Member's Annual Report 2014/15

Member’s Annual Report 2014/15

This is the report by the Councillor below regarding her key activities over the year ending 31 March 2015. 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 not necessarily reflect the views of the Isle of Anglesey County Council.

Councillor: Ann Griffith Group: Plaid Cymru Ward: Bro Aberffraw

1 - Role & Responsibilities

With over thirty years professional experience in Social Work and Social Care Consultancy, working with all vulnerable groups, it was appropriate that I should remain in the role of Shadow Portfolio for Social Services and Housing for a second year. I have challenged and supported the officers and the Portfolio Holder in making difficult decisions at a time of austerity and cuts. I challenged the Executive on the matter of increasing the externalising/privatising of home care services and scrutinised plans to sell the Council residential homes and build Extra Care facilities for older people.

In this role I have met regularly with the Director of Community and Heads of Service within Housing and Social Services and have worked positively with the portfolio Holder. I joined the Leader of the Council in conducting a Laming Visit to the Children Services Duty Team. I have scrutinised officers in my role on the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

The second year as Vice Chair of Planning and Orders Committee has been a period of consolidating learning. Unlike the first year there have been no high profile complex planning applications. I have sat beside the Chairperson providing assistance to ensure the smooth running of the Planning Briefing Meeting and in the Planning Committee.

For part of this term I was the Vice Chair of the Fostering Panel and was called upon to chair the meeting during this period.

Between April 2014 and March 2015, I sat on the following main 1Attendance Figures committees / sub-committees: Council 8 (73%) Corporate Scrutiny Committee 8 (61%) Planning and Orders Committee (Vice-Chair) 9 (69%) Licensing Committee (Vice-Chair) 1 (100%) Joint Planning Policy Committee 1 (25%) Corporate Parenting Panel 4 (100%) The statistics provided are relevant only to the committees listed in this table. The statistics do not include attendance at other 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 attended 2 meetings) and Investment and Contracts Sub-Committee.

2 - Constituency Activity

Council Representative on three Community Councils: Rhosyr, Bodorgan and Aberffraw.

Council Member on Rhosyr Community Council [Newborough representative]

Govenor Ysgol Gyfyn Llangefni and member of the Personnel Sub Group.

Govenor Ysgol Gynradd Bodorgan and member of the Audit and Disciplinary Sub Groups.

Case Work Issues - This year has been characterised by an increased number of requests from individuals, primarily single vulnerable men experiencing eviction and in need of urgent housing advice and advocacy. This has led to numerous home visits and joint visits to Housing Officers to put individuals’ cases forward. There has been a stream of requests for help with regards to planning applications. In addition a rise in complaints regarding rodents and unlawful parking on pavements.

3 - Initiatives and Special Activities

 Led ongoing campaign to re-open the Newborough Post Office  Led ongoing campaign to keep Newborough Car parkand public toilets.  Led successful efforts to re-open Aberffraw Llys Llywelyn toilets to the public.  Played a pivotal part in the successful Olympic Legacy /Aberffraw 14 grant bid.  “Called in” Menter Mon to Scrutiny Committee to hold to account on decision to sell Llys Llywelyn Aberffraw.

1 Attendance figures supplied by the Isle of Anglesey County Council

 Chairperson of Prichard Jones Institute and Cottages. Assisted in arranging and supporting numerous community events to raise money for upkeep.  Supported community events e.g Cyngor Mawreddog Dothan, Ysgol Bodorgan Christmas concert, Martin Rowlands concert Newborough, John Pierce Jones a Dilwyn Morgan comedy evening Newborough, Alister James Newborough, Aberffraw CPD Christmas Fair.  President of the Aberffraw Flower Show 2014.  Close liaison with and reports to chairperson of Malltraeth Ymlaen.  Regular drop in visits to Eglwys Bach Community Hall to listen to community concerns.  Supported Dwyran Hen Fecws fund raising event.

4 - Learning and Development

I have attended the following learning and development initiatives during the past year (information supplied by the Isle of Anglesey County Council):

Safeguarding April 2014 Value-added Scrutiny September 2014 Webcasting May 2014 Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 November 2014 Seminar on Housing Allocation Policy January 2015 Seminar on Housing Revenue Account Business Plan January 2015

5 - Other Activities and Issues

Led awareness raising campaign regarding Council’s School Modernisation Programme informal consultation and attended all meetings with parents in Dwyran, Newborough, Llangaffo, Bodorgan and Aberffraw. Spoke in Executive Meeting on this issue and shared community concerns.

Spoke in the Council and led media campaign against the Council cuts to funding the Anglesey Breakfast Clubs.

Raised questions in the Council during visit by former Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Khan on waste safety and terrorist security measures at Wylfa A and the proposed Wylfa Newydd.

Councillor Ann Griffith April 2015