Decisions

To seek approval for a continuation of the temporary, partial change of the allocations policy for social housing in Denbighshire in response to the Covid-19 impact on emergency / temporary accommodation for homeless households.

To continue the amendment of the Allocations Policy, for a further 3-month period from 19th October 2020.

Vote taken: 6 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions.

Having considered the report on the North East Wales Archive Service and Ruthin Gaol the Committee:

Resolved:

(i)           to note the progress made to date and support the proposals for the future use of Ruthin Gaol;

(ii)          to register concerns that no contingency plans currently existed for the Archives Service or the heritage offer at Ruthin Gaol if the bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for funding to develop a Hub in Mold for the North East Wales Archives Service was unsuccessful; and

(iii)        that the results of the current North East Wales Archives Service Access Consultation be circulated to members for information.

Vote taken: 10 in favour, 0 against, 1 abstention.

The Committee:

Resolved: having considered the findings in the report and presented during the discussion –

(i)           to receive the information on the impact of the Ruthin Primary Area Review as assessed against the seven well-being goals of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015;

(ii)          to confirm that, as part of its consideration, it had read, understood and taken account of the Well-being Impact Assessment (Appendix 1);

(iii)        that an information report be prepared for circulation to members on the economic impact on Rhewl following the closure of the school as part of the Ruthin primary area review;

(iv)        that information be provided to members detailing the statistics of the Welsh Language Survey undertaken across Denbighshire recently; and

(v)          that members’ gratitude be conveyed to all school based, Education Service, and other Council Services’ staff for their efforts and commitment in securing the delivery of education and support to the county’s pupils throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

No feedback received.

Agreement on the recommendation was by consensus.  No formal vote was taken.  All members indicated they were in favour of the recommendation, no one indicated they were against it and no one indicated they wanted to abstain.

Resolved:  having considered the information provided, and subject to the above observations and suggestions–

(i)           to approve the Committee’s forward work programme; and

(ii)          that an additional meeting be arranged for early February 2021 to consider matters relating to the Waste Service Remodelling Project

Agreement on the recommendation was by consensus.  No formal vote was taken.  All members indicated they were in favour of the recommendation, no one indicated they were against it and no one indicated they wanted to abstain.

Resolved: - that the minutes of the Communities Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 3 September 2020 be received and approved as a true and correct record

Review of Cabinet Decision Relating to the Disposal of Land Adjacent to Ysgol Pendref, Denbigh:  the Chair invited the Vice-Chair to address the Committee in relation to Cabinet’s response to the Committee’s recommendations following its examination of the above decision.  Whilst Cabinet had debated the Committee’s recommendations in some detail and half the Cabinet members had supported the Committee’s recommendations the Executive had, on the Chair’s casting vote, confirmed its original decision.  The Committee’s Vice-Chair registered his disappointment with the outcome, and questioned whether Scrutiny could ever persuade Cabinet to review their decisions.

Executive members in attendance at the present meeting advised that in their view Scrutiny had effectively held decision-makers to account and generated constructive debate.  A number of matters had been aired which were likely to be considered when determining future planning policy.  The use of the casting vote had highlighted that the Council’s Cabinet was balanced, and comprised members of different viewpoints. 

Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies declared a personal interest in agenda item 4, ‘Minutes’ as a member of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority.

The following members declared a personal interest in agenda item 5, ‘Impact of Ruthin Primary Area Review’:  

Councillor Huw O Williams – parent of a pupil attending one of the schools

Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies – School Governor Ysgol Cefn Meiriadog

Councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts – Parent and School Governor Ysgol Pen Barras

Councillor Merfyn Parry – School Governor Ysgol Bryn Clwyd and Ysgol Gellifor

Co-opted Member Neil Roberts – School Governor Ysgol Borthyn

Councillor Cheryl Williams – School Governor Christ the Word School

Councillor Emrys Wynne – School Governor Ysgol Brynhyfryd & Ysgol Borthyn

Councillor Martyn Holland – School Governor Ysgol Bro Fammau

Councillor Andrew Thomas – governor at one of the County’s schools

Councillor Tina Jones – governor at Ysgol Melyd

Councillor Graham Timms – governor at Ysgol Dinas Bran, Llangollen

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Anton Sampson and Glenn Swingler.