Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 16^th and 23^rd July 2024.

(link to recording)

The minutes of the meetings held on 16th and 24th July (agenda item number 3)   were submitted and confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings be confirmed as a correct record.

As detailed in the recommendations.

(link to recording)

Councillor Johnson presented the report (agenda item number 4)  on the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget 2025/26 which provided an update on the Council’s concerning revenue budget position for the 2025/26 financial year.

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the update be received on the Council’s concerning budget position for the 2025/26 financial year in advance of consideration by relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committees; and

(b)       That the ongoing work to identify budget solutions be noted, and the approach to address the serious and major budget challenge be agreed.

As detailed in the recommendation.

           (link to recording)

Councillor Johnson presented the report (agenda item number 5) from Audit Wales Report which provided an overview of the findings of a local report titled “Financial Sustainability Review – Flintshire County Council’. 

Two representatives from Audit Wales were in attendance to answer any questions.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the report on Financial Sustainability from Audit Wales be noted and the organisational response be supported.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Thomas presented the Annual Performance report (agenda item number 6) which set out an analysis of how well the Council had performed against its Well-being objectives.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the 2023/24 Annual Performance Report, combined with the Council Plan End of Year 2023/24 Performance Report be approved, noting the performance achieved.

As detailed in the recommendations.

(link to recording)

Councillor Thomas presented the Corporate Self-Assessment 2023/24 report (agenda item number 7) which presented the findings of the Corporate Self-Assessment and details of the opportunities for improvement identified.

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the findings of the Corporate Self-Assessment 2023/24 be accepted and approved; and

(b)       That the opportunities for improvement identified in the Corporate Self-Assessment 2023/24 be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Hughes presented the Flintshire and Wrexham Public Services Board (PSB) Annual report (agenda item number 8) 2023 which must be produced no later than one year after the publication of the previous report.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the provision of the Flintshire and Wrexham Public Services Board Annual Report 2023/24 be noted.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Johnson presented the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2024/25 (Month 4) report (agenda item number 9) which provided the latest revenue budget monitoring position for 2024/25 for the Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the report and the estimated financial impact on the 2024/25 budget be noted, along with the measures being put in place to improve the financial position by the end of the financial year.

As detailed in the recommendations.

           (link to recording)

Councillor Johnson presented the Capital Programme Monitoring 2024/25 (Month 4) report (agenda item number 10) which provided Capital Programme information for 2024/25.

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the overall report be approved;

(b)       That the carry forward adjustments be approved; and

(c)        That the additional allocations be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Johnson presented the Annual Treasury Management report (agenda item number 11) which was for recommendation to Council.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the draft Treasury Management Annual Report 2023/24 be presented to County Council on 21^st November for final approval.

As detailed in the recommendations.

(link to recording)

Councillor Jones presented the Residential Care Sector Review 2024-2034 and Ty Croes Atti Progress report (agenda item number 12) which was the starting point for how the Council could continue to respond to the challenges and increasing demands of the sector.

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the actions needed to mitigate the predicted shortfall in Flintshire be noted;

(b)       That ways to influence the independent market to meet the growing demand, whilst taking into account the proposals within the Welsh Government’s Rebalancing Care Agenda be noted; and

(c)        That the progress made on the development of Ty Croes Atti be recognised.

As detailed in the recommendation.

           (link to recording)

Councillor Bibby presented the Capital Works – Procurement of Welsh Housing Quality Standard Internal Works report (agenda item number 13) which sought approval to award a contract through the Procure Plus Framework.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the award of Seddon’s Ltd, to carry out the Whole House Internal Work Programme, through the Procure Plus Framework, be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Bibby introduced the Capital Works – Procurement Works Relating to Fire Safety (Highrise) report (agenda item number 14) which sought approval to award a contract procured through the North Wales Construction Partnership Procurement Framework.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the mini competition through the North Wales Construction Partnership Procurement Framework be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Jones presented the Annual report (agenda item number 15) on the Social Services Complaints and Compliments Procedure which was to note the effectiveness of the complaints procedure with lessons being learnt to improve service provision.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the effectiveness of the complaints procedure with lessons being learned be noted.

As detailed in the recommendation.

           (link to recording)  

Councillor Jones presented the Flintshire Micro-Care Project report (agenda item number 16) which provided an update on Flintshire’s Micro-Carer market, providing an evaluation of the project to date and key developments going forward.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made in the Micro-Care project and the contribution the scheme is making in meeting demand for care in Flintshire be noted.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Eastwood presented the Young Flintshire Participation Model report (agenda item number 17) which provided an overview of the proposed a model for children and young people to have their voice heard about matters which affected them and speak to key decision makers in the local authority.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet understands and supports the Young Flintshire Participation Model to engage children and young people in Flintshire in matters that impact on them and provide a mechanism for decision makers to hear their views.

As detailed in the recommendations.

           (link to recording)

Councillor Eastwood presented Flintshire Youth Justice Service HMIP Inspection report (agenda item number 18) which provided assurance on the quality of the Youth Justice Service in Flintshire.

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the recommendations from the HMIP Inspection Report be noted and supported, and Members be assured of the quality of provision on the Flintshire Youth Justice Service; and

(b)       That a robust approach to seeking the identified support that is currently identified as lacking from external partners be endorsed.

As detailed in the recommendations.

(link to recording)

Councillor Hughes presented the Winter Maintenance – Decision Making Review 2024 report (agenda item number 19) which provided an update on the proposed alterations to the current decision-making process within the Winter Maintenance Policy 2023-25.

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the proposal to transition to a domain-based approach for decision making for gritting action with a step change proposed for the 2024/25 season be supported; and

(b)       That the proposal to a full mitigation to domain-based treatments from the 2025/26 season following the outcome of the step change over the 2024/25 season be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Thomas presented the Audit Wales report (agenda item number 20) (Setting the Well-Being Objectives) which reviewed the recommendations for improvement advised by Audit Wales, along with the Council’s response.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the recommendations for improvement be approved.

As detailed in the recommendations.

(link to recording)

Councillor Thomas presented the Flintshire Connects Annual report (agenda item number 21) which provided an overview of the annual performance of Flintshire Connects during 2023-24.

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Flintshire Connects annual performance 2023-24 be noted; and

(b)       That in light of reducing footfall at Flintshire Connects Centres;

(1)       there should be a review of the service, commencing with public consultation on why usage is reducing, and what functions the service could/should provide; and

(2)       The consultation should also explore the potential impact on those with protected characteristics of possibly reducing opening hours to reflect the reduced usage by residents.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Johnson introduced the Social Value Progress Update report (agenda item number 22) which presented the social value performance data for the latter six months of the financial year 2023/24.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the positive performance achieved in generation social value for quarters three and four of the financial year 2023/24 be noted and the ongoing support be confirmed.

As detailed in the recommendations.

(link to recording)

Councillor Thomas presented the Workforce Survey 2023 report (agenda item number 23) which shared the outcomes of the latest workforce survey and sought approval for the introduction of a new set of core values. 

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the results of the 2023 Workforce Survey be noted;

(b)       That the progress made on addressing issues raised in the survey be endorsed; and

(c)        That the adoption of the new set of proposed Core Values be supported.

As detailed in the recommendation.

(link to recording)

Councillor Hughes presented the report (agenda item number 24) which provided an update following the call-in meeting relating to the Council’s Transition to a Restricted Capacity Residual Waste Collection Model.  Having considered the decision, the Overview and Scrutiny Committee chose Option 2, to resolve that ‘the explanation be accepted but not endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The recommendation in the report was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Cabinet notes the decision of the Environment & Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee call-in meeting with regard to Record No 4236 the Council’s Transition to a Restricted Capacity Residual Waste Collection Model.

As detailed in the recommendations.

           (link to recording)

Councillor Johnson presented the report (agenda item number 25) which provided an update following the call-in meeting relating to Annual Review of Fees and Charges 2024.

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the decision of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee call-in meeting with regard to Record No 44243 – Annual Review of Fees and Charges; and

(b)       That, having regard to the decision of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Cabinet confirm its previous decision.

To provide details of actions taken under delegated powers.

An information item (agenda item number 26)on the actions taken under delegated powers was submitted and noted.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Eastwood presented the Leisure, Libraries, Play and Museum Services Update report which provided an update on developments and progress made since reports were presented in May. 

The recommendations in the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made in exploring a new grant arrangement with Aura and an associated compliant subsidy control assessment be noted.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Jones introduced the Domiciliary and Residential Care Budget report which proposed changes to the financial assessment and charging for Domiciliary Care and Residential Care Services.

RESOLVED:

That the actions needed to mitigate the predicted adverse outturn in Domiciliary and Residential Care in-year budgets.

There were no members of the public in attendance.