The Environment and Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee met on 9 September 2025, and members discussed the Connect to Work programme, the leasing of car parking spaces for vehicle charging, and a review of access control barriers. The committee supported the new Council Plan 2025-2030, and also supported recommendations to Cabinet regarding school parking issues.

School Parking Task and Finish Group Recommendations

The committee supported the recommendations from the School Parking Task and Finish Group to be sent to the Cabinet. These recommendations include:

• Adopting a protocol for parking issues outside schools and circulating it to all schools in Flintshire.
• Implementing a matrix for prioritising schools.
• Requiring all schools to produce a school travel plan, showcasing best practices or providing a standard template.
• Setting up a panel to assess complaints and determine actions based on the established protocol.
• Exploring the use of vehicle-mounted ANPR¹ technology to enhance existing civil parking enforcement activities.

Councillor Mike Peers proposed an additional recommendation, which was seconded, stating that further work is required on the five-minute parking grace period in restricted areas. Following implementation of the protocol, a pilot scheme will take place at two schools.

School Transport Task and Finish Group

The committee agreed to establish a Task & Finish Group to review the discretionary element of the School Transport Policy, as outlined in the terms of reference. Councillors David Evans, Mike Peers, Roy Wakelam and Richard Lloyd were nominated to represent the committee on the task and finish group.

Connect to Work Programme

The committee received an update on the development of the Connect to Work programme and agreed to grant delegated authority to the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy), in consultation with the Cabinet Member, to undertake further development work on the programme, where resources allow. This will enable a fully costed proposal to be brought back to scrutiny before Cabinet approval.

Councillor David Coggins Cogan proposed, and Councillor Mike Peers seconded, that the programme be designed to fit within the existing budget. It was agreed that a report would be brought back to the committee when the proposal has been fully costed, prior to final approval by the Cabinet. The committee also approved a request that Denbighshire County Council act as the Accountable Body for North Wales for the programme. Delegated authority was given to the Chief Officer (Governance) and Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy), in consultation with the respective Cabinet Member, to establish a partnership agreement to govern the relationship.

Leasing Car Parking Spaces for Vehicle Charging

The committee considered the feasibility of leasing car parking spaces to third-party companies for vehicle charging. The committee noted the report, recognising the relative benefits, disadvantages, and risks. They also noted the limitations associated with private sector interest and supported the recommended next steps, agreeing that this should be pursued by the council via the Welsh Government and the Corporate Joint Committee². Councillor Mike Peers requested, and the Transportation Manager agreed to provide, statistics on the usage of car parking spaces that are leased out for vehicle charging.

Council Plan 2025-2030

The committee supported the new Council Plan 2025-2030 and the Council Plan Part 2 document, which outlines the actions and measures that underpin the priorities and well-being objectives of the plan. Councillor David Healey proposed, and Councillor Richard Lloyd seconded, that a reference be included in the plan referring to rural resilience within the actions and measures. The Enterprise and Regeneration Manager agreed to pursue this with the Performance Team.

Review of Access Control Barriers

The committee received an update on the progress of the removal and review of access control barriers across the Flintshire active travel network. The committee noted the progress update and supported the work undertaken to increase accessibility on the active travel network in Flintshire. They also noted the proposed joint public relations approach in partnership with Sustrans and Transport for Wales.

Shared Prosperity Fund 2022-2025

The committee received a final report on the delivery and achievements of the Shared Prosperity Fund programme. Councillor David Coggins Cogan proposed that the committee support the achievements of Flintshire County Council and other project sponsors in delivering the 2022/25 programme, and that the 2025/26 programme be discussed and comments reported to Cabinet. The recommendations were seconded and carried.

Food Service Plan

The committee agreed to support the approval of the Food Service Plan 2025-26 and provide any comments to Cabinet.

Fleet Street Organisational Structure Review

The committee noted the proposed organisational structure in principle, subject to job evaluation outcomes and budget confirmation, and noted that the Chief Officer (Streetscene and Transportation) will exercise delegated authority in line with HR and financial policies, with further Cabinet approval to be sought if required. The committee also noted the successful TUPE³ transfer from Go Plant Fleet Services and acknowledged the interim arrangements put in place to maintain service continuity and resilience during the transition to an in-house operation.

Street Lighting Policy and Annual Status Report

The committee noted the performance outlined in the Street Lighting Annual Status Report (ASR) against the current street lighting policy, and the contents of the report and the adoption of the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP).

Council Plan (2023-28) End of Year Performance Report 2024/25

The committee supported the levels of progress and confidence in the achievement of priorities as detailed within the Council Plan 2023/28 for delivery within 2024/25, and overall performance against Council Plan 2024/25 performance indicators/measures. They were also assured by explanations given for those areas of underperformance. Councillor David Coggins-Cogan proposed, and the committee agreed to support, exception-based reporting of the Council Plan going forward.

Forward Work Programme and Action Tracking

The committee noted the Forward Work Programme and authorised the Facilitator, in consultation with the Chair of the Committee, to vary the programme between meetings as needed. They also noted the progress made in completing the outstanding actions.

Development Management Annual Performance Report 2024/25

The committee reviewed the Development Management Annual Performance Report 2024/25, which provided an overview of the performance of the Council's Development Management Service.

The report highlighted that the overall annual total percentage of applications for Major Development determined within eight weeks for 2024/25 was 74%, exceeding the Welsh Government's benchmark for Good (60% or more). However, the percentage of all applications determined within eight weeks across 2024/25 was 78%, falling within the Welsh Government's benchmark for Fair (70.1% to 79.9%). The average time taken to determine planning applications in 2024/25 was 128 days, exceeding the Welsh Government's benchmark of 67 days to be classed as Good .

The report also noted that 58% of enforcement cases investigated were within 84 days (12 weeks), which is below the Welsh Government's benchmark of 70%. There were five decisions made by the Planning Committee against officer recommendations during the reporting period, placing the Council as Fair in the Welsh Government's target for this indicator.

There were 15 appeal decisions within the reporting period, with 60% of the Council's decisions being dismissed, meaning the Council achieved Fair for the 2024/25 overall Appeals performance. There was one cost claim sought in the year in connection with appeals allowed at Arweinfa in Gwaenysgor, the final costs for which are yet to be determined.

The report included a schedule of planning appeal decisions, including the following cases where the appeal decision differed from the original decision:

• 29 Tan Yr Hafod, Gwernaffield, CH7 5DS - Erection of first-storey extension. The original decision was refused, but the appeal was allowed.
• Garreg Lwyd Farm, Padeswood Road South, Buckley, CH7 4JH - Proposed extension and conversion of an existing single-storey outbuilding into a two-bedroom 'Granny Annex'. The original decision was refused, but the appeal was allowed.
• Highfield Cottage, The Beeches, Milwr, CH8 7SW - Proposed alterations, extension to, and refurbishment of Highfield Cottage, and the erection of a detached dwelling within the curtilage. The original decision was refused, but the appeal was allowed.
• 1, Green Farm Court, Higher Kinnerton, CH4 9DD - Erection of a garage. The original decision was refused, but the appeal was allowed.
• CONS/000790/22 and FUL/000621/23, ARWEINFA, Gwaenysgor, Rhyl, LL18 6EP - Conversion and extension of an outbuilding to form a home office and gym. The original decision was refused, but the appeal was allowed.

The report also noted the following cases where the appeal decision supported the original decision:

• Land at Wood Lane, Holywell, CH8 7HU - Outline Application for one 3-bed dwelling. The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.
• TY Ar Yr Bryn, Bryn Road, Flint, CH6 5HU - Proposed 5 bedroom, 2 and a half storey dwelling with car parking. The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.
• The Oaks, Platt Lane, Penyffordd, Chester, CH4 0HX - Conversion of agricultural building into two residential buildings. The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.
• Land Adj. to Halfway House, Church Street, Connah's Quay, Flintshire, CH5 4AS - Erection of a detached block of flats. The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.
• Ynys Hir Farm, Picton Road, Picton, Holywell, CH8 9JG - 13 No Proposed Log Cabin Holiday Units. The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.
• Etonfield, Gwernaffield Road, Mold, CH7 1RQ - 2 storey extension. The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.
• 28 Mercia Drive, Mynydd Isa, CH7 6UH - Erection of a 2-storey three-bed house (detached). The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.
• Land adj. The Halfway House, Church Street, Connah's Quay, Flintshire, CH5 4AS - Erection of a detached block of flats. The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.
• Primrose Cottage, Rhydygaled, New Brighton, Mold, Flintshire, CH7 6QG - Change of use of holiday let to residential unit. The original decision was refused, and the appeal was dismissed.