Decisions

(a)     That the Committee support the vision of the Anti-racist Wales Action Plan and the actions set out for education;

(b)     That the Committee confirmed that it had received an appropriate level of assurance regarding the work of the Education & Youth Portfolio in meeting the requirement of the Anti-racist Action Plan for Wales;

(c)     That the Committee receive annual update reports on the Anti-racist Action Plan and that it be added to the Forward Work Programme.

(a)     That the Committee note the historical issues associated with parking within the vicinity of schools and recognise the responsibilities of highway users in accordance with the requirements of the Highway Code;

(b)     That the Committee note the hierarchy of responsibility in relation to the management of traffic within the vicinity of schools and acknowledges the role of enforcement as a reactive measure, rather than a means to prevent initial occurrence; and

(c)     That the Committee approves the creation of a joint Task & Finish Group in order to explore the issues in further detail and develop a collaborative and preventative approach with key stakeholders, which will involve:-

•   Elected Members from the Education, Youth & Culture OSC and Environment & Economy OSC;

•   Officers from both the Education & Youth and Streetscene & Transportation portfolios;

•    Head Teachers

•    Elected Members invited to attend as required;

•    Officers from North Wales Police invited to attend as required.

That the Committee support the Council Plan 2023-28 Part 1 and Part 2 documents that outline the actions, measures and risks that underpin the Priorities, Sub-Priorities and Well-being objectives of the Council Plan 2023-28.

(a) That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(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 progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillor Carolyn Preece declared a personal and prejudicial interest for item 8 as a member of Theatr Clwyd and had a family member who was funded through her doctorate.

Councillor Andrew Parkhurst declared a personal interest as a member of Theatr Clwyd.

Members were advised that provided they had declared that they were school governors on their Code of Conduct form that they did not did not need to declare a personal interest for item 5.  Councillor Roy Wakelam declared an interest as his mother had just been appointed a school governor and his form had not been updated.

Councillor Ray Hughes (Member of the Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee)

That the Committee notes progress to develop the in-house residential care as part of Care Closer to Home strategy.

That the Committee notes the update on the Micro-Care project in Flintshire to give an understanding of the process to become a Micro-Carer.

(a)      That 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 actions.

That the Committee acknowledges and supports the efforts being made to cultivate and develop social work and occupational therapy students within the Council.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

Councillor Debbie Owen - Volunteer at Nanny Biscuit.

That the Committee accepts the report and notes the requirements of the role of Responsible Individual.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

To consider the Forward Work Programme of the Social & Health Care Overview & Scrutiny Committee and to inform the Committee of progress against actions from previous meetings.

(a)      That 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 actions.

None were received.

To review the levels of progress in the achievement of activities and performance levels identified in the Council Plan.

(a)      That the Committee noted the levels of progress and confidence in the achievement of the priorities as at mid-year within the 2022/23 Council Plan;

(b)      That the Committee endorsed and supported the overall performance against 2022/23 Council Plan performance indicators as at mid-year;

(c)       That the Committee was assured by the explanations given for those areas of underperformance; and

(d)      That the Committee was reassured in areas where we are outperforming.

To update Members on Adults and Children’s Safeguarding.

(a)       That the Committee accepts the report as relevant information in relation to Flintshire Safeguarding for the period 1^st April 2021 to 31^st March 2022 and the additional information;

(b)       That the Committee takes due regard to the variety of activity across the Safeguarding Unit and the continuing development and improvement in the service provision; and

(c)        That the Committee is satisfied that the Safeguarding Process for Adults and Children in Flintshire is robust.

(a)         That the work that is required to be undertaken by the Regional partnership Board be noted; and

(b)         That the work and progress undertaken in 2021/22 on the work areas being taken forward through the North Wales Regional Partnership Board be noted.

None were received.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

(a)             That the draft Forward Work Programme be noted;

(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 actions.

That the Committee notes the progress made through the partnership with Hft and supports extending the contract as per the extension clause.

That the progress and success of Double Click be noted.

To provide comments on both the results of the STAR survey and the draft strategy aim and objectives.

(a) That the results of the STAR survey and the draft strategy aims and objectives be noted; and

(b) That a presentation on the draft strategy aims and objectives be given at a future all Member workshop.

(a) That the progress made in delivering the planned activity previously outlined to the Committee in September 2022, the next steps and key milestones within the Voids Action Plan at attached at Appendix 1 be noted; and

(b) That the proposals for addressing the challenges identified within the Voids Action Plan be supported.

That a Sheltered Housing Review Task & Finish Group be established.

To consider the NEW Homes Business Plan 2023/2052.

To consider the Forward Work Programme of the Community & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee and to inform the Committee of progress against actions from previous meetings.

(a) That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(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 actions.

None.

(a) That the Committee note the next phase of the DRS testing and pilot stages before the Council moved into a fully functional and fully live DRS environment; and

(b) That the Committee support the Council in promoting the service offer, where tenant could be provided with an appointment for repair and maintenance work requests, in line with the agreed target and attendance times.

That the minutes be approved as correct record and signed by the Chair.

None

There were no members of the press in attendance.

The Chairman advised that the Cabinet had considered a report on ‘Waste Strategy Review’ at a meeting held on 17 January 2023.  The decision (Record of Decision 4056) had been called in by Councillors Bernie Attridge, Helen Brown, David Richardson, Carol Ellis, Richard Jones and Glyn Banks.   Copies of the Cabinet report, Record of Decision and Endorsement of Call in, which identified three reasons for the call in, were included in the agenda pack.

The Democratic Services Manager explained the procedure for the call in of a Cabinet decision as detailed in the supporting document which was included in the agenda.

The Chairman invited the signatories to present the reasons for the call-in to the Committee.

That having considered the decision, the Committee is still concerned about it and refers this decision back to Cabinet to be reconsidered at the earliest scheduled meeting.   

None were received.

(a)      To receive the report and note its contents

(b)      To support the improvement of internal communications to raise awareness of the Council’s positive progress in moving to achieve its climate change ambitions.

(c)       To support the introduction of embedding carbon measures into procurement processes within a pilot portfolio of the Council.

(d)      To support the case for an Invest to Save post and resources to introduce Building Management Systems within more of our building assets to improve the management of energy use.

(e)      To support the embedding of climate change principles throughout the Council, through delivery of Carbon Literacy training to Elected Members, Senior Managers and other key decision makers

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

(a)      That Members note the content of this update and support the officers in their ongoing tree and woodland management work.

(b)      That Members support plans to develop the Flintshire Forest in accordance with the framework details provided.

To present and agree the new Wepre Park management plan.

That Members endorse the new 5-year management plan for Wepre Park.

That the committee approved the policy subject to the amendment suggested by Councillor Mike Peers

(a)      That Members note the content of this report and the main outcome of the draft Water Resources Management Plan 2024, that shows no supply resilience issues for the Alwen Dee zone that Flintshire is part of

(b)      That Members support the content of paragraph 1.10 of this report and give the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) delegated authority to prepare a final response and agree this with the Chair of this committee, prior to responding to the consultation by the due date.

(a)     That 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 actions.

(a)          That the Committee noted the Council’s current recycling performance against statutory targets.

(b)          That the Committee noted the options for alternative waste collection delivery models and recommended to cabinet that a pilot scheme be undertaken to inform decision making in order to achieve the statutory recycling targets set by Welsh Government.

That the Committee considered the proposal for increasing the garden waste subscription fee to recover increasing operational costs

(a)     That 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 actions.

(a)          That the committee noted the levels of progress and confidence in the achievement of priorities as at mid-year within the 2022/23 Council Plan.

(b)          That the committee endorsed and supported the overall performance against 2022/23 Council Plan performance indicators as at mid-year.

(c)          That the committee was assured by explanations given for those areas of underperformance.

None were received.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

That the Committee considered and noted the Quarter 2 Performance.

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

As detailed in the recommendations.

To note the change in service delivery model linked to services of housing support for vulnerable families presently delivered from Plas Belin Supported Housing Project for vulnerable families.

As detailed in the recommendation.

As detailed in the recommendations.

To present the 2021/22 annual report for the Strategic Equality Plan.

As detailed in the recommendations.

To provide an update on the cross border hydrogen and carbon capture storage (CSS) project called HyNet North West, the consenting processes for the project, and to establish if a corporate view is required on the project as a whole.

(1)       That the Council’s response to the Examining Authority with respect to the Local Impact Report on the HyNet Northwest Carbon Dioxide Pipeline be delegated to officers in consultation with the Cabinet; and

(2)       Responses relating to providing comments on the Statement of Common Ground, providing Written Representations, addressing questions and any matters arising as part of the subsequent Examination and during hearing sessions to be delegated to the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy).

(1)       That the decision of the Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee call-in meeting with regard to Record No 4056 Waste Strategy Review be noted;

(2)       That a further period of monitoring over the next four months, to see whether recycling rates can be improved through education and enforcement, be approved; and

(3)       That a further report be brought back in September.

As detailed in the recommendations.

That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

To provide Members with the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2022/23 (Month 10) Report and Significant Variances.

That having considered the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2022/23 (month 10) report, the Committee confirms that there are no specific issues to be raised with Cabinet.

To receive a performance update report on the Joint Procurement Service with Denbighshire County Council.

(a)       That the Procurement Annual Report for 2021/22 be noted; and

(b)       That progress with the FastTrack and Free Pay initiatives be noted.

To inform the Committee of progress against actions from previous meetings.

That the Committee notes the progress which has been made.

To consider the Forward Work Programme of the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme, as amended, be noted; and

(b)       That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Committee Chairman, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

To report on the findings and improvement plan following the completion of the Corporate Self-Assessment 2021/22.

(a)       That the findings of the Corporate Self-Assessment 2021/22 be noted and accepted; and

(b)       That the opportunities for improvement identified in the Corporate Self-Assessment 2021/22 be noted and accepted.

None.

None.

None.

None.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 11 January be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

(a)       That the Committee support the garage demolition programme proposals for addressing those sites and assets in a poor condition; and

(b)       That the Committee support the matrix, outlined in the report, on the criteria for assessing the garage sites for demolition.

(a)       That the Committee support the Housing Support Grant Delivery Plan for 2023-2024 attached at Appendix 1 of the report;

(b)       That the overview of the Housing Support Grant regime and wide range

of delivery of services locally be noted; and

(c)        That the feedback on the impact of the Housing Support Grant and range of good practice examples shared through the report be noted.

(a)       That the Committee note the significant increases in housing needs across the county and the growing pressures in regard to social housing which was not in line with the supply of available homes locally; and

(b)       That the Committee note the customer feedback following survey work and the progress in relation to opportunities for service improvement and in particular digital transformation.

To consider the Forward Work Programme of the Community & Housing Overview & Scrutiny Committee and to inform the Committee of progress against actions from previous meetings.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(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 actions.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 December 2022 be approved as a

correct record and signed by the Chair.

Councillors Andrew Parkhurst and Carolyn Preece declared a personal interest as members of Theatr Clwyd. 

The Chief Officer (Education & Youth) declared that she was a member of the Music Trust Board.

Mrs Wendy White

(a)      That the Forward Work Programme be noted;

(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 progress made in completing the outstanding actions be noted.

(a)     That the Committee support the levels of progress and confidence in the achievement of priorities as at mid-year within the 2022/23 Council Plan;

(b)     That the Committee endorse and support overall performance against 2022/23 Council Plan performance indicators as at mid-year; and

(c)     That the Committee is assured by explanations given for those areas of underperformance.

(a)       That the developments of the Theatr Clwyd Music Trust, since its creation, including the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic be noted;

(b)       That the Committee is assured that the Theatr Clwyd Music Trust is positively and actively delivering on the National Music Service Plan for the benefit of children and young people in Flintshire; and

(c)       That a letter is sent, on behalf of the Committee, to all Headteachers to encourage schools to promote the delivery of the music service, specifically targeting children eligible for free school meals and looked after children.

The Committee noted the update

The Committee noted the update.

(a)          The Committee considered the update.

(b)          The Committee noted the changes to timescales in the business plan for items G3 and G5, due to Government delays in taking forward The Pension Regulator’s Single Code and the SAB Good Governance review outcomes.

(c)           The Committee approved the changes to the Fund’s Governance Policy and Compliance Statement as shown in Appendix 3.

(a)          The Committee considered and noted the update.

(b)          The Committee approved the “Governance and reporting of climate change risks” draft consultation response.

The Committee noted the performance of the Fund over periods to the end of September 2022 along with the Economic and Market update which effectively sets the scene.

The Committee noted and considered the contents of the report and the increase in the level of hedging and the various actions taken.

(a)          The Committee approved the proposed key actuarial assumptions and funding parameters, in paragraphs 1.05 to 1.10 of the report, which will be incorporated into the Funding Strategy Statement.

(b)          The Committee approved the draft Funding Strategy Statement for consultation with employers (noting some information can only be included when the actuarial valuation is complete) and note the provisional results in paragraph 1.16.

(c)           The Committee delegated the refinement and finalisation of the draft FSS to the Head of Clwyd Pension Fund, before formal consultation with employers, having regard to the advice of the Fund Actuary.

(a)          The Committee approved the Fund’s Annual Report for 2021/22 including the Statement of Accounts.

(b)          The Committee considered the Audit of Accounts Report

(c)           The Committee approved the final Letter of Representation

            Mrs McWilliam and Mr Harkin, on behalf of all Mercer attendees, highlighted their declaration of interest in relation to item 12 and left the meeting for item 12.

Cllr Wedlake highlighted his declaration of interest as a member of the Pension Fund and Coedpoeth Community Council. He is also a member of the Socialist Environmental Research Association.

There were no other declarations of interest.

The minutes of 31 August 2022 were received, approved and will be signed by the Chairman.

None.

(a)          The Committee considered the Fund’s draft Annual Report for 2021/22 including the draft Statement of Accounts.

(b)          Members noted the Audit Enquiries letter and response

The Committee noted the update.

The minutes of 15 June 2022 were received, approved and will be signed by the Chairman once the updates are made.

(a)          The Committee considered and noted the update.

(b)          The Committee considered the proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution and Pension Board Protocol, relating to pension fund related responsibilities and recommended the proposed changes for consideration by Constitution and Democratic Services Committee and then approval by the Council.

(c)          The Committee approved the proposed changes to the Delegations of Functions to Officers Schedule.

The Chairman confirmed he had family members as members of the Pension Fund and he has applied to become a member of the Fund.

Cllr Swash also confirmed he is a member of the Fund, Hawarden Community Council and University and College Union.

Cllr Shallcross confirmed he is a member of the Fund and Saltney Town Council.

Cllr Wren confirmed he has applied to become a member of the Fund and Connah’s Quay Town Council.

Cllr Wren and the Chairman are members of Flintshire County Council’s Constitution Committee, which was highlighted during item 6.

There were no other declarations of interest.

The Committee noted the update and considered the contents of the report.

The Committee noted the performance of the Fund over periods to the end of June 2022 along with the Economic and Market update which effectively set the scene.

The Committee noted the update and discussed the JGC agenda.

The Committee noted the update.

(a)  The Committee considered the contents of the draft submission.

(b)  The Committee delegated responsibility for approving the final submission to the Head of Clwyd Pension Fund.

To consider the NEW Homes Business Plan 2023/2052.

As detailed in the recommendation.

To set the Council Tax charges for 2023-24 as part of the Council’s wider budget strategy.

(a)       That the 2023/24 Council Tax be set as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report;

(b)       That the continuation of the policy of not providing a discount in the level of 2023/24 Council Tax charges for second homes and long-term empty homes be endorsed.  Also, where exceptions do not apply, to charge the Council Tax Premium rate of 75% above the standard rate of Council Tax for designated long-term empty dwellings and 100% for second homes from 1^st April 2023; and

(c)       That approval be given for designated officers to issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid taxes.

Local Authorities are required each year to set aside some of their revenue resources as provision for the repayment of debt. The report presents the Council’s draft policy on Minimum Revenue Provision.

(a)       That the following be approved for Council Fund (CF):-

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in financial year 2023/24 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing fixed as at 31^st March 2017.  The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 49 years.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing from 1^st April 2016 onwards.  The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from unsupported (prudential) borrowing or credit arrangements. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

(b)       That the following be approved for Housing Revenue Account (HRA):-

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2023/24 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from debt fixed as at 31^st March 2021. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 50 years.

·         Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2023/24 for all capital expenditure funded from debt from 1^st April 2021 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits.

(c)       That MRP on loans from the Council to NEW Homes to build affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) (which qualify as capital expenditure in accounting terms) be approved as follows:-

·         No MRP is made during the construction period (of short duration) as the asset has not been brought into use and no benefit is being derived from its use.

·         Once the assets are brought into use, capital (loan) repayments will be made by NEW Homes. The Council’s MRP will be equal to the repayments made by NEW Homes. The repayments made by NEW Homes will be classed, in accounting terms, as capital receipts, which can only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt. The capital repayment / capital receipt will be set aside to repay debt and is the Council’s MRP policy for repaying the loan.

To present to Members the draft Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24.

(a)       That the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 be approved;

(b)       That the Treasury Management Policy Statement 2023 to 2026 be approved; and

(c)       That the Treasury Management Practices and Schedules 2023 to 2026 be approved.

To set a legal and balanced budget for 2023/24 on the recommendation of Cabinet.

(a)       That the recommendations of Cabinet for balancing the budget for 2023/24 be approved; and

(b)       That the level of Council Tax for 2023/24 as recommended by Cabinet be approved.

During discussion on the Council Fund Revenue Budget 2023/24 (agenda item 6), Councillor Dennis Hutchinson declared a personal interest as a transport provider with a school contract.

The following Members declared a personal interest on the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 (agenda item 10) due to closely associated people employed by the Council: Councillors Bernie Attridge, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Andy Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Christine Jones, Hilary McGuill, Ted Palmer, Andrew Parkhurst, Kevin Rush and Dale Selvester.

That subject to the amendments, the minutes of 13 December 2022 and 24 January 2023 be approved as a correct record.

None were received.

None were received.

None were received.

All local authorities are required to publish their Pay Policy Statement by April annually. The Pay Policy Statement presented within this report is the eleventh annual Statement published by Flintshire County Council.

(a)       That subject to the amendment, the appended draft Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24 be approved; and

(b)       That delegated authority be given to the Corporate Manager (People and Organisational Development) to update the Pay Policy Statement 2023/24 during the course of the year to reflect any changes required by legislation, Government policy or national negotiations so that it remains accurate and current.

None.