Agenda, decisions and minutes

A presentation will be made to the Property and Design Consultancy Team who were awarded the Consortium of Local Authorities Wales (CLAW) 2013 Commendation Award, in recognition of work at Ysgol Cae'r Nant, Connah's Quay.

The Chair welcomed members of the Property and Design Consultancy Team who had been awarded the Consortium of Local Authorities Wales (CLAW) 2013 Commendation Award, in recognition of work at Ysgol Cae’r Nant, Connah’s Quay.  She detailed some of the works that had been undertaken and welcomed the impressive and excellent learning environment for the children.  

As Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Councillor Bernie Attridge congratulated the team on the award and said that he had been privileged to attend the ceremony when the award was presented.  He commented on the quality of the new school and its learning environment, and added his thanks to the team.  

Formal signing of the Dublin Declaration by the Chair, the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Chief Executive.  

That the signing of the Declaration be noted.    

The Director of Community Services introduced Eileen Spence, the Older People’s Strategy Co-ordinator, to Members. 

He explained that every Council in Wales had been invited by the Welsh Local Government Association to make a public declaration by becoming signatories on the Dublin Declaration. 

The Dublin Declaration reaffirmed commitment to adopt best practice, to collaborate with regional and international stakeholders, to communicate with regional and international stakeholders, and to communicate through local and regional channels to stimulate and promote equal rights and opportunities for older people living within communities.  The Dublin Declaration did not constitute a legally binding contract, however by becoming a signatory the Council would be pledging a commitment to the aspirations and principles referred to in the Declaration. 

The Chief Executive advised that Declaration would be signed by the Chair, the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for Social Services and Chief Executive following this meeting. 

RESOLVED:

That the signing of the Declaration be noted.    

The Leader of the Council paid tribute to Councillor Ted Evans and said that he was a great ambassador for Flint and the whole county.  He spoke of Councillor Evans’ loyalty, dedication, commitment and selflessness and the fact that he had become known as ‘Supersub’ for the Labour Group due to him always volunteering to substitute on Committees to ensure the Group had its full attendance at meetings.  He had put a significant amount of time and dedication into representing the Council and had taken a great deal of pride in serving on the Clwyd Pension Fund and on the Deeside College Board.  The Leader felt that many Members would remember Councillor Evans for his keen eye for detail, particularly when highlighting grammatical errors or corrections to figures in reports and said that the Council had lost a good friend.  He spoke of Councillor Evans’ dedication to his family, faith and the way he always put the community first.  He was certain that his family would take great strength in the high regard that Councillor Evans was held in and concluded that he was proud to have known him. 

Councillor Alex Aldridge spoke on behalf of Flint Members and thanked the Chief Executive, officers and the many Members who had attended the funeral, which had been a celebration of Councillor Evans’ life.  .  Councillor Aldridge said that Councillor Evans’ standards were high and he never had a bad word to say about anyone.  He felt that Mrs. Evans would have found immense solace in the numbers that had attended the funeral. 

Councillor Hilary Isherwood added to the tributes and referred to the work Councillor Evans had undertaken for the Community and also his religious beliefs.  She said that he was a wonderful and generous man and she had been privileged to know him. 

Councillor Mike Peers spoke of the well thought of and respected man who came across as a gentleman.  He referred to his persistence and said that his lasting image would be of Councillor Evans leaving County Hall and walking across to the bus stop, despite his illness,which showed his commitment.

Councillor Tony Sharps agreed with all that had been said and stated that they had served together on Delyn Borough Council.  He referred to the death of Councillor Evans’ son and said that he felt that he never got over his loss.  He said that Councillor Evans was a wonderful man who would be greatly missed and that he should be seen as a role model to all. 

Councillor Robin Guest echoed the comments made and said that Councillor Evans had been a man that nobody could fall out with.  He spoke of the admiration felt by many for Councillor Evans following the loss of his son and said that he was a delightful man who would be missed and that he would remember him for his musical ties and his cheerful grin. 

The Chair concurred that he had been a great role  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that none had been received. 

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that none had been received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 29 October, 12 November and 10 December 2013.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

The minutes of the meetings held on 29 October, 12 November and 10 December 2013 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. 

To receive any declarations of interests from Members.

             In response to a query from Councillor Neville Phillips about the need to declare an interest in agenda item 15 – Update on Single Status, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that those who had declared an interest on Single Status previously would be noted as declaring an interest at this meeting.  However, he asked that those Councillors also complete a Declaration of Interest form.

The following Councillors had previously declared an interest in Single Status:-

Councillors: Alex Aldridge, Bernie Attridge, Amanda Bragg, Adele Davies-Cooke, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Hilary Isherwood, Kevin Jones, Hilary McGuill, Billy Mullin, Neville Phillips, Aaron Shotton, Paul Shotton, Ian Smith and Carolyn Thomas.   

            Councillor Mike Lowe declared a personal interest in Item 14 – Council Tax Reduction Scheme and had disclosed the nature of that interest to the Monitoring Officer. 

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

            The Chair highlighted some of the events that she had attended and provided further details of forthcoming events. 

None were received.   

The Minute Book, Edition 4 has been circulated to Members.  Members are now entitled to ask questions on these minutes, subject to certain limitations, and answers will be provided at the meeting.  Members are requested to bring to the meeting their copy of the Minute Book.  Any questions must have been received by the Democracy and Governance Manager prior to the close of business on 22^nd January 2014.

That a review be undertaken on whether Members want to receive their agendas and Minute Book electronically or by paper copy. 

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services confirmed that none had been received. 

Councillor Chris Dolphin queried whether the Minute Book could be sent to Members electronically instead of by paper copy.  The Chair asked that Members inform the Democratic Services Team if they would prefer to receive it electronically. 

Following a comment from Councillor Peter Curtis about having to receive all agendas by paper copy, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that a review of the Member requirements for agendas could be undertaken. 

Councillor Richard Jones queried why a Minute Book had to be produced at all.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services advised that it was because all Committees undertook work on behalf of the County Council and this was the forum in which the Council could hold the committees to account by asking questions on the minutes. 

RESOLVED:

That a review be undertaken on whether Members want to receive their agendas and Minute Book electronically or by paper copy. 

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

The following questions had been submitted by Councillor Tony Sharps:

Are any of the following actions being pursued to unlock the full financial potential of the Enterprise Zone:-

(a)        Simplified planning arrangements

(b)        Improving the road infrastructure

(c)        Improving the power supply

(d)        Making representations to the Welsh Government to alter the grant status from tier two to tier one, so that Flintshire will not be disadvantaged in seeking job creation and investment in comparison with Anglesey, Conwy, Gwynedd, Denbighshire and other significant parts of South Wales which have tier one status. 

A copy of the response to the questions, provided by the Cabinet Member for Economic Development is attached at Appendix 1 to the minutes.  

Councillor Sharps thanked the Cabinet Member for Economic Development for his reply but detailed his concern about paragraph 3 of the response and the section about the Deeside Enterprise Zone. 

That the Treasury Management Mid Year Report 2013/14 be approved. 

The Head of Finance introduced the report to present to Council the Treasury Management Mid Year Report for 2013/14 for approval. 

The report reviewed the activity and performance of the treasury management operations during the period 1^st April to 30^th September 2013 and compared them with the Treasury Management Strategy.  The Audit Committee and Cabinet had considered the report and the key points of the report were detailed.  The Head of Finance advised that work on developing the Treasury Management Strategy for 2014/15 was well advanced and the draft strategy was to be considered at the meeting of Audit Committee the following day.  

Councillor Mike Peers referred to the treasury management training that had been provided recently where the Council’s long term borrowing of £172.1m had been described as significant.  It accrued interest payments of £9.306m per year with an average interest rate of 5.41%.  Councillor Peers queried whether restructuring of some of the loans could be considered to reduce the interest payments to reduce the cost to the Council in view of the financial challenges facing the Council and asked if the Chair of Audit could raise the issue In Audit’s consideration of Treasury Management.  The Head of Finance recognised that £172.1m was a significant sum but it was important to balance this with the value of the Council’s asset portfolio and be mindful that it was there because of previous policy decisions.  The Head of Finance went on to explain that restructuring of debt was considered where appropriate but reminded Members that repaying loans through restructuring would result in fees for early repayment of the debt which could overall increase the short term burden on the revenue account.  She added that the borrowing had been undertaken to invest in infrastructure as part of Flintshire and predecessor Council’s Capital Programme decisions and that the payments for the majority of loans were supported through the revenue support grant by funding from Welsh Government.

As Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor Alison Halford thanked officers for the treasury management training and confirmed that she would speak to Councillor Peers about the points he had raised. 

In response to a query from Councillor Nancy Matthews on the investments with the Icelandic banks, the Head of Finance said that the current expectation was that the principle borrowing of £3.7m made by the Council would be returned.  Councillor Matthews also asked whether the debt maturity profile shown in the report showed each column as a separate loan.  The Head of Finance explained that loans would have been for a number of projects in the capital programme and the profile showed when the loans were due to mature. 

Councillor Richard Jones referred to the breach of the investment criteria as a result of an investment of £7m and asked what was in place to ensure that this did not happen again.  The Head of Finance referred to paragraph 7.03 where the breach was reported and explained that more stringent procedures and training had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

(a)       That the making of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations (“the Prescribed Requirements Regulations”) by Wales Government on 26^th November 2013, as amended by the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 be noted; and      

(b)       That the Council Tax Reduction Scheme discretionary elements as outlined in Appendix 1 be adopted.   

The Head of Finance introduced a report to explain the requirement for the Council to adopt the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2014/15 by 31 January 2014. 

The report had been considered at Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet where the proposals as set out in the report were supported.  The scheme was no different to the scheme in place for 2013/14 which also included the discretionary elements as reported in appendix 1.  The Head of Finance detailed the estimated additional cost of the scheme for the Council of £0.633m which had been built into the budget proposals for 2014/15. 

Councillor Richard Jones asked if the proposals could be agreed in principle subject to the approval of the 2014/15 budget.  The Chief Executive explained that the Council had a legal requirement to adopt the scheme by 31 January 2014 and that this decision was not reversible and therefore this part of the budget would be committed at this meeting if Members agreed to adopt the scheme.  The Head of Finance explained that if the scheme was adopted then it would revert to the ‘fall back’ scheme which did not include any discretionary elements. 

In response to a query from Councillor Clive Carver about the consultees detailed in the report, the Head of Finance said that the consultation process allowed Councils to decide who it consulted and those listed, which included strategic partners, had been asked for their comments. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the making of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations (“the Prescribed Requirements Regulations”) by Wales Government on 26^th November 2013, as amended by the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 be noted; and      

(b)       That the Council Tax Reduction Scheme discretionary elements as outlined in Appendix 1 be adopted.   

Update on the Planned Implementation of the Single Status Agreement.

That the update be received.    

The Chief Executive provided a verbal update on Single Status.  He thanked Members, the workforce and the Unions for the way that the Single Status outcome had been handled following the October 2013 County Council meeting.  Implementation was still on track for 1 April 2014 and officers were confident of a ‘yes’ vote in the Union ballot expected in February 2014Subject to the timely conclusion of the Equal Pay negotiations which were running.

RESOLVED:

That the update be received.    

There was one member of the press and no members of the public in attendance.