To receive any Chair’s
announcements.
Minutes:
The Chair noted, with sadness, the news of the
death of Mrs Patricia G. Larsen, Penisarwaun, the former chair of this Council,
and one who gave a lifetime of service to her local community. He paid tribute to her, expressing the
Council's deepest condolences with Councillor Cai Larsen, and the family in
their loss.
It was also noted that former Councillor Wyn Myles Meredith, Dolgellau,
had died recently. Councillor Peredur
Jenkins paid tribute to him and expressed the Council's deepest condolences
with his family.
It was also noted
that Cefin Edwards, a staff member of Gwynedd Consultancy had died very
recently. The Chief Executive paid tribute to him and expressed the Council's
deepest condolences with his family.
It was also noted
that the Council wished to sympathise with everyone in the county’s communities
who had recently lost loved ones.
The Council stood in
silence as a mark of respect and remembrance.
In congratulating
Dewi Morgan, who had been appointed Head of Finance Department, the Council
also conveyed best wishes and gratitude to Dafydd Edwards, who was attending
his last meeting of the Council in that role. The Chief Executive also thanked
Dafydd Edwards for his service over the years, and for his support for him
personally.
It
was noted that several staff members had been taken ill recently, and they were
all wished a speedy recovery.
The
Chief Executive noted that the Covid case numbers in Gwynedd were higher than
they had ever been, although there were signs that we had now reached the peak
of the wave, and we would see a fall in cases soon. Until the situation was
stable, specific units within the Council were still under pressure, with a
number of staff absent from work, and service continuation arrangements were
now in place in several units across the Council. The Council's emergency
management arrangements were entirely robust at the moment; however, it was
inevitable there would be an impact on services in the short-term, and the
members were asked to assist by spreading this message in their
communities. However, it was very much
hoped that there would be no impact on front-line services, and it was noted
that the members would be updated regularly on the situation.
It was noted that Tim and Inger Hancock who had
come forward to provide foster care for seven siblings, had been honoured with
an 'Outstanding Contribution to Foster Care' Award by the UK Fostering
Excellence Awards. The Council sent them its warmest congratulations for being
recognised by the awards and their outstanding contribution to fostering in
Gwynedd. It was also noted that this was
an opportunity to thank all our foster carers who looked after for our
children, noting that the Council very much appreciated their hard work and
commitment.
It was noted that the Queen's Award for
Voluntary Service had recently been presented to Barmouth Community First
Responders by Edmund Bailey, the Lord-Lieutenant for Gwynedd. This was the highest award given to voluntary
groups in the United Kingdom, awarded to outstanding voluntary groups who had a
positive impact on the lives of others.
This committed group of volunteers delivered goods to vulnerable
self-isolating members of the rural communities of Bontddu, Barmouth, Talybont
and Dyffryn Ardudwy, in addition to their usual activities during the first
lockdown.
Darron Garrod from Llanengan Ward was
congratulated for his part in the British Rally Championship.