Agenda item

To assist Members, the following documents are attached:

·         Copy of the report of the Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) and Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation)

·         Copy of the Record of Decision

·         Copy of the Call In Notice

That the explanations be accepted but not endorsed by the Committee.

On behalf of the call-in signatories, Councillors Mike Peers, Richard Jones and Dave Mackie were invited to address the Committee first.

Whilst Councillor Peers understood the focus on employment, economic growth and improved traffic infrastructure in Deeside, he pointed out that other elements on housing, high street regeneration, leisure etc were needed in other towns and communities in the county.  He asked how the Deeside Plan would integrate with the Local Development Plan (LDP) where elements such as housing and leisure should be addressed and said that the lack of land supply for residential development should form part of the growth spatial options within the LDP.  He felt there should have been much wider consultation on the Plan allowing for full debate across the Council and the county, including an impact assessment on other communities.  He also stated that the Plan lacked any evidence of funding and resources needed to achieve its objectives, pointing out that some of the Council’s reserves had already been set aside to support the 2017/18 budget.  For these reasons and to comply with the Council’s pre-election protocol on major consultations, he felt that the item should be deferred until after the Election to allow for proper consultation.

In acknowledging Deeside as Flintshire’s employment hub, Councillor Richard Jones felt that a Flintshire Plan was more appropriate to spread investment across the county, especially in view of the Council’s funding per capita and the fact that Deeside had already benefited from Vibrant & Viable Places (VVP) funding.  He also cited the lack of detail on funding for the 30 year Plan, which would be to the detriment of other communities where improved education, transport, leisure and environment was also important.  He said that the lack of consultation outside the Deeside area meant that the effect on other communities could not be determined, which was crucial.

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to the recommendation to make a case for the A494/A55 improvements to facilitate delivery of the Deeside Plan.  He said that the decision on that route affected other areas and should have been included in the consultation.

In response, Councillor Aaron Shotton gave a reminder of the county’s established approach to town centre partnerships; each providing an opportunity for its local Members to identify priorities and shape future strategies for their respective areas.  He said there was no expectation for town centres to consult widely on priorities within their own masterplans, as was the case with the Deeside Plan which would be monitored by the Deeside partnership.  In support of the Plan, he stated the importance of the Deeside Industrial Park as an employment site of regional significance, contributing to the work of the Mersey Dee Alliance and North Wales Economic Ambition Board centred on economic growth and transport infrastructure.  He spoke about the aims within the Plan in seeking to address the recognised concentration of areas of deprivation in Deeside along with low levels of self-employment and lack of qualified workers.  He said that the whole of Flintshire would benefit from the improved transport links in the Deeside Plan as well as the proposed metro system in North East Wales.  In response to the concerns raised, he pointed out that there was currently no adopted LDP and that the Deeside Plan contained only a factual statement on the A494/A55 improvement options with no recommended preferred route.  Consultation on the Plan had included two drop-in sessions and consideration by the Deeside Forum which was open to businesses across Flintshire.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) explained that the Deeside Plan was a vision for local priorities - the same approach used for town masterplans - and that resources would be identified as opportunities arose.  She also advised that the VVP funding had been allocated from Welsh Government (WG) based on the eligibility criteria.

The Service Manager (Enterprise & Regeneration) pointed out that funding to improve the transport infrastructure would involve WG resources rather than those of the Council.  The key objectives of the Plan on economic growth, employment and transport were all long-term processes and therefore timely decisions and planning were needed to avoid losing out on future opportunities.

Councillor Derek Butler said that Deeside’s contribution to the region was recognised with integration of the Plan to the Northern Powerhouse, Mersey Dee Alliance and regional growth plan.  He pointed out that previous workshops on the development of the Deeside Plan had given an opportunity to discuss the impact on other areas.

Councillor Hilary Isherwood, who was one of the call-in signatories, sought more information on the funding and impact assessment.  Councillor Aaron Shotton clarified that the Deeside Plan was a strategy document and that achievement of its aims required separate decisions at the appropriate time, as was the case with town masterplans.  Approval of the Plan at this stage would place the Council in a better position to access time-limited funding as those opportunities arose, highlighting VVP as an example where 40% of the Council’s funding bid had been approved.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) clarified that endorsement of the Plan’s objectives would usefully add weight to the UK Government and WG in terms of their funding priorities.

Councillor Paul Shotton spoke about the regional benefits of the Plan and thanked officers for their work.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin gave a reminder of her request for a workshop on regeneration, which was a new area for the Committee, and pointed out that there were other industrial areas in Flintshire such as Flint, Bagillt and Mostyn.  She felt unable to support the Plan at this present time unless to do so would jeopardise any funding opportunities.  In response, the Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) said that the North Wales growth deal was at a critical stage with the WG and UK Government due to consider proposals by July whilst an announcement on the economic growth ambitions of Cheshire West and Warrington were expected in May, all of which the Deeside Plan fed in to.

As another of the call-in signatories, Councillor Gareth Roberts acknowledged support for Deeside as an industrial base but disagreed with the comparison made between the Deeside Plan and town masterplans.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) clarified that both options for the A494/A55 had been considered as part of the Deeside Plan to ensure viability of the transport network.  He agreed to provide all Members with details of the WG consultation process when released on 13 March 2017, and gave a reminder that the preferred route would be determined by WG.

Councillor Ian Dunbar stated that he was satisfied with the responses to the questions and concerns raised, pointing out the extent of consultation detailed in the Record of Decision.  He welcomed the benefits of the Plan to the whole of the county and in supporting the growth vision.

Councillor Peers noted that the consultation list excluded all Council Members.

Councillor Owen Thomas, who had also signed the call-in notice, said there had been insufficient consultation especially given the time taken to develop the Plan.  He said there was no mention of industry in other areas, such as Mostyn Docks, and called for a further review.

Councillor Aaron Shotton emphasised that this was a strategy document developed in consultation with businesses, setting out aims for the newly elected Council to influence regional decisions.

In response to comments from the Chairman, Councillor Butler said that funding was at stake, pending forthcoming decisions by WG and UK Government.

In summing up, Councillor Jones reaffirmed his reasons for the call-in as lack of consultation on the impact on the rest of the county and the suggestion for a Plan for the whole of Flintshire to reflect the strengths of other towns/communities in the county.  This would ensure that they were considered and given a fair distribution of funding.

Councillor Peers said that the intention of the call-in was to seek further discussion.  In response to the comments made, he pointed out that town masterplans did not extend to the 30 years in the Deeside Plan and he could not see the benefits for wider communities.  He questioned its integration with the LDP and said that some of the objectives should be included in consultation on the LDP process.

Councillor Dolphin indicated her support for deferral of the matter unless this approach compromised funding streams.  The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) said that the Plan offered opportunities to influence the proposed North East Wales metro system and the growth deals for North Wales and Cheshire/Warrington which were gathering pace.  She said that issues such as these were included in the Deeside Plan and if unsupported by the Council, could raise issues on confidence when considered by WG and UK Government.

In summing up, Councillor Aaron Shotton drew comparison with town masterplans as locally developed strategies and priorities.  He acknowledged some of the concerns which had been raised but pointed out the opportunities to feed into regional decisions and funding.

To enable the Committee to reach a decision, the Democratic Services Manager detailed the four options available and the procedure for voting.

Councillor Andy Dunbobbin proposed Option 2 to accept but not endorse the explanations.  This was seconded by Councillor Ian Dunbar and on being put to the vote, was carried.

RESOLVED:

That the explanations be accepted but not endorsed by the Committee.