Agenda item

(a)       That the allocations and schemes in Table 3 for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2021/22 – 2023/24 be approved;

(b)       That the schemes included in Table 4 for Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2021/22 – 2023/24 be approved;

(c)        That it be noted that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2021/22 in Table 5 at this point in the approval process allows flexibility.  Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2021/22, and included in future Capital Programme reports; and

(d)       That the schemes included in Table 6 be approved for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing.

The Chief Officer (Housing and Assets) introduced the report which presented the proposed Capital Programme for the period 2021/22 – 2023/24 for approval, supported by a PowerPoint presentation.

The Council’s Capital Programme covered investment in assets for the long term to enable the delivery of high quality and value for money public services.  Assets included buildings (such as schools and care homes), infrastructure (such as highways, IT networks and waste transfer stations) and assets not owned by the Council (such as works to improve and adapt private sector homes).  The proposed capital investments outlined within the report were closely aligned to portfolio service business plans and the Council Plan.

The Council had limited capital resources from Welsh Government (WG) to support Council priorities, needs and liabilities.  However, it had the powers to fund Capital schemes by borrowing – this was temporary and ultimately, the cost and repayment of any borrowing was charged to the Council’s revenue budget.  Schemes funded by borrowing were carefully considered due to the long-term impacts on the Council’s revenue budget.

The Council Fund Capital Programme was divided into three sections:

1.    Statutory / Regulatory – allocations to cover regulatory and statutory works.

2.    Retained Assets – allocations to fund infrastructure works necessary to ensure service and business continuity.

3.    Investment – allocations to fund works.

The Chief Officer provided details of each of the tables within the report, which were part of the presentation, and supported by explanations in the report on each table.

Details were provided on potential future schemes, which were also detailed in the report.

The recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Roberts and seconded by Councillor Thomas.

Councillor Roberts expressed his thanks to the Chief Officer and his team for the work that had gone into developing the Capital Programme.  He said the programme showed the depth of involvement in schools, care homes, infrastructure and IT networks.  He commented on the homeless hub, Hwb Cyfle, Ysgol Glan Yr Afon, Castell Alun, the plans for the Saltney and Broughton and Mynydd Isa areas for schools.  He also commented on Marleyfield, the joint archive facility and the redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd.

Councillor Thomas concurred with the comments of Councillor Roberts and thanked officers for drawing capital funding through the various avenues available to them.  She explained that the Council was waiting to hear the outcome on the bids submitted for schemes under the Economic Stimulus funding.

Councillor Dunbar also concurred with the comments and expressed his thanks for the funding for play areas.  He took the opportunity to thank officers for the work undertaken on the bridges at Wepre Park.  He asked what the longer term plan was for Deeside Leisure Centre.  The Chief Executive explained that initially clarification from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board as to how long they needed the building as the temporary field hospital.  It was thought the hospital could be decommissioned in quarter three in 2021.  Following the closure of the hospital the Leisure Centre would revert back to what it was.  However, the building was coming to its end of life and consultants had been commissioned on what a new building could look like, with more emphasis on health and well-being facilities, and public services.

Councillor Jones thanked the Chief Officer for the report.  On page 36, he asked if there was any doubt if the grant between £0.700m to £0.900m would be received.  The Chief Officer said that he was optimistic that the grants in the region of the figures advised within the report would be forthcoming.  Councillor Jones also asked what the Council would do if anticipated capital receipts did not materialise or were delayed.  The Chief Officer explained that schemes would either be re-phased, deferred or consideration given to using prudential borrowing, if appropriate.  In response to a comment from Councillor Jones on sports facilities affected across the county and in this context Buckley Town Football Club, the Chief Officer agreed to meet with Councillor Jones, socially distanced to discuss further

Councillor Gladys Healey also thanked the Chief Officer for the report and welcomed the funding made available for Castell Alun High School, including the works to be undertaken on the toilets with funds from a recent Section 106 agreement.  She commented on the all-weather pitch which also needed to be replaced.  The Chief Officer said he was aware of that and any funding opportunities would be considered when they became available.

Councillor Peers commented on school building works and the backlog of toilet upgrades and said if £0.100m per annum was spent on the upgrades, it would take 15 years to do the work as it was estimated to be in the region of £1.5m.  The Chief Officer explained that it would not take 15 years to complete the toilet refurbishment as some of this work would be addressed through the Councils new build school programme and other wider refurbishment projects within schools. 

On play areas, Councillor Peers asked if the Council had any commuted sums to assist with the replacement of play equipment.  The Chief Executive said the play strategy was being reviewed with Aura and the Council also wanted to review planning policy on play areas. 

On the joint archive facility, Councillor Peers asked if the current records office building would be sold once the new facility was open, and was the new facility to be funded on a 50/50 basis with Denbighshire and Flintshire.  The Chief Officer explained that planning work was currently being undertaken on the current building.  The financial allocation (DCC and FCC) with the major contributions coming from the Heritage Lottery.

Councillor Peers commented on the building works that had taken place in Penyffordd, with the new Penyffordd CP School generating increased pupil numbers.  On the 106 contributions which would be used to offset some of the costs for the extension required at the school, he asked if the contribution criteria from developers needed to be re-looked at.   The Chief Officer explained that this was a question for the planning department.

Councillor Peers asked if there was any intention to review industrial estates.  He was aware of somebody who wanted an industrial unit and was told there were not any available, and was there any scope to increase the supply of the units. The Chief Officer explained that industrial estates were significantly occupied but that it was recognised they needed some investment.

He welcomed the success story of Marleyfield which was for all residents in Flintshire, and also welcomed the improvements to the recycling processing facility located in Buckley.

Councillor Aaron Shotton thanked the Chief Officer for the presentation, and all officers involved in bringing together the Capital Programme.  He sought clarity on the timelines for the future plans for Deeside Leisure Centre and how it would be reported to Members.  He said there was concern locally on future plans for the Leisure Centre as it was a much loved facility.  He was aware the tender closure date for proposed future plans for the Leisure Centre was mid-March.  The Chief Officer said the fee proposals would be reviewed and work would take place on evaluating them within the next few weeks.  Details in response to the brief would then be developed by the appointed technical consultants and shared when all aspects of the brief has been fulfilled.

Councillor Bithell welcomed the Capital Programme which addressed priorities and needs.  He particularly welcomed the investment for Historic Building Conservation.

In response to a question from Councillor Ron Davies, the Chief Executive confirmed that the ice rink would be reinstated at Deeside Leisure Centre once it had been decommissioned as a hospital.

Councillor Sharps said an enquiry had been made from a company two years previous which would release a capital receipt for the Council, but it had not been pursued.  The Chief Officer said he would look into the matter.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the allocations and schemes in Table 3 for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2021/22 – 2023/24 be approved;

(b)       That the schemes included in Table 4 for Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2021/22 – 2023/24 be approved;

(c)        That it be noted that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2021/22 in Table 5 at this point in the approval process allows flexibility.  Options including a combination of future capital receipts, alternative grants (if available), prudential borrowing or the re-phasing of schemes will be considered during 2021/22, and included in future Capital Programme reports; and

(d)       That the schemes included in Table 6 be approved for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing.