Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 12 September 2024.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024 be approved as a correct record.

Matters Arising

On minute number 36 resolution (c), officers confirmed that the letter to the Health Board and Ministry for Health would be despatched by the end of the week.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024 be approved as a correct record.

That the Committee notes the progress which has been made.

The Democratic Services Manager presented a report (agenda item number 4) on progress with actions from previous meetings.  He agreed to update the document for the next meeting, including a response to Councillor Shallcross’ question on the rationale for funding transportation for pupils out of county to Chester Catholic High School, as raised in July.

On that basis, the recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

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.

The Democratic Services Manager presented a report (agenda item number 5) on the Committee’s current Forward Work Programme.  He agreed to liaise with the Chair to schedule the items listed in sections 1.04 and 1.05 along with other items raised by Members as follows:

·         Long-term Financial Strategy.

·         Regular item on Transformation including impact on Equalities.

·         Previously requested item on the Assets department.

On that basis, the recommendations were supported.

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.

That the Committee notes and supports the contents of the report.

The Chief Executive introduced a report (agenda item number 6) on the work of the Community Safety Partnership over the past 12 months.  A joint presentation was given by the Community and Business Protection Manager, Senior Manager (Safeguarding and Commissioning), Chief Inspector Emma Parry of North Wales Police, Youth Justice Senior Manager (James Warr), Trading Standards Team Manager (Richard Powell) and Community Safety Team Leader (Peter Shakespeare) which covered activities during the year, crime and disorder in Flintshire and local priorities.

In response to comments, the Chair welcomed any opportunities to publicise the activities of the Partnership.  Chief Inspector Emma Parry agreed to liaise with officers on a request for the Committee to visit the Police Station in Mold.

A copy of the presentation slides would be shared with the Committee following the meeting.

The recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes and supports the contents of the report.

That having considered the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2024/25 (month 5) report, the comments raised by the Committee be referred to Cabinet.

The Strategic Finance Manager presented the report (agenda item number 7) on the 2024/25 month 5 position for the Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) prior to consideration by Cabinet.

In response to questions, officers advised that updates on action plans for Social Services, Streetscene & Transportation and Housing & Communities would be reflected in the month 6 report.  Comments on the general format of the report in respect of readability and clearly identifying over/underspends were noted for consideration by officers.

RESOLVED:

That having considered the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2024/25 (month 5) report, the comments raised by the Committee be referred to Cabinet.

That the Committee’s comments on the Audit Wales report be noted.

The Corporate Finance Manager introduced the report (agenda item number 8)outlining the findings of a local report by Audit Wales, following a review across all 22 Welsh Local Authorities.  Appendix 2 to the report set out the Council’s response to the recommendation by Audit Wales.

Carwyn Rees of Audit Wales presented an overview of the key findings.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee’s comments on the Audit Wales report be noted.

(a)     That the Committee endorses the Strategic Equality Pan Annual Report for 2023/24; and

(b)     That the Committee is assured that the Council has been making progress to meeting the Public Sector Equality Duty.

As Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, Councillor Linda Thomas presented a report (agenda item number 9) setting out the Council’s progress in implementing its Strategic Equality Plan and meeting equality objectives during 2023/24.

The recommendations were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the Committee endorses the Strategic Equality Pan Annual Report for 2023/24; and

(b)     That the Committee is assured that the Council has been making progress to meeting the Public Sector Equality Duty.

That the Committee supports the recommendation to approve the adoption of “Pentre Cythrel” as the recognised Welsh form of New Brighton and asking the Welsh Language Commissioner to include this in the standardised list of Welsh place-names.

The Strategic Policy Advisor presented a report (agenda item number 10) to recommend the adoption of a Welsh name for New Brighton - Pentre Cythrel.

The recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee supports the recommendation to approve the adoption of “Pentre Cythrel” as the recognised Welsh form of New Brighton and asking the Welsh Language Commissioner to include this in the standardised list of Welsh place-names.

That the comments made by the Committee on the report be noted by Cabinet.

As Cabinet Member for Transformation and Assets, Councillor Richard Jones introduced a report (agenda item number 11) which outlined phases and indicative costs for the next stage of the project.  The Corporate Manager - Capital Programme and Assets provided an overview of the key points.

RESOLVED:

That the comments made by the Committee on the report be noted by Cabinet.

None.