Agenda and decisions

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Councillor Bernie Attridge declared a personal and prejudicial interest on agenda item 7 Information Rights Compliance report.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 8 February 2024.

That subject to the amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 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.

(a) That the Committee notes the positive performance achieved in relation to generating social value for quarters three and four of the financial year 2022/23, as well as the first two quarters of 2023/24;

(b) That the Committee supports the next steps for the social value programme, as outlined in the report; and

(c) That to better align performance reporting to a financial year, the Committee supports a change in reporting timeline with annual social value performance reporting being presented in June of each year.

(a) That the Committee notes the annual performance of the Council in respect of complaints made to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales during 2022-23;

(b) That the Committee notes the half year performance of the Council (2023-24) in respect of complaints made against services in line with the concerns and complaints procedure; and

(c) That the Committee supports the priorities outlined in paragraph 1.24.

(a) That the Committee notes the improvements made to date since 2020/21; and

(b) That the Committee notes the steps proposed to improve performance in those areas where response times are below the required 80% average.

(a) That having considered the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2023/24 (month 10) report, the comments be reported back to Cabinet when it considers the report; and

(b) That a letter be sent to the Home Office and Welsh Government to highlight the impact of sparce affordable accommodation in the private rental sector on the finances of local authorities.

That having considered the content of the report, the Committee provides the following feedback to Cabinet:

(a) That the Committee recognises the strategic value of the baths, given the proximity of Connah’s Quay to the River Dee and its tidal estuary;

(b) That Cabinet considers how much has been saved throughout the lifetime of the asset transfer and whether a proportion of that should be made available to Cambrian Aquatics; and

(c) That a further period be allowed for Local Members to work with Cambrian Aquatics to see whether its financial performance can be improved and if there is an alternative solution.

That the Committee considers and comments on the content of the NEWydd Business Plan 2024/25, which includes financial projections, potential business opportunities, and strategic objectives and business priorities, along with identified risks and mitigation.

(a) That the Committee considers and comments on the proposal for a new contract between the Council and NEWydd Catering & Cleaning Limited;

(b) That the Committee considers and comments on the proposed terms of such a new contract, as outlined in the report;

(c) That consideration be given in contract negotiations to the possibility of transferring across any commercial entities that the Council has dealings with; and

(d) Prior to longer term contract being awarded, to undertake analysis of the costs and benefits of moving the service in-house.