Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that no questions had been received.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that no questions had been received.

To receive any declarations of interests from Members.

Councillor D. Hutchinson declared a personal interest in section 2.1.5 of page 68 of agenda item 9 Council Fund Revenue Budget 2013/14 because of his business. 

Councillor R.B. Jones declared a personal interest in agenda item number 9 Council Fund Revenue Budget 2013/14 because of his wife’s business. 

Councillor D. Butler declared a personal interest in the additional agenda item on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) Service Review as his wife was employed by BCUHB. 

Councillor H.J. McGuill also declared an interest in the additional agenda item on the BCUHB Service Review as she was a member of the Community Health Council.  

Councillor D. Hutchinson declared a personal interest in section 2.1.5 of page 68 of agenda item 9 Council Fund Revenue Budget 2013/14 because of his business. 

Councillor R.B. Jones declared a personal interest in agenda item number 9 Council Fund Revenue Budget 2013/14 because of his wife’s business. 

Councillor D. Butler declared a personal interest in the additional agenda item on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) Service Review as his wife was employed by BCUHB. 

Councillor H.J. McGuill also declared an interest in the additional agenda item on the BCUHB Service Review as she was a member of the Community Health Council.  

(a)       That a motion be adopted as set out by the Leader in his statement with amendments to reflect the discussion by Council; and

(b)       That the Council calls on the Minister to direct Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to reinstate the local community services which had been changed or withdrawn in Flintshire by the Health Board prematurely.  The Minister needs to have decided whether changes are to take place once the Community Health Council has made its submission, and before any action is taken, and has to be assured of the safety of any transition plan before it is actioned.  

The Chair indicated that she had agreed to the consideration of an urgent additional item on Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Service Review. 

                        The Chief Executive explained that the Community Health Council (CHC) were statutory consultees and that the deadline for their response was 1 March 2013.  He provided details of the grounds upon which the CHC could object and explained that he had been in contact with the CHC to express the concerns raised by the Council of the decision by BCUHB to withdraw local community services before the closing date had passed and before the CHC had made any submission to the Minister. 

            The Leader of the Council, Councillor A.P. Shotton thanked the Chief Executive for the verbal update on the consultation on changes to health services in North Wales.  He said that much seemed to have happened before the CHC had had the opportunity to provide the public with their views and recommendations on the consultation.  He spoke of the commentary on the changes which had been provided by the medical profession and the divided views of the clinicians and health professionals.  Three surgeries in Flint were supporting the new Hub in Holywell whilst further to the West there was a totally different opinion being expressed in regard to the proposals.  He commended the actions of Flint Town Councillors, County Councillors and the Community in Flint in the manner they had evidenced their views on the proposals.  Councillor Shotton explained that no patients were occupying any of the wards in Flint Hospital as referrals ceased some time ago and front line and ancillary staff had either been transferred to other establishments or were being notified of changes to their work place.  

            He said that decisions had been taken by BCUHB ahead of due process and queried why BCUHB had failed in their duty to inform, explaining that Flint Town Councillors had been updating themselves of the changing position via the local media in the absence of any clear reporting lines from BCUHB.  He felt that this was unacceptable as they had a right to be informed, especially when the impact of these changes would have a profound effect on their community.  He also referred to guidance provided by the Minister.  

            Councillor Shotton, the Leader of the Council, moved the following proposal which he said had not been taken lightly or on the basis of political advantage or expediency:- 

“The Council had lost confidence in the way in which BCUHB had conducted its service reviews and was making service changes to local community services as a result.  The withdrawal of local community services without a clear transition plan, and before the CHC had made its submission to the Minister on the reviews as the statutory consultee representing the interests of patients, was both premature and unsafe.  He therefore submitted a resolution of no confidence in the proposals made upon the effected communities such as Flint by BCUHB.  He added that the Council called on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 134.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on the 29 January, 2013 (copy enclosed).

That subject to the suggested amendment, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

The minutes of the meeting of Flintshire County Council held on 29 January, 2013 had been circulated with the agenda.  

                        The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that an amendment to paragraph 106 had been circulated to Members. 

            RESOLVED:

            That subject to the suggested amendment, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

A copy of the Chair’s communication had been circulated to all Members before the meeting.

A copy of the Chair’s communication had been circulated to all Members before the meeting.

No petitions were submitted.

No petitions were submitted.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that no Notices of Motion had been received.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that no Notices of Motion had been received.

To note the answers to any questions submitted in accordance with County Council Standing Order No. 9.4(A).

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that no questions had been received. 

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that no questions had been received. 

That the County Council approve the recommendation of the Cabinet from its meeting held on 19 February 2013 as set out in Section 8 of the Cabinet report attached to the Council report subject to an amendment to recommendation 8.01.8 to include £3.155m of pressures in the budget (from £3.261m as per the report), and 8.01.11 to include efficiencies of £5.331m in the budget (from £5.437m as per the report) and to include an additional recommendation (8.01.14) that the appendices included in the report be amended to reflect the changes approved on the re-allocation of £420,000 from the Invest-to-Save funds for:-

(i)         Car Park Charging and Car Park Enforcement - £185,000

(ii)        Welfare Reform – Discretionary Housing Payments - £135,000

(iii)       Youth Service - £50,000

(iv)       Community Covenant with the Armed Forces - £25,000

(v)        Flintshire Connects - £25,000

The Chief Executive and Head of Finance jointly presented a report which provided Members with the recommendations of the Cabinet for the Council Fund Revenue Budget 2013/14. 

                        Prior to the presentation the Chief Executive and Head of Finance expressed their thanks to the Finance and other staff across the Council who had been involved in the preparation of the budget and for the valuable input from the Overview & Scrutiny committees. 

                        The Council was informed that at its meeting on 19 February 2013, Cabinet had considered a joint report from the Chief Executive and Head of Finance on the Council Fund Revenue Budget 2013/14 which was attached at Appendix A to the report.  The initial budget proposals considered by Cabinet on 18 December 2012 had been referred to Overview and Scrutiny for consideration.  A summary of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees’ observations and questions, together with responses, was included in the Appendix of the 19 February 2013 Cabinet report. 

                        The Chief Executive and Head of Finance gave a joint presentation and commented upon the following areas:-

·         Budget Overview

·         Budget Strategy

·         Overview & Scrutiny Considerations

·         Achieving a Balanced Budget

·         Final Budget Proposals

·         Estimates & Reserves

·         2014/15 and the Medium Term

Councillor A.P. Shotton, Leader of the Council expressed his thanks on behalf of the Cabinet Members for the work undertaken on the budget.  He referred to the unprecedented cuts to jobs which were being made by English Councils and took pride in the shared decisions of the Council to protect services and jobs which he felt should be applauded.  At the Overview and Scrutiny budget meetings, he had referred to the budget as a “stepping stone” budget and he explained that this was because of the difficult challenges ahead which would require brave decisions in the future.  He spoke of the invitation which he had extended to the Chairman of Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Councillor R.B. Jones, to provide input into developing a Value for Money programme for the Council.  He indicated that he was submitting an amendment to the recommendations to Council as set out in the agenda papers and circulated copies of his proposals.  He was recommending that the budget be approved as set out in the report subject to the re-allocation of £420,000 from the Invest-to-Save funds for the following areas:-

• Car Parking Charging and Civil Parking Enforcement - £185,000
• Welfare Reform – Discretionary Housing Payments - £135,000
• Youth Service - £50,000
• Community Covenant with the Armed Forces - £25,000
• Flintshire Connects - £25,000

He detailed his proposals and commended the budget to Council; the proposals were duly seconded. 

            Councillor P.G. Heesom spoke in support of the budget and explained that the budget setting had been difficult this year but that it would be worse in the next few years.  He referred to the budget strategy which had been developed within the context of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).  Councillor C.A. Ellis thanked the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for listening to the residents of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 140.

That the resolutions within Appendix A of the report be approved. 

The Council received the report which requested the Council to agree the statutory and other necessary resolutions for the purpose of administering Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates for 2013-14. 

RESOLVED:

That the resolutions within Appendix A of the report be approved. 

(i)         That the County Council approve the recommendations of the Cabinet from its meeting held on 19 February 2013 as set out in Appendix 1 of the report to Cabinet attached to the Council report subject to the amended Appendix 2 of Appendix ‘A’ for 2013/14; and

(ii)        That an additional recommendation be included that Cabinet periodically reviews the confirmation of capital receipts from the disposal of the assets, and authorises expenditure over 80% and up to 100% of the revised service allocations within the Capital Programme, in-year, according to confirmed capital availability. 

The Chief Executive and Head of Finance jointly presented a report which provided Members with the recommendations of the Cabinet for the Council Fund Capital Programme 2013/14 to 2022/23. 

                        The Chief Executive and Head of Finance gave a joint presentation and commented upon the following areas:-

• Member consideration of capital
• Local and national context
• Key issues from Scrutiny
• 2013/14 Programme (All funding)
• Indicative General Funding (post final settlement)
• Summary

Councillor A.P. Shotton, the Leader of the Council submitted amended recommendations to those detailed in the report and an amended appendix 2 which supported the amendment and which included alternative proposals for Renewable Energy Installations, School Buildings Repairs and Maintenance, ICT infrastructure, capital receipts and unallocated – (Headroom))/Under Financing.  The proposals were seconded.   

Councillor A.M. Halford queried the value of the key site land which had been sold and how it impacted on the budget.  The Chief Executive explained that he was unable to provide the information requested in a public meeting as it was commercially sensitive and negotiations with a third party were in final stages. 

In response to a query from Councillor P.G. Heesom on whether the provision of £0.025m for Clwyd Theatr Cymru was in addition to the £1m it already received, the Chief Executive explained that the £0.025m was an allocation for capital funding for repairs, whereas the £1m was the annual revenue support. 

Councillor R.J.T. Guest put forward an amendment to the proposals which was circulated to Members.  His proposal was to (1) increase the sum allocated for School Buildings Maintenance and Repair by £0.205m and decrease the sum allocated for Renewable Energy Installations from £0.350m by £0.100m and decreasing the sum allocated for ICT Infrastructure from £0.200m by £0.105m, (2) that the provision in Clause 4.1 of the report to limit capital spend on core allocations to 80% of the amount shown, pending certainty on capital receipts, should not apply to Schools Building Repairs and Maintenance.  He raised concern at the late changes put forward by the Leader which almost mirrored the proposals he was suggesting.  He felt that the issue of school maintenance would receive support across the chamber. The amended proposals were also seconded.   

In summing up, Councillor Shotton, the Leader of the Council, raised concern at the suggestion to ring fence the area of School repairs and maintenance and asked Members to vote against the amendment put forward by Councillor Guest. 

A recorded vote was requested and supported by the requisite ten Members. On being put to the vote, the amendment by Councillor Guest was lost by 37 votes against the proposal and 18 votes for, with no abstentions.  The voting being as follows:-

FOR – THE PROPOSAL BY COUNCILLOR GUEST

Councillors: A. Bragg, C.S. Carver, A. Davies-Cooke, J. Falshaw, V. Gay, R.J.T. Guest, A.M. Halford, H. Isherwood, R.B. Jones, D.I. Mackie, N.M. Matthews, H.J. McGuill, M.J. Peers, N. Phillips, H.G. Roberts, N.R. Steele-Mortimer, W.O. Thomas and A. Woolley

AGAINST – THE PROPOSAL BY COUNCILLOR GUEST

Councillors:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142.

That the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2013/14 in conjunction with Treasury Management Policy Statement 2013-2016 and Treasury Management Practices 2013-16 be approved. 

The Council received the report of the Head of Finance which presented to Council the recommendations of the Cabinet on the Treasury Management Policy & Strategy Statement 2013/14. 

Councillor J.B. Attridge, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment proposed the acceptance of the recommendations as outlined within the report.  This was seconded by Councillor R.K. Jones.  

RESOLVED:

That the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2013/14 in conjunction with Treasury Management Policy Statement 2013-2016 and Treasury Management Practices 2013-16 be approved. 

(a)       That the prudential indicators as detailed in Section 3 of the Cabinet report dated 19 February 2013 be approved; and

(b)       That delegated authority be given for the Head of Finance to effect movements between the separately agreed limits within the authorised limit for external debt and the operational boundary for external debt (section 3.11 and 3.12 of the Cabinet report dated 19 February 2013).

                        The Council received the report of the Head of Finance which presented to Council the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the setting of a range of prudential indicators. 

Councillor J.B. Attridge, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment proposed the acceptance of the recommendations as outlined within the report.  This was seconded by Councillor R.K. Jones.  

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the prudential indicators as detailed in Section 3 of the Cabinet report dated 19 February 2013 be approved; and

(b)       That delegated authority be given for the Head of Finance to effect movements between the separately agreed limits within the authorised limit for external debt and the operational boundary for external debt (section 3.11 and 3.12 of the Cabinet report dated 19 February 2013).

That the Council accept the recommendations of the Cabinet, being that:-

(1)       Option 1 (Regulatory Method) be used for the calculation of the minimum revenue provision in 2013/14 for all supported borrowing.

(2)       Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the minimum revenue provision in 2013/14 for all unsupported (prudential) borrowing. 

The Council received the report of the Head of Finance which presented to Council the recommendations of the Cabinet in relation to the setting of a prudent minimum revenue provision for the repayment of debt. 

Councillor J.B. Attridge, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment proposed the acceptance of the recommendations as outlined within the report.  This was seconded by Councillor R.K. Jones.

RESOLVED:

That the Council accept the recommendations of the Cabinet, being that:-

(1)       Option 1 (Regulatory Method) be used for the calculation of the minimum revenue provision in 2013/14 for all supported borrowing.

(2)       Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the minimum revenue provision in 2013/14 for all unsupported (prudential) borrowing. 

That the Pay Policy Statement for 2013/14 be accepted.  

The Council received a report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development which sought approval on the Council’s Pay Policy Statement, to be effective from 1 April 2013. 

Councillor J.B. Attridge, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment proposed the acceptance of the recommendations as outlined within the report.  This was seconded by Councillor R.K. Jones.   

RESOLVED:

That the Pay Policy Statement for 2013/14 be accepted.  

The meeting commenced at 2.00 p.m. and ended at 5.01 p.m.

There were two members of the press in attendance.