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At its meeting on 7 March 2024, the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee of Flintshire County Council considered reports on social value, complaints to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, information rights requests and the month 10 revenue budget. It noted the reports, agreed to add a report on the 2025/26 Medium Term Financial Strategy (the council's multi-year budget plan) to its work programme, agreed to write to the Home Office and Welsh Government about private rented housing, and agreed that its budget comments would go back to Cabinet.
Following advice sought from the Chief Officer (Governance), Councillor Bernie Attridge declared a personal and prejudicial interest on agenda item 7 Information Rights Compliance report. He withdrew from the room for that item.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That subject to the amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2024 be approved as a correct record.
On minute number 74, the Chair asked that the comments made by the Corporate Manager (Human Resources and Organisational Development) on the Flintshire Trainee programme be included, namely that the proposal would have a minor impact as those trainees would have been under-resourced during the period. RESOLVED: That subject to the amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 8 February 2024 be approved as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the progress which has been made.
The Democratic Services Manager presented a report on progress with actions from previous meetings. The recommendation in the report was supported. RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the progress which has been made.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Bernie Attridge: Personal and prejudicial interest on Information Rights Compliance
A personal and prejudicial interest in the Information Rights Compliance report (agenda item 7). He withdrew from the room for that item.
The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.
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Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Forward Work Programme be approved, as amended; and (b) That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.
The Committee was asked to consider, and amend where necessary, the Committee’s Forward Work Programme. The recommendations in the report were supported, subject to the inclusion of a report on the 2025/26 Medium Term Financial Strategy. RESOLVED: (a) That the Forward Work Programme be approved, as amended; and (b) That the Democratic Services Manager, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.
A change to the order of business was agreed to bring forward agenda item 8 (Social Value Update) to allow speakers to be present.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the positive performance achieved in relation to generating social value for quarters three and four of the financial year 2022/23, as well as the first two quarters of 2023/24; (b) That the Committee supports the next steps for the social value programme, as outlined in the report; and (c) That to better align performance reporting to a financial year, the Committee supports a change in reporting timeline with annual social value performance reporting being presented in June of each year.
The Chief Officer (Social Services) and Strategic Executive Officer presented a reportwhich outlined performance data for the last six months of 2022/23 and the first six months of 2023/24, together with a summary of areas of focus within the social value programme for 2024/25. In response to questions from Councillors Sam Swash and Alasdair Ibbotson, a response would be shared with all Members present on whether social value work could be undermined by the North East Wales Investment Zone and tax incentives. The recommendations in the report were supported. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the positive performance achieved in relation to generating social value for quarters three and four of the financial year 2022/23, as well as the first two quarters of 2023/24; (b) That the Committee supports the next steps for the social value programme, as outlined in the report; and (c) That to better align performance reporting to a financial year, the Committee supports a change in reporting timeline with annual social value performance reporting being presented in June of each year.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the annual performance of the Council in respect of complaints made to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales during 2022-23; (b) That the Committee notes the half year performance of the Council (2023-24) in respect of complaints made against services in line with the concerns and complaints procedure; and (c) That the Committee supports the priorities outlined in paragraph 1.24.
The Customer Contact Service Manager and Head of Complaints Standards, Public Services Ombudsman for Wales presented a report on the annual performance of the Council in relation to complaints received between 1 April 2022 - 31 March 2023, together with an overview of complaints received by each portfolio between 1 April 2023 - 30 September 2023. The recommendations in the report were supported. As requested by Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson, further detail would be shared on the variations between the number of open and overdue complaints and those closed after ten days, to better understand the position. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the annual performance of the Council in respect of complaints made to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales during 2022-23; (b) That the Committee notes the half year performance of the Council (2023-24) in respect of complaints made against services in line with the concerns and complaints procedure; and (c) That the Committee supports the priorities outlined in paragraph 1.24.
Part of an issue followed across 7 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the improvements made to date since 2020/21; and (b) That the Committee notes the steps proposed to improve performance in those areas where response times are below the required 80% average.
The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced a report with performance information in respect of compliance with response targets for Freedom of Information and Individual Rights Requests covering the first six months of 2023/24. As requested by Councillor Jason Shallcross, the data shown in paragraph 1.03 of the report would reflect percentages for each County. It was noted that the report would be scheduled twice yearly on the Committee’s Forward Work Programme. The recommendations in the report were supported. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the improvements made to date since 2020/21; and (b) That the Committee notes the steps proposed to improve performance in those areas where response times are below the required 80% average.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That having considered the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2023/24 (month 10) report, the comments be reported back to Cabinet when it considers the report; and (b) That a letter be sent to the Home Office and Welsh Government to highlight the impact of sparce affordable accommodation in the private rental sector on the finances of local authorities.
The Strategic Finance Manager presented a report on the 2023/24 month 10 position for the revenue budget monitoring for the Council Fund and Housing Revenue Account, prior to consideration by Cabinet. As requested by Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson, further detail would be shared with Members on consultation with Trade Unions and Health & Safety representatives on reference to PPE equipment under Streetscene & Transportation (service delivery) shown as a budget variance on Appendix 2. It was also agreed that officers would bring the matter to the attention of the Chair of the Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee. The Corporate Finance Manager shared an update on the Final Local Government Settlement which would also be circulated to all Members. The recommendation in the report was supported together with an additional motion. RESOLVED: (a) That having considered the Revenue Budget Monitoring 2023/24 (month 10) report, the comments be reported back to Cabinet when it considers the report; and (b) That a letter be sent to the Home Office and Welsh Government to highlight the impact of sparce affordable accommodation in the private rental sector on the finances of local authorities.
That the press and public be excluded from the meeting as the following item was considered to be exempt by virtue of paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
None.