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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED – (i) That the budget totalling £318,669,885 be approved. (ii) That the Authority’s council tax for 2024/25 for Band D is set at £1,594.75 in respect of its general expenses and in respect of the special expenses for footway lighting a charge of £7.16 on the town centre community areas of Acton, Caia Park, Offa and Rhosddu, £24.46 on the community of Llangollen Rural, £18.62 on the community of Glyntraian and £16.05 on the community of Chirk. (iii) That any additional funding received following publication of the Local Government Final Settlement will be applied as prescribed or used to provide additional inflation contingency cover. (iv) That the Medium Term Financial Plan including the Council’s Reserve Strategy outlined in Appendix 4 to report COFI/09/24 be approved. (v) That the 2022/23 Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy outlined in Appendix 5 and Appendix 5a be approved. (vi) That the recommended council tax resolution for 2024/25 contained in Annex 1 be approved. Reason for decisions To enable the Council to determine its revenue budget for 2024/25 and set the council tax for that year.
RESOLVED – (i) That Option 3 (Asset Life Annuity Method) be used for calculating MRP on Council Fund outstanding supported and unsupported borrowing as at 31 March 2023. This represents a change from Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method) as approved by Council on 15 February 2023. (ii) That Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method 50 years) be used for calculating HRA MRP on outstanding unsupported borrowing incurred prior to 1 April 2021 as at 31 March 2023. This represents a change from Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method 25 years) as approved by Council on 15 February 2023. (iii) That for Invest to Save loans, Option 3 (Asset Life Annuity Method) be used for calculating MRP. This is a change from the previous MRP Policy whereby MRP on Invest to Save loans was determined by the actual loan repayments. Reason for decisions To enable the Council to make a prudent provision for the repayment of debt.
RESOLVED – (i) That Mrs Alison Fisher to be appointed as a co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee with an entitlement to speak but not vote on education issues. The term of office will be for a period of two years and will expire at the end of February 2026. (ii) That Lyn Tracey Roberts be appointed as parent governor statutory co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee representing the Primary sector with an entitlement to vote on education issues only. The term of office will be for a period of two years and will expire at the end of February 2026. (iii) That the vacancy for the secondary representative be noted. In accordance with legislation, the Authority must seek nomination again within one year of the vacancy having arisen and at six monthly intervals thereafter, until the vacancy is filled. (iv) That, as no nominations have been received to represent ALN provision, Council change the ALN representative from a statutory voting co-opted parent governor, to an ordinary non-voting co-opted member to represent ALN, to enable the nominations to be widened to other school governors. Reasons for decisions (i) To meet the statutory requirement to have representation of Parent Governor representatives on the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. (ii) To consider the co-option of an additional non-voting co-opted member of the Committee who has previous experience of representing both primary and secondary education during her previous terms of office as a statutory parent governor co-opted member. (iii) To consider widening the nominations from ALN parent governors to other school governors to increase opportunity to fill the vacant position for a representative of ALN.
RESOLVED – (i) That the draft Statement of Gambling Policy be approved. (ii) That at 6.21 of the Policy Document the Local elected Member is included as a consultee. Reason for decision To comply with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Gary Brown, Mike Morris and Andy Williams.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Agenda Item – 7 – Revenue Budget and Council Tax Setting 2024/25 Councillors Bryan Apsley, Mike Davies, Marc Jones, Beverley Parry , Rondo Roberts and Paul Rogers - Personal - Members of the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. The Councillors remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon. Councillor I David Bithell MBE - Personal - Employed by the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. The Councillors remained in the meeting taking part in the discussion and voting thereon.
Correction to Minute 20 December 2023 - Minute 44 – Adoption of the Local Development Plan (The following paragraph’s to be included in the minute) A Member sought advice as to whether a vote was necessary in light of the fact that there had already been a determination by the Court that Wrexham County Borough Council must adopt the LDP. In the absence of legal documentation which provided the reasoning behind this court ruling he proposed that consideration of the item be deferred. The Chief Officer Governance and Customer confirmed that a deferment would lead to additional costs being incurred by the Local Authority. She stressed that the Court Order had been received and Wrexham CBC had a duty to comply with this Order. Full details of the judgement would be received in due course. RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meetings of the County Borough Council held on 13 and 20 December 2023 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the aforementioned amendment.
The Mayor advised that the annual St David’s Day Parade would be taking place in the city centre on Friday 1 March. The parade was always well supported by schools and the local community. She encouraged Members to join the parade if they were able to do so. Those participating in the parade should assemble along the Guildhall driveway from 12.45 p.m. Further celebrations would take place on Queens Square following the dispersal of the parade.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the budget totalling £318,669,885 be approved. (ii) That the Authority’s council tax for 2024/25 for Band D is set at £1,594.75 in respect of its general expenses and in respect of the special expenses for footway lighting a charge of £7.16 on the town centre community areas of Acton, Caia Park, Offa and Rhosddu, £24.46 on the community of Llangollen Rural, £18.62 on the community of Glyntraian and £16.05 on the community of Chirk. (iii) That any additional funding received following publication of the Local Government Final Settlement will be applied as prescribed or used to provide additional inflation contingency cover. (iv) That the Medium Term Financial Plan including the Council’s Reserve Strategy outlined in Appendix 4 to report COFI/09/24 be approved. (v) That the 2022/23 Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy outlined in Appendix 5 and Appendix 5a be approved. (vi) That the recommended council tax resolution for 2024/25 contained in Annex 1 be approved. Reason for decisions To enable the Council to determine its revenue budget for 2024/25 and set the council tax for that year.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 46 above) The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report COFI/09/24 which enabled members to agree the 2024/25 revenue budget in accordance with the recommendations of the Executive Board. The report also set the council tax for the financial year beginning 1 April 2024. During the ensuing debate a number of Members raised concerns in respect of the additional unspecified cuts required in the coming year. Particular concern was raised with regards to the proposed cuts to the school budget and the impact of the council tax increase for residents of Wrexham who were already struggling through a cost of living crisis. Assurances were also sought in relation to a number of issues including future management around underfunding of services versus service demand pressures, best use of public funding and recovery of monies due to mitigate against expenditure for qualified accounts. The Lead Member for Finance and Performance and Chief Officer Finance & ICT responded to the questions and concerns raised accordingly. It was noted that Members would have an opportunity to continue to monitor the budget situation via future reports to Executive Board and Scrutiny Committees. RESOLVED – (i) That the budget totalling £318,669,885 be approved. (ii) That the Authority’s council tax for 2024/25 for Band D is set at £1,594.75 in respect of its general expenses and in respect of the special expenses for footway lighting a charge of £7.16 on the town centre community areas of Acton, Caia Park, Offa and Rhosddu, £24.46 on the community of Llangollen Rural, £18.62 on the community of Glyntraian and £16.05 on the community of Chirk. (iii) That any additional funding received following publication of the Local Government Final Settlement will be applied as prescribed or used to provide additional inflation contingency cover. (iv) That the Medium Term Financial Plan including the Council’s Reserve Strategy outlined in Appendix 4 to report COFI/09/24 be approved. (v) That the 2022/23 Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy outlined in Appendix 5 and Appendix 5a be approved. (vi) That the recommended council tax resolution for 2024/25 contained in Annex 1 be approved. Reason for decisions To enable the Council to determine its revenue budget for 2024/25 and set the council tax for that year.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That Option 3 (Asset Life Annuity Method) be used for calculating MRP on Council Fund outstanding supported and unsupported borrowing as at 31 March 2023. This represents a change from Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method) as approved by Council on 15 February 2023. (ii) That Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method 50 years) be used for calculating HRA MRP on outstanding unsupported borrowing incurred prior to 1 April 2021 as at 31 March 2023. This represents a change from Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method 25 years) as approved by Council on 15 February 2023. (iii) That for Invest to Save loans, Option 3 (Asset Life Annuity Method) be used for calculating MRP. This is a change from the previous MRP Policy whereby MRP on Invest to Save loans was determined by the actual loan repayments. Reason for decisions To enable the Council to make a prudent provision for the repayment of debt.
The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report COFI/10/24 which sought approval for a revision to the MRP Policy for 2023/24. RESOLVED – (i) That Option 3 (Asset Life Annuity Method) be used for calculating MRP on Council Fund outstanding supported and unsupported borrowing as at 31 March 2023. This represents a change from Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method) as approved by Council on 15 February 2023. (ii) That Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method 50 years) be used for calculating HRA MRP on outstanding unsupported borrowing incurred prior to 1 April 2021 as at 31 March 2023. This represents a change from Option 3 (Asset Life Straight Line Method 25 years) as approved by Council on 15 February 2023. (iii) That for Invest to Save loans, Option 3 (Asset Life Annuity Method) be used for calculating MRP. This is a change from the previous MRP Policy whereby MRP on Invest to Save loans was determined by the actual loan repayments. Reason for decisions To enable the Council to make a prudent provision for the repayment of debt.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That Mrs Alison Fisher to be appointed as a co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee with an entitlement to speak but not vote on education issues. The term of office will be for a period of two years and will expire at the end of February 2026. (ii) That Lyn Tracey Roberts be appointed as parent governor statutory co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee representing the Primary sector with an entitlement to vote on education issues only. The term of office will be for a period of two years and will expire at the end of February 2026. (iii) That the vacancy for the secondary representative be noted. In accordance with legislation, the Authority must seek nomination again within one year of the vacancy having arisen and at six monthly intervals thereafter, until the vacancy is filled. (iv) That, as no nominations have been received to represent ALN provision, Council change the ALN representative from a statutory voting co-opted parent governor, to an ordinary non-voting co-opted member to represent ALN, to enable the nominations to be widened to other school governors. Reasons for decisions (i) To meet the statutory requirement to have representation of Parent Governor representatives on the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. (ii) To consider the co-option of an additional non-voting co-opted member of the Committee who has previous experience of representing both primary and secondary education during her previous terms of office as a statutory parent governor co-opted member. (iii) To consider widening the nominations from ALN parent governors to other school governors to increase opportunity to fill the vacant position for a representative of ALN.
The Lead Member for Corporate Services submitted a report COGC/09/24 allowing Members to consider a review of the Co-opted membership of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee RESOLVED – (i) That Mrs Alison Fisher to be appointed as a co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee with an entitlement to speak but not vote on education issues. The term of office will be for a period of two years and will expire at the end of February 2026. (ii) That Lyn Tracey Roberts be appointed as parent governor statutory co-opted member of the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee representing the Primary sector with an entitlement to vote on education issues only. The term of office will be for a period of two years and will expire at the end of February 2026. (iii) That the vacancy for the secondary representative be noted. In accordance with legislation, the Authority must seek nomination again within one year of the vacancy having arisen and at six monthly intervals thereafter, until the vacancy is filled. (iv) That, as no nominations have been received to represent ALN provision, Council change the ALN representative from a statutory voting co-opted parent governor, to an ordinary non-voting co-opted member to represent ALN, to enable the nominations to be widened to other school governors. Reasons for decisions (i) To meet the statutory requirement to have representation of Parent Governor representatives on the Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. (ii) To consider the co-option of an additional non-voting co-opted member of the Committee who has previous experience of representing both primary and secondary education during her previous terms of office as a statutory parent governor co-opted member. (iii) To consider widening the nominations from ALN parent governors to other school governors to increase opportunity to fill the vacant position for a representative of ALN.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the draft Statement of Gambling Policy be approved. (ii) That at 6.21 of the Policy Document the Local elected Member is included as a consultee. Reason for decision To comply with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.
The Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Public Protection submitted a report COEP/10/24 allowing Members to consider the Draft Statement of Gambling Policy for implementation. RESOLVED – (i) That the draft Statement of Gambling Policy be approved. (ii) That at 6.21 of the Policy Document the Local elected Member is included as a consultee. Reason for decision To comply with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.
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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