Agenda and draft minutes

Councillors Brian Blakeley, Ann Davies, Carys Guy Davies, Martyn Holland, Win Mullen-James Merfyn Parry, Peter Owen, Eryl Williams.

Councillor Jason McLellan declared a personal interest in the Scala Cinema & Arts Centre, Prestatyn referenced in the 2013/14 Budget (Agenda Item 5).

Councillors Ray Bartley, Jeanette Chamberlain-Jones, Hugh Evans, Huw Hilditch-Roberts, Geraint Lloyd-Williams, Bill Tasker and Cefyn Williams  declared a personal interest in the item on “Healthcare in North Wales is Changing” Decisions (Agenda Item 6).

No urgent matters had been raised.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of County Council held on 8 January 2013 (copy enclosed).

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 8 January 2013 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 January 2013 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  

To consider a joint report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance and Assets and the Head of Finance and Assets (copy enclosed) seeking Council’s approval of the budget for 2013/14 and the resulting increase in the level of Council Tax for 2013/14.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the report detailing the budget proposals for 2013/14 and resulting increase in the level of Council Tax.  Budget Saving Proposals for 2013/14 (Appendix 1); Grants transferred into the General Settlement 2013/14 (Appendix 2); Denbighshire’s Budget 2013/14 (Appendix 3) and the Equality Impact Assessment (Appendix 4) had been attached to the report.

Members were advised of a lower than expected final settlement from the Welsh Government which included a cut in capital funding which was a significant loss.  The implications on the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) were highlighted together with the savings required over the next three years and the latest forecasts in terms of pressures previously identified.  Reference was also made to –

· the Welsh Government’s expectation that schools and social care budgets would be protected from savings which would put additional strain on other services that had to find additional savings to compensate [for 2013/14 approximately 56% of the budget was ring fenced and protected]

· financial implications arising from the Council Tax Support Scheme, particularly in light of recent changes to the regulations resulting in a windfall of at least £300k for the year together with possible options for its allocation

· an update on the outcomes of the budget workshops held for members in November and December 2012 (regarding savings, priorities and council tax) together with the session on financing the Corporate Plan

· based on current proposals the resultant increase in Council Tax was a maximum 2% and the base assumption for future years was that Council Tax would continue to rise at around 2%.  Formal approval for the level of Council Tax would be sought at the next meeting.

Councillor Thompson-Hill advised that it was another challenging financial year but the proposed budget was realistic and deliverable allowing investment in priorities and protecting front line services from major reductions.  He took the opportunity to thank the Head of Finance and Assets (H:FA) and his team for all their hard work.  Members had been heavily involved in the budget setting process and the H:FA thanked them for their engagement and political steer.

During consideration of the savings proposals members raised questions on the savings targets relating to individual services.  Assurances were sought over the removal of the essential car user allowance and outcome of the staff ballot and that day care services would not be affected as a result of the savings in care services.  In responding Councillor Thompson-Hill and the Head of H:FA  –

-       advised that initial savings proposals had included day care provision which had since been removed in light of members’ concerns

-       updated members on the negotiations with Trade Unions to remove the essential car user allowance which was due to be phased in over the year

-       reported upon the carbon reduction scheme advising that the Council would be assessed in 2014/15 and a favourable outcome was expected

-       elaborated upon projects contributing to modernising the Council including printer rationalisation, better use of space, reductions in mileage and stationery, procurement, sickness absence and confirmed that the modernisation agenda would feature strongly over the next few years

-       referred to systems thinking being used to improve processes and moving from manual to electronic systems

-       a saving of £100k had been possible for recycling parks following a renegotiation of the management contract with a private contractor

-       elaborated upon the Planning and Public Protection restructure following the decision not to proceed with full collaboration with Conwy County Borough Council which would result in the removal of long term vacant posts

-       indicated that capacity for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider a joint report by Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Social Care and Children’s Services and the Corporate Director: Modernising and Wellbeing summarising the decisions taken by the BCU Board on 18 January 2013 and the implications for the Council, and to receive a further verbal update at the meeting.

The Corporate Director Modernising and Wellbeing (CD:MW) introduced the report (previously circulated) summarising the decisions taken by the Betsi Cadwaladar University Health Board (BCUHB) on 18 January 2013 following consultation on the health service reviews.  The report focused on the decisions as they related to facilities and services in Denbighshire together with timescales for implementation and detailed the outstanding issues and concerns for the Council.  In terms of decision making members were reminded that the Community Health Council (CHC) was the only body that could formally refer the Board’s decision to the Minister and their response was required by 3 March 2013.  Members’ views were sought on the latest developments and next steps taking into account the report recommendations and verbal update from the Chief Executive.

The Chief Executive verbally reported upon a meeting between North Wales Local Authority Chief Executives and BCUHB held on 1 February when four broad areas of concern were discussed –

Extra costs associated with increased care in the community – the development of localities and enhanced home care could lead to an increase in demand on social services and costs.  Home care was considered a positive step but there was insufficient detail in the proposals and issues around affordability, implementation and resources.  BCUHB had given verbal assurances that costs would not be transferred to local authorities and councils had asked that a financial model be developed detailing funding costs and a clear process of implementation.

Capital Investment – the plans involved approximately £40m of capital investment in new provision of which £27m was in Denbighshire.  The necessary funding had not yet been secured and plans were dependent on the quality of the business case and Welsh Government providing the funding.  As this was a significant risk area assurances were sought that funding for replacement facilities would be secured before the implementation of planned closures.

Transport Arrangements – it was clear that more people, including vulnerable people, would have to travel for health care provision.  The feeling was that the public sector and voluntary sector had a responsibility to develop a travel plan and BCUHB had committed £80k to respond to travel needs.  The way forward would involve relevant partners developing a transport plan for those people affected.

Managing Transition Arrangements – plans to close services and facilities before new provisions had been established was also a key concern.  BCHUB had clarified that no patient would be without services when needed and people affected would be supported until new provisions were in place.  Assurances needed to be sought that effective transition plans had been developed.

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Social Care and Children’s Services paid tribute to staff working in the health service during uncertain and difficult circumstances.  Whilst agreeing that the review had been necessary she felt that the process could have been managed more effectively.  The Council had carefully scrutinised the plans and the establishment of a county based Health and Social Care Strategic Forum would ensure dialogue continued.  In commenting on the plans she expressed her disappointment that Ruthin Hospital would lose its minor injuries unit and x-ray services and over plans to close in-patient care beds at Prestatyn and Llangollen Hospitals before the establishment of new services.  She also highlighted the need to revisit transport arrangements and neo-natal services.  In light of the Chief Executive’s verbal report Councillor Feeley proposed an urgent meeting with BCUHB seeking a guarantee that facilities did not close until funding for new capital investment had been secured.  She also proposed a meeting with other agencies to address the transportation issue.

Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services (H:LDS) submitted the Council Forward Work Programme confirming that feedback from the meeting with BCUHB as agreed under the previous agenda item would be added to the work programme for the next meeting.  Councillor Hugh Evans reported that the North Wales Regional Board had agreed to issue a statement supporting the principle of a prison in North Wales and an item needed to be added to the work programme to discuss Denbighshire’s position.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above amendments, Council’s Forward Work Programme be noted. 

The meeting concluded at 2.00 p.m.