Agenda, decisions and minutes

Purpose: To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

Purpose: To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2015 (copy enclosed).

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2015 were submitted.

Matters Arising

Councillor Ron Davies clarified that the issue he had reported in his ward related to a boiler and that this had now been resolved.

RESOLVED:

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

(a)       That the development of 12 new Council homes on the Custom House School site, Connah’s Quay be supported; and

(b)       That the standard scheme development assumptions as identified in section 1.20 of the report be supported.

The Chief Officer introduced a report to seek support to progress the next stages of the Council’s Strategic Housing and Regeneration Project (SHARP) and to set out the proposed design of the first development located at the former Custom House School site in Connah’s Quay.  The introduction of self-financing for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) had enabled the Council to commence its plans to develop new Council homes on a range of sites.

Detailed proposals were shared on the scheme in Connah’s Quay on which work was due to commence in February 2016.  Preparation of the plans had taken into consideration the need for sufficient parking on the site together with the design fitting with the local environment. The Flintshire Housing Standard, which had been adopted for use on all the Council’s new housing schemes, had been developed by a working group of Members, officers and tenants using industry standards.  This demonstrated the Council’s commitment to provide high quality living environments with adequate storage space and quality fixtures/fittings.  An update was also given on progress made towards future SHARP schemes and the delivery of various community benefits including the creation of an apprenticeship academy.

The report highlighted the approach to funding, utilising prudential borrowing for the Connah’s Quay scheme, with future projects to be reviewed case by case.  The Chief Officer circulated a financial analysis of build costs for the Connah’s Quay scheme which was subject to ongoing verification and challenge.  This included a breakdown of additional costs for drainage, parking etc, that was affordable within the HRA.  Members were assured that the total cost of the scheme (including borrowing, repairs, allowance for bad debt and empty properties etc) would be recovered through rental income over a 50 year period.

Councillor Aaron Shotton described this as a watershed moment for the Council, which addressed one of the priorities set out in the Improvement Plan as well as meeting the needs of residents and filling the void in the housing market.  He referred to the challenges encountered in reaching this stage which gave the opportunity to meet general housing needs and provide a high quality standard of living.

In thanking officers for the report, Councillor Ian Dunbar welcomed this first new build development under the SHARP programme and in particular the location of the scheme and parking provision.

As a point of accuracy on paragraph 3.02, Councillor Alison Halford pointed out that planning permission had been granted in December 2015 and took the opportunity to praise all those involved in making the right decision at that time.  She commented that the plans for the scheme demonstrated a good quality build and design.  On the costings provided, she queried the amount of £4,246 for car parking spaces.  The Chief Officer pointed out that this equated to £353 for a second car park space per property.  Consideration had been given to adequate parking provision, given the nearby school and traffic implications, and would be a key consideration for future developments to address the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

(a)       That the key activities and outcomes from Flintshire Business Week 2015 be recognised and supported; and

(b)       That the Education & Youth Overview & Scrutiny Committee be asked to look into the concerns of the Committee around skill shortages and review how schools are working to reduce this shortage.

The Enterprise Manager presented a report on the delivery and outcomes of Flintshire Business Week 2015 which had incorporated a regional theme to support local and regional business to maximise opportunities for investment, employment and skills.  She spoke about the growth of the event with continued improvements sought year on year to respond to the needs of the wider economy.

The Committee received a summary of the key activities from the event held in October 2015, with good outcomes reported against the aims and performance indicators, as set out in the report.  Delegate attendance had surpassed expectations, mainly due to the success of the Science Technology Engineering & Maths (STEM) event which gave high school students an opportunity to engage directly with the manufacturing sector.  Plans were underway on the 2016 Flintshire Business Week which would also celebrate its 10^th anniversary.

Councillor Derek Butler paid tribute to the small dedicated officer team and said that Flintshire Business Week was a widely recognised flagship event which demonstrated the richness of the county’s industries.  He commented on the positive feedback and record attendance for the 2015 event, particularly on the STEM event, and referred to the timing to coincide with the Wales Rally GB.

In congratulating the team, Councillor Paul Shotton particularly noted the excellent networking opportunities and quality seminars which had taken place.

Councillor Alison Halford asked about the role of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) and the availability of the business booklet highlighted by Councillor Butler.

Councillor Butler confirmed that the business booklet had been made available in the Members’ room.  He explained that the NWEAB was a regional partnership between the six North Wales Councils, chaired by Conwy, with priorities on the region’s economy, tourism, transport and infrastructure.  He advised that he was currently Vice-Chair of the Mersey Dee Alliance (MDA) and was soon to be appointed Chair, and that an update on the MDA together with an overview of the ongoing work of the NWEAB would be received at the March meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Aaron Shotton referred to the ambitious programmes of the NWEAB which included representatives from each of the six Authorities and the work of the MDA in establishing links with North West England.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin stated the need for a better understanding of the regeneration functions which were a new area of responsibility for the Committee.  She pointed out the shortage of skilled trades people and asked what was being done to encourage young people to take up this training.

Councillor Butler reported that some progress had been made to encourage local colleges to offer a range of skills courses.  The Enterprise Manager referred to the joined-up approach between the Council and its partners, such as Coleg Cambria, to develop opportunities across the region.  She added that investment often involved a slow process and spoke about the importance of ensuring young people were job-ready, working with existing companies in the process of expansion and engaging with larger contractors to develop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted; and

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

In presenting the current Forward Work Programme for consideration, the Facilitator reminded Members of the budget meeting on 15 January.

Due to the number of items planned for the February and March meetings, the Committee agreed that the Facilitator liaise with the Chairman and Chief Officer to schedule an additional meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted; and

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

There was one member of the press in attendance.