Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Bithell introduced the report and explained that the archive services of Flintshire and Denbighshire Councils had been working collaboratively over the last few years under a Memorandum of Understanding, to share skills and resources to create a more sustainable and improved archive service for the region.

That resulted in the launch of a single shared service, North East Wales Archives (NEWA), in April 2020, working over 2 current sites – The Old Rectory in Hawarden and Ruthin Gaol.

In October 2023, Cabinet approved a joint bid with Denbighshire County Council (DCC) to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, seeking a grant of £7,371,397 towards the construction of a new archive centre in Mold, to house the joint service and the delivery of an engagement programme. Both Councils also agreed match funding contributions of £3,078,537 and £2,052,358 respectively.

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) added that the move to a single building enabled NEWA to combine and better utilise its resources, protected the archive collections of the region and enabled the delivery of an exciting activity plan that would introduce archives to a wider and more diverse audience, making a really positive contribution to the learning and wellbeing for residents.

On the 28^th March 2024, the NLHF informed that the grant application had been successful. The NLHF had agreed to provide a development phase grant that covered RIBA 1-3 initially. NLHF would then review the development phase submission prior to release of the Delivery stage grant RIBA 5-7.

Work was underway to develop a Collaboration Agreement and a Heads of

Terms for the Lease, to govern the joint arrangements between both Councils, both for the delivery of the project, and the operation of the joint service.  Those agreements, which were being progressed by a multi- disciplinary team of officers from both authorities were due to be completed later this month and would replace the Memorandum of Understanding.

Project activity was due to commence in mid-May, and a delegated decision would enable the contractual discussions with NLHF to take place in sufficient time, to commence the project on time and avoid any additional costs due to delay at the outset.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Cabinet be appraised that NEWA has been successful in its grant application to the NLHF;

(b)       That the NLHF grant offer on behalf of NEWA be accepted; and

(c)       That delegated authority be authorised to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Cabinet Member – Planning, Public Health and Public Protection, to enable Flintshire County Council to enter into a Collaboration Agreement that covers the construction of the new facility, and operation of NEWA, and a Heads of Terms for the Lease of the new archive centre in Mold.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded for the remainder of the meeting for the following items by virtue of exempt information under paragraph(s) 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Eastwood introduced the report and explained that Welsh Government’s Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme required all Local Authorities to submit their rolling Strategic Outline Programmes (SOP) for consideration by Welsh Government (WG) by 31^stMarch 2024.

The Strategic Outline Programme set out a high-level outline of the potential projects that a Council considered it could fund, in partnership with Welsh Government, and which met the funding criteria set by WG.

The report outlined the projects contained within the Council’s SOP submission to WG. It explained the principles used and assumptions made to deliver a programme with as minimal an impact on future revenue budgets.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and the Strategic Outline Programme submission to Welsh Government be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Bibby introduced the report which sought approval from Members, to appoint two contractors; by Direct Award through the Procure Plus Framework, to carry out Whole House Envelope works to approximately 1500 properties over the next five financial years.

The work continued the second tranche of planned capital improvements to ensure the council’s rented homes continued to meet the current Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) standard and all legislative requirements.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities approve the Direct Award as outlined in the report, to carry out the Whole House Envelope programme, through the Procure Plus framework.  The previous tender exercise resulted in those detailed in the report successfully being appointed to deliver the previous programme and are the incumbent contractors.

As detailed below:

(1)       Cabinet note the background information and current position in relation to the provision of leisure, libraries, play, and museum services

(2)       Cabinet requests that the Education, Youth & Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee convenes a special meetinto consider the options included in the report as soon as possible.

(3) Cabinet requests that a report appraising all of the options be brought back

to Cabinet as a matter of urgency, to include the observations of the Education, Youth & Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the views of Aura.

(4)       That the Chief Executive be granted delegated authority to implement

these options in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure and the Leader of the Council.

(5)       That further reports are brought back to Cabinet as the work progresses

to provide an update on progress, and any specific actions needed, in addition, wider confidential member updates will also be undertaken.

Councillor Eastwood introduced the report which provided an overview of the current operating arrangements, an options appraisal for future delivery, and approval for delegated authority for the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure, to progress and implement the preferred option(s).

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the background information and current position in relation to the provision of leisure, libraries, play and museum services be noted;

(b)       That the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee be asked to convene a special meeting as soon as possible to consider the options included in the report;

(c)        That a report appraising all of the options be brought back to Cabinet as a matter of urgency, and including the observations of the Education, Youth & Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the views of Aura;

(d)       That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive to implement these options in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure and the Leader of the Council; and

(e)       That further reports are brought back to Cabinet as the work progresses to provide an update on progress, and any specific actions needed, in addition, wider confidential Member updates will also be undertaken.

There were no members of the public in attendance.