Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The committee considered its forward work programme, the corporate risk register, the Flintshire Coast Park five-year management plan and a draft flood risk strategy. It noted the work programme and progress on actions, and endorsed the Coast Park plan and the draft flood strategy, the latter for public consultation. It reviewed two corporate risks and was assured by the arrangements to manage them.

1. Forward work programme and action tracking

   Decided

   The committee noted the forward work programme and progress on outstanding actions, subject to amendments the minute does not list. It also authorised the facilitator, in consultation with the chair, to change the programme between meetings as needed.

   Why

   Topics can come from members, members of the public, the Cabinet (the councillors who run the council's main services) or council officers. Action tracking is a formal list of requests made at earlier meetings, with their progress, so that answers are reported back. The report says the programme should be led by members.

   Based on the minutes, Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking (E&E), Enc. 1 for Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking (E&E), Enc. 2 for Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking (E&E)

2. Corporate Risk Register

   Decided

   The committee reviewed the corporate risk register, particularly risks RPE11 (Net Zero Carbon Goal) and RST07 (Increase in Residual Waste). It was assured that the arrangements to manage both risks are in place. The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) agreed to share the action plan sent to Welsh Government on recycling targets. The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) agreed to provide an assessment of the submitted applications under RPE11, showing which were successful, unsuccessful or still being scoped.

   Why

   A corporate risk is one that could stop the council meeting its priorities, providing services or meeting its legal duties, so it is managed at the top level. The report lists twelve corporate risks, eleven of which score above the level the council aims for (their target). RPE11 concerns whether the council can afford and staff its net zero carbon goal, and RST07 concerns missing national recycling targets as more residual (non-recycled) waste is collected.

   Based on the minutes, Corporate Risk Register (E&E OSC), Enc. 1 for Corporate Risk Register (E&E OSC)

3. Flintshire Coast Park five-year management plan

   Decided

   The committee endorsed the new five-year management plan for the Flintshire Coast Park. It also noted an update on access barriers, such as A-frame barriers on the Wales Coast Path.

   Why

   The plan sets out the projects needed to start delivering the vision, themes and objectives of the 2022 Scoping Study, and the Shared Prosperity Fund (UK government money that replaced EU grants) has been used to build the park's foundations. The report says A-frame barriers from Saltney to Connah's Quay have been removed, and the rest will go during 2025/26 after talks with North Wales Police, local people and user groups. The Service Manager (Countryside Access and Natural Environment) introduced the report, and the minute says Cabinet was expected to endorse the plan the following week.

   Based on the minutes, Flintshire Coast Park 5 year Management Plan, Enc. 1 for Flintshire Coast Park 5 year Management Plan

4. Draft Flood Risk Management Strategy for consultation

   Decided

   The committee endorsed the Flintshire Local Flood Risk Management Strategy to be published for a period of public and stakeholder consultation.

   Why

   Under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, the council, as lead local flood authority (the body responsible for local flood risk), must have a local flood risk strategy, and this update combines its 2013 strategy and flood risk plan into one document. The law requires consultation for at least six weeks with other risk management authorities and the public, after which officers will amend the strategy and bring it back to the scrutiny committee (members' review of council work) and Cabinet for approval before it goes to Welsh Government. The minute says the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Manager presented the report and that the strategy would go to Cabinet the following week.

   Based on the minutes, Flintshire Flood Risk Management Strategy: Draft for Consultation

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Declarations of Interest (Including Whipping Declarations)

   Minute

   There were no declarations of interest.

2. 3

   Minutes

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

   Minute

   To confirm as a correct record the minutes (agenda item no. 3) of the meeting held on 11 February 2025. RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

   Papers: Environment OSC 11.02.25 - minutes - final
3. 4

   Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: (a) That subject to the above amendments the Forward Work Programme be noted; (b) That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and (c) That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions

   Minute

   The Environment Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator presented the report (agenda item no. 4) to consider the current Forward Work Programme (FWP) and Action Tracking progress. RESOLVED: (a) That subject to the above amendments the Forward Work Programme be noted; (b) That the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises; and (c) That the Committee notes the progress made in completing the outstanding actions

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.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.

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