Communities Scrutiny Committee

The Communities Scrutiny Committee will consider five items on 1 October 2026. These cover the annual report on the Council's climate and nature plan, the replacement of road markings, arrangements for emergency road closures, the committee's work programme and who will attend performance challenge meetings. No minutes have been published yet, so this summary sets out what the reports propose, not what was decided.

1. Climate and Nature Emergency Plan annual report 2025/26

   Proposed

   The report asks the Committee to check that the annual report is accurate and balanced, and to suggest changes or future actions before the Cabinet considers it. The Committee's comments will go to the Cabinet, which will then consider adopting the report.

   Why

   The report sets out the Council's carbon emissions and absorption in 2025/26, and the gap still to close to reach net zero. Emissions without procurement fell 39% since the 2019/20 base year and 6% since 2024/25, and the report also shows figures with procurement, which is counted by spending. It measures progress against the original 2022 plan, not the revised version adopted in July 2026.

   Based on the minutes, Climate and Nature Emergency Plan Annual Report 25-26, Appendix 1

2. Replacing road markings: review of current arrangements

   Proposed

   The report asks the Committee to give its views and recommendations on the proposals. These include buying a second manual kit now and preparing a business case for a bespoke vehicle so more road marking work is done in-house.

   Why

   Major road marking work needs a bespoke vehicle, which the Council does not own, so it depends on two contractors on a framework contract, meaning a pre-agreed list of suppliers. Those contractors also work for the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agency and other councils, which causes delays, so the service does not always meet the timings in its Highways Asset Support Plan. The report says the concerns came from the public and councillors, and that the investment aims to cut complaints, insurance claims and reliance on outside firms; £132,000 is set aside for road markings in 2026/27.

   Based on the minutes, Highway Maintenance - Installation of Road Markings, Appendix A, Appendix B

3. Emergency road closures: how urgent works are co-ordinated

   Proposed

   The report explains the roles of the Council and utility companies in urgent and emergency road works. It asks the Committee to scrutinise how well the Council co-ordinates, monitors and communicates this work.

   Why

   Road closures for urgent and emergency works often cause concern, and utility firms such as water, gas, electricity and telecoms companies, known in law as statutory undertakers, have legal rights to carry out this work without the Council's permission. The Council co-ordinates and monitors these works, and can challenge full closures, but with three Street Works Inspectors across Gwynedd, it cannot be present at every site. The report also explains that works often change as they progress, so closures may need to be extended to keep workers and road users safe.

   Based on the minutes, Emergency Road Closures

4. Committee forward work programme for 2026/27

   Proposed

   The report asks the Committee to adopt its draft work programme for 2026/27. The draft lists items for each meeting, including a reserve item on the bereavement service.

   Why

   Members and others proposed items, and the Chair and Vice-chair discussed them with Heads of Department and Cabinet Members before the committee's workshop on 19 May 2026. The committee prioritised a maximum of three items per meeting, ranking them against factors such as whether the matter affects residents and whether scrutiny, which means examining council services and decisions, can make a difference. A member asked for Emergency Road Closures to be added at an informal meeting on 9 July 2026, and the programme will be reviewed during the year.

   Based on the minutes, Communities Scrutiny Committee Forward Programme 2026/27

5. Nominating members to performance challenge meetings

   Proposed

   The report asks the Committee to nominate two members to attend the Environment Department's performance challenge meeting on 5 October 2026. Those members would listen, then report back to the Committee on what was discussed.

   Why

   Internal performance challenge meetings look at Council Plan priority projects, day-to-day performance measures and the risk register, and are held four times a year for each department. Following calls from the Scrutiny Forum and scrutiny members, the Council plans to pilot sending two representatives from each scrutiny committee to one department's meetings. The Scrutiny Forum recommends the Environment Department, one of the two departments that this Committee covers.

   Based on the minutes, Performance Challenge Meetings, Appendix 1

Written by AI from the reports on the agenda, before the minutes are published. Reports say what council officers recommend; the meeting can decide differently. Once the minutes are out, this becomes a summary of what was decided.

1. 1

   Apologies

2. 2

   Declaration of Personal Interest

3. 3

   Urgent Items

4. 4

   Minutes

   Papers: Minutes of Previous Meeting
5. 5

   Climate and Nature Emergency Plan Annual Report 2025/26

   Part of an issue followed across 5 meetings

   Papers: Climate and Nature Emergency Plan Annual Report 25-26, Appendix 1
6. 6

   Highway Maintenance - Installation of Road Markings

   Papers: Highway Maintenance - Installation of Road Markings, Appendix A, Appendix B
7. 7

   Emergency Road Closures

   Papers: Emergency Road Closures
8. 8

   Communities Scrutiny Committee Forward Programme 2026/27

   Papers: Communities Scrutiny Committee Forward Programme 2026/27
9. 9

   Performance Challenge Meetings

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Performance Challenge Meetings, Appendix 1

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.

• Arwyn Herald Roberts, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Beca Roberts, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Berwyn Parry Jones, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Dafydd Davies, Committee MemberPlaid CymruSent apologies
• Delyth Lloyd Griffiths, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Edgar Wyn Owen, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Elfed Powell Roberts, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Elfed Williams, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Elwyn Edwards, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Gruffydd Williams, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Jina Gwyrfai, Committee MemberPlaid CymruPresent
• Peter Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Stephen W. Churchman, Committee MemberGwynedd yn Gyntaf / Gwynedd FirstPresent
• Wendy Cleaver, Committee MemberIndependentPresent

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