Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2014.

That with the amended starting time the minutes be received, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 March 2014 were submitted.

Accuracy

The Chair pointed out that the meeting had started at 6.30pm not 6.00pm as stated. 

RESOLVED:

That with the amended starting time the minutes be received, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

(i)         Councillor Clive Carver (Hawarden Community Council and Flintshire County Council)

Councillor Carver has applied to extend the duration of his dispensation relating to ‘Land at Overlea Drive’ which was granted on 10th June 2013, for a further 12 months. 

(a)       That Councillor Clive Carver be granted an extension to his dispensation  relating to ‘Land at Overlea Drive’ which would now end on 16 June 2015;

(b)       That Councillor Brian Dunn be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak at, remain in the room, and to vote on the item on Post Office Modernisation, but that he did not Chair the meeting of the Community Profile & Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee whilst the item was considered; and

(c)        That Councillor Glenys Diskin be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations) (Wales) Regulations 2001 to speak at, remain in the room, and to vote on the item on Post Office Modernisation.

(d)       That the dispensations to Councillors Dunn and Diskin be granted for a period of 12 months.

The Democracy and Governance Manager explained that Councillor Clive Carver had applied to extend the duration of his dispensation relating to ‘Land at Overlea Drive’ which had been granted for a year on 10 June 2013, for a further 12 months. He advised that the terms of the original application for dispensation which had been made by Councillor Carver were as detailed in the agenda.  The Democracy and Governance Manager outlined the reasons for the request for an extension.  

            Mr Robert Dewey proposed that a 12 month extension be granted to the dispensation that was due to end on 16 June 2014.  This was duly seconded by Councillor David Cox and agreed by the Committee.

            The Democracy and Governance Manager reported  that following publication of the agenda requests for dispensations had been received from Councillors Brian Dunn and Glenys Diskin in relation to an item on Post Office Modernisation which was to be considered at a meeting of the Community Profile & Partnerships Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 28 April 2014.

The Democracy and Governance Manager explained that Councillor Brian Dunn was seeking dispensation to remain in the room and speak and vote on the item under paragraphs (d) and (f).  Councillor Glenys Diskin was seeking dispensation to speak on the item under paragraphs (e) and (f), however, following advice from the Democracy and Governance Manager she had amended her application to seek dispensation under paragraphs (d) and (f). 

The Democracy and Governance Member advised that Councillor Brian Dunn was Chairman of the Community Profile & Partnerships Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  He expressed the view that he should not Chair the meeting when the item was being considered due to issues around public perception and suggested that the Committee may wish to consider this. 

Councillor Arnold Woolley referred to the role and responsibilities of the Chairman during meetings and spoke in support of the view that it would not be advisable for Councillor Dunn to Chair the meeting when the item on Post Office Modernisation was being discussed.  

Councillor Hilary McGuill proposed that Councillor Brian Dunn’s request for dispensation to remain in the room and speak and vote on the item be granted, but that he did not Chair the meeting whilst the item was being considered.  This was seconded by Councillor Arnold Woolley and agreed by the Committee.

            The Democracy and Governance Manager suggested that for consistency the Committee may wish to grant dispensation to Councillor Diskin to vote as well as speak.

Councillor Hilary McGuill proposed that the request from Councillor Glenys Diskin for dispensation be granted to allow her to speak and vote on the item.  This was seconded by Councillor David Cox and agreed by the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Councillor Clive Carver be granted an extension to his dispensation  relating to ‘Land at Overlea Drive’ which would now end on 16 June 2015;

(b)       That Councillor Brian Dunn be granted dispensation under paragraphs (d) and (f) of the Standards Committee (Grant of Dispensations)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

That the proposed timescale for reviewing the Flintshire Planning Code be

noted.

The Democracy and Governance Manager introduced a report to update the Committee on the timescale for reviewing Flintshire’s Planning Code of Practice.  He provided background information and advised that the Welsh Government had recently published its draft Planning Bill.  Consultation on the Planning Bill had ended on 26 February 2014 and it was considered it was unlikely to become law until some time in 2015.  It had therefore been agreed to proceed with a review of Flintshire’s Planning Code in advance of any such legislation.    

The Democracy and Governance Manager explained that he had compared Flintshire’s Planning Code with those for neighbouring authorities and had submitted suggested changes to the existing Flintshire Code to the Planning Department.  Following the Planning Department’s consideration of the changes to the Code a report would be submitted to the Planning Strategy Group and to a meeting of the Standards Committee scheduled to be held in July 2014.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed timescale for reviewing the Flintshire Planning Code be

noted.

For the Committee to consider topics to be included on the attached Forward Work Programme.

(a)       That feedback on the operation of Local Resolution Procedures be provided to the meeting of the Committee scheduled for July 2014; and

(b)      That subject to (a) the Forward Work Programme be agreed.

The Democracy and Governance Manager introduced the Forward Work Programme and invited members to put forward items for future consideration.  He referred to the subject of Local Resolution Procedures and suggested that feedback on how the Local Resolution Procedure was  working be provided to the meeting of the Committee scheduled for July 2014. 

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That feedback on the operation of Local Resolution Procedures be provided to the meeting of the Committee scheduled for July 2014; and

(b)      That subject to (a) the Forward Work Programme be agreed.

There were no members of the public or the press in attendance.