Annual Report 2019/20
Caernarfon Royal Town Council Annual Report 2019/20 ______
Institute Building, Pavilion Hill, Caernarfon, LL55 1AS 01286 672943 Opening Hours 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. Monday – Thursday 9.00 a.m. - 12.30 p.m. Friday [email protected] [email protected]
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Annual Report 2019/20
(1) Introduction
The purpose of this report is to present information about the activities of the Royal Caernarfon Town Council during 2019/20. It includes a brief outline of the Council's structure, an overview of the Council's activities throughout the year, and a financial summary. Details of all Town Councillors, members of staff, and contact details for the Council are included.
(2) Background
The Town Council consists of 17 Members (Councillors) representing four Wards, as follows:
• Peblig Ward - 5 members;
Councillors Eiriona Hughes (Independent), Brenda Owen (Plaid Cymru), W. Tudor Owen (Plaid Cymru), Jason W. Parry (Independent), Kenny Richards (Plaid Cymru)
• Seiont Ward - 4 members;
Councillors W. Roy Owen (Independent), Keith Jones (Independent), Cai Larsen (Plaid Cymru), Richard Thomas (Plaid Cymru)
• Menai Ward - 4 members;
Councillors Wil Lloyd Davies (Plaid Cymru), Ann Hopcyn (Plaid Cymru), Eleri Lovgreen (Plaid Cymru), Ioan Thomas (Plaid Cymru)
• Cadnant Ward - 4 members.
Councillors Cemlyn Williams (Plaid Cymru), Dawn Lynne Jones (Plaid Cymru), Maria Sarnacki (Independent), Stuart Sage (Independent)
The Council elects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor each year, and assisting them to run Council services there are 4 full-time and part-time administrative and operational staff:
• Clerk and Proper Officer of the Council - Sion Wyn Evans • Deputy Clerk - Dewi Wyn Jones (Appointed 1st April 2020) • Caretaker - Andy Rowlands • Maintenance Officer - Ken Owen
Civic Offices Mayor - Councillor William Tudor Owen Deputy Mayor - Councillor Maria Sarnacki Mace Bearer - vacant post
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Annual Report 2019/20
The Council has a structure of committees and sub-committees, namely: • Full Council; • Planning Committee; • Entertainment Committee; • Finance Committee; • Works Committee; • Personnel Committee.
Each sub-committee reports to Full Council, which meets on the first Tuesday of every month (except August).
The Council's main duties are:
· to provide financial, administrative and secretarial support for all services provided by the Town Council; · managing the Institute Building; · maintenance of some bus shelters; · to manage a number of annual events held throughout the year throughout the town, for example Remembrance Sunday, Gardening Competition;
· Cleaning the new Llanbeblig Cemetery toilets; · Co-operating towards street cleaning and grass cutting; · To install Christmas lights in the town every year; · Maintenance of the town Cenotaph.
(3) Summary of Council Activities - 2019/20
This summary of activities is modelled on the seven well-being goals identified in the Well- being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, namely:
• A prosperous Wales • A resilient Wales • A healthier Wales • A more equal Wales • A Wales of cohesive communities • A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language • A globally responsible Wales
The Act defines sustainable development as a process of improving the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales by taking steps, in accordance with the principle of sustainable development, which aim to achieve the well-being goals. In this respect the Council recognises its role in promoting sustainable development and the way in which it is fulfilling its duty under the Act while working for, and with, local communities.
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Annual Report 2019/20
The well-being goals are completely integral to each other and explain what is meant by the well-being of Wales. The Council welcomes these well-being goals and will place these goals at the heart of its planning and decision-making arrangements to improve the overall quality of life (well-being) within its administrative area.
In applying these well-being goals to the functions, activities and services provided by the Council, the Act requires the Council to think longer-term, work better with people and communities and other public bodies, to look at preventing problems arising, and to take a more coherent approach. Many of these aims and the activities identified overlap and complement each other.
The remainder of this Report corresponds to the 7 well-being goals in the Act.
It should be noted that the Covid-19 pandemic struck during March 2020. As a result, Council meetings were postponed from mid-March. Covid-19 will have a much greater impact in 2020/21, and the 2020/21 Annual Report will reflect that. From the beginning, the Town Council intended to play a central role within the community, in order to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the town and its inhabitants. Again, this is will be noted in detail in the 2020/21 Annual Report.
A Prosperous Wales
The Council has representatives on a number of relevant bodies in the town and beyond, which seek to deliver schemes that grow the town's economy. These include:
• School Governing Bodies; • Noddfa Centre; • Caernarfon Waterfront and Town Regeneration Initiative; • HWB Caernarfon; • Caernarfon Civic Society; • CADW Management Group; • North Wales Walled Towns Friendship Circle; • Caernarfon Harbour Trust; • Galeri; • Gŵyl Fwyd Caernarfon Food Festival.
Caernarfon is twinned with Landerneau (Brittany) and Trelew (Patagonia).
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Annual Report 2019/20
A Resilient Wales
"A nation which maintains and enhances the biodiverse natural environment with healthy functioning ecosystems that support social, economic and ecological resilience and the capacity to change (for example as climate change)".
The Council has invested in more efficient and environmentally friendly use of energy sources, which has resulted in a reduction in its carbon footprint and a significant reduction in energy costs.
The installation of internal doors has significantly reduced our annual energy costs, and the increased use of low energy lighting at Christmas displays has had the same effect, and also reduced the annual costs of Christmas lights. This has enabled the Council to extend the Christmas lights to new parts of the town.
Committees are held paperless where possible and Councillors are asked to collect any Council agendas in order to save postage.
We recycle within the Council building and try to use local contractors to reduce carbon emissions.
A water meter has been installed.
Payments are made through online banking to save paper.
A Healthier Wales
'A society in which people's physical and mental well-being is maximised and in which choices and behaviours that benefit future health are understood '
The Council aims to support organisations that promote healthy living, and the council provides financial support to sports clubs in the town.
The Mayor starts a number of events locally, for example the Santa Race.
The Council attends the Walled Towns Friendship Circle golf, bowling and vintage car competitions.
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Annual Report 2019/20
A More Equal Wales
'A society that enables people to fulfil their potential no matter what their background or circumstances (including their socio-economic background and circumstances)'
The Council continues to provide financial support to a number of diverse groups across the town and is also represented by Members on many community groups and organisations. Examples are the Caernarfon Food Festival, Caernarfon Festival, Caernarfon Carnival, Gŵyl Arall.
The Council continues to be a CAB supporter in Caernarfon.
Llanrug Band is an official band of the Council and supports it at many events, for example Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas Night.
The Council hires reasonably priced rooms to ensure equal opportunities.
The building has disabled access and a hearing loop.
A Wales of cohesive communities
'Attractive, viable, safe and well-connected communities'.
In discharging its statutory and advisory responsibilities, the Council continues to be involved in issues affecting everyone across the town, taking its time to ensure that it makes the best planning decisions (consultative role), and any other issue that arises in order to achieve the best possible outcomes for the town and local communities.
The Council is at the heart of many diverse community events and activities that promote community spirit and enhance social cohesion. During the year, the Mayor, Councillor W. Tudor Owen, was privileged to attend local events organised by a number of different organisations.
The Council took part in the "Open Doors" Day to enhance engagement and interest in its work, the Institute Building and its history. This included with local schools.
We have installed flower troughs to provide colour to the town centre.
The Council holds a gardening competition annually.
A highlight for local residents is the Christmas lights switch-on night along with a Bonfire Night where thousands flock into the town to watch a safe, organised evening rather than take their own risks. The Council is very pleased with the cooperation of the Lions that evening, who are trained to light fireworks safely.
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Annual Report 2019/20
As a military town the Council has close links with the Welsh Guards as well as the Royal Welch Fusiliers and both are Freemen of the Town.
A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language
'' A society that promotes and protects culture, heritage, and the Welsh language, and which encourages people to participate in the arts, and sport and recreation ”
As the most Welsh town in Wales, Caernarfon has an interesting and unique history, and many events are held throughout the year to celebrate its historical and modern culture.
The Council holds its meetings in Welsh, and Welsh is the administrative language of the Council.
The annual St David's Day Parade is organised, which creates a buzz in the town, and it is good to see so many children from the schools waving their flags. Unfortunately, this was cancelled in 2019/20 due to inclement weather.
Most of the events that the Council contributes toward, are held in the Welsh language.
A globally responsible Wales
'' A nation which, when doing anything to improve the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of Wales, takes account of whether doing such a thing may make a positive contribution to global well-being”
The information set out above clearly demonstrates how the Council contributes to improving the well-being of people locally. The Council can be justifiably proud of the leading role it has played, and continues to play, in so many aspects of Caernarfon's economic, social, environmental and cultural life.
By retaining its focus on the future needs of local people and continuing to work in close partnership with local communities, and other key stakeholders with a broader remit, including Gwynedd Council and other Public Service Board members, Caernarfon Town Council can become confident that it contributes positively to national well-being and indeed to global well-being.
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Annual Report 2019/20
(4) Financial Summary - 2019/20
The Council had a budget of £ 248,623, raised mainly from the Council's precept, and supplemented by income raised for the provision of a range of services. The main budget areas for 2019/20 were:
Administration 103,961 Institute Building 44,373 16,287 Small Events and Donations 6,474 1,095 Large Events and Services 74,645 Christmas Lights 37,122 Bank Interest 570
266,575 17,952
Precept 198,448
248,623 216,440
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Annual Report 2019/20
Appendix
Councillors
Peblig:
Name Address Phone Number His Worship the Langdale, Uxbridge Square, (01286) 672436 Mayor Councillor W. Caernarfon LL55 2RE Tudor Owen
Councillor Eiriona 1 Foel y Rhiw, Nebo, 07854770569 Rees Hughes Caernarfon, LL54 6EF
Councillor Brenda Langdale, Uxbridge Square, (01286) 672436 Owen Caernarfon LL55 2RE
Councillor Kenny 1 Bryn Gwynedd, Lȏn Fictoria, (01286) 238072 Richards Caernarfon LL55 2RN
Councillor Jason Enaid y Wawr, 23 Cefn Dyffryn, 07900594279 Wayne Parry Groeslon, Caernarfon LL54 7TQ
Cadnant:
Name Address Phone Number Deputy Mayor 64 Cae Mur, Caernarfon, LL55 (01286) 512399 Councillor Maria 1DS Veronica Sarnacki
Councillor Cemlyn Y Bwthyn, Ffordd Bethel, (01286) 674977 Williams Caernarfon, LL55 1EB
Councillor Stuart Sage 31 Maesincla, Caernarfon, LL55 (01286) 677138 1BY
Councillor Dawn 16 Maes Hyfryd, Caernarfon (01286) 674425 Lynne Jones
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Annual Report 2019/20
Menai:
Name Address Phone Number Councillor I.C. Strade, 65 Cae Gwyn, 07810648647 Thomas Caernarfon, LL55 1LL
Councillor Wil Lloyd Llanddwyn, 10 Ffordd Menai, (01286) 671802 Davies Caernarfon LL55 1LE
Councillor Eleri Tanygraig, Llys Gwyn, (01286) 674314 Lovgreen Caernarfon, LL55 1EN
Councillor Ann Penygraig, Ael y Garth, (01286) 674024 Hopcyn Caernarfon, LL55 1HA
Seiont:
Name Address Phone Number Councillor W. Roy 39 Maes Meddyg. Gallt y Sil , (01286) 672618 Owen Caernarfon LL55 2SF
Councillor Keith Jones 2 Llys y Garn, Caernarfon, LL55 07507006887 2UT
Councillor Cai Larsen Bronwylfa, Ffordd y Gogledd, (01286) 676026 Caernarfon, LL55 1BE
Councillor Richard Bryn Meillion, Lon Ddewi, 07920263234 Thomas Caernarfon, LL55 1EL
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