Issue - meetings

(a)       That the allocations and schemes in Table 3 for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2021/22 – 2023/24 be approved;

(b)       That the schemes included in Table 4 for Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2021/22 – 2023/24 be approved;

(c)        That it be noted that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2021/22 in Table 5 at this point in the approval process allows flexibility.  Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2021/22, and included in future Capital Programme reports; and

(d)       That the schemes included in Table 6 be approved for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing.

The Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) introduced the report which presented the proposed Capital Programme for the period 2021/22 – 2023/24 for approval, supported by a PowerPoint presentation.

The Council’s Capital Programme covered investment in assets for the long term to enable the delivery of high quality and value for money public services.  Assets included buildings (such as schools and care homes), infrastructure (such as highways, IT networks and waste transfer stations) and assets not owned by the Council (such as works to improve and adapt private sector homes).  The proposed capital investments outlined within the report were closely aligned to portfolio service business plans and the Council Plan.

The Council had limited capital resources from Welsh Government (WG) to support Council priorities, needs and liabilities.  However, it had the powers to fund Capital schemes by borrowing – this was temporary and ultimately, the cost and repayment of any borrowing was charged to the Council’s revenue budget.  Schemes funded by borrowing were carefully considered due to the long-term impacts on the Council’s revenue budget.

The Council Fund Capital Programme was divided into three sections:

1.    Statutory / Regulatory – allocations to cover regulatory and statutory works.

2.    Retained Assets – allocations to fund infrastructure works necessary to ensure service and business continuity.

3.    Investment – allocations to fund works.

The Chief Officer provided details of each of the tables within the report, which were part of the presentation, and supported by explanations in the report on each table.

Details were provided on potential future schemes, which were also detailed in the report.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Roberts and seconded by Councillor Thomas.

Councillor Roberts expressed his thanks to the Chief Officer and his team for the work that had gone into developing the Capital Programme.  He said the programme showed the depth of involvement in schools, care homes, infrastructure and IT networks.  He commented on the homeless hub, Hwb Cyfle, Ysgol Glan Yr Afon, Castell Alun, the plans for the Saltney and Broughton and Mynydd Isa areas for schools.  He also commented on Marleyfield, the joint archive facility and the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd.

Councillor Thomas concurred with the comments of Councillor Roberts and thanked officers for drawing capital funding through the various avenues available to them.  She explained that the Council was waiting to hear the outcome on the bids submitted for schemes under the Economic Stimulus funding.

Councillor Dunbar also concurred with the comments and expressed his thanks for the funding for play areas.  He took the opportunity to thank officers for the work undertaken on the bridges at Wepre Park.  He asked what the longer term plan was for Deeside Leisure Centre.  The Chief Executive explained that initially clarification from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as to how long they needed the building as the temporary field hospital.  It was thought the hospital could be decommissioned in quarter three in 2021.  Following the closure of the hospital the Leisure Centre  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37