Agenda and decisions

There were no apologies.

Councillors Bobby Feeley and Huw Hilditch-Roberts declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 – Establishment of Sport North Wales Partnership because they were directors of Denbighshire Leisure Limited.

No urgent matters had been raised.

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 December 2020 (copy enclosed). 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2020 be received and confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report by Councillor Brian Jones, Lead Member for Waste, Transport and the Environment (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet agreement to sign up to the Bus Emergency Scheme 2 to secure financial support for the bus sector and establish a relationship with Flintshire County Council as the lead regional authority.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       agrees to the principles of the Bus Emergency Scheme 2 agreement (as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report) to secure (conditional) financial support for the bus sector and to establish a relationship with Flintshire County Council as the regional lead authority and signatory that ensures that the ongoing emergency funding meets the authority’s priorities and is delivered on its behalf, and

(b)       in due course, to call for a further report on bus reform proposals relating to the future management of bus services in Wales.

To consider a report by Councillor Bobby Feeley, Lead Member for Well-being and Independence (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet’s support in principle for the establishment of the Sport North Wales Partnership.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       supports in principle the establishment of the Sport North Wales Partnership and delegates authority to the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services in consultation with the Lead Member for Well-being and Independence and Section 151 Officer to approve the terms of the final Inter-Authority Agreement, and

(b)       that Denbighshire Leisure Limited be appointed to represent the Council on the Governance Board of the Sport North Wales Partnership acting as an agent of the Council.

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval for the Denbighshire Housing annual rent increase, the Housing Revenue Account Capital and Revenue Budgets for 2021/22 and Housing Stock Business Plan.

RESOLVED that –

(a)       the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2021/22 (Appendix 1 to the report) and the Housing Stock Business Plan (Appendix 2 to the report) be adopted;

(b)       rents for Council dwellings be increased in accordance with the Welsh Government Policy for Social Housing Rents to an average weekly rent of £93.89 with effect from Monday 5 April 2021;

(c)        the additional report (Appendix 3 to the report) on Cost Efficiencies, Affordability and Value for Money be noted, and

(d)       Cabinet confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 4 to the report) as part of its consideration.

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets (copy enclosed) setting out the implications of the Local Government Settlement 2021/22 and proposals to finalise the budget for 2021/22.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       notes the impact of the Draft Local Government Settlement 2021/22;

(b)       supports the proposals outlined in Appendix 1 to the report, and detailed in Section 4 of the report, and recommends them to the full Council in order to finalise the budget for 2021/22;

(c)        recommends to Council the average Council Tax rise of 3.8% proposed;

(d)       recommends to Council that authority is delegated to the Head of Finance and Property in consultation with the Lead Member for Finance to adjust the use of cash included in the budget proposals by up to £500k if there is movement between the draft and final settlement figures in order to allow the setting of Council Tax in a timely manner, and

(e)       confirms that it has read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment submitted as part of the report.

To consider a report by Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets (copy enclosed) detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet note the budgets set for 2020/21 and progress against the agreed budget strategy.

RESOLVED that Cabinet’s forward work programme be noted.