Agenda item

To note the answers to any questions submitted in accordance with County Council Standing Order No. 9.4(A): three were received by the deadline.

Councillor Bernie Attridge - (1) Capital costs for Theatr Clwyd (2) Homeless hub in Queensferry; and (3) Staff return to office.

That written responses to the three questions and urgent question submitted by Councillor Attridge be circulated to all Members.

Three questions from Councillor Bernie Attridge which had been received within the deadline had been circulated to Members prior to the meeting:

“1.   Can full Council have an urgent update on the Capital Costs for Theatr Clwyd and how much money has FCC got to find to make it happen?

2.    Can we have an urgent update on the homeless hub in Queensferry that hasn’t got planning permission, and what are FCC plans to relocate and when?

3.    Can full Council be advised as a matter of urgency when staff will return to the office?”

Councillor Attridge expressed his disappointment that the questions he submitted some weeks prior had not been included on the agenda and had been circulated to Members by email that morning.  He did not believe that his questions had been treated in the correct manner and claimed that some Members did not have the opportunity to read the questions prior to the meeting as they may have been unable to access their emails.  He referred to historic practice where questions had been circulated in person at Council meetings.  On that basis, he asked that his questions be re-submitted to the next meeting.

The Chair allowed Councillor Attridge to submit an urgent question which he had submitted that morning and on which she had sought further clarification.  He read out the question as follows:

“We are aware of three separate important changes relating to Housing but primarily to tenants of Flintshire County Council and their interaction with Members.  Issues noted include the following:

1.    Notification to Members of new tenants moving into their ward being stopped.

2.    GDPR being used as a reason to deny Members assisting FCC Tenants; and

3.    Recent notification to FCC Tenants of significant tenancy agreement changes that effect all Tenants without any notification to Members, so Members are unable to answer questions that Tenants have in relation to these changes.  As these changes appear to show a desire to disconnect Member/Tenant relationships, can the Cabinet Member for housing confirm that this is categorically not the case and simply an oversight or communication and understanding?”

As Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, Councillor Sean Bibby said that he was not aware of the changes and that the issues raised would be discussed with the Chief Executive and Chief Officer (Housing and Assets).

After seeking advice, Councillor Ted Palmer declared a personal interest as a Council house tenant.

The Chief Officer (Governance) explained that the practice of sharing questions submitted in advance in hard copy at Council meetings had changed over recent years due to the introduction of remote participation in meetings throughout the pandemic.  However he agreed that it would be preferable to share them by email and in hard copy at hybrid meetings where the majority of participants attended in person.

As suggested by the Chief Officer, Councillor Attridge agreed that responses to his three previously submitted questions would be circulated to all Members and would be included in the minutes.  The Chair clarified that a written response to the urgent question would also be circulated.

RESOLVED:

That written responses to the three questions and urgent question submitted by Councillor Attridge be circulated to all Members.