Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Hybrid Meeting

Contact: Maureen Potter 01352 702322 

Media

Items
No. Item

17.

Declarations of Interest (Including Whipping Declarations)

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillors Mike Peers, Dan Rose, Tina Claydon, Chris Bithell and Ian Hodge declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 10:  Town Centre Regeneration.

 

Cllr Teresa Carberry declared a personal interest on agenda item 4 as she was involved in auniform recycling project.

 

18.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 116 KB

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2022.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 July 2022 were approved, as moved and seconded by Councillors Mike Peers and Ian Hodge.

 

RESOLVED:

That the minutes be approved as a correct record

19.

Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a)     That subject to the amendments put forward at the meeting, 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; and

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

 

Minutes:

The Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator presented the Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking report.  She drew attention to the items scheduled for future consideration and invited Members to raise any further items they wished to put forward for inclusion on the Programme. 

 

Referring to section 1.07 in the report Councillor Mike Peers suggested that the item on Parking Outside Schools should be considered by the Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee. It was agreed that consideration be given to holding a joint meeting with the Education, Youth, and Culture Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  Councillor Peers also asked that items on Highways Drainage, and the Bereavement Services be included on the Programme. 

 

The Chief Officer (Streetscene & Transportation) advised that the item on the Local Toilet Strategy which was scheduled for consideration at the meeting on 15 November would need to be moved to the meeting on 10 January 2023. 

 

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) advised that an update on Ash Dieback could be submitted to the meeting on 15 November. 

 

The Facilitator reported on the outstanding items on the Action Tracking report and gave an update on work in progress.  The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) gave a brief update on progress on the Bus Network Review.  The Regulatory Services Manager  provided an update on progress on the action ‘Check Your Bin Day’.

 

            The recommendations in the report, were moved and seconded by Councillors Mike Peers and Ian Hodge.

RESOLVED:

 

((a)   That subject to the amendments put forward at the meeting, 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; and

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

 

20.

An Introduction to the North Wales Economic Ambition Board & Quarterly report pdf icon PDF 87 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the Annual Report for 2021-22 be noted.

 

Minutes:

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) introduced the report and provided background information on the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

 

Hedd Vaughan Evans, David Matthews and Henry Aron,  Ambition North Wales, gave a joint presentation on the North Wales Growth Deal which covered the following points:

 

  • North Wales Growth Deal – Q1 and end of year update
  • Our vision
  • Principles
  • Objectives
  • Investment
  • Our structure
  • Achievements 2021-2022
  • 5 Programmes:

o   Agri-food and Tourism

o   Digital connectivity

o   Innovation in High Value Manufacturing

o   Low Carbon Energy

o   Land and Property

 

Councillor David Healey welcomed the project and spoke in support of the benefits that could be achieved through creation of employment opportunities, skills, and carbon neutral conditions.

 

Councillor Mike Peers referred to the aspiration on page 36 of the report that North Wales was well placed to become a ‘world leader’ and asked if the tidal scheme was being carried out and if there were further projects planned, citing wind and solar farms as examples.  Councillor Peers also referred to current local development on green field land at Manor Lane, Broughton, which was located next to Airbus and close to the Deeside Enterprise Zone and asked what type of employment would be created on that site. 

 

In response to the comments and questions raised by Councillor Peers, Henry Aron referred to work with the Welsh Government on the North Wales Regional Energy Strategy which provided an holistic view about technologies and other energy types that would need to be developed across North Wales.  Henry Aron also gave an update on progress on the tidal project.  The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) provided an update on local development concerning the Warren Hall site. 

 

            The recommendation as set out in the report, was moved and seconded by CouncillorsDan Rose and Mike Peers

 

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Report for 2021-22 be noted.

 

21.

Outcome of Statutory Training Audit pdf icon PDF 117 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a)       That the work of the Streetscene and Transportation Compliance and Training team be supported; and

 

(b)       That the action taken and controls put in place in response to the internal audit recommendations be supported.

 

Minutes:

The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced a report to inform Scrutiny of the outcome of the statutory training internal audit and provide an update on agreed actions.  She provided background information and invited the Regulatory Services Manager and Compliance & Training Manager to give a joint presentation which covered the following main points:

 

  • statutory training requirements
  • Compliance & Training Team Overview
  • Council’s Training facility
  • Statutory Training Audit
  • Statutory Training Audit - outcome
  • agreed actions and updates

 

The Chair referred to section 1.05 of the report and the reference to 2,400 training events and asked for clarification of what constituted an ‘event’.  The Regulatory Services Manager provided explanation and said one person attending one course would constitute a training event.

 

Councillor Mike Peers referred to the key actions which had been agreed and asked if the performance indicator would move from amber-red to green as a result or was a re-audit required to confirm the actions.  Councillor Peers also asked questions regarding how operatives of refuse vehicles were trained.  Councillor Peers referred to page 97 of the report and raised further questions regarding the completion date for Converting the authority’s fleet to electric and alternative fuels (hydrogen etc), and sought clarification on the task ‘Developing the County’s electric car charging network.  The Chief Officer responded to the questions and comments raised and invited Members to visit the training facility if wished.

 

The recommendations as set out in the report, were moved by Councillor Ian Hodge and seconded by Councillor Roy Wakelam.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the work of the Streetscene and Transportation Compliance and Training team be supported; and

 

(b)       That the action taken and controls put in place in response to the internal audit recommendations be supported.

 

22.

Council Plan 2022/23 Timeline Review pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the Council Plan Part 1 reviewed and updated timelines be approved.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive presented the report to  review the timelines for the Council Plan 2022/23 following a request from County Council in July.  He provided background information and advised that the  outline of the Council Plan for 2022/23 including the six themes, their priorities and actions, was appended to the report.  At County Council in July, it was requested that all Overview and Scrutiny Committees review the action timelines and some of the definitions.

 

Councillor Peers referred to the questions he had raised on page 97 of the report regarding the completion date for Converting the Authority’s fleet to electric and alternative fuels (hydrogen etc), and clarification as to whether the task on Developing the County’s electric car charging network, and Achieving Welsh Government recycling targets, was development or implementation.  The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) provided further information in response to the questions raised by Councillor Peers.  Councillor Peers asked if an update could be provided to the Committee at a future meeting on progress of the implementation of the conversion of the Authority’s fleet to electric and alternative fuels.

 

The recommendation in the report was moved and seconded by Councillors Mike Peers and Ian Hodge.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Council Plan Part 1 reviewed and updated timelines be approved.

23.

Council Plan 2023-28 pdf icon PDF 97 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the proposed priorities, sub-priorities and well-being objectives of the Council Plan 2023-28, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be supported.

 

Minutes:

The Chief Executive presented the report on the priorities, sub-priorities and well-being objectives for the Council Plan 2023-28.  He provided background information and explained thatthe ‘super-structure’ of the Plan comprised 7 priorities and relevant sub-priorities.  The 7 priorities took a long-term view of recovery, projects, and ambitions over the next five years. The priorities and sub-priorities relevant to the Committee were appended.to the report.  Part 2 of the Council Plan would be considered by all Overview and Scrutiny Committees to ensure full coverage of Part 1 of the Council Plan 2023/28 and its respective measures and their targets.

 

The recommendation as set out in the report, was moved and seconded by Councillors Ian Hodge and Teresa Carberry.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the proposed priorities, sub-priorities and well-being objectives of the Council Plan 2023-28, as set out at Appendix 1 to the report, be supported.

 

24.

Flintshire Coastal Park pdf icon PDF 105 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a)       That the content of the scoping study be noted and the Flintshire Coast Park be taken forward as a local, informal entity;

 

(b)       That option 2 was the preferred coast park footprint to take forward;

and

 

(c)        That the Access & Natural Environment Manager establishes a Flintshire

Coast Park Steering Group to move forward the next steps for implementation.

 

Minutes:

The Access and Natural Environment Manager presented the report to inform on the progress of the scoping work to establish a Coast Park and to agree the recommendations for implementation.  He provided background information and explained that the concept of a Flintshire Coast Park had been re-explored through the commissioning of a scoping study which reviewed case studies and precedents before analysing the benefits and constraints. The study suggested potential coast park footprints and steps for implementation.  A Flintshire Coast Park for Flintshire would provide a fresh impetus and focus for

the coast, raising the profile of the foreshore and enable communities and

businesses to work sustainably and innovatively to help deliver environmental,

economic, and social prosperity.

 

The Access and Natural Environment Manager drew attention to the 4 options outlined in section 1.07 of the report, next steps, and timescales.

 

Councillor David Healey spoke in support of option 2.

 

Councillor Vicky Perfect commended the Access and Natural Environment Manager and his team on the work carried out on the Coastal Path.  She also thanked Mike Taylor for his work to repair coastal path defences. 

 

Councillor Mike Peers referred to page 130, paragraph 2.27 of the report, and asked if a further report could be submitted to a future meeting of the Committee to inform of the facilities to be provided at the Coast Park.  Councillor Peers expressed concerns that the financial implications of providing a Flintshire Coast Park were currently unknown and commented that all projects would be subjected to robust consideration in view of the Council’s current budget gap.

 

Councillor Tina Claydon sought reassurance that wildlife would be protected in the proposals. 

 

The Chair commented on the need to join the coastal path between Connah’s Quay and Flint.

 

The Access and Natural Environment Manager responded to the comments and questions raised.

         

The recommendations in the report were moved and seconded by Councillors Roy Wakelam and Mike Peers.

 

RESOLVED:

 

(a)       That the content of the scoping study be noted and the Flintshire Coast Park be taken forward as a local, informal entity;

 

(b)       That option 2 was the preferred coast park footprint to take forward;

and

 

(c)        That the Access & Natural Environment Manager establishes a Flintshire

Coast Park Steering Group to move forward the next steps for implementation.

 

25.

Town centre regeneration pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

(a)       That the requirements to develop Place Plans for the seven towns

(Buckley, Connah’s Quay, Flint, Holywell, Mold, Queensferry and Shotton)

in Flintshire be noted and the sequence in which the proposed work is

delivered within the constraints of resource available be supported; and

 

(b)       That the requirement to address vacant town centre properties through an

enforcement action plan be noted, and the criteria and approach to be

used supported.

 

Minutes:

The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager gave background information and presented the report which provided an update on the strategic context for town centre regeneration and the programmes of work currently underway. Furthermore, it provided details about the development of Place Plans and the enforcement action required to tackle empty properties within town centres.

 

Councillor Mike Peers asked if the regeneration of town centres would include the view of the existing masterplans or would Place Plans replace the masterplans.  He also referred to section 1.14 in the report and asked when Cabinet would grant approval for the criteria to be used to prioritise properties for intervention.  Councillor Peers asked if details could be provided on local Member involvement in the creation of Place Plans and timescales.  Councillor Peers commented on the issue of empty commercial properties in town centres and said the feedback was that rental charges were high and asked if this could be looked at.  The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager responded to the points made.

 

Councillor Chris Bithell referred to page 179, section 2.01 of the report, and referring to match funding asked if this would come from private ownership of properties or from the Council.  Councillor Bithell commented on the budget gap to be addressed by the Council.  In his response the Enterprise and Regeneration Manager explained that the public sector would be required to provide the balance.

 

The recommendations were moved by Councillor Mike Peers and seconded by Councillor Ian Hodge. 

 

RESOLVED: 

 

(a)       That the requirements to develop Place Plans for the seven towns

(Buckley, Connah’s Quay, Flint, Holywell, Mold, Queensferry and Shotton)

in Flintshire be noted and the sequence in which the proposed work is

delivered within the constraints of resource available be supported; and

 

(b)       That the requirement to address vacant town centre properties through an

enforcement action plan be noted, and the criteria and approach to be

used supported.

 

26.

Attendance by members of the press and public

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no members of the press or public in attendance.

 

 

(The meeting started at 10.00am and ended at 12.28 pm)