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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 it be recommended to the Annual Meeting of the Council that Councillor Beryl Blackmore be nominated for the office of Deputy Mayor of the County Borough for the year 2023/24, subject to her acceptance of the office of Deputy Mayor.
RESOLVED (i) That the sizes and political balance of the standing committees and scrutiny committees, as specified in Appendix 1 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. (ii) That the political balance of the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Standing and Scrutiny Committees, as specified in Appendix 2 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. (iii) That the size and political balance of those Panels and Groups as set out in Appendix 3 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. REASON FOR DECISION To give Council the opportunity to review the allocation of seats to political groups following the Smithfield by-election in February 2023.
RESOLVED – That Councillor David A Bithell and Councillor Jeremy Kent both be put forward for the position of a Local Authority Member on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for an initial period of four years. (The Minister for Health and Social Services would then choose a person from those nominated across the local authorities within the Health Board’s area). REASON FOR DECISION To ensure that this authority is appropriately represented on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in accordance with the Local Heath Boards (Constitution, Membership and Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2009.
RESOLVED (i) That Council approve the Pay and Reward Panel’s recommendation that: (a) no changes be made in respect of the current salary range for the Chief Executive. (see paragraph 4.6 of the report CE/11/23) (b) no change be made in respect of the current salary range for Chief Officers and the criteria to be used in exceptional circumstances. (see paragraph 4.6 of the report CE/11/23) (ii) That Council approve the revisions to the terms of reference in Appendix 1 of the report CE/11/23 with the changes recommended by the Pay and Reward Panel. (iii) That Council approve the Pay Policy Statement for publication in March 2023. (see Appendix 2 of the report CE/11/23). REASONS FOR DECISION (i) To comply with the remit of the Pay and Reward Panel to meet to undertake a review of Senior Management pay. (ii) To apply the decisions of the Pay and Reward Panel, within the context of the Employee Pay and Reward Policy to ensure an appropriate pay structure exists for Senior Manager Pay. (iii) To meet the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Localism Act 2011, by ensuring that the Pay Policy Statement is reviewed and published annually.
There were no apologies for absence.
RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting of the County Borough Council held on 15 February 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.
The Mayor welcomed new Councillor, Mr Jon Jolley, who was elected to represent the Smithfield ward last month to his first meeting of Council and congratulated him on his recent election. The Mayor thanked those Members and officers who had attended the recent St David’s day parade in the town centre. He advised that there had been a great turnout despite the dreary weather and that it had been an honour to have been part of such a special day. He further stated that he had attended the lantern parade later that evening, which had provided a further opportunity to celebrate welsh culture and heritage. The Mayor referred to the new Visitor Information Centre and Contact Centre at Wrexham Library which were officially opened on St David’s Day. It was noted that these were two new wonderful assets which would provide support to the residents and visitors of the Wrexham area. The Mayor advised that earlier in the week he had had the privilege of being present at the flag raising ceremony for the Commonwealth of Nations Flag of Peace. This event has been well attended and it had been a great honour to lead the proceedings. Finally the Mayor noted that this was the last ‘scheduled’ Council meeting before the Annual Meeting of Council and he took the opportunity to thank Members and officers for the support they had shown him during his term of office.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - That it be recommended to the Annual Meeting of the Council that Councillor Beryl Blackmore be nominated for the office of Deputy Mayor of the County Borough for the year 2023/24, subject to her acceptance of the office of Deputy Mayor.
The Chair of the Constitution Working Group submitted a report (COGC/17/23) allowing Council to consider nominations for the election of a Mayor and appointment of a Deputy Mayor for 2023/24. The Chair of the Constitution Working Group introduced the report and advised that following Councillor Paul Rogers decision to withdraw him name for consideration of office of Mayor, Council were asked to solely consider recommendation 3.2 as noted in the report. During discussion of the report a number of Members advised that they felt unable to support the recommendation due to their belief that due process had not been followed. The Monitoring Officer responded to a number of queries and confirmed that there were no set statutory or constitutional deadlines in respect of nominations for the office of Mayor and Deputy Mayor and that the Constitutional Working Group set its own process for nominations. She further confirmed that proper procedures were followed throughout the process. A number of points of order were raised throughout the debate and the Monitoring Officer responded to these accordingly. An amendment was proposed and duly seconded as follows: “It be recommended to Annual Council that (i) Councillor Stella Matthews be nominated for the office of Mayor and Councillor Krista Childs be nominated for Deputy Mayor; (ii) Reforming of the Constitution Working Group, 10 Members politically balanced with no Executive Board Members; and (following an additional amendment) (iii) That a behaviour in public life policy be adopted by Council within 3 months and that a standard of behaviour be included in the criteria process for future nominations of Mayor and Deputy Mayor”. In accordance with Standing Order 18(2), a recorded vote was called for and supported, then taken on the amendment, the voting being as follows: For the Amendment – Councillors Bryan Apsley, Paul Blackwell, Gary Brown, Brian Cameron, Krista Childs, Annette Davies, Dana Davies, Mike Davies, Andy Gallanders, Carrie Harper, Frank Hemmings, Emma Holland, Peter Howell, Corin Jarvis, Jon Jolley, Marc Jones, Malcolm King OBE, Becca Martin, Stella Matthews, Graham Rogers, Anthony Wedlake, Jerry Wellens, Kate Wilkinson and Derek Wright (24) Against the Amendment – Councillors William Baldwin, Trevor Bates, David A Bithell, I David Bithell MBE, Beryl Blackmore, Terry Evans, Hugh Jones, Steve Joe Jones, Jeremy Kent, Claire Lovett, Tina Mannering, John McCusker, M G Morris, Jeremy Newton, Beverley Parry-Jones, Paul Pemberton, John Phillips, John Pritchard, Mark Pritchard, Fred Roberts, Paul Roberts, Rondo Roberts, Ross Shepherd, Alison Tynan, Debbie Wallice, Andy Williams, Nigel Williams, Roberts Ian Williams and Phil Wynn (29) Abstained – Councillor Ronnie Prince (1) The amendment was lost. In accordance with Standing Order 18(2), a recorded vote was then taken on the original recommendation which became the substantive motion, the voting being as follows: For the substantive Motion – Councillors William Baldwin, Trevor Bates, David A Bithell, I David Bithell MBE, Beryl Blackmore, Terry Evans, Hugh Jones, Steve Joe Jones, Jeremy Kent, Claire Lovett, Tina Mannering, John McCusker, M G Morris, Jeremy Newton, Beverley Parry-Jones, Paul Pemberton, John Phillips, John Pritchard, Mark Pritchard, Fred Roberts, Paul Roberts, Rondo Roberts, Ross Shepherd, Alison Tynan, Debbie Wallice, Andy Williams, Nigel Williams, Roberts Ian Williams and Phil Wynn (29) Against the substantive Motion – Councillors Bryan Apsley, Paul Blackwell, Gary Brown, Brian Cameron, Krista Childs, Annette Davies, Dana Davies, Mike Davies, Andy Gallanders, Carrie Harper, Frank Hemmings, Emma Holland, Peter Howell, Corin Jarvis, Jon Jolley, Marc Jones, Malcolm King OBE, Becca Martin, Graham Rogers, Anthony Wedlake, Jerry Wellens, Kate Wilkinson and Derek Wright (23) Abstained – Councillors Stella Matthews and Ronnie Prince (2) The vote was won and it was: RESOLVED - That it be recommended to the Annual Meeting of the Council that Councillor Beryl Blackmore be nominated for the office of Deputy Mayor of the County Borough for the year 2023/24, subject to her acceptance of the office of Deputy Mayor.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (i) That the sizes and political balance of the standing committees and scrutiny committees, as specified in Appendix 1 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. (ii) That the political balance of the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Standing and Scrutiny Committees, as specified in Appendix 2 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. (iii) That the size and political balance of those Panels and Groups as set out in Appendix 3 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. REASON FOR DECISION To give Council the opportunity to review the allocation of seats to political groups following the Smithfield by-election in February 2023.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/24/23 which allowed Council the opportunity to review the allocation of seats to political groups following the Smithfield by-election in February 2023. The Chief Officer Governance and Customer introduced the report. RESOLVED (i) That the sizes and political balance of the standing committees and scrutiny committees, as specified in Appendix 1 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. (ii) That the political balance of the Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Standing and Scrutiny Committees, as specified in Appendix 2 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. (iii) That the size and political balance of those Panels and Groups as set out in Appendix 3 of report COGC/24/23 be agreed. REASON FOR DECISION To give Council the opportunity to review the allocation of seats to political groups following the Smithfield by-election in February 2023.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That Councillor David A Bithell and Councillor Jeremy Kent both be put forward for the position of a Local Authority Member on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for an initial period of four years. (The Minister for Health and Social Services would then choose a person from those nominated across the local authorities within the Health Board’s area). REASON FOR DECISION To ensure that this authority is appropriately represented on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in accordance with the Local Heath Boards (Constitution, Membership and Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2009.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/29/23 allowing Council to nominate one elected Member for the position of a Local Authority Member on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. The Minister for Health and Social Services would then select a person from those nominated across the local authorities within the Health Board’s area/ The Monitoring Officer introduced her report and responded to Members questions accordingly. She confirmed that it was within Council’s gift to submit more than one name should they wish to do so. A debate ensued and thereafter it was proposed and seconded that: “Councillor David A Bithell and Councillor Jeremy Kent both be put forward for the position of a Local Authority Member on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for an initial period of four years”. A further amendment was then proposed and seconded as follows: “That Councillors David A Bithell, Jeremy Kent and Frank Hemmings be put forward for the position of a Local Authority Member on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for an initial period of four years”. In accordance with Standing Order 18(2), a recorded vote was called for and supported, then taken on the amendment, the voting being as follows: For the Amendment – Councillors Paul Blackwell, Gary Brown, Brian Cameron, Krista Childs, Annette Davies, Dana Davies, Mike Davies, Andy Gallanders, Carrie Harper, Frank Hemmings, Emma Holland, Peter Howell, Corin Jarvis, Jon Jolley, Marc Jones, Steve Joe Jones, Malcolm King OBE, Becca Martin, Stella Matthews, Ronnie Prince, Graham Rogers, Anthony Wedlake, Jerry Wellens, Kate Wilkinson and Derek Wright (25) Against the Amendment – Councillors William Baldwin, Trevor Bates, David A Bithell, I David Bithell MBE, Beryl Blackmore, Terry Evans, Hugh Jones, Jeremy Kent, Claire Lovett, Tina Mannering, John McCusker, M G Morris, Jeremy Newton, Beverley Parry-Jones, Paul Pemberton, John Phillips, John Pritchard, Mark Pritchard, Fred Roberts, Paul Roberts, Rondo Roberts, Ross Shepherd, Alison Tynan, Debbie Wallice, Nigel Williams, Roberts Ian Williams and Phil Wynn (27) The amendment was lost. A recorded vote was then taken on the original proposal which became the substantive motion, the voting being as follows:- For the Substantive Motion – Councillors William Baldwin, Trevor Bates, David A Bithell, I David Bithell MBE, Beryl Blackmore, Terry Evans, Hugh Jones, Jeremy Kent, Claire Lovett, Tina Mannering, John McCusker, M G Morris, Jeremy Newton, Beverley Parry-Jones, Paul Pemberton, John Phillips, John Pritchard, Mark Pritchard, Fred Roberts, Paul Roberts, Rondo Roberts, Ross Shepherd, Alison Tynan, Debbie Wallice, Nigel Williams, Roberts Ian Williams and Phil Wynn (27) Against the Substantive Motion – Councillors Paul Blackwell, Gary Brown, Brian Cameron, Krista Childs, Annette Davies, Dana Davies, Mike Davies, Andy Gallanders, Carrie Harper, Frank Hemmings, Emma Holland, Peter Howell, Corin Jarvis, Jon Jolley, Marc Jones, Steve Joe Jones, Malcolm King OBE, Becca Martin, Stella Matthews, Ronnie Prince, Graham Rogers, Anthony Wedlake, Jerry Wellens, Kate Wilkinson and Derek Wright (25) The substantive motion was carried and it was: RESOLVED – That Councillor David A Bithell and Councillor Jeremy Kent both be put forward for the position of a Local Authority Member on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board for an initial period of four years. (The Minister for Health and Social Services would then choose a person from those nominated across the local authorities within the Health Board’s area). REASON FOR DECISION To ensure that this authority is appropriately represented on the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board in accordance with the Local Heath Boards (Constitution, Membership and Procedures) (Wales) Regulations 2009.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (i) That Council approve the Pay and Reward Panel’s recommendation that: (a) no changes be made in respect of the current salary range for the Chief Executive. (see paragraph 4.6 of the report CE/11/23) (b) no change be made in respect of the current salary range for Chief Officers and the criteria to be used in exceptional circumstances. (see paragraph 4.6 of the report CE/11/23) (ii) That Council approve the revisions to the terms of reference in Appendix 1 of the report CE/11/23 with the changes recommended by the Pay and Reward Panel. (iii) That Council approve the Pay Policy Statement for publication in March 2023. (see Appendix 2 of the report CE/11/23). REASONS FOR DECISION (i) To comply with the remit of the Pay and Reward Panel to meet to undertake a review of Senior Management pay. (ii) To apply the decisions of the Pay and Reward Panel, within the context of the Employee Pay and Reward Policy to ensure an appropriate pay structure exists for Senior Manager Pay. (iii) To meet the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Localism Act 2011, by ensuring that the Pay Policy Statement is reviewed and published annually.
(The Head of Paid Service and all Chief Officer’s vacated the meeting during discussion of this item). The Chair of the Pay and Reward Panel submitted a report CE/11/23 seeking Council approval to the Pay and Reward Panel’s recommendations outlined in the report in relation to the review of Senior Manager’s pay for 2023/2024 and agree the revisions to the remit. The report further sought Council approval of the revised annual Pay Policy Statement that sets out the Council's approach to pay in order to meet the legal requirements of the Localism Act 2011 to enable publication. The Chair of the Pay and Reward panel introduced the report. RESOLVED (i) That Council approve the Pay and Reward Panel’s recommendation that: (a) no changes be made in respect of the current salary range for the Chief Executive. (see paragraph 4.6 of the report CE/11/23) (b) no change be made in respect of the current salary range for Chief Officers and the criteria to be used in exceptional circumstances. (see paragraph 4.6 of the report CE/11/23) (ii) That Council approve the revisions to the terms of reference in Appendix 1 of the report CE/11/23 with the changes recommended by the Pay and Reward Panel. (iii) That Council approve the Pay Policy Statement for publication in March 2023. (see Appendix 2 of the report CE/11/23). REASONS FOR DECISION (i) To comply with the remit of the Pay and Reward Panel to meet to undertake a review of Senior Management pay. (ii) To apply the decisions of the Pay and Reward Panel, within the context of the Employee Pay and Reward Policy to ensure an appropriate pay structure exists for Senior Manager Pay. (iii) To meet the requirements of Chapter 8 of the Localism Act 2011, by ensuring that the Pay Policy Statement is reviewed and published annually.
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