Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

During discussion on the Council Fund Revenue Budget 2023/24 (agenda item 6), Councillor Dennis Hutchinson declared a personal interest as a transport provider with a school contract.

The following Members declared a personal interest on the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 (agenda item 10) due to closely associated people employed by the Council: Councillors Bernie Attridge, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Andy Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Christine Jones, Hilary McGuill, Ted Palmer, Andrew Parkhurst, Kevin Rush and Dale Selvester.

During discussion on the Council Fund Revenue Budget 2023/24 (agenda item 6), Councillor Dennis Hutchinson declared a personal interest as a transport provider with a school contract.

The following Members declared a personal interest on the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 (agenda item 10) due to closely associated people employed by the Council: Councillors Bernie Attridge, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Andy Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Christine Jones, Hilary McGuill, Ted Palmer, Andrew Parkhurst, Kevin Rush and Dale Selvester.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 13 December 2022 and 24 January 2023.

That subject to the amendments, the minutes of 13 December 2022 and 24 January 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the meetings held on 13 December 2022 and 24 January 2023 were received.

13 December 2022

Accuracy - to correct the spelling of Councillor Collett’s name.

Matters Arising - Minute number 57: Council Tax Premium Scheme for Second Homes and Long-Term Empty Properties - a response to the questions raised by Councillor Mike Peers in the penultimate paragraph would be circulated.

24 January 2023

Accuracy - Minute number 68: Capital Programme 2023/24-2025/26 - to insert the full explanation given by the Corporate Manager (Capital Programme and Assets) in response to Councillor Peers’ question on funding the repairs and maintenance of older schools.

Accuracy - Minute number 76: Notice of Motion - to record that Councillor Lloyd’s proposed had been seconded by Councillor Shallcross.

Matters Arising - Minute number 75: Timing and Schedule of Council Meetings - the Chief Officer (Governance) advised that the suggested 1pm start for County Council meetings was being considered as part of work on the Diary of Meetings for 2023/24, along with the request that the mornings of those dates be kept free where possible.

On that basis, both sets of minutes were approved.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the amendments, the minutes of 13 December 2022 and 24 January 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the communications as circulated.

The Chair presented her communications covering events attended since the previous meeting.

This is an opportunity for Members of Council to submit petitions on behalf of people in their ward. Once received, petitions are passed to the appropriate Chief Officer for action and response.

None.

None.

(a)       That the recommendations of Cabinet for balancing the budget for 2023/24 be approved; and

(b)       That the level of Council Tax for 2023/24 as recommended by Cabinet be approved.

A report was received with the recommendations from Cabinet for the Council to set a legal and balanced Council Fund Revenue Budget for 2023/24.

Councillor Bernie Attridge moved a motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow Councillor Richard Jones to speak beyond the permitted five minutes in order to present an alternative budget, as the request to share a slide presentation on this had been refused.  He was seconded by Councillor Dennis Hutchinson.

Following advice on the procedural motion by the Chief Officer (Governance), the Chair indicated that she did not allow the extension of time to speak, as she had previously advised, and that the motion would proceed to the vote.

Speaking against the motion, Councillor Ian Roberts said that there had been opportunities for Members to make representations throughout the budget process, without any time limitations on speaking.

In exercising his right of reply, Councillor Attridge called for other Members present to be allowed to speak on the matter.

Councillor Richard Jones said that representations could not have been made at an earlier stage in the process as the original budget had not been provided at that time.  He therefore asked that both budgets be considered at this meeting.

Members were asked to vote on whether to accept the motion to suspend Standing Orders to allow Councillor Jones to speak on the alternative budget for more than five minutes.  On being put to the vote, the motion was lost.

The Chief Executive, Corporate Finance Manager and Revenues & Procurement Manager gave a detailed presentation based on the report submitted to Cabinet earlier in the day, which covered the following:

·         Setting a legal and balanced budget

·         The journey so far…

·         Changes to the additional budget requirement for 2023/24

·         Additional Budget Requirement 2023/24

·         Budget Solutions 2023/24

·         Council Tax

·         Schools and Social Care Budgets

·         Open Risks

·         Reserves

·         Professional Opinions and Concluding Remarks

·         Looking Forward

·         Next Steps and Timelines

The report detailed a number of changes since the position given in January, resulting in a final additional budget requirement of £37.098m along with the outcome of work on the range of proposed budget solutions available to enable the Council to set a legal and balanced budget for 2023/24.  On that basis, an overall annual increase of 3.99% was required on Council Tax for Council services and 0.96% for additional contributions to the North Wales Fire & Rescue Service, Regional Coroners Service and the Regional Education Consortium (GwE). This equated to an overall uplift of 4.95% which provided overall additional yield of £5.622m in 2023/24.  Comparative data indicated that this proposed increase for Council Tax in Flintshire was currently marginally below the overall Welsh average.

A number of significant open risks were highlighted for 2023/24 including increasing demand for the homelessness service and Out of County Placements in addition to emerging risks such as the potential waste recycling penalty, ongoing inflationary pressures and confirmation awaited on some specific grants.

The update on reserves included the latest position with the Emergency Fund and the list of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

(a)       That the 2023/24 Council Tax be set as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)       That the continuation of the policy of not providing a discount in the level of 2023/24 Council Tax charges for second homes and long-term empty homes be endorsed.  Also, where exceptions do not apply, to charge the Council Tax Premium rate of 75% above the standard rate of Council Tax for designated long-term empty dwellings and 100% for second homes from 1^st April 2023; and

(c)       That approval be given for designated officers to issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid taxes.

The Revenues and Procurement Manager introduced the report to formally set the Council Tax charges and associated statutory resolutions for 2023/24 as part of the wider budget strategy on the basis of the decision taken on the previous item.  Members were asked to endorse the continuation of the Council Tax Premium scheme and the practice for designated officers to lead on legal proceedings on behalf of the Council.

The overall level of Council Tax comprised three separate precepts which made up the total sum charged against each property.  The 3.99% increase in the Council’s element met expectations of affordability and would, along with central government funding and Revenue Support Grant, help to protect front-line services and maintain the scale and complexity of demand for services.  The overall amount raised by Council Tax consisted of the County Council’s total precept of £101,126,334; the North Wales Police & Crime Commissioner’s total precept of £21,922,318; and the collective precept of £3,421,107 across all Town and Community Councils.

The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Ian Roberts and Paul Johnson.

Councillor Richard Jones commented on the ongoing decline in annual increases in the Council’s Aggregated External Finance (AEF) from Welsh Government which impacted on residents in terms of Council Tax levels.

His comments were acknowledged by Councillor Chris Bithell who referred to the impact of reduced central funding on Police services.

Having been moved and seconded, each recommendation was put to the vote and carried.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the 2023/24 Council Tax be set as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)       That the continuation of the policy of not providing a discount in the level of 2023/24 Council Tax charges for second homes and long-term empty homes be endorsed.  Also, where exceptions do not apply, to charge the Council Tax Premium rate of 75% above the standard rate of Council Tax for designated long-term empty dwellings and 100% for second homes from 1^st April 2023; and

(c)       That approval be given for designated officers to issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid taxes.

(a)       That the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 be approved;

(b)       That the Treasury Management Policy Statement 2023 to 2026 be approved; and

(c)       That the Treasury Management Practices and Schedules 2023 to 2026 be approved.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented the draft Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 in conjunction with the Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices and Schedules 2023-26 as appended.

No significant changes had been made to the Strategy since the previous year and no specific issues had been raised following consideration by the Governance & Audit Committee and Cabinet.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Bernie Attridge and seconded by Councillor Linda Thomas.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 be approved;

(b)       That the Treasury Management Policy Statement 2023 to 2026 be approved; and

(c)       That the Treasury Management Practices and Schedules 2023 to 2026 be approved.

(a)       That the following be approved for Council Fund (CF):-

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in financial year 2023/24 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing fixed as at 31^st March 2017.  The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 49 years.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing from 1^st April 2016 onwards.  The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from unsupported (prudential) borrowing or credit arrangements. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

(b)       That the following be approved for Housing Revenue Account (HRA):-

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2023/24 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from debt fixed as at 31^st March 2021. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 50 years.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from debt from 1^st April 2021 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

(c)       That MRP on loans from the Council to NEW Homes to build affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) (which qualify as capital expenditure in accounting terms) be approved as follows:-

·         No MRP is made during the construction period (of short duration) as the asset has not been brought into use and no benefit is being derived from its use.

·         Once the assets are brought into use, capital (loan) repayments will be made by NEW Homes. The Council’s MRP will be equal to the repayments made by NEW Homes. The repayments made by NEW Homes will be classed, in accounting terms, as capital receipts, which can only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt. The capital repayment / capital receipt will be set aside to repay debt and is the Council’s MRP policy for repaying the loan.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented the report to approve the annual policy for the Minimum Revenue Provision for the prudent repayment of debt.  He confirmed that there were no changes required to the policy for 2023/24.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Bernie Attridge and seconded by Councillor Linda Thomas.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the following be approved for Council Fund (CF):-

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in financial year 2023/24 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing fixed as at 31^st March 2017.  The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 49 years.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing from 1^st April 2016 onwards.  The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from unsupported (prudential) borrowing or credit arrangements. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

(b)       That the following be approved for Housing Revenue Account (HRA):-

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2023/24 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from debt fixed as at 31^st March 2021. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 50 years.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from debt from 1^st April 2021 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

(c)       That MRP on loans from the Council to NEW Homes to build affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) (which qualify as capital expenditure in accounting terms) be approved as follows:-

·         No MRP is made during the construction period (of short duration) as the asset has not been brought into use and no benefit is being derived from its use.

·         Once the assets are brought into use, capital (loan) repayments will be made by NEW Homes. The Council’s MRP will be equal to the repayments made by NEW Homes. The repayments made by NEW Homes will be classed, in accounting terms, as capital receipts, which can only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt. The capital repayment / capital receipt will be set aside to repay debt and is the Council’s MRP policy for repaying the loan.

(a)       That subject to the amendment, the appended draft Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 be approved; and

(b)       That delegated authority be given to the Corporate Manager (People and Organisational Development) to update the Pay Policy Statement 2023/24 during the course of the year to reflect any changes required by legislation, Government policy or national negotiations so that it remains accurate and current.

Members were asked to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 to enable publication within the statutory deadline.  This was the eleventh annual statement published by the Council and reflected current arrangements regarding pay, incorporating updates as well as a new section confirming the Council’s position on payment for leavers.

Prior to its publication, the typographical error on section 6(iv) of the Policy Statement relating to the basic salary of Chief Officer Point 3 would be amended.

On that basis, the recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Billy Mullin.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That subject to the amendment, the appended draft Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 be approved; and

(b)       That delegated authority be given to the Corporate Manager (People and Organisational Development) to update the Pay Policy Statement 2023/24 during the course of the year to reflect any changes required by legislation, Government policy or national negotiations so that it remains accurate and current.

This item is to receive any Public Questions: none were received by the deadline.

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 by the deadline.

An urgent question from Councillor Helen Brown, received after the deadline, was permitted by the Chair:

“Following the February 14th announcements by Lee Waters and the Welsh Government, it’s abundantly clear that those decision makers in South Wales have no regards for our residents in Flintshire or indeed North Wales. Nothing, we gained nothing.  I would like to ask the cabinet member has he has sight of the report from Dr Lynn Sloman? Who was consulted upon the report’s findings?

The Red and Blue routes had been extensively consulted upon and ended in a costly public Inquiry. The Independent Inspector made his ruling.  Why have Welsh Government chosen to ignore this? Why are we now back to looking at Aston Hill again? No consultation has taken place and this is not in line with Welsh Government’s Well Being of Future Generations Act 2015. Our community is outraged at being pushed aside yet again.

I have noted that Ken Skates MS is calling for devolution to North Wales, will the Leader and his Cabinet support him and help enable us locally to become the decision makers for our local area.”

The question had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting, along with the following response from the Cabinet Member for Streetscene and the Regional Transport Strategy:

“I would like to thank Cllr Brown for the urgent question.

Matters relating to the outcome of the ‘Roads Review’ are, as you will appreciate, complex and require consideration of a number of factors both local and regional, these matters will take time to work through with, Members, officers, and our regional partners.  We acknowledge that much work and time has gone into the development of the proposed schemes both nationally and locally and it is disappointing that many of these have now been removed from the national roads programme.  This will have a number of negative impacts for our local communities and wider economy.

We will bring together a detailed update on the review and implications for Flintshire which will be circulated to Members for their comments; however, it is important to understand that it may be necessary to discuss at a national and regional level how best to proceed and make progress on this important matter.”

In exercising her right to ask a supplementary question, Councillor Brown requested a specific response to the final paragraph of her question which she said had not been addressed.

In responding, Councillor Ian Roberts advised that regional discussions were ongoing at the present time on which he was unable to elaborate further due to issues of confidentiality.

This item is to receive any Notices of Motion: none were received by the deadline.

None were received.

None were received.

To consider any issues raised by Members arising from the Minutes of the Cabinet, Scrutiny Committees and other Committees, together with any questions raised under Section 4.20 of the Council’s Constitution.  Copies of the Minutes of the various meetings that have taken place since the last ordinary meeting of the Council which have been approved and published on the Authority’s website, can be obtained, if required, via the Committee and Member Services.

None were received.

None were received.

There was one member of the public in attendance.