Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apprentice Programme of the Year 2016

Recognising the achievement of the Council’s Learning and Development Section in reaching the UK finals of the Learning and Performance Institute’s Apprentice Programme of the Year 2016.

The Chief Executive welcomed employees from the Council’s Learning and Development Section (Heather Johnson, Rob Roose, Paul Johnson, Ciran Allman and Nicole Askey) and congratulated them on reaching the UK finals of the Learning & Performance Institute’s Apprentice Programme of the Year 2016.  He explained that normally only winners of awards were invited to attend Council meetings but he felt that it was important to recognise the achievement of the team for being shortlisted in this category.  The award was open to the public and private sector and the team was the only one from the public sector.  He spoke of the partnership with Coleg Cambria and the development of the Council’s apprenticeship scheme. 

The Chief Executive advised Members that he would circulate a link to a video clip which gave details of the background to the scheme.  The awards were due to take place the following week and he wished the team well.

Councillor Chris Bithell welcomed the team and said how pleased he was at the nomination.  It was a prestigious award and he felt that it was a tribute to the Council in promoting its apprenticeship scheme which he said had been a major project for the Authority.  He welcomed the opportunity to be able to attend the awards ceremony and commented on the fact that Flintshire had low numbers of young people not in education, employment or training. 

Councillor Derek Butler said that the apprenticeship scheme was an opportunity to raise awareness of the many career opportunities outside of further or higher education.      

Purpose:       To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2015.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2015 had been circulated with the agenda. 

RESOLVED:

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

Purpose:       To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Councillor Ray Hughes declared a personal interest in minute number 81 (Change of Community Council Name) as he was a member of Leeswood Community Council. 

Councillor Ray Hughes declared a personal interest in minute number 81 (Change of Community Council Name) as he was a member of Leeswood Community Council. 

Purpose:       To receive the communications as circulated.

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

Purpose:       To receive any Petitions.

Councillor Glyn Banks submitted a signed and online petition about keeping Ysgol Mornant open.

Purpose:       To receive any Public Questions.

The Chief Officer (Governance) confirmed that a question had been received but this would be considered at a future meeting. 

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

The Chief Officer (Governance) confirmed that a question had been submitted but it was after the deadline and would therefore be considered at a future meeting. 

Purpose:       The Minute Books, Editions 3 and 4 have 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 Books.  Any questions must have been received by the Democracy and Governance Manager prior to the close of business on 20 January 2016.

The Chief Officer (Governance) confirmed that no questions had been received. 

Purpose:       To consider any Notices of Motion.

The Chief Officer (Governance) confirmed that no notices of motion had been received before the deadline. 

(a)       That the presentation be received; and

(b)       That delegated powers be given to the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive in consultation with all Group Leaders to discuss and sign off a final response to the consultation on the Local Government (Wales) Bill. 

The Chief Executive introduced a report on the Local Government (Wales) Bill and invited Council to make a formal response on the Bill to Welsh Government (WG).

He provided a detailed presentation and commented on the following areas:-

·         Background

·         Passage of the Bill

·         Bill Contents

·         Bill documents

·         Critique of the Bill

·         White Paper: Reminder of what we said in response

·         Part 1: Local Government Areas, Number of Members and Specific Issues

·         Part 2: Power of Competence

·         Part 3: Promoting Access

·         Part 4: Functions and Members

·         Part 5: Improvement

·         Part 6: Community Councils

·         Part 7: Workforce

The Leader of the Councillor, Councillor Aaron Shotton, thanked the Chief Executive for the detailed presentation on the complex but equally important document.  He spoke of the rare opportunity to shape the future of Local Government but felt that the Bill did not provide enough details in a number of areas.  However, the foreword in the document from the Minister suggested that he wanted to hear the views of Councillors in creating activist Councils.  He suggested that this meeting was not the appropriate forum to discuss possible authority mergers or changes to boundaries but added the views from previous meetings had indicated that Flintshire County Council was open to the prospect of merging.  Councillor Shotton felt that further devolution in powers should be called for and that the opportunity to pursue this had been missed from the Bill.  He spoke of the comments from Richard Leese from Manchester City Council who insisted that devolution in Wales should go beyond WG if North Wales was to benefit from the Northern Powerhouse.  He felt that the response should state that there should be no Council mergers or further reorganisation without local devolution.  Previous discussions had been held on the issue of business rates and the importance of ensuring that each Council received its fair share and that business rates fairly reflected how North East Wales contributed to the economy of the area. 

Councillor Shotton welcomed the inclusion of the Power of Competence in the Bill which he felt was overdue but he said that many areas were over-centralised and inconsistent of the issue of devolution.  He referred to Part 7 of the Bill and the inclusion of new powers over the workforce and sought clarification on how far the powers could be used to be prescriptive over the size, composition and remuneration of Council employees.  Some areas of the bill could require increases in investment at a time when the Council was working to protect front line services.  Councillor Shotton proposed that the provision of a final response be delegated to himself and the Chief Executive in full consultation with all Group Leaders as the consultation period did not end until 15 February 2016.  The proposal was duly seconded by Councillor Bernie Attridge. 

Councillor Hilary Isherwood agreed with the suggestion for an increase in local powers but raised concern about the proposal in the Bill to reduce the number of Members to save costs.  She  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

That the Council Tax Reduction Scheme be adopted and the current discretionary elements for 2016-17 be maintained. 

The Chief Executive introduced a report on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2016-17 and explained that it had been recommended to Council by Cabinet. 

            The Council had a statutory duty to adopt a scheme each year and the Chief Executive explained that the proposals were for the same scheme as for 2015-16.  He advised that details of the discretions exercised in the current scheme were reported in paragraph 1.10. 

            Councillor Bernie Attridge proposed the recommendation in the report and this was duly seconded. 

RESOLVED:

That the Council Tax Reduction Scheme be adopted and the current discretionary elements for 2016-17 be maintained. 

(a)       That Council adopt the Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy effective from January 2016 for a five year period; and

(b)       That any decision to make changes to this policy during the five year period is delegated to the Licensing Committee. 

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee, Councillor Tony Sharps, introduced the report to request that Members consider and approve the next Flintshire County Council Statement of Licensing Policy. 

He explained that the Licensing Team Leader was in attendance to answer any questions from Members.  The report had been considered by the Licensing Committee and Councillor Sharps reminded Members that the Licensing Act required the Licensing Policy to be reviewed every five years.  He proposed the recommendation in the report which was duly seconded. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Council adopt the Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy effective from January 2016 for a five year period; and

(b)       That any decision to make changes to this policy during the five year period is delegated to the Licensing Committee. 

(a)       That the Council approves the change in the name of Leeswood Community Council to Leeswood and Pontblyddyn Community Council; and  

(b)       That the costs of advertising future Town or Community Council name changes be paid by that Council. 

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report for Council to consider a request from Leeswood Community Council to change its name to Leeswood and Pontblyddyn Community Council. 

            The request had been made to reflect the area it served and the Chief Officer (Governance) advised that this was a similar request to that from Gwernaffield Community Council that had been approved by Council.  The cost of advertising for this change would be incurred by the County Council on this occasion as it was felt that it was unfair to apply a retrospective charge to the request from Leeswood Community Council.  Any future Town or Community Council name changes would be paid by that Council.

            Councillor Bernie Attridge proposed the recommendation in the report and this was duly seconded.  

            The Chairman commented that the meetings of Leeswood Community Council were well supported by those from Pontblyddyn and it was felt that the name change would reflect that the Council served both villages.       

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Council approves the change in the name of Leeswood Community Council to Leeswood and Pontblyddyn Community Council; and  

(b)       That the costs of advertising future Town or Community Council name changes be paid by that Council. 

There were two members of the press and one member of the public present.