Agenda item

That the Committee:

(a)       Supports the allocations and schemes in Table 3 (paragraph 1.09) for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2024/25-2026/27;

(b)       Supports the schemes included in Table 4 (paragraph 1.32) for the Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2024/25-2026/27;

(c)       Notes that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2024/25 and 2025/26 in Table 5 (paragraph 1.37) 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 2024/25, and included in future Capital Programme reports;

(d)       Supports the schemes included in Table 6 (paragraph 1.41) for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing; and

(e)       Confirms that it has no comments for Cabinet to consider before the Capital Programme 2024/25-2026/27 report is considered by Council.

The Strategic Finance Manager presented a report on the proposed Capital Programme 2024/25 - 2026/27 which set out long-term investment in assets to enable the delivery of high quality and value for money public services split between three sections: Statutory/Regulatory, Retained Assets and Investment.  Copies of the presentation slides covering the following areas would be shared after the meeting:

·         Structure - Council Fund Capital Programme

·         Current Programme 2023/24 - 2025/26

·         Projected Funding 2024/25 - 2026/27

·         Proposed allocations - Statutory/Regulatory, Retained Assets and Investment

·         Summary generally funded Programme

·         Specifically funded schemes

·         Summary Capital Programme

·         Potential future schemes

·         Next steps

In response to comments from Councillor Bernie Attridge, the Chief Executive spoke about the aim to identify a suitable alternative site for a homelessness hub, with Welsh Government funding, to create a longer term solution towards provision in Flintshire.  On further queries, officers clarified that the list of potential future projects were not yet included in the Programme as they were part of strategic planning over the longer term.  Information was also shared on the review of industrial estates and the need for future discussions on Deeside Leisure Centre.

Councillor Sam Swash asked about costs relating to Hawarden Cemetery and was informed that the amount allocated for land acquisition in 2021/22 had been carried forward under Streetscene & Transportation within the Capital Programme whilst the purchase progressed.

In response to a question from Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson, details were shared on the extension of Buckley cemetery.  Finance officers also explained arrangements for dealing with slippage in the Capital Programme involving carry-forward requests reported to this Committee.

The Chair queried the total amount for school building works which did not align with figures in Statutory and Retained Assets sections.  On the development of Children’s Residential Care, he said that the October figure stated should be updated to reflect the current overspend for out of county placements.  On paragraph 1.43, he said that revenue implications of proposed future schemes would be useful in order to reach an informed decision.

The Chief Executive said that a prudent approach had been taken to the Capital Programme in order to protect the future revenue position, given the scale of the financial challenges.

The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Allan Marshall.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee:

(a)       Supports the allocations and schemes in Table 3 (paragraph 1.09) for the Statutory/Regulatory and Retained Assets sections of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2024/25-2026/27;

(b)       Supports the schemes included in Table 4 (paragraph 1.32) for the Investment section of the Council Fund Capital Programme 2024/25-2026/27;

(c)       Notes that the shortfall in funding of schemes in 2024/25 and 2025/26 in Table 5 (paragraph 1.37) 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 2024/25, and included in future Capital Programme reports;

(d)       Supports the schemes included in Table 6 (paragraph 1.41) for the specifically funded section of the Council Fund Capital Programme which will be funded in part through borrowing; and

(e)       Confirms that it has no comments for Cabinet to consider before the Capital Programme 2024/25-2026/27 report is considered by Council.