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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 the report, along with the Annual Letter, be endorsed and the Council’s performance within be noted. Reason for decision To enable Members to review the Council’s performance in responding to customer complaints.
RESOLVED – (i) That Members support the 2024/25 budgetary forecast for the year based on the position as at 30 September. (ii) That the change to in-year savings as set out in paragraph 2.10 of report COFI/37/24 be approved. Reason for decision To ensure robust budget monitoring arrangements for the financial year and that action is taken to address the budget pressures forecast.
RESOLVED – (i) That the Treasury Management Semi-Annual Review 2024-25 report be recommended to full Council. (ii) That the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices, as detailed in Appendix 2 to report COFI/39/24, be recommended to full Council. Reason for decisions To comply with the CIPFA Prudential Code and Code of Practice on Treasury Management.
RESOLVED - That the Quarter 2 Capital Programme for 2024/25 as detailed in appendices 1, 2 and 3 to report COFI/38/24 be approved. Reason for decision This report follows an earlier monitoring report in July in compliance with Financial Regulation 3.13 that requires that the Chief Officer Finance & ICT monitors and reports to Members on the Capital Programme.
RESOLVED – (i) That Officers be given approval to consult with the relevant parties regarding the proposal to reduce the Published Admission Number at Acton CP, Wat’s Dyke CP and Barker’s Lane CP. (ii) That Executive Board Members receive a further report in April 2025 which will detail feedback from the consultation and seek their approval for a preferred way forward. Reason for decisions (i) The Council has a duty to ensure that the children and young people of Wrexham are being afforded the education and learning opportunities they deserve, which includes providing suitable learning environments and monitoring the demand for school places. (ii) To improve the suitability and viability of the school estate. (iii) To develop sustainable learning environments.
RESOLVED – (i) That Officers be given approval to consult with the relevant parties regarding the proposal to change the status of Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn from a mainstream nursery school to a primary special school and to change the age range from 3-4 to 3-7. (ii) That Executive Board Members receive a further report in April 2025 which will detail feedback from the consultation and seek their approval for a preferred way forward. Reasons for decisions (i) The Council has a duty to ensure that the children and young people of Wrexham are being afforded the education and learning opportunities they deserve, which includes providing suitable learning environments and monitoring the demand for school places. (ii) To improve the suitability and viability of the school estate. (iii) To develop sustainable learning environments.
RESOLVED – (i) That the adoption of the Local Housing Market Assessment be supported, in order to comply with the legal duty for local authorities to have an up to date Local Housing Market Assessment in place. (ii) That the draft Local Housing Market Assessment as detailed in Appendix 1 to report COH/42/24 be noted. (iii) That the use of the 10 year migration variant be approved as the most up to date data available for estimating future housing need. (iv) That the Local Housing Market Assessment be adopted by Wrexham County Borough Council as its revised Local Housing Assessment, and that it be subsequently submitted to Welsh Government and published on the Council’s website. (v) That a review of the document be carried out within 2 years and a revised version be presented to Executive Board. Reasons for decisions (i) Agreeing to adopt the draft LHMA will ensure that the Council complies with the legal requirement under section 8 of the Housing Act 1985, to review the level of housing need in the County Borough on a periodic basis. (ii) An updated assessment of local housing need will provide the Council’s Planning Officers with the information needed to inform further revisions of the Council’s current Local Development Plan, in terms of the types of housing that are needed and the areas where need is most pressing. (iii) It will enable officers in the Housing Department, who are engaged in development work, to make best use of resources such as Social Housing Grant by providing a sound basis for the Council’s new build and buyback programmes. (iv) It will, furthermore, ensure that there is revised housing need data that can be used to inform discussions with Housing Associations when they are looking to carry out new build projects or purchase properties off current sites. (v) Executive Board’s agreement to using the 10 year migration variant as the basis for estimating future demand, will ensure that the LHMA aligns with the Council’s aspirations for economic growth as set out in strategic documents such as the Council Plan. (vi) By reviewing the document within 2 years and presenting a revised LHMA to Executive Board, members will have an overview of how the housing situation is changing in the County Borough, over time.
RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 October 2024 be signed as a correct record.
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 declaration was made: Agenda Item 6 – 2024/25 Quarter 2 Revenue Budget Update Councillor Brian Cameron – Personal and Prejudicial – LEA School Governor. The Councillor remained in the meeting and claimed an exemption under Paragraph 12(2) of the Members’ Code of Conduct taking part in the discussion thereon.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the report, along with the Annual Letter, be endorsed and the Council’s performance within be noted. Reason for decision To enable Members to review the Council’s performance in responding to customer complaints.
The Lead Member for Corporate and Customer Services submitted a report (COGC/81/24) to inform Members of the Public Ombudsman for Wales Annual Letter 2023/24 as required by the Ombudsman. RESOLVED – That the report, along with the Annual Letter, be endorsed and the Council’s performance within be noted. Reason for decision To enable Members to review the Council’s performance in responding to customer complaints.
The Leader vacated the Chair, and the Vice-Chair, Councillor David A Bithell, presided over the next items on the Agenda to enable the Leader to present Agenda items 6 to 8 in his capacity as Lead Member for Finance and Performance. (Councillor David A Bithell in the Chair)
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That Members support the 2024/25 budgetary forecast for the year based on the position as at 30 September. (ii) That the change to in-year savings as set out in paragraph 2.10 of report COFI/37/24 be approved. Reason for decision To ensure robust budget monitoring arrangements for the financial year and that action is taken to address the budget pressures forecast.
(Members declarations of interest in relation to this item are set out in Minute 57 above) The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report (COFI/37/24) to inform Members of the Council’s 2024/25 current budgetary position as at 30 September, 2024, including the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A discussion ensued and the following points were highlighted during the debate: · Confirmation that there were variations between Schools due to individual pressures and spending plans. Work was ongoing with the School Budget Forum, and one of their objectives would be to address any instances where formulas needed to be applied. · Reminder that pay settlements for Teachers hadn’t yet been finalised. · Recognition that the school admission numbers were lower due to a reduced birth rate, which resulted in less funding being received. RESOLVED – (i) That Members support the 2024/25 budgetary forecast for the year based on the position as at 30 September. (ii) That the change to in-year savings as set out in paragraph 2.10 of report COFI/37/24 be approved. Reason for decision To ensure robust budget monitoring arrangements for the financial year and that action is taken to address the budget pressures forecast.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the Treasury Management Semi-Annual Review 2024-25 report be recommended to full Council. (ii) That the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices, as detailed in Appendix 2 to report COFI/39/24, be recommended to full Council. Reason for decisions To comply with the CIPFA Prudential Code and Code of Practice on Treasury Management.
The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report (COFI/39/24) to review the Semi-Annual Treasury Management activity for 2024/25 and the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement and Practices. RESOLVED – (i) That the Treasury Management Semi-Annual Review 2024-25 report be recommended to full Council. (ii) That the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement and Treasury Management Practices, as detailed in Appendix 2 to report COFI/39/24, be recommended to full Council. Reason for decisions To comply with the CIPFA Prudential Code and Code of Practice on Treasury Management.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - That the Quarter 2 Capital Programme for 2024/25 as detailed in appendices 1, 2 and 3 to report COFI/38/24 be approved. Reason for decision This report follows an earlier monitoring report in July in compliance with Financial Regulation 3.13 that requires that the Chief Officer Finance & ICT monitors and reports to Members on the Capital Programme.
The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report (COFI/38/24) asking Members to review the 2024/25 Capital Programme position as at the end of Quarter 2 2024/25. RESOLVED - That the Quarter 2 Capital Programme for 2024/25 as detailed in appendices 1, 2 and 3 to report COFI/38/24 be approved. Reason for decision This report follows an earlier monitoring report in July in compliance with Financial Regulation 3.13 that requires that the Chief Officer Finance & ICT monitors and reports to Members on the Capital Programme.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Mark Pritchard, resumed Chair of the Meeting from this point in the proceedings.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That Officers be given approval to consult with the relevant parties regarding the proposal to reduce the Published Admission Number at Acton CP, Wat’s Dyke CP and Barker’s Lane CP. (ii) That Executive Board Members receive a further report in April 2025 which will detail feedback from the consultation and seek their approval for a preferred way forward. Reason for decisions (i) The Council has a duty to ensure that the children and young people of Wrexham are being afforded the education and learning opportunities they deserve, which includes providing suitable learning environments and monitoring the demand for school places. (ii) To improve the suitability and viability of the school estate. (iii) To develop sustainable learning environments.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COEEI/15/24) to seek approval to begin a period of consultation relating to a reduction in the Published Admission Number (PAN) at 3 primary schools, with effect from September 2026. The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. Responding to a number of questions, he advised that long term planning issues were considered during the process as major housing developments would impact on school admissions. RESOLVED – (i) That Officers be given approval to consult with the relevant parties regarding the proposal to reduce the Published Admission Number at Acton CP, Wat’s Dyke CP and Barker’s Lane CP. (ii) That Executive Board Members receive a further report in April 2025 which will detail feedback from the consultation and seek their approval for a preferred way forward. Reason for decisions (i) The Council has a duty to ensure that the children and young people of Wrexham are being afforded the education and learning opportunities they deserve, which includes providing suitable learning environments and monitoring the demand for school places. (ii) To improve the suitability and viability of the school estate. (iii) To develop sustainable learning environments.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That Officers be given approval to consult with the relevant parties regarding the proposal to change the status of Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn from a mainstream nursery school to a primary special school and to change the age range from 3-4 to 3-7. (ii) That Executive Board Members receive a further report in April 2025 which will detail feedback from the consultation and seek their approval for a preferred way forward. Reasons for decisions (i) The Council has a duty to ensure that the children and young people of Wrexham are being afforded the education and learning opportunities they deserve, which includes providing suitable learning environments and monitoring the demand for school places. (ii) To improve the suitability and viability of the school estate. (iii) To develop sustainable learning environments.
The Lead Member for Education submitted a report (COEEI/16/24) to seek approval to begin a period of consultation relating to changing the status of Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn from a mainstream nursery school to a primary special school, and changing the age range from 3 – 4 to 3 – 7 with effect from September 2025. RESOLVED – (i) That Officers be given approval to consult with the relevant parties regarding the proposal to change the status of Ysgol Cae’r Gwenyn from a mainstream nursery school to a primary special school and to change the age range from 3-4 to 3-7. (ii) That Executive Board Members receive a further report in April 2025 which will detail feedback from the consultation and seek their approval for a preferred way forward. Reasons for decisions (i) The Council has a duty to ensure that the children and young people of Wrexham are being afforded the education and learning opportunities they deserve, which includes providing suitable learning environments and monitoring the demand for school places. (ii) To improve the suitability and viability of the school estate. (iii) To develop sustainable learning environments.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – (i) That the adoption of the Local Housing Market Assessment be supported, in order to comply with the legal duty for local authorities to have an up to date Local Housing Market Assessment in place. (ii) That the draft Local Housing Market Assessment as detailed in Appendix 1 to report COH/42/24 be noted. (iii) That the use of the 10 year migration variant be approved as the most up to date data available for estimating future housing need. (iv) That the Local Housing Market Assessment be adopted by Wrexham County Borough Council as its revised Local Housing Assessment, and that it be subsequently submitted to Welsh Government and published on the Council’s website. (v) That a review of the document be carried out within 2 years and a revised version be presented to Executive Board. Reasons for decisions (i) Agreeing to adopt the draft LHMA will ensure that the Council complies with the legal requirement under section 8 of the Housing Act 1985, to review the level of housing need in the County Borough on a periodic basis. (ii) An updated assessment of local housing need will provide the Council’s Planning Officers with the information needed to inform further revisions of the Council’s current Local Development Plan, in terms of the types of housing that are needed and the areas where need is most pressing. (iii) It will enable officers in the Housing Department, who are engaged in development work, to make best use of resources such as Social Housing Grant by providing a sound basis for the Council’s new build and buyback programmes. (iv) It will, furthermore, ensure that there is revised housing need data that can be used to inform discussions with Housing Associations when they are looking to carry out new build projects or purchase properties off current sites. (v) Executive Board’s agreement to using the 10 year migration variant as the basis for estimating future demand, will ensure that the LHMA aligns with the Council’s aspirations for economic growth as set out in strategic documents such as the Council Plan. (vi) By reviewing the document within 2 years and presenting a revised LHMA to Executive Board, members will have an overview of how the housing situation is changing in the County Borough, over time.
The Lead Member for Housing and Climate Change and the Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Public Protection submitted a report (COH/42/24) to provide Members with an overview of the requirement to produce and approve a Local Housing Market Assessment so that it can be made available on the Council’s website and submitted to Welsh Government. The Lead Member presented the report and highlighted the main points contained within it. A debate ensued and the following points were raised: · Clarification sought regarding the work undertaken to bring empty properties back into use. · Confirmation that the Housing Needs Assessment feeds into the Local Development Plan, but it was noted that the Plan was prepared a number of years ago so figures relating to housing had changed as the process evolved. RESOLVED – (i) That the adoption of the Local Housing Market Assessment be supported, in order to comply with the legal duty for local authorities to have an up to date Local Housing Market Assessment in place. (ii) That the draft Local Housing Market Assessment as detailed in Appendix 1 to report COH/42/24 be noted. (iii) That the use of the 10 year migration variant be approved as the most up to date data available for estimating future housing need. (iv) That the Local Housing Market Assessment be adopted by Wrexham County Borough Council as its revised Local Housing Assessment, and that it be subsequently submitted to Welsh Government and published on the Council’s website. (v) That a review of the document be carried out within 2 years and a revised version be presented to Executive Board. Reasons for decisions (i) Agreeing to adopt the draft LHMA will ensure that the Council complies with the legal requirement under section 8 of the Housing Act 1985, to review the level of housing need in the County Borough on a periodic basis. (ii) An updated assessment of local housing need will provide the Council’s Planning Officers with the information needed to inform further revisions of the Council’s current Local Development Plan, in terms of the types of housing that are needed and the areas where need is most pressing. (iii) It will enable officers in the Housing Department, who are engaged in development work, to make best use of resources such as Social Housing Grant by providing a sound basis for the Council’s new build and buyback programmes. (iv) It will, furthermore, ensure that there is revised housing need data that can be used to inform discussions with Housing Associations when they are looking to carry out new build projects or purchase properties off current sites. (v) Executive Board’s agreement to using the 10 year migration variant as the basis for estimating future demand, will ensure that the LHMA aligns with the Council’s aspirations for economic growth as set out in strategic documents such as the Council Plan. (vi) By reviewing the document within 2 years and presenting a revised LHMA to Executive Board, members will have an overview of how the housing situation is changing in the County Borough, over time.
RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the Meeting during consideration of the following items as it is likely that, if they were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 14 and 15 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).
The Leader vacated the Chair, and the Vice-Chair, Councillor David A Bithell, presided for the remainder of the meeting to enable the Leader to present Agenda item 15 in his capacity as Lead Member for Finance and Performance. (Councillor David A Bithell in the Chair)
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