Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Rhodri Evans apologised for his inability to attend the meeting due to being on other duties on behalf of the Council.

Councillors Marc Davies, Elaine Evans, Paul Hinge and Carl Worrall apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

James Starbuck, Corporate Director apologised for his inability to attend the meeting.

There were no declarations of personal or prejudicial interest.

a)    Councillor Ifan Davies wished the Welsh Football team well in the World Cup;

b)    Councillor Ifan Davies congratulated Aled Lewis, on winning Sustainable Farmer of the Year with the NFU in Wales;

c)    Councillor Bryan Davies congratulated Mydroilyn’s Womens’ Institute on celebrating their centenary this year;

d)    Councillor Bryan Davies congratulated Ceredigion Young Farmers’ Club on winning the YFC National Eisteddfod held in Fishguard.  This was reiterated by Councillor Gareth Lloyd;

e)    Councillor Gareth Lloyd congratulated Pontsian Young Farmers’ Club, the Winning Club at the YFC National Eisteddfod.  This was re-iterated by Councillor Maldwyn Lewis;

f)      Councillor Gareth Lloyd congratulated Dion Evans on his many successes including best carpentry apprentice in Wales and runner up at the Wales best apprentice of the year across all categories;

g)    Councillor Euros Davies congratulated Peggy Jones on celebrating her 101^st birthday;

h)    Councillor Euros Davies congratulated Melanie Thomas on being selected to represent Wales at a Bowls tournament in New Zealand;

i)      Councillor Euros Davies congratulated Ceri Jones on being to selected to represent Wales at a Bowls tournament in New Zealand;

j)      Councillor Elizabeth Evans extended her condolences to Councillor John Roberts on the recent bereavement of his sister;

k)    Councillor Catrin M S Davies extended her condolences to the family of Elvey McDonald following their recent bereavement;

l)      Councillor Meirion Davies congratulated Tom and Beth Evans from Llanfihangel y Creuddyn who have recently diversified to growing pumpkins on their farm, and their success during their first year;

m)  Councillor Gareth Davies congratulated Dr Hannah Hunt, for Ystwyth Veterinary Surgery on winning the British Young Vet of the Year 2022;

n)    Councillor Steve Davies congratulated the Aberystwyth RNLI on celebrating many years of service;

o)    Councillor Bryan Davies wished the Wales Ladies Angling Team and their manager Councillor Carl Worrall well in the World Angling competition currently taking place in Tunisia.

It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Council meetings held on 20 October 2022, subject to the following amendment:

a)    to note that Councillor Sian Maehrlein apologised for her inability to attend the meeting.

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council presented the Council’s Corporate Strategy 2022-27 including Corporate Well-being Objectives to the Council noting that it sets out the Council’s ambitions for the next 5 years.  The strategy illustrates how the Council will seek to enhance the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of the residents and communities of Ceredigion.

The Corporate Objectives include Boosting the Economy, Supporting Businesses and Enabling Employment; Creating caring and Healthy Communities; Proving the Best Start in Life and Enabling Learning at All Ages; and Creating Sustainable, Green and Well-connected Communities.

Councillor Bryan Davies noted that the Strategy has taken into consideration the manifestos of all groups and thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for their work, and the recommendations made to Cabinet.

Following discussion it was unanimously RESOLVED to:

1)    Agree the draft Corporate Strategy 2022-27 including the Corporate Well-being Objectives

2)    Approve the Corporate Strategy 2022-27 for publication on the Council’s website along with hard copies in libraries and public facing offices.

Councillor Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement presented the report to Council noting that the 2021-22 Accounts were due to be presented to Governance and Audit Committee on 17 November 2022.  However due to a UK wide technical issue in relation to the accounting treatment and associated disclosure note requirements, Welsh Government has written to all Local Authorities extending the reporting deadline to 31 January 2023 whilst they are drafting devolved legislation to provide a statutory override.  It was agreed, in conjunction with Audit Wales and relevant Officer to postpone the reporting of the 2021/22 Statement of Accounts.

Councillor Davies confirmed that the 2021-22 Statement of Accounts would be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 19^th January 2023 and by Council on 26^th January 2023.

The update provided in relation to the 2021-22 Statement of Accounts (including the 2021-22 Harbour Accounts) was noted by Council.

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader and Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, Policy, Performance and People and Organisation presented the report and the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales’ Annual Letter to Council noting that this is the third annual consecutive report where there has been no investigations commenced or formal reports issued by the Ombudsman in relation to complaints made against the Council.  However, there needs to be consideration as to how compliments are recorded, and there has been an increase in the number of complaints referred to the Ombudsman, which reflects the improvement in engagement with the public.

The Annual Report for Compliments, Complaints and Freedom of Information Activity 2021-22 and the Public Service Ombudsman for Wales’ Annual Letter 2021-22 was noted by Council.

Councillor Keith Evans, current Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee presented the report to Council, noting that the report highlights the key issues that have been considered by all Overview and Scrutiny Committees during 2021-22.  He thanked the Chairs of all committees for all their hard work, and Officers for preparing the reports.

Councillor Bryan Davies thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, noting the value of their contribution to Cabinet. Councillor Keith Evans noted his concerns regarding problems with the hybrid system, emphasising the importance of ensuring that this is resolved as soon as possible.

The information contained within the report and the volume of work undertaken during 2021-22 was noted by Council.

Councillor Alun Williams, Cabinet Member for Through Age and Wellbeing presented the report to Council noting that the report assesses the sufficiency of care and support services as well as the stability of services regulated by Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW).  The final report was endorsed by Cabinet on 6 October 2022. 

Members noted that it would be beneficial for scrutiny to consider the report.

The information contained within the West Wales Market Stability report was noted by Council.

Councillor Alun Williams, Cabinet Member for Through Age and Wellbeing presented the report to Council noting that the report provides an assessment of need for care and support and the support needs of carers, and the range of services required to meet those needs and required preventative services and how they will be provided through the medium of Welsh.  The final report was presented to Cabinet on 6 October 2022. 

Members noted that it would be beneficial for scrutiny to consider the report.

The information contained within the West Wales Population Needs Assessment report was noted by Council.

It was RESOLVED to confirm the Membership of the Council’s Committees as presented at the meeting, subject to an amendment of the first page to note 21 Members of Plaid Cymru and 9 Independent Members.