skip to main content

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Siambr Hywel Dda - Council Offices, Caernarfon. View directions

Contact: Lowri Haf Evans Email: lowrihafevans@gwynedd.llyw.cymru  01286 679 878

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

APOLOGIES

To receive any apologies for absence.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Craig ab Iago, Dilwyn Morgan, Mike Stevens and Glyn Thomas

2.

DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST

To receive any declaration of personal interest

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None to note

3.

URGENT ITEMS

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chairman for consideration.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None to note

4.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 378 KB

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held on 19.5.2016 be signed as a true record. 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, that took place on 19 May 2016, were accepted as a true record subject to amending the attendance of Members in the English version.

5.

ANNUAL COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP UPDATE pdf icon PDF 272 KB

Cabinet Member – Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn

 

Report submitted by Delivery Manager Community Safety Gwynedd and Môn on the strategic development of the Partnership

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

a)            Dyfrig Siencyn (Cabinet Member for Community Safety), Catherine Roberts (Delivery Manager – Gwynedd and Anglesey Community Safety) and Chief Inspector Mark Armstrong (North Wales Police) were welcomed to the meeting.

           

b)            The Cabinet Member highlighted that the partnership's work remit was extensive and complex and the main aim was to keep our communities safe.  Attention was drawn to the report that traced the background of the services and the resources together with the partnership's work. It was noted that accountability was challenging as it was necessary to work jointly with the Local Services Board and the Regional Partnerships. He added that there was good collaboration with Anglesey.

 

c)            It was explained that the Partnership was required to formally report to the Committee on an annual basis providing an overview of the Partnership's main strategic developments over the year together with the commissioning work that sets the framework for priorities. This ensured that the Partnership delivered its obligations in accordance with sections of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2006.  

 

ch)         In response to questions from Members directed to the Partnership following the preparatory meeting, the following observations were given:

 

·         Untaxed cars. Reference was made to the relevant website where details could be inputted. It was noted that it was the Police who dealt with untaxed cars with the cooperation of the DVLA.

·         Parking unused cars - did not appear to be a Police priority, however, the Chief Inspector highlighted that this was incorrect and the Police collaborated with the Council's Enforcement Services and the DVLA to resolve these issues. The Police were encouraged to collaborate with Housing Associations

·         Availability of a Local Police Officer - it was highlighted that Police station phone number were not shared - this was implemented centrally.  It was agreed that paperwork dominated police work but every effort was being made to improve the local situation.  One of these improvements was the presence of PCSO's on our streets.  

·         The OWL (Online Watch Link) Scheme - It was noted that approximately £30k of the scheme's cost was funded by the Police.  It was reported that the scheme had ended as insufficient numbers had registered with the scheme and that social media such as Twitter and Facebook worked better  

·         Schemes supporting the priorities. It was reported that 26 schemes in 2015/16 were green, eight were amber and one was red.  It was noted that a number of the amber schemes had transferred to the 2016/17 scheme.

·         Nuisance Calls.  It was reported that the Police had cooperated with the Trading Standards Department to try and safeguard older, vulnerable people.  It was noted that the 'Truecall' device had been promoted and had been successful.

·         Antisocial behaviour powers had been adopted. It was reported that Gwynedd, like Anglesey, had now completed the process of adopting these powers since July 2016.

·         Transferring the WISDOM Team (which included officers from the Police and Probation Service) to work from the Penrallt Council Building.  This was a Service where the two agencies collaborate closely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

PERFORMANCE OVERVIEW REPORT pdf icon PDF 400 KB

Cabinet Members - Poverty, Deprivation, the Economy, Housing and the Environment,

 

Councillor Mandy Williams-Davies                 Economy and Community

Councillor Ioan Thomas                                  Deprivation and Housing

Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn                               Language                   

Councillor John Wynn Jones                          Environment

Councillor Dafydd Meurig                               Regulatory

 

Consider the report of the Council Leader

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In accordance with the Council’s performance management system, an overview of the Council's performance was submitted focusing on Poverty, Deprivation, Economy, Housing, The Welsh Language and the Environment.  It was highlighted that the report addressed the transformational plans included in the Strategic Plan and drew attention to the performance measures that were important to the people of Gwynedd and central to the Council's day to day work.

 

i.       The Economy Field

 

a.    High value, quality jobs - it was highlighted that a project by the Welsh Government to sell the potential of Gwynedd to developers had played a prominent role in creating 35 high-value jobs in the County (definition of high value job was a salary of £26,500+).

b.    Attention was drawn to 15 jobs at NMI Gaming Parc Menai: there were a number of opportunities here with the potential to create approximately 200 jobs in the County: need to consider appropriate skills, mindsets and being creative to seek the best benefit from these opportunities 

c.    High value profile allocation - it was reported that money would not be paid until after the event.  Opportunity to evaluate how many opportunities local companies have had to provide e.g. food and accommodation and the opportunities to share images of the County.

 

Matters arising from the discussion:

-        There was no money for investment and therefore it was necessary to be creative when considering implementation methods in areas such as Dwyfor and Meirionnydd. It was suggested that the Council should act as an enabler - this was a significant challenge.  Grants and resources were getting scarce and it was difficult to regenerate the economy without funding - it was necessary to be pioneering and use the available tools and resources better.

-        Tourism was the area's main economy - there was no sufficient support available from the Council to attract people in

-        The investments at Zip World and Parc Menai were addressed, however, it was disappointing that there was no reference to the investment at Plas Heli, Pwllheli 

-        Need to extend the walking/cycling paths in Penllyn

-        In the context of the percentage of customers who were satisfied with the Museums and Arts service - it was suggested that the baseline should be set prior to discussing the cuts

-        Lloyd George Museum - they had to try and work in a different way to save the service

-        A suggestion to adapt the wording of the report to reflect cuts

 

ii.      Housing Field

 

a)    Working Together against Poverty project comprised two priorities - spatial poverty and population poverty.  It was noted that research by the Council had identified that 6,500 homes in Gwynedd were being affected by the Welfare Reform Act.  It was highlighted that priority would be given to one parent households.

b)    Tackling Poverty Agenda - this did not percolate through the Council's departments and therefore it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

STREET ENFORCEMENT SCRUTINY INVESTIGATION PROPOSALS pdf icon PDF 358 KB

Cabinet Member: Councillor John Wynn Jones

 

Consider the Scrutiny Investigation Group Report

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The scrutiny investigation report on Street Enforcement was submitted to the Cabinet Member John Wynn Jones.  All were reminded by Councillor Angela Russell (as Councillor Annwen Daniels, Chair of the investigation had to leave the meeting early) of the background to the brief and a summary of the work undertaken was provided.

 

b)         The Cabinet Member reiterated his thanks to the members for their thorough investigation, and having consulted with many people, it was recognised that the report was a fair reflection of the work.

 

c)         During the discussion, the following observations were noted:

 

           That the investigation offered a creative response e.g. using an external company to set fines in order that the internal unit may focus on elements such as training and raising awareness

           A suggestion that businesses should contribute towards the maintenance of roundabouts through sponsorship

           Consultation with schools was key - people had to be educated to protect the environment

           There were opportunities here for culture change

 

In response, the Cabinet Member accepted the need to be creative.  It was reported that good work to raise awareness and successful campaigns were being undertaken by the Enforcement Unit.  If it was determined to use an external company to set fines, it had to be ensured that every Councillor supported the decision and that an effective engagement scheme was in place. 

 

RESOLVED to accept the report, accept the recommendations in it and seek a report back by the Cabinet Member within approximately 6-9 months on what had been achieved following the recommendations.

8.

REVIEW OF RIGHTS OF WAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN pdf icon PDF 148 KB

Cabinet Member: Councillor Dafydd Meurig

 

Consider the Cabinet Members Report

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

a)         A report was submitted by the Cabinet Member on the proposal to review and update the Rights of Way Improvement Plan and receive the Committee's initial input to the process.  It was explained that the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 placed a duty on authorities to prepare and publish a Rights of Way Improvement Plan.   It was added that there was a statutory requirement to review the plan every 10 years and Gwynedd needed to undertake a review before November 2017.

 

b)         It was highlighted that the Welsh Government had published a guidance for Local Authorities which explained the procedure and steps to be taken to undertake the review together with the preparation for a new plan.  The Authority had to consider the purpose and use of the Plan as a document that encompassed the Authority's duties and sets priorities in the field of rights of way and access by foot, bicycle and on horseback.

 

c)         Since the plan's publication in 2007, it was reported that major changes had influenced this field, such as cuts in maintenance budgets for the network of paths, the coming and influence of new legislation that overlapped the access field, together with a general growth in the call for high standard paths and facilities and a recognition of their importance to the tourism industry.

 

ch)         The Committee was requested to agree that there was a need and justification to prepare a new plan for Gwynedd and to be supportive of the intention to review the plan.

 

d)         In response to a question regarding the network in the County, the Senior Manager Planning and Environment noted that the existing plan prioritised popular paths and therefore this was where resources were placed. It was added that a review would give Gwynedd an opportunity to look again at the priorities in terms of network maintenance rather than prioritise the most popular paths. He added that reviewing the plan would be a valuable task.

 

dd)       In response to a comment regarding equal access rights to all, it was reported that the Equal Rights Act would be considered as part of the review and equality assessments would need to be implemented.

 

e)         In response to a comment regarding the possibility of collaboration with the National Park, although it was not necessary for the Park to be part of the review, it was noted that discussions had been conducted with the Park for approximately 18 months.  Although it was not statutory for the Park to produce a plan, in practice it would make sense to establish a plan that would meet with the requirements of the Council and the Park.  It was added that the Park supported the principle of preparing a joint Plan. The need to discuss resources and finance was recognised, but with the need for specialist knowledge about the Park network it was suggested that by working together the plan would be more robust and practical.

 

f)          In response to a comment regarding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

9.

THE COUNCILS PLANNING SYSTEM - SCRUTINY INVESTIGATION BRIEF pdf icon PDF 228 KB

Cabinet Member: Councillor Dafydd Meurig

 

 

a)    Present a scoping summary for a scrutiny investigation

b)    Nomination of  members to serve on the investigation

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

a)         A brief was submitted to undertake a scrutiny investigation on the planning procedure to consider the Council’s planning systems and their suitability to correspond with the economic needs of the County’s communities as well as other factors.

 

RESOLVED to accept the brief.

 

The following members were nominated to serve on the investigation.  Councillors Eric M Jones, Angela Russell, Gruffydd Williams and Tudor Owen.

 

It was suggested that a message should be sent to Members who were absent to give them an opportunity to put their names forward.

10.

FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME 2016-2017 pdf icon PDF 73 KB

Work programme submitted for information

Additional documents:

Minutes:

a)         The Committee's forward work programme for 2016-2017 was presented.

 

            The information was accepted.