Agenda, decisions and draft minutes
Venue: Conference Room 1a, County Hall, Ruthin
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APOLOGIES Decision: Councillors Hugh Irving and David Smith Minutes: Councillors Hugh Irving, Lead Member for Customers and Libraries and David Smith, Lead Member for Public Realm |
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DECLARATION OF INTERESTS PDF 58 KB Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests in any business identified to be considered at this meeting. Decision: No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest had been
raised. Minutes: No declarations of personal or prejudicial interest had been raised. |
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URGENT MATTERS 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. Decision: No urgent matters had been raised. Minutes: No urgent matters had been raised. |
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To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 November 2016 (copy enclosed). Decision: RESOLVED that the minutes
of the meeting held on 15 November 2016 be approved as a correct record and
signed by the Leader. Minutes: The
minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 November 2016 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes
of the meeting held on 15 November 2016 be approved as a correct record and
signed by the Leader. |
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DENBIGHSHIRE SUPPORTING PEOPLE LOCAL COMMISSIONING PLAN 2017-18 PDF 85 KB To consider a report by Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Social Care, Adult and Children’s Services (copy enclosed) seeking approval of the Supporting People Commissioning Plan 2017-18 prior to its submission to the Regional Collaborative Committee and Welsh Government in January 2017. Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED
that
Cabinet approves the Supporting People Local Commissioning Plan 2017 – 18 prior
to its submission to the Regional Collaborative Committee and Welsh Government
in January 2017. Minutes: Councillor Bobby Feeley presented the report seeking Cabinet
approval of the Supporting People Local Commissioning Plan 2017 – 18 prior to
its submission to the Regional Collaborative Committee and Welsh Government in
January 2017. Supporting People (SP) was a Welsh Government funding stream providing housing related support to vulnerable people to enable them to live as independently as possible and delivered a number of the requirements of the Housing Act (Wales) 2014, the Social Services and Well-being Act (Wales) 2014 and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The Plan provided an update on SP’s commissioning for the next financial year including strategic plans and priorities together with proposals to manage possible ongoing reductions to the SP Grant (the plan was currently modelled on a 0% reduction as the latest indications were that the grant for 2017-18 had been protected from further cut, but also included contingency planning for 5%). The grant was ring-fenced by Welsh Government for SP however the allocation of the grant and any cuts would have an impact upon other services. Reference was also made to the consultation on the LCP and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee had made minor amendments which had been reflected in the report. Cabinet acknowledged the importance of the Plan and raised questions regarding its sufficiency and effectiveness in preventing homelessness together with work in developing the Homelessness Strategy. Questions were also raised regarding the trend in Denbighshire, impact of welfare reforms, and education of young people. The Lead Member and officers responded to questions and comments as follows – · elaborated upon the range of services as described in the Plan aimed at preventing homelessness which was provided to a wide range of groups with complex needs and reference was also made to legislative duties and further development of preventative measures which remained the current focus · the development of the Homelessness Strategy was a key means of strengthening the approach to prevention and a comprehensive homeless review was being undertaken – it was hoped the Strategy would be in place by March 2017 and included key actions on a range of issues and improving the type of resources available including a move away from bed and breakfast accommodation and provision of a better range of housing · most people presenting themselves as homeless had other issues to deal with such as financial difficulties or issues relating to mental health, substance abuse and criminality and it was imperative to take a multi-agency approach to ensure the appropriate level of support was provided · the partnership approach had been strengthened and the Homelessness Forum re-established which had a key role in developing the Homelessness Strategy together with the Homelessness Prevention Steering Group · there had been an increase in young people requiring services recently and there was now a greater focus as part of the Young People’s Pathways on further prevention and a much more coordinated approach to stop recurrent homelessness. Councillor Eryl Williams elaborated on measures undertaken in the education system to ensure young people were less vulnerable to homelessness including financial management and early intervention · reported upon the good work undertaken in Denbighshire supporting a range of projects with partners funded by the SP grant including the recently opened Ty Golau Shelter in Rhyl · the impact of welfare reform changes was also discussed which would be a major challenge and a partnership approach was being undertaken to address that risk – all agencies involved were proactively trying to identify households adversely affected to ensure people were prepared for the changes · in terms of the regional approach Denbighshire had taken a lead role and there was ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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CORPORATE PLAN PERFORMANCE REPORT QUARTER 2 - 2016/17 PDF 86 KB To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Corporate Plan and Performance (copy enclosed) presenting an update on the delivery of the Corporate Plan 2012 – 17 as at the end of quarter 2 of 2016/17. Additional documents: Decision: RESOLVED that – (a) Cabinet note the contents of the report; (b) that the relevant representatives of the
providers of superfast broadband be invited to the relevant scrutiny committee to
answer questions and concerns of members in respect of the rollout of superfast
broadband in Denbighshire, and (c) that an open
letter be sent to the Welsh Ministers setting out Cabinet’s concerns regarding
the progress of the rollout of superfast broadband in Denbighshire. Minutes: Councillor
Julian Thompson-Hill presented the report updating members on the delivery of
the Corporate Plan 2012 – 17 as at the end of quarter 2 of 2016/17. The report included two main elements – ·
Executive
Summary – detailed achievements and key exceptions with good performance
overall. Only one outcome had been
assessed as Red: Priority for Improvement – Outcome 7 Students achieve their
potential, which was an annual indicator as previously discussed by Cabinet and
scrutinised by Performance Scrutiny Committee.
All other outcomes had been evaluated as acceptable or better, and ·
Full
quarterly report – provided an evidence based assessment of the current
position focusing on key exceptions. An explanation behind the status of each
indicator had been included within the report with key issues elaborated upon
further at the meeting. Most of the
areas were annual indicators and there had been little movement since the last
quarter. During consideration of the report members
discussed the following – ·
the
historical context of the report on the previous quarter was noted and for
clarity it was agreed that this be emphasised within the report for readers
given that particular matters within the report had since progressed ·
Councillor
Barbara Smith reported upon the move from the Council’s own system to the NHS
eLearning platform which was currently being developed and she was confident
that eLearning would be in place for members by May 2017 ·
reference
was made to the Well-being Impact Assessment and its influence on decision
making and it was explained that the process would be used as a guide to help
formulate proposals and inform decisions but assurances were given that it was
up to members to make their own decision following that process ·
Councillor
Meirick Davies believed that the Corporate Plan Performance Report for Quarter
2 as appended to the report should have been translated. In line with the Council’s policy officers
advised that documents sent out to the public were produced bilingually but in
terms of committees, appendices longer than four page sides were not
translated. It was agreed that the
matter be referred to the Welsh Language Steering Group for further consideration In considering those areas which required
further scrutiny the following matters were discussed in greater detail – ·
Residents
Survey – the disappointing response to the residents
survey and lack of high regard for the Council continued to be of concern. In providing some context to the indicator it
was noted that there had been a very small amount of respondents and people
were generally likely to respond if they had a negative view. It was noted that the residents survey had
been subject to scrutiny previously and the methodology for undertaking the
next residents survey would be considered by Communities Scrutiny Committee
early next year ·
Fly
tipping – given the increase in fly tipping incidents Councillor Martyn Holland
was keen for offenders to be prosecuted but he also believed that legal action
should be taken against those using unlicensed collectors to dispose of
waste. The Head of Legal, HR and
Democratic Services referred to the Environmental Protection Act 1990 advising
that such a case would hinge on whether the individual knowingly caused or
permitted the offence of fly tipping and had taken all reasonable precautions
and exercised all due diligence in that regard.
It was agreed that the potential to prosecute those individuals be investigated
further · Outcome 7 Students achieve their potential – this was an annual indicator and therefore would remain red for 2016/17 and was being monitored by scrutiny. Whilst the position was red overall some aspects had reached the acceptable and excellent ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Corporate Plan and Performance (copy enclosed) detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy. Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED that Cabinet – (a) notes the budgets set for 20156/17 and
progress against the agreed budget strategy; (b) approves that the current and previous
year’s underspend within the ICT service be transferred into the IT Networks
Development Reserve to fund the specific modernisation projects described in
Section 6 of the report and receive periodic progress reports on delivery, and (c) approves the formal write-off of sundry
debtor balances amounting to £37,599 relating to Clwyd Leisure Ltd which had
already been provided for in full. Minutes: Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the
report detailing the latest financial position and service budgets for
2016/17. He provided a summary of the
Council’s financial position as follows – ·
a net
underspend of £0.909m was forecast for service and corporate budgets ·
68% of
savings had been achieved to date (target 5.2m) with a further 2% making good
progress; 25% would be deferred and achieved in 2017/18 with only 5% of savings
not being achieved within the timeframe ·
highlighted
current risks and assumptions relating to individual service areas ·
a general update on
the Housing Revenue Account, Housing Capital Plan and the Capital Plan
(including the Corporate Plan element). Cabinet was also asked to approve the transfer
of the ICT Service underspend into the IT Networks Development Reserve to fund
specific modernisation projects together with the write off of sundry debtor
balances relating to Clwyd Leisure Ltd. The following matters were raised during debate
– ·
with
regard to the Ysgol Glan Clwyd project Councillor Eryl Williams was pleased to
confirm that the move to the new block would begin the next week ·
the Chief Finance
Officer reported upon the Welsh Government’s requirement for local authorities
to retrospectively provide information on previous years major housing repairs
which would prove onerous and difficult to provide given there had been no
requirement to record that information at the time. Officers were in dialogue with Welsh
Government and confident that the matter would be resolved satisfactorily. A further update would be provided in the
next report ·
Councillor
Bobby Feeley highlighted the financial pressures on Community Support Services
and Children’s Services and whilst those pressures could be contained during
the current financial year there was a long term concern ·
the
request to transfer the ICT underspend into the IT Networks Development Reserve
was discussed further with the Leader seeking assurance regarding the
consistency of approach for services when dealing with underspends given that
the underspend would be retained for two years and there were existing
pressures in other areas. Councillor
Barbara Smith explained the underspend in ICT related to earlier realisation of
efficiencies via the restructure and the intention was to place the underspend
in a reserve to help fund the Corporate ICT Strategy over a two year plan in
2017/18 and 2018/19 as set out within the report. If Cabinet was not minded to retain the
underspend to fund the ICT Strategy the funding would need to be found from
elsewhere in the future. Members were
also advised of the longer lead in times generally for ICT work and that the
ICT Strategy supported other service areas ·
Councillor
Meirick Davies asked whether the CYSILL programme (a software package on Welsh
spelling and grammar) could be rolled out across the Council and it was
suggested it may be a matter for the Welsh Language Steering Group to
consider. Councillor Davies also raised
concern regarding the quality of particular technical information translated
and officers reported upon the excellent service received via Conwy County Borough
Council’s Translation Service who welcomed feedback to ensure continual
improvement. It was suggested Councillor
Davies contact the Democratic Services Manager directly to feedback in that
regard. RESOLVED that Cabinet – (a) notes the budgets
set for 20156/17 and progress against the agreed budget strategy; (b) approves that the current and previous
year’s underspend within the ICT service be transferred into the IT Networks
Development Reserve to fund the specific modernisation projects described in
Section 6 of the report and receive periodic progress reports on delivery, and (c) approves the formal write-off of sundry debtor balances amounting to £37,599 relating to Clwyd Leisure Ltd which had ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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CABINET FORWARD WORK PROGRAMME PDF 124 KB To receive the enclosed Cabinet Forward Work Programme and note the contents.
Decision: RESOLVED that Cabinet’s
Forward Work Programme be noted. Minutes: The Cabinet Forward Work Programme was
presented for consideration and members noted the following additions – ·
Proposed 3-16 Catholic School
in Rhyl – January ·
Agricultural Estates: Bodynys Farm, Rhewl, Ruthin – January ·
Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment
Update – January (tbc) RESOLVED that Cabinet’s Forward Work Programme be noted. The meeting concluded at 11.50 a.m. |