Agenda and decisions

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 13 June, 19 July and 7 August 2024.

That the minutes of the meetings held on 13 June 2024, 19 July 2024 and 7 August 2024 be approved as a correct record.

That the Committee notes the progress which has been made.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved, as amended; and

(b)       That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

That the Committee notes the positive performance achieved in generating social value for quarters three and four of the financial year 2023/24.

That the Committee notes the provision of the Flintshire and Wrexham Public Services Board (PSB) Annual Report 2023/24.

(a)       That the Committee notes the contents of the Flintshire Impact Report April 2024 and supports the work of the Communication Foundation Wales; and

(b)       That the Committee notes the current Elected Member representative vacancy on the grant panel and supports the promotion of this opportunity to Members.

(a)       That the Committee notes the update on the current position regarding outstanding Continuing Health Care invoices raised by the Council for payment by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board;

(b)       That the Committee notes information regarding the Continuing NHS Healthcare - The National Framework for Implementation in Wales and its disputes and appeals process; and

(c)       That the Senior Manager and Co-ordinator meet with the Chair of the Committee to compile a letter to the Health Board and Ministry for Health on behalf of the Chair and Cabinet Member for Social Services.

(a)       That the comments on the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget 2025/26 be reported back to Cabinet when it considers the report;

(b)       That the Council seeks to prioritise protection of the delivery of critical front-line services; and

(c)       That an invitation be extended to the Chief Fire Officer for a representative to attend a future meeting of this Committee.

The Committee recommends:

(a)       That the Council Tax premium rate be increased from 75% to 100% on long-term empty properties and the existing premium rate of 100% retained on second homes;

(b)       Consideration of introducing a progressive approach to the premium rates on long-term empty properties from April 2025; and

(c)       Consideration of a further discretionary exception from the premium in circumstances where a buyer of a long-term empty property can be subject to premium from the period when they purchase the property but are making genuine efforts to bring the property back into use. This will ensure buyers would not be disadvantaged.

(a)       That having considered the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2024/25 (month 4) report, the comments raised by the Committee be referred to Cabinet; and

(b)       That having considered the Capital Programme Monitoring 2024/25 (month 4) report, the Committee has no specific comments to raise with Cabinet.

(a)       That the Committee supports the 2023/24 Annual Performance Report, combined with the Council Plan End of Year 2023/24 Performance Report, noting the performance achieved; and

(b)       That future reports reflect the Council’s performance with explanations where targets are not achieved and ensuring that the two documents can be cross-referenced easier to benefit the reader.

The having considered the response to the recommendations for improvement, the Committee raises the following points with Cabinet:

·         That the Committee accepts Recommendations R1 and R4; and

·         That the Monitoring Officer and two Cabinet Members review the questions asked by Audit Wales and notes the Committee’s disappointment that the questions asked on Recommendations R2 and R3 did not link to budgets or resources.

That the Committee:

(a)       Accepts the findings of the Corporate Self-assessment 2023/24;

(b)       Accepts the opportunities for improvement identified in the Corporate Self-Assessment 2023/24;

(c)       Suggests the inclusion of a Cabinet Member on the project board^[1]; and

(d)       Requests that the section on Consultation and Engagement be added into the report for this year and future years.

(a)       That the Committee notes Flintshire Connects annual performance for 2023-24; and

(b)       That in light of reducing footfall at Flintshire Connects Centres, the Committee supports:

i)       a review of the service, commencing with public consultation on why usage is reducing, and what functions the service could/should provide; and

ii)      the consultation which should also explore the potential impact on those with protected characteristics of possibly reducing opening hours to reflect the reduced usage by residents.