for us in Ynys Môn that we as a Council must now take a lead in trying to bring a so call SOFT BREXIT to the border between Wales and the Republic of Ireland. We as a group are calling for the following action to be taken:-
1. For a letter to be sent to the Leader of the Dublin City Council from this Council stressing our desire and support for a continued free border between our two countries with an invitation for them to send a delegation over for us to talk, and to demonstrate our desire to continue to work together.
2. For an invitation to go out to our political representatives in Westminster and Cardiff inviting them to visit us in order for us to know what they are doing to press the case for as open a border as possible between our two countries.
It is only be engaging the will of the people that we can achieve a decent solution to this looming crisis that could have a devastating effect on the Port of Holyhead and the Port of Dublin.”
Councillor Bryan Owen seconded the motion.
Councillor Robert Ll Jones said that he and many others are concerned as the how the Brexit deal will have an effect on the economy of the Island. He said that this Authority needs to be in contact with Dublin City Council to make sure that the traffic travelling to and from the Welsh Ports are able to travel freely without the need for customs checks. He said that having the right approach after leaving the EU both Councils need to work together to stop traffic blocking the roads towards the Port of Holyhead due to customs procedures. He said that it is imperative that trading with Ireland continues as it is vital for the local economy and to secure employment for local people at the Port of the Holyhead. Councillor Jones asked the Council to support that a letter be sent to the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council requesting a meeting between both authorities to show the willingness to work together for a free border between both countries. He said that local politicians need to keep this authority informed as to what procedures are to be put in place to safeguard the free flow of traffic between Holyhead and Ireland.
Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development said that he agreed as to the importance of the Port of Holyhead to the economy of the Island and was concerned with the uncertainty and challenges that Brexit will be for the Port. He said that as Portfolio Holder he has met with Captain Wyn Parry, Stena’s Head of Irish Sea Operations to voice concerns as to the future of the Port. He further said that he has written in November 2017 to Mr David Davies MP, the Minister for Exiting the European Union and Mr Alun Cairns AM, the Secretary of State for Wales expressing the importance of the Port to the economy of Anglesey and to secure employment where 650 people are currently employed with 80% of these posts being full time. He said that he had further raised whether the appropriate infrastructure to include new border rules and customs checks are in place and whether appropriate space exist within the Port boundary to carry out such checks. He further said that the Port at Holyhead is of an International importance to Wales and the UK as it is the third busiest UK Port for short sea ferry passenger numbers and accompanied passenger car traffic. The Port is the seventh busiest UK port for carrying goods vehicles and trailer traffic and also transports 76% of ‘ro-ro freight’ units handled by Welsh ports. The Port is the busiest cruise port in Wales with 43 ships welcomed to the area. He noted that the Secretary of State for Wales had responded and noted that the Prime Minister had recently outlined the intention to maintain the Common Travel Area (an open border area comprising the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands). The UK Government’s intention is to ensure that traffic continues to flow freely at all UK ports, with new custom arrangements and mechanisms being sought to maintain frictionless trade. Officials from the Wales Office, HM Revenue and Customs and the Department of Transport have met with representatives of the Border Force and Stena Line to discuss the practical implications of Brexit and how they could be mitigated. A new HM Revenue and Customs-led ‘Welsh Ports and Airport Boarder Planning Steering Group has been established to consider the pressures on ports following the exit from the EU. This could be an exciting time for the Island, with the possibility of the Wylfa Newydd development creating significant and permanent advantages. Border control changes and practices should not restrict these opportunities and our vision for the Port as being of strategic importance to the United Kingdom following Brexit. Councillor Carwyn Jones said that he fully supported the motion before the Council.
Councillor Bryan Owen questioned whether an invitation is to be extended to representatives from Dublin City Council to meet to discuss implications as regards to Brexit and the effect on the Port of Holyhead. He said that this Council needs to be proactive to move forward negotiations with Dublin. The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development responded that he will invite representatives from Dublin City Council to meet to discuss the concerns of Brexit on the Port of Holyhead and he assured that he would inform the Members of this Council as to the result of these negotiations in due course.
Councillor T Ll Hughes MBE said that he had concerns that the ships from the Port of Dublin, who carry passengers and containers, will travel directly to France and Belgium following the United Kingdom coming out of the EU. He said it is imperative that negotiations take place as a matter of urgency with Dublin City Council.
Councillor Shaun Redmond said that whilst he was not against the motion; it seems that the feelings of the Members is that only reversing the Brexit vote will resolve potential problems at the Port of Holyhead. Councillor Redmond said that he was not aware as to what a hard or soft Brexit means and coming out of the EU needs to be able to protect Ports such as Holyhead. Politicians from both side of the Irish Sea and Brussels need to start negotiating. The Portfolio Holder for Major Projects and Economic Development responded that there is a need to look positively to the future as Brexit will bring challenges but having the best for the Island is paramount.
In the ensuing vote it was RESOLVED that the motion be carried.
· Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas
That Anglesey County Council:-
1. promotes plastic free ventures and promotes and supports such events.
2. works towards reducing the use of disposable plastic used at its sites and schools.
3. encourages businesses to use less disposable plastic.
4. elects a representative on the Coastal no-plastic Group.
Councillor T Ll Hughes MBE seconded the motion.
Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas said that the disposal of single use plastics is a dire issue that needs to be addressed. He said that he became aware of the problem whilst walking on Trearddur Bay beach one morning and he saw a seal struggling with a plastic bag caught in its mouth; he said that it was a heart breaking experience to watch such an instance. Councillor Thomas said that the issue of plastic in the oceans has been highlighted and gained media attention in recent months due to the efforts of Sir David Attenborough, who has exposed the dangers of waste to marine life through his BBC wildlife programme Blue Planet II. He further said that attitudes on disposal of plastics and waste must change with the need for politicians, the public and private sectors to work together to reduce the use of single use plastics to improve the environment for the benefit of future generations. Councillor Thomas afforded the Council with examples of different single use plastics together with examples of materials that are biodegradable such as cardboard straws and cotton buds. He said that supermarkets needs to reconsider the need for such large plastic and packaging on their goods and fishermen need to consider when disposing fishing tackle and ropes into the sea.
Councillor Thomas referred to a launch meeting held on the 25th February, 2018 at the Oystercatcher Hotel, Rhosneigr which was arranged by the Surfers Against Sewage – Anglesey. The meeting was attended by both Mr Albert Owen MP and Mr Rhun ap Iorwerth AM and all that attended pledged to support the campaign of ‘Plastic Free Anglesey’. He said that he hoped that Anglesey can be the first in Wales to be plastic free and there is a need to educate children within the authority’s school as regard to this issue of disposal of single use plastics.
The Portfolio Holder for Highways, Waste and Property responded that he totally agreed with the campaign to reduce the use of single plastic use and said that the education within schools as to recycling and reducing the use of plastics is paramount. He noted that the Waste Section already attend school to educate the necessity of recycling and considered that the Officers from the Waste Section could also promote the reduction of plastic use and the dangers to wildlife due to these plastics.
Councillor Bryan Owen said that as the Opposition Group they were fully supportive of the campaign of single use plastic free. He said that the Opposition Group had contacted Mr Richard Walton, Environmentalist who has been in contact with the Highways and Waste Department which in turn has produced a bilingual logo with the words ‘Codwch y Plastic - Pick up the Plastic’ and a picture of a fish with a tear in it eye and a plastic bottle in its stomach. The Opposition Group ascertained if the Council would adopt this logo and for it to be placed on every Council sign on the Island.
The Leader of the Council said that the logo produced by Mr Walton was received, in the first instance, in an English version only but it has now been translated into both languages. As Leader she has already discussed with the Head of Highways, Property and Waste if this logo could be shared with local primary and secondary schools. It has been confirmed and the stickers are to be placed on signs on beaches and any other County Council signs. She further said that both the Portfolio Holders for Highways, Waste and Property and Major Project and Economic Development have been working closely with the Highways Department to move this campaign forward.
Councillor Carwyn Jones said that the campaign for Anglesey Plastic Free is gaining momentum with people wanting to protect the environment and wildlife. He said he was concerned with retailers pushing offers on goods with outrageous single use plastic packaging; it is a corporate responsibility of these companies to reduce the use of plastic packaging. Councillor Jones further said that the Council has a joint agreement with ‘Keep Tidy Wales’ and Natural Resources Wales to keep beaches clean in consultation with Surfers Against Sewage.
The Leader proposed an amendment to the motion that Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas be nominated to the Coastal no-plastic Group. Councillor Ieuan Williams seconded the proposal.
In the ensuing vote it was RESOLVED that the motion be carried with an amendment that Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas be nominated to the Coastal no-plastic Group.
· Councillor Nicola Roberts
“This Council calls:-
1. For the UK Government to delay the introduction of Universal Credit.
2. For Welsh Government to insist on devolution powers to vary how Universal Credit is paid in Wales.”
Councillor R Meirion Jones seconded the motion.
Councillor Nicola Roberts said the introduction of the Universal Credit will take place on Anglesey in June this year. She conveyed her dire concerns on the effect of financial hardship on families and individuals. It has been reported that following the roll out of Universal Credit in Flintshire, people have been waiting up to 12 to 16 weeks for their Universal Credit to be sorted and to receive payments. She further said that the system for applying for Universal Credit is complicated and the forms are electronic; some people do not have access to computers and internet connection and are having to go to their local libraries and local authority offices. Councillor Roberts said that the UK Government needs to delay the introduction of Universal Credit and that Welsh Government should insist on devolved powers to vary as to how Universal Credit is paid in Wales. She noted that the Scottish Government has had superior devolvement power than Welsh Government with the introduction of Universal Credit.
Councillor Alun Mummery, Portfolio Holder for Housing Services responded that he fully supported the need the delay to introduction of Universal Credit on the Island which was to be implemented in April 2018, but has been move forward to June. He said that a letter was sent by the Chair of the WLGA on behalf of all the local authorities in Wales to ask the UK Government to pause wider role out of Universal Credit until improvements to the roll out of the scheme and to take into consideration the experiences of claimants within areas which Universal Credit has been rolled out. A response was received in December 2017 by Mr Damian Hinds MP, Minister of State for the Department of Work and Pensions offering no delay in the rolling out of Universal Credit only listing minor amendments such as free customer service telephone calls. He expressed that he considered that political procedures should be undertaken as regard to the second part of the motion to the Council.
Councillor Mummery further said that the Housing Department has arranged a series of briefing hub meeting on the introduction of Universal Credit with an invitation to any person to attend. The hub meetings have been well attended over the last 7 months with outside organisation contributing to the meetings and representatives from the Offices of the Member of Parliament and Assembly Member having also attended these meetings so as to be able to help and support people when the introduction of Universal Credit takes place in June. He said that 5,000 claimants will await to be transferred to the Universal Credit system and the Department of Works and Pensions has already rolled out the system to 526 single persons under 35 years of age. Councillor Mummery highlighted the resources put in place to support claimants as follows :-
· 8 computer hubs will have been introduced at different locations on the Island;
· ‘Bring a Tin a Month’ campaign which will support food banks with a number of public sector partners having signed up to the campaign;
· Questionnaire sent out to assess computer skills which has resulted in better results in IT skills than expected;
· Road Show around the Island with information as regard to Universal Credit with information shared with Town/Community Council in respect of these road shows;
· Information pamphlet is to be circulated to the residents of the Island;
· Training for 80 employees through the Child Poverty Action Group;
· A member of staff attends half a day a week within Job Centres providing information as regard to roll out of Universal Credit.
Councillor Mummery said that he also has concerns as to the effect of the introduction of Universal Credit on vulnerable families with the possibility of children having to go without food. He also said that some private landlords are still not registered in order to comply with the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 which could see some families being evicted from their homes whilst awaiting for their Universal Credit to be confirmed.
Councillor Nicola Roberts said that she accepted that there is an extensive platform for discussing devolvement of powers but questioned as to why the people of Scotland should have more rights than the people of Wales. Universal Credit will be introduced on the Island in June which is near the schools summer holidays; it is a fact that the pressure on food banks is much higher during school holidays.
The Leader of the Council said that as Portfolio Holder for Social Services she is also concerned as to the effect of the introduction of the Universal Credit on vulnerable families and children. She said that she is willing as Leader of the Council to send any letters to delay the introduction of the Universal Credit on the Island.
In the ensuing vote it was RESOLVED that the motion be carried.
(Councillors K P Hughes, Shaun Redmond and Peter Rogers abstained from voting).