Agenda item
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
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 suggested to invite Heads of Services, Officers and Cabinet Members to meet to ensure that the agenda was being addressed.
Matters
arising from the discussion:
-
Child poverty - the
problem needed to permeate
down to Council services
-
Post 16 transport was an example of the lack of commitment to ensure that children
from the poorest households in Gwynedd receive higher education
-
It
was heartening to see a reduction in the waiting time in the homelessness field
-
Affordable
housing - the number of new homes built was challenged and it was suggested
that there were more than 31.
iii.
Welsh
Language Field
a)
Promote the Welsh Language
by supporting and empowering four communities - it was reported that the project had been very successful in Dolgellau
b)
The Welsh Language and Public Services - It was noted that
this issue was on the agenda of the Local Services
Board for 23.9.16 where a discussion would be stimulated regarding the best way to promote the Welsh Language.
c)
Language Charter - response to local data collated was being implemented. The scheme would be extended nationally
ch) The Welsh Language
within the Council - an audit had been completed. The response had been heartening - the next steps would be raising awareness and people's confidence
to use Welsh.
Discussions would take place with
the Customer Care Unit
Matters
arising from the discussion:
-
Following a statement from the Welsh Language Commissioner of the proposal not to hold examinations for Welsh as a second language,
the Cabinet Member highlighted
that he supported
the statement.
In Gwynedd it was expected that every
child would be fluent in Welsh and would sit
an examination in Welsh as a first
language.
-
The levels of Welsh speakers in Garndolbenmaen had decreased - a request by the Local Member
to be included in the discussions
-
Language needed to bridge services and not be restricted to departments such as Housing
and Planning. Any language issues should be referred to the Cabinet
Member with responsibility for the Welsh Language.
iv.
Highways
a)
The
latest percentage predictions in terms of collected municipal waste was now
62.7% - the aim was to attain 70% by 2025.
b)
Collections every three weeks
had been a good exercise - Conwy were now considering trialling four weekly collections. It was highlighted that Gwynedd had to
be aware of the options
Matters arising from the discussion:
-
A new service
sorting mixed waste at the Rhwngddwyryd
Recycling Centre to be addressed - this was very effective
-
Consultancy
Department - deficit in the net target of £160k - need more detailed
explanation regarding the reasons
In response to a question
regarding a request made for the Cabinet Member (19.5.16) to hold discussions with the Welsh Government for the purpose of including home composting tonnages in the recycling calculation, so that it
did not affect the Council's
performance against its targets, it
was highlighted that the
Cabinet Member had contacted
them but without success. It was added that he
and the Head of Highways and Municipal Services would meet the Cabinet Secretary (Welsh Government) for the Environment and Rural Affairs
in November.
v.
Regulatory
field
a)
The Cabinet Member highlighted that the measures were being
monitored and challenged frequently
b)
In accordance with the Members' request a report (transportation measure THS/007)
was submitted by the
Cabinet Member. The report gave information regarding the position of disabled people under 60 years old with concessionary
bus passes, together with the position in Gwynedd and how this
compared to other counties. It was reported that Gwynedd compared favourably with similar (rural) Councils
Matters arising from the discussion:
-
Thanks
was given for the Transportation Measure THS/007 report
-
It was suggested that
the term 'roughly comply'
was not used in the context of food hygiene establishments (measure PAM9 Public Protection). It should be interpreted as either 'yes'
or 'no'.
RESOLVED to accept the report.
Supporting documents:
- Performance Overview Report, item 6. PDF 400 KB
- Appendix 1 - Community Committee Measures, item 6. PDF 463 KB
- Appendix 2 - Case Study, item 6. PDF 173 KB
- Appendix 3 - Transportation Measure THS/007 Report, item 6. PDF 251 KB