Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Council approves the allocation in Table 2 (paragraph 1.07) of the Cabinet report at its meeting held on 14 February 2017, for Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2017/18 – 2019/20;

(b)       That the Council approves the schemes included in Table 3 (paragraph 1.20) of the Cabinet report at its meeting held on 14 February 2017, for the investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2017/18 – 2019/20;

(c)        That the Council notes the shortfall in funding of schemes in financial years 2018/19 and 2019/20 as set out in the Cabinet report at its meeting held on 14 February 2017.  That the options to address this including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants, prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2017/18, and updates provided to Members in future capital programme monitoring reports; and

(d)       That the development of a longer term Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan be noted.

The Finance Manager – Technical Accounting, introduced a report to present the Council Fund Capital Programme for the period 2017/18 – 2019/20 for approval.  She advised that Cabinet, at a meeting held prior to County Council today, had considered and recommended the proposals contained within the Cabinet report which was appended to the report and the proposals had also been considered by the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 January 2017.  

The Finance Manager – Technical Accounting explained that Cabinet had adopted a Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plain in February 2016 and that the report built on that strategy and sets the Council Fund Capital Programme for 2017/18 and 2019/20.  She advised that there were three parts to the strategy and gave a joint presentation with the Chief Officer (Organisational Change 2) which covered the following areas:

·         3 part Council Fund Capital Programme

o   statutory/regulatory

o   retained assets

o   investment

·         estimated available funding

·         proposed allocations

·         proposed investment

·         summary (generally funded) capital programme

·         dealing with any shortfall in funding

·         specifically funded schemes

·         summary capital programme

                        Councillor Aaron Shotton thanked the Chief Officer (Organisational Change 2) and the Finance Manager – Technical Accounting for their presentation.  He spoke of the need to remain optimistic about the future and to maintain ambitions so that Flintshire continued to be an area where people aspired to live and work. He commented on the ambitious capital programme for infrastructure and schools investment during the next four years and referred to the proposals within the Programme for improvements to leisure centres and libraries, the commitment to protect future learning disability day care schemes in the County and the replacement of the existing Glanrafon centre in Queensferry. 

Councillor Shotton also commented on the capital investment proposed for schools which he said was a statement of intent to address some of the key issues affecting schools and was in addition to the 21st Century Schools Investment Programme.  He also commented on the pressures and demand for social care and said the need for additional bed capacity within residential care homes was acknowledged.  He added there was a commitment and ambition not only to protect the Council’s existing care home provision but to potentially increase capacity through new build in the County.

                        Councillor Ron Hampson welcomed the investment in learning disability day services and the planned replacement of Glanrafon and extension and remodelling at Arosfa.  Councillor Christine Jones also spoke in support of the investment scheme proposals concerning Glanrafon at Queensferry, and Arosfa in Mold, which provided valuable and much needed facilities for vulnerable adults and children with physical and learning disabilities.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas welcomed the investment in schools and the introduction of a programme of toilet upgrades in both primary and secondary schools.  She also expressed appreciation for the investment to upgrade play areas and emphasised the importance, citing good health as an example, of providing the opportunity for children to have local access to amenities to enable them to play outdoors.  Councillor Thomas  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80