Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

None.

As the outgoing Chair, Councillor Gladys Healey presented her review of the year for 2023-24.  She expressed her gratitude for being given the opportunity to carry out the role and thanked her husband and Consort Councillor David Healey, her Chaplain and officers who had all supported her.  She went on to highlight fundraising achievements for her chosen charities and was grateful for the support of the Vice-Chair and his Consort during this challenging year, wishing them well for their forthcoming term of office.

That Councillor Dennis Hutchinson be elected Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

Councillor Mike Peers paid tribute to the outgoing Chair for the way in which she had fulfilled her duties throughout her year in office.  In nominating Councillor Dennis Hutchinson as Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25, he spoke about his extensive record in local government and personal achievements, wishing him success in his new role with the support of his Consort Jeanne.

In seconding the proposal, Councillor Ian Roberts spoke in support of Councillor Hutchinson’s personal qualities and took the opportunity to commend Councillor Gladys Healey for her successful year.

No further nominations were received.

On being put to the vote, Councillor Dennis Hutchinson was appointed as Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.  In response, he thanked Members for the honour bestowed on him and after paying tribute to Councillor Gladys Healey for her conduct during the year, led a vote of thanks from the Chamber.

Councillor Hutchinson was invested with the Chain of Office by the retiring Chair and signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office in the presence of the Chief Executive.

Councillor Gladys Healey was presented with her retiring Chair’s Badge of Office and a gift was presented to her Consort, Councillor David Healey.

The Chair’s Consort, Mrs Jeanne Hutchinson, was invested with her Chain of Office.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Dennis Hutchinson be elected Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

That Councillor Mel Buckley be elected Vice-Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

Councillor Michelle Perfect proposed that Councillor Mel Buckley be elected Vice-Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25 and commended her service in local government.

In seconding the proposal, Councillor Ian Roberts spoke in support of Councillor Buckley’s personal and professional qualities, wishing her well in the role.

No further nominations were received.

On being put to the vote, Councillor Mel Buckley was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.  Councillor Buckley responded by expressing gratitude for the honour.

Councillor Buckley was invested with the Chain of Office by the Chair and signed her Declaration of Acceptance of Office in the presence of the Chief Executive.  Councillor Buckley’s Consort, Joe Stonely, would be invested with the Chain of Office at a future meeting.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mel Buckley be elected Vice-Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

That Councillor Ian Roberts be appointed Leader of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

Councillor Paul Johnson spoke in support of his nomination for Councillor Ian Roberts as Leader of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.  His comments were echoed by Councillor Chris Dolphin who seconded the motion.

Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson explained his reasons for being unable to support the nomination and his decision to form a new political group, calling upon the other groups to work together constructively.

Councillor Helen Brown’s nomination for Councillor Richard Jones as Leader of the Council was seconded by Councillor Mike Peers.

In respect of further nominations, Councillor Gillian Brockley proposed Councillor Carolyn Preece and was seconded by Councillor Ibbotson.

Councillor David Coggins Cogan’s nomination for Councillor Andrew Parkhurst was seconded by Councillor Carolyn Preece.

No further nominations were received.

Councillors Coggins Cogan and Sean Bibby both requested a recorded vote on the four nominations, for which the requisite number of Members stood in support.

The following voted for Councillor Richard Jones:

Councillors: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Marion Bateman, Helen Brown, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Rob Davies, Adele Davies-Cooke, Chrissy Gee, Ian Hodge, Andy Hughes, Richard Jones, Dave Mackie, Roz Mansell, Allan Marshall, Debbie Owen, Mike Peers, David Richardson, Dale Selvester, Jason Shallcross, Linda Thew, Ant Turton, Roy Wakelam and Antony Wren.

The following voted for Councillor Andrew Parkhurst:

Councillors: David Coggins Cogan and Andrew Parkhurst

The following voted for Councillor Carolyn Preece:

Councillors: Gillian Brockley, Alasdair Ibbotson, Carolyn Preece, Dan Rose and Sam Swash

The following voted for Councillor Ian Roberts:

Councillors: Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Geoff Collett, Paul Cunningham, Ron Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Simon Jones, Fran Lister, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Hilary McGuill, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Michelle Perfect, Vicky Perfect, Ian Roberts, Kevin Rush, Linda Thomas and Arnold Woolley.

On being put to the vote, Councillor Ian Roberts was appointed Leader of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ian Roberts be appointed Leader of the Council for the municipal year 2024/25.

To note the appointment of the Cabinet by the Leader of the Council.

That the choice of Councillors to serve on the Cabinet and their portfolios detailed below, be noted.

In accordance with the Constitution, Councillor Ian Roberts set out his choice of Councillors to serve on the Cabinet.  He clarified that he would assume responsibility for Leisure until the current situation was resolved.  He went on to thank Councillor Billy Mullin for his years of service on Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That the choice of Councillors to serve on the Cabinet and their portfolios detailed below, be noted.

(i)        Appointment of Committees

That Council appoints the following Committees for 2024/25:

Appeals Committee

Climate Change Committee

Clwyd Pension Fund Committee

Constitution and Democratic Services Committee

Governance & Audit Committee

Grievance Committee

Grievance Appeals Committee

Investigation and Disciplinary Committee

Joint Governance Committee (for Pensions)

Licensing Committee

Overview & Scrutiny Committees as follows:

·         Community & Housing

·         Corporate Resources

·         Education, Youth & Culture

·         Environment & Economy

·         Social & Healthcare

Planning Committee

Standards Committee

(ii)        Size of Committees

That the size of each Committee be as set out in paragraph 1.03 of the report.

(iii)       Terms of Reference of Committees

That the Terms of Reference for each Committee be approved, as set out in the Constitution, subject to a review of the Terms of Reference for the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Climate Change Committee.

(iv)       Appointment of Chairs of Standing Committees

(a)       That the Chairs of the following Committees be appointed (noting any restrictions on eligibility):

·             Climate Change Committee - Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson

·             Clwyd Pension Fund Committee - Councillor Dan Rose

·             Constitution & Democratic Services Committee - Councillor Rob Davies

·             Licensing Committee - Councillor Mike Peers

·             Planning Committee - Councillor Richard Lloyd

(b)       That the Grievance Committee, the Grievance Appeals Committee and Investigation & Disciplinary Committee should each appoint their own Chair from amongst their respective memberships.

(v)        Political Balance

(a)       That seats be allocated in accordance with political balance as set out in the revised spreadsheet and the rules on membership of the Committees as set out within the report; and

(b)       That the seats on the Grievance, Grievance Appeals and Investigation and Disciplinary Committees be allocated to give a broad political spread of membership.

(vi)       Appointment of Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committees

That the Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committees be allocated as follows:

Overview & Scrutiny Committee:                Group to choose Chair:

Community & Housing                                 Independent

Corporate Resources                                   Independent

Education, Youth & Culture                        Labour

Environment & Economy                             Labour

Social & Healthcare                                      Flintshire People’s Voice

(vii)      Approval of the Constitution

That the rules, procedures, delegations and codes/protocols within the Constitution be approved.

(viii)    Nominations to Internal Bodies

That the make-up of the Appointments Committee be approved.

(ix)       Standards Committee

That Councillor Ian Hodge be appointed as a third Councillor to serve on the Standards Committee for the remainder of this term.

(x)        Appointments to Outside Bodies

That Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with Group Leaders, to make any amendments to appointments to outside bodies as required.

The Council considered the report of the Chief Officer (Governance) which dealt with matters that required decision at the Annual Meeting, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 1.1 (vii) - (xiv).  The report also dealt with the appointment of other Committees and Chairs and other issues such as allocation of seats under political balance.  The report was split into sections, each one dealing with one decision that needed to be made and the relevant issues for consideration.

Councillor Ian Roberts moved recommendations 1, 2 and 3 (subject to a review of the Terms of Reference for the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and the name and responsibilities of the Climate Change Committee).  The motion was seconded by Councillor Ted Palmer and on being put to the vote, was carried.

(i)        Appointment of Committees

RESOLVED:

That Council appoints the following Committees for 2024/25:

Appeals Committee

Climate Change Committee

Clwyd Pension Fund Committee

Constitution and Democratic Services Committee

Governance & Audit Committee

Grievance Committee

Grievance Appeals Committee

Investigation and Disciplinary Committee

Joint Governance Committee (for Pensions)

Licensing Committee

Overview & Scrutiny Committees as follows:

·         Community & Housing

·         Corporate Resources

·         Education, Youth & Culture

·         Environment & Economy

·         Social & Healthcare

Planning Committee

Standards Committee

(ii)        Determination of the size of Committees

RESOLVED:

That the size of each Committee be as set out in paragraph 1.03 of the report.

(iii)       Terms of Reference of Committees

RESOLVED:

That the Terms of Reference for each Committee be approved, as set out in the Constitution, subject to a review of the Terms of Reference for the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Climate Change Committee.

At this point, there was an adjournment to consider changes to political balance due to the formation of the new political group.  Upon reconvening, the Chief Officer (Governance) suggested a change in the order of items as the appointment of Committee Chairs would help to inform Political Balance on which two revised options were shared.  On being put to the vote, this was agreed.

(iv)      Appointment of Chairs of Standing Committees

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained that Committee Chairs were appointed by different bodies as set out in paragraph 1.17, noting restrictions on eligibility.  Whilst Overview & Scrutiny Committees were chosen by the political groups based on the strength of the various groups and which had seats on the Cabinet, Council was required to appoint Chairs for five of the Committees.

For Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Helen Brown’s nomination for Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson was duly seconded as was Councillor David Healey’s nomination for Councillor Geoff Collett.

Councillor David Healey suggested that the review of the Terms of Reference give more focus to the protection of nature through diversity.

A recorded vote was requested to which the requisite number of Members stood in support.

The following voted for Councillor Collett:

Councillors: Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Geoff Collett, Paul Cunningham, Ron Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Paul  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

(a)       That Flintshire County Council signs ‘the pledge’ and adopts the Corporate Parenting Charter: ‘A Promise for Wales’; and

(b)       That the Children’s Services Forum take a lead in measuring organisational success and commitment to the Corporate Parenting Charter.

As Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Christine Jones presented the Corporate Parenting Charter, launched by Welsh Government to ensure that services for care-experienced children and young people in Wales were underpinned by empowerment, equality, non-discrimination, participation, and accountability and protection.  Members were asked to reaffirm their collective responsibility as ‘corporate parents’ by adopting the Charter, with a commitment to engage with children and young people to measure organisational success and commitment to the Charter.

The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Richard Jones and Chris Bithell.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Flintshire County Council signs ‘the pledge’ and adopts the Corporate Parenting Charter: ‘A Promise for Wales’; and

(b)       That the Children’s Services Forum take a lead in measuring organisational success and commitment to the Corporate Parenting Charter.

(a)       That the draft Schedule of Meetings for 2024/25 be approved subject to the following changes:

·         To remove the requirement for committee meetings to be held on designated days.

·         To move the August dates for Planning Committee to the following week.

·         To change the start time of Planning Committee meetings to 1pm where there are no morning meetings scheduled.

·         To move the January and February 2025 dates of the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee to the Friday mornings.

(b)       That the Democratic Services Manager be given delegated authority, in conjunction with the relevant Committee Chair, to amend the Schedule of Meetings in exceptional circumstances.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented the schedule of meetings for 2024/25 following consultation.  There were a number of conventions which had been adopted to avoid meeting clashes and accommodate Members’ wishes where possible.  An additional recommendation for dates/times to be changed in exceptional circumstances at the discretion of the Democratic Services Manager in consultation with the Committee Chair would help to build in flexibility.

As Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Richard Lloyd requested that the site visits scheduled for 27 August and meeting on 28 August be moved to 2 September and 4 September respectively.  He also asked whether Planning Committee meetings could revert back to 1pm on days where there was no scheduled meeting in the morning.  He was seconded by Councillor Mike Peers.

Councillor Richard Jones asked that the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee meetings on 16 January and 13 February 2025 be moved to the following days (Friday mornings) due to other meetings scheduled in the afternoons.  He suggested that Members of that Committee may wish to consider regular Friday slots to avoid meeting clashes.

Other Members spoke in support of removing the convention to hold committee meetings on designated days which would allow flexibility to the diary.

The Chief Officer clarified the proposed changes which would be progressed by the Democratic Services Manager and team.

On that basis, the changes were put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the draft Schedule of Meetings for 2024/25 be approved subject to the following changes:

·         To remove the requirement for committee meetings to be held on designated days.

·         To move the August dates for Planning Committee to the following week.

·         To change the start time of Planning Committee meetings to 1pm where there are no morning meetings scheduled.

·         To move the January and February 2025 dates of the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee to the Friday mornings.

(b)       That the Democratic Services Manager be given delegated authority, in conjunction with the relevant Committee Chair, to amend the Schedule of Meetings in exceptional circumstances.

There were five members of the public present at the start of the meeting.