Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None.

A decision of the Cabinet meeting on 12 July 2022 relating to ‘Sustainable Communities for Learning - Mutual Investment Model (MIM) - Financial Close for the 3-16 Campus Project, Mynydd Isa’ has been called in.  Attached is a copy of the procedure for dealing with a called in item.

Report of Chief Officer (Education and Youth) - Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure.

To assist Members, the following documents are attached:-

·         Copy of the report - Sustainable Communities for Learning - Mutual Investment Model (MIM) – Financial Close for the 3-16 Campus Project, Mynydd Isa

·         Copy of the Record of Decision

·         Copy of the Call In Notice

That, having considered the decision, the Committee was satisfied with the explanations received and therefore the decision may now be implemented.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item by virtue of exempt information under Paragraph(s) 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

At this point, the livestreaming and recording of the meeting was paused.

Councillor Richard Jones raised a number of questions around what additional advantages were to be gained by the Council from the Contract, and referred to the community benefits, local interests, and local contract arrangements.   He sought clarification on paragraph 12.13.1 (page 57 of the report), and reference to delegated low value trade, and also paragraph 2.05 in the Cabinet report and reference to wear and tear. 

The Chief Executive responded to the comments and questions raised by Councillor Jones on the social value implications and advised that it was a prerequisite of the contract that the supply chain should seek to utilise as much Welsh labour and resources as possible.

Speaking in support of the Chief Executive’s response to Councillor Jones, the Chief Officer (Education, Youth and Culture) advised that the Council had a dedicated officer to monitor the social value of contracts.  The Corporate Manager for Capital Programme and Assets provided further response and clarification to Councillor Jones on social value, delegations, maintenance arrangements and contract management.

RESOLVED:

That following consideration of the confidential item the live streaming of the meeting be resumed to enable the press and public to view the remainder of the meeting. 

At this point, the livestreaming and recording of the meeting was resumed

The Chair invited the initiators of the call in to sum up.

Councillor Richard Jones spoke on behalf of the signatories of the call-in and thanked everyone for their contribution.  He commented on the increased costs of the MIM project, citing the increase in annual service charge, and said that the concept of ensuring continued ‘value for money’ was not only in terms of financial considerations but also the social and educational benefits to be gained.   Councillor Jones said that the signatories of the call-in remained concerned about why an earlier project for new school build in Saltney had been substituted by the Mynydd Isa project.  Councillor Jones said the signatories wished the Cabinet to reconsider the project in Mynydd Isa in view of the concerns raised and also to determine whether it remained ‘value for money’.

The Chair invited the decision makers to sum up.

Councillor Ian Roberts reminded Members that there had been opportunities to raise concerns on the matters raised at an earlier stage. He advised that the increase in the annual service charge from £681k in 2017 to current costs was not comparable.  Councillor Roberts referred to the reasons for the call-in and citing the second reason he urged members of the Committee to raise any items they wished to be scrutinised during consideration of the Committee’s Forward Work Programme.  Councillor Roberts emphasised that Cabinet had given due consideration to the project on numerous occasions as previously advised. 

The Chair invited the Education and Community Overview & Scrutiny facilitator to remind Members of the options for decision-making as detailed in item 3 of the agenda.

Councillor David Mackie proposed Option 4 and this was seconded by Councillor Bill Crease. 

Councillor Ted Palmer proposed Option 1 and this was seconded by Councillor David Coggins-Cogan.

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator gave a reminder of the voting procedure and advised that having been moved and seconded, the substantive Motion would need to be put to the vote before an alternative option could be considered. 

The Chair asked Members of the Committee to vote on Option 4.  When put to the vote the proposal was lost.

The Chair asked Members of the Committee to vote on Option 1.  When put to the vote the proposal was carried.

In her closing remarks the Chair thanked everyone for their attendance and contribution and said close scrutiny was welcomed and valued.  She said the project would reduce the impact of transition on pupils, increase the expertise available for students at Key Stage 2, facilitate more close relationships with families, meet the individual needs of students, and provide physical accessibility for all.

RESOLVED:

That, having considered the decision, the Committee was satisfied with the explanations received and therefore the decision may now be implemented.

There were no members of the press in attendance.