Agenda item

To consider a report by the Head of Finance (copy attached) to provide Members with an updated Capital Plan including an update on major projects and the Corporate Plan.

The Leader, Councillor Hugh Evans introduced the Capital Plan report (previously circulated) in place of Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill who had been unable to attend due to illness.

The full Capital Plan had been last reported to Council in February 2017.  Monthly updates had been presented to Cabinet.  The estimated Capital Plan was now £38.5million.  The Plan had been updated since being reported to Cabinet on 23 January 2018.

The Head of Finance guided Members through the report.

Both the Leader and the Head of Finance responded to questions regarding various aspects of the Capital Plan.  Main areas of discussion focused on the following:

·       Flooding was raised as an issue and also a query regarding the Flood Assessment report which had been awaited.  The Head of Finance confirmed he would chase up the Flood Assessment report on behalf of Members.

·       It was confirmed that if the Local Authority met the criteria, they would be able to access a Town Centre Loan Scheme which would be a 15 year interest free loan from the Welsh Government.

·       21^st Century Schools report would be presented at a future Cabinet meeting and within the package there would be a commitment to fund and recognise the need in Rhyl for the new primary school on the Aberkinsey Estate together with other issues raised by schools in Denbighshire.

·       Issue of reducing the speed limit on the road known as Abergele Straight in Rhuddlan was raised.  The Lead Member for Highways, Planning and Sustainable Travel confirmed that a proposal form be submitted to Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs for a report to be discussed at Scrutiny Committee. 

Members expressed their gratitude to the Head of Finance, Richard Weigh and his team, together with the Lead Member, Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill for all their hard work.

RESOLVED that:

·       Members note the latest position on the 2018/18 element of the Capital Plan and the update on major projects

·       Members support the recommendation of the Strategic Investment Group as detailed in Appendix 5 and summarised in Appendix 6

·       Members support the recommendation of Cabinet to approve 25k for the Horseshoe Pass 40mph speed limit proposal as detailed in Appendix 5 and summarised in Appendix 6

·       Members approve the 2018/19 Capital Plan