Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Hybrid Meeting

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

Media

Items
No. Item

53.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Councillor Peers declared a personal interest in agenda item number 6 – Council Tax Premium Scheme for Second Homes and Long-Term Empty Properties.  Councillor Preece declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the same item.

Minutes:

Councillor Peers declared a personal interest in agenda item number 6 – Council Tax Premium Scheme for Second Homes and Long-Term Empty Properties.  Councillor Preece declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the same item.

54.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 136 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 27th September 2022 and 18th October 2022.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meetings held on 27th September and 18th October were submitted.

 

Councillor Attridge moved them as a correct record which was seconded by Councillor Rob Davies.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

55.

Chair's Communications

To receive the communications as circulated.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Noted.

Minutes:

The Chair explained that her communications had been emailed to all Members earlier that week. 

 

She commented on her visit to the Fostering Service at Ty Nyth on 4th November which she said was a wonderful asset.

56.

Petitions

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.

Additional documents:

Decision:

None were submitted.

Minutes:

None were submitted.

57.

Council Tax Premium Scheme for Second Homes and Long-term Empty Properties pdf icon PDF 126 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That the premium rate be increased to 75% for long term empty properties and 100% for second homes from April 2023.

Minutes:

Councillor Preece, having earlier declared a personal and prejudicial interest, left the room before the item was introduced.

 

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report and explained that at the request of Cabinet, an extensive public consultation was undertaken from 8th November 2021 to 6th December 2021 to canvass the views of the public on the current Council Tax premium scheme, its effectiveness and impact on the local community and the use of the scheme to incentivise owners to bring properties into full use to support the supply of local housing for local residents.  The consultation also explored opinions on alterations to the premium rates and the perceived benefits and risks to adopting any alternative or amended scheme.

 

504 consultation responses were received from a broad range of people and the responses were summarised in the report.

 

The role of the premium was focussed on encouraging owners of long-term empty properties to bring them back into use with the financial burden and affordability issues that could result on those parties such as new owners or existing owners who did not have the option or the funds to take immediate steps to bring the property back into use.

 

The Revenues and Procurement Manager explained that previously, since April 2017 when the scheme was introduced, a premium rate of 50% had been applied for dwellings designated as being periodically occupied (usually referred to as second homes) or long-term empty properties.

 

He added that as part of the consultation exercise, questions were also asked of those who could be potentially impacted if the rates were increased.  In conclusion, almost two thirds of respondents felt that long-term empty properties had a negative impact on their local community.  On second homes, almost half of respondents felt they had a negative impact on their local community.  Just over half of respondents felt the premium rate should be increased to over 50%.

 

The report provided details of what other local authorities had set their premium rates at.  Cabinet had recommended 75% for long-term empty properties and 100% for second homes.

 

If the Council decided to raise the level of the premium on long-term empty properties and/or second homes, there was a possibility of increasing the Council Tax yield and to use any additional revenue generated to help meet local housing needs in line with the policy intentions of the premium scheme.

 

The additional revenue generated to support services would depend on the revised level of the premium rates but would typically consist of an additional £101k for every additional 10% levy above 50% on long-term empty properties and an additional £28k for every additional 10% levy on designated second homes.  Tables in the report provided illustrations of the increase for 50%, 60%, 70%, 75% and 100%.

 

There was an amendment to the recommendation as printed in the report with the amendment being “For Council to consider the current rate of premium of 50% on second homes and long-term empty properties and determine whether the rate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

58.

Electoral Reform in Wales pdf icon PDF 98 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the Council does not support the adoption of the Single Transferrable Vote system;

 

(b)       That an extension to a response on the Electoral Administration and Reform White Paper be requested and if accepted, and all Member workshop be arranged.  If the extension was rejected, the Deputy Returning Officer would submit a response in line with the views expressed by Members by 10th January;

 

(c)        That the requirements of the Elections Act 2022 be noted, and the proposed steps to minimise potential disenfranchisement be approved; and

 

(d)       That a letter be sent to UK Government to express the concerns raised about the practicalities of costs of voter ID.

Minutes:

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report and explained that in 2017, Welsh Government (WG) consulted on immediate priorities for reform in the Electoral Reform in Local Government in Wales White Paper.    Those immediate priorities were legislated for through the Senedd and Elections (Wales) Act 2020 and the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

 

One of the changes was that local authorities could decide to adopt the Single Transferrable Vote system for their elections, in place of the First Past the Post system.  Part one of the report explained the process involved.

 

Part two of the report explained the Electoral Administration and Reform White Paper and how WG were seeking to accelerate their reform agenda and comment what they described as an ambitious plan to modernise electoral administration in Wales.

 

The White Paper included proposals for:

 

·         Promoting engagement in elections

·         Making standing for election safer and more straight forward

·         Legislation to modernise the administration of elections

·         Legislation to improve the conduct of electoral and community reviews for local government

·         Legislation to consolidate electoral law

·         Longer-term propositions for electoral reform to support Welsh democracy in the future

 

The closing date for consultation responses was 10th January 2023.

 

Part three of the report summarised the Elections Act 2022, which received Royal Assent in April 2022 and was applicable for UK Parliamentary and Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

 

The impact of the Elections Act 2022 created divergence in Wales which were highlighted in the report.

 

One of the changes was that local authorities could decide to adopt the Single Transferrable Vote (STV) system for their elections, in place of the First Past the Post system.  Part one of the report explained the process involved.

 

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained further that currently first past the post system was used for County Council elections.  The Council could move to STV and further guidance would be provided by WG regarding this and clarity on the quota.  If Council wanted STV then a boundary review would need to be undertaken first. That would mean wards of between three and six Members.

 

Councillor Roberts moved the recommendations of the report which was seconded by Councillor Johnson.

 

Councillor Roberts expressed some concerns on the requirement for voter ID which could put pressure on the team with late registrations.  He said the highest turnout at elections was UK Government which operated first past the post.  Welsh Government (WG) elections had a considerably lower turnout and the process operated for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections was confusing.  He was opposed to large multi member wards commenting on the importance of the connection between local Members and their community.  He suggested an all-Member workshop to progress what was required, and asked if the deadline of 10th January could be extended.  The Chief Officer (Governance) said a request could be made to extend the deadline and if that was not approved, views from the meeting today would form part of the response.  A Member workshop could be arranged  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

59.

Notice of Motion pdf icon PDF 39 KB

This item is to receive any Notices of Motion.  One has been received and is attached to the agenda.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED:

 

That the Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Rose be supported, including the suggestion from the Cabinet Member, Councillor Bithell, that the remit of the scope of the work being carried out by the Valuations and Estates department being broadened, be accepted.

Minutes:

The following Notice of Motion had been submitted by Councillor Rose and was supported by Councillor Preece:

 

“This Council notes the current use of many types of animals at various events held by private organisations, friends of groups and the Council across the County and wishes to continue to do all that it can to promote, safeguard and encourage high standards of animal welfare.

 

The RSPCA states that it is opposed to the use of animals in entertainment or animal encounters where distress or suffering to an animal is likely to be caused. However, the organisation also recognises the benefits of certain types of events using animals, for example:-

 

?          dog agility events that involve training dogs to run through and over obstacles using treats, toys and praise; and

?          the use of animals in schools and other educational establishments (i.e. in the form of visits as opposed to the educational establishments keeping the animals themselves) with a view to teaching young people about animal care and welfare, which is a positive step towards ending cruelty towards animals

in the future.

 

The introduction of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (Wales) Regulations 2021 is a significant step towards effectively controlling the use of, and encounters with, animals and ensuring their welfare. However, it is noted that there may be instances where, even though certain events may not in

principle be supported by the Council, the Authority may still be required (by law) to grant a licence if all relevant conditions are met.

 

Notwithstanding the above, the Council considers that:-

·         no animal should be made to endure stress or suffering;

·         all appropriate steps should be taken to mitigate any risk of stress or suffering to animals in any relevant events being held by any organisation within the County;

·         certain animals, such as dogs, may benefit from partaking in events but steps should still be taken to ensure their welfare and minimise any risk to them; and

·         the use of animals in certain instances – such as in schools, other educational establishments and community settings for educational and conservation purposes, by suitably registered charities – where appropriate and will have no negative impact on animal welfare subject to such events being managed properly.

 

This Council therefore resolves:-

                     I.        to note the implications of relevant licensing legislation which may grant, or require the Council to grant, licences to third parties for the use of animals within the County;

                    II.        subject to (III) below, to cease the use of animals in Council events and that, in particular, no Council organised event will include the use of reindeer or donkeys;

                  III.        that the use of animals such as birds, dogs, reptiles and invertebrates such as spiders, scorpions, crustations, or molluscs in Council organised events be permitted only where:-

A.   animals are being displayed for educational purposes or for purposes which are consistent with their natural habitat and activities; and

B.   the relevant non profit organisation providing the animal(s) holds a certificate issued in accordance with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

60.

Public Question Time

This item is to receive any Public Questions.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None were received.

61.

Questions pdf icon PDF 41 KB

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

 

Councillor Bernie Attridge: (1) Connah’s Quay Sports Centre; and (2) Privatisation of Direct Labour Organisation in the Housing Revenue Account.

Additional documents:

Decision:

The Chair advised that two questions had been received and responded to.  They had been circulated to Members.

Minutes:

The Chair advised that two questions had been received and responded to.  They had been circulated to Members.

62.

Questions from Members on Committee Minutes

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.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

None were received.

63.

Members of the Press and Public in Attendance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no members of the press or public in attendance.