Latest news with #FlintshireCountyCouncil
Leader Live
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Leader Live
MS shares an update on the Coastal Path in Flintshire
MS for North Wales As Chair of the Senedd's Cross-Party Group on Disability, I met Amnesty International UK's Government and Political Relations Manager - Wales to discuss how we might ensure that the rights of disabled people are given proper legal effect in Wales. I also met with Wrexham-based Community Organising Charity TCC and other members of the coalition of organisations campaigning for the removal of barriers along the Wales Coastal Path in Flintshire, for discussion on further action. I have been working with disabled people and others across Flintshire for a decade, seeking to work with Flintshire County Council to remove all barriers along the Wales Coastal Path that are managed by the Council, allowing access for all. The current situation contravenes both the UK Equality Act (2010) and the legal and policy frameworks of the Welsh Government and Flintshire County Council itself. It was a pleasure to visit the 2025 Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells, where I was a member of the Gylfinir Cymru/Curlew Wales Panel as Wales Species Champion for the Curlew. My other meetings and visits there included, Adferiad, the member-led charity operating services across every constituency in Wales, that campaigns for and provides services to people with mental health, addiction, and co-occurring and complex needs; British Veterinary Association's Welsh Branch Reception as one of their Honorary Associate Members; The British Army Stand, to meet serving personnel, explore interactive displays, and learn more about the Army's contribution to Welsh society; Farmers' Union of Wales (FUW), to discuss the significant issues facing Welsh Agriculture at the moment; and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), to discuss some of their recent work and my priorities and concerns, and to meet their Senior Leadership team and area specialists. The Senedd's Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee, which I Chair, has identified significant failings in the Welsh Government's handling of the acquisition of Gilestone Farm, near Talybont-on-Usk in Powys. In March 2022, the government paid £4.25m for the freehold of the Farm, as part of a plan to secure the future of Greenman Festival held nearby. There has since been a £0.5 million drop in the asset's value. The Committee's report, published on Monday (28th July) highlights that the purchase was rushed due to end-of-year budget pressures, resulting in avoidable mistakes. To ensure lessons are learned, the Committee will want to carry out further work looking at the Welsh Government's approach to property investments, to assess whether current processes are sufficiently rigorous and fit for purpose. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Leader Live
Flintshire County Council warn residents about text scam
Flintshire County Council say they've received reports of a scam in which residents are being sent texts about Penalty Charge Notices. The local authority has confirmed that they do not contact people about parking fines over text, and instead it would be in the post. Residents have been warned not to click on the link in the texts, which reportedly leads to a fake website. MOST READ: Council issue list of roads set to be reverted to 30mph in Flintshire next month Why Wrexham chippy offering free chips to kids all summer has had to change rules Actor and author set to appear at event in Flintshire next week A spokesperson for Flintshire County Council said: "We have received reports of a scam where people are sent a text about paying for a Penalty Charge Notice (PCN), which takes you to a fake website. "We do NOT contact people by text about parking fines. "If you have received a PCN, you will receive all correspondence by post. If you are unsure, visit our website."
Leader Live
17-07-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Flintshire social services highlight urgent need for new foster carers
The issue came up as Flintshire's Social and Health Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the mid-term review of the Council Plan 2025-30 on Thursday. There are around 260 children in foster care in Flintshire looked after by 83 foster families. Some of those foster families are 'connected persons' – people with a family link to the children in their care like grandparents. Others are 'general foster carers'. These are people who take in any children in need of stability and care on behalf of Flintshire County Council. The authority has a strong track record of providing high quality support for children in foster care, but is facing difficulty recruiting new families. In 2024/25 Flintshire's recruitment target was 12 new families to meet demand. It approved just three general foster carers and two connected persons. Concerned about the low recruitment level, Brynford and Halkyn councillor Fran Lister asked: 'Is there a good retention of foster carers? Since Covid lots of people may be using spare rooms to work in and I'm just wondering whether the foster care market has declined since then and if we need to take that into account. 'The target was 12, there was five this year which is obviously nowhere near what we need. Is there any more we can do to recruit foster carers that are so desperately needed?' Outreach work is ongoing according to Jane Davies, Senior Manager for Safeguarding and Commissioning in Flintshire Social Services. But low numbers of applicants and the challenge of approving those suitable to foster has posed difficulties for Flintshire's fostering team. 'The demographic has changed – some existing foster carers have got older and have retired or are now looking after their own grandchildren so that has had an impact,' she said. 'We have also had less people coming forward as new foster carers. Part of that is lifestyle and expectations since Covid. 'It's not for everybody, it's a really difficult role and you have to be a certain sort of person to be a foster carer.' Ms Davies added that Flintshire was actively reaching out to promote its in-house foster care service to attract more applicants. 'We have policies to encourage our own council staff to become foster carers and supportive mechanisms to assist with that, we offer council tax discretion as in other North Wales authorities and we have a dedicated officer within the fostering team who supports promoting the service through social media and advertising. 'The fostering team, which is based in Flint, will have a presence at the Eisteddfod in Wrexham in three weeks. They will also have a presence at the Royal Welsh Show. 'There people will be able to go and learn more about becoming foster carers, understand better what it entails. 'It's important we get into lots of places and there is lots of activity around this to promote fostering.'
Leader Live
10-07-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Flintshire grant scheme supports over 300 local groups
Flintshire County Council's Community Chest scheme offers grants of up to £1,000 to third sector groups delivering projects and activities that benefit residents and enrich community life. Funded by the council and administered by Flintshire Local Voluntary Council (FLVC) since 2015, the scheme has awarded more than 300 grants to date. Damian Hughes, corporate manager for capital programme and assets at Flintshire County Council, said: "It's great to see so many organisations benefitting from this scheme to do good in our communities." Supported projects include sports clubs, childcare organisations, training programmes, and improvements to community facilities such as village halls. In July 2024, council members backed the continuation of the Community Chest scheme, subject to a review in 2024/25. Following the review, the application form has been updated to help organisations provide clearer information and streamline the decision-making process. READ MORE: Summer fun, school band and more Leader photo memories Heather Hicks, third sector development officer at FLVC, said: "Flintshire Local Voluntary Council is proud to be part of the Community Chest programme – a fantastic and valuable scheme that supports local organisations doing vital work in our communities. "We're pleased to administer this fund on behalf of Flintshire County Council." Councillor Linda Thomas, cabinet member for customer and corporate services, said: "The Community Chest is a great scheme supporting our communities to thrive. "I'm pleased that we can continue to provide this opportunity to our third sector organisations and I would encourage those who are eligible, to apply." Organisations interested in applying for funding can find more information on the scheme on the council's website.
Leader Live
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Flintshire Council accused of ‘assault on scrutiny' over CJC amendment
The North Wales CJC is responsible for strategic planning and transport across the region. Made up of senior leaders from each of the six North Wales councils, it makes cross-border strategic decisions for the benefit of the whole of North Wales. But Flintshire County Council's ruling executive coalition has forced through a motion barring opposition councillors from sitting on the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) that will monitor the work of the CJC. Flintshire's Democratic Services Committee advised the council to appoint a member of the council's executive group and one non-executive member – in other words an opposition councillor – to the JOSC to ensure Flintshire's representatives offered differing, balanced perspectives. But opposition councillors were stunned as cabinet member Cllr Paul Johnson tabled an amendment to exclude them from the scrutiny committee. Mr Owens' original recommendation was that the authority 'agrees the political balance of Flintshire County Council's nominees to the joint overview and scrutiny committee will reflect the membership of Flintshire County Council rather than the membership of all North Wales councils in aggregate, where one seat shall be reserved to a councillor who is not a member of an executive group'. Cllr Johnson's amendment removed the reservation of a single seat for an opposition councillor from Flintshire on the committee. 'I believe making these changes will ensure there will be clear leadership and direction from representatives of council on the joint committee,' he said. 'This will benefit this council's engagement with that committee.' Deputy leader of the council Cllr Richard Jones seconded the move. 'We need to be fully engaged with the process and ensure we represent our residents in the best possible way. The changes alter what was advised by the Democratic Services Committee but we believe this will benefit process and provide the appropriate leadership which is required.' The move was greeted with fury by Flintshire's opposition councillors. 'This is a dangerous assault on scrutiny,' said Flintshire People's Voice councillor Alasdair Ibbotson. 'It is not at all acceptable that scrutiny committees exclude opposition members. 'I trust the removal of that part is an oversight by Cllr Johnson and Cllr Jones so I move an amendment to reinstate that one of the seats be allocated to the administration groups and one to opposition groups. 'I trust they will accept that amendment. If they fail to do so they will be attempting to establish a precedent whereby the administration can mark its own homework with no opportunity for anybody else to be involved. 'It is that kind of behaviour which is liable to invite commissioners from the Welsh Government to assess the health of our democracy. Do not invite them in. 'If you set a precedent that opposition members are not to be involved in scrutiny, this will come back to bite you when you sit in opposition. Show courtesy, respect democracy and support this amendment.' Cllr Ibbotson's attempt to restore the original recommendation was however defeated while the coalition supported Cllr Johnson's change prompting anger from opposition councillors. Cllr Ibbotson's FPV colleague Cllr Sam Swash said: ' Provide leadership? The people of Flintshire are crying out for some leadership from this coalition. 'We're told you can't manage the job in Flintshire but you can manage it across North Wales? Get a grip.' 'I think it's a real shame this is the way the administration is behaving,' added Liberal Democrat Cllr David Coggins Cogan. 'I'm sick to death of being approached outside this chamber and being told 'there's not that much difference between the Lib Dems and Labour, let's work together'. 'One difference is that we believe in democracy. I think it's a disgrace. There's no good reason for it and I'm ashamed to be a member of the council if this is the way we are being led.' True Independents' leader Cllr Carol Ellis said: 'I'm quite shocked really. We stood here and clapped when Lord Barry Jones called us the best authority in Wales. 'This is not the behaviour of the best authority in Wales, to try and exclude democracy, exclude scrutiny. It's absolutely disgusting. Democracy has gone out of the window and scrutiny has been removed – why? 'I don't think this coalition wants scrutiny – but we will scrutinise and continue to challenge. Don't think we are going to die, we are not.' Fellow True Independent Cllr Mike Peers added his voice to the chorus of opposition. 'I think the proposal is quite despicable. It is clearly an attack on the opposition. They want us to play no part in this authority.' Despite their protestations Cllr Johnson's amendment was carried by the coalition vote – meaning only members of the coalition will represent Flintshire on the JOSC to oversee the North Wales CJC's work.
