Cabinet

Reports on equality, staffing and harbour matters were considered. Cabinet approved the Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report and the Employment Monitoring Report for publication, and endorsed actions to manage staff attendance. It noted the minutes of the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee and the committee's recommendation on harbour pontoons, which members said would be considered with other capital business cases.

1. Condition of harbour pontoons and moorings

   Decided

   Members noted the committee's recommendation that Cabinet be advised of the condition of the pontoons and moorings, their vulnerability and need for repair or replacement, and consider supporting a Capital Business Case for the works. Members said this would be considered as part of all Capital Business Case submissions. Cabinet then noted the minutes of the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee held on 2 October 2024.

   Why

   Many pontoons are beyond their design lifespan, and the Harbour Master said the Authority already knew they needed repair or replacement. Rising costs and financial pressures mean no capital funding is available, so any repairs would have to come from the revenue budget. A capital business case is a formal request for money to pay for major works, such as replacing pontoons.

   Based on the minutes, Minutes , 02/10/2024 Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee

2. Strategic Equality Plan annual report 2023-24

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report 2023-24. Members said the report was positive, that inclusion should be at the heart of every service and that schools should help pupils have a voice. They also said the plan must be put into practice.

   Why

   The council must publish the report under the Statutory Duty (Wales) Regulations 2011 before 31 March 2025. It is the final report on the Strategic Equality Plan 2020-24, which has been succeeded by the Inclusive Conwy Plan 2024-28. The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance said the report meets a legal requirement and highlights good practice across the council.

   Based on the minutes, Cover Report - SEP Annual Report 2023-24, 21/10/2024 Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Draft Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report 2023-24, 21/10/2024 Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Appendix 1 - People of Conwy, 21/10/2024 Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee

3. Employment monitoring report 2023-24

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the Employment Monitoring Report 2023-24 for publication. The Chief Executive said that local government pay has not kept up with other sectors, which is a risk to recruitment. Apprenticeships were one way to address this, and any support to expand them would be welcomed.

   Why

   The council must publish the report before 31 March 2025 under the Statutory Duty (Wales) Regulations 2011. It gives a snapshot of staff data on 31 March 2024, including recruitment, training, discipline, grievances and leavers, broken down by protected characteristics such as age, sex, disability and ethnicity. The report says the data held on staff improved by 1 to 5 per cent this year, and it sets out actions on data, policies and training.

   Based on the minutes, Cover Report - Employment Monitoring Report 2023-24 (002), 21/10/2024 Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Draft Employment Monitoring Report 2023-24, 21/10/2024 Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee

4. Workforce dashboard and staff attendance actions

   Decided

   Cabinet endorsed the actions being taken to manage staff attendance. It was acknowledged that each stress case is complex and that the main focus would be prevention. Members were told that every agency contract would go to vacancy control at 12 weeks, and that this period was being reviewed to shorten it.

   Why

   Stress and anxiety is the highest reason for absence. Days lost per full-time equivalent (FTE) post were 12.04 in 2023-24, against an estimate of 10.50. The council has introduced a bereavement absence reason, an online therapy option and more manager training, and it is only recruiting to essential posts because of budget cuts.

   Based on the minutes, Cover report end of year dashboard 23 24 RRG AMENDED, 21/10/2024 Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, CCBC Workforce Dashboard Year-end 2023-24v2, 21/10/2024 Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 1

   Apologies for absence

   Minute

   None.

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest: Code of Local Government Conduct

   Minute

   None.

3. 3

   Urgent matters

   Minute

   None.

4. 4

   Minutes of Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee held on 2 October 2024 be noted.

   Minute

   The minutes of the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee held on 2 October 2024 were submitted. The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Transport and Facilities presented a recommendation to Cabinet from the Committee as follows:- That Cabinet be advised of the condition of the pontoons and moorings, their vulnerability and need for repair/replacement and consider supporting a Capital Business Case for the works. Members noted the above recommendation and stated that it would be considered as part of the submission of all Capital Business Cases. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee held on 2 October 2024 be noted.

   Papers: Minutes , 02/10/2024 Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee

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.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

• Charlie McCoubrey, LeaderGrŵp Annibynnol Cyntaf Conwy/Conwy First Independent GroupPresent
• Cheryl Carlisle, County CouncillorConservativeIn attendance
• Chris Cater, Committee MemberGrŵp Annibynnol Cyntaf Conwy/Conwy First Independent GroupPresent
• Chris Hughes, County CouncillorLabourRecorded
• David Gerard Carr, County CouncillorCynghrair Dinasyddion yn Gyntaf / Citizens First AllianceIn attendance
• Dilwyn Owain Roberts, Committee MemberPlaid Cymru a’r Blaid WerddPresent
• Elizabeth Roberts, Committee MemberPlaid Cymru a’r Blaid WerddPresent
• Emily Owen, Committee Member