Agenda, decisions and minutes

This item is to receive any Public Questions: two were received by the deadline.

The Chair reported that two questions had been received, as shown in the agenda, and invited Amy Chesworth to present her question to Council.  Amy Chesworth thanked the Chair and Council for the opportunity to attending the meeting and read out her question (agenda item 2).

Councillor Mared Eastwood provided a response (agenda item 2).

In response to Amy Chesworth’s supplementary question, Councillor Eastwood advised that a response would be provided in writing following the meeting.

The Chair reported that two questions had been received, as shown in the agenda, and invited Amy Chesworth to present her question to Council.  Amy Chesworth thanked the Chair and Council for the opportunity to attending the meeting and read out her question (agenda item 2).

Councillor Mared Eastwood provided a response (agenda item 2).

In response to Amy Chesworth’s supplementary question, Councillor Eastwood advised that a response would be provided in writing following the meeting.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

As a point of clarification, the Chief Officer (Governance) advised that Members who receive the Winter Fuel Allowance could declare a personal interest offline. 

Councillors Preece and Rush declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item number 9.

Councillors Peers and Shallcross declared a personal interest in agenda item number 9.

Councillors Bithell, Lloyd, Maddison and Peers declared a personal interest in agenda item number 13 – Notice of Motion (Winter Fuel Allowance).

Councillors Buckley, Coggins-Cogan, Christine Jones, Mansell and Parkhurst declared a personal interest in agenda item number 13 – Notice of Motion (Flintshire Teachers and School Employees to Take Oath to Work with Children).

As a point of clarification, the Chief Officer (Governance) advised that Members who receive the Winter Fuel Allowance could declare a personal interest offline. 

Councillors Preece and Rush declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item number 9.

Councillors Peers and Shallcross declared a personal interest in agenda item number 9.

Councillors Bithell, Lloyd, Maddison and Peers declared a personal interest in agenda item number 13 – Notice of Motion (Winter Fuel Allowance).

Councillors Buckley, Coggins-Cogan, Christine Jones, Mansell and Parkhurst declared a personal interest in agenda item number 13 – Notice of Motion (Flintshire Teachers and School Employees to Take Oath to Work with Children).

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2024.

That subject to the amendment, the minutes of the meetings held on 16 April and 22 July, 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The minutes (agenda item 4) of the meetings held on 16 April and 22 July 2024 were presented for approval.

22 July, 2024

Councillor Shallcross advised that he was present at the meeting.  It was agreed that the minutes be amended to reflect this.

Councillor Coggins-Cogan referred to his question on attendance at a meeting by Aura and advised that he had not received additional information following the meeting, as suggested by the former Leader of the Council. 

RESOLVED:

That subject to the amendment listed above, the minutes of the meetings held on 16 April and 22 July, 2024 be approved as a correct record.

To receive the communications as circulated.

The Chair drew attention to the communication which had been circulated to all Members prior to the meeting and listed events attended from 23 July to 24 September 2024.

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.

Councillor Paul Cunningham submitted a petition from residents in Flint Mountain who were concerned around the speed of traffic on the A5119 and the danger when crossing the road. 

That Councillor Dave Hughes was appointed Leader of the Council for the reminder of the municipal year 2024/25.

A recorded vote was requested on the three nominations, for which the requisite number of Members stood in support.

The following voted for Councillor Dave Hughes:-

Councillors: Bernie Attridge, Mel Buckley, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Helen Brown, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Geoff Collett, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Paul Cunningham, Rob Davies, Ron Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Ian Hodge, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Richard Jones, Simon Jones, Fran Lister, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Roz Mansell, Allan Marshall, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Mike Peers, Vicky Perfect, Ian Roberts, Kevin Rush, Jason Shallcross, Linda Thomas, Roy Wakelam and Arnold Woolley

The following voted for Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson:-

Councillors: Gillian Brockley, Chrissy Gee, Alasdair Ibbotson, Carolyn Preece, David Richardson, Dan Rose and Sam Swash

The following voted for Councillor Andrew Parkhurst:-

Councillors: David Coggins-Cogan, Andy Hughes, Hilary McGuill, Andrew Parkhurst and Antony Wren

The following Councillors abstained:-

Councillors: Mike Allport, Marion Bateman, Adele Davies-Cooke, Carol Ellis, Dave Mackie, Dale Selvester and Linda Thew

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

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Dave Hughes was appointed Leader of the Council for the reminder of the municipal year 2024/25.

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

Councillor Dave Hughes proposed that the Cabinet remain unchanged for the time being.

Councillor Dave Hughes proposed that the Cabinet remain unchanged for the time being.

To consider the feedback from the 12-week public consultation and the council tax premium rates on second homes and long-term empty properties and whether the rates should remain the same or be increased from April 2025.

RESOLVED:

(a)         That Council support an increase to the premium of long term empty properties with an uplift from 75% to 100% to take effect from April 2025 giving 6 months’ notice to those directly impacted;

(b)          To introduce an escalator approach as follows: after 3 years a rise of 150% Council Tax premium; 5 years a 200% rise and 10 years a 300% rise; and the historical data of when a property becomes empty to be used to determine the level of premium, to take effect from April 2026 giving 18 months’ notice to those directly impacted; and

(c)          That a discretionary exemption be created to avoid the purchase of long term empty properties being disadvantaged though the Council Tax premium charge.

The Chief Officer (Governance) and Revenues & Procurement Manager introduced a report (agenda item 9) which set out the public feedback following the recent consultation, and the key consideration for setting or varying the premium rates.

Councillor Ibbotson moved a number of proposals which were seconded by Councillor Swash.

Councillor Richard Jones moved an amendment to the proposals put forward by Councillor Ibbotson which was seconded by Councillor Bill Crease.  Councillor Ibbotson did not support the amendment to his proposals. 

When put to the vote the amendment was carried.  This became the substantive motion.

Councillor Thew moved an amendment to the substantive motion.  This was seconded by Councillor Ibbotson who challenged the advice provided around which Councillor was asked to accept the proposed amendment to the substantive motion.   

RESOLVED:

(a)         That Council support an increase to the premium of long term empty properties with an uplift from 75% to 100% to take effect from April 2025 giving 6 months’ notice to those directly impacted;

(b)          To introduce an escalator approach as follows: after 3 years a rise of 150% Council Tax premium; 5 years a 200% rise and 10 years a 300% rise; and the historical data of when a property becomes empty to be used to determine the level of premium, to take effect from April 2026 giving 18 months’ notice to those directly impacted; and

(c)          That a discretionary exemption be created to avoid the purchase of long term empty properties being disadvantaged though the Council Tax premium charge.

Due to a change in group membership we need to review the Political Balance and the allocation of seats on Committees.

(a)       That seats on committees be allocated in accordance with political balance

as shown in appendix A; and

(b)       That any changes to nominees be notified to the Democratic Services

Manager as soon as possible before the next meeting of each committee.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a revised political balance calculation (agenda item 10) following the change in the composition of political groups.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That seats on committees be allocated in accordance with political balance

as shown in appendix A; and

(b)       That any changes to nominees be notified to the Democratic Services

Manager as soon as possible before the next meeting of each committee.

To approve the recruitment process of a Lay Member to the Governance and Audit Committee as required by the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Bill.

(a)       That a lay member be recruited to the Governance and Audit Committee to

replace the departing lay member;

(b)       That the recruitment panel consisting of the Chair of Council, Chair of the

Governance and Audit Committee plus the Cabinet Member for Finance

makes a recommendation to Council for appointment; and

(c)        That Council thank Sally Ellis for her 7 year service as a lay member on the Governance & Audit Committee.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report (agenda item 11) to seek approval for a member panel, consisting of the Chair of Council, Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee, the Cabinet Member for Finance plus two other members of the Governance and Audit Committee to interview candidates and make a recommendation to Council for an appointment of a lay member, to replace the departing lay member.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That a lay member be recruited to the Governance and Audit Committee to

replace the departing lay member;

(b)       That the recruitment panel consisting of the Chair of Council, Chair of the

Governance and Audit Committee plus the Cabinet Member for Finance

makes a recommendation to Council for appointment; and

(c)        That Council thank Sally Ellis for her 7 year service as a lay member on the Governance & Audit Committee.

To inform Council of the outcomes of petitions which have been submitted over the past year.

That the report be noted.

The Democratic Services Manager presented a report (agenda item 12) which outlined what actions had been taken as a result of petitions submitted at County Council meetings during 2023/24.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

This item is to receive any Notices of Motion.  Four have been accepted and attached to the agenda.

Notice of Motion 1

(a)       That Council instructs the Leader of Flintshire County Council to write to the Prime Minister, copying in the leaders of all political groups and local Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd,  expressing the council’s strong opposition to this policy, including a copy of this motion, and calling on him to abandon this plan; and

(b)       That Council instructs the Leader of Flintshire County Council to write to both Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd representing communities in Flintshire, copying in the leaders of all political groups expressing the council’s strong opposition to this policy, including a copy of this motion, and calling on them to set out their views on this matter in reply.

Notice of Motion 2

This Notice of Motion was deferred to the next scheduled meeting of County Council.

The Chief Officer (Governance) advised that the following Notices of Motion

had been submitted:

Notice of Motion: Merchant Navy Roll of Honour

Councillor Ibbotson introduced the Notice of Motion (agenda item 13) which was seconded by Councillor Hodge.

Councillor David Coggins-Cogan proposed an amendment to recommendation 1. that the wording ‘perished at sea’ be amended to read ‘died in the course of their duties’.  This amendment was supported by Councillors Ibbotson and Hodge.

RESOLVED:

That Council:

1. Create a Merchant Navy Roll of Honour, on which merchant mariners born or resident in Flintshire, or with an otherwise strong connection to the county who have died in the course of their duties shall be listed;
2. That “Flintshire” in the section above shall refer to the historic county of

Flintshire prior to 1 April 1974, the districts of Delyn and Alyn and Deeside from 1 April 1974 to 1 April 1996, and the modern county of Flintshire from 1 April 1996 onwards;

3. That the role shall be maintained, as far as possible, in chronological order of

death, and

4. That the Roll of Honour shall be displayed in a case in a publicly accessible

part of the County Council’s headquarters, and available for detailed inspection by the public upon appointment.

Notice of Motion: Flintshire Teachers and School Employees to Take Oath to Work with Children

Councillor Gladys Healey introduced the Notice of Motion (agenda item 13) which was seconded by Councillor Dave Healey.

Councillor Eastwood moved an amendment, which was adopted by Councillors Gladys and Dave Healey.  When put to the vote, this amendment was carried. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Council deplores any abuse of our children and young people, including the formation of inappropriate relationships between teaching staff and the pupils and students for whom they are responsible; and

(b)       That Council continues its robust approach to recruitment, to monitor and provide guidance on safeguarding policies, provide safeguarding training and develop a culture within our schools where abuse of any kind is not condoned in any circumstances and all safeguarding concerns are reported immediately for appropriate action.

Notice of Motion: Winter Fuel Payments

Councillor Preece introduced the Notice of Motion (agenda item 13) which was seconded by Councillor Swash.

A recorded vote was requested on the amendment proposed by Councillor Maddison, for which the requisite number of Members stood in support.

For the amendment:-

Councillors: Bernie Attridge, Tina Claydon, Chris Dolphin, David Healey, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Hilary McGuill and Ryan McKeown

Against the amendment:-

Councillors: Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Marion Bateman, Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Gillian Brockley, Helen Brown, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, David Coggins-Cogan, Bill Crease, Paul Cunningham, Rob Davies, Ron Davies, Adele Davies-Cooke, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, Carol Ellis, Gladys Healey, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Alasdair Ibbotson, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Richard Jones, Fran Lister, Dave Mackie, Allan Marshall, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Andrew Parkhurst, Mike Peers, Carolyn Preece, Dan Rose, Kevin Rush, Dale Selvester, Jason Shallcross, Sam Swash, Linda Thew, Linda Thomas, Roy Wakelam and Antony Wren

Abstention:-  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

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

The Questions (agenda item 14) were deferred to the next scheduled meeting of County Council.

The Questions (agenda item 14) were deferred to the next scheduled meeting of County Council.

There were 2 members of the public in attendance.