Member’s Annual Report 2018/2019

This is the report by the Councillor below regarding his key activities over the year ending 31 March 2019. It is provided for the information of all constituents and for no other purpose. The views expressed in this report are those of the Councillor and they do not necessarily reflect the views of the Isle of County Council.

Councillor: R Meirion Jones Party: Plaid Cymru Ward: Aethwy

1 - Role & Responsibilities

I am a member of the Council’s Executive Committee and am portfolio holder for Education, Culture, Youth and Libraries.

This has entailed a lot of work and time with issues including the Town Hall, Holyhead; Llynnon Mill; Beaumaris Court and Goal; Oriel Mȏn; South Stack; Youth Clubs; Changes to the Library Service and particularly with regard to Schools Modernisation.

Between April 2018 and March 2019, I sat on Attendance Summary the following main committees / sub- committees: Appointments Committee Details on the Council’s website: Corporate Parenting Panel Attendance Isle of Anglesey Charitable Trust Committee Isle of Anglesey County Council Regeneration Committee The Executive Voluntary Sector Liaison Committee The above list does not include all meetings related to the work of the Council.

Attendance levels may vary due to the nature of work and responsibilities of members - as portfolio holder, committee chair or representing the Council on outside bodies, for example.

I am a member of the Isle of Anglesey Charitable Trust. I am also a member of the Trust’s Investment and Contracts Committee – details of my attendance at these meetings are also available on the above link.

I represent the Council on the following outside bodies:

Outside Body Summary of role and contribution See: Anglesey Language Forum 4 out of 11

Court of Governors, Bangor 0 University https://www.bangor.ac.uk/about/management.php.cy

CYNNAL Management 3 out of 3 Committee http://www.cynnal.co.uk/

Grwp Llandrillo/Menai 2 out of 3 https://www.gllm.ac.uk/?LangType=2057

GwE Joint Committee 5 out of 5 https://www.gwegogledd.cymru/

School Governors - Ysgol 4 out of 4 David Hughes, http://ysgoldavidhughes.org/eng/index.php

2 - Constituency Activity

I was elected in May 2013 and since then, as one of three Councillors, I have had the privilege and responsibility of representing the residents of Aethwy Ward. The last year again has been a busy and interesting one and I have come into contact with many people and have dealt with several issues. I have had an interesting range of work - enquiries and complaints, meetings and visits, personal discussions, representing individuals, advising when appropriate, messages, letters, phone calls and e-mails.

Much of the work and responsibility associated with the ward involve individuals and their problems as mentioned above.

I have attended meetings of the local Community Councils – Llanfairpwll Community Council (of which I am also a member), Menai Bridge Town Council and and Star Community Council and have on occasions liaised between these Councils and the County Council.

As a School Governor representing the County Council, I have attended meetings in Ysgol David Hughes School and other meetings.

I attended many local events.

Many Planning issues have been brought to my attention and I have acted accordingly.

Developments continue with the changes to the library service and the arrangements for gipsies and travellers.

3 - Initiatives and Special Activities

Further discussions on the reorganisation of local government were held during this period.

Once again, traffic issues have been common themes in the three areas and I have contributed to discussions to ensure progress with these matters.

I was part of the discussions to welcome refugees.

Wales Government mentioned the possibility of a third crossing across the Menai Straits and we await developments.

I have attended meetings regarding Wylfa Newydd and the National Grid. Following the decision to suspend plans for the power station, we must now await developments.

Discussions took place regarding bus services 43, 47 and 42 following the Budget and how to implement these effectively and efficiently.

Following the floods in 22/11/2017, meetings and discussions took place and reports were considered.

4 - Learning and Development

Information about the learning and development initiatives I have attended during the past year is available here (information supplied by the Isle of Anglesey County Council): http://democracy.anglesey.gov.uk/mgListTraining.aspx?UID=227&RPID=381094&LL L=0

5 - Other Activities and Issues

As Deputy Leader of the County Council’s Plaid Cymru Councillors Group, I have had the satisfaction of helping the Group develop to be a powerful and effective Opposition which contributed positively to the Council’s work and became part of the Group which is now leading the Council. Our slogan in the first Election was “Restore Anglesey Council’s reputation” and I believe that we have done that and continue to do so.

I am always available to deal with any problems my electors may encounter and they can contact me over the phone, via e-mail or letter.

More information about me can be found here: http://democracy.anglesey.gov.uk/mgUserInfo.aspx?UID=227&LLL=0

Councillor R Meirion Jones May 2019