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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED to approve the recommendation of the Chief Officers Appointment Committee to adopt the Pay Policy for 2023/24.
RESOLVED to adopt the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-28.
RESOLVED to accept the report and to approve the Capital Strategy for 2023/24.
RESOLVED 1. To approve the recommendations of the Cabinet, namely:- (a) Set a budget of £317,880,310 for 2023/24, to be funded by £227,842,930 of Government Grant and £90,037,380 Council Tax income (which is an increase of 4.95% on the tax of individual dwellings). (b) To set a capital programme of £67,780,150 in 2023/24, to be funded from the sources noted in Appendix 4 of the report. 2. To note that the Cabinet Member for Finance, in a decision notice dated 6 January 2023, approved the calculation of the following amounts for 2023/24 in accordance with regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (“The Act”):- (a) 56,182.77 being the amount calculated as Gwynedd's Tax Base 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) Part of the Council’s Area - Community Tax Base - Aberdaron 608.85 Llanddeiniolen 1,871.98 Aberdyfi 1,195.87 Llandderfel 523.58 Abergwyngregyn 126.33 Llanegryn 172.23 Barmouth 1,285.44 Llanelltyd 323.96 Arthog 709.28 Llanengan 2,586.58 Y Bala 805.47 Llanfair 369.71 Bangor 4,268.54 Llanfihangel-y-pennant 257.09 Beddgelert 348.15 Llanfrothen 241.18 Betws Garmon 145.50 Llangelynnin 469.53 Bethesda 1,695.61 Llangywer 154.57 Bontnewydd 462.48 Llanllechid 361.11 Botwnnog 485.84 Llanllyfni 1,455.91 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 467.94 Llannor 930.15 Bryncrug 346.51 Llanrug 1,151.24 Buan 236.07 Llanuwchllyn 330.26 Caernarfon 3,699.26 Llanwnda 820.41 Clynnog Fawr 493.91 Llanycil 218.04 Corris 324.86 Llanystumdwy 936.33 Cricieth 995.98 Maentwrog 318.33 Dolbenmaen 659.77 Mawddwy 389.38 Dolgellau 1,300.53 Nefyn 1,678.16 Dyffryn Ardudwy 870.27 Pennal 245.61 Y Felinheli 1,196.12 Penrhyndeudraeth 822.10 Ffestiniog 1,855.12 Pentir 1,300.28 Y Ganllwyd 90.22 Pistyll 282.17 Harlech 876.70 Porthmadog 2,277.83 Llanaelhaearn 480.92 Pwllheli 1,833.57 Llanbedr 365.94 Talsarnau 362.74 Llanbedrog 847.20 Trawsfynydd 519.28 Llanberis 793.84 Tudweiliog 502.47 Llandwrog 1,063.40 Tywyn 1,779.26 Llandygái 1,029.59 Waunfawr 566.22 namely the amounts calculated as the Council Tax Base amounts for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. 3. That the following amounts now be calculated by the Council for the year 2023/24 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Act:- (a) £505,479,830 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) £185,199,940 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) £320,279,890 Being the sum that corresponds with the difference between the above aggregate 3 (a) and the above aggregate 3 (b) calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budgetary requirements for the year (net budget). (ch) £227,347,266 Being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its fund in respect of redistributed Non-domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, less the estimated cost to the Council of discretionary Non-domestic rate relief granted. (d) £1,654.11 Being the amount in 3(c) above, less the sum in 3(ch) above, all divided by the sum noted in 2(a) above, that was calculated by the Council in accordance with 33(1) of the Act, which is the basic amount of Council Tax for the year (Gwynedd Council tax and the average community council tax). (dd) £2,895,243.21 Being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34 (1) of the Act (community council precepts). (e) £1,602.58 Being the sum in 3(d) above, less the result of dividing the amount in 3(dd) above divided by the amount in 2(a) above, that was calculated by the Council in 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 Gwynedd Council Tax only). (f) For parts of the Council’s area - Aberdaron 1,627.22 Llanddeiniolen 1,619.14 Aberdyfi 1,637.96 Llandderfel 1,619.77 Abergwyngregyn 1,634.24 Llanegryn 1,640.32 Barmouth 1,651.59 Llanelltyd 1,625.73 Arthog 1,622.32 Llanengan 1,623.84 Y Bala 1,636.10 Llanfair 1,648.56 Bangor 1,718.71 Llanfihangel-y-pennant 1,648.31 Beddgelert 1,637.05 Llanfrothen 1,645.29 Betws Garmon 1,623.20 Llangelynnin 1,630.62 Bethesda 1,666.46 Llangywer 1,631.69 Bontnewydd 1,642.58 Llanllechid 1,647.09 Botwnnog 1,615.96 Llanllyfni 1,636.92 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 1,628.22 Llannor 1,624.08 Bryncrug 1,640.34 Llanrug 1,672.07 Buan 1,618.47 Llanuwchllyn 1,647.45 Caernarfon 1,683.68 Llanwnda 1,639.15 Clynnog Fawr 1,643.07 Llanycil 1,623.22 Corris 1,637.46 Llanystumdwy 1,622.87 Cricieth 1,652.78 Maentwrog 1,622.54 Dolbenmaen 1,629.86 Mawddwy 1,630.06 Dolgellau 1,661.79 Nefyn 1,654.42 Dyffryn Ardudwy 1,660.03 Pennal 1,663.65 Y Felinheli 1,641.04 Penrhyndeudraeth 1,678.42 Ffestiniog 1,725.06 Pentir 1,644.88 Y Ganllwyd 1,638.60 Pistyll 1,645.11 Harlech 1,682.42 Porthmadog 1,630.05 Llanaelhaearn 1,654.56 Pwllheli 1,656.57 Llanbedr 1,657.23 Talsarnau 1,663.23 Llanbedrog 1,632.38 Trawsfynydd 1,641.09 Llanberis 1,647.93 Tudweiliog 1,616.51 Llandwrog 1,672.75 Tywyn 1,658.18 Llandygái 1,635.01 Waunfawr 1,623.77 being the amounts given by adding the amounts of the item or special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above, to the sum given in 3(e) 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) For parts of the Council’s area, the figures noted in Appendix 1, being the amounts given by multiplying the sums specified in 3(f) above by the number which, in the proportions set out in Section 5 (1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable 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 in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands. 4. That it be noted that for the year 2023/24 the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has 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 dwellings shown below: Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Band I 222.06 259.07 296.08 333.09 407.11 481.13 555.15 666.18 777.21 5. That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(ff) and 4 above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992, hereby sets the amounts noted in Appendix 2 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2023/24 for each of the categories of dwellings shown therein.
RESOLVED to adopt the Participation Strategy.
RESOLVED to adopt the Committees Calendar for 2023/24.
Apologies were received from Councillors John Brynmor Hughes, Elin Hywel, Kim Jones, June Jones, Meryl Roberts and Elfed Williams.
The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 1 December, 2022, as a true record.
The Monitoring Officer declared a personal interest in item 7 - Annual Review - Council's Pay Policy 2023/24, on behalf of the chief officers who were present as the report involved their salaries. He was of the opinion that the officers had a significant interest and, along with the two Corporate Directors, the Statutory Head of Finance, the Head of Housing and Property Department, the Head of Democratic Services and the Head of Economy and Community Department, the Monitoring Officer withdrew from the meeting during the discussion on the item, as they did not need to be in attendance to advise. The Chief Executive remained in the meeting to advise.
Condolences were extended to the family of former Councillor Caerwyn Roberts, who had died recently and the Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn paid tribute to him. Condolences were also extended to the following:- · The family of former Councillor Dafydd Thomas, Penmorfa, who had been a member of this Council and the previous Gwynedd County Council for many years. · Steffan Jones, Head of Highways, Engineering and Gwynedd Consultancy on losing his father. · The family of Sir Meuric Rees, Escuan, Tywyn, the former Lord Lieutenant of Gwynedd who had passed away yesterday. It was also noted that the Council wished to sympathise with everyone in the county’s communities who had recently lost loved ones. The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect and remembrance. A surfer from Gwynedd was congratulated who had created history by becoming Wales' first surfing world champion. Llywelyn 'Sponge' Williams had won the gold medal for Wales at the 2022 ISA Para Surfing World Championships in California. Congratulations were also extended to Dr Kathryn Whittey from Llanelltyd, as one of 180 women chosen from 25 countries by Homeward Bound, to travel to Antarctica with female leaders in science, who had committed to lead, influence and contribute towards the sustainability of our planet.
None to note.
(The Cabinet Members' written responses to the questions had been published in advance.) (1) Question from Councillor Richard Glyn Roberts "What arrangements were made by the Education Department to establish the exact number of Gwynedd children being educated through the medium of English?" Response - Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown "It is nice to receive questions like this as it is an opportunity for me to state and remind you once again how unique and innovative our situation is in this county. Of course, Gwynedd's context is different to the vast majority of Welsh counties in the sense that our schools exist within a context that is compatible with our aim of ensuring bilingualism for all. Both languages are a teaching medium to various degrees and, as a result, of course, all Gwynedd children receive education through the medium of Welsh and English, which is unique and a credit to Gwynedd's vision for many years now." Supplementary Question from Councillor Richard Glyn Roberts "Considering that there are no pupils studying at least three Key Stage 4 subjects through the medium of Welsh, apart from Welsh, in Ysgol Friars, and that the situation is similar in Ysgol Tywyn, and that there is an insignificant number of pupils in other schools, Dyffryn Nantlle, for example, who do not study at least three Key Stage 4 subjects through the medium of Welsh, would it be fair to say that there are some hundreds of children in Gwynedd secondary schools who can completely avoid Welsh-medium education, and that it is likely that their education language will be English?" Response - Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown "In terms of avoiding the Welsh language, given that Welsh is something that goes beyond lessons and takes place in pastoral periods, assemblies, sports etc. I believe that it is very difficult for someone to avoid the Welsh language in any school in Gwynedd. As we all know, we have two secondary schools in the Transitional Category 3 in the county, and hard work is taking place there in order to improve the provision in those schools. A Welsh Language Development Officer has been employed in Ysgol Friars. I would draw attention to the percentage that may be the most specific indicator we have in terms of the number of children who can speak Welsh in Gwynedd, and 88% of children aged between 5 and 15 can speak Welsh compared to 64% of the general population, which shows the success of Welsh language education in the county but, of course, there is a need to work with the schools noted and work across the sector in general. This is why a new Language Forum has been established in order to keep the WESP (Welsh in Education Strategic Plan) on track, and why there is a Task and Finish Group investigating the current provision across the whole secondary sector. Also, this is why I very much look forward to seeing the findings of that investigation work, and to work with my fellow councillors, the scrutinisers and the staff of all our schools on increasing what is already an excellent percentage. Of course, it is always possible to increase it, and I look forward to working on that with everyone who wish for the same thing as each and every one of us, namely to see more of the Welsh language again across Gwynedd schools." (2) Question from Councillor Gruffydd Williams "To what extent is it possible to delve further into the Council’s housing register statistics and establish the numbers who originate from Dwyfor, from Meirionnydd, from Arfon, from counties adjoining Gwynedd, the numbers who speak Welsh and the numbers who attended a school in Gwynedd?" Response - Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Craig ab Iago "In addition to what was noted in the written response, I would like to note that I understand where the question is coming from. Many councillors are concerned about the lack of control over who gets our houses. I share those concerns. We are currently living in a housing crisis. People tend to view our housing stock as an investment or bolt-hole, therefore, I agree with you, but I would refer you to the Housing Action Plan. The department's motto, more or less, is 'housing local people in their communities'. This is what we are trying to do, and one of the things in the plan is the local lettings policy which has moved the goal posts in terms of what is acceptable in our country. We are leading on it in Wales and emphasising the local element. We are attempting to house people in their communities. In my opinion, which is its whole purpose, and this is why we are here. The new local lettings policy has just been submitted before the scrutiny committee, therefore, as I understand, all of the Council are happy with it." Supplementary Question from Councillor Gruffydd Williams "Without us being able to delve further into the Council's housing register statistics, how is it possible for us to know that we are not providing for an invasion, rather than providing for a real need among the indigenous population? Response - Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Craig ab Iago "It is a local lettings policy, and you must have a local connection now, more or less, to be given a house in Gwynedd. Of course, there are cases where we try to help people who are escaping from domestic violence situations, for example, but 96% or 98% of our social housing stock go to people who are local according to our interpretation or definition of 'local'. Therefore, I am confident that we are not doing what you say or suggest we do. We are here to house local people in their communities." (3) Question from Councillor Gwynfor Owen "I'm sure the Leader of the Council feels so frustrated as I am in the response of the UK Government as well as the Welsh Government to provide solutions to the residents of Llanbedr and the area regarding the bypass and a new road to the Airfield. Can I ask what Cyngor Gwynedd plans to do now to try and mitigate the impact of traffic on the lives of the residents of Llanbedr as well as ensuring that the Council continues to attract quality jobs to the area?" Response - The Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn "As the Councillor will know, this Council has been working incredibly hard to ensure that Llanbedr and the wider area can benefit from high value jobs that would come with developments at the nearby airfield site. That of course includes securing a suitable access road to facilitate development, and attached to that developing a new way to solve the problems of significant traffic congestion that the villagers of Llanbedr have endured for decades. The Ardudwy Green Corridor bid offered a real opportunity to bring significant benefit to a wide area of Meirionnydd. It included new access to the airfield site which would also have addressed traffic congestion issues in Llanbedr. It would also have been an opportunity to promote active travel and green travel, making it possible for people to walk and cycle safely, improving access to transport and installing an electric car charging service along the A496. Therefore, the recent decision by the United Kingdom Government not to support the Council's request for funding from the Levelling Up fund was extremely disappointing.I fear it underlines a lack of the government's understanding of the seriousness of the situation. This of course follows the decision by Wales' Deputy Climate Change Minister to make a U-turn on a previous Welsh Government commitment on a scheme that would have ensured access to the airfield and a new road for Llanbedr. Although we have not yet been successful in securing the funding needed, we continue to seek a positive solution that will unlock the economic potential of Llanbedr airfield, solve local traffic congestion problems, and encourage sustainable travel options. We will be in discussion with the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales to consider how we can work together in the short term to try to improve safety and the provision of active travel along the A496 between Llandecwyn and Barmouth. Indeed, despite the Deputy Climate Change Minister's disappointing announcement in 2021 not to support the original scheme, Council officers have been continuing to discuss solutions that will facilitate access to Llanbedr airfield. A process that will assess options to secure access to the airfield, and our officers will continue to try to work out a solution with Welsh Government and Transport for Wales civil servants. I am fully aware of the aspirations of residents in the area, and in developing any solutions, I will ensure contact with the local community to ensure that residents in the area are aware of the ongoing efforts. I can assure you that these efforts will continue until an acceptable solution is found for Llanbedr and the wider Ardudwy area." Supplementary Question from Councillor Gwynfor Owen "Is there any truth in recent observations by the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters, that Cyngor Gwynedd has refused to have a discussion with him?" Response - The Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn "Thank you for the opportunity for me to make a public correction to the unfounded allegations of the Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters. I have had very heated discussions with the Deputy Minister and he has made quite serious allegations. I have evidence of a number of meetings that have been scheduled between Transport for Wales, and also some civil servants from the Department of Mr Lee Waters. Therefore, I have asked him to retract his words, but he has changed the meaning of what he says by stating that there is no progress in those discussions, and dare I say that if there is no progress, this is because that there is only one answer for Llanbedr, namely having the appropriate access to the airfield, and having a bypass as well. Therefore, there is a public call from me today to the Deputy Minister to retract his words, and I can give him clear evidence of the meetings that have been held between Government officers and our officers. (4) Question from Councillor Gareth Tudor Jones Before asking the question, the member noted:- · That a member of the public, Mr Ieuan Wyn, had attempted to submit a question to the Council on behalf of Cylch yr Iaith, Cymdeithas yr Iaith and Dyfodol i’r Iaith, but that the Council's Constitution was unclear in terms of how many days in advance it was possible to do so. · Section 4.17 of the Constitution noted 10 clear days, and that language organisations had followed this and had submitted the question 12 days in advance. · The Monitoring Officer had stated in the past few days that 10 clear days meant 10 working days, and that he was given to understand that the Monitoring Officer recognised that the Constitution was unclear in this regard. · He received a request from Mr Ieuan Wyn to ask the question on his behalf, and although he was willing to do so, he wished to propose that the standing orders were set aside so that Mr Ieuan Wyn, who was present in the public gallery, could ask the question himself. In response, the Monitoring Officer noted:- · That the Constitution was clear in terms of the clear day and that he had explained this in response to an enquiry about the existence of a timetable and what that was exactly, when he had clearly stated that the request was out of time. · He had never stated that the Constitution was unclear about this. · In terms of proposing that standing orders were set aside, the member would have to highlight which standing order he wished to set aside, and to what purpose, and the Council would have to be clear in terms of what they would be voting on. The member noted that he wished to propose that standing order 4:17 was set aside. In response, the Monitoring Officer explained:- · That standing order 4:17 gave the right to the public to ask a question at the Council if a notice had been provided no later than 10 clear days before the day of the meeting. · The concept of a notice period was sound in the Constitution and was operated consistently every time. Without adhering to this order, questions could arrive at any time, creating disorder and unfairness. · As standing order 4:17 permitted the public to ask a question, setting that order aside entirely would waive this right, and the member was asked to be much clearer in terms of what he wished to set aside. · The question had been submitted by the member within the appropriate period to receive questions from members, and the response had already been circulated. Therefore, the member had the right to ask the question, to receive a response and to ask a supplementary question. The member noted that he remained of the opinion that the situation was unfair as the language organisations had submitted the question in good time, but he noted that he would withdraw his application and ask the question on their behalf. "As you are aware, the Welsh Government has published guidance on school categorisation according to the Welsh medium provision. In its document, the Welsh Government states as follows: 'One intention with the new categorisation system is to encourage schools to increase their Welsh medium provision...and facilitate the process for schools to move to the next category...so that schools grow their Welsh medium provision.' Does the Council believe that pupils in Gwynedd secondary schools should receive less Welsh medium education than pupils at designated Welsh schools in other counties?" Response - Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown "It is interesting to be given an opportunity to answer questions like these as it is an opportunity to compare our situation with remaining Welsh counties, even the neighbouring counties, and if you speak to language campaigners in other Welsh counties, including our bordering county, you will hear that our situation in Gwynedd is the envy of them. The Welsh schools you mention exist in a policy context that is completely different to that of Gwynedd, where there is a language choice in terms of the teaching medium, and consider that 80% of Cardiff education is still in English despite the positive progress that has been seen there in Welsh-medium education. It should be a source of pride that our county offers Welsh-medium education indiscriminately for every child, to ensure that each of them receive the cultural, social and economic benefits of being able to speak Welsh." Supplementary Question from Councillor Gareth Tudor Jones "At various crucial periods in the recent history of our language, Cyngor Gwynedd has been innovative and has led robustly and confidently. Therefore, why is the Welsh Government, instead of Cyngor Gwynedd, calling for an increase in the Welsh-medium education in our schools and motivating us to act?" Response - Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown "The Welsh Government is not the only one asking for progress, and this is why we have a piece of work, in a Language Forum, in a Task and Finish Group and as a piece of internal work, to ascertain what exactly is the provision in each school, as the picture of bilingual education is more complex than someone would think. Then, without knowing where we are, we cannot know for sure where we are headed and, of course, my personal aspiration and our aspiration as a Department, as well as the desire of the Government, is to see progress in Welsh education in Gwynedd. Going back to the category, and a category is an administrative matter in essence - it does not affect or does not change anything in our policy and our innovative education policy here in Gwynedd. What the Welsh Government has done is set a percentage and category that takes as many schools as they can along the journey of bilingualism and, although it does not fit Gwynedd perfectly, and I would not argue with that at all, it does not affect us either - we can make our own way as we have done for years. However, I think that what the Welsh Government is doing is something that we should support, because if Welsh-medium education increases across Wales in other counties, in counties that are close to us, that is only a good thing for Gwynedd. What benefits Wales benefits us here in Gwynedd, and vice versa, because people move around our country and Gwynedd does not live in a bubble. I understand the purpose of the Government attempting to take as many schools as they can along this journey so that we can realise a similar situation to Gwynedd across Wales. Therefore, that is a slight context of the category in this respect." (5) Question from Councillor Dewi Jones "There are approximately 3,000 people on the housing register in Gwynedd, what is the Council doing to try to improve this situation?" Response - Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Craig ab Iago "You have received the written response but I want to mention the positive elements, the elements I always mention. I will run through the elements that I am so proud of:- · Tŷ Gwynedd - namely our scheme in the Housing Action Plan. We are building new housing for the first time in 30 years. We currently have two sites - one in Morfa Nefyn and one in Bangor, and the intention is to do more and more. · Purchasing homes on the open market - We have already bought eight private homes on the housing market. Five are currently being processed and again, there is an intention to have much more. · Housing leasing scheme - namely, private landlords who want to let a house to the Council to accommodate people. We intend to have 19 this year. · Main Social Housing Programme - Social housing is a solution to the problem of 3,000 people on the housing register. 173 have been built since the commencement of the Housing Action Plan, 88 are currently being built and 113 are being earmarked for construction next year. That attitude - what we can do - we will do it now. We will invest the money as we have been doing. As a Council, we have invested over £100,000 in the Housing Action Plan. · Empty housing - 104 of them have been brought back into use. This will not answer our problems. It will not resolve the housing crisis - there are 3,000 on the housing register, and we have not got 3,000 built homes here. We know what the answer to this is. We need more power from the Welsh Government, we need more funding from the Welsh Government. We need to do this now in my opinion. We definitely need to resolve the planning element because, whatever we do with housing, it will not make a different unless we resolve the planning element. The Government collaborates with us to some extent to do so but it is not enough; however, in my opinion, the Housing Action Plan indicates that as a Council, as the Plaid Cymru Group and as the Plaid Cymru Cabinet, we are serious about resolving the problem, and doing what we can to resolve it. It also shows the value of the Council Tax Premium. Second home owners will go from being part of the problem to being part of the solution which, in my opinion, is something to celebrate and the people paying the money should be proud of the fact that we are using their money to house people who have no home at all. It also shows how hard our staff work. The Housing Action Plan is leading in Wales. It has been written and is being implemented by our staff in Cyngor Gwynedd. I am so proud of them. They have internalised what we seek to do politically, and do it on a daily basis, therefore, I would like to thank them. Is not everything we do an answer to the problem? No, but if the Government gave us more power and more funding, we would resolve the problem." (6) Question from Councillor Rhys Tudur "We know that every secondary school in Gwynedd, except two, fall into category 3 in terms of their Welsh medium provision, a category defined by a baseline of a minimum of 60% of the children undertaking at least 70% of their education through the medium of Welsh. Last year, under the old categorisation system, the majority of the schools were in a category with a higher baseline, with the children undertaking at least 80% of their education through the medium of Welsh. To avoid a marked slippage in the Welsh medium provision, are the Education Department and Cabinet prepared to create a 'Category 3-Gwynedd' policy in order to raise the baseline?" Response - Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown "I would like to note again that this categorisation system, which is an administrative system in a way, does not affect or change anything in our requirements in Gwynedd, and this has been made absolutely clear to our schools. The baseline of the Welsh Government is irrelevant to us in Gwynedd as we are doing better, and are aspiring to do even better again. Therefore, this is an administrative change in essence, rather than some change to our baseline as a county. Gwynedd implements its own education language policy. Therefore, this is Welsh Government's change, which is an administrative change, and is not going to affect what we do in Gwynedd." Supplementary Question from Councillor Rhys Tudur "The Council has a Gwynedd education language policy but this is vague and only measures if children have the ability in both languages. It does not measure how many receive their education through the medium of Welsh, how many are entirely able, confident and fluent in the language. Considering that setting a baseline, such as the one in a category, would be the most certain way to ensure that Welsh-medium provision does not fall behind, and that it is in accordance with the ‘Cadernid Gwynedd (The Strength of Gwynedd)’ motto in terms of the Welsh language, and given that the baseline we have in the category has substantially reduced from one year to the other, could the Cabinet Member not agree that there is a need to raise the baseline for Gwynedd or by drawing up a Gwynedd category 3 policy, and that this happens urgently, not within five years or in a year?" Response - Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown "I agree that we must know exactly what the provision in each school is and know exactly where we are at in order to know where we are headed, and this is why there is a group investigating this, and the councillor asking the question is a member of this group. I do not wish to prejudge or presume the findings of that group, or to disrespect the work that you will undertake to bring data, which I am sure will be very interesting, to me and to the Department for us to determine the way forward from that point. Therefore, I do not see the purpose of undertaking a piece of work and making a decision in advance before we receive the results, and I very much look forward to seeing what the results will be after the work is undertaken." (7) Question from Councillor John Pughe Roberts "We understand that the Trading Standards and Environmental Health Management Department (Environment Department / Public Protection) note savings to reduce costs for the Department and are cutting the out of hours service from April 2023. The out of hours service, has been provided by the Trading Standards and Environmental Health Sub-Department every week, for over 10 years. I would like to know, under the conditions of the Employment Act, whether this can be done without making any ‘disturbance’ payments for the staff concerned and if there were any cases, i.e. food poisoning, health and safety / accidents, animal health diseases (bird flu / foot and mouth disease) and any animal welfare issue or a similar ‘Covid’ situation, there would be no one to provide cover overnight and on weekends. I can only assume that the Directors would need to be available to do this? What is the legal position?" Response - Cabinet Member for the Environment, Councillor Dafydd Meurig "This is a saving that has been proposed by the services and is one of many savings that are being proposed. Of course, this has been proposed as a fairly painless proposal in general, and with that we are talking about the impact on Gwynedd residents. We are talking about an expense of £25,000 for dealing with three urgent calls per year, therefore, I think that there will be much more difficult cuts to undertake in future. However, in terms of what is happening to these calls, of course the Council has emergency procedures, and I am sure that the Council's senior officers would tell you that they already receive out of hours calls, and do so without receiving additional payment." (8) Question from Councillor Llio Elenid Owen "What is in place in schools in terms of raising the awareness of children and young people of the dangers of on-line content, and teaching them to think critically of the content of social media and on-line spaces? It is becoming increasingly apparent how dangerous and influential some on-line figures are (influencers), particularly those who spread racism and spread hatred towards women and the LGBTQ+ community. How seriously is Cyngor Gwynedd taking this danger to our young people, and what is being done to help teachers tackle this?" Response - Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown "I was very pleased to receive this question as it is such an important field, and as a mother of a young daughter and son, I know from experience what the challenges are as a result of the toxic messages that come from some of the most popular influencers as they are called. The health and well-being learning and experience field tackles this field in a holistic manner and there are ready-made resources are available, e.g. the On-line Hate document. The Youth Service also plays an important part in all this through their work in schools and youth clubs, and the police also offer a programme of activities in this exact field, and those resources can be seen on the SchoolBeat website. Therefore, a great deal of good work is being undertaken but it is a new field to a large extent, and it possibly requires a new way of implementation." Supplementary Question from Councillor Llio Elenid Owen "Given that this is one of the great dangers that face our society, is there sufficient collaboration and support by the police with schools to tackle this? Response - Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Beca Brown "On the matter of the police, possibly on a broader scale than their work in schools alone, I have thought for quite some time that hate against women needs to become a hate crime, especially after witnessing the murders of women by men who knowingly follow the 'Incel' or 'Involuntary Celibate' culture, namely men who blame women for their relationship troubles amongst all kinds of other things. Murders of these kind are currently not viewed as a hate crime against an oppressed group. Also, I think that what the member is talking about falls neatly into the field of Relationships and Sexuality Education, and this is exactly why, or one of the many reasons, I was so pleased to stand in this chamber back in August supporting this new code of education. I think that the sexuality and gender elements may have received disproportionate attention in the press due to the strange obsession, possibly, of some campaigners with those elements, but the relationship element is very important in this code and goes to the heart of the member's question, and I look forward to seeing this code empowering teachers as they tackle challenges and the type of toxic influences we see. Also, may I quickly note, and possibly drown out some of the voices referred to by the member, that it would be great to see more voices having an influence by providing positive messages to young people, e.g. if I can draw attention to a campaign launched yesterday by Project 15 asking for 15 second inspiring videos. Therefore, this is a campaign I very much support and there is nothing better than drowning out the poison of some of those voices and bringing new positive voices in their place, and I would encourage everyone to share that campaign so that we can fill our social media sites with positive, inclusive and Welsh messages."
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the recommendation of the Chief Officers Appointment Committee to adopt the Pay Policy for 2023/24.
The Chair of the Chief Officer Appointment Committee, Councillor Dafydd Meurig presented a report recommending that the Council approves the recommendation of the Chief Officer Appointment Committee to adopt the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24. Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. A member noted that he could not support the recommendation as some chief officers were less helpful than others. He also noted his frustration that Galw Gwynedd often could not put calls through to departments as nobody answered. It was asked how it was concluded that there was a risk to the Council's ability to recruit and retain some people in senior officer posts. In response, it was explained:- · That the Chief Officers Appointment Committee had considered two reports over a three-year period examining the risk level, looking at how many posts had been available in other authorities and in other public organisations. · There had been no external candidate on the seven most recent shortlists for a head of department post in Cyngor Gwynedd. This was not to say that those appointed to the posts did not undertake excellent work, but the Council could not attract external candidates at all. · The Council competed, not only against other councils, but against other public organisations and national organisations, and if there was no success to attract anyone in, there was a real risk of failure to operate on this level. · Although this report specifically related to the posts of chief officers, it was encouraging to be able to report that an additional £1.7m was being offered in the budget this year to deal with the salaries of carers' posts, and hopefully address the substantial risk of failure to recruit in this field. RESOLVED to approve the recommendation of the Chief Officers Appointment Committee to adopt the Pay Policy for 2023/24.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to adopt the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-28.
The Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn, presented the report, inviting the Council to adopt the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-28. He also detailed the political context that was the basis of the whole plan. He noted:- · To deliver the schemes, sufficient resources were required, and that the substantial financial pressures on the Council as a result of inflation and the cost of living crisis were affecting our ability to provide services. · He wished to make it perfectly clear that this was mainly the responsibility of the Westminster Government, but there was also a message here for Labour Ministers in Cardiff, who shared the same basic principles as us, apart from the fact that we wished to see our nation in control of our country. · The Ministers in London were insulting the Welsh Government, our devolved settlement and our ministers, and treated us with contempt. The 'Levelling-Up Fund' and the 'Shared Prosperity Fund' were clear examples of this. We were previously promised that Wales would receive 'not one penny less of European money', but we would receive £1.2bn less over the next three years. There was nothing in the 'Shared Prosperity Fund' that was more than we deserved - it was our money! · Local authorities and the Welsh Government had been preparing for years to make a regional investment for the period after the European funds ended, but the Westminster Government had totally disregarded those plans. They had no long-term plan to distribute the funding, and it was unclear how they came to a decision on a number of these funds. · Cyngor Gwynedd was fortunate to receive funding for the slate areas but it had been unable to receive funding for the Llanbedr bypass, and the Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters accused the Council of going behind the devolved system in the application to the fund to get a bypass for Llanbedr. He would not apologise for this as it was our money! · He wished to call on his friends in the Labour Party in Wales, who shared the same basic principles as us in terms of social fairness, to stand up for Wales once and for all, and refuse to go cap in hand to London. · He had made a statement in the past few days about bank holidays, and that it was insulting that Wales was the only part of the devolved state without the authority to determine its own bank holidays. The Leader thanked the Business Support Service Manager and his team for their work in preparing the Council Plan. Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The following matters were raised by individual members: · It was noted that the ambition and vision was seen clearly throughout the whole plan. · It was noted that there were praiseworthy aspirations here, but aspirations only, and it was emphasised that the plan should include a strategy, timetable and criteria to measure success. In response, it was explained that there were projects here and that there would be indicators and feedback on those specific projects. · In response to a question, the Leader noted that he believed that the decision to put the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board into special measures once again would lead to an additional challenge to the Council in terms of realising the dream of a Caring Gwynedd. He noted that the collaboration between the Council and the Health Board was crucial to deliver the work effectively, and that he hoped that the new Chair of the Health Board, Dyfed Edwards (namely the former Leader of this Council) would deal with this in his own logical and principled manner. The task facing the new Chair was momentous and changing such a body would take years, but at least there was recognition of the problem, and the problem had to be resolved at the top level of the body before being able to see any change in the provision itself. He further noted that there was a question on how we provided health and care, and that the Government had commissioned a specialist group to draw up a report and recommendations regarding the steps towards creating a National Care Service, and it was greatly hoped that it would be possible for this Council to contribute to that discussion. He also noted that he believed that local authorities could take more part when providing primary care. · A request was made for assurance that schemes, such as the new nursing home on the Penrhos site in Pwllheli, which relied on collaboration with the Health Board, would proceed. In response, the Chief Executive noted that he had a meeting today with the Interim Chief Executive of the Health Board to seek this exact assurance. There were three substantial projects where the Council relied on collaboration with the Health Board, along with six other projects under Caring Gwynedd that would be reliant to different degrees on collaboration with the Health Board. He also noted that a meeting would be programmed with the Chief Executive and the new Chair of the Health Board, the Leader and himself. · The fact that the Chief Executive would meet the Chief Executive of the Health Board to seek assurance regarding the schemes that relied on collaboration between both bodies, was welcomed. The member also noted that he had attempted to find out how much money the Health Board received to share with councils in north Wales, but he had failed to find the information. In response, the Leader noted that Penrhos was a very important resource for the residents of Llŷn, Eifionydd and Meirionnydd, and that the Council and the Health Board would make every effort to deliver on a joint basis. He added that front-line staff of the Health Board performed miracles under very difficult circumstances, and he wished to convey the message to the staff that we fully supported them, and greatly hoped that there would be a change in leadership that would ultimately help them. · The Community Gang was thanked for their work in Pen Llŷn, but a call was made for more work to open ditches and clean road signs in the area. · It was noted that the response to the public consultation on the plan was shameful (only 643 in a county with a population of over 100,000) and it was not believed that the response was sufficient to be able to reach any meaningful conclusions. The plan stated that we would 'seek' to deliver, but more than this needed to be done. Reference was made to examples of losing services in the countryside, such as transport, and it was suggested that the Welsh Government's ultimate plan was to get people to leave the countryside for the towns. In response, the Leader noted that he shared the concerns of the member, and that he was doing his best to be a voice for the Welsh countryside via the Rural Forum of the Welsh Local Government Association and as Chair of Ambition North Wales. · The fact that the plan referred to extending opportunities for play and socialising for the county's children and young people, was welcomed. It was noted that it was important to remember that young people had suffered the most during the Covid period, with health problems and many other problems on the increase, and it was looked forward to seeing this social provision being extended over the next five years. · A member noted that he could not support the Council's Plan as he could not see the fact that we were tackling poverty going hand in hand with net zero policies by 2030. A substantial percentage of all Gwynedd residents' electricity bills was now paying for the green levy on the net zero target. Also, if it would aim towards net zero, the Council needed to look for new vehicles for its fleet that did not use batteries, as there was a shortage of metals used to produce batteries. We had closed our coal mines and steel works as this type of industry did not fit the green agenda, but we were now buying back those resources from countries such as China and India. If we would go down the net zero route, no fertiliser would be available for farmers, and a shortage of fruit and vegetables had already been seen. Brexit was blamed for all this, but Brexit was not to blame, except the fact that electricity and fertiliser were too expensive. We were starving our own people and fooling them by producing this type of plans, without considering the science associated with what was going on in the world. · Referring to the intention to draw up catchment area plans to help to avoid / respond to current and increasing [flood] threats in future (page 26 of the plan), concern was expressed that the fact that this type of work was undertaken on a joint basis with Natural Resources Wales may be used as an excuse for not doing something in the short-term. Reference was made to examples of bridges where a lack of river dredging, and dredging around the bridges themselves, was creating major problems in terms of the foundation of those bridges, and a desire was expressed to see catchment area plans being implemented rather than being plans on a shelf. It was also noted that great pressure must be placed on Natural Resources Wales to address these issues in the short-term. In response, the Chief Executive noted that he fully agreed in terms of putting pressure on our partners to take action in this field, and that he was proud of the collaboration between the Council and Natural Resources Wales, within their ability and budgets. It was further noted that the Council did not produce plans to be put on a shelf, referring to a plan that had resolved the flooding problems in Llanberis as an example of this. · Hope was expressed that any plans would be equal throughout the whole of Gwynedd. Reference was made to the cycle / walking path network across the county, and it was noted that it was very difficult to obtain funding for South Meirionnydd, e.g. path alongside the A470 between Mallwyd and Dinas Mawddwy, which was extremely dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists at present. Another member noted that the work of creating a cycle path in Llanelltyd was currently underway, and that the path would be completed in approximately nine weeks. RESOLVED to adopt the Cyngor Gwynedd Plan 2023-28.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to accept the report and to approve the Capital Strategy for 2023/24.
The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas, submitted a report, providing a high-level overview on the manner capital expenditure, capital funding and the treasury's management activity contributed to the provision of local public services. The report also gave an overview of the way associated risks could be managed, and the implications for future financial sustainability. A member noted that the recent presentation by Arlingclose, the Council's Treasury Management Consultants, for members of the Governance and Audit Committee and Cabinet Members, had been very beneficial in terms of an understanding of this complex and technical field, and he suggested that it would be good for all Council members to be offered an opportunity to attend this annual presentation. RESOLVED to accept the report and to approve the Capital Strategy for 2023/24.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED 1. To approve the recommendations of the Cabinet, namely:- (a) Set a budget of £317,880,310 for 2023/24, to be funded by £227,842,930 of Government Grant and £90,037,380 Council Tax income (which is an increase of 4.95% on the tax of individual dwellings). (b) To set a capital programme of £67,780,150 in 2023/24, to be funded from the sources noted in Appendix 4 of the report. 2. To note that the Cabinet Member for Finance, in a decision notice dated 6 January 2023, approved the calculation of the following amounts for 2023/24 in accordance with regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (“The Act”):- (a) 56,182.77 being the amount calculated as Gwynedd's Tax Base 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) Part of the Council’s Area - Community Tax Base - Aberdaron 608.85 Llanddeiniolen 1,871.98 Aberdyfi 1,195.87 Llandderfel 523.58 Abergwyngregyn 126.33 Llanegryn 172.23 Barmouth 1,285.44 Llanelltyd 323.96 Arthog 709.28 Llanengan 2,586.58 Y Bala 805.47 Llanfair 369.71 Bangor 4,268.54 Llanfihangel-y-pennant 257.09 Beddgelert 348.15 Llanfrothen 241.18 Betws Garmon 145.50 Llangelynnin 469.53 Bethesda 1,695.61 Llangywer 154.57 Bontnewydd 462.48 Llanllechid 361.11 Botwnnog 485.84 Llanllyfni 1,455.91 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 467.94 Llannor 930.15 Bryncrug 346.51 Llanrug 1,151.24 Buan 236.07 Llanuwchllyn 330.26 Caernarfon 3,699.26 Llanwnda 820.41 Clynnog Fawr 493.91 Llanycil 218.04 Corris 324.86 Llanystumdwy 936.33 Cricieth 995.98 Maentwrog 318.33 Dolbenmaen 659.77 Mawddwy 389.38 Dolgellau 1,300.53 Nefyn 1,678.16 Dyffryn Ardudwy 870.27 Pennal 245.61 Y Felinheli 1,196.12 Penrhyndeudraeth 822.10 Ffestiniog 1,855.12 Pentir 1,300.28 Y Ganllwyd 90.22 Pistyll 282.17 Harlech 876.70 Porthmadog 2,277.83 Llanaelhaearn 480.92 Pwllheli 1,833.57 Llanbedr 365.94 Talsarnau 362.74 Llanbedrog 847.20 Trawsfynydd 519.28 Llanberis 793.84 Tudweiliog 502.47 Llandwrog 1,063.40 Tywyn 1,779.26 Llandygái 1,029.59 Waunfawr 566.22 namely the amounts calculated as the Council Tax Base amounts for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. 3. That the following amounts now be calculated by the Council for the year 2023/24 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Act:- (a) £505,479,830 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) £185,199,940 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) £320,279,890 Being the sum that corresponds with the difference between the above aggregate 3 (a) and the above aggregate 3 (b) calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budgetary requirements for the year (net budget). (ch) £227,347,266 Being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its fund in respect of redistributed Non-domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, less the estimated cost to the Council of discretionary Non-domestic rate relief granted. (d) £1,654.11 Being the amount in 3(c) above, less the sum in 3(ch) above, all divided by the sum noted in 2(a) above, that was calculated by the Council in accordance with 33(1) of the Act, which is the basic amount of Council Tax for the year (Gwynedd Council tax and the average community council tax). (dd) £2,895,243.21 Being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34 (1) of the Act (community council precepts). (e) £1,602.58 Being the sum in 3(d) above, less the result of dividing the amount in 3(dd) above divided by the amount in 2(a) above, that was calculated by the Council in 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 Gwynedd Council Tax only). (f) For parts of the Council’s area - Aberdaron 1,627.22 Llanddeiniolen 1,619.14 Aberdyfi 1,637.96 Llandderfel 1,619.77 Abergwyngregyn 1,634.24 Llanegryn 1,640.32 Barmouth 1,651.59 Llanelltyd 1,625.73 Arthog 1,622.32 Llanengan 1,623.84 Y Bala 1,636.10 Llanfair 1,648.56 Bangor 1,718.71 Llanfihangel-y-pennant 1,648.31 Beddgelert 1,637.05 Llanfrothen 1,645.29 Betws Garmon 1,623.20 Llangelynnin 1,630.62 Bethesda 1,666.46 Llangywer 1,631.69 Bontnewydd 1,642.58 Llanllechid 1,647.09 Botwnnog 1,615.96 Llanllyfni 1,636.92 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 1,628.22 Llannor 1,624.08 Bryncrug 1,640.34 Llanrug 1,672.07 Buan 1,618.47 Llanuwchllyn 1,647.45 Caernarfon 1,683.68 Llanwnda 1,639.15 Clynnog Fawr 1,643.07 Llanycil 1,623.22 Corris 1,637.46 Llanystumdwy 1,622.87 Cricieth 1,652.78 Maentwrog 1,622.54 Dolbenmaen 1,629.86 Mawddwy 1,630.06 Dolgellau 1,661.79 Nefyn 1,654.42 Dyffryn Ardudwy 1,660.03 Pennal 1,663.65 Y Felinheli 1,641.04 Penrhyndeudraeth 1,678.42 Ffestiniog 1,725.06 Pentir 1,644.88 Y Ganllwyd 1,638.60 Pistyll 1,645.11 Harlech 1,682.42 Porthmadog 1,630.05 Llanaelhaearn 1,654.56 Pwllheli 1,656.57 Llanbedr 1,657.23 Talsarnau 1,663.23 Llanbedrog 1,632.38 Trawsfynydd 1,641.09 Llanberis 1,647.93 Tudweiliog 1,616.51 Llandwrog 1,672.75 Tywyn 1,658.18 Llandygái 1,635.01 Waunfawr 1,623.77 being the amounts given by adding the amounts of the item or special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above, to the sum given in 3(e) 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) For parts of the Council’s area, the figures noted in Appendix 1, being the amounts given by multiplying the sums specified in 3(f) above by the number which, in the proportions set out in Section 5 (1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable 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 in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands. 4. That it be noted that for the year 2023/24 the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has 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 dwellings shown below: Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Band I 222.06 259.07 296.08 333.09 407.11 481.13 555.15 666.18 777.21 5. That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(ff) and 4 above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992, hereby sets the amounts noted in Appendix 2 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2023/24 for each of the categories of dwellings shown therein.
The Chair noted, in line with the Constitution, that the Head of Finance had to receive notice of any amendment to the budget in writing in advance, and that this amendment had to lead to a balanced budget, if it was to be discussed. All Council members had been reminded of this the previous week, and as the Head of Finance had not received any notice of an amendment by the designated deadline, it would not be possible for the Council to consider any amendment to the budget. The Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Ioan Thomas submitted the following:- · A report recommending a budget for the Council's approval for 2023/24; · The draft decision on the Council Tax based on the Cabinet's recommendation to the Council (based on an increase of 4.95%), along with tables showing the Council Tax level and the increase per community. The officers of the Finance Department were thanked for all their work in preparing the budget. The Head of Finance reminded the members of some of the main risks in Appendix 10 of the report, and he confirmed, having considered all risks and mitigation steps, that he was of the opinion that the Council Budget for 2023/24 was sound, sufficient and deliverable. Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. The following matters were raised by individual members: · It was enquired what type of support was available for people who had difficulty to pay Council Tax. In response, it was explained that people were firstly asked to ensure they were eligible for the Council Tax Support Scheme. There was concern that many people in the county either did not realise they were eligible, or were not aware of the scheme. The need was emphasised for anyone who was concerned about their situation to contact the Finance Department immediately before getting into difficulties. · It was enquired how many people had failed to pay and how many summons were being issued and the cost of this to the Council. It was also asked why the Taxation Services phone-line closed at 2pm everyday. In response, the Head of Finance Department noted that he did not have the summons figures to hand but he could obtain the information for the member. In terms of the phone-line, he explained that staff turnover had been a problem in the unit but the situation was now stabilising. He also explained that there was information processing work following every phone call and that information also arrived by post and e-mail, which needed to be processed. He further noted that work had been commissioned by the Ffordd Gwynedd Team to look at the work-flow within the Taxation Service to examine why the number of phone calls was so high, and to see whether it would be possible to re-design the work so that people did not phone. · The Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Well-being noted that he wished to greatly urge his fellow members to support the £1.5m bid for staff salaries. He explained that the job descriptions of all front-line staff of the internal adult care field had been reviewed and re-evaluated and, by being passed, the bid would mean that salaries could be increased to correspond with the new evaluation. · It was noted that it was important that people understood that Cyngor Gwynedd had not caused the financial crisis, and that the Westminster Government was to blame for providing less money to us every year. It was also noted that using reserves to close the gap was not a long-term solution. · It was noted that it was encouraging that we were talking more about savings than cuts today. · It was noted that voting to increase the Council Tax by 4.95% gave no pleasure to the members, but it was believed that the recommended budget was balanced and protected as many services as possible, while also protecting the pockets of our residents. It was further noted that the system of funding local government did not work. It did not cover our costs or took into account that different types of inflation affected us, such as salary inflation, material inflation, service inflation etc. and people needed to understand this. It was also noted that 4.95% was approximately half the inflation level, which was currently between 10% and 12%. · Until a great revolution would come, it was suggested that we would still be pressing on our residents. We had tightened down our services and it was very difficult to disagree with the recommendation. · If more and more statutory requirements were placed on us by the central government and less money to undertake the resulting additional duties, it was enquired what would be the results of not undertaking some of the duties. In response, the Chief Executive noted that it was very difficult to predict where this would go next. The Council had been in this position before of having to squeeze every penny, and it had to make a new effort again to do so, and had been successful so far. He forewarned that there was an element for the 2024/25 financial year that had still not been discovered, and it was likely that this would push the Council to real cuts territory. He explained that he could not provide more assurance or guarantee on that point, but unfortunately, the Council operated within a system that relied on budget coming in every year, and it had to respond quickly when statements were issued. RESOLVED 1. To approve the recommendations of the Cabinet, namely:- (a) Set a budget of £317,880,310 for 2023/24, to be funded by £227,842,930 of Government Grant and £90,037,380 Council Tax income (which is an increase of 4.95% on the tax of individual dwellings). (b) To set a capital programme of £67,780,150 in 2023/24, to be funded from the sources noted in Appendix 4 of the report. 2. To note that the Cabinet Member for Finance, in a decision notice dated 6 January 2023, approved the calculation of the following amounts for 2023/24 in accordance with regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (“The Act”):- (a) 56,182.77 being the amount calculated as Gwynedd's Tax Base 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) Part of the Council’s Area - Community Tax Base - Aberdaron 608.85 Llanddeiniolen 1,871.98 Aberdyfi 1,195.87 Llandderfel 523.58 Abergwyngregyn 126.33 Llanegryn 172.23 Barmouth 1,285.44 Llanelltyd 323.96 Arthog 709.28 Llanengan 2,586.58 Y Bala 805.47 Llanfair 369.71 Bangor 4,268.54 Llanfihangel-y-pennant 257.09 Beddgelert 348.15 Llanfrothen 241.18 Betws Garmon 145.50 Llangelynnin 469.53 Bethesda 1,695.61 Llangywer 154.57 Bontnewydd 462.48 Llanllechid 361.11 Botwnnog 485.84 Llanllyfni 1,455.91 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 467.94 Llannor 930.15 Bryncrug 346.51 Llanrug 1,151.24 Buan 236.07 Llanuwchllyn 330.26 Caernarfon 3,699.26 Llanwnda 820.41 Clynnog Fawr 493.91 Llanycil 218.04 Corris 324.86 Llanystumdwy 936.33 Cricieth 995.98 Maentwrog 318.33 Dolbenmaen 659.77 Mawddwy 389.38 Dolgellau 1,300.53 Nefyn 1,678.16 Dyffryn Ardudwy 870.27 Pennal 245.61 Y Felinheli 1,196.12 Penrhyndeudraeth 822.10 Ffestiniog 1,855.12 Pentir 1,300.28 Y Ganllwyd 90.22 Pistyll 282.17 Harlech 876.70 Porthmadog 2,277.83 Llanaelhaearn 480.92 Pwllheli 1,833.57 Llanbedr 365.94 Talsarnau 362.74 Llanbedrog 847.20 Trawsfynydd 519.28 Llanberis 793.84 Tudweiliog 502.47 Llandwrog 1,063.40 Tywyn 1,779.26 Llandygái 1,029.59 Waunfawr 566.22 namely the amounts calculated as the Council Tax Base amounts for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. 3. That the following amounts now be calculated by the Council for the year 2023/24 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Act:- (a) £505,479,830 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) £185,199,940 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) £320,279,890 Being the sum that corresponds with the difference between the above aggregate 3 (a) and the above aggregate 3 (b) calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budgetary requirements for the year (net budget). (ch) £227,347,266 Being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its fund in respect of redistributed Non-domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, less the estimated cost to the Council of discretionary Non-domestic rate relief granted. (d) £1,654.11 Being the amount in 3(c) above, less the sum in 3(ch) above, all divided by the sum noted in 2(a) above, that was calculated by the Council in accordance with 33(1) of the Act, which is the basic amount of Council Tax for the year (Gwynedd Council tax and the average community council tax). (dd) £2,895,243.21 Being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34 (1) of the Act (community council precepts). (e) £1,602.58 Being the sum in 3(d) above, less the result of dividing the amount in 3(dd) above divided by the amount in 2(a) above, that was calculated by the Council in 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 Gwynedd Council Tax only). (f) For parts of the Council’s area - Aberdaron 1,627.22 Llanddeiniolen 1,619.14 Aberdyfi 1,637.96 Llandderfel 1,619.77 Abergwyngregyn 1,634.24 Llanegryn 1,640.32 Barmouth 1,651.59 Llanelltyd 1,625.73 Arthog 1,622.32 Llanengan 1,623.84 Y Bala 1,636.10 Llanfair 1,648.56 Bangor 1,718.71 Llanfihangel-y-pennant 1,648.31 Beddgelert 1,637.05 Llanfrothen 1,645.29 Betws Garmon 1,623.20 Llangelynnin 1,630.62 Bethesda 1,666.46 Llangywer 1,631.69 Bontnewydd 1,642.58 Llanllechid 1,647.09 Botwnnog 1,615.96 Llanllyfni 1,636.92 Brithdir and Llanfachreth 1,628.22 Llannor 1,624.08 Bryncrug 1,640.34 Llanrug 1,672.07 Buan 1,618.47 Llanuwchllyn 1,647.45 Caernarfon 1,683.68 Llanwnda 1,639.15 Clynnog Fawr 1,643.07 Llanycil 1,623.22 Corris 1,637.46 Llanystumdwy 1,622.87 Cricieth 1,652.78 Maentwrog 1,622.54 Dolbenmaen 1,629.86 Mawddwy 1,630.06 Dolgellau 1,661.79 Nefyn 1,654.42 Dyffryn Ardudwy 1,660.03 Pennal 1,663.65 Y Felinheli 1,641.04 Penrhyndeudraeth 1,678.42 Ffestiniog 1,725.06 Pentir 1,644.88 Y Ganllwyd 1,638.60 Pistyll 1,645.11 Harlech 1,682.42 Porthmadog 1,630.05 Llanaelhaearn 1,654.56 Pwllheli 1,656.57 Llanbedr 1,657.23 Talsarnau 1,663.23 Llanbedrog 1,632.38 Trawsfynydd 1,641.09 Llanberis 1,647.93 Tudweiliog 1,616.51 Llandwrog 1,672.75 Tywyn 1,658.18 Llandygái 1,635.01 Waunfawr 1,623.77 being the amounts given by adding the amounts of the item or special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above, to the sum given in 3(e) 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) For parts of the Council’s area, the figures noted in Appendix 1, being the amounts given by multiplying the sums specified in 3(f) above by the number which, in the proportions set out in Section 5 (1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable 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 in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands. 4. That it be noted that for the year 2023/24 the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner has 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 dwellings shown below: Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Band I 222.06 259.07 296.08 333.09 407.11 481.13 555.15 666.18 777.21 5. That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(ff) and 4 above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992, hereby sets the amounts noted in Appendix 2 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2023/24 for each of the categories of dwellings shown therein.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to adopt the Participation Strategy.
The Cabinet Member for Corporate Support submitted a report inviting the Council to adopt a Participation Strategy, which noted the ways that local people were encouraged to participate in the Council's decision-making process, in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. Members were given an opportunity to make observations and ask questions. Disappointment was expressed that only 89 people had responded to the consultation on the strategy. In response, it was noted:- · As with every other consultation, it may be difficult to attract interest among the public in some subjects, especially subjects that did not affect people directly in their communities from day to day. · The consultation had been published on the Council website and on social media, with copies also available in the libraries. Obviously, it was not a subject that had ignited a great deal of interest, and an attempt would be made to learn lessons to see if there was a better way of doing things in future. It was noted that there was an earlier example at this meeting where a member of the public had wished to take an interest in Council discussions, but was refused, and should the member who had called for standing orders to be put aside had mentioned the exact clause from the Constitution, i.e. 4:17:3, rather than 4:17 in general, it was enquired whether the member of the public would have been allowed to ask his question? In response, the Monitoring Officer noted:- · That this was not the place to re-open the discussion on the matter, and that he would be happy to discuss the procedure with the member after the meeting. · There was an intention to build on the strategy and increase the awareness of participation, which included supporting the public's ability to ask a question and to understand the procedure so that it was much clearer, not as much in the Constitution but on the Council website etc. RESOLVED to adopt the Participation Strategy.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to adopt the Committees Calendar for 2023/24.
The Head of Democratic Services submitted a calendar for the dates of Council meetings for 2023/24. RESOLVED to adopt the Committees Calendar for 2023/24.
Submitted for information:- (i) Letters from the Wales Air Ambulance Charity, the Welsh Government's Minister for Health and Social Services and the Chair (EASC Management Group) and Chief Ambulance Service Commissioner in response to Councillor Llio Elenid Owen's notice of motion to a Council meeting on 1 December, 2022, regarding the future of Wales Air Ambulance centres in Dinas Dinlle and Welshpool. (i) Letters from the UK Government's Department for Transport and Avanti West Coast in response to Councillor Huw Rowlands's notice of motion to a Council meeting on 1 December, 2022, regarding the improvement of train services in Gwynedd. (ii) A letter from the Welsh Government's Deputy Minister for Climate Change in response to Councillor Elfed Wyn ap Elwyn's notice of motion to a Council meeting on 1 December, 2022, regarding the re-opening of railways in Wales.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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