Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 23 October 2018.

That subject to the above amendments the minutes be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2018 were received.

Accuracy

On minute number 50, Councillors Carol Ellis asked that her comments in relation to the Notice of Motion on Brexit be included, as follows: “We don’t have the mandate of the residents of Flintshire to support calls for a second referendum”.  Councillor Patrick Heesom also asked that his comments on Brexit also be included in the minutes.

Page 15, item 54, Councillor Richard Jones said that he had spoken in support of a deferral but the point he had made was that the Deeside Plan was informing the work of the Regional Economic Growth Board  and there should be  a wider Flintshire Plan – but there was not such a document.  He asked that the minute be amended to reflect this.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the above amendments the minutes be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

The Chief Officer advised that a personal interest would be recorded on behalf of all Members for agenda item 10 – Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report for 2018/19.  He explained that Members were allowed to vote on their allowances as the Code of Conduct stated that Members had a personal not a personal and prejudicial interest.

            The Chief Officer advised that a personal interest would be recorded on behalf of all Members for agenda item 10 – Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report for 2018/19.  He explained that Members were allowed to vote on their allowances as the Code of Conduct stated that Members had a personal not a personal and prejudicial interest.

To receive the communications as circulated.

A copy of the Chairman’s Communications had been circulated prior to the meeting.  The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chair for her attendance at two recent events on his behalf.

A copy of the Chairman’s Communications had been circulated prior to the meeting.  The Chairman thanked the Vice-Chair for her attendance at two recent events on his behalf. 

Councillor Ian Dunbar, on behalf of the Connah’s Quay and Shotton Services Committee, thanked the Chairman and his wife for their attendance at the Connah’s Quay and Shotton War Memorial Service held on 12 November 2018.  He said the event had been well attended by children from local schools and other organisations.  He also thanked the Chairman for attending Connah’s Quay Civic Hall later to present plaques and leaflets to the children as commemorative keepsakes. 

The Chairman expressed his appreciation for all the commemorative events that he and his wife had been invited to attend and said they had been a moving and  fitting tribute to honour the sacrifices made by so many in World War 1.

Councillor Mike Peers took the opportunity to refer to the ESTYN Inspection of Mountain Lane Primary School, Buckley, during the summer term, and said that following publication of the ESTYN report the Chief Officer (Education & Youth) had written to the Headteacher and staff to congratulate them on the successful outcome of the Inspection.  Councillor Peers said the Governing Body had asked him, as Chair of Governors, to forward their appreciation to the Chief Officer for her kind acknowledgment of the ESTYN report and her support.    

To receive any Petitions.

None were received.

            None were received.

To receive any Public Questions.

None were received.

            None were received.

To note the answers to any questions submitted in accordance with County Council Standing Order No. 9.4(A).

None were received.

            None were received.

To consider any Notices of Motion.

None were received.

            None were received.

To advise of the latest position on the 2019/20 budget  and to approve the stage 1 and stage 2 budget proposals.

(a)       That the Stage 1 and Stage 2 budget proposals be approved; and

(b)       That the proposed campaign be supported and that Council makes a formal response to the Welsh Government on the Provisional Welsh Local Government Settlement.

The Chief Executive introduced the report to advise on the latest position on the 2019/20 budget.  Council was invited to approve the Stage 1 and Stage  2 budget proposals and to make a formal response to the Welsh Government (WG) on the Provisional Welsh Local Government Settlement which was out for consultation.  Members were also being asked individually and collectively to support the #BacktheAsk campaign for fairer funding for local government and for Flintshire.

The Chief Executive advised that Stage 1 of the budget addressed Corporate Finance and Stage 2 addressed Service Portfolios.  Stage 3, which was to follow, would address national solutions and balancing the overall budget.

The Chief Executive and Corporate Finance Manager gave a joint presentation which covered the following key points:

·         Local budget forecast and our funding position

o   update on national budget position

o   Chancellor’s UK Budget Statement

o   budget forecast 2019/20

o   updated budget forecast 2019/20

o   funding gap make-up pre-settlement

o   MTFS budget setting approach

o   the context for local decision making

o   the position we are in

·         Stage 1 – Corporate Finance 

o   Stage 1 – corporate budget solutions

·         Stage 2 – Service Portfolios

o   Stage 2 summary of portfolio business plan proposals

·         National budget position and Stage 3 of  budget-setting

o   summary of the Welsh budget position

o   National funding versus Council Tax

o   Council Tax analysis

o   balance of RSG and Council Tax income

o   workforce sessions feedback

o   #BacktheAsk - campaigning position

o   #BacktheAsk - messages of support

o   #BacktheAsk - Council Tax

o   #BacktheAsk - public debate

o   #Our Day - 20 November 2018

o   next steps and timelines 

Councillor Aaron Shotton, thanked the Chief Executive, Corporate Finance Manager, and Chief Officers, for their hard work on the 2019/20 Council budget.  He commented on the need to agree Stages 1 and  2 of the budget and said he hoped there would be unanimous support from  Members for the proposals which had been consulted on through the Overview and Scrutiny process.  He  referred to the efficiencies proposed, as detailed in Stages 1 and 2 of the budget report, to contribute to closing the ‘gap’,  and commented there had been a further call on the Council’s reserves in its strategy to defend services during austerity. Although this  budget included an illustrative 4.5% increase in Council Tax, and a further £250K reduction in senior management costs, there was still a significant gap to make-up. 

Councillor Shotton commented on the move from national funding to Council Tax funding  to support local government services and,  whether  intended or not as a policy this  was a reality in England and Wales.  He said this was a cause of significant concern and commented that the possibility of increases in Council Tax up to around 15% was not what the Authority wanted and was what we must campaign against with improved national funding.

Councillor Shotton moved the recommendation in the report that Council approve Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the budget .proposals.   He also referred  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

(a)       That in view  of the current financial circumstances the Council considered that the proposed increases in basic salary in 2019/20 for elected members and senior salary levels, made by the IRPW, was not justifiable; and

(b)       That the Chief Officer (Governance) responds to the IRPW on behalf of the Council to advise of the decision made at the meeting. 

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report to enable the Council to consider and comment on the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) Draft Annual Report for 2019/20.  He provided background information and explained  that the Panel’s determinations for 2019/20 were detailed in the appendix to the report. 

The Chief Officer referred to the key considerations, as detailed in the report, and advised that “to avoid further erosion in relation to average earning” the Panel proposed that  the basic salary for Councillors be increased to £13,868 (an increase of 1.97%)  which equated to £268.  The Panel also determined that “the salaries of leaders and members of the executive had not been increased for several years (except for the increase in basic element) and considered that the holders of these posts had significant functional responsibility and compared to the remuneration of many other public sector roles were not well paid”.  The IRPW proposed an increase of £800 for each (which was inclusive of the £268 increase in basic salary).

The Chief Officer continued that the IRPW also proposed some changes to the payment rates for salaries to civic heads and deputies (which are paid to the Chair and Vice-Chair of Council).  These were previously on a variable scale, however, the IRPW had removed the ‘choice’ element and determined that a civic head must now receive a civic salary of £22,568 (the same as that proposed for Committee chairs and a £500 increase on the current payment level plus the £268 increase in basic salary).  The deputy civic head must receive a Band 5 salary of £17,568 which is an increase of £1000).  Although a Council may decide not to apply any civic salary to either of these two posts.

The Chief Officer referred to determinations 6 and 7 in the IRPW draft report which related to the provision of adequate support to be given, through each authority’s  Democratic Services Committee, to enable elected members to fulfil their duties effectively, and cited the provision of telephone, email and internet facilities giving access to appropriate information without cost to the individual member.  The Chief Officer commented on the IRPW principle that standing for elected office should not be dependent on an individual’s financial means and Members should not be left ‘out of pocket’ as a result of the expenses necessary to undertake public duties.

Councillor Aaron Shotton referred to determinations 1 and 2 in the draft IRPW report and the recommended increases in basic salary and senior salary levels for elected members.  He spoke of the national funding issue and ongoing austerity and said he did not consider the recommended increases in salaries could be justified or were appropriate at the current time.  Councillor Shotton proposed that in its response to the IRPW the Council rejected the proposals to increase the basic salary and the senior salary levels for elected members as outlined in determinations 1 and 2 of the draft IRPW report.

Councillor Patrick Heesom spoke in support of the proposal by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

That Mr Ken Molyneux be reappointed to the Standards Committee for four years.

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced a report to consider appointing a Standards Committee Independent Member for a second term.  He provided background information and advised that the term of office of Mr. Ken Molyneux, co-opted member of the Standards Committee, would expire in December 2018.  Mr. Molyneux was eligible to be reappointed for a further term and had indicated that he would be willing to serve again if re-appointed.  The Chief Officer advised that if Members decided not to reappoint Mr. Molyneux then the Council would need to convene an Appointments Panel and  advertise the vacancy in the local press at a cost. 

                        The recommendation in the report that Mr Ken Molyneux was reappointed to the Standards Committee for four years was moved and seconded and on being put to the vote was carried. 

RESOLVED:

That Mr Ken Molyneux be reappointed to the Standards Committee for four years.

There were no members of the public or press in attendance.