Agenda, decisions and minutes

Purpose: To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

On agenda item number 11, School Admission Arrangements, the Deputy Monitoring Officer explained that any Members who were a School Governor had a personal interest.  The interest was not prejudicial as the item was not relating to a particular school.  Councillors Bithell, Brown, Butler, Christine Jones, Kevin Jones and Shotton declared personal interests. 

            On agenda item number 13, Appointment of an Independent Director to NEW Homes, Councillor Attridge declared a personal and prejudicial interest as he was Chair of the NEW Homes Board.  In line with his dispensation granted by the Standards Committee, he would speak on the item and leave the room before the vote.

            On agenda item number 14, Alternative Delivery Models, Councillor Kevin Jones declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Day Care and Work Opportunities element of the report as he was a parent of a service user.

Purpose: To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16^th February 2016 had been circulated with the agenda.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The Chair advised that an item of urgent business would be considered after agenda item number 8 on the Meningitis B Vaccination Programme.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Attridge introduced the report on Community Asset Transfers (CATs), explaining that to date the scheme had been successful so far in sustaining a number of community assets and providing significant savings to the Council. 

If the areas for improvement identified in the report were addressed then it was anticipated that the number of CATs that could be completed in the next 12 months could be up to 26.  These potentially included Holywell Leisure Centre, Hope Library, Saltney Library which as well as protecting the assets could save the Council over £0.350m in revenue per annum.

A number of policy principles and areas for improvement were detailed in the report.  

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the progress of the revised Community Asset Transfer Scheme be noted;

(b)       That the additional policy principles for Community Asset Transfers identified in the report which have come through learning in the first 15 months be agreed; and

(c)       That the areas for improvement identified in the report that need to be worked upon over the next 12 months be agreed.

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Chief Executive introduced the Quarter 3 Improvement Plan Monitoring Report which showed positive levels of achievement.  The majority of activities were assessed as making good progress (76%) and likely to achieve the desired outcome (79%).  73% of the performance indicators (PIs) met or exceeded targets for the quarter.  Risks were also being successfully managed with the majority being assessed as moderate (73%) or minor (18%). 

The report was an exception based report and therefore detail focussed on the areas of under-performance with the report providing full details on the following areas:

·         One red RAG status for outcome: - Modern and Efficient Council (Improving Resource Management)

·         9 PIs which showed a red RAG status for quarter three

·         The three major red risks

In conclusion the Policy and Performance Manager explained that overall the position was positive with over 75% having a green or amber RAG status.  Individual priority reports would be submitted to the respective Overview and Scrutiny Committees.        

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the levels of progress and confidence in the achievement of the high level activities which seeks to deliver the impacts of the Improvement Plan; the performance against improvement plan performance indicators, for the quarter; the current risk levels for the risks identified in the Improvement Plan be noted and accepted; and

(b)       That Cabinet be assured by the plans and actions to manage the delivery of the 2015/16 Improvement Plan and its intended impacts.

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Kevin Jones introduced the report on the Play Sufficiency Assessment 2016 Including Future Proposals for Summer Play Schemes and Play Areas.  The Flintshire Play Sufficiency Assessment (PSA) 2016 and the subsequent Action Plan 2016/17 needed to be reported to Welsh Government (WG) as a statutory duty. 

The report provided details of the summer play scheme programme 2015 and details of the financial implications for the delivery of summer play schemes in 2016 and 2017.  Details were also provided on the safeguarding of children’s equipped play areas in the county.

            The Chief Officer (Organisational Change) provided full details on each of the three areas, highlighting the following:

·         The requirement to provide WG with a Play Sufficiency Assessment to address identified shortcomings and deficiencies

·         The risk of funding for the delivery of the summer play scheme programme: WG funding would not be available to support the delivery of the summer play scheme in 2016.  However, the Council had committed to finding funding for one year to ensure there were funds available for the summer of 2016.  The impact would have implications for the delivery of the summer 2017 programme

·         Town and Community Councils had been informed that play delivery was at risk and they had been asked to consider increasing their contribution and explore alternative delivery models to sustain the provision of play schemes in their areas

The report was being submitted to Overview and Scrutiny with a recommendation to encourage contribution to consultation with Town and Community Councils.  A further report would then be submitted to Cabinet.  An item would also be placed on the agenda for the next County Forum meeting.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Flintshire Play Sufficiency Assessment and Action Plan 2016 (Flintshire County Council, Draft Play Sufficiency Assessment & Action Plan 2016) be approved;

(b)       That the Flintshire Strategic Play Forum be reformed in 2016 to form a multi-agency forum to guide and monitor the Play Sufficiency Assessment Action Plan 2016; and

(c)       That local town and community councils and other partner organisations be consulted with on sustaining of children’s equipped play areas in the county.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Attridge introduced the report on the Business Case for Solar Farms at Brookhill and Standard Landfill Sites in Buckley. 

            Planning permission for the two schemes had been approved and the projects could proceed within the identified timescales.

            The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) added that the report was considered at Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee the previous week where questions had been raised on technical issues.  A written response was being provided and the report was recommended to Cabinet for approval.

            Members welcomed the report which was an innovative approach to generating a revenue stream and reducing the Councils carbon footprint and therefore carbon taxation.

RESOLVED:

That the development of the two Solar Farms, and the high voltage connection of Brookhill landfill site to Alltami Depot be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Attridge introduced the report on the Review of Strategic Highway Improvement Schemes and explained that following a refresh of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) earlier in the year, a revision of the Strategic Highway Improvement Schemes was also completed to ensure that the schemes supported and aligned with the current priorities and transport strategies/plans within the revised LTP.

RESOLVED:

That the removal of the Highway Improvement schemes detailed in the report, which no longer form part of the Councils Transport priorities as defined within the LTP, be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Christine Jones introduced the report on the Meningitis B Vaccination Programme which was offered to babies as part of the routine National Health Service (NHS) childhood vaccination programme which was introduced in September 2015.  Since that time public support had increased for the programme to be extended to include all children up to the age of 11.

                        The Petitions Committee of Parliament was conducting an inquiry following receipt of an e-petition signed by over 820,000 members of the public seeking an extension to the programme within the UK.

                        Members welcomed the report, adding their support to that of the public for the extension of the vaccination programme.  Councillor Butler queried the cost of extending the programme which he supported in the main but felt further details were needed.  Councillor Shotton explained that it was a one off programme and cost, as any children born after September 2015 would be offered it routinely.  

            RESOLVED:

That Flintshire County Council commits its support for the extension of the vaccination programme to all children up to the age of 11.

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Corporate Finance Manager introduced the Capital Programme Monitoring 2015/16 (Month 9) report, explaining that the Capital Programme had decreased by £3.320m in the period due to the impact of the following:

·         Reduction in year to the 21^st Century Schools Programme (£5.724m) and Wales Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) Improvements (£0.152m);

·         Pre-approved Rollover into 2016/17 (£0.435m); and

·         Other Aggregate Decreases (£0.052m).

Offset by:

·         Additional Welsh Government (WG) Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) grant (£1.367m); Introduction of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding for Town Centre Regeneration (£0.561m);

·         Additional Funding for Waste Services (£0.358m);

·         Additional grant/contributions for Private Sector Renewal (£0.279m);

·         Introduction of funding for play areas (£0.220m); and

·         Other Aggregate Increases (£0.256m).

Resources available for funding future capital expenditure was c£2.986m.

As at Month 9, Early Identified Rollover (EIR) had been identified which reflected reviewed spending plans across all programme areas; those committed amounts had been identified as required to meet the cost of programme works in 2016/17.

Two pressure areas totalling £0.088m had been identified within the Streetscene and Transportation portfolio which were:

1.    Overspend on remediation works at Standard Landfill site due to the presence of asbestos (£0.035m); and

2.    Higher than expected contract price for the Queensferry roundabout improvement works (£0.053m)

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be approved;

(b)       That the rollover adjustments be approved; and

(c)        That the request for additional resources be approved.

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Corporate Finance Manager introduced the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015/16 (Month 9) report which provided details on the latest revenue budget monitoring position for 2015/16 for the Council Fund and the Housing Revenue Account and reported that no specific issues had been raised when considered at the recent Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.  The position was based on actual income and expenditure as at Month 9 and projected to the year-end.  The projected year-end position, as estimated at Month 9 was as follows:

                        Council Fund

·         Net in year expenditure forecast to be £1.242m lower than budget

·         Projected contingency reserve balance at 31 March 2016 of £4.878m

Housing Revenue Account

·         Net in year expenditure forecast to be £0.082m lower than budget

·         Projected closing balance as at 31 March 2016 of £1.319m

The report provided details on the programme of efficiencies, inflation, unearmakred reserves and earmarked reserves.

The report also outlined details on a number of risk areas as follows:

·         Municipal Mutual Insurance (MMI)

·         Recycling

·         Car Parking

·         Out of County Placements

·         Former Euticals Site

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the overall report and the projected Council Fund contingency sum as at 31^st March 2016 be noted; and

(b)       That the projected final level of balances on the Housing Revenue Account be noted.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Bithell introduced the report on School Admission Arrangements 2017/18, advising Members on the outcome of the statutory consultation exercise on the admission arrangements for September 2017.  He added that the admission arrangements must be determined by 15 April each year.

                        No comments had been received during the consultation process. 

There were no changes proposed to the current admission numbers for each school or the current admissions policy or oversubscription criteria.  Clarification of the wording of the oversubscription criteria was detailed in the report.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed admission arrangements for 2017/18 be approved.

As in the recommendation.

The Chief Executive introduced the report on the Urdd National Eisteddfod 2016 which provided details of the plan which was to be hosted in Flint between 30^th May and 4^th June 2016, including the role Flintshire County Council was playing to support the event and the organisers.

                        As host County, the Council was matching the sponsorship of Flint Town Council to the level of £30,000 which had been set aside as a reserve.  The cost of promotional activity of £15,000 would be met by existing promotional budgets. The Council would also need to provide additional financial support to the Streetscene service of up to £10,000 for the daily collection and disposal of recyclable refuse from the site.  If a contribution to licence fees was required that would be pursued.

                        Members welcomed the report, commenting on the opportunity to celebrate Welsh culture and language, competitions and tourism opportunities.

RESOLVED:

            That the Council support the Urdd Eisteddfod as set out in the report and promotes the County and its attractions with a presence on the Maes site.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Attridge introduced the report on the Appointment of an Independent Director to NEW Homes, providing an update on the recruitment process.  An ideal candidate had been found who could fully meet the additional skills required by the Board.  He had financial expertise having been a Section 151 Officer for a Local Authority and had regeneration and housing development experience.

                        Members welcomed the report and the recommended appointment of Paul Mcgrady.

RESOLVED:

            That the appointment of Paul Mcgrady as an Independent Director of NEW Homes be approved.

            Councillor Attridge left the room following his introduction of the report.

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

As detailed in recommendations (1), (2), (4) and (5).  In respect of (3), it be amended to read “for Leisure and Libraries an employee led mutual was adopted as the preferred model for the future subject to more information being provided on employee involvement and consultation and the levels of confidence amongst the workforce over the workability of the model.  An update report will be brought back to Cabinet (by May) with the invitation to Cabinet to reconsider the recommendations of the report for this service in full”.

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change) introduced the report on Alternative Delivery Models (ADMs) which provided details of the final proposals including service business and transition plans in relation to proposals for ADMs.  They were:

·         The establishment of a Local Authority Trading Company with TECKAL exemption in Facility Management Services;

·         That Day Care and Work Opportunities service delivery be commissioned from a social organisation; and

·         That Leisure and Libraries establish an Employee Led Mutual

Following a discussion on Leisure and Libraries, it was agreed that more information would be provided on employee involvement and consultation and the levels of confidence amongst the workforce over the workability of the model.  All other elements of the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Facility Management Services establish a Local Authority Trading Company (LATC) with a TEKAL exemption to trade and that this be subject to a number of conditions as detailed in the report;

(b)       That the Day Care Service delivery and Work Opportunities Services delivery be agreed to be commissioned from a social organisation and it be subject to a number of conditions as detailed in the report;

(c)        That an employee led mutual be adopted for Leisure and Libraries as the preferred model for the future, subject to further information being provided on employee involvement and consultation and the levels of confidence amongst the workforce over the workability of the model.  An update report to be brought back to Cabinet by May with the invitation to Cabinet to reconsider the recommendations of the report for the service in full;

(d)       That full Implementation Plan be brought back to Cabinet prior to authority being provided to enter into legal agreements for completion of any of the Alternative Delivery Models; and

(e)       That in finalising implementation plans for services the Council wide positions detailed in Appendix D to the report be approved.

Councillor Kevin Jones left the room during discussion of the Day Care and Work Opportunities.           

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Brown introduced the report on Housing Programmes Restructure, providing details on the staffing structure required to deliver the functions and responsibilities associated with the Housing Programmes Team of the Community and Enterprise portfolio.

RESOLVED:

That the staffing structure for the Housing Programmes team as set out in the report be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

Councillor Brown introduced the report on Council Housing Service – Housing Management Restructure, providing details of the staffing structure required to deliver the Housing Management function of the Community and Enterprise portfolio.

RESOLVED:

That the revised Housing Management staffing structure as set out in the report be approved.

As detailed in the recommendation.

The Chief Executive introduced the report on the Review of the Policy and Performance and Communications Teams, providing details of the proposed amalgamation of those Teams.

RESOLVED:

That the proposed amalgamation of the Policy and Performance and Communications Teams be supported and implemented.

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