Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no apologies.

Councillor Melvyn Mile declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 – Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement Scheme because he was a member of Llangollen Town Council.

Councillor Melvyn Mile declared a personal interest in agenda item 5 – Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement Scheme because he was a member of Llangollen Town Council.

Proposed Redevelopment of the former Prestatyn Library Site – approval to commence the tender process (this matter was considered as part of the Finance Report under agenda item 6)

Proposed Redevelopment of the former Prestatyn Library Site – approval to commence the tender process

This matter would be considered as part of the Finance Report (agenda item 6).

To receive the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 29 June 2021 (copy enclosed). 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2021 be received and confirmed as a correct record.

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 29 June 2021 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2021 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 approval to proceed with the implementation of the Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement Project.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approves the implementation of the Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement Project, including the amendments listed in Appendix A to the report which resulted from recent public engagement feedback and agreed with the local members, and

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

Councillor Brian Jones presented the report seeking Cabinet approval to proceed with the implementation of the Llangollen 2020 Castle Street Improvement Project.  Given the estimated project cost of £1.75m and the significant community interest in the scheme a decision was sought from Cabinet to approve its implementation.

Councillor Jones advised that he had walked the route of the scheme with officers and residents and had been pleased to note the positive response to the proposed improvements and substantial investment in the area.  The comprehensive public engagement exercise and response to feedback clearly demonstrated residents and businesses had been listened to and the Council had worked with them to address issues and areas of concern which had resulted in changes to the scheme, and there was scope to make further amendments in that regard as appropriate.  In commending the project Councillor Jones advised that the local MP and MS were also supportive of the project and he urged Cabinet to approve its implementation.

The Traffic, Parking and Road Safety Manager (TPRSM) delivered a presentation on the detail of the scheme which, in brief, included reference to the following –

·        the work of the Llangollen 2020 Group in initiating a project to consider traffic, parking, pedestrian safety and public realm issues in the town centre

·        funding secured from Cadwyn Clwyd and Llangollen Town Council to undertake a feasibility study seeking people’s views through various engagement exercises and media platforms which identified a number of concerns

·        highlighted the existing issues of concern including traffic and parking-related congestion, pavements being too narrow, difficulties for pedestrians crossing Castle Street and poor condition of the public realm

·        detailed design proposals had been developed based on the feasibility study’s findings to create a more pedestrian friendly environment with less on street parking and provision of loading bays for businesses; artist impressions to illustrate how the proposed changes would look had also been provided

·        the estimated total project cost was £1.75m which included a Council contribution of £780k and Welsh Government grant funding totalling £970k

·        a comprehensive public engagement exercise had been carried out on the design proposals and an overview of people’s views on the project was provided – overall 64% considered the scheme was generally a good idea and 36% considered the scheme was generally not a good idea

·        the public engagement feedback had resulted in some proposed design changes for further improvement and to allay concerns raised.  Main issues raised were elaborated upon with an explanation of the subsequent changes proposed and reasoning why other issues had not resulted in proposed changes

·        the project was phase 1 and should Cabinet approve its implementation there were other important phases which would need to follow such as parking management around the town, active travel routes, directional signage and the introduction of an environmental weight restriction

·        the next steps, should Cabinet approve the scheme, had been highlighted with construction starting in September 2021 for completion in March 2022.

The Head of Planning, Public Protection and Countryside Services referred to the extensive engagement and consultation process as invaluable with significant involvement from the community, local members, town council and businesses and significant changes had been made to the design proposals as a result.

The Leader invited the two local members to speak on the project.

Councillor Melvyn Mile highlighted the outcome of the consultation process with approximately two thirds to one third generally in favour of the scheme and subsequent amendments made in response to feedback.  He was fully supportive of the scheme, as was Llangollen Town Council of which he was also a member and who had contributed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

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 –

(a)       note the budgets set for 2021/22 and progress against the agreed budget strategy, and

(b)       approve the commencement of the tender process in respect of the proposed redevelopment of the former Prestatyn Library and the construction of fourteen one-bedroom apartments for social rent and two ground floor commercial units.

Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill presented the report detailing the latest financial position and progress against the agreed budget strategy as outlined below –

·        the net revenue budget for 2021/22 was £216.818m (£208.302m in 2020/21)

·        an overspend of £0.708m was forecast for service and corporate budgets

·        detailed agreed savings and efficiencies worth £4.448m relating to fees and charges, operational efficiencies, changes in service provision and schools

·        highlighted current risks and assumptions relating to individual service areas, corporate budgets and schools together with the impact of coronavirus and position on funding claims to the Welsh Government

·        a general update on the Housing Revenue Account and Housing Capital Plan, Treasury Management and Capital Plan with an update on major projects.

Cabinet approval was also sought for an urgent matter not included in the report and further recommendation relating to the commencement of a tender process in respect of the proposed redevelopment of the former Prestatyn Library site.  The urgency of the matter was explained given the timescales involved to tender for the proposed scheme with a formal contract award to be brought before Cabinet in September for consideration.  The Strategic Investment Group had approved the proposal which involved demolition of the current building on the site and construction of fourteen one-bedroom apartments for social rent and two ground floor commercial units.  The overall scheme had been valued at £4.3m funded from the Housing Revenue Account (£2.9m) and Welsh Government’s social housing grant (£1.4m).

The Head of Finance provided a further update on Covid related claims to the Welsh Government confirming that the Quarter 1 (April – June) loss of income claim had been submitted amounting to £2m but it was expected that future claims would be much lower from July onwards given the opening up of the leisure sector etc.

Having considered the report, urgent item and additional recommendation it was –

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       note the budgets set for 2021/22 and progress against the agreed budget strategy, and

(b)       approve the commencement of the tender process in respect of the proposed redevelopment of the former Prestatyn Library and the construction of fourteen one-bedroom apartments for social rent and two ground floor commercial units.

RESOLVED that Cabinet’s forward work programme be noted.

The Cabinet forward work programme was presented for consideration and members noted the following additions –

·        Denbighshire Learning Disability Community Living Schemes – September

·        Prestatyn Flood Defence Scheme – December

·        Central Rhyl Flood Defence Scheme – January

RESOLVED that Cabinet’s forward work programme be noted.

The meeting concluded at 11.05 hrs.