Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2019.

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

The minutes of the meeting on 11 September 2019 were received.

As requested by Councillor Peers, two amendments were agreed on Minute number 39: Local Democracy and Boundary Commission for Wales Local Review.  On the third paragraph, the Chief Executive’s comments that the ‘Commission had limited flexibility’ should reflect that this was to adhere to the laws and Terms of Reference.  The penultimate paragraph to clarify that the county average ratio of 1,836 electors per member applied to 2018 and that the average ratio for 2023 was recorded as 1,915 in the latest draft document.

The minutes would also record that Councillors Richard Lloyd and Joe Johnson were present at the meeting.

RESOLVED:

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

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

None.

To receive the communications as circulated.

In presenting her Communications, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, the Chair highlighted a number of school visits, recognition of entrepreneurs at the Flintshire in Business Awards and a visit to Coleg Cambria.  She thanked the Vice-Chair for his support and various Members who had arranged events, including Councillor Tony Sharps who was not present.  Tribute was also paid to the contributions of Councillor Andrew Holgate who was due to resign at the end of the month.

Councillor Ian Roberts expressed his gratitude to all those involved in assisting residents at Bolingbroke Heights in Flint following the recent flooding incident.  He paid particular tribute to the Fire Service for their prompt response, and officers from across the Council who had maintained a presence on site to ensure that all residents were safe and supported.  He also thanked the Chief Officers for Housing & Assets and Social Services and local Members for their assistance at the scene.

The Chair expressed her own appreciation for the remarkable efforts of the Fire Service and Council officers, as did Councillor Jean Davies.

Councillor Richard Jones’ suggestion that the Council formally write to thank the Fire Service was supported by the Chair.  The Chief Executive responded to a query on the financial implications and conveyed his own thanks to those who had assisted.  To give reassurances on the response and findings from the incident, he suggested that a report be scheduled for a future Overview & Scrutiny meeting.

This is an opportunity for Members of Council to submit petitions on behalf of people in their ward. Once received, petitions are passed to the appropriate Chief Officer for action and response.

None were received.

None were received.

To receive feedback from the Participation Groups.

That the 2018/19 Annual Performance Report be approved, as recommended by Cabinet, with the inclusion of a hyperlink on the performance data summary.

The Chief Executive introduced the report to endorse the 2018/19 Annual Performance Report to achieve publication by the deadline.  This was a statutory report providing a retrospective overview of performance against priorities in the 2018/19 Council Plan and assessment of the Council’s objectives in accordance with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015.

The Corporate Business & Communications Executive Officer gave a presentation covering the following:

·         Format and content

·         Performance Overview 2018/19

·         Progress Overview

·         Highlights

·         Areas for Improvement

·         Well-being of Future Generations

·         Performance Overview

·         Summary Overview

·         Next Steps

Amongst the range of achievements under each theme were the Council house building programme, national recognition of the Progress for Providers project, high waste recycling rates and achievement of planned efficiencies.  Areas identified for improvement were being incorporated into the Council Plan for 2019/20 including reducing the number of days to complete Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) on which progress was already being made.

The Chief Executive said that the slight dip in performance against national rankings would continue to be monitored and that strong endorsement by the three statutory regulatory bodies since the timing of the report should provide assurance.  He spoke about future legislative changes which provided for more flexibility in performance reporting and reminded Members that recurring issues of specific interest in the Council Plan should be submitted on to Overview & Scrutiny Forward Work Programmes.

On achievements in Holywell, Councillor Palmer spoke about positive joint working with businesses on the re-opening of the High Street and the success of Holywell Leisure Centre on which he thanked Councillor Tudor Jones.

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) agreed to provide a separate response to Councillor Carver’s question on the number of landlords/letting agents not complying with Rent Smart Wales regulations.  He agreed to speak with him outside the meeting regarding concerns about a House of Multiple Occupation and said that the main priority of the Environmental Health team was enforcing housing and planning conditions legislation to ensure adequate living conditions.

In response to a question from Councillor Ellis, it was explained that the areas for improvement related to performance and that high-risk areas would continue to be monitored.  Some risk may remain on residential care provision after completion of work on Marleyfield House, depending on demand levels.  Delayed transfer of care was a continued risk and was unlikely to improve to Green.

Councillor Richard Jones asked whether the risk status on debt levels due to Universal Credit should be lowered in view of the commentary.  The Chief Officer (Housing & Assets) advised that this should remain a Red risk to allow time for mitigation measures to take effect and that it be kept under review.  On infrastructure investment, Councillor Jones asked how the Deeside Plan affected the transport strategy for Flintshire.  The Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) explained that the initial scope of the Deeside Plan had been widened to become the Flintshire Integrated Transport Strategy linking all modes of transport across the County.  A report would be submitted to the Environment Overview  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

That the Annual Treasury Management Report 2018/19 and Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2018/19 be approved.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2018/19 which, following consideration by the Audit Committee and Cabinet, had raised no specific issues.  He drew attention to the key points of the report which confirmed that the Treasury Management function had operated within the limits detailed in the Strategy for the period.  The Mid-Year Report for 2018/19 was also presented, having been recommended by Cabinet for approval.

Councillor Richard Jones asked whether the amount of income derived from investments could be considered as a third reason for investment (set out in section 2.02) which could make a difference during times of austerity.

In response, the Chief Executive said that the wording could clarify that the aim was to generate income from surplus funds provided that the two main principles were met.

The Corporate Finance Manager and Chief Officer (Governance) referred to the Welsh Government investment guidance which gave priority to security and liquidity, followed by yield.

Following comments by Councillor Peers, the Corporate Finance Manager said that the Treasury Management Strategy detailed the range of considerations behind investments, noting that pension fund investments were separate to those of the Council.  In local government, the approach to borrowing meant that outstanding debt was necessary to pay for investments and assets over time.  The repayment of debt over the longer term was funded through the Minimum Revenue Provision which included the Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account.  As a point of accuracy, it was clarified that the two loans detailed in section 3.03 of the Annual Report were taken out on 6 December 2018.

In response to other questions, the Principal Accountant explained that the loan for NEW Homes, the Council’s wholly owned subsidiary, was taken out over a 45 year period with a small margin added to the repayment rate over and above the amount borrowed.

Councillor Mackie queried the difference between figures on borrowing activity and was advised that the table in the annual report included other items such as the short-term debt portfolio.

In moving the recommendations, Councillor Banks said that the report demonstrated the challenging period and market conditions.  He thanked the Corporate Finance Manager and his team and paid tribute to the contributions of the Treasury Management advisors and the Audit Committee during the process.

As Chair of the Audit Committee, Councillor Chris Dolphin seconded the proposal.  On being put to the vote, it was carried.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Treasury Management Report 2018/19 and Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2018/19 be approved.

That the Audit Committee Annual Report 2018/19 be approved.

The Internal Audit Manager presented the Audit Committee Annual Report 2018/19 which, in accordance with best practice, demonstrated to the Council its accountability and effectiveness on its Terms of Reference.  The report had been endorsed by the Audit Committee in September.

Councillor Peers asked that the section on attendance more clearly reflect that he had attended as a substitute and was not required to be present at the other meetings.  He also suggested that section 5.4 note the practice for the Audit Committee to vote to allow substitutions at meetings.  The Internal Audit Manager agreed to make the changes.

As Chairman of the Audit Committee, Councillor Chris Dolphin moved the recommendation and thanked the Internal Audit Manager and her team.

RESOLVED:

That the Audit Committee Annual Report 2018/19 be approved.

That the amended Flintshire Standard be adopted.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report on the outcome of a review of the Flintshire Standard within the Local Resolution Protocol which set out expected standards of behaviour from Members in dealing with each other and officers.  Following consultation, the changes proposed by Group Leaders and officers had been supported by the Standards Committee together with a further amendment on the timing of the complaints process.

In October 2019, the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee had endorsed all the revisions and recommended that the standards of behaviour also apply to Member when using social media in their official capacity and that the Local Resolution Procedure make provision for non-aligned (ungrouped) Members.

Councillor Richard Jones said that the standards of behaviour appeared to be over-prescriptive as mutual respect should be part of general behaviour.

During discussion, Councillors Roberts and Bithell both spoke in support of the Flintshire Standard.  The Chief Officer provided explanation on the rationale behind some of the wording in the Standard which, whilst not restricting political expression, would ensure that officers were specifically excluded from the scope of political comments.

The Chief Executive thanked Group Leaders for their work on the Standard during the consultation.

The Chief Officer noted Councillor Dunbobbin’s suggestion that Town and Community Councils should be encouraged to adopt the Flintshire Standard.

As Chairman of the Constitution & Democratic Services Committee, Councillor Palmer moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Roberts.  On being put to the vote, it was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the amended Flintshire Standard be adopted.

That the suggested amendment requiring gifts with a total value of £100 or more in any 12 month period to be declared is added to the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report to seek agreement to a change in the Code of Conduct for Councillors in respect of gifts and hospitality.  The matter had arisen from a number of best practice recommendations published by the Committee on Standards in Public Life in considering the impact of changes made to the ethical regime in England.  Whilst these were not mandatory in Wales, the Standards Committee had proposed that the Council voluntarily adopt the recommendation to require that Members declare not only gifts/hospitality above a certain individual value but also those above an aggregate value.  For Flintshire, it was recommended that the current practice of registering gifts worth over £10 be extended to include gifts of £100 or more received from the same donor over a 12 month period.  This change had been endorsed by the Constitution & Democratic Services Committee.

Councillor Bithell said that standards expected of local government should also apply elsewhere.  The Chief Officer said that the report demonstrated the Council’s approach in noting examples of good practice outside Wales.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin questioned whether it was time for an increase in the Council’s current threshold for registering individual gifts valued at £10 and over.  The Chief Officer agreed to make enquiries on the limit imposed by other councils.

Councillor Palmer moved the recommendation in the report which was seconded by Councillor Peers.  On being put to the vote, this was carried.

RESOLVED:

That the suggested amendment requiring gifts with a total value of £100 or more in any 12 month period to be declared is added to the Code of Conduct for Councillors.

This item is to receive any Notices of Motion: two were received by the deadline.

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin - Raising Awareness of Violence Against Women and Domestic Abuse

Councillor Kevin Hughes - First Aid Training in Schools

(a)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Dunbobbin on the e-learning package to raise awareness of domestic abuse be supported, together with the proposal for Member training sessions to incorporate the points raised; and

(b)       That the Notice of Motion from Councillor Hughes on First Aid in schools be supported.

Two Notices of Motion were received:

(i)        Raising Awareness of Violence against Women and Domestic Abuse - Councillor Andy Dunbobbin

‘Members may recall that the Welsh Government has developed an e-learning package, to raise awareness of violence against women and domestic abuse.  All staff are undertaking this e-learning, which we applaud.

The package had been adapted to be available to Members.  It would show our support for this worthy initiative if all Members were to do this training, which only takes about 40 minutes.

Can we all commit to giving 40 minutes to acquiring learning which may help all of us to deal more effectively with such issues which we may encounter in our wards?’

The Chair suggested that a video on domestic abuse, previously shown at an Overview & Scrutiny Committee, be shared with all Members.

The Motion was seconded by Councillor White who, as an ambassador for the White Ribbon campaign, spoke in support of highlighting this important issue.  He shared a colleague’s suggestion that Members could undertake the training at the same time whilst accommodating the Chair’s suggestion.

As Vice-Chair of the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit for Deeside, Councillor Bithell commended the Council’s work in supporting the White Ribbon campaign.  He said that Members would be given instructions on accessing the e-learning package and he spoke in favour of the suggestion made by Councillor White.

In welcoming this, Councillor Brown suggested that the training session link to the Domestic Abuse Safety Unit (DASU) Freedom Programme.

The Chief Executive said that all the suggestions would be incorporated to provide Member training sessions.

Following a comment by Councillor Butler, it was noted that the training would be relevant to male as well as female victims of violence and domestic abuse.

On being put to the vote, the Motion was carried.

(ii)        First Aid Training in Schools - Councillor Kevin Hughes

‘This Council calls upon Welsh Government (WG) to make First Aid, including CPR and defibrillator training, compulsory as part of the new curriculum.  Further, schools are provided with the required funding to ensure the training can be delivered.’

In providing background information, Councillor Hughes explained that First Aid training was to become compulsory in all schools in England from September 2020 following Lord Kerslake’s inquiry into the Manchester Arena bombing.  Whilst primary schools in England would provide basic training, secondary learners would receive life-saving skills including the use of a defibrillator.  In Scotland, a similar commitment had been made to teach life-saving skills in schools.  This aligned to the aim of the Red Cross and other charities which had been campaigning for First Aid training to be included in the curriculum across all schools.

Speaking in support of his Motion, Councillor Hughes paid tribute to the performance of Education Services in Flintshire despite the significant pressures.  Whilst First Aid training was already provided in some schools, it was not compulsory in all schools and would only require a half or full day each year.  Providing pupils with these important skills  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

This item is to receive any Public Questions: none were received by the deadline.

None were received.

None were received.

To note the answers to any questions submitted in accordance with County Council Standing Order No. 9.4(A): none were received by the deadline.

None were received.

None were received.

The Minute Book, Edition 2 2019/20 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 Democratic Services Manager prior to the close of business on Wednesday 16^th October, 2019. 

None were received.

None were received.

There was one member of the public in attendance.