An Anglesey community is breaking new ground by working in partnership to shape its own priorities and services.
Welsh Government Health and Social Services Minister, Vaughan Gething, yesterday (Thursday, June 6th) learned how the Pobl Seiriol Alliance is involving residents in decision making and helping to plan for the future.
Mr Gething visited Beaumaris where representatives from Pobl Seiriol Alliance, Canolfan Beaumaris and Isle of Anglesey County Council signed a new Memorandum of Understanding - a first for the Island - to aid further and sustainable collaboration.
The document will guide the Pobl Seiriol Alliance as it explores ways in which the community can take on more local responsibilities and commission its own services.
It also sets out the key objectives and principles of collaboration; as well as governance structures and respective roles and responsibilities.
Supported by Medrwn Môn and Anglesey Council, the Pobl Seiriol Alliance is chaired by retired local GP, Dr Steve MacVicar.
Dr MacVicar said, “This is an important day for the Seiriol ward and all its residents. The memorandum of understanding will play an important role in terms of continued collaboration between partners as we look to play our part in improving the health, well-being and future prosperity of the local area.”
He added, “I’m grateful to Medrwn Môn and the County Council for their support in developing this ground-breaking partnership; and to the Health and Social Services Minister, Vaughan Gething, for joining us here today.”
The Seiriol Building Communities project was first established three years ago and engaged with the local community, town and community councils and its local county councillors.
This project is supported by Medrwn Môn, which works with local voluntary and community groups, and Anglesey Council. The Pobl Seiriol Alliance has already explored ways of developing social care provision and could now work to develop other priority areas, such as affordable housing, job creation and transport.
Anglesey Council Leader and Social Services portfolio holder, Councillor Llinos Medi, added, “The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding underlines the commitment of all partners to continue working together. It also reflects the County Council’s aim of meeting the guiding principles of both the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act and Future Generations Act 2015.”
“The County Council will help to provide specialist advice from various services to meet the needs of the Pobl Seiriol Alliance steering group when exploring other areas of interest. I also hope that, given time, this project can be emulated in other parts of the Island.”
Health and Social Services Minister, Vaughan Gething, said, “I very much welcome this new cooperative which is aimed at supporting older people to receive care in their homes and avoid going into hospital. This is exactly the type of new care provision I want to see more of. It is an excellent example of partnership and integrated working and I hope other parts of Wales can learn from this approach.”
Medrwn Môn Chief Officer, Sian Purcell, added, “Having worked with the Pobl Seiriol Alliance over the last four years, we believe this development is an exciting and innovative approach to meeting local needs. Partnership working has enabled people to respond to their own needs by creating an innovative approach to delivering care. We’re confident that this is the first of many co-operatives to be established in Seiriol and across the island.”
Alwyn Rowlands, Chair of Canolfan Beaumaris, said, “We are pleased to be part of this ground breaking partnership in the Seiriol ward and look forward to working with our partners to ensure it goes from strength to strength.”
Ends 7.6.19
Notes to Editors:
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the following partners.
Pobl Seiriol Alliance an unincorporated association whose members include the communities of Seiriol, public services, local businesses and the third sector; Canolfan Hamdden Beaumaris a’r Cylch a company limited by guarantee and registered charity and the Isle of Anglesey County Council.