Agenda and minutes
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No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES To receive
any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received
from Councillors Craig ab Iago and Tudor Owen |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declaration of personal interest Additional documents: Minutes: The following member
declared a personal interest for the reasons noted: ·
Councillor Linda Morgan in item 7 on
the agenda, as she worked at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor. The member was of the
opinion that it was a prejudicial interest, and she withdrew from the Chamber
during the discussion on the application noted. |
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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 |
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The
Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this Committee, held
on 24.11.16 be signed as a true record. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting of this committee, held on 24 11 2016, were accepted as a true
record of the meeting |
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BEACH MANAGEMENT CUTS PDF 246 KB To consider
the report of the Senior Manager - Economy and Community Additional documents: Minutes: An initial report was submitted by the Cabinet Member, outlining the effect of cuts approved by the Full Council (March 2016) on the budgets to manage Blue Flag and Green Flag beaches. The anticipated implications were highlighted, but because the cuts had not been fully implemented, it was difficult to provide a detailed report on the effect
thus far. Although it was possibly premature to discuss the impact during the transitional period, it was accepted that there
was a need to hold a discussion and keep an eye
on the possible effect. In response to the report,
a request was made to consider the situation at Morfa
Nefyn and Nefyn as they were no
longer protected. The Local Councillor noted that the Community Council do not have the
expertise to accept responsibility and it was highlighted that the Community Council considered giving the leasehold back to the Crown. During the ensuing discussion,
the following comments were highlighted regarding the beaches of Morfa Nefyn
and Nefyn: ·
If the Community
Council and Gwynedd Council were
not going to protect these beaches, who would take
the responsibility? ·
The Crown Estate would have
to be persuaded to accept responsibility ·
What arrangements were in place
before responsibility was relinquished? ·
Would it be possible to propose alternative plans? In response to the comments,
it was accepted that the situation at Morfa Nefyn
and Nefyn was difficult and a discussion needed to be held with the landowners to ensure access control
to the beach. It was noted that the Council possibly had been too eager in
the past to accept responsibility
over the management of the beaches, but by
now in the context of cuts, it would be timely
to hold discussions with the landowners and to highlight to them their responsibility
and legal status. Should Nefyn Town Council surrender its leasehold, its responsibility as an entity
would decrease, and the responsibility would rest with
the Crown Estate. The
Senior Manager highlighted that he would
convey the Scrunity Committee's concerns to the Crown Estate in
a meeting in February. The following comments on the content the report in general
were highlighted: ·
Concern regarding public safety ·
Needed to manage access to the beaches for machinery / boats ·
The beaches were one of the County's main assets and therefore they
needed to be safeguarded ·
The burden of responsibility on the Community Councils ·
Ethical responsibility although it was not statutory ·
What are the responsibilities of the beach wardens? ·
Were any lifeguards being employed? ·
Important to include volunteers in beach protection
arrangements ·
Need to allow local people to participate ·
What is the future of
the Blue Banner? In response to the comments above, the Senior Manager emphasised that the proposals were not ones the Department wished to implement, but that they were part of the Gwynedd Challenge arrangements. He explained that ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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To consider
the report of the Byw’n Iach
Senior Manager Additional documents: Minutes: A full report was submitted by the Economy and Community
Senior Manager, responding
to all of the questions from
the Scrutiny Committee's Preparatory Meeting for the Healthy Communities Service's response to the report of the Auditor General for Wales 'Delivering with less - Leisure Services' as well as the progress the service is making in achieving
the efficiency savings target as set by
the Council's Financial Strategy
2015 - 2018. The
Cabinet Member highlighted that the efficiency savings target was a substantial one and the Department was praised for implementing
and meeting the target. In response to a question
regarding offering free services to underprivileged families, it was noted that
leisure centres did not
offer a reduction based on income, but
a cheaper package on quiet times
- the service would not assess income levels
on the basis of use. It was suggested
that there would be a possibility to look into this. In response to a question
regarding the Free Swimming sessions, it was reported that it was the Council's decision not to allow parents to go into the pool for
free and that the Free Swimming
in Gwynedd received a substantial grant reduction. In response to a comment
that Gwynedd did not appear
to give equal opportunity for children to play, it was noted that
every child in Gwynedd received free membership at the Leisure Centres. The
Service was thanked for the
encouraging report and the service was congratulated for its overhaul of the situation. However, should there be a need to increase fees to above inflation
level, a comment was made regarding the need to be careful not to 'send people away'. In response to a question
regarding sharing good practice, it was highlighted that this was done
mostly through area management structure (where one manger is responsible
for multiple centres) and staff being part of team
across the Service. Nevertheless,
it was emphasised that the target was not reached and therefore
a reference was made to the
need to provide alternative schemes in order to ensure
the provision of a sustainable
service for the future. During the ensuing
discussion, the following observations were highlighted: ·
Other options to alleviate losses must be considered - a suggestion that further research work was needed before taking action ·
Need
to see better use of resources ·
Need to attract more people through the door ·
There was a possibility
of needing to consider the leisure centres as a business rather than a service ·
The Leisure Centres were vital for
Health and Well-being ·
Additional activities had to be considered In response to a question
regarding when the Service would likely submit
information on the new models, it
was suggested that there would be an opportunity for the Committee to scrutinise the proposals fully in September. RESOLVED to accept the report, giving thanks to the Service for its work ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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To receive a report from the Cabinet Member on the implementation of the Scrutiny Investigation’s recommendations. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Linda Morgan
left the room during the discussion. The Chair highlighted that
the field had been scrutinised in detail, but disappointment was expressed with
the operation thus far. Submitted - a report by the Cabinet Member on further
progress made in relation to the recommendations of the Post-16 Education
Transport Scrutiny Investigation.
It was reported that the College faced financial difficulties, and by now had refused
to operate as an agent. No
specific reasons were given as
to why it would not act as an agent. It was highlighted that the Transport Policy had been reviewed and discussions
between the Council and transport providers had come into fruition
through perseverance. It was reported that there was an agreement on
the flexibility of travel time on each
route apart from one. (It
was noted that discussions continued with the transport provider on the routes in question).
In order to raise awareness of the changes, the need to arrange a publicity campaign by March was noted. In response to the recommendation of
collecting data to discover
whether travel costs led to students dropping out of higher education, it was noted that
there were two questionnaires for the 2016-2017 educational year, including a specific question regarding transport. It was explained that an analysis
of the questionnaire would
be available at the beginning
of the summer term. It was reported that a Users Forum had been established and that it
was very successful as a means of holding
discussions. It was highlighted that the Users Forum would include
representatives from the College, Council Officers,
Transport Providers and Students. It was suggested that the minutes of the Forum could be shared at the next preparatory meeting The Cabinet Member expressed that the he accepted
that implementing the recommendations had taken time, but by
persevering, the majority
of the recommendations involving
the Council had been implemented.
One of the main successes
was ensuring the flexibility
of the travel tickets. During the ensuing
discussion, the following observations were highlighted: ·
That the College should accept responsibility
for the students ·
Need to emphasise that this was a partnership between the College and the Council and there was a need for the College
to play its part ·
Need to continue to ask the College to work as an
agent ·
The College had a responsibility for getting students to attend the College ·
Welcome the ticket's flexibility - scope to expand hours after
6pm? ·
Would it be possible to distribute a questionnaire to parents? ·
Extend an invitation to the Assembly Member, Mr Ken Skates (Cabinet Secretary for the Economy and Infrastructure)
and Coleg Menai Representatives
to meet with the Committee. RESOLVED to accept the report. Although the recommendations have taken time
to be realised, with perseverance, the situation has improved. The following observations were made: · The minutes of the User Forum ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |