Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

None were received

None were received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2021.

That with the two corrections the minutes be approved as an accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2021 were submitted.

            Councillor George Hardcastle referred to the last paragraph on page 6 and said his question was in relation to a one off delivery of sand and sandbags to be used by the response team at Hawarden Community Council.  In response the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) provided an explanation on why the sandbag policy was brought in effect, the costs involved and also outlined the potential storage problems communities could face by storing the bags and large amounts of sand.  He reassured Councillors that in the event of flooding, assistance would be provided.

            Councillor Paul Shotton referred to page 8 of the minutes and asked for a correction to the proposer as it was moved by Councillor Chris Dolphin not Councillor Chris Bithell.

The minutes were moved and seconded by Councillors Sean Bibby and Paul Shotton.

RESOLVED:

That with the two corrections the minutes be approved as an accurate record.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved.

(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.

(c)     That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

The Facilitator presented the report and referred members to the Forward Work Programme on page 17 which provided an update of items being brought to the 12^th May meeting and explained that the Highway Asset Management Plan would include information on the outcome of the Aggregate Trial and Potholes.  The Facilitator then referred to the 8^th June meeting confirming that in addition to the Year End Council Plan report, Litter and Fly Tipping, an update on Floods and Assisted Help would also be brought to that meeting.  With regard to the 6^th July meeting the Facilitator confirmed that the Public Rights of Way report, as put forward by Councillor Chris Dolphin, and Hydrogen Fuel Aspirations would be presented at this meeting.

            The Facilitator then referred to the Action tracking table and confirmed most were now completed and that following the May meeting the feedback to committee on the Pothole Trial and the Ash Dieback items could then be closed.

            The Cabinet Member for Streetscene and Countryside asked Councillor Hardcastle if he was happy with the response provided by the Chief Officer on the Sandbag Policy.  Councillor Hardcastle confirmed he was happy with the response provided by the Chief Officer.

The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Chris Dolphin and Joe Johnson.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be approved.

(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.

(c)     That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

To receive a presentation from representatives from Transport for Wales.

That the committee thanked Alex Fortune from Transport for Wales for the presentation and noted the contents thereof.

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) clarified that this presentation was produced following a request from this committee and that it provided information on the development and aspirations for the line following the implementation of the new franchise in 2018.  He confirmed that the Council was not responsible for the line but worked closely with neighbouring authorities, and the operator Transport for Wales (TFW) to develop the line and with shared aspirations the work would link into the Council’s Metro plans.  He confirmed that the track and signals were owned by Network Rail with the franchise managed by (TFW) who were undertaking a desk top study of the line to establish what constraints could impede the aims and aspirations for the line.

            The Chief Officer introduced Alex Fortune, The Rail Project Sponsor in Wales for Transport for Wales who worked closely with Network Rail and colleagues to help deliver these plans.  Mr Fortune commenced the detailed presentation to committee which included slides on the following:-

Ø  North Wales Metro –

·         A transformation of bus and rail services

·         Making it easier and faster to travel between the North Wales Coast, Wrexham, Deeside, and Merseyside in North East Wales.

·         Improved interchange at Shotton for the North Wales Coast Line.

·         New station at Deeside Parkway

Ø  Infrastructure

Ø  Stations & Usage

Ø  New trains

            The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) commented on the local issues of bridge strikes and to the bids placed last year to assist with dealing with these which were regularly happening on the route and the implications this caused commuters when this happened.  He confirmed the Council’s aspiration was that this line became a major commuter line which needed to be reliable.  He referred to the successful bid to put interactive signage along all of the low bridges along the route which included Cefn-y-Bedd, Shotton and Padeswood and explained how this would worked to alert drivers of high vehicles.   He then provided information on the bid placed to raise the bridge or lower the road and to the study carried out on the three sites to lower the road.  It was not possible to lower the road at Shotton and Cefn-y-Bedd and that because of local issues this was possible at Padeswood.

The Chief Officer then referred to the two station improvements and said that Shotton was not as advanced as the Parkway station, which was part of the Metro Transport Strategy.  He said it was key to the development of integrated strategies to developer a commuter line linked to Penyffordd with a park and ride to encourage commuters not to use their cars.

            Councillor Sean Bibby thanked Mr Fortune and the Chief Officer for the presentation which was very positive.  He raised the following questions:-

·         An update on the redevelopment of Shotton Station.

·         Referring to Deeside Parkway he asked what would be the future for Hawarden Bridge. 

·         With regard to Disabled Access he reported on a number of issues raised by residents concerning Shotton Station and asked what measures  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

That the committee noted the current volatility relating to both waste and recycling collection levels and rebate values for the recycling material collected in the County.

            The report was presented by the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) who explained this information was requested by Committee to understand the extensive impact the pandemic had caused on quantities of materials collected and values obtained for the material.  The Chief Officer then provided detailed information on the positive impact which was recycling which had increased by 25%, food waste collections which had increased by 10%.  The negative impact was that residual waste had increased by 7%, and that with the closure of HRC sites and suspension of garden waste collections this had impacted on overall recycling performance.  The Chief Officer confirmed the recycling performance was likely to remain the same at around 66% and provided information on the WG target of 70% for the 2024/25 financial year and confirmed that this would be brought back to committee in June with the new Campaign called “Target 70” to encourage more recycling.  He also referred to the new TV and media campaign by WG called “Mighty Recycler” which would be starting in a couple of weeks to engage with the public.  He then provided information on the financial impact on the prices for plastics and the resulting pressure on the service.  WG had been very supportive with Flintshire being one of the first councils in Wales to put forward a bid for the hardship fund because of the additional tonnage and loss of income and that the service overspend had decreased over the years because of WG support.

            The Chief Officer then referred to 1.08 in the report to re-assure Members regarding concerns with Brexit and access to European markets for recycling products.  He confirmed that access was still available but that presently all our recyclable materials were being distributed to merchants in the UK with end destinations monitored and reported by Natural Resources Wales.

            Councillor Hardcastle referred to a meeting of Hawarden Community Council the previous evening where the parking issues at Yowley Road and Crossways at Ewloe were discussed.  Wagons were finding it difficult to navigate through the cars and resulted in collections being missed and asked what procedures were in place in this situation to collect the recycling.  

In response the Chief Officer confirmed that this was a common problem in every ward with more parked cars as people were working for home and that this was becoming a big issue for the service. The recycling had to be collected and it was not the residents’ fault that they were working from home and reported on letter drops which had been carried out to encourage residents to move their cars on collection days.  Smaller vehicles were being used but there was a cost to this and that it was more cost effective to collect with our larger vehicles.  He agreed to feedback this back to the team and email the councillor at Hawarden Community Council.   

The Cabinet Member commented on the recycling figures saying the amount of recycling collected from households had increased by 26%, food waste by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To update members on the major transitions and on the regional and local responses being established.

(a)     Members noted the potential economic outlook projections and review the recovery structures established to steer future actions.

(b)     Members noted the current and proposed work programmes established to support economic recovery in Flintshire.

(c)     That a letter be sent on behalf of the Committee to Welsh Government to ask for the reinstatement of the Aggregates Levy Fund

The report was presented by the Chief Officer (Planning Environment & Economy) and Enterprise and Regeneration Manager.   The Chief Officer confirmed this was part of a series of papers being brought to committee regarding Economic Recovery and that this report outlined the proposals at the regional level and within the Council Plan.

            The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager confirmed the report clarified where the Council was at present with regard to the economy in Flintshire, highlighted potential risks, the governance structures in place and the current work programme to respond to those risks.  He provided information on the following:-

·         The uncertain position with regard to Brexit

·         The work undertaken by Grant Thornton on behalf of the WLGA looking specifically at trade and highlighted a number of risks specific to Flintshire as our economy was based on trade.

·         Most company headquarters were not based in Flintshire which placed Flintshire at risk with decisions being made elsewhere

·         Flintshire had a high level of low skill workers which were vulnerable to job losses

·         The Covid 19 situation we still uncertain with the Furlough scheme still in place which could mask potential future job losses especially for young people.

            The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager referred members to the diagram on page 36 prepared by Grant Thornton which highlighted the risks on how manufacturing and wholesale were reliant on Brexit and Covid outcomes.    He reported on the number of groups established with WG and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the work undertaken to plan the recovery process both for immediate needs and to reshape the future.  The priorities were included within the Council Plan.

            Councillor Patrick Heesom felt that this was a very important report and was concerned with the lack of member involvement in the procedures.  He referred to the structure on page 37 which had very little space for contributions from elected members especially with the implications of Brexit.  He then referred to the contributions of the Hatch Report and Grant Thornton Report and felt that members needed a precis of those reports to enable a better understanding.  In response the Enterprise and Regeneration Manager hoped the information provided a summary of those report and confirmed when they were available they would be circulated to Members. He would reflect on the comments regarding member involvement and hoped the meeting would provide some member involvement to enable discussion and hold officers to account. He hoped that would provide some level of reassurance but was happy to receive any comments.

            Councillor Shotton referred to the issues at Holyhead port because of the amount of paperwork companies had to complete which had resulted in deliveries being diverted to European ports and coming in the UK via Eire and then to Northern Ireland.  He asked how this was impacting on firms and haulers in Flintshire.  He also asked with the European Funding coming to an end and priority funding taking place where were the decisions being made at WG or the North East Wales Growth Board.    In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

That the Committee considered and supported the progress made to support Recovery Strategy by the Streetscene and Transportation portfolio.

The report was presented by the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) and provided a regular update on the portfolio’s recovery strategy and recovery priorities following the pandemic.  He highlighted three of the nine priorities and provided information on the Working hours of the Workforce, Waste Treatment facilities and Highway Network.

The recommendation was moved and seconded by Councillors Chris Dolphin and Joe Johnson.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee considered and supported the progress made to support Recovery Strategy by the Streetscene and Transportation portfolio.

(a)       That the Committee gave oversight to the progress made with respect to recovery planning for the Planning, Environment and Economy portfolio.

(b)       That the Committee noted the content of the updated portfolio risk register and mitigation actions

The report was presented by the Chief Officer (Planning Environment & Economy) and provided a regular update on the portfolio’s recovery strategy and recovery priorities following the pandemic.  The main objectives within the report were highlighted which included car parks at destination sites such as Wepre Park and Talacre and the implications with regard to non-essential businesses and licensed premises and hospitality reopening.  The Chief Officer referred to the Ash Dieback survey and reported on the tree removal on the A541 Mold - Denbigh Road with the road being closed for a day using equipment which removes trees in one go and minimises disruption to the local communities and that a report would be returning to committee on this.   The Chief Officer then highlighted and provided information on the risks to committee. 

            Councillor Heesom referred to item 1.01 in the report and asked what handover arrangements meant.    Councillor Heesom then referred to the Planning Strategy Group which he felt was a very important toolkit, elected member based and suggested in the current climate it would be helpful to revise that structure.  He then referred to the Local Development Plan and asked for an update on where we were with this and could it now go ahead.  Councillor Heesom reported on the long standing difficulties contacting planning staff with news on improvements very welcome.

In response, the Chief Officer referred to page 69 and that the Local Development Plan hearing which was due to commence in February but had had two delays but was now scheduled to start on 13^th April. The delays were solely due to the Inspectorate’s non availability.   The Chief Officer then referred to the terms of reference of the Planning Strategy Group which were revised following the last local government elections. The two functions of this group were firstly, to lead the production of the Local Development Plan and secondly to deal with any issues in relation of the statutory planning process.  The Terms of Reference had not changed over the last four years.  What had changed was that the focus was primarily on dealing with the Local Development Plan and he felt it had spent its time appropriately since the terms of reference were revised.  With regard to communications with the Planning portfolio, he reported on an email which was being sent to all Members this week which he hoped would alleviate members concerns.   The Chief Officer then referred to the handover arrangements for recovery and stated that 12 months ago when the Covid lockdown happened the Council was in a response phase with critical areas prioritised with those officers essential to service delivery.  He reported on officers within Community and Business protection who were moved to supporting the Covid response, but clarified that none of the other work ceased rather it was a case of changing the way the work was undertaken in response to Covid 19.    The Chief Officer then referred to the point regarding difficulties in recruiting staff which was in relation to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

There was one member of the press in attendance