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RESOLVED to adopt the Council Workforce's Pay Policy for 2025/26.
RESOLVED to approve the addition of the following project to the areas to be prioritised at a strategic level as part of the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-28. Ensuring that full and timely support is available to support people to live at home To ensure that people can live their best lives, we must make prompt and easily accessible support available for individuals and their families. We will implement plans to: • Ensure that we acknowledge the value of family and unpaid carers by making sure that we can easily identify them and offer them full support with caring. • Reduce our waiting lists for new domiciliary care packages, ensuring no one in Gwynedd waits longer than 28 days following a care assessment.
RESOLVED 1. To approve the recommendations of the Cabinet as noted in the report:- (a) To establish a budget of £356,815,330 for 2025/26 to be funded by a £248,389,720 Government Grant and £104,425,610 of Council Tax income (which is an increase of 8.66%). (b) To establish a capital programme of £53,736,190 for 2025/26 to be funded from the sources noted in Appendix 4 of the report presented to the Council. 2. That it be noted that the Cabinet Member for Finance, in a decision notice dated 30 December 2024, approved the calculation of the following amounts for 2025/26 in accordance with Regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ("The Act"):- (a) 56,842.05 being the amount calculated in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995 as amended, as its Council Tax Base for the year. (b) Parts of the Council’s area – Community Tax Base - Aberdaron 621.88 Llanddeiniolen 1,904.89 Aberdyfi 1,194.77 Llandderfel 528.88 Abergwyngregyn 121.90 Llanegryn 174.80 Abermaw (Barmouth) 1,317.52 Llanelltyd 310.17 Arthog 695.76 Llanengan 2,751.39 Y Bala 818.83 Llanfair 362.68 Bangor 4,244.36 Llanfihangel y Pennant 251.76 Beddgelert 350.40 Llanfrothen 237.36 Betws Garmon 146.24 Llangelynnin 484.85 Bethesda 1,765.16 Llangywer 159.19 Bontnewydd 463.21 Llanllechid 371.67 Botwnnog 484.06 Llanllyfni 1,471.45 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 474.36 Llannor 951.51 Bryncrug 355.42 Llanrug 1,154.25 Buan 244.98 Llanuwchllyn 334.68 Caernarfon 3,721.81 Llanwnda 857.37 Clynnog Fawr 489.83 Llanycil 213.75 Corris 319.67 Llanystumdwy 937.44 Criccieth 1,016.89 Maentwrog 319.62 Dolbenmaen 652.91 Mawddwy 378.38 Dolgellau 1,315.09 Nefyn 1,696.20 Dyffryn Ardudwy 873.94 Pennal 238.53 Y Felinheli 1,202.04 Penrhyndeudraeth 838.59 Ffestiniog 1,842.24 Pentir 1,310.58 Y Ganllwyd 88.00 Pistyll 298.51 Harlech 870.85 Porthmadog 2,304.34 Trefor a Llanaelhaearn 475.75 Pwllheli 1,866.35 Llanbedr 359.87 Talsarnau 365.44 Llanbedrog 882.45 Trawsfynydd 528.93 Llanberis 814.21 Tudweiliog 520.39 Llandwrog 1,083.91 Tywyn 1,776.31 Llandygai 1,038.17 Waunfawr 595.31 being the amounts calculated as the amounts of its Council Tax Base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. 3. That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2025/26 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Act:- (a) £581,749,890 Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2)(a) to (e) of the Act (gross expenditure). (b) £221,986,500 Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (3)(a) to (c) of the Act (income). (c) £359,763,390 Being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget requirement for the year (net budget). (ch) £247,894,058 Being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable during the year into its fund in respect of the National Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, less the estimated cost to the Council of discretionary non-domestic rate relief granted. (d) £1,968.07 Being the amount at 3(c) above less the amount at 3(ch) above, all divided by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (Cyngor Gwynedd tax and average community council tax). (dd) £3,443,721.04 Being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (community council precepts). (e) £1,907.49 Being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(dd) above by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates (Band D for Cyngor Gwynedd tax only). (f) For parts of the Council’s area - Aberdaron 1,935.63 Llanddeiniolen 1,923.76 Aberdyfi 1,945.61 Llandderfel 1,935.85 Abergwyngregyn 1,944.41 Llanegryn 1,952.40 Abermaw (Barmouth) 1,960.16 Llanelltyd 1,946.18 Arthog 1,929.05 Llanengan 1,931.11 Y Bala 1,942.30 Llanfair 1,957.12 Bangor 2,049.15 Llanfihangel y Pennant 1,957.54 Beddgelert 1,948.02 Llanfrothen 1,961.42 Betws Garmon 1,929.03 Llangelynnin 1,937.20 Bethesda 1,971.14 Llangywer 1,938.90 Bontnewydd 1,947.43 Llanllechid 1,953.82 Botwnnog 1,920.92 Llanllyfni 1,943.51 Brithdir a Llanfachreth 1,932.79 Llannor 1,929.56 Bryncrug 1,945.05 Llanrug 1,994.13 Buan 1,925.86 Llanuwchllyn 1,957.69 Caernarfon 2,022.94 Llanwnda 1,946.10 Clynnog Fawr 1,978.94 Llanycil 1,929.71 Corris 1,966.93 Llanystumdwy 1,929.36 Criccieth 1,966.49 Maentwrog 1,928.99 Dolbenmaen 1,935.06 Mawddwy 1,942.11 Dolgellau 1,966.04 Nefyn 1,963.50 Dyffryn Ardudwy 1,970.42 Pennal 1,982.95 Y Felinheli 1,951.27 Penrhyndeudraeth 2,028.65 Ffestiniog 2,043.19 Pentir 1,949.46 Y Ganllwyd 1,944.42 Pistyll 1,947.69 Harlech 2,005.10 Porthmadog 1,939.46 Trefor and Llanaelhaearn 1,960.04 Pwllheli 1,977.14 Llanbedr 1,988.07 Talsarnau 2,000.53 Llanbedrog 1,941.49 Trawsfynydd 1,945.30 Llanberis 1,958.07 Tudweiliog 1,926.71 Llandwrog 1,983.73 Tywyn 1,966.57 Llandygai 1,944.96 Waunfawr 1,927.65 being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(e) above the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the amount of 2(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. (ff) In respect of parts of the Council’s area, the figures noted in Appendix 1, being the amounts obtained by multiplying the sums specified in 3(f) above by the number which, according to the proportions set out in Section 5 (1) of the Act, applies to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which according to those proportions applies to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36 (1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year for the categories of dwelling houses listed in different valuation bands. 4. That it be noted that for the year 2025/26 the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales have stated the following amounts in a precept issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act for each of the categories of dwelling houses shown below: Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Band I 248.10 289.45 330.80 372.15 454.85 537.55 620.25 744.30 868.35 5. Having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(ff) and 4 above, that the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Act, hereby sets the amounts noted in Appendix 2 as the Council Tax for the year 2025/26 for each category of dwelling houses shown in the Appendix.
RESOLVED to accept the report and to approve the Capital Strategy for 2025/26.
RESOLVED 1. To establish the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee with the Terms of Reference in Appendix 1 to the report presented to the Council. 2. To agree that the powers of local Scrutiny Committees provided for under The Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2022 shall be retained. 3. To agree that the political balance of Cyngor Gwynedd’s nominees to the joint overview and scrutiny committee (JOSC) will reflect the membership of Cyngor Gwynedd rather than the membership of all North Wales councils in aggregate. 4. To agree that the secretariat for the JOSC will be provided by the CJC in accordance with the Terms of Reference.
RESOLVED to approve the Draft Proposals under sections 25 and 31 of the Local Government (Democracy)(Wales) Act 2013 for the purposes of consultation.
RESOLVED to accept the report.
RESOLVED to adopt the new Contract Procedure Rules (Section 17) shown in Appendix 1 of the report submitted to the Council.
RESOLVED to adopt the Committees Calendar for 2025/26 in Appendix 1 of the report submitted to the Council.
RESOLVED to adopt the amended motion, namely:- Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer the Justice Jurisdiction to the Senedd in Cardiff, and calls on the Welsh Government and all Welsh Councils for their support.
RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:- The Council calls on the Westminster Government to devolve powers for broadcasting and media to the Senedd, and for the Welsh Government to proceed with the work of preparing and discussing with Westminster how best to realise this.
Apologies were received from Councillors Anwen Davies, Annwen Hughes, John Brynmor Hughes, Elin Hywel, Dafydd Meurig and Angela Russell.
The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 5 December, 2024 as a true record.
The Monitoring Officer, on behalf of the chief officers who were present, as a report relating to their salaries would be discussed. He was of the opinion that the officers had a significant interest and, along with the two Corporate Directors, the Head of Finance Department, the Head of Democracy Services, the Head of Education Department, the Head of Housing and Property Department and the Head of Adults, Health and Well-being Department, the Monitoring Officer withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on the item, as they were not required to be in attendance to advise.
Condolences were expressed to the family of Lord Elis-Thomas who had passed away recently, and Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn paid tribute to him. Condolences were also expressed to the family of Gillian Wynne Thomas, former political assistant with the Council, who had passed away last week. It was noted that Geraint Jarman and Marged Esli had passed away recently, and the Council also sympathised with their families. It was further noted that the Council wished to sympathise with everyone in the county’s communities who had lost loved ones recently. The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect and remembrance. It was noted that several members of the Council had been ill recently and they were wished a full and speedy recovery. The following were congratulated:- · Aneurin Môn Parry, from the Council's Planning Service, on being made Chair of the Royal Town Planning Institute Cymru (RTPI) for 2025. It was noted that Aneurin had been working in Planning since 1987, and that he was now Enforcement (Planning Service) Team Leader within the Environment Department. · Huw Elfed Roberts, Electoral Services Officer, on being appointed Chair of the Wales Branch of the Association of Electoral Administrators (AEA), which was the professional body for electoral officers in the UK. · Ysgol y Gorlan Tremadog on winning Carol yr Ŵyl S4C (Christmas Carol competition) this year with a carol composed by Rhys and Anest Glyn. · Elain Iorwerth on winning the Crown at the Young Farmers National Eisteddfod back in November. · Mared Griffiths, Trawsfynydd on winning her first football cap for Wales recently. The Chair referred to the resignation of Councillor Linda Anne Jones from the Council. With it being International Women's Day on 8 March, she noted that Linda was an excellent example of a woman who had led in a field that had traditionally been led by men. She was thanked in earnest for almost 40 years of service, and she was wished the best for the future.
None to note.
(The Cabinet Members' written responses to the questions had been published in advance.) (A) Question by a Member of the Public A question by Mr Ieuan Wyn (address provided in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution) It is completely unacceptable that Gwynedd pupils from Welsh-speaking households and non-Welsh-speaking households receive less Welsh-medium provision than what pupils of Welsh schools in less Welsh communities receive in other parts of our nation. Children and young people, parents and communities in Gwynedd deserve schools with the most comprehensive Welsh-medium provision being offered. This is what would be educationally, culturally and socially appropriate. In light of the fact that the Welsh Government has published an education bill and that the language shift is intensifying considerably in the county, will Cyngor Gwynedd take this golden and crucial opportunity to replace a dated education language policy and introduce an ambitious, clear and completely new education language policy for their schools? Response from the Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Dewi Jones Thank you for your question and for your interest in this important field, a field that is important to all of us in this Chamber, I'm sure. Also, thank you very much for your willingness to come to discuss with me a few weeks ago, when we had this exact debate. Yes, Cyngor Gwynedd wants to take this golden and critical opportunity to introduce an ambitious, clear and completely new education language policy for our schools. As I am sure you are aware, and as several members in the Chamber today are aware, there is significant work already taking place, led by Meirion Prys Jones to create a policy , which will be presented in draft form to the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee on 10 April. Following this there will be opportunities to consult with the public, and I am sure there will be a part for you to play in that too. Supplementary Question from Mr Ieuan Wyn Thank you for your positive and encouraging reply here today, publicly that the new policy will be ambitious, clear and completely new. As such, can you confirm that the new policy will not be merely suggestions and aspirations, but a clear and firm policy that will set clear targets for the schools to increase the Welsh-medium provision within a specified timescale and milestones, and a policy to be actively implemented in a missionary spirit, with the Education Department's guidance and support in terms of monitoring, reviewing and offering practical support to the schools? Response from the Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Dewi Jones I can assure you that the policy will be ambitious, and the policy will ensure that we as a county play our part in ensuring that we have one million Welsh-speakers by 2050. (B) Questions by Elected Members (1) Question by Councillor Richard Glyn Roberts Given that there is a strong feeling locally that council tax policy in the field of empty houses and second homes, in some circumstances, imposes a disproportionate and unfair taxation burden on Gwynedd residents and given that the Welsh Government guidance on council tax on empty houses and second homes states: It is a matter for a local authority as to whether it uses the discretionary powers in sections 12A, 12B or 13A to reduce council tax liability in respect of a premium or to reduce the standard council tax liability, or both, as appropriate. This policy should cover a range of situations where a local authority would consider using its discretionary powers, including properties that do not meet the criteria to be classified as non-domestic. To ensure fairness and transparency, a local authority should have a clear policy on whether and how these powers are used. However, the authority should consider each case individually after weighing up the circumstances of the case. Does Gwynedd have such a clear policy with a view to using discretionary powers to reduce the rate of basic council tax (e.g. in the case of self-catering holiday units, without planning permission to become permanent households, which fail to meet the 182-day letting threshold) and how the authority evaluates the circumstances of each case individually with a view on this matter and the associated matter of the premium? Response from the Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Huw Wyn Jones This is what the Council's position is at the moment. We enforce the law and any statutory exceptions we have to apply according to the law. We do not make any discretionary exceptions at this time. The concern is that we would create a precedent which could come back to bite us, unless we have a completely clear policy. Exceptions, of course, are difficult because every situation is different. Creating a clear policy, that does not set a precedent, is difficult and please feel free to come back to us to discuss this, and to perhaps help us try to formulate some sort of clear policy on this issue. The door is not closed, but at the moment trying to find a way to create an exceptions policy without setting a precedent that brings problems is difficult, therefore anyone here today is welcome to contact me to discuss this to see if we can formulate a policy that works, but it is difficult because every case is a little different. I receive emails about this issue quite frequently. Supplementary Question from Councillor Richard Glyn Roberts Let us therefore confirm that by intention rather than by default we do not have a policy at the moment and that the door is open to possibly making a policy in the future so that genuine local family farms, social enterprises, local holiday accommodation businesses that fail to meet the threshold do not get a surprise bill for £5,000 instead of £2,000? So, the door is open for us to discuss that kind of policy? Response from the Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Huw Wyn Jones The list of exceptions you have given demonstrates how difficult it is to create a policy that will not come back to bite us in the future. The door is open. Please contact me – I am very happy to discuss with you, but it is very difficult to create a policy in this field. Certainly, no policy will please everyone. (2) Question by Councillor Rhys Tudur Given that an individual can be identified as someone in need of housing for several areas simultaneously on the Housing Associations' list or the Common Housing Register, thus adding and multiplying the 'demand for housing' figure for all those areas they have shown an interest to live in; And given that the 'demand for housing' data is based on an interest in an area rather than the need of its population and is therefore misleading to the extent that it justifies all developments everywhere despite them being incompatible and despite the absence of population growth in our County; What willingness does this Council have to identify data of the actual need of the population of the area where a planning application is located rather than consider all the county 'interest' that has been stated for the area? Response from the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, Councillor Paul Rowlinson Thank you for raising this important point. It is important that all of us understand the exact nature of the need for social housing and what the figures tell us, particularly those who make decisions on planning issues. I am confident that the data we publish on housing need accurately reflects the true need. The figures on the Open Data section of the Council’s website notes the “Housing Need” in every area, defining housing need according to the number of applications for a social house. The true housing need may be even higher than this as some don’t apply, thinking they are unlikely to get a house, but it is not possible to measure this at present. In the data the county is split into 144 areas, approximately two areas in each ward on average therefore they are typically very small. When someone is searching for a house, as a rule they are willing to consider several areas. Applicants are encouraged to note on their application form all the areas where they would be willing to live in order to maximise their chance of being offered a home e.g. if someone is in search of a house in Bangor, they can apply for nine areas within the city. Within the Llanystumdwy ward, there are five areas. These areas are very small, some are just one village. Should someone add together the figures for all areas, the total would be misleading as it would count the same applicants multiple times. Perhaps this is where the confusion has originated. However, the published data does not do this; the published figures for the number of applicants on the waiting register, over 2,000, and the number of individuals on the waiting register, over 4,000, are correct. There are a significant number of people and children on the list, and it is important to build more social housing to meet the need and reduce these numbers. When a planning application is submitted to develop social housing, the Strategic Housing Unit provides observations, including the number of applications for a house in the area and the types of houses needed. This method of measuring the need is a nationally recognised method and this information is used to prove whether a local need exists to justify the application. If we only counted those living in the village, this would not reflect the true need. Some applicants on the waiting list live in the village itself, some in nearby areas, some may come from the area originally but now live far away and wish to move back home. Some may have had to move from the area previously due to the lack of affordable housing and are keen to return home, and we should help them do that. Perhaps others are homeless, temporarily staying at a hostel or a bed and breakfast far from the village and are keen to return home. Others must move to another community because of a need for a particular type of accommodation, e.g. a property for older people, flats etc., which are not available in every community. People also often move out of necessity rather than desire (e.g. moving to be closer to their family to provide or receive support, moving for employment, education or training reasons, moving to flee violence or threats of violence – and these are far more common than one would think). These reasons are recognised in law and therefore the Council must reflect them in its allocation arrangements. Gwynedd's Common Housing Letting Policy prioritises individuals and families who have resided for five years or more in the Community Council area for all allocations made through the register to ensure that priority is given to individuals with a connection to the particular area but, as I have explained, attempting to define the local need for housing by restricting it to those who currently live there is misleading. No one tries to confine property buyers to the villages where they already live; we should not seek to impose similar restrictions on those in need of social housing. Supplementary Question from Councillor Rhys Tudur Given that the data that we currently gather is the county need data, and also area data which – and I'm reading a note here on the data itself that states "The housing need data is a record of each area an individual has selected on the application". So, in view of that, may I ask what willingness does this Council have to collect data for how many individuals have selected an area as their number one top priority, and also how many individuals, who live in an area where there is already a planning application, are in need of housing? That data will empower us to measure where the people in need of housing are and will empower the data we have on the need locally. Response from the Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, Councillor Paul Rowlinson Well, I have already explained why it would not be appropriate to state the number who live in the village, in the area. With regard to the question about first choice, thinking about the original question, we did consider whether it would be wise to include that additional information to help the decision-makers, but it was decided that it was not appropriate. When allocating houses, we do not take into account the order people have stated anyway. Someone who has noted the village as their second choice is considered the same as someone who has selected it as first choice, and also many people do not indicate their choice when filling out the form, but tick maybe half a dozen boxes for where they want to live. They do not place them in order of priority and therefore, if they are in the village, they have to accept the offer. If they refuse, they fall down the list therefore people do not submit applications for housing unless they are genuinely willing to live somewhere, for example, if someone wanted a house in Bangor, they might be willing to live in any of the 9 areas in Bangor. People do not list places in order of priority on the forms, and it would not be possible for us to provide robust data in that regard. There are also practical problems, and you would have to go through the system checking everyone's first choice. There are hundreds on the list. In my ward alone in Rachub there are 177 so there are practical problems involved in doing that, and this is not something that would give you any meaningful data I'm afraid. (3) Question by Councillor Gwynfor Owen Three years ago I asked a question in the Council "What is the Council planning to do about the problem of speeding in our communities? I received a reply at the time from the Cabinet holder, former Councillor Gareth Griffiths, saying that the 20mph speed limit would be coming in soon and that it would hopefully improve the situation. The reality is that the situation has not improved at all. I receive complaints everywhere in my ward starting in Llandecwyn, on to Talsarnau, Glan y Wern, Ynys, Harlech, Llanfair and Llanbedr. Would the Council be willing to examine alternative ways to prevent the speeding that is creating genuine concern to so many of my constituents? Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Craig ab Iago I share your concerns about the speeding. Over the years, in my role as a Councillor, I have managed to reduce the driving speed limits on roads in my area. I have had several conversations with many officers from the Council regarding this, and the reality from the perspective as a councillor is that there is not much the Council can do to change people's behaviour on the roads. If you have any suggestions or ideas, I would welcome a conversation about them any time. I think it would be worth taking the matter before a scrutiny committee at some point, and I would welcome a conversation with you about the matter. Supplementary Question from Councillor Gwynfor Owen Thank you for the comprehensive answer. Although the written response is full of facts, only the last paragraph answers my question, and although I am incredibly grateful for this response, I would like to ask for further assurance that the Council officers will be willing to discuss every option with me for slowing down traffic on roads within my ward. Travelling through Wales and beyond, one sees all sorts of things being used to slow down traffic e.g. narrowing of lanes, creating crossing points, flashing signs or something to remind drivers of the dangers of speeding, and it would be nice to see some of these options being used in my ward. As such, can you assure me that the Council officers will be willing to discuss with me all possible options for slowing down traffic within my ward? Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Craig ab Iago I am happy to discuss with you. Any other members are also welcome to contact me to have a chat about speeding in their ward. (4) Question by Councillor Jina Gwyrfai What consideration is given to the 'conservation area' designation when considering planning applications, particularly applications to install solar panels and heat pumps? Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Craig ab Iago The question is very technical. I have nothing to add to what is contained in the written response. Is the answer of assistance to you? Supplementary Question from Councillor Jina Gwyrfai From the answer, it is good that special consideration is given to the appearance of conservation areas whilst every planning application is addressed individually, which is fair enough. However, the principle of then looking after conservation is at risk in my view, therefore I would like to ask how these two important principles can be reconciled to ensure that the cumulative result of permitting a large number of solar panels etc., is not the destruction of conservation areas? There must be some kind of monitoring. Response from the Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Craig ab Iago I would agree with you, but again the question is a technical question. I am happy to have a chat with you and the officers to find a solution that truly answers your question.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to adopt the Council Workforce's Pay Policy for 2025/26.
The Chair of the Chief Officers Appointment Committee, Councillor Ioan Thomas, presented a report recommending that the Council approved the recommendation of the Chief Officers Appointment Committee to adopt the Pay Policy for 2025/26. Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations. Referring to the observations of the statutory officers at the end of the report, a member questioned whether it would have been appropriate to seek legal and financial opinion from outside this authority in this instance, given the Monitoring Officer and Statutory Finance Officer's interest in the matter? In response, the Chief Executive noted that it was not the Monitoring Officer nor the Statutory Finance Officer who had submitted the observations in this case, but their deputies, but this should have been made clear in the report. A member asked if the Council should be adopting the Pay Policy if there was a point of concern around propriety? In response, the Chief Executive noted that there was no concern around propriety, and that the record of this item would state clearly that the observations had been submitted by the deputies of the two statutory officers. RESOLVED to adopt the Council Workforce's Pay Policy for 2025/26.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to approve the addition of the following project to the areas to be prioritised at a strategic level as part of the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-28. Ensuring that full and timely support is available to support people to live at home To ensure that people can live their best lives, we must make prompt and easily accessible support available for individuals and their families. We will implement plans to: • Ensure that we acknowledge the value of family and unpaid carers by making sure that we can easily identify them and offer them full support with caring. • Reduce our waiting lists for new domiciliary care packages, ensuring no one in Gwynedd waits longer than 28 days following a care assessment.
The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being, Councillor Dilwyn Morgan, presented a report asking the Council to approve the addition of a Domiciliary Care project to the areas to be prioritised at a strategic level as part of the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-28. Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and make observations. It was enquired whether the Council had a fair and firm system of referring complaints to the attention of the Care Service. In response, the Statutory Director of Social Services noted that:- · The Council had a system for listening to complaints and learning lessons, and for receiving encouraging and positive comments as well. · An officer from the Children's Department and officer from the Adults Department dealt with complaints and representations specifically, and reported regularly to the Cabinet and the Care Scrutiny Committee. · This area was also included as part of his annual report to the Council, and he would be happy to discuss further with the member if they wished. RESOLVED to approve the addition of the following project to the areas to be prioritised at a strategic level as part of the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-28. Ensuring that full and timely support is available to support people to live at home To ensure that people can live their best lives, we must make prompt and easily accessible support available for individuals and their families. We will implement plans to: • Ensure that we acknowledge the value of family and unpaid carers by making sure that we can easily identify them and offer them full support with caring. • Reduce our waiting lists for new domiciliary care packages, ensuring no one in Gwynedd waits longer than 28 days following a care assessment.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED 1. To approve the recommendations of the Cabinet as noted in the report:- (a) To establish a budget of £356,815,330 for 2025/26 to be funded by a £248,389,720 Government Grant and £104,425,610 of Council Tax income (which is an increase of 8.66%). (b) To establish a capital programme of £53,736,190 for 2025/26 to be funded from the sources noted in Appendix 4 of the report presented to the Council. 2. That it be noted that the Cabinet Member for Finance, in a decision notice dated 30 December 2024, approved the calculation of the following amounts for 2025/26 in accordance with Regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ("The Act"):- (a) 56,842.05 being the amount calculated in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995 as amended, as its Council Tax Base for the year. (b) Parts of the Council’s area – Community Tax Base - Aberdaron 621.88 Llanddeiniolen 1,904.89 Aberdyfi 1,194.77 Llandderfel 528.88 Abergwyngregyn 121.90 Llanegryn 174.80 Abermaw (Barmouth) 1,317.52 Llanelltyd 310.17 Arthog 695.76 Llanengan 2,751.39 Y Bala 818.83 Llanfair 362.68 Bangor 4,244.36 Llanfihangel y Pennant 251.76 Beddgelert 350.40 Llanfrothen 237.36 Betws Garmon 146.24 Llangelynnin 484.85 Bethesda 1,765.16 Llangywer 159.19 Bontnewydd 463.21 Llanllechid 371.67 Botwnnog 484.06 Llanllyfni 1,471.45 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 474.36 Llannor 951.51 Bryncrug 355.42 Llanrug 1,154.25 Buan 244.98 Llanuwchllyn 334.68 Caernarfon 3,721.81 Llanwnda 857.37 Clynnog Fawr 489.83 Llanycil 213.75 Corris 319.67 Llanystumdwy 937.44 Criccieth 1,016.89 Maentwrog 319.62 Dolbenmaen 652.91 Mawddwy 378.38 Dolgellau 1,315.09 Nefyn 1,696.20 Dyffryn Ardudwy 873.94 Pennal 238.53 Y Felinheli 1,202.04 Penrhyndeudraeth 838.59 Ffestiniog 1,842.24 Pentir 1,310.58 Y Ganllwyd 88.00 Pistyll 298.51 Harlech 870.85 Porthmadog 2,304.34 Trefor a Llanaelhaearn 475.75 Pwllheli 1,866.35 Llanbedr 359.87 Talsarnau 365.44 Llanbedrog 882.45 Trawsfynydd 528.93 Llanberis 814.21 Tudweiliog 520.39 Llandwrog 1,083.91 Tywyn 1,776.31 Llandygai 1,038.17 Waunfawr 595.31 being the amounts calculated as the amounts of its Council Tax Base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. 3. That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2025/26 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Act:- (a) £581,749,890 Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2)(a) to (e) of the Act (gross expenditure). (b) £221,986,500 Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (3)(a) to (c) of the Act (income). (c) £359,763,390 Being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget requirement for the year (net budget). (ch) £247,894,058 Being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable during the year into its fund in respect of the National Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, less the estimated cost to the Council of discretionary non-domestic rate relief granted. (d) £1,968.07 Being the amount at 3(c) above less the amount at 3(ch) above, all divided by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (Cyngor Gwynedd tax and average community council tax). (dd) £3,443,721.04 Being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (community council precepts). (e) £1,907.49 Being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(dd) above by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates (Band D for Cyngor Gwynedd tax only). (f) For parts of the Council’s area - Aberdaron 1,935.63 Llanddeiniolen 1,923.76 Aberdyfi 1,945.61 Llandderfel 1,935.85 Abergwyngregyn 1,944.41 Llanegryn 1,952.40 Abermaw (Barmouth) 1,960.16 Llanelltyd 1,946.18 Arthog 1,929.05 Llanengan 1,931.11 Y Bala 1,942.30 Llanfair 1,957.12 Bangor 2,049.15 Llanfihangel y Pennant 1,957.54 Beddgelert 1,948.02 Llanfrothen 1,961.42 Betws Garmon 1,929.03 Llangelynnin 1,937.20 Bethesda 1,971.14 Llangywer 1,938.90 Bontnewydd 1,947.43 Llanllechid 1,953.82 Botwnnog 1,920.92 Llanllyfni 1,943.51 Brithdir a Llanfachreth 1,932.79 Llannor 1,929.56 Bryncrug 1,945.05 Llanrug 1,994.13 Buan 1,925.86 Llanuwchllyn 1,957.69 Caernarfon 2,022.94 Llanwnda 1,946.10 Clynnog Fawr 1,978.94 Llanycil 1,929.71 Corris 1,966.93 Llanystumdwy 1,929.36 Criccieth 1,966.49 Maentwrog 1,928.99 Dolbenmaen 1,935.06 Mawddwy 1,942.11 Dolgellau 1,966.04 Nefyn 1,963.50 Dyffryn Ardudwy 1,970.42 Pennal 1,982.95 Y Felinheli 1,951.27 Penrhyndeudraeth 2,028.65 Ffestiniog 2,043.19 Pentir 1,949.46 Y Ganllwyd 1,944.42 Pistyll 1,947.69 Harlech 2,005.10 Porthmadog 1,939.46 Trefor and Llanaelhaearn 1,960.04 Pwllheli 1,977.14 Llanbedr 1,988.07 Talsarnau 2,000.53 Llanbedrog 1,941.49 Trawsfynydd 1,945.30 Llanberis 1,958.07 Tudweiliog 1,926.71 Llandwrog 1,983.73 Tywyn 1,966.57 Llandygai 1,944.96 Waunfawr 1,927.65 being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(e) above the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the amount of 2(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. (ff) In respect of parts of the Council’s area, the figures noted in Appendix 1, being the amounts obtained by multiplying the sums specified in 3(f) above by the number which, according to the proportions set out in Section 5 (1) of the Act, applies to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which according to those proportions applies to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36 (1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year for the categories of dwelling houses listed in different valuation bands. 4. That it be noted that for the year 2025/26 the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales have stated the following amounts in a precept issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act for each of the categories of dwelling houses shown below: Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Band I 248.10 289.45 330.80 372.15 454.85 537.55 620.25 744.30 868.35 5. Having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(ff) and 4 above, that the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Act, hereby sets the amounts noted in Appendix 2 as the Council Tax for the year 2025/26 for each category of dwelling houses shown in the Appendix.
Before the Council began discussing this item, the Chair noted, in line with the Constitution, that the Head of Finance Department must receive notice of any amendment to the budget in writing in advance, and that this amendment must lead to a balanced budget, if it was to be discussed. All members of the Council had been reminded of this the previous week, and as the Head of Finance Department had not received any notice of an amendment by the specified deadline, it would not be possible for the Council to consider any amendment to the budget. The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Huw Wyn Jones presented:- · A report recommending a budget for the Council to approve for 2025/26; · The draft decision on the Council Tax based on the Cabinet's recommendation to the Council (based on an increase of 8.66%), along with tables showing the Council Tax level and the increase per community. The Cabinet Member thanked the staff of the Finance Department for all their work in preparing the budget. The Leader thanked the Cabinet Member for his presentation and for making the case for the budget clear. She thanked the officers for guiding the Council through the process, and for their expertise and their skills. She also thanked the members of the Governance and Audit Committee for their work scrutinising the budget, and thanked her fellow members for attending the budget workshops. She further noted:- · That the budget reflected the Council's values as it prioritised the most vulnerable people in society by protecting care for children and adults social services, earmarking funding to try to reduce waiting lists for care, and protected schools from cuts next year. · The pressures on the services increased every year with the county's population ageing, more people requiring care, more vulnerable children requiring care and more people becoming homeless. · Despite the increase in the demand for services, the Council had to set a balanced budget. · As a result of pressing on the Senedd Cymru Finance Committee through the Welsh Local Government Association, a guaranteed minimum was secured for the settlement, otherwise the situation for Gwynedd would have been even more perilous. However, this was not a long-term solution, and for the benefit of the people of Gwynedd, we had to ensure fair funding to local government. Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and make observations. A member enquired how confident the Head of Finance Department was that the budget was robust and that the Council would not have to make use of balances again this year. In response, the Head of Finance Department referred to the contents of Appendix 10 to the report, namely the statement he was required to complete as a Statutory Finance Officer on the robustness of the estimates in accordance with Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003. Regarding the part of the question relating to the use of balances, the Head of Finance Department stated that he believed that the additional resources included as part of the bids (Appendix 2) would go a long way to addressing the financial deficit and the forecast overspend in 2024/25, and anticipated that such a situation would not happen again next year. Nevertheless, he could not give any guarantee that there would be no overspend again in 2025/26. The Head of Finance Department confirmed, having considered all the risks and mitigation steps, that he was of the opinion that the Council's Budget for 2025/26 was sound, adequate and achievable. Members made the following observations:– · Local government was not funded properly and the Council Tax system would never work for our constituents. A local income tax would be a fairer system, and the member believed that this should be explored further. · The financial deficit was increasing year on year, and the Council's expenditure would need to be increased by £25.8m in 2025/26 just to remain in the same position. · The two governments were increasingly moving towards regressive taxation, rather than progressive taxation. In 1996, 81.8% of the Council's budget was paid by central government. By 2009/10 the figure had decreased to 78.4%, and by now it had fallen almost a further 10% to 69.5%. · As a consequence of 15 years of austerity, public services were on their knees, and there were higher than ever levels of homeless people and children suffering from diseases, levels not seen since Victorian times. · The Westminster Government was managing to find money to pay for a war while cutting the welfare state. · There had been a promise of a "partnership in force" between the UK Government and the Welsh Government, led by the Labour Party, but that had been an empty promise. · The Council Tax was an unfair and regressive tax which ensured that the wealthiest people in society did not pay their share. We possibly needed to shout louder about this in the next financial year, and try to persuade other councils to do the same. · The Council faced difficult decisions, but those decisions ensured that we were able to support the most vulnerable people in our society, and also the next generation. · The amount of money that came to Gwynedd from the Welsh Government depended on the county's population figures, which were decreasing, and it was hoped that Ambition North Wales were doing everything within their ability to create jobs in Gwynedd, so that people did not have to leave the county in search of work. It was noted that the proposed increase of 8.66% in the Council Tax carried through to the Council Tax Premium and imposed a disproportionate and unfair taxation burden on some people born and bred in Gwynedd, such as family farms, social enterprises and genuine local holiday accommodation businesses, etc. The member enquired how difficult would it be to introduce additional exemptions in a clear policy, rather than dealing with situations on a case-by-case basis where there was no real clarity. In response, it was noted:- · That the Council's policy was to only allow statutory exemptions. · There was a part of the legislation that allowed the Council to consider reducing Council Tax bills, whether for a group of taxpayers or for individual taxpayers. · In cases of genuine hardship, they tended to consider discretion for not only the Premium, but for the whole Council Tax. · In considering the situation of groups of taxpayers, the Council had to ensure that the matter was addressed equally and in line with the legislation, and it could not charge a Premium on one cohort of people and not charge another cohort, unless there was a clear explanation and justification for doing so. As the Cabinet Member had stated in response to a question on this exact issue earlier on in the meeting, there was a risk of creating a precedent, and that the precedent could come back to bite us unless we had an explicit policy. · Although it would be very difficult to produce a policy, it was not impossible, and we could look at this further and have a policy in place. The Cabinet Member for Education noted that he was pleased that the schools budget was being protected in 2025/26, but the county's schools, like many other sectors in society, were under immense pressure, and headteachers were finding it difficult to set a balanced budget which subsequently led to staff in some schools being made redundant. The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being noted the following:- · That the difficult work that had taken place to weigh up the cuts against increasing the Council Tax had been a long and tough path. · The budget presented invested in the most vulnerable people. · 82% of the Council's overspend came from the care field, but it was not truly overspend, but rather underfunding of all the care required, over a number of years. · With the demand for care increasing year on year, the staff were working very hard seven days a week, every day of the year. · Although the Council was now providing just over 9,000 of care hours weekly, this was not adequate, and there were still people on the waiting lists. · They could not give assurance that there would not be overspend in the care field again next year, as they could not predict what the demand for services would be, but with this budget the Council would be taking the reasonable step towards protecting the most vulnerable people in the county. A registered vote was called for on the motion. In accordance with Procedural Rules, the following vote on the motion was recorded:- In favour 45 Councillors:- Craig ab Iago, Menna Baines, Beca Brown, Stephen Churchman, Glyn Daniels, Elwyn Edwards, Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn, Alan Jones Evans, Gwilym Evans, Delyth Lloyd Griffiths, Jina Gwyrfai, Medwyn Hughes, Iwan Huws, Nia Wyn Jeffreys, Berwyn Parry Jones, Dawn Lynne Jones, Dewi Jones, Gwilym Jones, Gareth Tudor Jones, Huw Wyn Jones, June Jones, Cai Larsen, Beth Lawton, Dilwyn Morgan, Linda Morgan, Edgar Wyn Owen, Gwynfor Owen, Llio Elenid Owen, John Pughe, Rheinallt Puw, Arwyn Herald Roberts, Beca Roberts, Elfed P Roberts, Meryl Roberts, Richard Glyn Roberts, Huw Llwyd Rowlands, Paul Rowlinson, Dyfrig Siencyn, Ioan Thomas, Menna Trenholme, Rhys Tudur, Einir Wyn Williams, Elfed Williams, Sasha Williams and Sian Williams. Against 12 Councillors:- Dylan Fernley, Louise Hughes, Anne Lloyd Jones, Elwyn Jones, Dewi Owen, Gareth Coj Parry, John Pughe Roberts, Peter Thomas, Rob Triggs, Hefin Underwood, Gareth Williams and Gruffydd Williams. Abstentions 2 Councillors Eryl Jones-Williams and Nigel Pickavance. The Chair noted that the motion had carried. RESOLVED 1. To approve the recommendations of the Cabinet as noted in the report:- (a) To establish a budget of £356,815,330 for 2025/26 to be funded by a £248,389,720 Government Grant and £104,425,610 of Council Tax income (which is an increase of 8.66%). (b) To establish a capital programme of £53,736,190 for 2025/26 to be funded from the sources noted in Appendix 4 of the report presented to the Council. 2. That it be noted that the Cabinet Member for Finance, in a decision notice dated 30 December 2024, approved the calculation of the following amounts for 2025/26 in accordance with Regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 ("The Act"):- (a) 56,842.05 being the amount calculated in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995 as amended, as its Council Tax Base for the year. (b) Parts of the Council’s area – Community Tax Base - Aberdaron 621.88 Llanddeiniolen 1,904.89 Aberdyfi 1,194.77 Llandderfel 528.88 Abergwyngregyn 121.90 Llanegryn 174.80 Abermaw (Barmouth) 1,317.52 Llanelltyd 310.17 Arthog 695.76 Llanengan 2,751.39 Y Bala 818.83 Llanfair 362.68 Bangor 4,244.36 Llanfihangel y Pennant 251.76 Beddgelert 350.40 Llanfrothen 237.36 Betws Garmon 146.24 Llangelynnin 484.85 Bethesda 1,765.16 Llangywer 159.19 Bontnewydd 463.21 Llanllechid 371.67 Botwnnog 484.06 Llanllyfni 1,471.45 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 474.36 Llannor 951.51 Bryncrug 355.42 Llanrug 1,154.25 Buan 244.98 Llanuwchllyn 334.68 Caernarfon 3,721.81 Llanwnda 857.37 Clynnog Fawr 489.83 Llanycil 213.75 Corris 319.67 Llanystumdwy 937.44 Criccieth 1,016.89 Maentwrog 319.62 Dolbenmaen 652.91 Mawddwy 378.38 Dolgellau 1,315.09 Nefyn 1,696.20 Dyffryn Ardudwy 873.94 Pennal 238.53 Y Felinheli 1,202.04 Penrhyndeudraeth 838.59 Ffestiniog 1,842.24 Pentir 1,310.58 Y Ganllwyd 88.00 Pistyll 298.51 Harlech 870.85 Porthmadog 2,304.34 Trefor a Llanaelhaearn 475.75 Pwllheli 1,866.35 Llanbedr 359.87 Talsarnau 365.44 Llanbedrog 882.45 Trawsfynydd 528.93 Llanberis 814.21 Tudweiliog 520.39 Llandwrog 1,083.91 Tywyn 1,776.31 Llandygai 1,038.17 Waunfawr 595.31 being the amounts calculated as the amounts of its Council Tax Base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. 3. That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2025/26 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Act:- (a) £581,749,890 Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2)(a) to (e) of the Act (gross expenditure). (b) £221,986,500 Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (3)(a) to (c) of the Act (income). (c) £359,763,390 Being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget requirement for the year (net budget). (ch) £247,894,058 Being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable during the year into its fund in respect of the National Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, less the estimated cost to the Council of discretionary non-domestic rate relief granted. (d) £1,968.07 Being the amount at 3(c) above less the amount at 3(ch) above, all divided by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (Cyngor Gwynedd tax and average community council tax). (dd) £3,443,721.04 Being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (community council precepts). (e) £1,907.49 Being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(dd) above by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates (Band D for Cyngor Gwynedd tax only). (f) For parts of the Council’s area - Aberdaron 1,935.63 Llanddeiniolen 1,923.76 Aberdyfi 1,945.61 Llandderfel 1,935.85 Abergwyngregyn 1,944.41 Llanegryn 1,952.40 Abermaw (Barmouth) 1,960.16 Llanelltyd 1,946.18 Arthog 1,929.05 Llanengan 1,931.11 Y Bala 1,942.30 Llanfair 1,957.12 Bangor 2,049.15 Llanfihangel y Pennant 1,957.54 Beddgelert 1,948.02 Llanfrothen 1,961.42 Betws Garmon 1,929.03 Llangelynnin 1,937.20 Bethesda 1,971.14 Llangywer 1,938.90 Bontnewydd 1,947.43 Llanllechid 1,953.82 Botwnnog 1,920.92 Llanllyfni 1,943.51 Brithdir a Llanfachreth 1,932.79 Llannor 1,929.56 Bryncrug 1,945.05 Llanrug 1,994.13 Buan 1,925.86 Llanuwchllyn 1,957.69 Caernarfon 2,022.94 Llanwnda 1,946.10 Clynnog Fawr 1,978.94 Llanycil 1,929.71 Corris 1,966.93 Llanystumdwy 1,929.36 Criccieth 1,966.49 Maentwrog 1,928.99 Dolbenmaen 1,935.06 Mawddwy 1,942.11 Dolgellau 1,966.04 Nefyn 1,963.50 Dyffryn Ardudwy 1,970.42 Pennal 1,982.95 Y Felinheli 1,951.27 Penrhyndeudraeth 2,028.65 Ffestiniog 2,043.19 Pentir 1,949.46 Y Ganllwyd 1,944.42 Pistyll 1,947.69 Harlech 2,005.10 Porthmadog 1,939.46 Trefor and Llanaelhaearn 1,960.04 Pwllheli 1,977.14 Llanbedr 1,988.07 Talsarnau 2,000.53 Llanbedrog 1,941.49 Trawsfynydd 1,945.30 Llanberis 1,958.07 Tudweiliog 1,926.71 Llandwrog 1,983.73 Tywyn 1,966.57 Llandygai 1,944.96 Waunfawr 1,927.65 being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(e) above the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the amount of 2(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. (ff) In respect of parts of the Council’s area, the figures noted in Appendix 1, being the amounts obtained by multiplying the sums specified in 3(f) above by the number which, according to the proportions set out in Section 5 (1) of the Act, applies to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which according to those proportions applies to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36 (1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year for the categories of dwelling houses listed in different valuation bands. 4. That it be noted that for the year 2025/26 the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales have stated the following amounts in a precept issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Act for each of the categories of dwelling houses shown below: Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Band I 248.10 289.45 330.80 372.15 454.85 537.55 620.25 744.30 868.35 5. Having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(ff) and 4 above, that the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Act, hereby sets the amounts noted in Appendix 2 as the Council Tax for the year 2025/26 for each category of dwelling houses shown in the Appendix.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the report and to approve the Capital Strategy for 2025/26.
The Finance Cabinet Member, Councillor Huw Wyn Jones, presented a report providing a high-level overview of how capital expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contribute to the provision of local public services. The report also provided an overview of how associated risks were managed, and the implications for future financial sustainability. In presenting the report, the Cabinet Member drew attention to paragraph 6.4 of Appendix C to the report 'Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Considerations' which had been amended following Councillor Cai Larsen's notice of motion to the Council meeting of 3 October, 2024. He noted that the Strategy confirmed that the Council was committed to being a responsible investor, giving consideration to all the environmental, social and governance factors when investing. RESOLVED to accept the report and to approve the Capital Strategy for 2025/26.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED 1. To establish the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee with the Terms of Reference in Appendix 1 to the report presented to the Council. 2. To agree that the powers of local Scrutiny Committees provided for under The Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2022 shall be retained. 3. To agree that the political balance of Cyngor Gwynedd’s nominees to the joint overview and scrutiny committee (JOSC) will reflect the membership of Cyngor Gwynedd rather than the membership of all North Wales councils in aggregate. 4. To agree that the secretariat for the JOSC will be provided by the CJC in accordance with the Terms of Reference.
The Monitoring Officer presented a report:- · noting that statutory guidance and existing practice pointed towards the six councils in North Wales establishing a joint overview scrutiny model so that there was a single dedicated body which was immersed in the work of the Corporate Joint Committee (CJC); · listing a series of recommendations that provided for scrutiny arrangements for the Joint Committee. Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and make observations. A member expressed dissatisfaction that appointing the members of the Joint Committee based on the political balance of the individual councils excluded some smaller groups across North Wales from reaching the threshold. It was also suggested that having a Joint Committee of 18 members (namely three members from each council, rather than two as proposed) would give smaller groups a better chance of having a seat on the Joint Committee. In response, it was noted:- · That this concern would be conveyed. · The door had not closed, and it would be possible to revise or further develop the model after some experience of running these arrangements. In response to questions from members, it was explained that should the recommendations in this report be adopted, Cyngor Gwynedd's seat allocation on the Joint Committee would be adopted by the full Council in May as part of its annual review of the Council's political balance. Looking at the numbers and the political split, and without prejudicing any decision, it appeared at present that there would be 1 seat for the Plaid Cymru Group and 1 seat for the Independent Group. The Leader noted that although she agreed with many of the points, the procedure of the CJC, which meant regionalising from Anglesey to Wrexham, was not a democratic method of making decisions. However, as this procedure had been forced on us, it was important to ensure a way of scrutinising the work of the CJC and holding it to account. RESOLVED 1. To establish the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee with the Terms of Reference in Appendix 1 to the report presented to the Council. 2. To agree that the powers of local Scrutiny Committees provided for under The Corporate Joint Committees (General) (No. 2) (Wales) Regulations 2022 shall be retained. 3. To agree that the political balance of Cyngor Gwynedd’s nominees to the joint overview and scrutiny committee (JOSC) will reflect the membership of Cyngor Gwynedd rather than the membership of all North Wales councils in aggregate. 4. To agree that the secretariat for the JOSC will be provided by the CJC in accordance with the Terms of Reference.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to approve the Draft Proposals under sections 25 and 31 of the Local Government (Democracy)(Wales) Act 2013 for the purposes of consultation.
The Cabinet Member for Corporate and Legal Services, Councillor Llio Elenid Owen, presented a report:- · noting that the Council, on 7 March 2024, had approved the holding of community reviews under sections 25 and 31 of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013. · reporting back on the outcome of the initial consultation and investigation period on those community reviews; and · asking the Council to approve Draft Proposals for further public consultation. RESOLVED to approve the Draft Proposals under sections 25 and 31 of the Local Government (Democracy)(Wales) Act 2013 for the purposes of consultation.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to accept the report.
Submitted – a report by the Monitoring Officer reporting formally that in accordance with Part 5 of the Constitution, the Council Leader had acted to rearrange the Cabinet Members' Portfolios. A member commented that the majority of the Cabinet members were from the Arfon area, and that only one represented Meirionnydd. It was also noted that the Cabinet Members from Dwyfor lived near to Arfon. As such, the member queried how it could be ensured that there was no unconscious prejudice when making decisions based on geography, and to what extent could the Cabinet avoid lack of compassion with the outer-most parts of the County, which had the most dispersed population? In response, the Chief Executive noted:- · That he would not pass comment on the content of the observation as this was a report for information regarding changing the Constitution, and it was a matter for the Leader to appoint her Cabinet. · As the one leading the Council's staff, he noted the observation and could assure the member that no unconscious geographical bias existed from the perspective of the staff. A member thanked the four Cabinet Members who had stood down earlier this term on a matter of principle for their service. It was noted that those members had called for a public inquiry and independent review of the matter, and they welcomed the fact that this was now taking place. RESOLVED to accept the report.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to adopt the new Contract Procedure Rules (Section 17) shown in Appendix 1 of the report submitted to the Council.
The Monitoring Officer set the context and the Solicitor presented a report:- · noting that the Procurement Act 2023 that had come into force on 24 February, 2025 meant that the Council must review and amend its internal procurement rules contained within the Contract Procedure Rules to reflect the change in legislation in order to ensure compliance with the act. · asking the Council to amend the Constitution by adopting the new Contract Rules (Section 17) shown in Appendix 1 to the report. Members were given an opportunity to ask questions and make observations. The regulations were welcomed, and everyone working in the field of Procurement were wished well. It was noted that there were not many references in the Regulations to language skills in subcontracting, and suggested that a golden opportunity was being missed here. It was accepted that there were contracting rules relating to discrimination, but the law stated that priority can be given in different circumstances in achieving a legitimate aim such as promoting the Welsh language. Accordingly, an amendment was proposed to delay the adoption of the Regulations until the Language Committee had had the opportunity to scrutinise this. In response, it was noted:- · That this was a matter of compliance with legislation that was now in force, and that the Council must have regulations that aligned with this legislation. · The amendment related to procurement policy rather than the legal system, i.e. what the Council buys rather than how the Council buys it. · This may be an issue to be raised in the Language Committee in terms of how procurement reflects language requirements, etc. · This did not close the door on conducting further reviews in the future. The Chief Executive noted that the Language Committee was free to look into any subject, but that would not change the decision. Officers were asked if they could be confident that the policy would help keep the benefit local, and at what level of tender was it required to go out on Sell to Wales? In response, it was noted:- · That the essence of the new regulations was transparency, and that information about tenders below the previously existing high thresholds must now be advertised. · The approach to tendering was then a matter of choice, but this was a legal framework, which asked for much more at a much lower level in terms of awareness of tenders and also procurement processes. RESOLVED to adopt the new Contract Procedure Rules (Section 17) shown in Appendix 1 of the report submitted to the Council.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to adopt the Committees Calendar for 2025/26 in Appendix 1 of the report submitted to the Council.
The Head of Democracy Services presented a calendar of dates of Council meetings for 2025/26. Further to the content of the report, it was noted that the Police Authority and the Fire and Rescue Authority had also been consulted on the draft version of the committees calendar. A response had been received from the Police Authority, and the officers were working on the one date which clashed. The Fire and Rescue Authority had not responded, and the officers would go after this. RESOLVED to adopt the Committees Calendar for 2025/26 in Appendix 1 of the report submitted to the Council.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to adopt the amended motion, namely:- Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer the Justice Jurisdiction to the Senedd in Cardiff, and calls on the Welsh Government and all Welsh Councils for their support.
The following notice of motion was submitted by Councillor Elwyn Edwards, in accordance with Section 4.19 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:- Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer the Justice Jurisdiction to the Senedd in Cardiff, and calls on all Welsh Councils for their support. The member set out the context to his motion, noting:- · In 2017, the Labour Party established a commission to look at the possibility of transferring responsibility for the Justice Service in Wales to the Welsh Government. The commission was led by Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, the former chief officer for justice in England and Wales, and his firm recommendation to the government was that 'there was a real need to devolve the Justice Service in Wales to Wales and establish a separate Welsh jurisdiction. · Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own Justice system, but Wales is attached to England, and Wales is the only country in the world that has the legislation, but not the authority to implement this. · Although there is increasing demand to create a separate Welsh Jurisdiction and to devolve powers to the Welsh Government, neither the Tory nor Labour Governments had made any shift towards achieving this. The proposer further noted that he should have included 'and also call on the Welsh Government for its support' as part of his motion. Another member proposed an amendment to that end. The proposer and seconder agreed to the amendment and there was no objection to this from the floor. RESOLVED to adopt the amended motion, namely:- Cyngor Gwynedd calls on the Labour Government in Westminster to transfer the Justice Jurisdiction to the Senedd in Cardiff, and calls on the Welsh Government and all Welsh Councils for their support.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:- The Council calls on the Westminster Government to devolve powers for broadcasting and media to the Senedd, and for the Welsh Government to proceed with the work of preparing and discussing with Westminster how best to realise this.
The following notice of motion was submitted by Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn in accordance with Section 4.19 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:- The Council calls on the Westminster Government to devolve powers for broadcasting and media to the Senedd, and for the Welsh Government to proceed with the work of preparing and discussing with Westminster how best to realise this. The member set out the context to his motion, noting:- · That it had become clear in recent years that Wales did not get the full picture when it came to discussing affairs that were key to us as a nation, and that not having control of the media had caused confusion to the people of Wales when discussing protests, crises and general affairs that affected us as people from day to day. · The lockdowns during Covid were a classic example of this, when the media had shared news that was not relevant to Wales, thus causing confusion with regards to people's right to cross the border. · The same story was also true when Welsh affairs were discussed on the national news and in the national papers; matters that included devolution, the farmers' protest, national healthcare, and a whole host of important issues, because the Welsh perspective and time afforded to these issues was very limited. · It was also disappointing that Welsh broadcasting had not had the same opportunity to grow as media in similar countries, such as Catalonia and the Basque Country, that had various channels in their own language, as well as bilingual channels, and channels in Spanish that had a Catalan/Basque perspective. · Without a full, clear debate with a Welsh perspective on these key issues, it became difficult to understand what next steps were to be taken, which meant that we tended to go round in circles on hot topics without knowing which way to resolve them. · It was important that the Westminster Government and the Welsh Government entered discussions at once on how broadcasting and media could be devolved, by looking at how to fund it and make it sustainable. Other members expressed support to the proposal and noted:- · That TV/radio channels were established in the Basque Country and Catalonia around the same time as when S4C and Radio Cymru were established here in Wales. In terms of context, the Basque Country initially had 1 TV channel and 1 radio channel, but now had 6 TV channels and 5 radio channels. At the beginning Catalonia had 1 TV channel and 1 radio channel, but they now had 6 TV channels and 3 radio channels. · That the UK Government's Media Bill 2024 replaced the need to offer provision through the medium of Welsh, and although the Senedd Cymru's Culture Committee had expressed clear concern about this, the clause was not protected. As a result, more than 20 years of Welsh language broadcasting on the commercial channels, including Champion, Heart and Capital, came to an end on 24 February this year, resulting in job losses and creating a void in terms of our culture. · Members had heard in recent days that Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds would not be able to broadcast to people outside the UK due to the changes to the BBC Sounds provision. This would be a huge loss for Welsh-learners around the world and for Welsh-speakers living abroad. RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:- The Council calls on the Westminster Government to devolve powers for broadcasting and media to the Senedd, and for the Welsh Government to proceed with the work of preparing and discussing with Westminster how best to realise this.
Submitted – for information:- (1) A letter from the UK Government in response to Councillor Meryl Roberts's Notice of Motion to the 3 October, 2024 Council meeting regarding Winter Fuel Payments. (1) An e-mail from Sian Gwenllian, MS, in response to Councillor Elin Walker Jones's Notice of Motion to the 5 December, 2024 Council meeting regarding the establishment of a Dental School in Bangor. (2) A letter from the Welsh Government in response to Councillor Rhys Tudur's Notice of Motion to the 5 December, 2024 Council meeting regarding Land Transaction Tax. (3) A letter from the Welsh Government in response to Councillor John Pughe Roberts's Notice of Motion to the 5 December, 2024 Council meeting regarding the Agricultural Property Relief. (4) A letter from the Welsh Government in response to Councillor Delyth Lloyd Griffiths's Notice of Motion to the 5 December, 2024 Council meeting regarding social housing swaps. (5) A letter from the UK Government in response to Councillor June Jones's Notice of Motion to the 5 December, 2024 Council meeting regarding graduate driving licences. It was also noted that messages of support had been received from Trefdraeth Town Council and Bethesda Community Council to Councillor Elwyn Edwards's Notice of Motion to the Council meeting of 3 October, 2024 calling for St David's Day to be designated as an official national holiday in Wales.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.