Agenda, decisions and minutes

1. To make a presentation to our local Paralympian athletes in recognition of their Gold Medal achievements at the Paris 2024 Summer Paralympic Games.

2.    To make a presentation to current and former County Councillors who have achieved 25 years consecutive service as an elected Member of Flintshire County Council.

Presentations were made to Sabrina Fortune and Rhys Darbey in recognition of their Gold Medal achievements at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympic Games.

In addition, badges were presented to the Chair and Councillors Ian Roberts, Hilary McGuill, Ron Davies and Chris Bithell, together with former Councillor Neville Phillips, who had all served for 25 years or more as elected Members of Flintshire County Council.

This item is to receive any Public Questions: one has been received and is attached.

The Chair reported that one question had been received, as shown in the agenda.  When invited to present his question, Colin Randerson thanked the Chair and Council for the opportunity to attend the meeting and read out his question (agenda item 3).

As Cabinet Member for Planning, Public Health and Public Protection, Councillor Chris Bithell provided a response to the question.

Colin Randerson asked a supplementary question and was advised that a response would be provided in writing following the meeting.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None received.

None received.

To receive the communications as circulated.

A copy of the communications listing events attended from 5 December 2024 to 28 January 2025 had been circulated prior to the 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 received.

None received.

(a)       That the HRA budget for 2025/26, as set out in the report, be approved;

(b)       That the proposed minimum rent increase of 2.7% be approved;

(c)       That the proposed garage rent increase of 2.7% be approved;

(d)       That the proposed increase in service charges to full cost recovery be approved;

(e)       That the pressures and efficiencies set out in Appendix A be approved; and

(f)        That the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2025/26 be approved, as set out in Appendix B.

The Chief Officer (Housing & Communities) introduced a report (agenda item 7) to seek approval of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2025/26, the HRA Business Plan and the summary 30 year Financial Business Plan.  She gave a joint presentation with the Strategic Finance Manager and Service Manager (Housing Assets) on the key points for consideration.

During the debate, it was suggested that Councillor Mansell contact the Service Manager directly to discuss garage sites in her ward.

On being put to the vote, the recommendations were carried.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the HRA budget for 2025/26, as set out in the report, be approved;

(b)       That the proposed minimum rent increase of 2.7% be approved;

(c)       That the proposed garage rent increase of 2.7% be approved;

(d)       That the proposed increase in service charges to full cost recovery be approved;

(e)       That the pressures and efficiencies set out in Appendix A be approved; and

(f)        That the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2025/26 be approved, as set out in Appendix B.

That the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2024/25 be approved.

The Corporate Finance Manager presented a report (agenda item 8) to seek approval of the Treasury Management mid-year report for 2024/25 following endorsement by the Governance & Audit Committee and Cabinet.

The recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2024/25 be approved.

That the Governance and Audit Committee’s annual report for 2023/24 be approved.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the report (agenda item 9) to seek approval of the Governance and Audit Committee Annual Report for 2023/24.

The recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Governance and Audit Committee’s annual report for 2023/24 be approved.

This item is to receive any Notices of Motion.  Three have been received and are attached to the agenda.

THE CROWN ESTATE

1.         That Flintshire County Council supports the campaign to devolve management of the Crown Estate and its assets, including tidal riverbeds, in Wales to the Welsh Government and that the funds raised to be shared equitably to Welsh Local Authorities to support the social needs of the people who live in our communities; and

2.         That Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Welsh Government and the Members of Parliament and the Senedd representing Flintshire outlining our support to help persuade Westminster to devolve the Crown Estate.

AGGREGATES LEVY

1.         That Council requests the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council to write to Mark Drakeford MS as Cabinet Member for Finance and call on Welsh Government to negotiate with the UK Government the devolution of the Aggregates Levy in such a way as to ensure that local authorities in whose areas minerals are extracted benefit directly and proportionately from the Levy; and

2.         That Council elicits support for this approach from other local authorities through its membership of the North Wales Regional Aggregates Working Party and through other appropriate channels.

HOME SCHOOLING

That Council requests a further letter to be sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Education to link with Westminster to develop legislation to support children who are home educated, making reference to the response previously given by Jeremy Myles MS, including the following points:

• To reiterate the need for a register of all children of school age who are home educated including those who have never attended a school.
• To introduce a system to assign a unique identification number to all children from birth, similar to an adult National Insurance number, including children residing in the UK after birth.

The Chief Officer (Governance) advised that the following Notices of Motion had been submitted:

Notice of Motion: The Crown Estate

Councillor Simon Jones introduced the Notice of Motion (agenda item 10) which was seconded by Councillor David Healey.

During discussion, Councillor David Healey moved an amendment that the UK Government be asked to devolve funds directly to Welsh authorities and was seconded by Councillor Marion Bateman.  Councillor Simon Jones explained his reasons for rejecting the amendment and Councillor Healey subsequently withdrew his amendment.

Councillor Simon Jones agreed to include additional wording on ‘tidal riverbeds’ within the scope of Crown Estate assets in his Notice of Motion.

On being put to the vote, the substantive Notice of Motion, as amended, was supported.

RESOLVED:

1.      That Flintshire County Council supports the campaign to devolve management of the Crown Estate and its assets, including tidal riverbeds, in Wales to the Welsh Government and that the funds raised to be shared equitably to Welsh Local Authorities to support the social needs of the people who live in our communities; and

2.      That Council instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Welsh Government and the Members of Parliament and the Senedd representing Flintshire outlining our support to help persuade Westminster to devolve the Crown Estate.

Notice of Motion: Aggregates Levy

Councillor Andrew Parkhurst introduced the Notice of Motion (agenda item 10) which was seconded by Councillor Fran Lister.

The Notice of Motion was supported.

RESOLVED:

1.      That Council requests the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council to write to Mark Drakeford MS as Cabinet Member for Finance and call on Welsh Government to negotiate with the UK Government the devolution of the Aggregates Levy in such a way as to ensure that local authorities in whose areas minerals are extracted benefit directly and proportionately from the Levy; and

2.      That Council elicits support for this approach from other local authorities through its membership of the North Wales Regional Aggregates Working Party and through other appropriate channels.

Notice of Motion: Home Schooling

Councillor Hilary McGuill introduced the Notice of Motion (agenda item 10) which was seconded by Councillor Mared Eastwood.

Councillor Teresa Carberry advised that a letter had been sent by the Education, Youth & Culture Overview & Scrutiny Committee to Welsh Government (WG) in 2023 in support of a register for home schooled children.  She read out the response which confirmed that this was amongst a number of options being considered by WG to strengthen the framework.

Following discussion, Councillor McGuill agreed that the comments raised by Members would be reflected in the letter to WG.  On that basis, the Notice of Motion was supported.

RESOLVED:

That Council requests a further letter to be sent to the Cabinet Secretary for Education to link with Westminster to develop legislation to support children who are home educated, making reference to the response previously given by Jeremy Myles MS, including the following points:

• To reiterate the need for a register of all children  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

(a)       That subject to the amendment on page 16, the appended draft Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 be approved; and

(b)       That County Council delegate authority to the Corporate Manager, People and Organisational Development to update the Pay Policy Statement 2025/26 during the year to reflect any changes required by legislation, Government policy or national negotiations so that it remains accurate and current.

The Corporate Manager, People and Organisational Development presented a report (agenda item 11) to seek approval of the Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 due for publication within the statutory deadline.

In response to comments about the potential to expand performance-related pay for all employees, the Chief Executive advised that this would be included in one of the workstreams in the Transformation Programme.

The recommendations were supported, subject to amendment of the typographical error on page 16 of the Pay Policy Statement.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That subject to the amendment on page 16, the appended draft Pay Policy Statement for 2025/26 be approved; and

(b)       That County Council delegate authority to the Corporate Manager, People and Organisational Development to update the Pay Policy Statement 2025/26 during the year to reflect any changes required by legislation, Government policy or national negotiations so that it remains accurate and current.

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

Five Questions (agenda item 12) had been received by the deadline.  They were read out by the Members who had submitted them and answered by the relevant Cabinet Member.  Some supplementary questions were asked, to be followed up by a written response.

An urgent question submitted to the Cabinet Member for Streetscene & Transportation had been received after the deadline and was permitted.  A written response was circulated on behalf of the Cabinet Member who was not present.

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 received.

None received.

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