Items
| No. |
Item |
76. |
Declarations of Interest (Including Whipping Declarations)
To receive any
Declarations and advise Members accordingly.
Additional documents:
Decision:
Councillor Bernie Attridge
declared a personal and prejudicial interest on agenda item 7
Information Rights Compliance report.
Minutes:
Following advice sought from
the Chief Officer (Governance), Councillor Bernie Attridge declared
a personal and prejudicial interest on agenda item 7 Information
Rights Compliance report. He withdrew
from the room for that item.
|
77. |
Minutes  PDF 88 KB
To confirm as a
correct record the minutes of the meeting on 8 February
2024.
Additional documents:
Decision:
That subject to the amendment, the minutes of
the meeting held on 8 February 2024 be approved as a correct
record.
Minutes:
On minute number 74,
the Chair asked that the comments made by the Corporate Manager
(Human Resources and Organisational Development) on the Flintshire
Trainee programme be included, namely that the proposal would have
a minor impact as those trainees would have been under-resourced
during the period.
RESOLVED:
That subject to the amendment,
the
minutes of
the meeting held on 8 February 2024 be approved as a correct
record.
|
78. |
Action Tracking PDF 75 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
That the Committee notes the
progress which has been made.
Minutes:
|
The Democratic Services Manager presented a
report on
progress with actions from previous meetings. The recommendation in the report was
supported.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
That the Committee notes the progress which has been
made.
|
|
79. |
Forward Work Programme PDF 91 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
(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.
Minutes:
|
The Committee was asked to consider, and
amend where necessary, the Committee’s
Forward Work
Programme. The recommendations in
the report were supported, subject to the inclusion
of a report on the 2025/26 Medium Term Financial
Strategy.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
(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.
|
|
80. |
Variation in order of business
Additional documents:
Minutes:
A change to the order of
business was agreed to bring forward agenda item 8 (Social Value
Update) to allow speakers to be present.
|
81. |
Social Value Update PDF 124 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
(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.
Minutes:
|
The Chief Officer (Social Services) and
Strategic Executive Officer presented a
reportwhich outlined performance data for
the last six months of 2022/23 and the first six months of 2023/24,
together with a summary of areas of focus within the social value
programme for 2024/25.
In response to questions from Councillors Sam Swash
and Alasdair Ibbotson, a response would be shared with all Members
present on whether social value work could be undermined by the
North East Wales Investment Zone and tax incentives.
The recommendations in the report were
supported.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
(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.
|
|
82. |
Public Services Ombudsman for Wales Annual Letter 2022-23 and complaints made against Flintshire County Council during the first half of 2023-24 PDF 142 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
(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.
Minutes:
|
The Customer Contact
Service Manager and Head of Complaints Standards, Public Services
Ombudsman for Wales presented a
report on the
annual performance of the Council in relation to complaints
received between 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023, together
with an overview of complaints received by each portfolio between
1 April 2023 - 30 September 2023. The recommendations in the report were
supported.
As requested by Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson,
further detail would be shared on the variations between the number
of open and overdue complaints and those closed after ten days, to
better understand the position.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
(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.
|
|
83. |
Information Rights Compliance PDF 153 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
(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.
Minutes:
|
The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced a
report with
performance information in respect of compliance with response
targets for Freedom of Information and Individual Rights Requests
covering the first six months of 2023/24.
As requested by Councillor Jason Shallcross, the
data shown in paragraph 1.03 of the report would reflect
percentages for each County. It was
noted that the report would be scheduled twice yearly on the
Committee’s Forward Work Programme.
The recommendations in the report were
supported.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
(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.
|
|
84. |
Revenue Budget Monitoring 2023/24 (Month 10) PDF 77 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
(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.
Minutes:
|
The Strategic Finance Manager presented a
report on the
2023/24 month 10 position for the revenue budget monitoring for the
Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account, prior to consideration by
Cabinet.
As requested by Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson,
further detail would be shared with Members on consultation with
Trade Unions and Health & Safety representatives on reference
to PPE equipment under Streetscene & Transportation (service
delivery) shown as a budget variance on Appendix 2. It was also agreed that officers would bring the
matter to the attention of the Chair of the Environment &
Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee. The Corporate Finance Manager shared an update on
the Final Local Government Settlement which would also be
circulated to all Members.
The recommendation in the report was supported
together with an additional motion.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
(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.
|
|
85. |
Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 - to consider the exclusion of the press and public
Additional documents:
Minutes:
That the press and public be
excluded from the meeting as the following item was considered to
be exempt by virtue of paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of
the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
|
86. |
Cambrian Aquatics
Decision:
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.
Minutes:
|
The Strategic Executive
Officer presented a report on the Community Asset Transfer,
Cambrian Aquatics.
The recommendation was for the Committee to consider
the content of the report and provide feedback to Cabinet as
necessary.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
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
to closure.
|
|
87. |
NEWydd Business Plan 2024/25
Decision:
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.
Minutes:
|
The NEWydd Managing Director and Strategic Executive Officer presented a report
to seek endorsement of the NEWydd Catering & Cleaning Ltd
Business Plan 2024/25. The
recommendation in the report was supported.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
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.
|
|
88. |
Arrangements with NEWydd Catering & Cleaning Limited
Decision:
(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.
Minutes:
|
The Strategic Executive Officer presented a report
to seek endorsement of a proposal in relation to future
arrangements between the Council and NEWydd Catering & Cleaning
Ltd. The recommendations were to
consider and comment on the proposals.
As requested, details of the new Board members would
be shared with Members following the meeting.
|
|
RESOLVED:
|
|
(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.
|
|
89. |
Members of the Press and Public in Attendance
Additional documents:
Minutes:
|
