Agenda, decisions and minutes

At the Annual Meeting, Council determined that the Labour Group will Chair this Committee.  The Committee is advised that Councillor Teresa Carberry is the Chair of the Committee for the municipal year.

RESOLVED:

That the appointment of Councillor Teresa Carberry as Chair of the Committee for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year be noted.

Pupils from Castell Alun will be in attendance to present their work using the climate change toolkit.

Councillor David Healey introduced Dr. Amanda Heath and pupils from Castell Alun High School and invited them to give a presentation to the Committee on their use of the Climate Change Toolkit.

Following comments made by Members of the Committee, the Chair said that she would write to the Head of Castell Alun to praise the presentation given by the pupils and thank them for the presentation and their attendance.

The Committee suggested that the Chair write to all Schools to highlight the presentation given and encourage them to take part in the Climate Change Toolkit.

To appoint a Vice-Chair for the Committee.

That Councillor Gina Maddison be appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year.

Councillor Andrew Parkhurst nominated Councillor Carolyn Preece.  This nomination was seconded by Councillor Dave Mackie. 

Councillor Ryan McKeown nominated Councillor Gina Maddison.  This nomination was seconded by Councillor Fran Lister.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Gina Maddison be appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee for the remaining 2024/25 municipal year.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

No declarations of interest were made.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November, 2024.

That subject to the amendments listed above, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The minutes (agenda item number 6) of the meeting held on 28 November, 2025 were submitted. 

The following typos were highlighted within the minutes:-

• The word ‘Theatr’ on page 5 of the minutes; and
• The word ‘Learner’ on page 6 of the minutes.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the amendments listed above, the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2025 be approved as a correct record.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)       That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented a report (agenda item number 7) to consider the current Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking progress.

Following the suggestion made by the Committee under the previous item, the Facilitator said that she would liaise with Castell Alun High School on an appropriate date for pupils to attend a future meeting to provide a further update on the Climate Change Toolkit and amend the FWP to reflect this.

Councillor Carolyn Preece referred to the action relation to the Business Plan for the Flintshire Leisure & Library Service being presented to the Committee and raised concerns on the response that the company needed time to consider and develop a mid to long-term business plan.  She questioned why a business plan had not already been developed and it was suggested that the Facilitator take this question forward following the meeting.

In response to concerns raised by Members on portion sizes of school meals, the Facilitator suggested that the Director of NEWydd be asked to provide a briefing note on portion sizes to be circulated to the Committee and that the matter be re-considered at the next meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Andrew Parkhurst reported that he had not received additional information around direct award contracts following the last meeting.  The Facilitator agreed to chase this following the meeting.

In response to concerns raised by Councillor Parkhurst around budget reports being presented to Overview & Scrutiny ahead of Cabinet and Flintshire County Council meetings in February, the Facilitator reported that the Committee meeting scheduled for 17^th February would be brought forward to allow time for the Committee to consider budget proposals and provide feedback to Cabinet.  Information on the revised meeting date would be provided to Members as soon as possible.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(b)       That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and

(c)        That the progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

(a)       That the Committee support the creation of a digital strategy for Youth Work provision in Flintshire, including online provision which compliments physical open access and targeted provision;

(b)       That the Committee support the creation of an internal delivery team for youth work qualifications which supports the recent creation of the North Wales Training Partnership. Ensuring that future qualifications are affordable, accessible and reflect local and regional needs;

(c)       That the Committee commend the service for gaining the Quality Mark Bronze Award and the Safer Communities Award for the Athena and Goliath Programmes;

(d)       That the Committee support the application for the Quality Mark Silver Award in 2025 as part of the ongoing service improvement; and

(e)       That the Committee support the continuation of creating a sustainable, affordable, equitable and quality youth service which prioritises front line delivery.

The Senior Manager – Integrated Youth Provision presented a report (agenda item number 8) to outline how the Flintshire Youth Service was progressing positively towards a more sustainable model which safeguarded the range and quantity of provision in the medium to long term, despite the challenging economic circumstances of local government

The Chair suggested that young people involved in the Athena (girls’ intervention) and Goliath (boys’ intervention) programmes which targeted toxic masculinity and recently won the Safer Communities Wales Award for theViolence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (VAWDASV) category be invited to attend a future meeting to provide the Committee with a short presentation on the programme.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee support the creation of a digital strategy for Youth Work provision in Flintshire, including online provision which compliments physical open access and targeted provision;

(b)       That the Committee support the creation of an internal delivery team for youth work qualifications which supports the recent creation of the North Wales Training Partnership. Ensuring that future qualifications are affordable, accessible and reflect local and regional needs;

(c)       That the Committee commend the service for gaining the Quality Mark Bronze Award and the Safer Communities Award for the Athena and Goliath Programmes;

(d)       That the Committee support the application for the Quality Mark Silver Award in 2025 as part of the ongoing service improvement; and

(e)       That the Committee support the continuation of creating a sustainable, affordable, equitable and quality youth service which prioritises front line delivery.

(a)       That the Council’s Corporate Risk Register report, in particular risk REY01 – Financial Viability of Schools be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee is assured of the arrangements in place to manage risk REY01 – Financial Viability of Schools.

The Strategic Performance Advisor and Chief Officer (Education & Youth) presented a report (agenda item number 9) which outlined the process of identifying and assessing risks, evaluating their potential consequence, and mitigating them to ensure priorities were achieved.  The aim was to minimise the severity of their consequence and likelihood of occurring where possible.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Council’s Corporate Risk Register report, in particular risk REY01 – Financial Viability of Schools be noted; and

(b)       That the Committee is assured of the arrangements in place to manage risk REY01 – Financial Viability of Schools.

(a)       That the Committee support the levels of progress and confidence in the achievement of priorities as detailed within the Council Plan 2023/28 for delivery within 2024/25;

(b)       That the Committee support overall performance against Council Plan 2024/25 performance indicators/measures; and

(c)       That the Committee is assured by explanations given for those areas of underperformance.

The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) presented a report (agenda item number 10) which presented a summary of performance of progress against the Council Plan priorities identified for 2024/25 at the mid-year (Quarter 2) position.  This report was an exception-based report and concentrates on those areas of performance which were not currently achieving their target,

In response to a question from Councillor Dave Mackie on whether the action relating to supporting schools with their child poverty strategies had been completed, the Chief Officer agreed to provide a response following the meeting.

The recommendations within the report were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee support the levels of progress and confidence in the achievement of priorities as detailed within the Council Plan 2023/28 for delivery within 2024/25;

(b)       That the Committee support overall performance against Council Plan 2024/25 performance indicators/measures; and

(c)       That the Committee is assured by explanations given for those areas of underperformance.

(c)       That the Committee is assured by explanations given for those areas of underperformance.

None.