Agenda item

            That the Draft Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan 2015-2020 be supported in principle before the final version is produced. 

The Chief Officer (Organisational Change 2) introduced a report on the Draft Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan 2015-2020 and explained this was a new Strategy for the Authority combining medium term plans for managing the Council’s assets and its Capital Programme.  He advised that the report outlined the need for the Strategy, the purpose, key aims, principles and content.  He explained that member’s views and approval, in principle, was sought prior to the final version being put forward to Council for approval in February 2016.  

                        The Chief Officer provided background information and referred to the key aims and principles of the Strategy as detailed in the report and drew attention to the summary of what was included in the Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan and the Capital Programme.  He pointed out the reference to the theatre and assured the Committee that full details would be provide at the final stage of the Asset Management Plan.

                        The Chair invited Members to ask questions.

                        Councillor Richard Jones raised a number of questions concerning the draft Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan.  He referred to the retention of the Authority’s offices at Ewloe by the leaseholder and asked why they was not contributing to the maintenance costs.  He raised further questions around the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to increase the supply of affordable homes in the County.  He commented on the need to understand the benefit of industrial units and referred to small business premises and the Council’s Alternative Delivery Model programme (ADM).  Councillor Jones referred to page 28 of the draft Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan and commented on the annual allocation and the cost of borrowing.

                        During discussion Officers responded to the questions and concerns raised by Councillor Jones.  The Chief Officer explained that the Ewloe offices were leased until July 2016, following this the options for the Authority were either to dispose of the freehold or place on the market.  Councillor Dave Mackie raised concerns around the condition of the office building at Ewloe and referred to the issue of vandalism.   The Chief Officer advised that the leaseholder had a commitment to honour its landlord obligations and explained that a deprivation claim would be made as part of the lease termination process. 

                        Councillor Arnold Woolley referred to the backlog of maintenance work across the Authority’s property portfolio and commented that if left for too long this would impact on any future plans for disposal.  He also commented on the Authority’s aims to deliver an integrated programme of regeneration for Deeside and referred to the need to improve quality of housing.  He referred to the issue of empty homes and expressed the view that there was room for further consideration to be given to the issue of social housing.   The Chief Officer acknowledged the points raised and agreed to contact the Housing team to seek a response.

                        During discussion Officers responded to the further questions and concerns raised around assessment and disposal of assets, town and rural regeneration, citing Buckley in particular, and the location of Buckley Medical Centre. 

Councillor Paul Shotton referred to the potential for realising the Authority’s assets and commented on the agile working policy and the impact of this on the Authority’s offices in Flint.  He also commented on the demolition of offices in Connah’s Quay and asked what savings had been achieved as a result.  The Chief Officer commented on the challenge of maintaining the Authority’s ‘ageing’ asset base and advised that the demolition of the offices in Connah’s Quay had generated an ongoing efficiency of £75k per annum.     

Councillor Arnold Woolley referred to the recommendation in the report that the Draft Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan 2015-2020 be supported, and proposed that members considered supporting the draft Strategy and Plan in principle.  The proposal was duly seconded and when put to the vote was carried.

RESOLVED:

            That the Draft Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plan 2015-2020 be supported in principle before the final version is produced.