Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.

1. Minutes

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

2. Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking

   RESOLVED: (a) That 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

3. Review of reduced opening hours at Household Recycling Centres

   RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed the approved changes to opening hours at the Household Recycling Centres (HRC’s).

4. Food Service Plan 2024-25 for Flintshire County Council

   RESOLVED: That the Committee endorses the Food Service Plan 2024-25.

5. Additional Licensing for Houses of Multiple Occupation

   RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee endorses the commencement of a formal consultation on ‘Additional Licensing’ for Houses of Multiple Occupation which will be open to the public and stakeholders. (b) To receive the outcome of the consultation exercise when it has been completed.

6. Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy

   RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the revised HAMP as presented within the report and Appendix 1; (b) That the Committee notes the revised Highway & Car Park Inspection Policy as a Maintenance Manual in Appendix 2; (c) That the Committee supports the outlined procedure to provide updates and performance reporting to inform future reviews of both the HAMP and the Maintenance Manual; and (d) That the Committee endorses the content of the report and supports the review of the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) and the current arrangements and actions of the portfolio to maintain the highway network.

7. Update on Local Bus Services in Flintshire

   RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee supports the proposal that Arriva puts forward changes to the X4 service to reduce the in-year shortfall on the Bus Network Grant; (b) That the proposal to terminate the Service 5 at Deeside Industrial Park be supported; (c) That the Committee is aware that any delays incurred represent budget pressures for Streetscene and the Authority in 2025/26; and (d) That the Committee notes the requirement to allow 56 days’ notice to the Traffic Commission (78 days for services into England) for the change and/or termination of services.

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 10 September 2024: RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved as a correct record.

   Papers: Environment OSC 10.09.24 - minutes - final
3. 4

   Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: (a) That 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 Facilitator presented the Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking report Forward Work Programme (agenda item no.4). Councillor Andrew Parkhurst requested that an item on the Strategy for Public Conveniences be added to the Programme. The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) advised that the Strategy had been reviewed by the Committee in March and agreed that an update could be provided in the New Year. RESOLVED: (a) That 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

   Papers: Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking (E&E OSC), Enc. 1 for Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking (E&E OSC), Enc. 2 for Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking (E&E OSC)
4. 5

   Review of reduced opening hours at Household Recycling Centres

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed the approved changes to opening hours at the Household Recycling Centres (HRC’s).

   Minute

   The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced the report (agenda item no.5) to present an overview of the approved changes to the operation of Household Recycling Centres (HRC) within the County, as laid out in the Streetscene and Transportation efficiencies proposal for 2024/25. The changes were proposed to optimise efficiency, reduce costs, and explore potential income streams whilst maintaining essential services for the community. The report focuses on the first phase of the change programme; the part-time opening of HRC sites. The Chair proposed that the second recommendation in the report be removed. This was seconded and carried. Councillor Richard Lloyd proposed that the wording “welcomes” be removed from the first recommendation in the report. This was seconded. It was agreed that the wording “welcomes” be replaced with the wording “agrees”. RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed the approved changes to opening hours at the Household Recycling Centres (HRC’s).

   Papers: Review of reduced opening hours at Household Recycling Centres
5. 6

   Food Service Plan 2024-25 for Flintshire County Council

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: That the Committee endorses the Food Service Plan 2024-25.

   Minute

   The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy) introduced the report (agenda item no.6) to consider and endorse the Food Service Plan 2024-25. The Community and Business Protection Manager presented the report. RESOLVED: That the Committee endorses the Food Service Plan 2024-25.

   Papers: Food Service Plan 2024-25 for Flintshire County Council, Enc. 1 for Food Service Plan 2024-25 for Flintshire County Council
6. 7

   Additional Licensing for Houses of Multiple Occupation

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee endorses the commencement of a formal consultation on ‘Additional Licensing’ for Houses of Multiple Occupation which will be open to the public and stakeholders. (b) To receive the outcome of the consultation exercise when it has been completed.

   Minute

   The Community and Business Protection Manager introduced the report (agenda item no.7) to consider and endorse the commencement of a formal consultation on ‘Additional Licensing’ for Houses of Multiple Occupation which will be open to the public and stakeholders. It was agreed that an item on additional Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) would be added to the Forward Work Programme. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee endorses the commencement of a formal consultation on ‘Additional Licensing’ for Houses of Multiple Occupation which will be open to the public and stakeholders. (b) To receive the outcome of the consultation exercise when it has been completed.

   Papers: Additional Licensing for Houses of Multiple Occupation
7. 8

   Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the revised HAMP as presented within the report and Appendix 1; (b) That the Committee notes the revised Highway & Car Park Inspection Policy as a Maintenance Manual in Appendix 2; (c) That the Committee supports the outlined procedure to provide updates and performance reporting to inform future reviews of both the HAMP and the Maintenance Manual; and (d) That the Committee endorses the content of the report and supports the review of the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) and the current arrangements and actions of the portfolio to maintain the highway network.

   Minute

   The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) presented the report (agenda item no.8) to provide an update on the refreshed Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) and reviewed Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy. In response to a suggestion by the Chair it was agreed that training be arranged for Members of the Committee on HAMP in the New Year. Members also requested that an additional recommendation be added for the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Streetscene & Transportation to write to the First Minister about the lack of funding and investment in the highway network, and liabilities this creates for the local authority, along with the impact on local communities and the economy. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the revised HAMP as presented within the report and Appendix 1; (b) That the Committee notes the revised Highway & Car Park Inspection Policy as a Maintenance Manual in Appendix 2; (c) That the Committee supports the outlined procedure to provide updates and performance reporting to inform future reviews of both the HAMP and the Maintenance Manual; and (d) That the Committee endorses the content of the report and supports the review of the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) and the current arrangements and actions of the portfolio to maintain the highway network.

   Papers: Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 1 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 2 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 3 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 4 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 5 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 6 -Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 7 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 8 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 9 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy, Appendix 10 - Review of Highways Asset Management Plan and Highway and Car Park Inspection Policy
8. 9

   Update on Local Bus Services in Flintshire

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee supports the proposal that Arriva puts forward changes to the X4 service to reduce the in-year shortfall on the Bus Network Grant; (b) That the proposal to terminate the Service 5 at Deeside Industrial Park be supported; (c) That the Committee is aware that any delays incurred represent budget pressures for Streetscene and the Authority in 2025/26; and (d) That the Committee notes the requirement to allow 56 days’ notice to the Traffic Commission (78 days for services into England) for the change and/or termination of services.

   Minute

   The Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) introduced the report (agenda item no.9). She provided background information and explained that the report highlighted the available options to address the £270k shortfall for the local bus revenue budget, as well as a further £47k to address the regional shortfall of the Bus Network Grant (BNG) provided by Welsh Government. The Integrated Transport Unit (ITU) Manager presented the report. Councillor Mike Peers asked that it be recorded in the minutes that he did not support resolution (b) below. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee supports the proposal that Arriva puts forward changes to the X4 service to reduce the in-year shortfall on the Bus Network Grant; (b) That the proposal to terminate the Service 5 at Deeside Industrial Park be supported; (c) That the Committee is aware that any delays incurred represent budget pressures for Streetscene and the Authority in 2025/26; and (d) That the Committee notes the requirement to allow 56 days’ notice to the Traffic Commission (78 days for services into England) for the change and/or termination of services.

   Papers: Update on Local Bus Services in Flintshire, Appendix 1 - Update on Local Bus Services in Flintshire, Appendix 2 - Update on Local Bus Services in Flintshire

9. Attendance by members of the press and public

   Minute

   There were no members of the press or public in attendance.

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.

The council hasn't recorded attendance for this meeting.

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