Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, County Hall, Mold CH7 6NA

Contact: Nicola Gittins on 01352 702345  Email: nicola.gittins@flintshire.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

13.

Presentation

A presentation in recognition of Flintshire Schools Football Teams on their recent success in the Tom Yeoman Welsh Schools' Football Association's Festival for Under 11s.

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Andrew Jones, Manager and Headteacher of Ysgol Derwenfa in Flintshire, and representatives of the Flintshire Primary Schools football squad, Iestyn Hughes (Ysgol Merllyn, Bagillt), Tom Sparrow (Southdown, Buckley), and Henry Nash (Ysgol Bryn Coch, Mold). 

 

            The Chief Executive congratulated the Flintshire Primary Schools Football Team on their recent success in the Tom Yeoman Welsh Schools’ Football Association’s Festival for Under 11s.  He referred to the squad’s exceptional performance in winning all three competitions this year to become North Wales Champions, Champions of Wales and Phil Staley shield winners.  He commented that Flintshire Primary Schools held an outstanding record in the Tom Yeoman shield national Finals and had been Champions of Wales 15 times, North Wales champions 10 times and Phil Staley winners 6 times.  He commended the players on their achievement and expressed appreciation on behalf of the County of Flintshire to the team, their families, and the management team. 

 

            Councillor Aaron Shotton expressed his congratulations and paid tribute to the dedication of parents, coaches, teachers and all involved who voluntarily gave their time and support.  He spoke of Flintshire’s pride in the achievement and said the squad were excellent ambassadors for the County.   

 

            Councillors Hilary McGuill, Mike Peers and Dennis Hutchinson also expressed praise for the high standards and dedication of the players and the management team.  They thanked all involved for the achievements gained and said it was an excellent example of what Flintshire did well.

 

            Mr. Andrew Jones said it was an honour to receive recognition for the team’s achievements and thanked Members and officers for their words of appreciation and support.   

 

14.

Council Minutes pdf icon PDF 69 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 30 April 2014 and 20 May 2014.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That subject to the above amendments, the minutes of both meetings be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 April 2014 were submitted.

 

The Chair said she had been present at the meeting and asked that the minutes be amended to record this.

 

Councillor Richard Lloyd said the date the meeting was held in the first paragraph was incorrect and should read 30 April 2014

 

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 May were submitted.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That subject to the above amendments, the minutes of both meetings be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

15.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interests from Members.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

16.

Chair's Communications

Minutes:

A copy of the Chair’s communications had been circulated to all Members before the meeting.

 

 

17.

Petitions

Minutes:

Councillor Hilary McGuill submitted a petition from residents which requested a path to be built from the start of Bryn Road to the Argoed High School. 

 

18.

Public Question Time

19.

Questions

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

Minutes:

The Chair confirmed that none had been received.

 

20.

Questions from Members on Committee Minutes

The Minute Book, Edition 1 2014/15, has been circulated to Members.  Members are now entitled to ask questions on these minutes, subject to certain limitations, and answers will be provided at the meeting.  Members are requested to bring to the meeting their copy of the Minute Book.  Any questions must have been received by the Democracy and Governance Manager prior to the close of business on 18 June 2014 

Minutes:

The Chair confirmed that none had been received.

 

21.

Notice of Motion

Minutes:

The Chair confirmed that none had been received.    

 

22.

Improvement Plan 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 31 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the Improvement Plan 2014/15 be adopted.

 

Minutes:

The Chief Executive introduced the report to seek adoption of the Improvement Plan 2014/15, which was a statutory requirement, for final publication by end of June 2014.  He explained the background to the report and referred to the positive comments which had been made by the Wales Audit Office (WAO) on the presentation and content of the 2013/14 Improvement Plan.

 

            The Chief Executive reported that a review of the current priorities and sub priorities had been undertaken for 2014/15.  The draft Improvement Plan had  been presented for Member consultation by Overview and Scrutiny Committees (except Corporate Resources) and the final draft Plan 2014/15 presented to Cabinet for approval on 17 June 2014.    The final published Improvement Plan would be available as a web based document published on the website by end of June 2014.

 

            The Chief Executive and Policy Performance Manager delivered a presentation on the following main points

 

  • choosing the in-year priorities
  • Plan format
  • priorities for 2012-2017
  • following the Plan
  • benefits of the approach so far
  • 2013/14 Improvement Plan
  • 2014/15 Improvement Plan   
  • positive feedback
  • next steps

 

The Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) was invited to present on the priorities for Housing and Fuel Poverty.  She referred to the relevant sub priorities and explained the rationale, targets to be met in 2014/15, and risks to be managed.    

 

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) reported on the Priority for Skills and Learning. He referred to the sub priority of modernised and high performing education and commented on the need to continue to achieve better learning opportunities, outcomes and wellbeing for all children and young people.  He also explained the need to support the national Welsh Government priorities to improve literacy and numeracy outcomes, make better use of education resources, and maintain effective and challenging governance arrangements in schools.  He commented on the work to be undertaken in 2014/15 and risks to be managed.

 

            Councillor Hilary Isherwood congratulated the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Chief Officer (Community and Enterprise) on the initiative to deliver energy efficiency measures to Council homes, and on the conversion of homes in the Aston and Mostyn areas from oil to gas. 

 

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin also thanked the Cabinet Member and Chief Officer for the energy efficiency measures to be carried out in Flintshire and for the extra care units which had been provided in Holywell and Flint.    

    

Councillor Clive Carver referred to the draft Improvement Plan which was appended to the report and queried the accuracy of the email address on page 70.  He also raised a question around the availability of the Plan in an alternative language on request.  The Policy and Performance Manger said she would check the email address and advised that the Plan would be translated and published in Welsh in accordance with the Welsh language policy and made available in other languages as required. 

 

            Councillor Robin Guest commented on changes which were made to the 2013/14 Improvement Plan following adoption at County Council last year.  He  sought assurance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

23.

Review of Political Balance pdf icon PDF 24 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the revision to political balance as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, be agreed.

 

Minutes:

Members considered a report on the Council’s political balance calculations following the by-election resulting in the election of Councillor Vicky Perfect.  

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the revision to political balance as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report, be agreed.

 

24.

Members of the Press and Public in Attendance

Minutes:

There was one member of the press and no members of the public in attendance.