Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors William Baldwin and David Kelly.

Members are reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare the existence and nature of any personal interest in respect of any of the business to be transacted at this meeting

Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Member Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting.  The following declarations were made:

Agenda Item 6 – 2018/19 Revenue Outturn and Carry Forward Proposals

Councillors Brian Cameron, Dana Davies, D J Griffiths, Adrienne Jeorrett, Joan Lowe, Graham Rogers and Phil Wynn – Personal and Prejudicial – School Governor.  The Councillors remained in the meeting and claimed an exemption under Paragraph 12(2) of the Members’ Code of Conduct taking part in the discussion and, in the case of Executive Board Members, voting thereon.

To sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 April 2019

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 April 2019 be signed as a correct record.

The Leader vacated the Chair, and the Vice-Chair, Councillor Hugh Jones, presided over the next items on the Agenda to enable the Leader to present Agenda items 5 to 7 in his capacity as Lead Member for Organisation – Finance, Performance, Health and Safety and Governance.

(Councillor Hugh Jones in the Chair)

To consider the report of the Lead Member for Organisation – Finance, Performance, Health & Safety and Governance

RESOLVED - That Council be recommended to approve the proposed Council Plan 2019-22 (as detailed in Appendix C of report CE/02/19) and the in-year priorities that it sets out.

Reason for decision

(i)        To review the priorities of the Council and to set out the Council’s well-being objectives as required in the Well-Being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015.

The Lead Member for Organisation – Finance, Performance, Health and Safety and Governance submitted a report (CE/02/19) seeking approval for the proposed Council Plan 2019-2022 and for the in-year priorities set out within it.

The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it.  A discussion ensued regarding the importance of All Member Workshops which provided Members with the opportunity to have an input in reviewing targets and objectives.  A number of Members requested further Workshops on KPI’s, particularly in relation to education targets and reducing school exclusions, bus station usage and complaints from Welsh speakers.

RESOLVED - That Council be recommended to approve the proposed Council Plan 2019-22 (as detailed in Appendix C of report CE/02/19) and the in-year priorities that it sets out.

Reason for decision

(i)        To review the priorities of the Council and to set out the Council’s well-being objectives as required in the Well-Being of Future Generations Act (Wales) 2015.

To consider the report of the Lead Member for Organisation – Finance, Performance, Health & Safety and Governance

RESOLVED -

(i)         That the 2018/19 revenue outturns be noted.

(ii)       That the year end carry forward proposals as detailed in Appendix 3 of report COFI/35/19 be approved.

(iii)      That the proposed contribution to reserves as outlined in paragraphs 4.8 to 4.9 of the report be approved:

(i)         £105k to the Winter Maintenance reserve and

(ii)        £104k initially to the Capital reserve.

(iv)      That the position at the 31 March 2019 of the Council’s earmarked reserves and unearmarked general balances be noted.

(v)       That the above decisions be included in the Statement of Accounts presented to the Audit Committee at the beginning of June.

Reason for decisions

(i)        To agree the proposals with regard to provisions and reserves and the year end carry forward arrangements for inclusion in the Statement of Accounts which will be considered by the Audit Committee at the end of May.

(Members declarations of interest in respect of this item are set out in Minute 126 above)

The Lead Member for Organisation – Finance, Performance, Health and Safety and Governance submitted a report (COFI/35/19) to inform Members of the Council Fund revenue outturn for 2018/19, to agree the proposals with regard to reserves, to determine the year end carry forward arrangements and to inform Members of the Housing Revenue Account outturn for 2018/19.

The Lead Member introduced the report and highlighted the main points contained within it.  During the discussion, the following points were highlighted:

·         Suggestion that any underspend be used for pot hole repairs which would also help to alleviate compensation costs.  The Lead Member advised that the resurfacing programme, which was due to go live shortly, would be published on the Council’s website.

·         Members positively acknowledged the large sum of money which had been raised by the Mayor this year, and paid particular reference to the recent purchase of a blood bike.

·         Importance of modernising the ICT Service.

·         Request that the term of licensed deficit for schools be amended, with a view to extending it from a 3 year period to 5 years in order to make schools more sustainable.  Members acknowledged the situation regarding education funding across Wales.

·         Recognition that there had been mixed feedback in terms of improvements to the town centre.  Members were advised that the Town Centre Asset Management Plan provided an opportunity for people to become involved and put forward any views they may have.  Whilst there was only a certain amount of money which limited what could be done, it was important to have a comprehensive and agreed view about the way forward.

RESOLVED -

(i)         That the 2018/19 revenue outturns be noted.

(ii)       That the year end carry forward proposals as detailed in Appendix 3 of report COFI/35/19 be approved.

(iii)      That the proposed contribution to reserves as outlined in paragraphs 4.8 to 4.9 of the report be approved:

(i)         £105k to the Winter Maintenance reserve and

(ii)        £104k initially to the Capital reserve.

(iv)      That the position at the 31 March 2019 of the Council’s earmarked reserves and unearmarked general balances be noted.

(v)       That the above decisions be included in the Statement of Accounts presented to the Audit Committee at the beginning of June.

Reason for decisions

(i)        To agree the proposals with regard to provisions and reserves and the year end carry forward arrangements for inclusion in the Statement of Accounts which will be considered by the Audit Committee at the end of May.

To consider the report of the Lead Member for Organisation – Finance, Performance, Health & Safety and Governance and the Lead Member for Place – Environment and Transport

RESOLVED - That Wrexham County Borough Council will not support hosting a geological disposal facility in the County Borough.

Reason for decision

(i)         To state clearly the Council’s position in advance of any potential approach by a community seeking support from the Council in considering the possibility of hosting a geological disposal facility within the county borough.

The Lead Member for Organisation – Finance, Performance, Health and Safety and Governance, and the Lead Member for Place – Environment and Transport submitted a joint report (COGC/12/19) to seek views on the issues raised by the Welsh Government policy framework on the disposal of radioactive waste in Wales and whether Wrexham County Borough Council wishes to consider hosting a geological disposal facility within the County Borough.

RESOLVED - That Wrexham County Borough Council will not support hosting a geological disposal facility in the County Borough.

Reason for decision

(i)         To state clearly the Council’s position in advance of any potential approach by a community seeking support from the Council in considering the possibility of hosting a geological disposal facility within the county borough.

(Councillor Mark Pritchard in the Chair)

To consider the report of the Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety

RESOLVED -

(i)        That the proposal to develop a shared, fully integrated CCTV service with Flintshire County Council be approved.

(ii)       That the Chief Officer Housing & Economy, in consultation with the Chief Officer Governance & Customer  and the relevant Lead Member be given delegated authority to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Flintshire County Council to monitor and manage its CCTV cameras.

Reason for decisions

(i)        It will enable the CCTV services in Wrexham and Flintshire to continue to operate effectively, support strategic partners and reduce the fear of crime and by helping to promote the opportunities for efficiencies through sharing service with neighbouring authorities.

The Lead Member for People – Communities, Partnerships, Public Protection and Community Safety submitted a report (COHE/16/19) to seek approval to proceed with a shared management CCTV service with Flintshire County Council, located in the Wrexham CCTV control room, to provide 24/365 management and monitoring of Flintshire County Council’s (FCC) public space CCTV  cameras from the WCBC control room through a service level agreement with Flintshire.

RESOLVED -

(i)        That the proposal to develop a shared, fully integrated CCTV service with Flintshire County Council be approved.

(ii)       That the Chief Officer Housing & Economy, in consultation with the Chief Officer Governance & Customer  and the relevant Lead Member be given delegated authority to enter into a Service Level Agreement with Flintshire County Council to monitor and manage its CCTV cameras.

Reason for decisions

(i)        It will enable the CCTV services in Wrexham and Flintshire to continue to operate effectively, support strategic partners and reduce the fear of crime and by helping to promote the opportunities for efficiencies through sharing service with neighbouring authorities.

To consider the report of the Lead Member for Economy – Economic Development and Regeneration

RESOLVED -

(i)         That the implementation of a programme of heritage-led regeneration activity through the Townscape Heritage Scheme, in support of a prosperous and thriving Town Centre, be agreed.

(ii)        That the Chief Officer Housing & Economy, in consultation with Lead Member for Economy – Economic Development & Regeneration, be authorised to submit a Stage Two application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, for funding for a Townscape Heritage Scheme for which the Council will be the lead applicant and grant recipient.

(iii)       That these matters be dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Standing Order 43 (1) of the Council’s Standing Orders.

Reasons for decisions

(i)         To secure £1.52 million grant funding to enable the delivery of a range of economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes, through heritage-led regeneration activity in the Town Centre;

(ii)        To provide the opportunity to deliver a pioneering Traditional Buildings Skills programme that will create opportunities for education, training and upskilling that can enable contractors to secure work in the heritage construction sector; and

(iii)       To enable the submission of a Stage Two Funding Bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund on 24May 2019.

The Lead Member for Economy – Economic Development and Regeneration submitted a report (COHE/10/19) asking Members to approve the submission of a Stage Two funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for a Townscape Heritage Scheme, aimed at contributing to heritage-led regeneration activities in Wrexham Town Centre Conservation Area.

RESOLVED -

(i)         That the implementation of a programme of heritage-led regeneration activity through the Townscape Heritage Scheme, in support of a prosperous and thriving Town Centre, be agreed.

(ii)        That the Chief Officer Housing & Economy, in consultation with Lead Member for Economy – Economic Development & Regeneration, be authorised to submit a Stage Two application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, for funding for a Townscape Heritage Scheme for which the Council will be the lead applicant and grant recipient.

(iii)       That these matters be dealt with as an urgent item of business in accordance with Standing Order 43 (1) of the Council’s Standing Orders.

Reasons for decisions

(i)         To secure £1.52 million grant funding to enable the delivery of a range of economic, social, cultural and environmental outcomes, through heritage-led regeneration activity in the Town Centre;

(ii)        To provide the opportunity to deliver a pioneering Traditional Buildings Skills programme that will create opportunities for education, training and upskilling that can enable contractors to secure work in the heritage construction sector; and

(iii)       To enable the submission of a Stage Two Funding Bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund on 24 May 2019.