Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meetings of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February 2023 and 6 March 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 28 February 2023 be noted.
RESOLVED- That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with the combined Forward Work Programme be approved.
RESOLVED: That the membership of the Asset Management Task and Finish Group be reviewed to reflect current political balance, with the first meeting convened before the end of April, 2023.
RESOLVED: That the Work Welsh Scheme's Evaluation Report 2022-2023 be noted and that the report be sent to the National Centre for Learning Welsh.
RESOLVED: That the Workwise Project Progress Report be noted.
RESOLVED: a) That the North Wales Growth Deal Portfolio Director, Alwen Williams, be invited to a future meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to provide an update on the delivery of gross value added, job creation and investment for the County of Conwy. b) That the quarterly update on progress of the North Wales Growth Deal be noted.
None.
None.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meetings of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February 2023 and 6 March 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February 2023 and 6 March 2023 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meetings of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February 2023 and 6 March 2023 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 28 February 2023 be noted.
The minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 28 February 2023 were submitted. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 28 February 2023 be noted.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED- That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with the combined Forward Work Programme be approved.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented Members with the individual Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP. The following changes were highlighted: · A report on School Loans would be presented in June 2023. Members of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be invited to attend to listen to the debate. In addition, the Chair and Vice Chair would be invited to the pre-meet. · A briefing note had been circulated to Members in relation to the Brickworks Site. A feasibility study was being undertaken and a report was expected during the summer, 2023. Members discussed the following: • Concern was raised that a report in respect of Home to School Transport was not scheduled to be presented to the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee until July 2023 and that any changes to policy would require a 12 month consultation period. - In response, the Head of Education Services advised that the non-statutory element of Home to School Transport was being reviewed and that savings had already been made; it was noted that policy changes were not required for efficiencies to be made. - The report scheduled for July 2023 would be a joint Education and Environment, Roads and Facilities update.The Cabinet Member for Finance, Revenue and Benefits advised that the Budget Working Group would discuss Home to School Transport. - The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer advised that the issue would be discussed with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee. - A member queried whether transport for pupils between schools during the day was included within home to school transport costs and whether this was necessary. - In response, the Cabinet Member for Education advised that she would discuss the matter separately with the Member. RESOLVED- That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with the combined Forward Work Programme be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the membership of the Asset Management Task and Finish Group be reviewed to reflect current political balance, with the first meeting convened before the end of April, 2023.
Councillor Andrew Wood provided Members with an update on the Asset Management Task and Finish Group. The following points were highlighted: • The Group had been established in 2019 at the request of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. • The Group met once prior to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. • The terms of reference included: - Looking at the Council’s asset disposal list and identifying means of how the list could be delivered. - Identifying opportunities for optimising the Corporate Office Accommodation portfolio. - Identifying opportunities to reduce the cost of managing the portfolio of buildings and land. • Since the establishment of the Group, amalgamation of the Community Development Service and Estates had taken place. • Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the introduction of hybrid working, Coed Pella and Bodlondeb Offices were not at full occupancy. • The future use of Bodlondeb would be considered as part of the Office Accommodation Strategy which would be presented to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 May, 2023. Members discussed the following: · The Local Ward Member for Conwy suggested that careful consideration was required in respect of the future use of Bodlondeb which had been gifted to the Council by the Wood family. • It was proposed that the membership of the Task and Finish Group be refreshed to reflect current political balance and that a meeting be convened before the end of April 2023 to consider the Office Accommodation Strategy report. • It was suggested that the completion date for the Task and Finish Group be amended to May 2023. RESOLVED: That the membership of the Asset Management Task and Finish Group be reviewed to reflect current political balance, with the first meeting convened before the end of April, 2023.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the Work Welsh Scheme's Evaluation Report 2022-2023 be noted and that the report be sent to the National Centre for Learning Welsh.
The Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure introduced the Work Welsh Scheme Report 2022-2023. The Work Welsh Scheme was a specific programme to strengthen Welsh skills in the workplace throughout Wales and offered fully funded appropriate, flexible training. The Welsh Language and Translation Services Manager highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: · The cost to the Council in respect of Welsh lessons was queried and clarity was sought in respect of the availability of evening classes for those unable to attend during the day. - In response, the Welsh Language and Translation Services Manager advised that there was no cost to the Authority. - Confirmation of funding for 2023/2024 was awaited. - Arrangements in respect of evening classes were being discussed as classes should be accessible to all employees. RESOLVED: That the Work Welsh Scheme's Evaluation Report 2022-2023 be noted and that the report be sent to the National Centre for Learning Welsh.
The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance introduced the Corporate Risk Register and Corporate Issues Register, which provided a record of all corporate risks and issues that had been identified throughout the Authority. The Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report Members discussed the following: • It was suggested that consideration be given to redesigning services in order to address capacity and capability issues. - In response, the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager advised that work had taken place in respect of modernising services, however, financial constraints had to be considered in respect of further changes. - Digitising of some processes had been introduced in order to free up officer time. - Services restructures had taken place. • Concern was raised in respect of increased violence and aggression towards Officers and Elected Members and it was suggested that training was required with regards to engaging with the public. - The Chair advised that work in respect of public engagement was ongoing within some services. - The Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager advised that the Council had a duty to keep staff and Elected Members safe and that risk assessments and controls were in place. • In respect of Corporate Issue 1 relating to decreasing primary school numbers, it was suggested that school rationalisation and closures be considered. - The birth rate within Conwy County was decreasing which resulted in less funding from the Welsh Government (WG). - Whilst there had been refugees, asylum seekers and inward migration to the County, this had not made up for the reduction in the birth rate. - In response, the Cabinet Member for Education advised that learner numbers and school capacity were continually reviewed. - There had been some school closures. - Projected school capacity numbers were not always accurate. - Some smaller schools had a shared Headteacher and alternative models, such as federalisation and shared leadership, were being explored. - Cluster models had been successful. - A Strategic School Planning Group had been established and were reviewing school capacity and the use of school buildings. - Secondary school numbers would increase over the next 5 years. • Concern was raised in respect of the removal of Corporate Issue 11 in relation to capacity to undertake environmental enforcement. - Reference was made to instances of fly tipping within the County. - In response, the Corporate Performance and Improvement Manager advised that the issues identified had improved, however the service would continue to be monitored as a risk. - The Head of Regulatory and Housing Services advised that data indicated an improvement in environmental enforcement issues. - A project in relation to environmental enforcement had been submitted to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. - The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer advised that an update report in respect of environmental enforcement was included within the Forward Work Programme for the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee. • It was suggested that risks associated with care homes and domiciliary care remained as separate risks. - There was a danger of care home closure due to financial viability. - It was also felt that there could be a risk of care home places being made available to those from outside the County, as this would be more lucrative than receiving payments from Conwy County Borough Council. The following was proposed and seconded: • That the wording in respect of Corporate Issue 10 should not be amended, as proposed within the report. • That Corporate Issue 11 (no capacity to undertake environmental enforcement) should not be downgraded to a Corporate Risk. • That separate issues be recorded relating to residential care packages and domiciliary care packages. • That the wording of Corporate Issue 15 (first consequence) be amended to read ‘clients may go out of county away from family and friends leading to poorer outcomes’. • That a new corporate risk be included relating to the declining birth rate, reduced government funding and the cost of having too much capacity in schools. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the wording in respect of Corporate Issue 10 (the cost of specialist / independent education placements have increased significantly over the last 2 years, this is putting financial pressure on the service) is not amended as proposed within the report. b) That Corporate Issue 11 (no capacity to undertake environmental enforcement) is not downgraded to a Corporate Risk. c) That separate Corporate Issues be recorded relating to residential care packages and domiciliary care packages. d) That the wording of the first consequence in respect of Corporate Issue 15 (the care sector is unsustainable and is not growing at the same pace as demand) be amended to read ‘clients may go out of county away from family and friends leading to poorer outcomes’. e) That a new Corporate Risk be included relating to the declining birth rate, reduced government funding and the cost of having too much capacity in schools. f) That subject to the above amendments, that the Corporate Issues and Risks Register be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the Workwise Project Progress Report be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance introduced the Workwise Project Progress Report. The Workwise Project had implemented a hybrid working model, where staff were based in the office but were able to work remotely or from home, depending on business and customer need. The Head of Neighbourhood Services highlighted key points from within the report. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Thanks was extended to officers for their hard work in respect of the Workwise Project. • It was suggested that hybrid working was having a negative impact on customer service and productivity. - In response, the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure highlighted the fact that Elected Members made use of hybrid working, especially in relation to remote meeting attendance. - The Cabinet Member would present information in respect of the Blue Badge scheme, to include customer service, to the next meeting of the Member Development and Information Forum. - The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance advised that community hubs within libraries could assist with customer service and staff could provide assistance to those who were not confident in utilising digital services. - Hybrid working and remote attendance had a positive impact in respect of carbon emissions and the green agenda. - The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources provided assurance that customer service was a priority and that team agreements were being revisited following the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure adequate office cover. - Reception functions were being reviewed alongside IT and telephony services. • It was suggested that a move to hybrid working had been premature due to the Covid-19 pandemic. - In response, the Leader advised that Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) had followed Welsh Government (WG) guidelines. - Staff were now able to attend an office on a daily basis. - Environmental impact must also be considered in respect of travel to offices. - Hybrid working had reduced the need for Members to travel to South Wales on a regular basis for meetings and conferences. • It was queried whether monitoring took place in respect of calls answered from home. - In response, the Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure advised that IT were looking at a process for flagging missed calls. • It was suggested that whilst Coed Pella usage should be maximised in order to deliver value for money, Bodlondeb was an important historical asset and its future use should be considered carefully. • Information was sought in respect of the current status of the Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) office in Mochdre, - In response, the Head of Neighbourhood Services advised that other than operational staff who utilised the office grounds, ERF staff had relocated to Coed Pella and the building was now closed. - The relocation of operational teams was being discussed. • The workwise programme had been part of the post Covid-19 pandemic recovery and whilst it was appropriate that the programme was coming to an end, there were still issues to be addressed. - It was suggested that operational costs, productivity and use of assets should be discussed within the Budget Working Groups. • Staff workload had increased with smaller teams delivering services. A focus on staff wellbeing was essential. RESOLVED: That the Workwise Project Progress Report be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: a) That the North Wales Growth Deal Portfolio Director, Alwen Williams, be invited to a future meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to provide an update on the delivery of gross value added, job creation and investment for the County of Conwy. b) That the quarterly update on progress of the North Wales Growth Deal be noted.
The Leader presented the quarterly update on progress of the North Wales Growth Deal, which included an overview of progress on the Growth Deal programmes and projects. In scrutinising the report, the following was noted: • Concern in respect of the robustness of the private investment strategy. • In terms of the number of jobs created as a result of the Growth Deal, the Leader confirmed that the delivery of jobs had been slow against a jobs creation target of 190. There was concern that funding was being utilised for administrative costs, as opposed to job creation. • Monies that had been allocated for the Bodelwyddan housing site had been reallocated and an update would be provided via the democratic process in due course. • The Funding Development Manager advised that she was employed by Conwy County Borough Council and her role was to secure additional funding for the Authority from European and Welsh Government (WG) funding pots. • There was some concern that there did not appear to be much direct investment for the County of Conwy and that an update be provided to a future meeting of the Committee. RESOLVED: a) That the North Wales Growth Deal Portfolio Director, Alwen Williams, be invited to a future meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to provide an update on the delivery of gross value added, job creation and investment for the County of Conwy. b) That the quarterly update on progress of the North Wales Growth Deal be noted.
The Leader presented a report on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund Project Approvals, which would deliver £2.6bn of investment until March 2025 across the UK. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The report was welcomed and thanks were extended to officers who had progressed applications in a timely manner. • Concern was raised in respect of the process utilised in relation to project approvals and the diversity of those who formed the panel. - In response, the Leader agreed that the process could be improved, however, there had been significant time constraints. • Reassurance was sought in respect of the deliverability of projects. - In response, the Leader confirmed that resources were in place to deliver proposed projects. - The Funding Development Manager informed Members that advice had been sought from both internal and external experts in respect of each project. - Coordination had been required in line with other Local Authorities. - Project Managers would ensure project delivery. • Clarity was sought in respect of the Multiply Programme. - In response, the Funding Development Manager advised that this was a UK Government programme which sought to address numeracy skills. - Discussions were taking place in respect of the programme also addressing basic and possibly digital skills. • It was queried as to whether different weightings had been given to County specific projects and projects involving other Local Authorities. - In response, the Funding Development Manager advised that equal weighting had been given to both, however projects were only progressed if there was a direct benefit to Conwy County. • Clarity was sought in respect of further scrutiny of projects and which Scrutiny Committee would receive updates. - The Chair of the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee was part of the panel. - The Funding and Development Manager advised that updates would be provided to Scrutiny and Cabinet. - The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that discussions would take place in respect of an appropriate Scrutiny representative and which Scrutiny Committee should consider further reports. • Concern was raised in respect of the allocation of funding for training purposes. - The Funding Development Manager advised that there were three investment themes as follows: Ø Community and Place. Ø Supporting Local Business. Ø People and Skills. • It was suggested that there was a focus on two key towns within Conwy County and that other areas should also be considered. - In response, the Leader advised that the geographical location of projects was a concern. - Factors such as match funding were taken into account. - Every effort would be made to ensure fair coverage across the County. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the projects recommended for approval by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKPF) Local Partnership Panel, to be funded from Conwy’s allocation of the UKSPF be approved. b) That the project applicants, who are successful at the first stage, be requested to complete and submit a second stage application, and that the Lead Authority (Gwynedd County Council) be notified.
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