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 the 7 December 2021.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2021 were approved, as moved and seconded by Councillors Paul Shotton and George Hardcastle.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

To consider the Forward Work Programme of the Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee and to inform the Committee of progress against actions from previous meetings.

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme, as amended, 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 the latest Forward Work Programme for consideration and highlighted the items being considered at the 8^th February meeting.  She then referred to the 5^th July meeting confirming that the Standard Landfill Site item, as requested by Councillor Hutchinson, would be considered at that meeting.   Moving to the Action Tracking report the Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator provided an update on the completed actions and those which were still ongoing.

            Councillor Owen Thomas asked for an update on the litter problems from food outlets.  In response the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) confirmed that there was continued lobbying of Welsh Government (WG) for a change in the legislation.  She confirmed that when the Area Coordinators were made aware of local issues they visited these local premises to speak to them.

            The Cabinet Member for Streetscene shared the concerns of Councillor Thomas and referred to a notice of motion submitted to WG a number of years ago.  This highlighted the same issues with suggestions that the wrappings were tagged in some way to identify them.  Unfortunately changes in the legislation had to be made by WG to enable enforcement to be carried out by the Council.  The fast food outlets were aware of the issues but were not taking steps to mitigate the impacts of the litter. The Council was having to deal with that.

            In response to a question from Councillor George Hardcastle on funding for dropped crossings, the Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) confirmed that a report on this would be presented to committee in February.  There was no allocated funding for this however requests were made to WG via the Active Travel fund, but resources were limited. 

The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Paul Shotton and Joe Johnson

RESOLVED:

(a)     That the Forward Work Programme, as amended, 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.

To consult on Part 1 of the Council Plan 2022/23.

That feedback be noted on the refreshed content of the themes for the Draft Council Plan 2022-23 prior to sharing with Cabinet in June 2022.

            The Strategic Performance Advisor presented the Draft Council Plan for 2022-23 which highlighted the key priorities of the Council for the year.  The themes and priorities remained the same but a review of all the actions and tasks hastaken place following the Council’s response to the Pandemic and Recovery.  The 2022/23 draft Council Plan hasbeen agreed by Cabinet and was now being circulated for consultation to all Overview & Scrutiny Committees by early February.  Following the Elections in May there would be opportunities for new members of the Council to view and contribute to the plan in June. The Strategic Performance Advisor would then consolidate all feedback prior to the final plan being presented to Cabinet and Council in July

The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Owen Thomas and Joe Johnson.

RESOLVED:

That feedback be noted on the refreshed content of the themes for the Draft Council Plan 2022-23 prior to sharing with Cabinet in June 2022.

Members reviewed and discussed the proposed approach to developing proposals to be submitted to round two of the UK Government Levelling Up Fund.

            The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) introduced the report which highlighted the Round Two Levelling Up for capital projects and the ongoing work involved prior to submission in the spring.  This was being presented to Cabinet next week and comments from this committee would be fed into that report.

            The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager provided background to the Capital Programme which was announced in 2021, running until 2024, and was part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda.  The Council was able to bid three times for strategic transport projects and regeneration programmes in the Alyn & Deeside and Delyn constituencies.   All councils were able to bid with successful Councils required to provide a minimum of 10% match funding.  The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager reported on the unsuccessful bid last year, the priorities and concerns around the timescale for completion of the bids, which was unclear at the current time.  He provided information on the bid strategies focusing on the coastal communities in Flintshire which included the legacy of former heavy industry, improving employment sites, reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and safeguarding important heritage sites.  It was hoped that these bids would help to retain employers, bring heritage assets back into use and encourage local people and visitors to visit the coastal area.   

He then provided information on the 4 market failures addressed in the bids following:-

·         Under investment in building stock with many at the end of the shelf life

·         Heritage – many sites were in decline

·         Connah’s Quay docks

·         Coastline – need to ensure it’s valued with connection issues addressed

            The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager confirmed the proposals were at the development stage with more work required.  Information was provided on the proposals for Delyn, Flint Castle Park and Greenfield Business Park, which were using former heavy industry buildings.  These were owned by the Council and the proposals could safeguard the jobs on these sites. 

            Moving onto Alyn & Deeside, the Enterprise and Regeneration Manager outlined the proposals for Connah’s Quay docks, the business park and also tackling the issues of crime and anti-social behaviour.  The proposals for the Clock Tower in Shotton and modernisation of the business units, utilising the business property grant scheme, were explained.    Improved access to the whole area would be considered to encourage visitors.  The timeline for the bids, how they would be assessed, shortlisted for submission whilst ensuring they were robust and deliverable, was also explained.  The report would be presented to Cabinet next week with the Chief Officer and Cabinet Member moving this forward with delegated authority to amend the bid to meet UK Government requirements.

            Councillor Paul Shotton said the Levelling up Fund was an opportunity to improve the heritage at Connah’s Quay Docks and bring it back into use.  The availability of business grants, improvements to the former steelworks and John Summers buildings would be beneficial for whole area.  His concerns were around the short time frame to 2024.

            Councillor Joe Johnson referred to Greenfield and asked if this provided new  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

That the contents and conclusions of the report were considered and supported.

            The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) introduced the report which looked at the challenges faced following the Covid Pandemic and Brexit and was an evidence based assessment of the current position of the economy in Flintshire.   The report set out the Council’s position nationally and locally and the implications for businesses.

                The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager explained the economy was in a state of transition following Brexit and the Pandemic with Flintshire at this point in time remaining strong and closer to the UK average in terms of competitiveness.    The Office of National Statistics (ONS) data outlined the challenges faced by businesses with some closing or reducing their ability to trade with reduced turnover and confidence.  The challenges around importing and exporting post Brexit continued. 

            The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager reported on the work of the Regional Skills Partnership and highlighted the key points.  There had been fewer job loses than feared with unemployment rising last year but reducing this year. There seemed to be a mismatch between the aspirations of young people and the labour market and information was provided on the job opportunities which were not being filled.  81% of Businesses had faced recruitment challenges and further work was required by the Regional Skills Partnership and the Council to help to address that.  Low business confidence had impacted investment and recovery with every sector struggling to recruit with care, construction, and tourism & hospitality finding it exceptionally difficult. Work was ongoing to assist these businesses to recruit.  Another issue to highlight was that businesses were finding it difficult to find suitable available premises and work was ongoing to address that. 

            The Enterprise & Regeneration Manager referred to business rates and provided information on the vacancies across Flintshire which highlighted that some sectors were at higher risk than others.  The Enterprise & Regeneration Manager reported on the responses regionally by WG and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board to provide emergency funding for Town Centres and the hospitality industry.  Information on the work of the Mersey Dee Alliance and the Council’s Economic Recovery Group was also provided together with funding streams available for the Council.  An update on the Town Centre entrepreneurships loan pilot was also given.

            Councillor Owen Thomas felt that farmers were doing well saying there was a big demand for their produce, especially Welsh lamb.  There had been too much focus on Brexit and that it was time to move forward.  He said that this year would be positive especially with the town centre shops starting to fill up.

            The Cabinet Member for Economic Development said the situation was positive and that there were positive signs in our town centres.   Farmers were saying how awful Brexit had been with Fishermen unable to sell to the Continent because of the bureaucracy.  The issues regarding skills, supplies and austerity were present prior to Covid.  He was that proud Flintshire was in this position, but said the full impacts of Brexit would not be seen for a few years yet.

            The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

That the Committee supported the work being undertaken and was satisfied that no changes were required to the policy.

            The report was presented by the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation). She introduced Neil Cox, the new Streetscene Service Manager to the committee. 

            It was good practice to review our practices and this service provision had been heavily impacted by the pandemic.  The Policy had been reviewed regularly since 2012 with the latest version approved in January 2020.  The report provided an overview of the performance throughout the 2021 season.  Members were referred to sections 1.02 and 1.07 which provided information on the operations and yearly cuts. The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) then referred to sections 1.10 and 1.11 and appendix 2 which provided a summary for each team and cuts during the season.   The impacts of the wet weather were also highlighted.   An explanation of the changes to the tendering process for the Weed Spraying Contract to make it more resilient, was also provided.  The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) finished by saying it was not proposed to make any changes to the policy.

            The Chair asked if the flower planting programme had helped with grass cutting.  In response the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) reported that there were processes to follow such as collection and replanting at the beginning and end of the season, which still required resources. The Highways Network Manager confirmed there were in excess 50 small sites across the county which required different responses, with dedicated machinery and management.  The Council supported and promoted any areas which were put forward for wildflower with some areas replacing grass cutting and others which did not. 

            Councillor George Hardcastle referred to the impacts of climate change with the grass growing earlier in the season and asked if extra cuts would be required.  In response the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) reported on plans to start the winter cut earlier and extend it but the season started earlier each year.  She explained the same resources were used to grit the roads and that in March and October each year grass cutting and gritting the roads overlapped and took place at the same time.   This was very difficult to manage but additional cuts were being planned for late January / early February to stay on top of this before the season started.  The Highways Network Manager reported in January 2020 a full successful cut was made but this advantage was lost as the country went into lockdown due to the pandemic in March 2020.  With the grass cutting season extending into the winter, the ground could become very wet and muddy, and the equipment churned up and damaged the ground which took longer to recover.  

            Councillor Owen Thomas raised the following questions:-

·           He referred to the last sentence on page 73 which stated cutting was to maintain highway safety and visibility.  He said in some well used rural lanes the high level of the grass was dangerous with a 50% loss of visibility.  They required cutting more than once a year.  The report stated there were 4 cuts a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

To seek Scrutiny approval to revise the Household Recycling Centre van permit application criteria

(a)       That the Committee noted and supported the revised Vehicle Permit Policy for Household Recycling Centres.

(b)       That the Committee noted and supported the Household Recycling Centre booking system criteria.

            The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) confirmed the review was requested by Cabinet following the two Member Workshops held in July 2021. A vehicle permitting scheme was the fairest way to ensure access whilst determining unlawful use by traders.  Feedback from the workshops in July 2021 was that the existing policy was confusing and ambiguous, which had unintentionally resulted in traders being allowed to exploit the system and dispose of trade waste at these household recycling centres, which we were not permitted to accept. There had been issues at the sites with staff receiving verbal and physical abuse with the need for police involvement. 

            The purpose of the review was to make the policy clearer, less ambiguous and easier to understand. It also allowed some flexibility in terms of allowing traders to bring in their own household waste to the site (e.g. a plumber depositing garden waste) using one-off permits.   Again, in response to the feedback from the member workshops, a booking system was proposed for asbestos and other hazardous materials and bulky mattress disposal.   She referred Members to Appendix 1 which outlined the key changes and mentioned that all trailers, regardless of size, would require a permit.   The online application process was now clearer and would limit the confrontation as this was previously carried out at the sites.  Permits would be allocated to specific sites to negate the requirement for permit holders to travel to different sites to dispose of their waste.  This would be introduced in April 2022 to enable communication with existing permit holders on the new requirements and wider publicity.  Leaflets would be provided prior to the implementation date in April to allow for a period of grace.  The current collection policy was highlighted at Appendix 2.  Barriers would also be introduced at the sites which would assist staff.   Information of the booking system was included at Appendix 3.

            Councillor Owen Thomas sought clarification on the size of the trailers permitted to use the sites and where permits could be collected from.   In response the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) confirmed that all trailers regardless of size now required a permit which was free of charge.  There was an online application process provided at Alltami with visual checks and photographs provided online.  This was working well and had been in use for a year now.  Connects Offices still provided assistance for this and assessments were carried out by staff at Alltami.   Councillor Thomas commented that the Flintshire HRC sites were excellent and provided a great service for residents with very helpful staff.

            The Chair asked if vehicles with a business sign were eligible to use the sites.  In response the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) confirmed that provided it was their own household waste then they would be allowed to have one-off permits twice a year.

            The Cabinet Member for Streetscene was proud of the Policy which protected the workforce as regards disposal of hazardous waste such as asbestos.  It also provided certainty for residents  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To provide members with the Quarter 2 update on the North Wales Growth Deal.

That Members considered and noted the Quarter 2 Performance Report.

            The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) presented the six monthly progress report for the Economic Ambition Board which had been delayed from December.  The report identified progress on outline business cases and Members were referred to point 1.05 which stated that the majority of projects were currently in an amber state.  Information on the 7 projects currently shown in red was provided at point 1.08.  Referring to Point 1.09 this highlighted the procurement and local procurement activities which were driven by the Economic Ambition Board.  Information on the Climate Change Board and Biodiversity and steps being taken to mitigate the environmental impacts was also included.  The appendix included more detailed information. 

            The Chief Officer (Planning Environment and Economy) confirmed it was hoped that David Matthews, the Land and Project Manager for the Land and Property Programme Board would be attending a future meeting.

            Councillor Patrick Heesom asked if an update on the Holyhead Gateway and Mostyn Docks could be provided when available.  In response the Chief Officer (Planning Environment and Economy) suggested if Councillor Heesom had any detailed questions then David Matthews would be able to provide answers at a future meeting.  He agreed to circulate any updates which were received prior to the February meeting.

The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Paul Shotton                   and George Hardcastle.

RESOLVED:

That Members considered and noted the Quarter 2 Performance Report.

There were no members of the press in attendance.