Agenda, decisions and minutes

            Councillor R. Jones declared a personal interest in the issue to be considered under minute 51.

            Councillor R. Jones declared a personal interest in the issue to be considered under minute 51.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on the 21 November, 2012.

            That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 November 2012 had been circulated with the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

The Committee will receive a presentation from Mr. Sheibani, Chair of the Deeside Enterprise Zone

(a)       That the report be noted and further updates submitted on a quarterly basis; and

(b)       That a copy of the North East Wales Area Based Transport Study Report be forwarded to Councillor C.A. Thomas.

The Head of Regeneration introduced a progress report and presentation on the Deeside Enterprise Zone.

The Deeside Enterprise Zone (DEZ) came into effect on 2 April 2012.  The DEZ Board had submitted Business and Marketing Plans to the Welsh Government which had been well received.  These included bids for funding and a response was expected early in 2013.

The DEZ Plan aimed to transform Deeside into a centre for advanced manufacturing and technology on a world scale and it was envisaged that up to 7000 new jobs would be created.

                        Progress to date included:

• The approval of a planning application for the 200 hectare northern part of the Northern Gateway site, believed to be the single largest development site currently proposed in Wales. 

• A feasibility study was underway to examine the opportunity to develop a joint Advanced ManufacturingPark, focussed on a higher             education linked, Advanced Manufacturing Centre.

• A local recruitment initiative which had, to date helped 200 local people, with 140 of these having gained permanent employment

• A Development Team approach had been established and this was dealing with all major applications in a coordinated and effective way.

The Chair thanked the Head of Regeneration for the report and presentation.                        

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Leisure said that the Deeside Enterprise Zone was uniquely placed and offered great potential for an Advanced Manufacturing Centre.

The Chief Executive, a member of the DEZ Board, confirmed that a decision from the Welsh Government was imminent and said that there was a feeling that Deeside was ahead of other Enterprise Zones, and stressed the need for governmental facilitation and funding in order to replicate the success of the Sheffield Enterprise Zone.  The Head of Regeneration said that the public and private sector partnership that supported the DEZ was first class.

            Councillor N. Matthews asked when the project manager and director appointments for the DEZ would be made.  The Head of Regeneration said that this would be dependent upon a WG decision, as WG own the project and are responsible for its delivery.

            Councillor D. Wisinger thanked the Head of Regeneration for the report and said that this was good news for Deeside.  He voiced concern about possible traffic congestion around the area and asked if the Highways Department had already conducted a survey in relation to this.  The Director for Environment said that Highways were aware of the proposed developments and that part of the planning process would involve assessing and mitigating the impact of increased traffic in the area.  He added that the infrastructure needs for the DEZ were featured in the Business Case sent to the Welsh Government and that TAITH were currently undertaking a transport study in the area.

            The Chair asked if a member of TAITH was on the Enterprise Zone Board.  The Director of Environment responded that TAITH was not represented, but the Chief Executive commented said that Flintshire County Council was the lead for TAITH so the views for that body  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

That the Committee note and receive the report.

The Director of Environment introduced an update reporton the progress of the North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Project (NWRWTP) procurement process.

The report stressed one of the key reasons for the project was to comply with the range of waste related targets that now challenged the Welsh authorities.  If Flintshire failed to meet these targets, the Authority would face fines of up to £400 per tonne.  The NWRWTP would play a key role in helping Flintshire County Council to meet the Municipal Waste targets.  The project was worth around £600 million, with £142 million contribution from Welsh Government, of which £38 million related to Flintshire County Council over the 25 years of the project.

The Director of Environment said that as of 1 August 2012, there were two companies bidding for the contract; SITA and Wheelabrator.  On 28 November 2012, Jasper Roberts from the Welsh Government had given a presentation at a Member Seminar in County Hall, attended by 35 members which received very positive feedback.  A further workshop, scheduled for 6 February 2013, in the Council Chamber, had been arranged with the Health Protection Agency to address health issues.    This workshop was one of two being arranged for all Members of the Partner authorities for the project, the second workshop would take place in Gwynedd on 7^th February. 

The new facility would handle 150-180k tonnes of waste per annum. It was projected that the partnership would provide 115k tonnes per annum of residual municipal waste.  The remaining capacity would be used by the operator to take in waste from other authorities or similar waste from the commercial sector.  It was projected that there would be about 55 vehicle movements per day, 32 of them from Flintshire.  It was anticipated that two trains per week would be used to transport waste from the west of the Partnership area.  Both bidders had confirmed that they would monitor particulate on a more regular frequency than the statutory requirement, emissions as part of their sampling routine.

The Director of Environment said that Community Benefit Schemes were being explored, such as funding for a community facility or renewable energy schemes.  The next stages of the procurement process were outlined in the table in Point 3.13 of the report.

Councillor C. A. Thomas asked about funding for transport and its        sustainability and if there had been a survey of local needs for the local community.  The Director of the Environment said that the two companies that were bidding for the contract were looking at rail based solutions and that there would be a rail head inside the facility.  The methods of transportation would be sustainable for the lifetime of the 25 year contract.  The Flintshire road based vehicles would carry trackers which would guide them away from the residential areas.  The Chief Executive said that the capital costs for a rail head were included in the project and would be a permanent facility. He added that there was ample capacity  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

That the reports be received.

Assets and Transportation

The Head of Assets and Transportation introduced the Quarter 2 performance report for Assets and Transportation. He highlighted achievements in Quarter 2:

• The opening of the Holywell Flintshire Connects facility.
• The progression of third party lease terminations.
• The continued development at Alltami Depot.
• The arrival of the Transport Manager in October 2012.
• The investigation of a regional transport solution.
• The rationalisation of agricultural estates.
• The progress made with the new Shotton Primary School and the team were also supporting the Flintshire School modernisation programme.
• The Carbon Trust assessment of the council’s Carbon Reductions Strategy was positive and would be fed back to a future meeting of the committee.
• A survey of lines and signs had been completed within Flintshire and work had now commenced to ensure compliance with the related Traffic Regulation Order.
• The speed limit review had been completed.
• The development of design solutions for the Mold Flood Alleviation Scheme was in progress.

Councillor C. A Thomas asked if TAITH would control bus transport grants from April 2013 and if the review of bus services would be completed in February as stated in the forward work plan.  The Director of Environment confirmed that TAITH would receive transport grants directly form the Welsh Government from 1 April 2013.  He anticipated that the review of bus transport would not be complete by 1 April           2013.  Councillor Thomas asked about links with the police in relation to speed         reviews and if street scene staff were able to put up street signage. She also asked if the council was looking at wider plans to deal with flooding.   The Head of Assets and Transportation said that the council met regularly with the police to             discuss traffic issues, accident cluster sites and review traffic information in order that             management information could be considered and targeted action undertaken across Flintshire and North Wales.  He said that Streetscene could be used to undertake     signage work that would take less than 2 days to complete, with more significant work needing to be tendered in competition. Work around sustainable urban drainage schemes (SUDS) in  relation to flooding (surface water) was an issue that was considered as part of the planning process with officers from the drainage team advising, where applicable, colleagues in Planning, in addition it was also part of consultations with other consultees of the planning process such as the Environment   Agency and Welsh Water.  The Director for Environment said that a report             would go to cabinet   about flooding. The Chair said that flooding would be an item to be considered at a future meeting of            the committee.

Councillor D. Evans reported that the work on the bus bay in Shotton was yet to commence.  The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment said that contractors would be on site on 21 January.  Councillor Evans asked if any signs had been identified as not fit for purpose citing the current arrangement along some of the     side streets in Shotton that operated alternate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

That subject to the foregoing, the Forward Work Programme be noted.

The Learning and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee Facilitator introduced a report to enable the Committee to consider the Forward Work Programme.      

The Committee were requested to note that that they had been invited to attend a meeting of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting on 17 January 2013 to consider a report on Assets and Estates.

            The Learning and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee Facilitator informed the Committee that the Scrutiny Learning Exchange Team from Wrexham would attend the next meeting on 6 February 2013.

            Items that would be added to the Forward Work Programme as a result of the meeting included Carbon Trust report, Area Transport Plan, Reports on Flooding and the introduction of quarterly update reports from the Deeside Enterprise Zone.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the foregoing, the Forward Work Programme be noted.

A decision of the Cabinet meeting on the 18 December 2012 relating to Civil Parking Enforcement has been called in.  Attached at Appendix 1 is a copy of the procedure for dealing with a called in item.

The Member Engagement Manager explained the procedure for the call in of a Cabinet Decision.

The Member Engagement Manager explained the procedure for the call in of a Cabinet Decision.

To assist Members, the following documents are attached:-

Appendix 1 (a) -        A copy of the Cabinet report of the Director of Environment.

Appendix 1 (b) -        A copy of the Record of Decision.

Appendix 1 (c) -         A copy of the Call In letter.

Appendix 1 (d) -        A copy of the report of the Director of Environment which was due to be submitted to the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on the 9 January, 2013.

That the Cabinet Report of the Director of Environment, relating to Civil Parking Enforcement be referred back to Cabinet for reconsideration.

The Member Engagement Manager referred to the call in of the decision of the Cabinet, from its meeting held on 18 December 2012 on Civil Parking Enforcement.  A call in notice had been received, signed by six members of the Council.  To assist Members in their deliberations on the issue, the following documents had been circulated with the agenda;

            a)         A copy of the report considered by the Cabinet on 18 December 2012.

            b)         A copy of the Cabinet Record of Decision.

c)         A copy of the call in notice signed by Councillors M.J. Peers, A. Woolley, C.A. Ellis, D. Hutchinson, N. Phillips and R. Jones.

            d)         A copy of the procedure for dealing with a called in item.

                        The Democracy and Governance Manager was in attendance to explain, if required, decisions he had made on the Call in procedure.

                        The Chair invited the call in signatories to address the Committee via a spokesperson or individually to which the decision makers could respond.

                        Councillor M. J. Peers explained that the decision had been called in due to concerns about the inconsistency of car parking charges under consideration for implementation at this stage, in the former Delyn and Alyn and Deeside areas.  He argued that out of the 33 car parks in the report which related to Queensferry, Shotton, Connah’s Quay and Flint, only 3 of these would have parking charges implemented.  In the Buckley area, it was planned to implement charges in 4 out of the 5 Council Controlled car parks, which he felt was disproportionate and would have an adverse effect on business in the town.  He pointed out that whilst it was proposed to implement charges at Flint railway station, there were no plans for Shotton railway station, which again demonstrated an inconsistent approach.  He asked why the results of the car park usage surveys quoted in Appendix D, point 3 were not included in the report and asked why there were no details available in Appendix E concerning comparable costs associated with car parking management that pre-dated 2013/14.  He asked if any figures were available to compare the costs of operating car parking charges against the income and asked if the option to make all car parks free of charge had been explored. He summed up his opposition to the report by saying that it lacked clarity, substance and financial detail.

                        Councillor C. A. Ellis said that the report lacked information about the cost to residents to park in the car park at Argoed Road.  She said that on a number of occasions, Planning Officers had said that proposed new residential developments would not require additional parking spaces as they could use free car parks in the vicinity.  A number of new businesses had recently opened in Buckley and there was concern that parking charges would adversely affect them.  She said that there was a lack of detail in the report.  The report quoted consultation with Mold and Holywell town councils and she asked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

            The meeting began at 10.00 a.m. and ended at 2.10 p.m.

There were three members of the press present.