Agenda and draft minutes

Councillors Tina Jones and Paul Penlington declared a personal interest in item 7 - Denbighshire's Replacement Local Development Plan - Draft Preferred Strategy.

To appoint the Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2019/2020.

The retiring Chair, Councillor Peter Scott, invited nominations for the appointment of Chair of County Council for the 2019/2020 municipal year. 

Councillor Rhys Thomas proposed Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies to be elected Chair.

Councillor Ann Davies seconded the proposal.

There being no further nominations, and following a vote by a show of hands, Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies was unanimously elected to be Chair of the Council for the 2019/2020 year.

The retiring Chair delivered a short speech during which he reflected upon his time as Chair during the past 12 months.

He expressed his thanks to Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies and his wife Nesta for their support during the past year.  Thanks were also extended to officers and staff for their support and in particular to Eleri Woolford (Member Support & Development Manager), Sue License (Personal Assistant to Head of Legal, HR & Democratic Services), and Sharon Evans (Business Co-ordinator: Leaders Office) for all their work and support during his time as Chair.

The retiring Chair raised a total of £14,500 for his chosen charity – St. Kentigern Hospice.

Laura Parry accepted the cheque on behalf of St. Kentigerns Hospice explaining that the Hospice was currently undertaking a £3million project to support more people within the community.  She offered thanks for all the support given and the money raised would make such a difference to the Hospice.

The retiring Chair wished the incoming Chair best wishes for the future and invested him with the Chair’s Chain of Office, following which, he completed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The incoming Chair named his wife, Nesta Davies, as his consort.

The incoming Chair then advised his chosen charities would be:-

·       Breast Cancer UK, and

·       Prostate Cancer UK

To appoint the Vice-Chair of the Council for the municipal year 2019/2020.

The Chair sought nominations for the appointment of Vice-Chair.

Councillor Joan Butterfield proposed that Councillor Alan James be elected Vice-Chair of the Council for the 2019/2020 municipal year.  She referred to Councillor James’ vast experience.

Councillor Barry Mellor seconded the nomination.

There being no further nominations and following a vote by a show of hands, Councillor Alan James was unanimously elected Vice-Chair of the Council for the 2019/2020 municipal year.

The Chair invested Councillor Alan James with the Vice-Chair’s Chain of Office, following which, he completed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The incoming Vice-Chair named his wife, Win Mullen-James, as his consort.

The Leader, Group Leaders and Members paid tribute to the work of the retiring Chair over the previous twelve months and congratulated Councillors Meirick Lloyd Davies and Alan James upon being elected Chair and Vice-Chair respectively.

At this juncture (10.30 a.m.) there was a 20 minute break.

The meeting reconvened at 10.50 a.m.

None.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of County Council held on 28 March 2019 (copy attached).

The minutes of Full Council held on 28 March 2019 were submitted.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the minutes of Full Council held on 28 March 2019 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider a report by the Strategic Planning & Housing Manager (copy attached) presenting the recommendation from the Strategic Planning Group and Cabinet regarding the Replacement LDP Draft Preferred Strategy and to seek approval to consult on the draft Preferred Strategy.

Councillor Tina Jones declared a personal interest as she was the owner of a piece of land in Prestatyn.

Councillor Paul Penlington declared a personal interest as his mother-in-law was the owner of a piece of land within the LDP.

Councillor Brian Jones, Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel, introduced the report (previously circulated) presenting the recommendation from the Strategic Planning Group and Cabinet regarding the Replacement LDP Draft Preferred Strategy and to seek approval to consult on the draft Preferred Strategy.

During discussions the following points were raised:

·         Councillor Tony Flynn queried why Town Councillors had not been kept informed.  It was clarified that three drop-in sessions had been held for City, Town and Community Councils to engage at an early stage of the process.  If the recommendations were agreed by Council, as part of the consultation process, further engagement would take place with the City, Town and Community Councils.

·         Councillor Graham Timms also confirmed that all County Councillors and City, Town and Community Councillors had been informed of the meetings taking place and the County Councillors had received the documents throughout the process.  Councillor Timms expressed concern due to the fact that the Lead Member, Councillor Brian Jones, had not supported the process or the LDP and he did not propose the recommendation at the Cabinet meeting. 

·         During the aforementioned Cabinet meeting, the webcast had ceased to broadcast due to an issue with the external internet feed which had been out of the control of the council and it had affected a large surrounding area.

·         Land for industrial use was raised and it was confirmed that the details would be considered in more detail following the consultation period.  It was again clarified that the report presented to members was to obtain agreement from Council to go out to consultation.

·         Elements which would be affected by the LDP were raised:

Ø  Welsh language – there was a language policy and there would be ample opportunity to scrutinise the Welsh language aspect.

Ø  Affordable housing – the definition of affordable housing was contained within paragraphs 8 – 10.  There would be a need to look at each specific area within the county to deliver a balance.  This would be looked at in more detail during the next stage of the plan.

Ø  Employment – there was a requirement to ascertain what would be appropriate in each location and again, that would be looked at during the next stage of the plan.

·         Councillor Richard Mainon spoke regarding the previous LDP in comparison to the proposed LDP in relation to Bodelwyddan.  He expressed his dis-satisfaction with the proposed LDP.

·         Social Housing – the Senior Planning Officer confirmed social housing was outside her expertise but it would be dependent on funding from both Central Government and Welsh Government.

·         As part of the preparation of the Deposit LDP an effective and appropriate monitoring framework would be developed and included within the Plan and would form the basis for undertaking the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR).  The AMR would represent the main method for measuring and assessing the progress in the implementation of the policies and proposals of the adopted Revised LDP.

·         Land Use – the best use of brown land was a priority.  The Plan was subject to sustainability appraisals and habitat regulations to ensure the environmental impact was as little as possible.

At this juncture, Councillor Joan Butterfield requested a recorded vote.

The Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services stated that at least one sixth of the members’ present would have to be in agreement with the recorded vote.  More than  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider the Council’s forward work programme (copy attached).

The Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services introduced the Council’s Forward Work Programme together with the Council Briefing Forward Work Programme (previously circulated).

It was confirmed that a Special Council meeting would take place on 30 May 2019 to discuss the Leisure ADM.

The next Council Briefing was to take place on 3 June 2019.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the Council and Council Briefing Forward Work Programme be approved and noted.

The meeting concluded at 12.05 p.m.