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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That, subject to the amendment listed above, the minutes of the meetings held on 4 December 2024 and 28 January 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
RESOLVED: (a) That the recommendations of Cabinet for balancing the budget for 2025/26 be approved; (b) That the level of Council Tax for 2025/26 as recommended by Cabinet be approved; and (c) That any financial benefit derived from the estimated pay award of 4% and the final pay award agreed by the Department of Education for Wales be provided to the school’s budget.
RESOLVED: (a) That the 2025/26 Council Tax be set based on a 9.5% uplift in the County Council charges, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; (b) That the continuation of the policy of not providing a discount in the level of 2025/26 Council Tax charges for second homes and long-term empty homes be endorsed. Also, where exceptions do not apply, to charge the Council Tax Premium rate of 100% above the standard rate of Council Tax for designated long-term empty dwellings and 100% for second homes from 1st April 2025, in accordance with the decision of Council in September 2024; and (c) That approval be given for designated officers to issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid taxes. Prior to consideration of the remaining items, Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson moved a procedural motion under section 12(n) of the Constitution to suspend Section 4, Standing Order 8 – that the meeting conclude at 5.00pm. This was seconded by Councillor Sam Swash. On being put to the vote this motion was carried.
RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 be approved.
RESOLVED: (a) That the following be approved for the Council Fund (CF):- • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in financial year 2025/26 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing fixed as at 31st March 2017. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 49 years. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing from 1st April 2016 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from unsupported (prudential) borrowing or credit arrangements, including MIM. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. (b) That the following be approved for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA):- • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2025/26 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from debt fixed as at 31st March 2021. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 50 years. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from debt from 1st April 2021 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. (c) That MRP on loans from the Council to NEW Homes to build affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) (which qualify as capital expenditure in accounting terms) be approved as follows:- • No MRP is made during the construction period (of short duration) as the asset has not been brought into use and no benefit is being derived from its use. • Once the assets are brought into use, capital (loan) repayments will be made by NEW Homes. The Council’s MRP will be equal to the repayments made by NEW Homes. The repayments made by NEW Homes will be classed, in accounting terms, as capital receipts, which can only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt. The capital repayment / capital receipt will be set aside to repay debt and is the Council’s MRP policy for repaying the loan. Prior to consideration of the remaining items, Councillor Ted Palmer moved a closure motion to adjourn the meeting and that all remaining items of business be deferred to the next scheduled meeting of County Council. This was seconded by Councillor Richard Jones. On being put to the vote this motion was carried.
Councillors: Glyn Banks, Hilary McGuill, Ted Palmer and Antony Wren declared a personal interest in agenda item number 6 – Council Fund Budget 2025/26 – Final Closing Stage.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That, subject to the amendment listed above, the minutes of the meetings held on 4 December 2024 and 28 January 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
4 December 2024 Councillor Andrew Parkhurst said that he had declared a personal interest in agenda item number 16 – Notice of Motion (Making Schools Accessible to All) and asked that the minutes be amended to reflect this. RESOLVED: That, subject to the amendment listed above, the minutes of the meetings held on 4 December 2024 and 28 January 2025 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
A copy of the communications listing events attended from 29 January to 24 February had been circulated prior to the meeting.
Councillors Richard Lloyd and Jason Shallcross jointly submitted a petition on behalf of the parents, pupils and staff against the proposed closure of St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, Saltney.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the recommendations of Cabinet for balancing the budget for 2025/26 be approved; (b) That the level of Council Tax for 2025/26 as recommended by Cabinet be approved; and (c) That any financial benefit derived from the estimated pay award of 4% and the final pay award agreed by the Department of Education for Wales be provided to the school’s budget.
The Corporate Finance Manager and Service Manager (Revenues and Procurement) presented the report (agenda item 6) which set out how the Council could achieve a legal and balanced budget for the 2025/26 financial year. A detailed presentation based on the report submitted to Cabinet earlier in the day, the recommendations made by Cabinet and the final settlement notification from Welsh Government (WG) was provided. The recommendations, as outlined within the report were moved by Councillor Paul Johnson and seconded by Councillor Richard Jones. Councillor Andrew Parkhurst moved an amendment to the budget proposals, which was seconded by Councillor David Coggins-Cogan, as follows:- That the additional funding of £1.205m from the introduction of the funding floor by Welsh Government (WG) for local authority funding be used as follows:- • £0.059m to protect the essential provision of public conveniences throughout Flintshire; • £0.594m to relieve the pressure on school budgets. Funding per pupil in Flintshire is one of the lowest in Wales because of the consistently poor funding settlements given to Flintshire; and • £0.552m to reduce the burden of Council Tax on Flintshire’s residents. A recorded vote was requested on the proposed amendment, for which the requisite number of Members stood in support. The following Members voted in support of the amendment:- Councillors: Marion Bateman, Gillian Brockley, David Coggins-Cogan, Adele Davies-Cooke, Carol Ellis, Chrissy Gee, Andy Hughes, Alasdair Ibbotson, Fran Lister, Dave Mackie, Hilary McGuill, Ryan McKeown, Debbie Owen, Andrew Parkhurst, Carolyn Preece, David Richardson, Dan Rose, Dale Selvester, Sam Swash, Linda Thew and Ant Turton The following Members voted against the amendment:- Councillors: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Helen Brown, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Goeff Collett, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Paul Cunningham, Rob Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Ian Hodge, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Richard Jones, Simon Jones, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Roz Mansell, Allan Marshall, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Mike Peers, Vicky Perfect, Kevin Rush, Jason Shallcross, Linda Thomas, Roy Wakelam, Arnold Woolley and Antony Wren When put to the vote, the amendment was lost. Councillor Gillian Brockley moved an amendment that the number of Cabinet Member positions be reduced by two and that the £40,000 saving be used to reduce the Council Tax proposal. This was seconded by Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson. A recorded vote was requested on the proposed amendment, for which the requisite number of Members stood in support. The following Members voted in support of the amendment:- Councillors: Marion Bateman, Gillian Brockley, David Coggins-Cogan, Adele Davies-Cooke, Carol Ellis, Chrissy Gee, Andy Hughes, Alasdair Ibbotson, Dave Mackie, Roz Mansell, Andrew Parkhurst, Carolyn Preece, David Richardson, Dan Rose, Dale Selvester, Sam Swash, Linda Thew and Ant Turton The following Members voted against the amendment:- Councillors: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Helen Brown, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Goeff Collett, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Paul Cunningham, Rob Davies, Chris Dolphin, Rosetta Dolphin, Mared Eastwood, David Evans, David Healey, Gladys Healey, Ian Hodge, Dave Hughes, Ray Hughes, Dennis Hutchinson, Paul Johnson, Christine Jones, Richard Jones, Simon Jones, Fran Lister, Richard Lloyd, Gina Maddison, Allan Marshall, Hilary McGuill, Billy Mullin, Debbie Owen, Ted Palmer, Mike Peers, Vicky Perfect, Kevin Rush, Jason Shallcross, Linda Thomas, Roy Wakelam, Arnold Woolley and Antony Wren On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost. Councillor Richard Jones suggested an additional recommendation as follows:- • That any financial benefit derived from the estimated pay award of 4% and the final pay award agreed by the Department of Education for Wales be provided to the school’s budget. Councillor Paul Johnson supported the additional recommendation which therefore became part of the substantive motion. A recorded vote on the substantive motion was requested, for which the requisite number of Members stood in support. The following Members voted in support of the substantive motion:- Councillors: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Helen Brown, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Goeff Collett, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Paul Cunningham, Rob 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, Hilary McGuill, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Mike Peers, Vicky Perfect, Kevin Rush, Jason Shallcross, Linda Thomas, Ant Turton, Roy Wakelam, Arnold Woolley and Antony Wren The following Members voted against the substantive motion:- Councillors: Marion Bateman, Gillian Brockley, David Coggins-Cogan, Adele Davies-Cooke, Carol Ellis, Chrissy Gee, Andy Hughes, Alasdair Ibbotson, Dave Mackie, Roz Mansell, Debbie Owen, Andrew Parkhurst, Carolyn Preece, David Richardson, Dan Rose, Dale Selvester, Sam Swash and Linda Thew The substantive motion, which included that Council approve the following Cabinet recommendations was carried:- • That Cabinet notes and approves the revised additional budget requirement for 2025/26; • That Cabinet approves the final proposals for the cost reductions that will contribute to the budget; • That Cabinet recommends to Council a legal and balanced budget based on the calculations set out within the report; • That Cabinet notes the significant open risks which remain to be managed in the 2025/26 financial year; • That Cabinet recommends an overall annual increase in Council Tax for 2025/26 of 8.93% for Council Services and 0.57% for contributions to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and Regional Coroners Service. This constitutes an overall uplift of 9.5%.; • That Cabinet invites Council to pass the formal Council Tax resolution now that we have had notification of the precepts of the Police and Crime Commissioner and all Town and Community Councils within Flintshire; and • That Cabinet notes the medium-term forecast as a basis for the next revision of the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS). RESOLVED: (a) That the recommendations of Cabinet for balancing the budget for 2025/26 be approved; (b) That the level of Council Tax for 2025/26 as recommended by Cabinet be approved; and (c) That any financial benefit derived from the estimated pay award of 4% and the final pay award agreed by the Department of Education for Wales be provided to the school’s budget.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the 2025/26 Council Tax be set based on a 9.5% uplift in the County Council charges, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; (b) That the continuation of the policy of not providing a discount in the level of 2025/26 Council Tax charges for second homes and long-term empty homes be endorsed. Also, where exceptions do not apply, to charge the Council Tax Premium rate of 100% above the standard rate of Council Tax for designated long-term empty dwellings and 100% for second homes from 1st April 2025, in accordance with the decision of Council in September 2024; and (c) That approval be given for designated officers to issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid taxes. Prior to consideration of the remaining items, Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson moved a procedural motion under section 12(n) of the Constitution to suspend Section 4, Standing Order 8 – that the meeting conclude at 5.00pm. This was seconded by Councillor Sam Swash. On being put to the vote this motion was carried.
A report (agenda item 7) was received to formally set the Council Tax charges and associated statutory resolutions for 2025/26 as part of the wider budget strategy on the basis of the decision taken on the previous item. The overall level of Council Tax comprised three separate precepts set by (i) the County Council, (ii) the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales and (iii) all Town/Community Councils, which made up the total sum charged against each property. The report indicated the precepts to be raised by the Council based on an increase of 9.5% detailed in the previous report. Councillor Paul Johnson moved the recommendations as outlined within the report, which was seconded by Councillor Richard Jones. A recorded vote on the substantive motion was requested, for which the requisite number of Members stood in support. The following Members voted in support of the substantive motion:- Councillors: Mike Allport, Glyn Banks, Pam Banks, Sean Bibby, Chris Bithell, Helen Brown, Mel Buckley, Teresa Carberry, Tina Claydon, Goeff Collett, Steve Copple, Bill Crease, Paul Cunningham, Rob 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, Hilary McGuill, Ryan McKeown, Billy Mullin, Ted Palmer, Mike Peers, Kevin Rush, Jason Shallcross, Linda Thomas, Arnold Woolley and Antony Wren The following Members voted against the substantive motion:- Councillors: Marion Bateman, Gillian Brockley, David Coggins-Cogan, Adele Davies-Cooke, Carol Ellis, Chrissy Gee, Andy Hughes, Alasdair Ibbotson, Dave Mackie, Debbie Owen, Andrew Parkhurst, Carolyn Preece, David Richardson, Dan Rose, Dale Selvester, Sam Swash and Linda Thew RESOLVED: (a) That the 2025/26 Council Tax be set based on a 9.5% uplift in the County Council charges, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report; (b) That the continuation of the policy of not providing a discount in the level of 2025/26 Council Tax charges for second homes and long-term empty homes be endorsed. Also, where exceptions do not apply, to charge the Council Tax Premium rate of 100% above the standard rate of Council Tax for designated long-term empty dwellings and 100% for second homes from 1st April 2025, in accordance with the decision of Council in September 2024; and (c) That approval be given for designated officers to issue legal proceedings and appear on behalf of the Council in the Magistrates’ Court for unpaid taxes. Prior to consideration of the remaining items, Councillor Alasdair Ibbotson moved a procedural motion under section 12(n) of the Constitution to suspend Section 4, Standing Order 8 – that the meeting conclude at 5.00pm. This was seconded by Councillor Sam Swash. On being put to the vote this motion was carried.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 be approved.
A report (agenda item 8) was received to seek approval of the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26, following endorsement by the Governance & Audit Committee and Cabinet. Councillor Paul Johnson moved the recommendation as outlined within the report which was seconded by Councillor Richard Jones. When put to the vote the recommendation was supported. RESOLVED: That the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the following be approved for the Council Fund (CF):- • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in financial year 2025/26 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing fixed as at 31st March 2017. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 49 years. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing from 1st April 2016 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from unsupported (prudential) borrowing or credit arrangements, including MIM. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. (b) That the following be approved for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA):- • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2025/26 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from debt fixed as at 31st March 2021. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 50 years. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from debt from 1st April 2021 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. (c) That MRP on loans from the Council to NEW Homes to build affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) (which qualify as capital expenditure in accounting terms) be approved as follows:- • No MRP is made during the construction period (of short duration) as the asset has not been brought into use and no benefit is being derived from its use. • Once the assets are brought into use, capital (loan) repayments will be made by NEW Homes. The Council’s MRP will be equal to the repayments made by NEW Homes. The repayments made by NEW Homes will be classed, in accounting terms, as capital receipts, which can only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt. The capital repayment / capital receipt will be set aside to repay debt and is the Council’s MRP policy for repaying the loan. Prior to consideration of the remaining items, Councillor Ted Palmer moved a closure motion to adjourn the meeting and that all remaining items of business be deferred to the next scheduled meeting of County Council. This was seconded by Councillor Richard Jones. On being put to the vote this motion was carried.
A report (agenda item 9) was received to seek approval in setting the annual policy for the Minimum Revenue Provision for the prudent repayment of debt, following endorsement by Cabinet. Councillor Paul Johnson moved the recommendations as outlined within the report which were seconded by Councillor Richard Jones. On being put to the vote the recommendations were supported. RESOLVED: (a) That the following be approved for the Council Fund (CF):- • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in financial year 2025/26 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing fixed as at 31st March 2017. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 49 years. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from supported borrowing from 1st April 2016 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from unsupported (prudential) borrowing or credit arrangements, including MIM. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. (b) That the following be approved for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA):- • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2025/26 for the balance of outstanding capital expenditure funded from debt fixed as at 31st March 2021. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over 50 years. • Option 3 (Asset Life Method) be used for the calculation of the HRA’s MRP in 2025/26 for all capital expenditure funded from debt from 1st April 2021 onwards. The calculation will be the ‘annuity’ method over an appropriate number of years, dependent on the period of time that the capital expenditure is likely to generate benefits. (c) That MRP on loans from the Council to NEW Homes to build affordable homes through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP) (which qualify as capital expenditure in accounting terms) be approved as follows:- • No MRP is made during the construction period (of short duration) as the asset has not been brought into use and no benefit is being derived from its use. • Once the assets are brought into use, capital (loan) repayments will be made by NEW Homes. The Council’s MRP will be equal to the repayments made by NEW Homes. The repayments made by NEW Homes will be classed, in accounting terms, as capital receipts, which can only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt. The capital repayment / capital receipt will be set aside to repay debt and is the Council’s MRP policy for repaying the loan. Prior to consideration of the remaining items, Councillor Ted Palmer moved a closure motion to adjourn the meeting and that all remaining items of business be deferred to the next scheduled meeting of County Council. This was seconded by Councillor Richard Jones. On being put to the vote this motion was carried.
The following Notices of Motion were deferred to the next scheduled meeting of County Council. Notice of Motion: A New National Park for North East Wales Notice of Motion: Saving Money, Cutting Cabinet Waste Notice of Motion: Protecting Flintshire From Overdevelopment
The Questions (agenda item 11) were deferred to the next scheduled meeting of County Council.
There were 2 members of the public and 1 member of the press present at the start of the meeting.
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.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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