Agenda, decisions and minutes

Purpose: To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None were received.

None were received.

A decision of the Cabinet meeting on 14 February 2017 relating to the Deeside Plan has been called in.  Attached is a copy of the procedure for dealing with a called in item.

The Democratic Services Manager gave an overview of the procedure for the call?in of a Cabinet decision as detailed in the supporting document.  The Cabinet decision on the Deeside Plan of 14 February 2017 had been called in by Councillors Mike Peers, Richard Jones, Veronica Gay, Owen Thomas, Gareth Roberts, Dave Mackie, Nancy Matthews and Hilary Isherwood.  Copies of the Cabinet report, Record of Decision and Call-in Notice were included with the agenda.

To assist Members, the following documents are attached:

·         Copy of the report of the Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) and Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation)

·         Copy of the Record of Decision

·         Copy of the Call In Notice

That the explanations be accepted but not endorsed by the Committee.

On behalf of the call-in signatories, Councillors Mike Peers, Richard Jones and Dave Mackie were invited to address the Committee first.

Whilst Councillor Peers understood the focus on employment, economic growth and improved traffic infrastructure in Deeside, he pointed out that other elements on housing, high street regeneration, leisure etc were needed in other towns and communities in the county.  He asked how the Deeside Plan would integrate with the Local Development Plan (LDP) where elements such as housing and leisure should be addressed and said that the lack of land supply for residential development should form part of the growth spatial options within the LDP.  He felt there should have been much wider consultation on the Plan allowing for full debate across the Council and the county, including an impact assessment on other communities.  He also stated that the Plan lacked any evidence of funding and resources needed to achieve its objectives, pointing out that some of the Council’s reserves had already been set aside to support the 2017/18 budget.  For these reasons and to comply with the Council’s pre-election protocol on major consultations, he felt that the item should be deferred until after the Election to allow for proper consultation.

In acknowledging Deeside as Flintshire’s employment hub, Councillor Richard Jones felt that a Flintshire Plan was more appropriate to spread investment across the county, especially in view of the Council’s funding per capita and the fact that Deeside had already benefited from Vibrant & Viable Places (VVP) funding.  He also cited the lack of detail on funding for the 30 year Plan, which would be to the detriment of other communities where improved education, transport, leisure and environment was also important.  He said that the lack of consultation outside the Deeside area meant that the effect on other communities could not be determined, which was crucial.

Councillor Dave Mackie referred to the recommendation to make a case for the A494/A55 improvements to facilitate delivery of the Deeside Plan.  He said that the decision on that route affected other areas and should have been included in the consultation.

In response, Councillor Aaron Shotton gave a reminder of the county’s established approach to town centre partnerships; each providing an opportunity for its local Members to identify priorities and shape future strategies for their respective areas.  He said there was no expectation for town centres to consult widely on priorities within their own masterplans, as was the case with the Deeside Plan which would be monitored by the Deeside partnership.  In support of the Plan, he stated the importance of the Deeside Industrial Park as an employment site of regional significance, contributing to the work of the Mersey Dee Alliance and North Wales Economic Ambition Board centred on economic growth and transport infrastructure.  He spoke about the aims within the Plan in seeking to address the recognised concentration of areas of deprivation in Deeside along with low levels of self-employment and lack of qualified workers.  He said that the whole of Flintshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

Purpose: To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 23 January and 1 February 2017.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meetings held on 23 January and 1 February 2017 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

(a)       That the impact that ongoing Welfare Reforms will have on Flintshire residents and the actions being taken to support residents where possible, be noted; and

(b)       That a joint meeting with the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee be included in the Forward Work Programme for 2017/18.

The Benefits Manager introduced a report on the main changes to the benefit system for those in work and out of work, together with actions being taken to support households affected by the rollout of Universal Credit (UC) full service from April 2017.  She gave a presentation covering the following areas:

·         impact of pre-2015 reforms

·         impact of the 2015 budgets

·         the lower Benefit Cap affecting 5 times as many households

·         number of households showing level of impact in 2016

·         analysis of households with high impact

·         high impact by ward

·         UC impact

·         2020 scenario

·         Flintshire vs national average

Since November 2016, a significant increase was reported in the number of households affected by the reduction in the Benefit celing.  Although support was being given to some families through Discretionary Housing Payments, Members’ assistance was sought in helping the team to continue efforts to engage with others most at risk.  A number of key changes from April 2017 included the introduction of digital claim processing as well as alternative payment arrangements and in-work conditionality which were viewed as significant challenges.  Whilst a range of support and proactive approaches were being implemented by the Council to mitigate effects, there were growing concerns about the increasing number of people affected negatively.  The Benefits Manager agreed to provide the Committee with the list of households with high impact, broken down by ward.

The Chief Officer (Community & Enterprise) said that many claimants may not be aware that even minor changes in circumstances would instigate an end to their transitional protection.

Following concerns from Councillor Rosetta Dolphin, the Chief Officer referred to a range of support including practical digital help available in Flintshire Connects and libraries.  However, the significant increased demand for help, particularly for vulnerable residents, meant there was greater reliance on a wider network of support involving third sector organisations.  A detailed analysis of the implications and anticipated risks to homelessness services would be brought to Cabinet.

Councillor Hilary Isherwood referred to the availability of additional support in the voluntary sector.

Councillor Paul Shotton commended the work of the team in helping residents.  The Benefits Manager reaffirmed the Council’s commitment in seeking to mitigate, where possible, the impacts of reforms set by the UK Government.  Officers were also working to raise awareness of real-life scenarios facing claimants.  More detailed information would be given at the forthcoming workshop to highlight the issue amongst Members and seek their help in engaging with residents.  As requested by Councillor Dolphin, a copy of the letter to be sent to tenants would be shared with all Members to help their understanding of the UC changes.

Councillor David Cox asked about the Council’s capacity to continue its support.  The Benefits Manager described welfare reforms as an organisational issue, affecting not just the Benefits team.  Discussions with the voluntary/third sector were continuing and Members’ help was needed in spreading the message to the public about the issue and signposting to support available.  Training given to officers was centred on understanding customers’ journeys  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

That the report be noted.

The Committee received the regular update report to consider progress towards the delivery of the impacts set out in the 2016/17 Improvement Plan, focussing on the areas of under and good performance relevant to the Committee during Quarter 3.

Housing

The Service Manager (Customer Support) highlighted the effect of the triage approach in helping to manage 53% of residents’ enquiries at the first point of contact.  Although the target on the prevention of homelessness had been achieved, the outcomes of some longer-term cases (due to new legislation) would be reported in Quarter 4.

The Service Manager (Enterprise & Regeneration) advised that the Council was allocating additional resources and working with the Welsh Government (WG) to help achieve the target on the completion of loans for private sector home improvements.

The Capital Works Team Manager thanked the Committee for its support on the delivery of the Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) where the majority of targets had been exceeded.  Following positive progress on kitchen, bathroom and heating upgrades, the focus was shifting to external projects such as roof replacements and environmental workstreams.

Councillor David Cox requested the number of empty homes in the county and called for changes in legislation to address those standing vacant over a prolonged period.  The Service Manager (Enterprise & Regeneration) agreed to provide a separate response.  He spoke about various incentives aimed at bringing empty properties back into use including the Council’s policy on Council Tax for empty homes.

On behalf of the tenants, Councillor Paul Shotton thanked the team for their work on the transformation of Pen-y-Lan Court in Connah’s Quay.  On the WHQS, he was advised that no significant changes had been made to the six year plans previously shared with Members.

In response to praise from Councillor Ian Dunbar on the Council’s WHQS programme, the Capital Works Team Manager said that progress was continually improving.  Councillor Helen Brown gave a reminder that the commitments given to tenants in the Housing Choices document were being exceeded.

In response to remarks from Councillors George Hardcastle and Ray Hughes, it was explained that discussions on garage sites at previous Member workshops were being used to identify appropriate sites for development within the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme.  An update on the programme would be shared at a later stage.

Councillor Ray Hughes thanked the officer team for their assistance on a property adaptation for a disabled resident.  He referred to the significant cost implications of converting bathrooms to wetrooms, pointing out that they could be used by able-bodied residents.  The Capital Works Team Manager explained that the sheltered housing review was ongoing and he spoke about the complexities involved in balancing individual needs whilst maximising the limited funding.

Poverty

The Service Manager (Customer Support) reported that the co-location of the Welfare Rights team and Citizen Advice Service was proving beneficial in supporting residents to better manage their financial commitments.  However, the absence of a key Council officer during the period had resulted in additional support from the Citizen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

There was one member of the press and one member of the public in attendance.