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Cabinet met on 13 May 2025 and agreed commercial mooring fees for Conwy Harbour, at 50% of recreational fees in 2025, rising to 100% from 2026. It also approved an update on the council's Resilience Action Plan, the Welsh Language Standards annual report, the Destination Conwy plan, a digital preservation policy, a consultation on merging two Old Colwyn schools, a £205,205 bridging loan for Ysgol Eirias, a draft waste strategy for consultation, and a trial disposal policy for council land.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Penny Andow and Chris Cater.
In the interest of transparency, Councillor Emily Owen declared an interest in Agenda Item 15c (Development Options), as she is the Local Ward Member.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 April 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 April 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 April 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The Leader welcomed Members to the new Council Chamber in Coed Pella and thanked staff for their hard work in implementing the project.
The Chief Executive echoed the comments of the Leader in thanking staff for all the work undertaken in relation to the Council Chamber at Coed Pella.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Cabinet Forward Work Programme be approved.
Members were presented with the Forward Work Programme for the Cabinet. RESOLVED- That the Cabinet Forward Work Programme be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That commercial vessel mooring fees be introduced at a level of 50% for recreational fees in 2025 and at a level of 100% from 2026. (b) That the minutes of the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee held on 16 April 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee held on 16 April 2025 were submitted. The Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Transport and Facilities requested that Members support the recommendation to Cabinet from the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee to introduce mooring fees for commercials vessels at a level of 50% for 2025. The Cabinet Member proposed that the recommendation be amended to increase fees to 100% from 2026. Introducing fees for commercial vessels would generate income to sustain the harbour and it was unreasonable to charge only leisure users. RESOLVED- (a) That commercial vessel mooring fees be introduced at a level of 50% for recreational fees in 2025 and at a level of 100% from 2026. (b) That the minutes of the Conwy Harbour Advisory Committee held on 16 April 2025 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the progress against the Resilience Action Plan, together with the ongoing work and remaining actions in the plan, be approved.
The Leader sought approval for the progress and ongoing work within the Resilience Action Plan. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 12 May 2025 and supported the recommendation. Discussion ensued as follows:- · There were opportunities to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) whilst being mindful of new products. · As well as the Resilience Action Plan, services were also undertaking transformational projects. · The work undertaken was commended, especially set against a backdrop of financial challenges, with the advice received from Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) being put into action. · Conwy had been the first Council to undertake a Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) Peer Review and had taken advice from that review. RESOLVED- That the progress against the Resilience Action Plan, together with the ongoing work and remaining actions in the plan, be approved.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report be approved for publication.
The Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT sought approval for the publication of the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 12 May 2025 and supported the recommendation. Discussion ensued as follows:- · The work undertaken to encourage people to speak Welsh was commended. · The Chief Executive welcomed the approach to increase people’s confidence in speaking Welsh, especially those whose ability had increased from 0 to level 1. · Thanks were extended to Councillor Gwennol Ellis, Welsh Language Champion, and to Councillor Louise Emery, New Welsh Speaker Champion, for championing the Welsh language. RESOLVED- That the Welsh Language Standards Annual Report be approved for publication.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That the updated Destination Conwy Management Plan 2023 – 2029 be approved. (b) That the Memorandum of Understanding for the Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Strategy 2035 be signed to demonstrate public commitment to the principles outlined in the strategy and encourage partnership working between Eryri National Park, Gwynedd Council and Conwy County Borough Council.
The Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy sought approval for the Destination Conwy Action Plan 2023 – 2029 and for the Memorandum of Understanding for the Gwynedd and Eryri Visitor Strategy 2035. The Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 30 April 2025 and supported the recommendation. The Cabinet Member advised that the North Wales Regional Transport Plan would be used to work with North Wales Local Authorities to improve transport links across the region, which was important to the economy. Transport for Wales was also reviewing bus operations in terms of future sustainability. RESOLVED- (a) That the updated Destination Conwy Management Plan 2023 – 2029 be approved. (b) That the Memorandum of Understanding for the Gwynedd and Eryri Sustainable Visitor Strategy 2035 be signed to demonstrate public commitment to the principles outlined in the strategy and encourage partnership working between Eryri National Park, Gwynedd Council and Conwy County Borough Council.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Corporate Digital Preservation Policy be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT sought approval for the Corporate Digital Preservation Policy. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 12 May 2025 and supported the recommendation. Members welcomed the Policy as it was vitally important that, as the custodians of information relating to land and property, the information was preserved. RESOLVED- That the Corporate Digital Preservation Policy be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That approval be granted to undertake a consultation, which proposed to formally amalgamate Ysgol T Gwynn Jones and Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn as one school.
The Cabinet Member for Education sought approval to undertake a consultation, which proposed to formally amalgamate Ysgol T Gwynn Jones and Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn as one school. The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 6 May 2025 and supported the recommendation. RESOLVED- That approval be granted to undertake a consultation, which proposed to formally amalgamate Ysgol T Gwynn Jones and Ysgol Iau Hen Golwyn as one school.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the loan request of £205,205 to Ysgol Eirias, as recommended by the School Loans Panel, be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Education sought approval for a loan request of £205,205 to Ysgol Eirias. Discussion ensued as follows:- · In response to concerns raised with regard to the financial management of the school, assurances were provided that a thorough process was in place to evaluate the school's plan of recovery. · The School Loans Panel had confidence in the school's ability to repay the loan and support would be provided to work with the school to ensure they operated within their allocated budgets. · The broader issue of funding for schools and social care were outlined, with concerns in relation to the increasing complexity of needs and the impact of falling student numbers. · The financial situation of schools across Wales was highlighted, noting that many schools were struggling with similar challenges. · The need for adequate funding from the Welsh Government to support schools and social services was emphasised. RESOLVED- That the loan request of £205,205 to Ysgol Eirias, as recommended by the School Loans Panel, be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That the draft Conwy Waste and Resource Strategy 2025-2030 be approved. (b) That the undertaking of a public consultation on the draft Conwy Waste and Resource Strategy 2025-2030 be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and the Environment sought approval to undertake a public consultation on the draft Conwy Waste and Resource Strategy 2025-2030. The Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 30 April 2025 and supported the recommendation. Discussion ensued as follows:- · Conwy was an exemplar in the field and the recycling rate of 70% was commended. · It was important that towns and villages were kept neat and tidy. · The voice of young people and children would be good to capture in future consultations. · The Strategy did not directly cover street bins, however in relation to them being used by households, it was important to address recycling behaviour. RESOLVED- (a) That the draft Conwy Waste and Resource Strategy 2025-2030 be approved. (b) That the undertaking of a public consultation on the draft Conwy Waste and Resource Strategy 2025-2030 be approved.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the draft Asset Management Plan 2025 - 2030 - Disposal Policy be approved for a trial period and monitored by the Asset Management Task and Finish Group and that it be scheduled on the forward work programme for review with the Asset Management Plan for 5 January 2026.
The Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy sought approval for the draft Asset Management Plan 2025-2030 – Disposal Policy. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 12 May 2025 and supported the report, with the request that there be a trial period and monitored by the Asset Management Task and Finish Group and that it be scheduled on the forward work programme for review with the Asset Management Plan for 5 January 2026. The Cabinet Member supported the amended recommendation from the Committee. Discussion ensued as follows:- · Delegated powers would allow the officers to focus on the Asset Management Plan. · In relation to concerns with regard to financial oversight, Members were advised that there had been no legitimate challenges in terms of best value for any past disposals. · There was confidence in the officers’ abilities to make decisions. RESOLVED- That the draft Asset Management Plan 2025 - 2030 - Disposal Policy be approved for a trial period and monitored by the Asset Management Task and Finish Group and that it be scheduled on the forward work programme for review with the Asset Management Plan for 5 January 2026.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
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.
Emily Owen: Interest
Declared an interest in Development Options (Agenda Item 15c), as the Local Ward Member.
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