Agenda and draft minutes
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APOLOGIES Additional documents: |
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DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST PDF 116 KB Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: No declarations of interest. |
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URGENT MATTERS AS AGREED BY THE CHAIR Notice of items which, in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972. Additional documents: Minutes: No urgent matters. QUESTION PUT FORWARD BY COUNCILLOR PAUL PENLINGTON – “Following the UK withdrawal from Afghanistan can you tell us how many
of the subsequent individual refugees we are definitely taking in Denbighshire
and when will they arrive” Response by Councillor
Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Wellbeing and Independence – “our thoughts
with all those affected by recent tragic events in Afghanistan including all
those living here, veterans, interpreters and other refugees concerned about
family members back home. We have all watched in horror
as events over the last few months have unfolded in Afghanistan causing so much
immense uncertainty for its people. I can confirm that Cabinet
members discussed this situation regarding refugees from Afghanistan yesterday
and have agreed that Denbighshire should increase our current commitments
through the Global Resettlement Scheme to ten families. This will enable us to offer housing and
support to five Afghan families at this time, although this could well be extended
if the situation and the scheme continues past the first year. This is in addition to the existing
commitment to support five families per year under the existing Syrian and
Universal Refugee Programme agreed a few years ago. One Afghan family has already
been accepted and settled in Denbighshire over the last two weeks. Accommodation is currently
being sourced across the county, initially in the private rented sector in line
with the current refugee programme and we have a number of offers already
ranging from single rooms to a 5 bedroom house. Whilst we welcome offers of accommodation, it
will not always be possible to make use of them due to the makeup of the
individual families. Unfortunately, Denbighshire
are not able to receive offers of furniture, clothes, toys etc., but are
working alongside other organisations who will try and find effective ways to
use these thoughtful offers of help. The Home Office have announced
a one year funding programme for the Afghanistan
scheme to enable Local Authorities to provide support for education and
employment. In addition, they have
indicated an ongoing commitment to support housing costs. The funding is similar to that received by
the Council for the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Scheme and members will be aware
that we have used this very successfully supporting 22 families over the past
five years into suitable housing and education with three individuals now in
work and one undertaking their HGV licence.
These have been supported by a dedicated Mentor in working Denbighshire
funded by the scheme. Cabinet members are pleased to
be supporting Afghan families in line with the desire for Wales to be seen as a
nation of sanctuary to ensure the families can integrate within the Welsh
communities from day one of arrival. We will do everything we can
to put in place appropriate housing and a warm welcome so that our new
neighbours will become important parts of our community as many have done
before. Given the housing situation,
this will, indeed, be a difficult task but one we have every intention of
fulfilling. Each Local Authority across
Wales is playing its part in supporting the Afghan programme and whilst this
commitment is in relation to Denbighshire, we are working regionally and at a
strategic level to share knowledge and support as and when appropriate.” |
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To receive the minutes of the meeting of County Council held on 6 July 2021 and 22 July 2021 (copy attached). Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the Full Council held on 6 July 2021 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes
of Full Council held on 6 July 2021 be confirmed as a correct record. The minutes of the Special Council held on 22 July 2021 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes of the Special Council held on 22 July 2021 be confirmed as a correct record. |
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DIVERSITY IN DEMOCRACY PDF 224 KB To consider a report by the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services (copy attached), to bring to the attention of Members, the WLGA’s Diversity in Democracy Programme. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Leader, Councillor Hugh
Evans, introduced the Diversity in Democracy report (previously circulated) to
bring to the attention of members the WLGA’s Diversity and Democracy Programme
and the actions approved by the WLGA Council, together with a request for all
Welsh Councils to commit to becoming ‘Diverse Councils’. The WLGA had an ambitious
Diversity and Democracy Programme to try and ensure that council chambers were
more representative of the communities they serve. They had been considering
ways in which greater diversity could be achieved following the local
government elections in May 2022. In September 2018 the WLGA
Council agreed to take steps to advance gender equality and diversity in
Councils before the 2022 elections. This was in recognition of the lack of
diversity in Welsh Councils. A cross party working group was set up to explore
broader underrepresentation in democracy. At a special meeting held in March of
this year the WLGA Council received a report from that cross party working
group with proposals designed to achieve a step change in diversity following
the 2022 elections. The WLGA Council agreed unanimously that a concerted and collective
effort would be required across the local government family and political
parties. As a result of that meeting, a letter had been sent to each local
authority in Wales, signed by each of the leaders of the political groups
represented on the WLGA Council. A copy of that letter had been attached as
Appendix 2 to the report previously circulated. Commitment was sought to the
following declaration: This Council commits to being a Diverse
Council. We agree to: ·
Provide a clear public commitment to improving
diversity in democracy ·
Demonstrate an open and welcoming culture to
all, promoting the highest standards of behaviour and conduct ·
Set out a local Diverse Council Action Plan
ahead of the 2022 local elections Demonstrate a commitment to a duty of care
for Councillors ·
Provide flexibility in council business by reviewing
our practical arrangements for the holding of meetings ·
Ensure that all members are aware of the
allowances and salaries to which they are entitled, particularly any
reimbursement for costs of care, so that all members receive fair remuneration
for their work and that the role of member is not limited to those who can
afford it. If the declaration was to be
endorsed a more detailed report would be presented to the Democratic Services
Committee to develop a Diverse Council Action Plan ahead of the 2022 local
government elections. During discussions, the
following points were raised: ·
Councillor Tony Thomas raised the issue that in
the past upon his nomination to be a Councillor he had to resign from his post
as a teacher. The Head of Legal, HR and
Democratic Services confirmed that the WLGA had been looking into that aspect
of the nomination process. ·
Councillor Bobby Feeley raised the gender
balance of Denbighshire County Council.
14 of the Councillors were female, 1 member of Cabinet was female and only
one Chair of various Committees were female.
This did require a cultural change as, in her opinion, a lot of women
did not see themselves in politics.
With regards to older councillors, they did bring a lot of experience to
the role so a diverse council would be more appropriate. ·
It was stated that due to covid,
meetings had been taking place remotely.
Remote meetings would give more people an opportunity to stand, as would
not take up time travelling to and from meeting venues. This was especially beneficial if a working
person wished to stand as a councillor in the future. · The issue of abuse to councillors ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Tony Thomas on behalf of the Welsh Conservative Group for consideration by Full Council (copy attached). Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Tony Thomas put forward the
following Notice of Motion on behalf of the Welsh Conservative Group for
consideration by Full Council: “That Denbighshire County Council
appoint a Young Persons Champion covering all ages up to 18.” During in-depth discussion, it
was requested what the role of a Young Persons Champion would be. It was suggested that the role of the Young
Persons Champion be refereed to Democratic Services Committee to define the
role and then a further report be submitted to Full Council at a future date. Councillor Tony Thomas proposed the amendment that the
Notice of Motion be submitted to Democratic Services Committee to define the
role and a further report be submitted to Full Council, seconded by Councillor
Martyn Holland. A vote took place and a majority of members voted in
favour with one member voting against the amendment. RESOLVED that a report on the role of a Young Persons
Champion be presented to Democratic Services Committee to define the role and a
further report to be presented to Full Council. |
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COUNTY COUNCIL FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME PDF 347 KB To consider the Council’s forward work programme (copy attached). Additional documents: Minutes: The Head of Legal, HR and
Democratic Services introduced the Councils forward work programme, together
with the Council Briefing forward work programme (previously circulated). ·
Real Living Wage Workshop to be held the
following week ·
Workshop to be arranged prior to the end of
September 2021 regarding the current consultation by Welsh Government on
Statutory Guidance for Corporate Joint Committees. The date of the workshop to be confirmed. RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the Council and
Council Briefing Forward Work Programme be approved and noted. |
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THE MEETING CONCLUDED AT 11.36 A.M. |