08 09 21 September E-Bulletin Final English and Welsh#2
08 09 21 September E-Bulletin Final English and Welsh#2
08 09 21 September E-Bulletin Final English and Welsh#2
Contents
Introduction
June Milligan
New relationship with local government
Update on the Local Government Measure
Assembly Member and local government mentoring scheme
Local Government legislative Competence Order
Annual Council Reporting Framework for Social Services
Powys Joint Options Appraisal
Local Service Boards
Ffynnon
Electoral Reviews
Wales Spatial Plan
Swine Flu
Learner Travel (Wales) Measure
Council Tax – collection in a recession
Local Government By-laws
The Councillors’ Commission Expert Panel Report
Citizen-centred development programme
State Aid
2010 European Year for Combating Child Poverty & Social Exclusion
Vetting and Barring Scheme
Deferred Payment Scheme 2009/10
Innovative Regeneration Fund
Training Opportunities
Equalities Evidence in Wales
Forthcoming Events
One Voice Wales Annual Conference 2009
Introduction
It has been a while since we last issued an e-bulletin. I apologise for that and
will try to return to more regular issues in future. As a consequence, a great
deal has happened since my last editorial and I could go on for quite a while.
But, we are all busy and I will spare you too much of an introduction. As we
return from the summer, some of us tanned and relaxed, others still a bit
damp and cold, it is much more important to focus on where we are going
rather than where we have been. And the autumn will bring, among other
things, a challenging financial settlement for us all; a continued risk of an
escalation in the number of cases in swine flu; progress on implementing our
local government Measure; and other key developments in local government
policy. Together, these will make sure that we remain as busy as ever.
Nonetheless, it is worth highlighting a few milestones from the last few
months.
Later in the bulletin we bring you up to date with events on the Local
Government Measure. I chair the Implantation Group which is overseeing the
preparation of guidance to support the practical implementation of the
Measure. This is a great example of where we are working closely with
colleagues in local government, the WAO and others to co-produce a key
piece of guidance. I am sure that the product will be much better as a result.
I used the WAO Annual Conference, Capita Governance in Wales conference
and the Working Together for Denbighshire conference in St Asaph to outline
to a wider audience the benefits of the Measure in terms of greater
accountability for service improvement.
Many of you will be aware of the Wales Audit Office Corporate Governance
Review of Anglesey County Council. The Auditor General highlighted a range
of issues that need to be addressed and the Minister has issued a Direction to
the authority – the first of its kind in Wales. That Direction has enabled Dr
Gibbons to appoint an interim Managing Director, David Bowles, to lead the
authority through its recovery period. Dr Gibbons is also appointing a
Recovery Board to monitor progress and advise him and the Council on the
recovery process. In the first instance we expect the arrangements to last up
to two years although we very much hope that we will be able to shorten that
period subject to good and sustainable progress in dealing with its problems.
It is likely that the Minister will make a further statement early in the next
Assembly Term.
There have been some key developments in senior staff within the Assembly
Government, including the appointment of Emyr Roberts as Director General
for Public Service and Local Government Delivery; and June Milligan as the
new Director of Social Justice (more about her later in the bulletin). There
have also been a number of changes in Local Authorities with a number of
new Chief Executive appointments in the last few months and unprecedented
turnover of around a third within the last 18 months.
I hope you find the rest of the bulletin informative and useful and remember,
only around 100 shopping days until Christmas ….
Reg Kilpatrick
Head of Local Government Policy
Raised and educated in her native Scotland, June spent the first six years of
her public service career in front-line operational delivery as a Governor in a
number of male long-term and maximum security prisons.
She moved with her family to Wales in 1989 on joining the Welsh Office where
she worked on education and training policy. Between 1993 and 1996 she
worked at the UK Representation to the EU in Brussels in a diplomatic role
with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. She returned to Wales in 2000
following four years in London as Principal Private Secretary to three
successive Secretaries of State for Wales.
She was appointed to her current role as Director for Social Justice and Local
Government Department in April 2009.
June has an MA and a PhD in Social Sciences and graduated in the Summer
of 2008 as Batchelor of Divinity. She also recently completed the Advanced
Management Programme at INSEAD.
WAG officials have for some time been working with the WLGA and SOLACE
on updating the Essex-Jones agreement on relationships between WAG and
Local Government. In parallel, we have also been developing a policy on
Outcome Agreements. This approach provides a new means for the
Assembly Government to explain its strategic objectives in a way which
enables our local government partners to understand them better and to align
with their delivery
The focus on achieving better outcomes becomes even more crucial in the
face of the pressures of the recession: demand for public services increases
as the resources available to deliver them declines. Achieving better
outcomes in such a challenging context requires public services including the
Assembly Government to be even more efficient, lean and joined up in order
to improve outcomes for their local citizens.
Finally, WAG has agreed 19 Strategic Statements. These set our high level
aims for the longer term future of Wales and in doing so the priorities for the
Assembly Government as drawn from One Wales. The Statements will form
the strategic framework for the Outcome Agreements and, as such, should
feed through to help authorities identify and prioritise what is important locally
within the national context.
Outcome Objective
SF01 A healthy population with a good quality of life
SF02 Quality health and social care is readily available
SF03 Our economy is strong and provides good employment
opportunities
SF04 Everyone has the skills they need to thrive and contribute to
the economy
SF05 Everyone has access to good housing
SF06 People can travel sustainably, reliably, safely and easily
SF07 People can access good education and training throughout
their lives
SF08 People are well educated for life
SF09 Children have the best start in life
SF10 Poverty in Wales is reduced
SF11 Communities are regenerated across Wales
SF12 People live in safe, vibrant, inclusive urban and rural
communities
SF13 Our natural and historic environment is protected and
enhanced and land is used sustainably
SF14 Wales is an energy efficient, low carbon and low waste society
SF15 The Welsh language thrives
SF16 Culture and sport thrive in Wales
SF17 Wales has a positive external reputation
SF18 Public services are citizen-centred, effective & value for money
SF19 Our devolved government is effective and accountable, and its
role is understood by citizens
For further information contact Reg Kilpatrick, Head of Local Government
Policy Division at reg.kilpatrick@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Back to the top
The Local Government (Wales) Measure 2009 was passed by the Assembly
on 28 April 2009 and received Royal approval on 10 June.
The overall intention of the Measure is to create a statutory regime which
integrates long term community planning and shorter term local service
improvement. The final text of the Measure can be found at:
http://www.assemblywales.org/bus-home/bus-legislation/bus-leg-
measures/business-legislation-measures-lg.htm
The task now is, of course, to make all of this work. There are two broad
strands to that. Firstly, we need to bring the provisions of the Measure into
force at appropriate times: this is done by an order made by the Minister
without any Assembly procedure.
Secondly, there is the need to develop related guidance. For Part 1, this
means a wholesale renewal of the Wales Programme for Improvement -
Guidance for local authorities 2005 (WPI); for Part 2, the extant community
planning guidance ‘Local Vision’ (issued March 2008) anticipated most of
what’s in the Measure and will need updating to cover things like the duty to
co-operate etc. We have established an internal/external working group to
take forward this work and our aim is to consult on the revised statutory
guidance relating to community planning and Wales Programme for
Improvement for a 12-week period starting early October.
For further information please contact the Local Government Policy Division’s
Strategy and Performance Unit:
Steve.pomeroy@Wales.gsi.gov.uk / 029 20826991
Jason.cooper@wales.gsi.gov.uk / 029 20821531
Lisa.hughes@wales.gsi.gov.uk / 02920825800
Back to the top
The Assembly Government and WLGA are cooperating with the Assembly
Commission in order to bring this project on line. The scheme has now been
opened to Black and Minority Ethnic Groups, Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual
people, Disabled people, young people and women.
Local authorities within Wales are breaking new ground in their development
of an approach to reporting on their responsibilities and performance within
social care.
In June 2007, WLGA Social Service Policy Group & ADSS Cymru agreed to
work together to improve and strengthen Council reporting on effectiveness in
meeting social care needs. This was later linked to the CSSIW proposals on
modernisation (including the ending of the Joint Review Programme) and the
draft guidance on the role of the statutory Director of Social Services, which
establishes a minimum requirement of an Annual Report by each Council. It
will be the responsibility of the statutory D of SS to lead the production of the
report on behalf of their local authority. The report will constitute the Social
Services “chapter” of the WPI assessment.
It has been another busy period with Wales Spatial Plan Ministers meeting the
groupings of LSBs in their area. These meetings were an opportunity to
share learning and innovation across LSBs and update Ministers on the
progress of LSBs. Further Ministerial meetings are planned throughout
October, November and December.
We have jointly held three regional events with colleagues from Local
Government Division. One of the aims of the workshops was to facilitate the
sharing of learning and innovation from the LSB experience so far and this is
dependent on everyone being prepared to contribute, listen, share and learn.
The regional events began on June 30th in St Asaph and was followed by two
further events in Llanelli and Blaenau Gwent in July. There were also useful
discussions on the way forward for LSBs with some very positive messages
about what has already been achieved to date.
On July 2nd, the second meeting of the LSB Innovation Network on Information
Sharing was held in Port Talbot. The purpose of this meeting was to develop a
common understanding of the business drivers for existing data observatory
activities; and to enable the people responsible for delivering these projects to
share developing thinking and learning. A great deal of common ground was
identified and colleagues were keen to continue with the network. We aim to
hold another meeting in the late autumn.
− integrating health and social care services for people needing long
term care;
− neighbourhood management through multi-agency teams sharing
intelligence and resources;
− promoting positive mental health through cross public service
action, including employment practice;
− reducing the public service carbon footprint;
− strategic health improvement;
− joined up workforce planning to respond to the needs of an ageing
population;
− responding more effectively to substance misuse and domestic
violence;
− tackling young people’s disengagement from education, work and
training.
The LSB Conference this year will be held on 26th November at Venue Cymru,
Llandudno. The theme for the conference is building on success in the context
of the current economic climate.
For further information on Local Service Boards please see the LSB Website
at http://wales.gov.uk/topics/improvingservices/localserviceboards/?lang=en
Back to the top
Ffynnon
The Ffynnon National Programme Plan 2009-10 was launched in early June
following consultation with stakeholders.
The Ffynnon programme is an enabler and driver of collaborative working,
improving performance and knowledge management, accountability and
service standards in public services in Wales. All programme partners view
Ffynnon as a unique opportunity to create a performance management
community and culture, within and across the public sector, which is an
exemplar of what Wales can achieve as a small, clever country.
The existing Ffynnon programme partners are the Welsh Assembly
Government and Welsh Local Government Association, the 22 local
authorities, fire and rescue services and national park authority stakeholders,
together with the supplier SunGard Public Sector who have been contracted
to deliver the Ffynnon Programme to all stakeholders in line with the national
programme plan. Interest is being shown by additional key public sector
organisations who can also benefit from the implementation of Ffynnon. The
Ffynnon programme is designed to support the realisation of the following key
strategic objectives, which underpin the shared agenda of the Welsh public
sector:
• Improved management of public sector performance
• Effective inspection and regulation across public services
• Effective scrutiny and governance across public services
• A developed role for the Assembly Government in its leadership of
public sector improvement
The 2009/10 national programme plan is broken up into the following work-
streams:
A. Existing stakeholder support
B. Knowledge management
C. Communication
D. System development
E. Promotion and marketing
F. New stakeholder engagement
G. Programme Management arrangements
It must be noted that this is a rolling programme and, therefore, some of these
work streams will develop and roll over into following years. For more
information please contact the Local Government Strategy & Performance
Programmes Team on 029 2082 5144 or 029 2082 5075.
Council Size
The Rules require the Commission to provide a single member for each
electoral division. Should the Commission consider that there are
grounds to alter the existing pattern of single and multi member divisions
the Commission will look to see whether such a change is broadly
supported by the electorate.
The Rules say that the number of electors shall be, as nearly as possible, the
same in every electoral division in the principal area, taking into account any
change in the number or distribution of the electors likely to take place within
five years from the review.
The Commission will use the communities and community wards, where they
exist, as the building blocks for the electoral divisions.
Timetable
Juliet Martinez will be going on maternity leave at the end of July and Imants
Grindulis will be covering her role until March 2010. A chartered civil engineer
by profession, Imants has been seconded from the Department for Economy
and Transport. Imants has worked in several Welsh Assembly Government
departments and has a strong background in project and programme
management, being chair of the South Wales branch of the Association for
Project Management. He has recently been involved in stakeholder
engagement for the £12 billion (plus) St. Athans Defence Academy
development. Imants can be contacted at
Imants.Grindulis@Wales.GSI.Gov.UK
Each issue, we’ll be focusing on one of the Spatial Plan Areas. This issue –
North West Wales. The Vision for that area is:
£29m is being invested in business parks at Parc Cybi and Parc Bryn Cegin,
served by Fibrespeed broadband which became operational earlier this year
following a £30m investment by the Assembly Government and partners.
On the skills front, Coleg Menai has completed its Construction Skills Centre
and received funding for the Innovation Centre and the Energy and
Fabrication Centre. A further £10m investment will be made in an ‘education
village’ as part of Coleg Meirion Dwyfor’s development at Glyn Llifon near
Caernarfon. The aim is to expand the college’s strong reputation for training
in agricultural studies, forestry, animal care, and engineering.
Plans to establish world class facilities and new infrastructure will act as a
catalyst for job creation in the energy industries, as well as attracting new
businesses into Anglesey. Local companies, workers and young people from
across North West Wales will be able to take advantage of the opportunities
afforded by new build and investment, achieving longer term balanced
economic and environmental sustainability.
New Visitor Centre will Bring Tourism Benefits to North West Wales
Hafod Eryri, the new visitor centre at the summit of Snowdon, was opened by
the First Minister in June. The centre will help to bring higher-value
sustainable tourism to North West Wales, capitalising on the region’s
outstanding environment and heritage.
Hafan Gwydir, a new £12m state of the art health centre for Llanrwst and the
surrounding area opens in November. It will offer an increased range of
community-based health and social services, a 40 bed Extra Care unit and
communal facilities for older people. Discussions are also underway to
provide a cultural centre on the site.
This model co-locates NHS Trust and local authority social services to provide
an extended range of services locally. In this way, more and better services
will be provided closer to people’s homes.
Further health centres on the same model are planned across North Wales.
Swine Flu
The latest figures show that the number of people contacting their GP with flu-
like symptoms has fallen in Wales and is now in line with what we would
normally experience in the winter. It is normal for there to be fluctuations but
there is no doubt that the rate will increase again and that we will see further
waves over the next year. It is therefore important that we do not become
complacent and planning activity must continue.
The National Pandemic Flu Service went live for England on 23 July to
provide web and telephone assessment and to issue antivirals via collection
points. Wales, along with Scotland and Northern Ireland, have decided not to
join the National Pandemic Flu Service which was set up in England due to
the pressure on services there. The Welsh Assembly Government believes
that people prefer to deal with the services that they know and are
comfortable with. Therefore, we are strengthening existing services in the
same way as Scotland did to manage the increase they have already seen,
such as training more call handlers for NHS Direct Wales.
The Welsh Assembly Government and Strategic Co-ordinating Groups has
established a structure to provide a means to monitor developments closely
and assess the potential impact on Wales. It has also been underpinned by a
communications process which provides a means of disseminating
information widely amongst responder organisations and allows the collection
of relevant data of the impact the pandemic on the ground. Work is underway
at both local and pan-Wales levels to address gaps in response
arrangements. This will continue in the face of the ongoing threat which the
pandemic poses and local authorities will need to prepare accordingly.
The majority of the provisions in the Measure came into force on 1st
September. The Commencement Order, Regulations and Operational
Guidance have been issued to all local authorities, so the changes the
Measure introduced should now have been implemented. You can find more
information about the Measure at:-
http://wales.gov.uk/legislation/programme/assemblymeasures/draftlearnertrav
elmeasure/?lang=en
The Measure also places a duty on Welsh Ministers to produce an All Wales
Travel Behaviour Code, which will establish a common standard of behaviour,
discipline and enforcement for children and young people travelling during the
day. The Code has been consulted on and will be published in the October,
before it becomes effective in January 2010. If you want more detail on the
Code or Measure please email learnertravel@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
However, the Assembly Government also accepts that this must be met with
other policies, such as sound debt advice. The effect of the recession on LAs
must also be considered as they too have budget cuts and any deduction in
council tax payments will inevitably impact on their ability to provide a high
quality public service. The Welsh Assembly Government therefore
commissioned a working group to focus on the issues surrounding the
collection of council tax, especially during an economic downturn. The
working group was set up in March 2009 and consisted of revenue officers
from a sample of local authorities in Wales, representatives from Citizens
Advice Bureau (CAB), the Institute of Revenues, Rating and Valuation (IRRV)
and the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and officials from the
Welsh Assembly Government.
The result of this working group was a report, “Council Tax – Collection in the
Recession”, that the Minister for Social Justice and Local Government, Dr
Brian Gibbons AM, launched on Thursday 18th June 2009. This report
provides guidance, highlights best practice and identifies potential solutions
for local authorities when faced with the difficulties of collecting council tax
revenue during a recession, taking into consideration the circumstances and
financial difficulties of the council tax payer. A proactive, practical and helpful
approach is extremely important at a time of economic uncertainty in order to
ensure that taxpayers are able to pay their council tax bills on time and
receive the benefits to which they are entitled. It is also vital that those in
financial difficulty are able to access high quality debt advice. The aim of the
report is to assist local authorities with practical suggestions that will help
ensure that council tax arrears are dealt with quickly, effectively and
realistically.
The report has been published on the Welsh Assembly Government website
and can be accessed at:
http://wales.gov.uk/topics/localgovernment/publications/?lang=en
http://wales.gov.uk/consultations/localgovernment/beingserved/?lang=en
“The pilot has benefited staff and the citizens we serve. It was co-
created with us and deigned to meet our specific needs. It is a
platform for delivering change in small steps, building confidence
and showing people that things can be done.” Mary Burrows, Chief
Executive, North Wales, NHS Trust
“This was an extremely worthwhile and positive experience
and provided a helpful driver for change. It challenged those
who thought the service was already citizen focused and was
highly motivational” Ian Bakewell, Head of Housing Service,
Monmouthshire County Council
Results
• The programme was not about saving money, but savings worth over
£40,000 per year have been generated by the Housing Service –
mainly, but not wholly, through the introduction of Lean process
techniques.
• The programme will recoup its overall costs in the first year in
addition to delivering a valuable improved level of service for citizens.
What could such a programme deliver?
State Aid
Did you know that the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) together
with the Welsh Assembly Government’s State Aid Team has registered three
local Government umbrella schemes under the new General Block Exemption
Regulation (GBER). The Schemes have been put in place to ensure there is
appropriate cover for local authorities in Wales to provide support to
businesses. Details of the Schemes and the types of activities that can be
supported are set out below.
"The European Commission has designated 2010 as the European Year for
combating Poverty and Social Exclusion (EY2010). This reaffirms and
strengthens the commitment for the EU, set out in the Lisbon Strategy, to
make "...a decisive impact on the eradication of poverty".
Activities as part of the year will include promotion campaigns, events and
initiatives at national, regional and local levels. The Department for Work and
Pensions (DWP) are the lead government department for the UK, as the
member state, for EY2010. In this capacity they have set up a ‘National
Implementation Body’ (NIB), the role of which is to coordinate and formulate
the UK position and to orchestrate funding for the year. Representatives from
the Welsh Assembly Government and the other Devolved Administrations are
members of the NIB.
Calls for proposals, for organisations wishing to seek funding in order to run
activities as part of the year, have just been published. Proposals are sought
for organisations wishing to provide:-
- regional events;
- UK-wide thematic programmes of local activities; and
- technical assistance.
Please note the deadline for the submission of proposals is 5pm on the 15th
October 2009. Applications should be addressed:
Please can all questions relating to the calls for proposals be directed to the
dedicated European Year email account:
2010.EY2010@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/european-year-2010/
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=637
Alternatively for further information you can contact the Welsh Assembly
Government's Child Poverty Unit - childpovertyunit@wales.gsi.gov.uk."
The VBS scheme is now at Phase 3, that is ISA is taking the decisions on who
is to be barred on current lists; PoCA, PoVA and List 99.
Phase 4 is a partial ‘go-live’ on October 12 2009. At this point all those on the
current lists will be transferred to either the list of those barred from working
with vulnerable adults, the list of those barred from working with children, or
both. Further safeguards will be achieved because:
• The range of regulated activities will be far wider and covers paid and
unpaid work. This includes activities such as health care, treatment and
therapy and will also include activity that allows contact with children or
vulnerable adults in specified places including children’s hospitals.
• Those on barred lists working or seeking to work in a regulated activity
will be committing a criminal offence punishable with a sentence of up
to five year’s imprisonment.
• Employers will have a duty to refer any relevant information to ISA on
their employees in regulated or controlled activities.
• Employers ‘knowingly’ employing a barred person will be committing a
criminal offence and may face up to six months in jail.
Phase 5 – the full ‘go-live’ – is planned for July 2010 and will allow
applications to the scheme and the ‘subject to monitoring’ aspects of the
system are due to come on-line.
Phase 6 is due to take effect from November 2010 when new members of the
regulated activity workforce and those moving jobs must register with the
scheme and become ‘subject to monitoring’. At this point it will become a
criminal offence for an employer to employ an individual in regulated activity
not registered with the scheme. Also any employee or volunteer working in
regulated activity without having the appropriate registration will face
prosecution.
At Phase 6a in April 2011 current members of the workforce may apply to join
the scheme but it is planned that applications will be phased in to avoid the
system becoming overloaded. The phasing strategy has not yet been
finalised.
Phase 7 will begin in July 2014 when those engaged in controlled activity may
begin registering with the scheme or if on the barred list may only be
employed subject to their barring status, along with appropriate assessment,
supervision and monitoring by their employer.
The VBS will have a much broader coverage with an estimated 11.3 million
people eventually needing to be registered over a five-year phasing strategy
from go-live. In Wales it will affect approximately 750,000 individuals.
Each individual applicant in paid employment will pay a one off application fee
of £64, of this £28 will cover the ISA's costs, £36 will cover the CRB part of
the registration. Volunteers will not need to pay the ISA registration fee.
The following hyperlink to the ISA web site is extremely useful and once on
the site you can register for automatic updates of information;
http://www.isa-gov.org.uk/
Training Opportunities
The Statistical Directorate and the Office of the Chief Social Research Officer have
jointly produced their second Equalities Evidence Newsletter. The Newsletter is
aimed at people in Wales who wish to be kept up-to-date on developments with
regards to equalities research and statistics. The third newsletter is due to be
published in September 2009. Previous newsletters can be found at:
http://new.wales.gov.uk/topics/statistics/theme/equality/equalitynewsletter/?lang=en
If you wish to receive up-dates on the Newsletter or other equalities statistics and
research please email stats.popcensus@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Costs are currently £146 (exc VAT) for a one-day course and £262 (exc VAT)
for a two day course
Open Programme
Courses 2009 03-08-2009
Cynnwys
Cyflwyniad
June Milligan
Cydberthynas newydd â llywodraeth leol
Y wybodaeth ddiweddaraf am Fesur Llywodraeth Leol
Cynllun mentora aelodau’r Cynulliad a llywodraeth leol
Gorchymyn Cymhwysedd deddfwriaethol ar gyfer Llywodraeth Leol
Fframwaith Adroddiadau Blynyddol Cynghorau ar gyfer y Gwasanaethau
Cymdeithasol
Cydarfarniad Opsiynau Powys
Byrddau Gwasanaethau Lleol
Ffynnon
Adolygiadau Etholiadol
Cynllun Gofodol Cymru
Ffliw Moch
Mesur Teithio gan Ddysgwyr (Cymru)
Y Dreth Gyngor – ei chasglu yn ystod y dirwasgiad
Is-ddeddfau Llywodraeth Leol
Adroddiad Panel Arbenigol Comisiwn y Cynghorwyr
Rhaglen ddatblygu sy'n canolbwyntio ar y Dinesydd
Cymorth Gwladwriaethol
Blwyddyn Ewropeaidd Trechu Tlodi Plant ac Allgáu Cymdeithasol 2010
Cynllun Fetio a Gwahardd
Cynllun Taliadau Gohiriedig 2009/10
Cronfa Adfywio Arloesol
Cyfleoedd Hyfforddiant
Tystiolaeth Cydraddoldeb yng Nghymru
Yn ôl i'r brig
Cyflwyniad
Mae cryn dipyn o amser wedi mynd heibio ers i ni gyhoeddi'r e-bwletin
diwethaf. Ymddiheuraf am hynny a byddaf yn ceisio sicrhau ei fod yn
ymddangos yn fwy rheolaidd o hyn ymlaen. O ganlyniad, mae cryn dipyn
wedi digwydd ers fy erthygl olygyddol ddiwethaf a gallwn fynd ymlaen am gryn
amser. Ond, rydym i gyd yn brysur ac felly nid wyf am fanylu gormod yn y
cyflwyniad hwn. Wrth i ni ddychwelyd ar ôl yr haf, rhai ohonom â lliw haul ac
wedi ymlacio, eraill sy'n dal i fod ychydig yn wlyb ac oer, mae'n llawer
pwysicach canolbwyntio ar ble rydym yn mynd yn hytrach na ble rydym wedi
bod. A bydd yr hydref, ymhlith pethau eraill, yn dod â setliad ariannol heriol i
ni i gyd; risg barhaus y bydd nifer yr achosion o ffliw moch yn cynyddu;
cynnydd o ran gweithredu ein Mesur llywodraeth leol; a datblygiadau
allweddol eraill ym mholisi llywodraeth leol. Gyda'i gilydd, bydd y rhain yn
sicrhau ein bod yn dal i fod yr un mor brysur ag erioed. Serth hynny, mae'n
werth tynnu sylw at rai cerrig milltir o'r ychydig fisoedd diwethaf.
Reg Kilpatrick
Pennaeth Polisi Llywodraeth Leol
Yn ôl i'r brig
Yn ôl i'r brig
Canlyniad a Geisir
SF01 Poblogaeth iach ag ansawdd bywyd da
SF02 Gwasanaethau iechyd a gofal cymdeithasol o safon ar gael yn
hawdd
SF03 Mae ein heconomi yn gryf ac yn rhoi cyfleoedd cyflogaeth da
SF04 Mae gan bawb y sgiliau sydd eu hangen arnynt i ffynnu a
chyfrannu at yr economi
SF05 Mae tai da ar gael i bawb
SF06 Gall pobl deithio'n gynaliadwy, yn ddibynadwy, yn ddiogel ac
yn hawdd
SF07 Gall pobl fanteisio ar addysg a hyfforddiant da drwy gydol eu
bywydau
SF08 Caiff pobl addysg dda gydol eu hoes
SF09 Mae plant yn cael y dechrau gorau mewn bywyd
SF10 Lleiheir tlodi yng Nghymru
SF11 Caiff cymunedau ledled Cymru eu hadfywio
SF12 Mae pobl yn byw mewn cymunedau trefol a gwledig diogel,
bywiog a chynhwysol
SF13 Caiff ein hamgylchedd naturiol a hanesyddol ei ddiogelu a'i
wella a defnyddir tir yn gynaliadwy
SF14 Mae Cymru yn gymdeithas ynni-effeithlon a charbon isel sy'n
cynhyrchu lefelau isel o wastraff
SF15 Mae'r iaith Gymraeg yn ffynnu
SF16 Mae diwylliant a chwaraeon yn ffynnu yng Nghymru
SF17 Mae gan Gymru enw da ymhlith gwledydd eraill
SF18 Mae gwasanaethau cyhoeddus yn canolbwyntio ar y dinesydd,
maent yn effeithiol ac yn rhoi gwerth am arian
SF19 Mae ein llywodraeth ddatganoledig yn effeithiol ac yn atebol, a
deëllir ei rôl gan ddinasyddion
Mae nifer o awdurdodau lleol wedi mynegi diddordeb mewn cymryd rhan yn y
cynllun.
Yn ôl i'r brig
Yn ôl i'r brig
Mae awdurdodau lleol yng Nghymru yn torri tir newydd drwy ddatblygu dull o
gyflwyno adroddiadau ar eu cyfrifoldebau a'u perfformiad mewn gofal
cymdeithasol.
Diben allweddol yr Adroddiad fydd cyflwyno darlun adnabyddadwy i'r rhai sy'n
darparu gwasanaethau cymdeithasol ac yn cael eu gwasanaethu ganddynt
mewn arddull a fydd yn ennyn diddordeb dinasyddion lleol a rhanddeiliaid
allweddol.
Yn ôl i'r brig
Cyngor Sir Powys a Bwrdd Addysgu Iechyd Lleol Powys
Gwella Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus: Prosiect Cydarfarnu Opsiynau
Yn ôl i'r brig
Erbyn hyn mae pob BGLl wedi dewis nifer o brosiectau cydweithredol i'w
datblygu yn ei gytundeb Cyflenwi Lleol. Dewiswyd y prosiectau hyn ar sail
asesiadau o anghenion lleol a gweithgarwch ymgysylltu â dinasyddion. Mae
dros 90 o brosiectau ar draws y rhwydwaith BGLlau gan gynnwys:
Yn ôl i'r brig
Ffynnon
Rhaid nodi mai rhaglen dreigl yw hon ac, felly, bydd rhai o'r ffrydiau gwaith
hyn yn datblygu ac yn trosglwyddo i flynyddoedd dilynol. Am ragor o
wybodaeth cysylltwch â Thîm Rhaglenni Strategaeth a Pherfformiad
Llywodraeth Leol ar 029 2082 5144 neu 029 2082 5075.
Yn ôl i'r brig
Maint y Cyngor
Amserlen
O ran sgiliau, mae Coleg Menai wedi cwblhau ei Chanolfan Sgiliau Adeiladu
ac wedi cael arian ar gyfer y Ganolfan Arloesedd a'r Ganolfan Ynni a Saernïo.
Caiff buddsoddiad arall gwerth £10m ei wneud mewn 'pentref addysg' fel rhan
o ddatblygiad Coleg Meirion Dwyfor yng Nglyn Llifon ger Caernarfon. Y nod
yw ehangu enw da'r coleg ar gyfer hyfforddiant ac astudiaethau amaethyddol,
coedwigaeth, gofal anifeiliaid a pheirianneg.
Nod Cyngor Sir Ynys Môn yw sefydlu'r ynys fel canolfan rhagoriaeth flaenllaw
ar gyfer cynhyrchu ynni diogel, cynaliadwy, carbon isel.
Bydd Hafan Gwydir, canolfan iechyd y celfyddydau o'r radd flaenaf gwerth
£12m ar gyfer Llanrwst a'r ardal yn agor ym mis Tachwedd. Bydd yn cynnig
amrywiaeth gynyddol o wasanaethau iechyd a gwasanaethau cymdeithasol
sy'n seiliedig ar y gymuned, uned Gofal Ychwanegol gyda 40 o welyau a
chyfleusterau cymunedol i bobl hŷn. Mae trafodaethau hefyd yn mynd
rhagddynt i ddarparu canolfan ddiwylliannol ar y safle.
Mae'r model yn cyd-leoli'r Ymddiriedolaeth GIG a gwasanaethau
cymdeithasol yr awdurdod lleol er mwyn darparu amrywiaeth ehangach o
wasanaethau'n lleol. Fel hyn, darperir mwy o wasanaethau gwell yn agosach
at gartrefi pobl.
Yn ôl i'r brig
Ffliw Moch
Dengys y ffigurau diweddaraf fod nifer y bobl sy'n cysylltu â'u meddyg teulu
gyda symptomau tebyg i ffliw wedi lleihau yng Nghymru a'i bod bellach yn
gyson â'r hyn y byddem yn ei weld fel arfer yn y gaeaf. Mae'n arferol cael
amrywiadau ond nid oes unrhyw amheuaeth y bydd y gyfradd yn cynyddu eto
ac y byddwn yn gweld mwy o achosion yn ystod y flwyddyn nesaf. Felly
mae'n bwysig nad ydym yn llaesu dwylo ac mae'n rhaid i'r cynllunio barhau.
Yn ôl i'r brig
Daeth y rhan fwyaf o'r darpariaethau yn y Mesur i rym ar 1af Medi. Rhoddwyd
y Gorchymyn Cychwyn, Rheoliadau a Chanllawiau Gweithredol i bob
awdurdod lleol, felly dylai'r newidiadau a gyflwynwyd gan y Mesur fod wedi'u
gweithredu erbyn hyn. Cewch ragor o wybodaeth am y Mesur yn:-
http://cymru.gov.uk/legislation/programme/assemblymeasures/draftlearnertrav
elmeasure/?lang=cy
Yn ôl i'r brig
Yn ôl i'r brig
Yn ôl i'r brig
http://cymru.gov.uk/consultations/localgovernment/beingserved/?lang=en
Yn ôl i'r brig
“Mae staff a'r dinasyddion a wasanaethir gennym wedi cael budd o'r
cynllun peilot. Fe'i crëwyd gennym ni ac eraill er mwyn diwallu ein
hanghenion penodol. Mae'n llwyfan ar gyfer sicrhau newidiadau
mewn camau bach, meithrin hyder a dangos i bobl bod modd gwneud
pethau.” Mary Burrows, Prif Weithredwr, Ymddiriedolaeth GIG
Gogledd Cymru
Canlyniadau
Yn ôl i'r brig
Cymorth Gwladwriaethol
Yn ôl i'r brig
Mae galwadau am gynigion, oddi wrth gyrff sy'n dymuno gwneud cais am
arian i redeg gweithgareddau fel rhan o'r flwyddyn, newydd gael eu cyhoeddi.
Gwahoddir cynigion gan gyrff sydd am ddarparu:
- digwyddiadau rhanbarthol;
- rhaglenni thematig o weithgareddau lleol ledled y DU;
- cymorth technegol.
A fyddech cystal â nodi mai'r dyddiad cau ar gyfer cyflwyno cynigion yw 5pm
ar 15 Hydref 2009. Dylid anfon ceisiadau at:
2010.EY2010@dwp.gsi.gov.uk.
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/european-year-2010/
http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?langId=en&catId=637
Yn ôl i'r brig
Y Cynllun Fetio a Gwahardd
Disgwylir i Gam 6 ddod yn weithredol o fis Rhagfyr 2010 pan fydd yn rhaid i
aelodau newydd o'r gweithlu gweithgareddau a reoleiddir a'r rhai sy'n symud i
swyddi newydd gofrestru â'r cynllun pan ddônt yn agored i gael eu monitro.
Ar ôl y dyddiad hwnnw bydd cyflogwr yn cyflawni trosedd os bydd yn cyflogi
unigolyn mewn gweithgaredd a reoleiddir nad yw wedi'i gofrestru â'r cynllun.
Hefyd bydd unrhyw gyflogai neu wirfoddolwr sy'n gweithio mewn
gweithgaredd a reoleiddir heb y cofrestriad priodol yn wynebu'r risg o gael ei
erlyn.
Ar Gam 6a ym mis Ebrill 2011 gall aelodau presennol o'r gweithlu wneud cais
i ymuno â'r cynllun ond bwriedir cyflwyno ceisiadau yn raddol i sicrhau na
chaiff y system ei gorlwytho. Nid yw'r strategaeth cyflwyno'n raddol wedi'i
chwblhau eto.
Bydd Cam 7 yn dechrau ym mis Gorffennaf 2014 pan all y rhai sy'n cymryd
rhan mewn gweithgareddau a reoleiddir ddechrau cofrestru â'r cynllun. Fel
arall os ydynt ar y rhestr waharddedig dim ond yn amodol ar eu statws
gwahardd y bydd modd eu cyflogi a bydd angen i'w cyflogwr eu hasesu, eu
goruchwylio a'u monitro'n briodol.
Bydd pob ymgeisydd unigol sy'n gwneud gwaith am dâl yn talu ffi o £64 a fydd
yn cynnwys £28 i dalu costau'r Awdurdod Diogelu Annibynnol a £36 i dalu'r
rhan CRB o'r cofrestriad. Ni fydd angen i wirfoddolwyr dalu ffi gofrestru’r
Awdurdod Diogelu Annibynnol.
Yn ôl i'r brig
Yn ôl i'r brig
Cronfa Adfywio Arloesol
Mae’r cynlluniau i ddatblygu cronfa fuddsoddi gwerth miliynau o bunnoedd, o
dan raglen Cyd-gymorth Ewropeaidd ar gyfer Buddsoddi Cynaliadwy mewn
Ardaloedd Dinesig (“JESSICA”) y Comisiwn Ewropeaidd, yn mynd rhagddynt
yn unol â’r amserlen. Nod y gronfa yw rhoi hwb ariannol hanfodol bwysig i
gynlluniau adfywio yng Nghymru.
Mae Cymru yn un o’r Aelod-wladwriaethau Ewropeaidd cyntaf i sefydlu cronfa
datblygu trefol drwy’r rhaglen JESSICA.
Mae Llywodraeth Cynulliad Cymru yn ceisio arian Cydgyfeirio ERDF a
buddsoddiad sector preifat i greu cronfa fuddsoddi JESSICA i Gymru. Felly,
bydd y gronfa’n canolbwyntio i gychwyn ar gynlluniau yn ardal Gydgyfeirio
Gorllewin Cymru a’r Cymoedd a bydd yr enillion buddsoddi yn cael eu
hailgylchu o fewn y gronfa a’u hailfuddsoddi mewn prosiectau adfywio y tu
hwnt i gyfnod y Rhaglen Gydgyfeirio.
Cyhoeddodd y Dirprwy Weinidog dros Adfywio, Leighton Andrews, y bwriad i
greu’r gronfa yn yr Uwchgynhadledd Adfywio yn Hydref 2008.
Y nod hirdymor yw creu cronfa i Gymru gyfan fel bod holl ranbarthau Cymru
yn gallu elwa ar y cyfleoedd buddsoddi. Bydd modd i gronfa JESSICA roi
benthyciadau, ecwiti a gwarantau i gynlluniau adfywio, sy'n deillio o'r sector
cyhoeddus a'r sector preifat.
Mae llawer wedi’i gyflawni eisoes ac mae gwaith manwl yn cael ei wneud i
ddatblygu strwythur y gronfa, i ymchwilio i nifer o brosiectau adfywio posibl, ac
i gaffael Rheolwyr Cronfa a Rheolwyr Buddsoddi. Ymddangosodd yr
hysbyseb caffael yn ddiweddar yng Nghyfnodolyn Swyddogol yr Undeb
Ewropeaidd. Mae gwaith yn mynd yn ei flaen i sicrhau bod awdurdodau lleol,
partneriaid allweddol a chyfranogion eraill yn cael newyddion cyson am y
cyfleoedd posibl a gynigir gan y gronfa ac am gynnydd yn gyffredinol.
I gael gwybodaeth, neu i drafod unrhyw brosiect penodol gyda’r tîm, anfonwch
e-bost at Jessica@Cymru.gsi.gov.uk
Yn ôl i'r brig
Cyfleoedd Hyfforddiant
http://new.cymru.gov.uk/topics/statistics/theme/equality/equalitynewsletter/?lang=cy
Yn ôl i'r brig
Mae cyrsiau ar gael ar gyfer pob lefel o staff caffael. Gallant gael eu cyflwyno
dros un neu ddau ddiwrnod ac fe'u cynhelir mewn lleoliadau hawdd eu
cyrraedd ledled Cymru. Mae rhaglen lawn o gyrsiau ar gyfer 2009 ar gael
drwy wefan PMMS http://www.pmms-group.com/valuewales. Gellir cael taflen
sy'n nodi'r holl gyrsiau drwy gysylltu â robert.shill@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Ar hyn o bryd £146 (heb gynnwys TAW) yw'r gost am gwrs undydd a £262
(heb gynnwys TAW) yw'r gost am gwrs deuddydd
Open Programme
Courses 2009 03-08-2009
Am ragor o wybodaeth cysylltwch â
denise.read@wales.gsi.gov.uk
Yn ôl i'r brig
Yn ôl i'r brig