Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Councillor Thomas declared a personal interest in agenda item number 7 – Adoption of Supplementary Planning Guidance Note – Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

                        Councillor Bithell declared a personal interest in agenda item number 10 – Theatr Clwyd Revised Board of Governors Model.  The Chief Executive also declared a personal interest in this item as he was a member of the Board.

                        Councillors Attridge and Jones declared personal and prejudicial interests in agenda item number 13 – 21^st Century Schools Programme – Connah’s Quay High School Project – Proposed Contract Variation.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting on 24^th April 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24^th April 2018 had been circulated with the agenda and approved as a correct record. 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Mullin introduced the Year-End Council Plan Monitoring Report 2017/18.  Flintshire was a high performing Council as was evidenced in previous Council Plan monitoring reports as well as in the Annual Performance reports.

            The Chief Executive said this was an early outturn report with the respective service areas being submitted to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committees.  Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee would receive the full report.

            Where targets had not been met or where a performance indicator showed a red RAG status, an action plan would be produced which would look in detail at what steps could be taken to mitigate future underperformance and whether the indicator should be carried over to the 2018/19 Council Plan to keep its profile.  The action plans would first be reported to Cabinet.

            The Corporate Business and Communications Executive Officer added that it was a positive report with 83% of activities being assessed as having made good progress and 74% having achieved the desired outcome.  Performance indicators showed good progress with 56% meeting or near to period target.  Risks were being successfully managed with the majority being assessed as moderate (63%), minor 8% or insignificant (6%).  On the risks, she explained that the majority were influenced by external factors such as changes in funding.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the levels of progress, performance and risk in the Year-end Council Plan 2017/18 monitoring report be noted and endorsed; and

(b)       That Cabinet be assured by plans and actions to manage the delivery of the 2017/18 Council Plan.

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) introduced the Regional Regeneration Strategy and Welsh Government Targeted Regeneration Investment (TRI) Programme report. 

Welsh Government (WG) had launched the TRI programme to provide funding for regeneration projects across Wales.  Funding was conditional upon the submission of a regional regeneration strategy and upon a regionally-prioritised approach to developing investment proposals. 

A draft regeneration strategy had been developed within the challenging timescales set for the process and a collaborative approach had been taken across North Wales to develop and prioritise investment, and to concentrate limited resources into priority regeneration areas and thematic projects which would make use of the first three years of the TRI programme.

The draft North Wales regeneration strategy proposed twelve towns as priority areas for regeneration which were listed in the report.  The towns had been identified using the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation rankings for overall levels of deprivation.  Flintshire towns Holywell and Shotton were ranked 7^th and 8^th respectively.  There were two thematic projects which could apply to the Flintshire towns, which were housing renewal and key buildings.

            RESOLVED:

That the draft regional regeneration strategy for submission to Welsh Government be approved.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Jones introduced the Parliamentary Review of Health and Social Care report which provided details and next steps following final publication of the report.

            The demand for health and social care had increased dramatically over the last 20 years.  This had created a significant challenge for public services and the Parliamentary Review into Health and Social Care was established by Welsh Government (WG) to identify how public services might better anticipate and address the new demands being put upon them.

            Based on the findings of the consultation and stakeholder forums, the final report made ten recommendations to WG which closely mirrored the findings from the Interim Report which was produced in July 2017.  The recommendations were summarised in the report.

            The Chief Officer (Social Services) added that details had been received on an Innovation and Transformation Fund with £100m being available across Wales over the next two years.  It was expected that North Wales would receive approximately £10m and a bidding process would commence in June.

            Councillor Thomas commented on the importance of helping people to remain in their own homes to avoid social isolation, a key part of which was the provision of public transport.  She suggested that some of the funding from the Innovation and Transformation Fund could be used for that purpose.  The Chief Officer welcomed the suggestion and explained that recommendation 7: ‘Harness innovation, and accelerate technology and infrastructure developments’ was aimed at such things.  Councillor Shotton said the digital strategy element of recommendation number 7 could be linked to the North Wales Growth Deal Bid.

RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the response to the report be approved; and

(b)       That Cabinet contribute to the national work through Flintshire County Council representation at the North Wales Regional Programme Board.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Bithell introduced the Adoption of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) Note – Clwydian Range and Dee Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) report which sought final approval for formal adoption.

            The SPG had been prepared jointly by Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham Councils and had been the subject of an extensive public consultation exercise.  The SPG was being recommended to each Local Planning Authority for adoption.

            The aim of the SPG was to improve the quality of development in and around the AONB and to ensure that the AONB was a design consideration from the earliest stages of designing a development. 

            The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) commented on the appendices which were the summary of comments and responses and recommended changes, and the revised SPG showing the amendments.

RESOLVED:

That the adoption of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Supplementary Planning Guidance be approved so that it can be given weight as a material planning consideration when considering relevant planning enquiries, applications and appeals.

As detailed in the recommendations with the first line of recommendation (3) being amended to read: Note the contents of the North Wales combined regional Air Quality Report.

Councillor Bithell introduced the Air Quality in Flintshire report which provided an overview and findings from the regional Air Quality Report, and recommended how the Council could do more to promote air quality considerations when key strategic and operational decisions were taken.

            The main source of air pollution in Flintshire was road traffic emissions from major roads linking England to the rest of North Wales such as the A55 and the A494.  Air quality management was a public health priority and integrated action to improve the air people breathed must be taken internationally, nationally, regionally and locally.

            The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) said the report had been submitted to a recent Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee where it had received full support.  Members welcomed the report, citing areas of high air pollution as the A494, Broughton Shopping Park and the surrounding area and outside schools.

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That all Flintshire County Council decisions and policies be encouraged, where appropriate, to proactively consider the impact on air quality;

(b)       That the Council work with the Public Services Board, a part of their environmental theme, to promote a multi-agency approach to addressing air quality; and

(c)        That the contents of the North Wales combined regional Air Quality report be noted.  As a consequence of the assessment it is also noted that there is no need to escalate action, and that continued monitoring will be sufficient to meet our legal obligations.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Mullin introduced the Flintshire Connects Update report which detailed the progress made to date in transferring customer facing services into Connects so that customers could have their enquiries resolved at first point of contact wherever possible. 

There had been considerable progress across a number of services including housing solutions, blue badges and revenues and benefits which had enabled efficiencies to be delivered within back office functions.

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained that some changes were currently underway to deliver further efficiencies without closing any of the centres which would be achieved by amending opening hours from June 2018.  On the current demand and pressures and the lower footfall figures in Buckley, he explained that the centre was now located on the ground floor and fully accessible; it had previously been located on the first floor of the building.  Officers would attend a future meeting of Buckley Town Council to ask that they help in the promotion of the Connects centre to local residents.

RESOLVED:

            (a)       That the update on the Flintshire Connects Service be noted; and

(b)       That the role of the Flintshire Connects Service to support the Customer and Digital Strategy be noted.

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Chief Officer (Strategic Programmes) introduced the Theatr Clwyd Revised Board of Governors Model report which provided an update on the progress of the work of revising the model for the Theatr Board of Governors including proposing the appointments of individuals to the Board.

            The list of the 13 individuals being proposed to act as Board members for the year 2018/19 was in the report.

            The Chief Executive explained that the net steps in refreshing and revising the model for the Board of Governors would be an induction for all Board members at the beginning of June, followed by the first Board meeting later that month.  A revised terms of reference for the Board would then be brought back to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

That the appointment of the 13 Board members as outlined in the report, and in accordance with the new  Board model, endorsed by Council, be approved.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Attridge introduced the North East Wales (NEW) Homes Business Plan report which sought approval for the Business Plan and the proposed process for approval of new lending to NEW Homes for the development or purchase of affordable homes in Flintshire.

            The Business Plan set out the key elements of the company’s proposed growth plan to increase the number of properties managed and owned as affordable housing over the next five years.

            The Board of NEW Homes reviewed the development of the company and progress made against the original Business Plan objectives which resulted in a revised Business Plan for NEW Homes.

            The Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) explained that as part of the reviewing process, three main portfolio areas were considered against the projections made in the original Business Plan. They were: Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP), Section 106 Units and Managed Lettings with full details outlined in the report.

            Councillor Roberts praised the work undertaken in his ward which had seen unsuitable maisonettes being replaced, helping to transform the centre of Flint.   Councillor Thomas said there was still a shortage of affordable homes for rent and cited Llys Alexandra in Mold as a successful development.  Councillor Attridge said the policy question of affordable homes was being looked into.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the NEW Homes Business Plan 2018/2027 be approved; and

(b)       That authority be given under delegated powers to the Corporate Finance Manager, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance, to approve future prudential borrowing through the Council (up to a maximum of £10m) for on-lending to NEW Homes for the purposes of developing or purchasing affordable homes.  Subject to NEW Homes meeting agreed lending parameters outlined in Appendix 2 to the report.

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:-

Streetscene and Transportation

• The Flintshire County Council (Alexandra Road and Victoria Road, Mold) (One Way Traffic) Order 201.

To advise Members of objections received following the advertisement of a One Way system on Alexandra Road and Victoria Road, Mold.

• The Flintshire County Council (Tyddyn Street, Mold) (Prohibition of Driving) (Except for Access) Order 20-

To advise Members of an objection received following the advertisement of Tyddyn Street, Mold (Prohibition of Driving) (Except for Access) 201.

Organisational Change

• Sale of 34.56 Acre of Bare Land at Wood Farm, Sandy Lane, Kinnerton CH4 9BS

The land is to be sold to the tenant of Hope Hall Farm, Hope, following his surrender of his Farm Business Tenancy at that address and his subsequent move to Wood Farm.

• Business Rates – Application for Hardship Rate Relief

Section 49 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 gives the Council the discretion to reduce or remit the payment of rates where it is satisfied that the ratepayer would sustain hardship if it did not do so and it is reasonable for it to do so having regard to the interests of its council tax payers.  An application received from a ratepayer who operated a partnership business in Saltney which is no longer trading has been refused on the grounds that it is not deemed to be in the wider public interest to support the awarding of Hardship Rate Relief.

RESOLVED:

That the actions taken under delegated powers be noted.

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 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

As detailed in the recommendation.

Having earlier declared personal and prejudicial interests, Councillors Attridge and Jones left the room for this item.

                        Councillor Roberts introduced the 21^st Century Schools Programme – Connah’s Quay High School project – Proposed Contract Variation report which sought approval to commission Kier Construction for stage one of a two stage Design and Build Contract for Phase 2 of the Capital improvement project at Connah’s Quay High School.

                        The proposed project would require successful submission of a Business Justification Case (BJC) to Welsh Government (WG) as it fell below the monetary value to trigger a Full Business Case (FBC).

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet support and approve entering into stage one of a two stage Design and Build contract with Kier Construction for Phase 2 of the build programme. Stage one will enable the detailed design work and cost certainty to be undertaken concurrently with the current contractor/team whilst the Phase 1 construction work is on site.

As detailed in the recommendation with the following additional recommendation being added:

(b)       That Cabinet request that Welsh Government provide supplementary capital to cover the estimated additional costs.

Councillor Jones introduced the Social Services Learning Disability Day and Work Opportunities Centre New Build – Contract Commissioning report which sought approval to contract with Kier Construction for the New Build Social Services Learning Disability Day and Work Opportunities Centre in Queensferry.

                        The indicative cost of the project was currently slightly above the allocation set aside in the capital programme and approval was sought for a maximum contract price pending further value engineering processes to reduce the costs where possible.

                        The Chief Executive explained that a letter had been drafted for Welsh Government (WG) to seek additional funding to support the project with some capital funding, which was supported by Cabinet Members

RESOLVED:

(a)       That Cabinet support and approve the contract with Kier Construction to enable the construction and delivery phase of the capital new build Social Services Learning Disability Day and Work Opportunities Centre in Queensferry subject to financial tolerances outlined within the report; and

(b)       That Cabinet request that Welsh Government provide supplementary capital to cover the estimated additional costs.

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