Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

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

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 24 July 2014, were submitted.

Accuracy

LSB and Strategic Partnership Performance – End of Year 2013/14 Review

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to minute 12, resolution (b), and expressed the view that it did not adequately reflect the concerns raised by the Committee around the lack of success with alcohol reduction programmes.  He said that during the meeting the representative of BCUHB had been asked to explore the most effective way of resolving the issue of reoccurrence of alcohol abuse and the successful outcome or otherwise of  people who attended courses.   He suggested, following discussions with the Member Engagement Manager that the topic be dealt with by the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  The Committee agreed that the wording of the resolution be amended to reflect this.  

RESOLVED:

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

To receive an update on the Regional Emergency Planning Service.

(a)       That the Chief Executive and Regional Emergency Planning Manager be thanked for the presentation; 

(b)       That the Regional Emergency Planning Service Annual Report be presented to the Committee as it becomes available; and

(c)        That an information workshop be held for all Members in due course.

The Chief Executive introduced Phillip Harrison, North Wales  Regional Emergency Planning Manager, and explained that he would give a brief overview of the Regional Emergency Planning Service before inviting Phillip Harrison to provide a more detailed presentation.

The Chief Executive provided background information  and advised that emergency planning for Flintshire was now provided under a Regional Emergency Planning Service which covered the six local authorities in North Wales.  He detailed the previous structures where Flintshire and Denbighshire had had a shared service. The regional service became operational on 1 July 2014 and only in North Wales was there an integrated service across Wales. 

The Regional Emergency Planning Manager advised that the Service operated from two hubs; the North West based in Conwy, and the North East based in County Hall, Mold.  He explained that there were 10 emergency planning officers (6 liaison officers and 4 portfolio officers) and two managers; himself and his deputy, based in Conwy.   The Service assisted Flintshire County Council in fulfilling its statutory duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.  The Regional Emergency Planning Manager gave an overview of the governance arrangements and said that he reported directly to the Governance Board   He also explained the command and control structure and the levels of operational management. 

The Regional Emergency Planning Manager advised that the Service aimed to develop each local authority to the point of optimum readiness.  He reported that emergencies could arise as a result of severe and unexpected weather conditions, transport, chemical, or industrial accidents, flooding, water pollution, and  terrorism.  He commented on the role of elected Members within their Ward and the need to provide advice and support to their local community in emergency situations.  He referred to the need for training to be provided around Emergency Planning for all Members to assist them in that task and it was agreed that he would liaise with the Member Engagement Manager to arrange an information workshop to be held in due course.    

The Chief Executive explained that the Regional Emergency Planning Service would present an Annual Report to the Committee for consideration in the future.  He commented on the need to improve communications with Members and advised that should a major incident occur then specific information would be shared with the relevant Ward Member in which the emergency had arisen.  

The Chairman invited Members to raise questions.

Councillor Ian Dunbar commented on the need to be mindful of  national and international events and referred to the recent NATO conference held in South Wales.  He raised the issue of flooding in coastal areas of Flintshire.  The Regional Emergency Planning Manager advised that the Service worked closely with the Natural Resources Wales (NRW) on a regional basis, the meteorological office, and with officers to identify local buildings and assets at risk of flooding. 

During discussion the Chief Executive and Regional Emergency Planning Manager responded to the queries and observations raised by Members around, press and social media coverage, cross-border working with Cheshire authorities and emergency  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To receive a presentation on the County Forum.

That the presentation be noted. 

The Chief Executive gave a presentation on the Flintshire County Forum.  He provided background information and explained that the purpose of the Forum was to share and work on issues of mutual interest to the Council and its communities.  He reported on the following main points:

·         Joint Community Charter

·         Outcomes

·         Working together for the future (meeting the ‘Budget challenge’)

·         Developing the Forum

Councillor Chris Dolphin commented that attendance by Town and Community Councils at meetings of the Forum was in general disappointing.  During discussion Members expressed the view that there were positive and negative aspects of the Forum and that it should be seen less as a forum for ‘scrutiny’ of the Council and more of an opportunity for Town and Community Councils to have an input on joint working and solutions.

RESOLVED:

That the presentation be noted. 

Presentation on County Forum

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That the Member Engagement Manager pursues further information on  people dropping out of substance misuse rehabilitation programmes.  

The Member Engagement Manager introduced a report to note and consider elements of the 2014/15 Improvement Plan Monitoring Report relevant to the Committee.  The report covered the period April to July 2014.  The Committee was asked to note the following:

• The levels of progress and confidence in meeting the Council’s Improvement Priorities and their impacts including the milestones achieved.
• The measures which evidenced achievement and the baseline data and targets.
• The baseline risk assessment for the strategic risks identified in the Improvement Plan and the arrangements to control them.

The Member Engagement Manager advised that the Improvement Plan sub-priority report on Community Safety was appended to the report for the Committee’s consideration.  The Chairman invited Members to raise questions.   

Councillor Paul Shotton referred to the information on ‘completed treatments’ and waiting times for substance misuse services and queried the success rates for rehabilitation programmes and outcomes.   It was agreed that the Member Engagement Manager would pursue further information concerning people dropping out of substance misuse rehabilitation programmes: this was linked to the action arising out of the minutes of the previous meeting.

Councillor Shotton also commented on the use of CCTV and said he would like to see increased use of mobile  CCTV provision.  During discussion the Chief Executive responded to the queries and concerns raised by Members regarding Town and Community Councils and the use of existing installations, future provision and level of service, and funding, to reduce fear of crime in communities.   

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted; and

(b)       That the Member Engagement Manager pursues further information on  people dropping out of substance misuse rehabilitation programmes.  

That subject to the above amendments the Forward Work Programme be

agreed.

The Member Engagement Manager introduced the Forward Work Programme of the Committee.  He reported that a representative of the North Wales Credit Union had been invited to attend the next meeting of the Committee on 13 October 2014, to give a presentation on the work of the Credit Union. 

Members considered the Forward Work Programme and It was agreed that an interim report on CCTV and anti-social behaviour be submitted to the meeting of the Committee to be held on 17 November 2014.  It was also agreed that the item on Coleg Cambria be scheduled for consideration at the meeting of the Committee to be held on 2 February 2015. 

The Member Engagement Manager invited Members to forward any suggestions for topics they may wish to be included in the Forward Work Programme to the Vice-Chair or himself. 

RESOLVED:

That subject to the above amendments the Forward Work Programme be

agreed.

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