Agenda, decisions and minutes

Purpose: To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 28 July 2016.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2016 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

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

Purpose: To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Councillors Chris Bithell, Andy Dunbobbin, Robin Guest and Brian Lloyd declared a personal interest in the following item: 

Item 4 – Community Resilience

The Chairman indicated that there would be a change in the order of the agenda and the item on Museums and Archives would be brought forward.

That the Committee supports the approach to ensuring sustainability of the Archives and Museums Services that aims to result in no major loss of service provision.

The Chair welcomed Sophie Fish, Principal Museums Officer, and Claire Harrington, Principal Archivist, to their first meeting of the Committee.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) introduced the report, and gave a brief overview of the two services and how their size impaired their ability to make savings without having a real impact on service delivery. The Chief Officer then invited his colleagues to provide details of their respective services.

The Principal Museums Officer reported that her service had a budget of £0.063m, with 0,8 of a full time equivalent, her own 4 day a week post. She explained how they had looked at a number of savings options, including linkage with an existing charity such as that at the Greenfield Valley or being part of the leisure and libraries employee led mutual. It looked as if the latter would be a more feasible home for the service.

The Principal Archivist gave an insight into her service, which had recently received accreditation. The Flintshire Record Office had been established in the mid 1950s, and as the successor to the former Clwyd was a larger facility than might be expected for the current size of the Authority.  A consultancy firm, Creative Cultures, had been commissioned, utilising a Welsh Government grant, to look at enhancing collaboration and reducing costs across the six North Wales authorities’ archives functions. They would be looking at digitisation, locations of offices, buildings occupied, and staffing levels.

Councillor Chris Bithell supported the approach being taken with both services.  Members of the Committee evinced strong support for both services, commenting specifically on the role of volunteers in developing services and making suggestions for improvements. A Member asked whether the Flintshire Archives was maintaining records which could be disaggregated to other adjoining authorities which had established their own archives services after local government reorganization in 1996. 

Following discussion, the Chief Officer emphasised the enabling role of the Museums services, with the Principal Museums Officer commenting on some specific work relating to marine, colliery, and World War One history.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee supports the approach to ensuring sustainability of the Archives and Museums Services that aims to result in no major loss of service provision.

That the Committee supports the partnership approach to developing community resilience.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) introduced his report on Community Resilience and the development of the Improvement Plan priority and emerging partnership working. The Flintshire Public Services Board (FPSB) was bringing together key public agencies to develop a joint approach to improving community resilience. There was great emphasis on strengthening the social sector. The slides which had been used in a presentation to the FPSB were attached to the report for information

Members were advised that three new Alternative Delivery Models would be established in 2017.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee supports the partnership approach to developing community resilience.

As the Committee had been given a short guided tour of the Leisure Centre prior to the start of the meeting, the Chair invited Members to ask questions of the Manager who was in attendance.

Councillor Robin Guest asked whether lessons had been learnt from the Community Asset Transfer process so far.  Chris Travers, Leisure Centre Manager, agreed that the experience from the process of transferring Connah’s Quay Swimming Pool had been invaluable, and detailed some specifics. He was enthusiastic about the future of Holywell Leisure Centre which would see the incorporation of the town library in 2017.   He explained this would result in an increased footfall of around 50,000 people per annum, and would revitalise the Centre and meant that the café could be reopened.

Members commented on issues such as signage and car parking provision, which the Leisure Centre Manager indicated would be considered.

That the Forward Work Programme be approved.

The Member Engagement Manager introduced the report and drew attention to the items to be considered at the next meeting of the Committee on 17 October 2016.  He also referred to the meeting of the Committee to be held on 21 November 2016 at Deeside Leisure Centre and said there would be a short tour of the building prior to the commencement of the meeting.   

Councillor Dave Mackie commented on the recent correspondence which had been sent concerning play areas.  The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 1) responded to the queries raised and explained that a further update on play areas would be provided to the Committee in January 2017. 

Councillor Chris Dolphin commented on the availability of capital funding from Cadwyn Clwyd. 

Following discussion the Member Engagement Manager asked Members for their feedback on the new report format, which had been in use for a year. Members indicated that they preferred it to the previous model.

RESOLVED:

That the Forward Work Programme be approved.

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