Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th April 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 25^th April 2023 were submitted and confirmed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting be approved as a correct record.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Bithell introduced the report and explained that the adoption of byelaws in relation to skin piercing was being recommended, in accordance with provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, Part VIII, sections 14 to 17.

The adoption of the byelaws would ensure there was greater regulation with respect to activities such as ear piercing, tattooing, acupuncture, and electrolysis.  The byelaws helped to safeguard the public and improve compliance.

The Community and Business Protection Manager added that a thorough consultation exercise had been undertaken with stakeholders regarding the requirements of the byelaws and no adverse responses were received.  In addition, the content of the proposed byelaws had been reviewed by the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee on 12^th January 2023 and the changes requested had been incorporated.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the byelaws relating to skin piercing be formally adopted; and

(b)       That formal adoption of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, Part VIII, sections 14 to 17, which will apply to the county of Flintshire as a whole with respect to skin piercing byelaws be approved.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Healey introduced the report and explained that over the last eight to ten years, alongside traditional non-repayable town centre regeneration grant funding opportunities, Welsh Government (WG) had made available repayable capital loan funding to local authorities across Wales.

By making repayable loan funding available, WG’s aim was that it would facilitate the delivery of its strategic regeneration policy frameworks which sought to increase footfall and vibrancy, support the growth of the local economy, diversify the use of premises within the town centre, and help breathe new life into land and premises in town centre locations across Wales.

            The Service Manager, Enterprise and Regeneration added that the report had been submitted to Environment and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee where it had been supported.    

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the repayable loan funding award for town centre regeneration in Flintshire be noted; and

(b)       That the proposed criteria and approach to administering and managing the town centre repayable loan funding across Flintshire be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation, with the additional recommendation below:

(2)       That the details, including a resume of the programme, be shared with all Members.

Councillor Healey introduced the report and explained that the Communities for Work programme was created by Welsh Government (WG) in 2016.  Funded from a mixture of European and WG resources, it provided local government in Wales with resources to support people furthest from the labour market to overcome barriers to employment and learning through long-term mentoring support.  As a European funded programme, it ended on 31^st March 2023.

In December 2022 it was announced that Flintshire would receive sufficient WG funding to continue to provide the Communities for Work support and enable the Council to retain the entire staff team to do so.

The report provided an update on the programme and the changes which had taken place and its future priorities.

The Service Manager, Enterprise and Regeneration added that the report had been submitted to the Environment and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee the previous week where it was supported.  He welcomed the support from WG to continue delivery for the next 12 months.

Councillor Johnson welcomed the report and suggested an additional recommendation of “that the details, including a resume of the programme, be shared with all Members”, which was supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the closure of the Communities for Work programme and the new arrangements to support long term unemployed people be considered and supported; and

(b)       That the details, including a resume of the programme, be shared with all Members.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Bithell introduced the Draft Statement of Gambling Policy for consideration prior to it being presented to County Council on 20^th June 2023.

The Council was required to review its Statement of Gambling Policy in accordance with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.  The purpose of the Policy was to set out the principles that the local authority would apply when carrying out its role under the Act.

The Policy must contain objectives regarding the following:

·         Preventing gambling from being a source of crime or disorder, being associated with crime or disorder, or being used to support crime;

·         Ensuring gambling was conducted in a fair and open way; and

·         Protecting children and other vulnerable persons from being harmed or exploited by gambling.

Consultation had taken place with relevant bodies and interested parties and no responses had been received.

The Policy had been submitted to the Licensing Committee on 1^st March 2023 where it was endorsed and recommended to County Council for approval.

RESOLVED:

That the Statement of Gambling Policy in advance of its presentation to County Council be endorsed.

To provide details of actions taken under delegated powers.

An information item on the actions taken under delegated powers was submitted.  The actions were as set out below:-

NEWydd Catering and Cleaning

• Appointment of NEWydd Board Chair

As a wholly owned Council LATC and as confirmed in the company Memorandum and Articles of Association (para 14 of the Reserved Matters), the appointment of any person to the NEWydd Board of Directors must be authorised by the Council through delegated powers.

Following a recruitment process a new Chair has now been identified and NEWydd are seeking to now make the appointment.

• Appointment to NEWydd Board – Appointment of 2 Non-Executive Directors

As a wholly owned Council LATC and as confirmed in the company Memorandum and Articles of Association (para 14 of the Reserved Matters), the appointment of any person to the NEWydd Board of Directors must be authorised by the Council through delegated powers.

Following a recruitment process two new Non-Executive Directors have now been identified and NEWydd are seeking to now make the appointment.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Eastwood introduced the report which provided details of the changes to the operational construction programme for Band B – Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme which was outlined in the Council’s Strategic Outline Plan.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the content of the report and progress relating to school modernisation be noted;

(b)       That approval be given to enter into a construction contract for the proposed project at Ysgol Croes Atti, Flint, subject to Welsh Government approval of the full business case; and

(c)        That approval be given to enter into a construction contract for the proposed project at Ysgol Penyffordd C.P.

There were no members of the public in attendance.