Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Hugh Irving declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 5 as he receives a small pension from the Clwyd Pension Scheme.  

No urgent items.

(i)            Councillor Rhys Thomas confirmed the future opening of a Police Station in Prestatyn.   Councillor Thomas referred to the Notice of Motion put forward by Councillor Hugh Irving in 2023 which had been supported by Full Council to put pressure on the necessary Authorities and North Wales Police for a police station to be reinstated in Prestatyn.  A number of meetings had taken place and the previous week, the Police Strategic Board approved a plan for the police station in Prestatyn.  A full report to Prestatyn Member Area Group would be presented in February.

(ii)          Councillor Terry Mendies informed members that on 12 January 2024, Arriva had terminated the bus service 51 going into Llandegla village.  It has now been confirmed that Arriva had reinstated a skeleton service to the village.  Councillor Mendies offered thanks to Councillor Barry Mellor and also to Sara Palmer for assisting to find a solution to the issue.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of County Council held on 14 November 2023 (copy attached).

The minutes of Full Council held on 14 November 2023 were submitted.

Matters Arising –

Page 9 – Councillor Chris Evans stated that to date, he had not received a written response to his question.

Page 11 – Councillor Kelly Clewett stated that the Addiction Recovery Agency could be added to the Single Point of Access register as this had not been confirmed in the minutes.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above, the minutes of Full Council held on 14 November 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report by the Head of Finance (copy attached) which sets out the implications of the Welsh Government Provisional Funding Settlement for Local Government 2024/25 and proposals to set a balanced budget for 2024/25.

Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, introduced the Council Budget 2024/25 report (previously circulated).

The report set out the implications of the Welsh Government’s (WG) Provisional Funding Settlement for Local Government 2024/25 and the proposals to set a balanced budget for 2024/25.

The Council was legally required to set a balanced and deliverable budget before the start of each financial year and to set the resulting level of Council Tax to allow bills to be sent to residents.

There was a statutory duty on the Head of Finance and Audit (Section 151 Officer) to report to Full Council, at the time the budget was considered and the Council Tax was set, on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of financial reserves.

The unprecedented financial challenges facing the council, along with all other local authorities, meant a different process to budget setting was required and it had been an extremely difficult and uncomfortable process.  Councillor Ellis thanked all involved in that process which had resulted in the submission of a balanced budget.

Councillor Ellis and the Head of Finance and Audit provided an overview of the budget process and latest financial position and elaborated on the proposals for consideration to set the budget for 2024/25.  In brief, the provisional settlement had resulted in a cash increase of 3.6% (£6.720m) and following a council tax base adjustment was higher than the cash comparison at 3.7% (compared to the Welsh average of 3.1%) with a final settlement expected in early March. The settlement included all pay increases for teaching and non-teaching posts and responsibility to pay care workers the Real Living Wage.  Pressures amounting to £24.682m had been detailed and the provisional settlement generated £6.720m leaving a funding gap of £17.962m with proposals to bridge that gap identified in the report and further explained at the meeting.  A Council Tax rise of 8.23% plus an additional 1.11% (change to the indicative figure of 1.3% in the report) for the increase in the levy to North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority equating to an overall uplift of 9.34% was proposed to generate £7.580m additional revenue. 

The proposed use of earmarked reserves was also highlighted to assist the budget setting.  The risks of not achieving a balanced budget had also been set out together with mitigation measures and further work required going forward.  The medium-term financial outlook looked equally as challenging.

The Chief Executive, Graham Boase, confirmed to Full Council that this would be the most difficult and challenging budget members had had to set and the budget would also be difficult in the years ahead.    Work had taken place to assist schools and also provide an additional £10 million for social care. 

Work was taking place across all service areas to look for savings and efficiencies whilst limiting impact on services.  

Budget Workshops had taken place to engage with all members.   The Chief Executive confirmed his commitment to continue to engage with members through Budget Workshops and video meetings. 

Group Leaders were requested to address the meeting.

Councillor Jason McLellan spoke on behalf of the Labour Group.  Thanks were offered to Liz Thomas, Head of Finance, Steve Gadd and the team as they had all worked extremely hard  regarding the budget.

It was agreed it had been a long process and an unprecedented situation Local Authorities found themselves in.   No members wanted to vote for cuts and discussions had taken place at length but there was a need to vote for a balanced budget.   Services were to be protected for those most vulnerable within the community.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

At this juncture (12:40 pm) there was a 20 minute break

The meeting reconvened at 1.00 pm

To consider a report by the Head of Finance (copy attached) for the adoption of the All Wales Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013 and the All Wales Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme) (Amendment)(Wales) Regulations 2024.

The Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Gwyneth Ellis, introduced the Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2024/25 report (previously circulated).

From 31 March 2013 council tax benefit ceased and the responsibility for providing support for council tax and the funding associated with his, had been passed to the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government had finalised both sets of annual regulations on 19 January 2024 and the new Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013 and amendments Regulations 2024 were required to be adopted by 31 January 2024.

The Council Tax Reduction Scheme 202425 report was proposed and seconded and unanimously agreed by a show of hands.

RESOLVED –

(i)            That members adopt the Council Tax Reduction Schemes and Prescribed Requirements (Wales) Regulations 2013 and the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements and Default Scheme)(Amendment)(Wales) Regulations 2024 in respect of the 2024/25 financial year

(ii)          That members approve the discretionary elements of the scheme, shown in section 4.4, for 2024/25 financial year.

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

The Corporate Director: Governance and Business, Gary Williams, introduced the Council’s Forward Work Programme and the Council Workshop Forward Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Council’s Forward Work Programme and the Council Workshop Forward Work Programme be noted.

THE MEETING CONCLUDED AT 1.10 PM