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RESOLVED: The subject to the amendment listed above, the minutes (agenda item 5) of the meetings held on 3 and 18 December 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: (a) That the HRA budget for 2026/27, as set out in the report, be approved; (b) That the proposed minimum rent increase of 4.3% be approved; (c) That the garage rent increase of 4.3% be approved; (d) That the increase in service charges to full cost recovery be approved; (e) That the pressures and efficiencies set out in Appendix A be approved; (f) That the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix B be approved; and (g) That the proposed reallocation of £3.150m of the capital budget to the voids budget be approved.
RESOLVED: (a) That the representations received in response to the first stage of the review of town and community council boundaries and electoral arrangements, as detailed in the Draft Proposals Report, be noted; (b) That the revised timetable for the review be approved; and (c) That the implications of making changes to community ward boundaries and the consequential changes to the county electoral wards, and the timing required to submit any final recommendations to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) in order to implement the changes in time for the Local Government Elections scheduled for May 2027, be noted.
RESOLVED: (a) That seats on committees be allocated in accordance with political balance as circulated to Members prior to the meeting; and (b) That any changes to nominees be notified to the Democratic Services Manager as soon as possible. There was a brief adjournment at this stage of the meeting.
RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management 2025/26 Mid-Year Report be approved.
RESOLVED: (a) That the Council resolves to: 1. Write to Welsh Water (D?r Cymru) and Hafren Dyfrdwy urging them to implement a comparable scheme offering free water butts to eligible households across Wales; 2. Request that Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy prioritise areas with known surface water or drainage issues; 3. Encourage collaboration between Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy with local authorities to promote uptake and ensure equitable access; 4. Publicise any future scheme locally to maximise community engagement. (b) Council further requests that the Chief Executive share this motion with the Welsh Government, highlighting the importance of water-saving infrastructure in meeting environmental and resilience goals. Notice of Motion 2 - Loss of Choice: End the St Anthony’s Shadow Ban Councillor Coggins-Cogan presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Parkhurst. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council instruct the Chief Officer (Education and Youth) to carry out an urgent investigation into the handling of admissions for St Anthony’s, including: a) The configuration of the online application system; b) The content of standard admissions correspondence; and c) Any recorded phone scripts or guidance given to call handlers; (b) That Council requires that St Anthony’s remains visible and selectable on the Council’s online admissions system for all relevant entry years for as long as it is an open maintained school and until any lawful closure decision has been implemented; (c) That Council request that the Cabinet Member for Education write to any families who have contacted the Council about applying to St Anthony’s during the current admissions round, clarifying the factual position that no closure decision has yet been taken, and apologising where parents were given incorrect or misleading information; and (d) Require that the findings of the investigation, together with any proposed remedial changes to admissions training or guidance, be reported to the Education, Youth, and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the earliest opportunity. Notice of Motion 3 - Loss of Democracy: Respect residents who ask public questions Councillor Parkhurst presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Coggins-Cogan. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council place on record its regret that residents who attended the last full Council meeting did not receive answers to their public questions and apologises to those residents for the way they were treated; (b) That Council requires that written answers to all public questions tabled at that meeting be sent to the questioners and published on the council’s website within ten working days of the motion being adopted; (c) That Council calls on the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Education to offer to meet the residents who asked questions at that meeting, to apologise in person, and answer any questions fully; and (d) That Council refer the following changes to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee for consideration and recommendation back to Council: a) Where a Cabinet Member knows in advance that they will be absent from a full Council meeting, residents submitting questions within that portfolio must be contacted and offered a choice: • Either to carry their question forward to the next ordinary meeting of full Council; or • Have their question answered at the meeting by the Leader or another Cabinet Member formally nominated by the absent Cabinet Member. b) Residents submitting valid questions should not suffer any detriment or disadvantage when they have complied fully with Council’s rules and protocols. Therefore, where a resident chooses to carry a question forward to the next ordinary meeting of full Council, this must not restrict their right to submit a separate question to that meeting as if the earlier question had not been carried forward; c) Where a question cannot be answered orally at the meeting, a written response must be sent within five working days to the resident concerned; d) Copies of all written answers (including written answers to supplementary questions) must be provided to all Members and published with the minutes; e) Where the relevant Cabinet Member is absent from a full Council meeting without advance notice (defined as a period of notice so short that officers cannot reasonably contact the residents submitting questions before the meeting takes place) responsibility for answering questions within that portfolio shall fall to the Leader; and f) An annual report should be brought to Council summarising the number of questions received from residents, the subject areas raised and the timeliness and completeness of responses. Notice of Motion 4 - Loss of Honesty: Stop Hiding The £78 Million Truth Councillor Parkhurst presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Coggins-Cogan. Councillor Johnson proposed an amendment that paragraph’s 13 and 14 be removed and gave a verbal commitment that he would carry out the request shown at paragraph 13. Councillor Richard Jones seconded the amendment. When put to the vote the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion and when put to the vote was carried. RESOLVED: (a) That the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Social Value gave a verbal commitment to provide a clear public summary of the full anticipated cost of the 3-to-18 ‘super school’ scheme, as outlined in the notice of motion, in due course; and (b) That Council refer this motion and its implications to the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee so that the committee can consider whether further scrutiny of the financial case for the school closure proposals is required before any final decision is implemented. Notice of Motion 5 - Loss of Voice: Stop Silencing Teachers Councillor Coggins-Cogan presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Parkhurst. Councillor Johnson proposed an amendment that the following additional paragraph be added to the motion – 12) That Council notes the motion and refer the motion to the Education Consultative Committee with a report back to Council. Councillor Bibby seconded the amendment. Councillors Coggins-Cogan and Parkhurst indicated that they supported the addition to the motion. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council reaffirms that staff of Flintshire schools have the right to participate, in a personal capacity, in lawful public debate on Council proposals, including the school closures, provided they comply with their professional codes and do not disclose confidential information; (b) If it was determined that any monitoring of staff; online activity had taken place in connection with the school closure proposals, whether through policy or interpretation of policy, request the Cabinet Member for Education to: a) Bring a report to the next ordinary meeting of the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee setting out: • Whether any monitoring of staff online activity took place in connection with the school closure proposals; • If so, under what legal and policy authority any such monitoring was conducted; and • If so, what records have been kept, how they will now be reviewed and, where appropriate, deleted. b) End any such practice immediately. (c) Where no such monitoring has taken place, request the Cabinet Member for Education to confirm, in writing to all Members, that there was no routine or systematic monitoring of staff social media accounts. (d) Request the Cabinet Member for Education to write to all staff in the four allected schools, and their governing bodies, confirming that no member of staff will suffer detriment for expressing a lawful, personal view on the unpopular school closure proposals; and (e) That Council notes the motion and refer the motion to the Education Consultative Committee with a report back to Council. Notice of Motion 6 - Questions to Answer: Cabinet Silence Councillor Ibbotson gave notice that the Flintshire People’s Voice Group wished to withdraw this motion in light of earlier discussions. RESOLVED: That the Notice of Motion was withdrawn.
RESOLVED: That Council suspend procedural rule 9.4(b), to allow an urgent question previously submitted to the Chair, to be considered.
The Chief Executive welcomed Mrs Sharon Beck to the meeting, who had recently been awarded the BBC Make a Difference - The Great Neighbour Award. This award was in recognition of an individual who helped make the neighbourhood a better place to live or work, either on a regular basis or through a single act of kindness. This was the first time this award had been made in Wales. Mrs. Beck had created a Community Hub in Buckley which offered a range of community groups and classes. Councillor Preece, on behalf of herself and Councillor Rose thanked Mrs. Beck for her hard work and the opportunities offered to the residents of Buckley.
Seven public questions had been received by the deadline. Each individual was given the opportunity to present their question and to ask a supplementary question if they wished. On Questions 3, 5 and 7 Councillor Eastwood (Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh Language, Culture and Leisure) agreed to provide a written response to the supplementary questions following the meeting.
Councillor Ted Palmer declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 9 – Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30 Year Financial Business Plan. Following advice from the Chief Officer (Governance), the Members present who were also Town and Community Councillors, declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 10 - Community Reviews under the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 – Draft Proposals.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: The subject to the amendment listed above, the minutes (agenda item 5) of the meetings held on 3 and 18 December 2025 be approved as a correct record.
18 December 2025 Councillor Coggins Cogan referred to minute number 54 and asked that the minutes be amended to reflect that a specific response was not given to his supplementary question. RESOLVED: The subject to the amendment listed above, the minutes (agenda item 5) of the meetings held on 3 and 18 December 2025 be approved as a correct record.
The Chair confirmed that urgent questions had been submitted and that they would be taken as a priority when considering Agenda Item 14 – Questions later in the meeting.
The Chair referred to her communications which had been circulated prior to the meeting.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: (a) That the HRA budget for 2026/27, as set out in the report, be approved; (b) That the proposed minimum rent increase of 4.3% be approved; (c) That the garage rent increase of 4.3% be approved; (d) That the increase in service charges to full cost recovery be approved; (e) That the pressures and efficiencies set out in Appendix A be approved; (f) That the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix B be approved; and (g) That the proposed reallocation of £3.150m of the capital budget to the voids budget be approved.
The Chief Officer (Housing and Communities) introduced the report (agenda item 9) which presented, for consideration, the draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) 30-year Financial Business Plan and the proposed HRA budget for 2026/27. She gave a joint presentation with the Strategic Finance Manager and Service Manager (Housing Assets) on the key points for consideration. On being put to the vote, the recommendations were carried. RESOLVED: (a) That the HRA budget for 2026/27, as set out in the report, be approved; (b) That the proposed minimum rent increase of 4.3% be approved; (c) That the garage rent increase of 4.3% be approved; (d) That the increase in service charges to full cost recovery be approved; (e) That the pressures and efficiencies set out in Appendix A be approved; (f) That the proposed HRA Capital programme for 2026/27 as set out in Appendix B be approved; and (g) That the proposed reallocation of £3.150m of the capital budget to the voids budget be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: (a) That the representations received in response to the first stage of the review of town and community council boundaries and electoral arrangements, as detailed in the Draft Proposals Report, be noted; (b) That the revised timetable for the review be approved; and (c) That the implications of making changes to community ward boundaries and the consequential changes to the county electoral wards, and the timing required to submit any final recommendations to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) in order to implement the changes in time for the Local Government Elections scheduled for May 2027, be noted.
The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report (agenda item 10) which sought consideration from Council to the representations received and the proposed changes set out in the Draft Proposals Report. If supported, these proposals would represent the Council’s preliminary views on the community arrangements for the principal council area. There would then be a further period of consultation on the draft proposals during which further representations would be invited, after which Council would be required to formulate its final proposals. Councillors Davies-Cooke and Parkhurst referred to the proposal that eight properties which were in close proximity to the Rhydymwyn village, should be in the Rhydymwyn Ward of Cilcain Community Council, and asked that the residents be consulted on the proposals. The Chief Officer advised that there would be a wide ranging public consultation and had noted the specific request. In response to comments made by Councillor Lloyd, the Team Leader (Democratic Services) advised that she would amend the report to reflect Saltney Town Council’s request that there be no change to its name. In response to a request from Councillor Marshall to move a boundary within his ward so that it didn’t follow the natural boundary, the Team Leader (Democratic Services) agreed to discuss this matter with Councillor Marshall outside of the meeting. On being put to the vote, the recommendations were carried. RESOLVED: (a) That the representations received in response to the first stage of the review of town and community council boundaries and electoral arrangements, as detailed in the Draft Proposals Report, be noted; (b) That the revised timetable for the review be approved; and (c) That the implications of making changes to community ward boundaries and the consequential changes to the county electoral wards, and the timing required to submit any final recommendations to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru (DBCC) in order to implement the changes in time for the Local Government Elections scheduled for May 2027, be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: (a) That seats on committees be allocated in accordance with political balance as circulated to Members prior to the meeting; and (b) That any changes to nominees be notified to the Democratic Services Manager as soon as possible. There was a brief adjournment at this stage of the meeting.
The Chief Officer (Governance) presented the report (agenda item 11) to review the political balance and seat allocation on committees, following the recent by-election in the Leewood ward. The Chief Officer advised that a copy of the political balance was circulated to all Members via e-mail prior to the meeting. Copies of 2 suggested political balances, submitted by the Flintshire People’s Voice Group, were circulated to Members during the meeting. Councillor Ibbotson proposed the Political Balance suggested by the Flintshire People’s Voice Group, marked ‘backup’. Councillor Swash seconded the proposal. Councillor Johnson proposed an amendment, that Council support the Political Balance circulated to all Members prior to the meeting. Councillor Richard Jones seconded the amendment. Councillor Ibbotson requested a recorded vote which was supported by the requisite number of Members standing in support. For the amendment Councillor: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Helen Brown, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, David Coggins-Cogan, Geoff Collett, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Paul Cunningham, Rob Davies, Ron Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Ian Hodge, Dave Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Richard Jones, Simon Jones, Fran Lister, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Allan Marshall, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Debbie Owen, Ted Palmer, Andrew Parkhurst, Michelle Perfect, Vicky Perfect, Ian Roberts, Kevin Rush, Kristian Salkeld, Jason Shallcross, Linda Thomas, Roy Wakelam, Arnold Woolley and Antony Wren Against the amendment Councillor: Bernie Attridge, Marion Bateman, Gillian Brockley, Adele Davies-Cooke, Chrissy Gee, Andy Hughes, Alasdair Ibbotson, Dave Mackie, Carolyn Preece, David Richardson, Dan Rose, Dale Selvester, Sam Swash and Linda Thew Abstentions Councillor Hilary McGuill When put to the vote the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion and when put to the vote was carried. RESOLVED: (a) That seats on committees be allocated in accordance with political balance as circulated to Members prior to the meeting; and (b) That any changes to nominees be notified to the Democratic Services Manager as soon as possible. There was a brief adjournment at this stage of the meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management 2025/26 Mid-Year Report be approved.
The Corporate Finance Manager introduced the report (agenda item 12) which presented for approval the Treasury Management 2025/26 Mid- Year Report. There were no significant issues raised that required bringing to the attention of Council. The recommendation in the report was supported. RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management 2025/26 Mid-Year Report be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: (a) That the Council resolves to: 1. Write to Welsh Water (D?r Cymru) and Hafren Dyfrdwy urging them to implement a comparable scheme offering free water butts to eligible households across Wales; 2. Request that Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy prioritise areas with known surface water or drainage issues; 3. Encourage collaboration between Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy with local authorities to promote uptake and ensure equitable access; 4. Publicise any future scheme locally to maximise community engagement. (b) Council further requests that the Chief Executive share this motion with the Welsh Government, highlighting the importance of water-saving infrastructure in meeting environmental and resilience goals. Notice of Motion 2 - Loss of Choice: End the St Anthony’s Shadow Ban Councillor Coggins-Cogan presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Parkhurst. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council instruct the Chief Officer (Education and Youth) to carry out an urgent investigation into the handling of admissions for St Anthony’s, including: a) The configuration of the online application system; b) The content of standard admissions correspondence; and c) Any recorded phone scripts or guidance given to call handlers; (b) That Council requires that St Anthony’s remains visible and selectable on the Council’s online admissions system for all relevant entry years for as long as it is an open maintained school and until any lawful closure decision has been implemented; (c) That Council request that the Cabinet Member for Education write to any families who have contacted the Council about applying to St Anthony’s during the current admissions round, clarifying the factual position that no closure decision has yet been taken, and apologising where parents were given incorrect or misleading information; and (d) Require that the findings of the investigation, together with any proposed remedial changes to admissions training or guidance, be reported to the Education, Youth, and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the earliest opportunity. Notice of Motion 3 - Loss of Democracy: Respect residents who ask public questions Councillor Parkhurst presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Coggins-Cogan. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council place on record its regret that residents who attended the last full Council meeting did not receive answers to their public questions and apologises to those residents for the way they were treated; (b) That Council requires that written answers to all public questions tabled at that meeting be sent to the questioners and published on the council’s website within ten working days of the motion being adopted; (c) That Council calls on the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Education to offer to meet the residents who asked questions at that meeting, to apologise in person, and answer any questions fully; and (d) That Council refer the following changes to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee for consideration and recommendation back to Council: a) Where a Cabinet Member knows in advance that they will be absent from a full Council meeting, residents submitting questions within that portfolio must be contacted and offered a choice: • Either to carry their question forward to the next ordinary meeting of full Council; or • Have their question answered at the meeting by the Leader or another Cabinet Member formally nominated by the absent Cabinet Member. b) Residents submitting valid questions should not suffer any detriment or disadvantage when they have complied fully with Council’s rules and protocols. Therefore, where a resident chooses to carry a question forward to the next ordinary meeting of full Council, this must not restrict their right to submit a separate question to that meeting as if the earlier question had not been carried forward; c) Where a question cannot be answered orally at the meeting, a written response must be sent within five working days to the resident concerned; d) Copies of all written answers (including written answers to supplementary questions) must be provided to all Members and published with the minutes; e) Where the relevant Cabinet Member is absent from a full Council meeting without advance notice (defined as a period of notice so short that officers cannot reasonably contact the residents submitting questions before the meeting takes place) responsibility for answering questions within that portfolio shall fall to the Leader; and f) An annual report should be brought to Council summarising the number of questions received from residents, the subject areas raised and the timeliness and completeness of responses. Notice of Motion 4 - Loss of Honesty: Stop Hiding The £78 Million Truth Councillor Parkhurst presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Coggins-Cogan. Councillor Johnson proposed an amendment that paragraph’s 13 and 14 be removed and gave a verbal commitment that he would carry out the request shown at paragraph 13. Councillor Richard Jones seconded the amendment. When put to the vote the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion and when put to the vote was carried. RESOLVED: (a) That the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Social Value gave a verbal commitment to provide a clear public summary of the full anticipated cost of the 3-to-18 ‘super school’ scheme, as outlined in the notice of motion, in due course; and (b) That Council refer this motion and its implications to the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee so that the committee can consider whether further scrutiny of the financial case for the school closure proposals is required before any final decision is implemented. Notice of Motion 5 - Loss of Voice: Stop Silencing Teachers Councillor Coggins-Cogan presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Parkhurst. Councillor Johnson proposed an amendment that the following additional paragraph be added to the motion – 12) That Council notes the motion and refer the motion to the Education Consultative Committee with a report back to Council. Councillor Bibby seconded the amendment. Councillors Coggins-Cogan and Parkhurst indicated that they supported the addition to the motion. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council reaffirms that staff of Flintshire schools have the right to participate, in a personal capacity, in lawful public debate on Council proposals, including the school closures, provided they comply with their professional codes and do not disclose confidential information; (b) If it was determined that any monitoring of staff; online activity had taken place in connection with the school closure proposals, whether through policy or interpretation of policy, request the Cabinet Member for Education to: a) Bring a report to the next ordinary meeting of the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee setting out: • Whether any monitoring of staff online activity took place in connection with the school closure proposals; • If so, under what legal and policy authority any such monitoring was conducted; and • If so, what records have been kept, how they will now be reviewed and, where appropriate, deleted. b) End any such practice immediately. (c) Where no such monitoring has taken place, request the Cabinet Member for Education to confirm, in writing to all Members, that there was no routine or systematic monitoring of staff social media accounts. (d) Request the Cabinet Member for Education to write to all staff in the four allected schools, and their governing bodies, confirming that no member of staff will suffer detriment for expressing a lawful, personal view on the unpopular school closure proposals; and (e) That Council notes the motion and refer the motion to the Education Consultative Committee with a report back to Council. Notice of Motion 6 - Questions to Answer: Cabinet Silence Councillor Ibbotson gave notice that the Flintshire People’s Voice Group wished to withdraw this motion in light of earlier discussions. RESOLVED: That the Notice of Motion was withdrawn.
The following notices of motion were considered: Notice of Motion 1 - Promoting Sustainable Water Use – Request for Welsh Water to Provide Free Water Butts Councillor Carberry presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Evans. Councillor Marshall proposed an amended that Hafren Dyfrdwy (formerly Dee Valley Water) which provided water supply in the east and south of Flintshire be included within the notice of motion. Councillor Carberry indicated that she accepted the amendment. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That the Council resolves to: 1. Write to Welsh Water (D?r Cymru) and Hafren Dyfrdwy urging them to implement a comparable scheme offering free water butts to eligible households across Wales; 2. Request that Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy prioritise areas with known surface water or drainage issues; 3. Encourage collaboration between Welsh Water and Hafren Dyfrdwy with local authorities to promote uptake and ensure equitable access; 4. Publicise any future scheme locally to maximise community engagement. (b) Council further requests that the Chief Executive share this motion with the Welsh Government, highlighting the importance of water-saving infrastructure in meeting environmental and resilience goals. Notice of Motion 2 - Loss of Choice: End the St Anthony’s Shadow Ban Councillor Coggins-Cogan presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Parkhurst. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council instruct the Chief Officer (Education and Youth) to carry out an urgent investigation into the handling of admissions for St Anthony’s, including: a) The configuration of the online application system; b) The content of standard admissions correspondence; and c) Any recorded phone scripts or guidance given to call handlers; (b) That Council requires that St Anthony’s remains visible and selectable on the Council’s online admissions system for all relevant entry years for as long as it is an open maintained school and until any lawful closure decision has been implemented; (c) That Council request that the Cabinet Member for Education write to any families who have contacted the Council about applying to St Anthony’s during the current admissions round, clarifying the factual position that no closure decision has yet been taken, and apologising where parents were given incorrect or misleading information; and (d) Require that the findings of the investigation, together with any proposed remedial changes to admissions training or guidance, be reported to the Education, Youth, and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee at the earliest opportunity. Notice of Motion 3 - Loss of Democracy: Respect residents who ask public questions Councillor Parkhurst presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Coggins-Cogan. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council place on record its regret that residents who attended the last full Council meeting did not receive answers to their public questions and apologises to those residents for the way they were treated; (b) That Council requires that written answers to all public questions tabled at that meeting be sent to the questioners and published on the council’s website within ten working days of the motion being adopted; (c) That Council calls on the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Education to offer to meet the residents who asked questions at that meeting, to apologise in person, and answer any questions fully; and (d) That Council refer the following changes to the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee for consideration and recommendation back to Council: a) Where a Cabinet Member knows in advance that they will be absent from a full Council meeting, residents submitting questions within that portfolio must be contacted and offered a choice: • Either to carry their question forward to the next ordinary meeting of full Council; or • Have their question answered at the meeting by the Leader or another Cabinet Member formally nominated by the absent Cabinet Member. b) Residents submitting valid questions should not suffer any detriment or disadvantage when they have complied fully with Council’s rules and protocols. Therefore, where a resident chooses to carry a question forward to the next ordinary meeting of full Council, this must not restrict their right to submit a separate question to that meeting as if the earlier question had not been carried forward; c) Where a question cannot be answered orally at the meeting, a written response must be sent within five working days to the resident concerned; d) Copies of all written answers (including written answers to supplementary questions) must be provided to all Members and published with the minutes; e) Where the relevant Cabinet Member is absent from a full Council meeting without advance notice (defined as a period of notice so short that officers cannot reasonably contact the residents submitting questions before the meeting takes place) responsibility for answering questions within that portfolio shall fall to the Leader; and f) An annual report should be brought to Council summarising the number of questions received from residents, the subject areas raised and the timeliness and completeness of responses. Notice of Motion 4 - Loss of Honesty: Stop Hiding The £78 Million Truth Councillor Parkhurst presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Coggins-Cogan. Councillor Johnson proposed an amendment that paragraph’s 13 and 14 be removed and gave a verbal commitment that he would carry out the request shown at paragraph 13. Councillor Richard Jones seconded the amendment. When put to the vote the amendment was carried and became the substantive motion and when put to the vote was carried. RESOLVED: (a) That the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Social Value gave a verbal commitment to provide a clear public summary of the full anticipated cost of the 3-to-18 ‘super school’ scheme, as outlined in the notice of motion, in due course; and (b) That Council refer this motion and its implications to the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee so that the committee can consider whether further scrutiny of the financial case for the school closure proposals is required before any final decision is implemented. Notice of Motion 5 - Loss of Voice: Stop Silencing Teachers Councillor Coggins-Cogan presented the Notice of Motion which was seconded by Councillor Parkhurst. Councillor Johnson proposed an amendment that the following additional paragraph be added to the motion – 12) That Council notes the motion and refer the motion to the Education Consultative Committee with a report back to Council. Councillor Bibby seconded the amendment. Councillors Coggins-Cogan and Parkhurst indicated that they supported the addition to the motion. On being put to the vote, the notice of motion was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Council reaffirms that staff of Flintshire schools have the right to participate, in a personal capacity, in lawful public debate on Council proposals, including the school closures, provided they comply with their professional codes and do not disclose confidential information; (b) If it was determined that any monitoring of staff; online activity had taken place in connection with the school closure proposals, whether through policy or interpretation of policy, request the Cabinet Member for Education to: a) Bring a report to the next ordinary meeting of the Education, Youth and Culture Overview and Scrutiny Committee setting out: • Whether any monitoring of staff online activity took place in connection with the school closure proposals; • If so, under what legal and policy authority any such monitoring was conducted; and • If so, what records have been kept, how they will now be reviewed and, where appropriate, deleted. b) End any such practice immediately. (c) Where no such monitoring has taken place, request the Cabinet Member for Education to confirm, in writing to all Members, that there was no routine or systematic monitoring of staff social media accounts. (d) Request the Cabinet Member for Education to write to all staff in the four allected schools, and their governing bodies, confirming that no member of staff will suffer detriment for expressing a lawful, personal view on the unpopular school closure proposals; and (e) That Council notes the motion and refer the motion to the Education Consultative Committee with a report back to Council. Notice of Motion 6 - Questions to Answer: Cabinet Silence Councillor Ibbotson gave notice that the Flintshire People’s Voice Group wished to withdraw this motion in light of earlier discussions. RESOLVED: That the Notice of Motion was withdrawn.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That Council suspend procedural rule 9.4(b), to allow an urgent question previously submitted to the Chair, to be considered.
Councillor Swash moved a procedural motion to suspend procedural rule 9.4(b), to allow an urgent question he had submitted to the Chair to be considered. This was duly seconded and a request for a recorded vote was supported by the requisite number of Members standing in support. For the proposition Councillors: Gillian Brockley, Helen Brown, David Coggins-Cogan, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Rob Davies, Adele Davies-Cooke, David Evans, Chrissy Gee, Ian Hodge, Andy Hughes, Alasdair Ibbotson, Christine Jones, Richard Jones, Fran Lister, Richard Lloyd, Dave Mackie, Allan Marshall, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Debbie Owen, Andrew Parkhurst, Carolyn Preece, David Richardson, Dan Rose, Kevin Rush, Kristian Salkeld, Jason Shallcross, Sawm Swash, Linda Thew, Roy Wakelam and Antony Wren Against the proposition Councillors: Mike Allport, Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Geoff Collett, Paul Cunningham, Ron Davies, Chris Dolphin, Dave Healey, Gladys Healey, Dave Hughes, Paul Johnson, Michelle Perfect, Vicky Perfect, Ian Roberts, Linda Thomas and Arnold Woolley Abstentions Councillor Mared Eastwood RESOLVED: That Council suspend procedural rule 9.4(b), to allow an urgent question previously submitted to the Chair, to be considered.
A total of 17 questions were read out in turn by the Members who had submitted them, which included the 3 urgent questions. Responses were given by relevant Cabinet Members. (Agenda item 14) Question 8 would be deferred to the next scheduled meeting as the initiator (Councillor Carol Ellis) was not in attendance. Questions 5 and 11 were withdrawn as they had been answered during previous discussions at the meeting. Members who had submitted questions were given the opportunity to ask supplementary questions to which Cabinet Members provided verbal responses. Written responses would be circulated to supplementary questions 1, 2, 4, 9, 10 and 12. A written response would also be provided to the supplementary question asked as part of urgent question 3.
None received.
There were 14 members of the public in attendance at the start of the meeting.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Dyw'r cyngor ddim wedi cofnodi presenoldeb ar gyfer y cyfarfod hwn.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.