Agenda item

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

The Lead Member for Finance, Performance and Strategic Assets, Councillor Julian Thompson-Hill, introduced the report (previously circulated) to provide members with an updated Capital Plan including an update on major projects and the Corporate Plan.

The full Capital Plan had been last reported to Council in February 2019.  Monthly updates had been presented to Cabinet.  The Estimated Capital Plan was now £33.86m.  The Plan had been updated since being reported to Cabinet on 18 February 2020.

Councillor Thompson-Hill guided members through the report.

Both Councillor Thompson-Hill and the Head of Finance and Property responded to questions regarding various aspects of the Capital Plan.  Main areas of discussion focused on the following:

·         Traffic Block Capital Bid 2020-21 – Brown signs to be Welsh above English. The Vale of Clwyd brown sign scheme would sign Rhuddlan Castle, Denbigh Castle and St. Asaph Cathedral.  It would also include the title of Vale of Clwyd and, therefore, raise awareness of the Vale.  Members asked for timescale of the signs and it was confirmed that “Tourism Signage Strategy for Denbighshire” was to be presented at Communities Scrutiny Committee on 12 March 2020.

·         It was queried if schools not within the report would be modernised at a future date.  It was clarified that band A 21^st Century Schools had been completed and the Council was now embarking under band B.  Schools not in band A or B were delayed due to financial constraints.  It was confirmed by the Lead Member for Education, Children’s Services and Public Engagement that he would look into the timescales.

·         Councillor Gwyneth Kensler stated she had received negative feedback regarding the new Christ the Word School building in Rhyl as there had been a number of snagging issues.  A number of members confirmed that with all new builds there were snagging issues.  They assured Council that the building was of a good standard and encouraged members to visit the school to view the building.

·         Funding allocated for bridges had been welcomed but there was an £11m backlog of work.  Councillor Martyn Holland asked if there would be any further funding for repair of bridges especially following the adverse weather conditions over recent months. It was confirmed that the Welsh Government would be contacted with regards to additional funding.

·         Concerns regarding potholes on the roads was raised.  In response, Councillor Brian Jones advised that work was ongoing to find a more permanent solution and in addition to the forthcoming annual visits to Member Area Groups to discuss road maintenance, a members’ workshop was also being arranged on highway matters.  Councillor Jones confirmed officers were looking at new technology and cost effective solutions.

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts referred to the recent adverse weather conditions and thanked staff for their hard work in that regard.

At this juncture, Councillor Graham Timms moved for close of debate and to go to the vote.  This proposal was seconded.

Therefore, a vote took place whether to proceed to the vote by a show of hands.  Members were unanimously in favour to close debate and to go to the vote.

RESOLVED that Members:

(i)            Note the latest position on the 2019/2020 element of the Capital Plan and the update on major projects

(ii)          Support the recommendation of the Strategic Investment Group as detailed in Appendix 5 and summarised in Appendix 6

(iii)         Approve the 2020/2021 Capital Plan

(iv)         Approve the Capital Strategy Report for 2020/2021 as detailed in Appendix 7

(v)          Request that officers in the Highway Service carry out an assessment of damage caused to the network by the recent storms in order that the extent of further funding can be identified.