TO: ALL MEMBERS of the COUNCIL Dear Sir / Madam, A

Anwen Jones Solicitor/Cyfreithiwr InterimHead of Legal and Democratic Services Pennaeth Dros Dro Gwasanaethau Cyfreithiol a Democrataidd

TO: ALL MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL Your Ref / Eich Cyf

Our Ref / Ein Cyf CO Date / Dyddiad 23/09/2011 Ask for / Ceri Owen Gofynner am Direct Dial / 01352 702350 Rhif Union Fax / Ffacs

Dear Sir / Madam,

A meeting of the FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL will be held in the COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNTY HALL, MOLD on WEDNESDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2011 at 14:00 to consider the following items.

Yours faithfully

Democracy and Governance Manager

A G E N D A

1. PRAYERS

2. PRESENTATIONS A presentation will be made to the following:-

(a) Mr. John Thomas - Awarded Flintshire County Council Student of the Year 2011.

(b) Flintshire County Council Regeneration Team - Awarded for the Flintshire County Council's Town Action Plan Process in the Partnership and Strategies Category of the Action for Markets Town 2011 - Wales region awards.

County Hall, Mold. CH7 6NA Tel. 01352 702400 DX 708591 Mold 4 www.flintshire.gov.uk Neuadd y Sir, Yr Wyddgrug. CH7 6NR Ffôn 01352 702400 DX 708591 Mold 4 www.siryfflint.gov.uk

The Council welcomes correspondence in Welsh or English Mae'r Cyngor yn croesawu gohebiaeth yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg

1 Flintshire County Council

3. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

4. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

5. COUNCIL MINUTES To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 17th August, 2011 (copy enclosed).

6. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST To receive any Declarations of Interest from Members.

7. CHAIR'S COMMUNICATIONS

8. PETITIONS

9. QUESTIONS To note the answers to any questions submitted in accordance with County Council Standing Order No. 9.4(A).

10. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2010/11 Report of Head of Finance enclosed

11. ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT REPORT 2010/11 Report of Head of Finance enclosed

12. FLINTSHIRE UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - CONSIDERATION OF THE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE FURTHER STATEMENT OF DECISIONS AND FURTHER PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS Report of Head of Planning enclosed

13. NATIONAL COMPACT UPDATE The Chief Executive will provide a verbal update at the meeting.

14. HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING COUNCIL FOR WALES (HEFCW) - FUTURE STRUCTURE OF UNIVERSITIES IN WALES Report of Chief Executive and Director of Lifelong Learning enclosed

15. SCHOOL MODERNISATION UPDATE The Chief Executive will provide a verbal update at the meeting following the meetings of the Executive on 5 September and Lifelong Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 20 September, 2011.

16. CONSULTATION BY THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL FOR WALES Report of Democracy and Governance Manager enclosed

2 Date: 23/09/2011 Flintshire County Council

17. SEALING OF DOCUMENTS (A) To authorise the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services Officer and Principal Solicitors to affix the Common Seal of the County Council between meetings of the County Council.

(B) To note the Action of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services Officer and Principal Solicitors in affixing the Common Seal of the County Council as set out in the Seal Register No.13023 - 13044 .

3 Date: 23/09/2011 FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY 17 AUGUST, 2011

Minutes of the meeting of Flintshire County Council held at County Hall, Mold on Wednesday 17 August, 2011

PRESENT: Councillor H.J. McGuill (Chair) Councillors: Eng. K. Armstrong-Braun, J.B. Attridge, S.R. Baker, D. Barratt, G.H. Bateman, M. Bateman, H. Brown, C.S. Carver, J.C. Cattermoul, P.J. Curtis, R. Davies, G.D. Diskin, C.J. Dolphin, B. Dunn, C.A. Ellis, E.F. Evans, J.E. Falshaw, F. Gillmore, R.J.T. Guest, R.G. Hampson, P.G. Heesom, C. Hinds, R. Hughes, G. James, R. Johnson, C.M. Jones, N.M. Jones, R.B. Jones, S. Jones, C. Legg, R.P. Macfarlane, D.I. Mackie, D.L. Mackie, N.M. Matthews, D. McFarlane, A. Minshull, W. Mullin, E.W. Owen, M.J. Peers, P.R. Pemberton, N. Phillips, M.A. Reece, H.G. Roberts, L.A. Sharps, A.P. Shotton, N.R. Steele-Mortimer, C.A. Thomas, W.O. Thomas, D.E. Wisinger, A. Woolley and M.G. Wright

APOLOGIES: Councillors: L.A. Aldridge, R.C. Bithell, E.G. Cooke, D.L. Cox, A.J. Davies- Cooke, A.G. Diskin, Q.R.H. Dodd, R. Dolphin, V. Gay, A.M. Halford, G. Hardcastle, H.T. Howorth, N. Humphreys, H.D. Hutchinson, H.T. Isherwood, T. Newhouse, I.B. Roberts and D.T. Williams

IN ATTENDANCE: Chief Executive, Director of Lifelong Learning, Interim Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Head of Development and Resources and Democracy and Governance Manager

Prior to commencement of the meeting, Councillor N.R. Steele-Mortimer reported that Councillor A. Halford had been unable to attend the meeting as she was having an operation. The Chair asked that the good wishes of the Council be sent to her.

The Chair welcomed the Members, press and members of the public to the meeting. She introduced the Chief Executive, Director of Lifelong Learning, Interim Head of Legal and Democratic Services, Democracy and Governance Manager and Vice-Chairman who were sitting at the top table and explained how the meeting would work. She explained that members of the public would not be permitted to speak during the debate and asked that all mobile devices be turned off.

The Chief Executive explained the rules of debate for the public to follow the meeting and advised Members that were school governors to declare a personal non-prejudicial interest which allowed them to speak and vote on the item concerning the school modernisation consultation process.

The Chair invited Members to introduce themselves for the benefit of the public when rising to speak.

4 33. PRAYERS

The meeting was opened with Prayers said by Councillor N. Phillips.

34. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following Members declared a personal non-prejudicial interest for Agenda item 4 – School Modernisation:-

Councillors: Eng. K. Armstrong-Braun, J.B. Attridge, G.H. Bateman, M. Bateman, H. Brown, J.C. Cattermoul, P.J. Curtis, R. Davies, C.J. Dolphin, B. Dunn, C.A. Ellis, E.F. Evans, J.E. Falshaw, F. Gillmore, R.J.T. Guest, R.G. Hampson, P.G. Heesom, C. Hinds, R. Hughes, C.M. Jones, N.M. Jones, R.B. Jones, S. Jones, C. Legg, R.P. Macfarlane, D.I. Mackie, D.L. Mackie, N.M. Matthews, D. McFarlane, H.J. McGuill, A. Minshull, W. Mullin, E.W. Owen, M.J. Peers, P.R. Pemberton, N. Phillips, M.A. Reece, H.G. Roberts, A.P. Shotton, N.R. Steele-Mortimer, C.A. Thomas, W.O. Thomas, D.E. Wisinger, A. Woolley and M.G. Wright

35. SCHOOL MODERNISATION

The meeting of the Council had been arranged as a result of the receipt of the following:-

Requisition Notice

“The Council expresses concern at the tight deadline set for the end of the school modernisation consultation process and recognises the concerns of many parents, teachers and pupils who feel that it is inappropriate for such an important process to be undertaken during the school summer break. We call upon the County Council to halt the current consultation process and bring forward detailed options, inclusive of costings and future pupil admission projections to a future Executive Committee, with a view to restarting a more meaningful and informative consultation process”.

Councillors: A.P. Shotton, J.B. Attridge, R. Davies, P.J. Curtis, D. Wisinger.

The Chair called upon Councillor A.P. Shotton to formally propose the motion and in doing so Councillor Shotton explained that the motion was fully supported by all Members of the Labour Group. He outlined a number of concerns around the consultation process and that this process had not been debated at full Council prior to its commencement. Critical documents on pupil projection numbers, the condition of school buildings in Flintshire and projected population growth in line with the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) had not been made readily available during the consultation process despite repeated requests for this information. He asked the Executive Members if they had been provided with this information before recommending the start of the consultation process and said that it had been unfair and inconvenient for parents, teachers and pupils for this process to have begun during the summer holidays. Members needed the opportunity to work together to

5 challenge and scrutinise proposals on behalf of concerned parents, teachers and pupils and he urged all Members to support the motion.

In seconding the motion, Councillor J.B. Attridge spoke in support of the comments made by Councillor Shotton on the need to halt the current consultation process and the importance of this issue as evident in the number of members of the public who were in attendance.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor A. Woolley, in response to the motion, made the following statement:-

“It may be a strange thing for the Leader of an administration to say to the Opposition, but I welcome both the interest and concern shown by them and indeed the Motion they have placed before the Council today.

The record shows that the standard of education in Flintshire is high. In fact, among the highest in Wales. However, it would be unwise for us to simply sit upon our laurels. In that regard, I believe that it is recognised, across Councillors of all political views, that there is a growing pressure for a Review of Secondary School Provision in our County. We cannot ignore the pressing need to move towards improvement through modernisation and the 21st Century Schooling Programme.

There are issues of significant Excess Capacity in three of our High Schools, which the Minister for Education, Leighton Andrews, will not allow us to continue to ignore, as well as judgements to be made about present and likely future pressures on our schools.

We also have urgent repairs and maintenance demands and future Capital Expenditure uncertainties.

All of those points, and many others, need to be properly considered in an unhurried, well-organised and comprehensive fashion, engaging all interested parties and stakeholders in a manner which fully informs and satisfies them, well before the appearance of any formal proposals, or any period of Statutory Consultation arising from such.

It was in order to commence that informal dialogue that this Executive agreed to the opening of a Review Process at the beginning of July, extending to the end of September. That was a good intention. Regrettably, as this Executive has certainly discovered, if we did not know it before, the road to Hell is allegedly, paved with good intentions.

This Executive is neither callous nor careless. We actively sought the views of our county community – and by crikey, we have them. They are here. They will be placed on record and considered. From them, it is quite clear that the present flow of information had not created the necessary confidence in the minds of our public.

6 In view of all that has occurred, we intend to take a step backwards in order to reconsider how best to further consult.

In that time, all of the detailed information that has been called for by many interested parties will be fully provided, in a manner as comprehensive and widely broadcast as is necessary to allow participants to feel fully informed. Meanwhile, in September, we will hold further workshops and a full County Council meeting, dedicated solely to the subject of the future of education and schools in our County.

This current, initial, consultation process – and I emphasise that this is an initial consultation process, without formal proposals or decision – will resume as of 1st October and continue for a further two and a half months, until the middle of December. After that, in the New Year, there will appear whatever outline proposals that this Executive finds necessary and advisable to make, in the interests of our children’s education now and in the foreseeable future.

Those outline proposals will be put before full Council, for consideration, prior to the commencement of the necessary Statutory Public Consultation Period.

I trust that those proposed steps will meet with the approval of both Members and all other interested parties.

In the meantime, I shall be supporting the motion before Council and urge others to do the same”.

The Executive Member for Education, Councillor N.R. Steele-Mortimer welcomed the opportunity to debate the current consultation process and paid tribute to the education provision in Flintshire which continued to improve. He said that all Members recognised the need to review surplus places and explained that the consultation events had worked well in 4 out of the 5 events held. He supported the comments made by the Leader and that the current consultation process be halted and, following review and debate, re-started in October, 2011, he said that there was a need to address the issues at Holywell to ensure that the Council did not miss out on the opportunity for future capital investment to provide modern schools for the future in Flintshire.

Councillor M. Bateman spoke against the option to close Argoed High School and read out the recent Estyn Inspection report published in May 2011 which had been very positive, including comments on high pupil attainment and its outstanding facilities ranking the High School 5th in Wales. Argoed High School did not have a post 16 provision and therefore should not be included as an option in the consultation process. She proposed and amendment to the motion that Argoed High School be removed from the options as it did not have a post 16 provision.

The Chief Executive advised that this proposal could not be considered as an amendment to the motion as the County Council was not presuming any outcomes to the consultation process.

7 Councillor A. Minshull spoke against the options being considered for John Summers High School and outlined a number of reasons why this school should not be closed, including the on-going congestion problems at Deeside. She said that the school was an asset to the Community and the young citizens of Deeside.

Councillor C.A. Thomas said that as the Vice-Chair of the Lifelong Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee she had been concerned at the lack of information provided to the Committee during its meeting and workshop, including information on the cost of surplus places and did not feel that the consultation events had been managed effectively. On the provision of Welsh Language Education, she asked how the targets of 25% provision by 2015 as set by the Welsh Government (WG) would be addressed in the School Modernisation Strategy and also if repairing existing school buildings would be more cost effective than building new school buildings. She supported the need to halt the current consultation process to show transparency in the process.

Councillor C.A. Ellis explained that a number of Executive Member had raised concerns around the current consultation process and was pleased that those concerns were being taken on board. She said that the number of homes currently being built in Buckley in line with the UDP was not being considered as part of the consultation process but should be as this would have an affect on future education demands.

Councillor R.J.T. Guest spoke on the comments made by Members and said that the motion related to the consultation process and not the content of the options being considered. He proposed that the motion be put to the vote which was duly seconded. When put to the vote this proposal was carried.

In summing up, Councillor Shotton outlined his disappointment that Members had not been given the opportunity to speak on behalf of the members of the public in attendance but welcomed the support given to the motion. He outlined a number of options which had not been considered as part of the consultation process including reducing classroom sizes and reviewing 6th form places across the County and hoped that by working together a message would be sent to the communities of Flintshire that Members were listening and were receptive to their concerns. In view of the comments made by the Leader of the Council he asked that consideration be given to holding the special meeting of the County Council in the evening to enable members of the public to attend. The Chair said that this would be taken into consideration.

Councillor P.G. Heesom asked if Members would be given the opportunity to consider the terms of reference of the consultation process prior to it restarting in October, 2011. The Chief Executive explained that as the motion related to an Executive function, if the motion was supported this would form a recommendation to the Executive. A special meeting of the Executive would be held with further detailed information on the consultation

8 process and timescales being submitted to a meeting of the Lifelong Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee and then the County Council.

A recorded vote was requested and the requisite number of Members stood in support of this. On being put to the vote the motion was supported unanimously.

For the motion:-

Councillors: Eng. K. Armstrong-Braun, J.B. Attridge, S.R. Baker, D. Barratt, G.H. Bateman, M. Bateman, H. Brown, C.S. Carver, J.C. Cattermoul, P.J. Curtis, R. Davies, G.D. Diskin, C.J. Dolphin, B. Dunn, C.A. Ellis, E.F. Evans, J.E. Falshaw, F. Gillmore, R.J.T. Guest, R.G. Hampson, P.G. Heesom, C. Hinds, R. Hughes, G. James, R. Johnson, C.M. Jones, N.M. Jones, R.B. Jones, S. Jones, C. Legg, R.P. Macfarlane, D.I. Mackie, D.L. Mackie, N.M. Matthews, D. McFarlane, A. Minshull, W. Mullin, E.W. Owen, M.J. Peers, P.R. Pemberton, N. Phillips, M.A. Reece, H.G. Roberts, L.A. Sharps, A.P. Shotton, N.R. Steele-Mortimer, C.A. Thomas, W.O. Thomas, D.E. Wisinger, A. Woolley and M.G. Wright

RESOLVED:

That the Council supported the proposal to halt the current consultation process and bring forward detailed options, inclusive of costings and future pupil admission projections to a future Executive Committee, with a view to restarting a more meaningful and informative consultation process.

36. DURATION OF MEETING

The meeting commenced at 2.30 p.m. and ended at 3.35 p.m.

37. ATTENDANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

There were five members of the press and 170 members of the public present.

……………………………… Chairman

9 SUMMARY OF DECLARATIONS MADE BY MEMBERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL’S CODE OF CONDUCT

FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL 17 AUGUST, 2011

MEMBER ITEM MIN. NO. REFERS

Councillors: Eng. K. Armstrong- School Modernisation 35 Braun, J.B. Attridge, G.H. Bateman, M. Bateman, H. Brown, J.C. Cattermoul, P.J. Curtis, R. Davies, C.J. Dolphin, B. Dunn, C.A. Ellis, E.F. Evans, J.E. Falshaw, F. Gillmore, R.J.T. Guest, R.G. Hampson, P.G. Heesom, C. Hinds, R. Hughes, C.M. Jones, N.M. Jones, R.B. Jones, S. Jones, C. Legg, R.P. Macfarlane, D.I. Mackie, D.L. Mackie, N.M. Matthews, D. McFarlane, A. Minshull, W. Mullin, E.W. Owen, M.J. Peers, P.R. Pemberton, N. Phillips, M.A. Reece, H.G. Roberts, A.P. Shotton, N.R. Steele-Mortimer, C.A. Thomas, W.O. Thomas, D.E. Wisinger, A. Woolley and M.G. Wright

10 FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 10

REPORT TO: FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL DATE : 28 SEPTEMBER 2011 REPORT BY: HEAD OF FINANCE SUBJECT : STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2010/11

1.00 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.01 To seek Members' approval of the final Statement of Accounts for 2010/11.

2.00 BACKGROUND

2.01 The statutory deadline for the approval of the Statement of Accounts is 30th September.

3.00 CONSIDERATIONS

3.01 The audit of the 2010/11 accounts has now been completed. The statutory audit completion notice will be reported in the press in due course.

3.02 As part of the final accounts process, Wales Audit Office presented to the Audit Committee on 28th September 2011 the ISA 260 reports 'Audit of the Financial Statements - Flintshire County Council' and 'Audit of the Financial Statements - Clwyd Pension Fund'. The ISA (International Standards on Auditing) 260 requires the auditor to communicate relevant matters relating to the audit of the financial statements to those charged with governance of the entity.

3.03 During the audit, a number of changes to the draft Statement of Accounts were agreed with Wales Audit Office and these have been incorporated into the final document, as attached (Appendix A).

3.04 If Audit Committee recommend any changes to the document or wish to make any specific comments to Council, these will be tabled at the meeting.

4.00 RECOMMENDATIONS

4.01 Members are requested to approve the final Statement of Accounts for 2010/11.

5.00 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.01 None.

6.00 ANTI POVERTY IMPACT

6.01 None.

Date: 22/09/2011

11 Flintshire County Council

7.00 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

7.01 None.

8.00 EQUALITIES IMPACT

8.01 None.

9.00 PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

9.01 None.

10.00 CONSULTATION REQUIRED

10.01 None required.

11.00 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN

11.01 None required.

12.00 APPENDICES

12.01 Appendix A - Statement of Accounts 2010/11

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

Wales Audit Office's reports to Audit Committee on 28th September 2011.

Contact Officer: Ian Ll Jones Telephone: 01352 702207 E-Mail: [email protected]

Date: 22/09/2011

STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

DATGANIAD CYFRIFON

2010-11

CYNGOR SIR Y FFLINT

FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

C O N T E N T S

Page Flintshire County Council

Explanatory Foreword 1-4

Statement of Accounting Policies 5-14

Statement of Responsibilities for the Statement of Accounts 15

Annual Governance Statement 16-30

Core Single Entity Financial Statements -

Movement in Reserves Statement 31-32

Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement for the Year Ended 31st March 2011 33

Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2011 34-35

Cash Flow Statement for the Year Ended 31st March 2011 36

Notes to the Core Financial Statements 37-86

Supplementary Single Entity Financial Statements - Housing Revenue Account Income and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31st 87 March 2011

Movement on the Housing Revenue Account Statement for the Year Ended 88 31st March 2011

Notes to the Housing Revenue Account for the Year Ended 31st March 2011 89-90

Group Statements - Group Accounts 91-93

Clwyd Pension Fund Clwyd Pension Fund Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2011 94-116

Flintshire County Council and Clwyd Pension Fund Independent Auditor's Report to the Members of Flintshire County Council

14 Page 1 EXPLANATORY FOREWORD

The Statement of Accounts 2010/11 provides details of the Council’s financial position for the year ended 31st March 2011. The information presented on pages 31 to 93 is in accordance with the requirements of the 2010/11 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code) based on International Financial Reporting Statements (IFRS) issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA).

The Statement of Accounts for 2010/11 is the first to be prepared on an IFRS basis, where relevant to Local Authorities, and has been prepared in accordance with IFRS 1 (first time adoption). The statements included are :-

 The core financial statements comprising of –

o the movement in reserves statement – this statement shows the movement in the year on the different reserves held by the authority, analysed into ‘usable reserves’ (ie those that can be applied to fund expenditure or reduce local taxation) and other reserves. The Surplus or (Deficit) on the Provision of Services line shows the true economic cost of providing the authority’s services, more details of which are shown in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. These are different from the statutory amounts required to be charged to the Council Fund Balance and the Housing Revenue Account for council tax setting and dwellings rent setting purposes. The Net Increase / Decrease before Transfers to Earmarked Reserves line shows the statutory Council Fund Balance and Housing Revenue Account Balance before any discretionary transfers to or from earmarked reserves undertaken by the council. o the comprehensive income and expenditure statement – this statement shows the accounting cost in the year of providing services in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices, rather than the amount to be funded from local taxation. Authorities raise taxation to cover expenditure in accordance with regulations; this may be different from the accounting cost. The taxation position is shown in the Movement in Reserves Statement. o balance sheet - the Balance Sheet shows the value as at the Balance Sheet date of the assets and liabilities recognised by the authority. The net assets of the authority (assets less liabilities) are matched by the reserves held by the authority. Reserves are reported in two categories. The first category of reserves are usable reserves, ie those reserves that the authority may use to provide services, subject to the need to maintain a prudent level of reserves and any statutory limitations on their use (for example the Capital Receipts Reserve that may only be used to fund capital expenditure or repay debt). The second category is those that the authority is not able to use to provide services. This category of reserves includes reserves that hold unrealised gains and losses (for example the Revaluation Reserve), where amounts would only become available to provide services if the assets are sold; and reserves that hold timing differences shown in the Movement in Reserves Statement line ‘Adjustments between accounting basis and funding basis under regulations’. o cash flow statement - the Cash Flow Statement shows the changes in cash and cash equivalents of the authority during the reporting period. The statement shows how the authority generates and uses cash and cash equivalents by classifying cash flows as operating, investing and financing activities. The amount of net cash flows arising from operating activities is a key indicator of the extent to which the operations of the authority are funded by way of taxation and grant income or from the recipients of services provided by the authority. Investing activities represent the extent to which cash outflows have been made for resources which are intended to contribute to the authority’s future service delivery. Cash flows arising from financing activities are useful in predicting claims on future cash flows by providers of capital (ie borrowing) to the authority. 15 Page 2 EXPLANATORY FOREWORD continued

 The supplementary financial statements comprising of –

o the housing revenue account income and expenditure statement – The HRA Income and Expenditure Statement shows the economic cost in the year of providing housing services in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices, rather than the amount to be funded from rents and government grants. Authorities charge rents to cover expenditure in accordance with regulations; this may be different from the accounting cost. The increase or decrease in the year, on the basis on which rents are raised, is shown in the Movement on the Housing Revenue Account Statement.

 The group accounts comprising of –

o the group comprehensive income and expenditure statement only, which covers the period up until 1st October 2010, when the company’s activities were brought in-house.

The pension fund accounts are presented on pages 94 to 116, in accordance with required guidance.

REVENUE BUDGET AND OVERALL FINANCIAL POSITION

The budget for 2010/11 was set against the backdrop of a challenging financial future with significant reductions in government funding anticipated in each of the three future years (2011/12 to 2013/14); 2010/11 was seen as the critical year in planning to meet the challenges of future years. The continuing impact of the economic downturn influenced the setting of a prudent and realistic 2010/11 budget, but a budget which continued to support schools, looked after children, and those people of all ages with care needs, whether cared for in a residential setting or in the community. The Council has continued with its ambitious organisational change programme with the aim of ensuring maximum efficiency, and reducing overhead costs – the 2010/11 budget identified over £6m of savings by way of the change programme.

Total net expenditure for 2010/11 amounted to £240,905k against a budget of £241,890k.

2010/11 2010/11 2009/10 Budget Actual Variance Actual

£000 £000 £000 £000 Net expenditure on services 228,025 227,193 (832) 221,162 Central loans and investment account 13,865 13,712 (153) 13,642 Total net expenditure 241,890 240,905 (985) 234,804 Financed by Council tax (net of community council 53,196 53,079 117 51,318 precepts expenditure) General grants 146,458 146,458 0 143,293 Non-domestic rates redistribution 42,236 42,236 0 40,437 Total resources 241,890 241,773 117 235,048 0 (868) (868) (244) Net variance - (underspend)

The net underspend of £985k, decreased to £868k by way of reduced Council tax income (£117k). The £868k, has served with other agreed funding transfers of £5,997k to produce a year-end Council fund revenue reserves total of £34,111k, which incorporates a Council fund balance element of £32,137k.

16 Page 3 EXPLANATORY FOREWORD continued

REVENUE BUDGET AND OVERALL FINANCIAL POSITION (continued)

Net 2011 Underspend Other 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000 Unearmarked balances 5,962 868 (1,183) 6,277 Earmarked balances 26,175 0 6,656 19,519 Council fund balance 32,137 868 5,473 25,796 Locally managed schools (not available for general purposes) 1,974 0 524 1,450 Total council fund revenue reserves 34,111 868 5,997 27,246

ASSETS ACQUIRED AND LIABILITIES INCURRED

The assets of AD Waste Limited were purchased by the Council for the consideration of £4,531,398; the purchase price figure is contained in the signed and sealed ‘‘Agreement – for the sale and purchase of the business of AD Waste Limited’’ document dated 28th September 2010.

Significant expenditure was incurred during the year in progressing the amalgamation of Custom House Junior and Dee Road Infants School, Connah’s Quay (£533k); related works will continue through until 2012/13 (£3,820k). A substantial part of the overall funding of the scheme is to be provided by way of Welsh Government 21st Century Schools Grant.

PENSIONS

Disclosures are in accordance with International Accounting Standard 19 (IAS 19), accounting in full for the pension liability. The liability recorded in the balance sheet (£203,303k) is the total projected deficit over the life of the fund. IAS 19 has no impact on Council tax levels or housing finance.

BORROWING FACILITIES

No new long term Public Works Loan Board (PWLB) or financial institution borrowing was undertaken during 2010/11, with principal outstanding remaining at £173,613k; the Council continues to use cash reserves to fund capital expenditure in place of new borrowing. The balance sheet total (£173,744k) includes the sum of £131k relating to an interest free loan from the Welsh Government for agile working initiatives, repayable in 2012/13.

SOURCES OF CAPITAL FINANCING

Each year the Council approves a programme of capital works, which provides for investment in assets such as land, buildings and road improvements. The programme is financed by way of supported borrowing, unsupported (prudential) borrowing, capital receipts, capital grants and contributions, reserves and revenue account funding.

2011 2010 £000 £000 Supported borrowing 7,773 7,759 Unsupported (prudential) borrowing 757 409 Capital receipts 217 213 Capital grants and contributions 17,783 21,651 Capital reserves/capital expenditure funded from revenue account 3,296 1,035 Total financing 29,826 31,067

17 Page 4 EXPLANATORY FOREWORD continued

REVALUATION OF ASSETS

18 Page 5 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

GENERAL MATTERS

The accounts have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union, IFRIC Interpretations and the requirements of the 2010/11 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom – Based on IFRS (the Code) issued by CIPFA, supported by guidance notes on the application of accounting standards. The move to an IFRS-based Code from a UK GAAP-based Statement of Recommended Practice (the SORP) has prompted some significant changes in the accounting policies of the Council, and changes to the main financial statements, reflecting the additional requirement regarding segmental reporting, greater emphasis on component accounting, measurement of investment properties at fair value with gains and losses recognised in Surplus or Deficit, impairment losses being taken initially to the revaluation reserve, and a new classification of non-current assets held for sale. Also, property leases are classified and accounted for separately as land and buildings, grants for capital purposes will be recognised as income immediately and employee benefits are accounted for as they are earned. There have been no changes in the adopted estimation techniques, and no material and unusual charges or credits are included within the accounts.

STANDARDS ISSUED BUT NOT YET ADOPTED

The following standards, amendments and interpretations to existing standards have been published and are mandatory for the Council’s accounting periods beginning on or after 1st April 2011 or later periods, but the Council has not early adopted them:

 IFRS 9 ‘Financial Instruments’. The Council will apply IFRS 9 from 1st April 2013. It is not expected to have a material impact on the Council’s financial statements.

 FRS 30 ‘Heritage Assets’. The Council will apply FRS 30 from 1st April 2011. It is not expected to have a material impact on the Council’s financial statements.

STANDARDS EARLY ADOPTED

There are no standards that have been early adopted by the Authority.

CRITICAL JUDGEMENTS IN APPLYING ACCOUNTING POLICIES

In applying these accounting policies, the Authority has had to make certain judgments about complex transactions or those involving uncertainty about future events. The critical judgements made in the Statement of Accounts are:

 At 1st April 2010 the Council’s valuer carried out a revaluation of a 10% proportion of the total asset portfolio, resulting in a net decreased non-current assets valuation of £4,957k, as detailed on page 4 of the foreword.

 Provisions are accounting estimates where there is an uncertainity amount the amount or timing of any payment (see provisions accounting policies for further details).

ASSUMPTIONS MADE ABOUT THE FUTURE AND OTHER MAJOR SOURCES OF ESTIMATION UNCERTAINTY

The Statement of Accounts contains estimated figures that are based on assumptions made by the Authority about the future or that are otherwise uncertain. Estimates are made taking into account historical experience, current trends, and other relevant factors. However, because balances cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could be materially different from the assumptions and estimates; items for which there is a significant risk of material adjustment in the forthcoming financial year are – the Unequal Pay Back Pay Provision, the pensions liability and debtor arrears. 19 Page 6 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

THE ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BORROWING COSTS

The Council has elected to adopt the adaptation by the Code in respect of IAS23 which allows borrowing costs in respect of qualifying assets to be expensed rather than capitalised. Therefore, all borrowing costs are recognised as an expense as they are incurred.

CAPITAL RECEIPTS

Capital receipts arise from the disposal of property assets and the repayment of advances, and are accounted for on an accruals basis; amounts not exceeding £10,000 from any disposal are treated as revenue income, in accordance with capital regulations. The requirement to set-aside 75% of receipts from the sale of council houses to repay debt was removed by way of the Local Government Act 2003, but the Council continues to make the set-aside as assumed in the HRA subsidy rules. The balance of receipts that is not reserved in this way, and which has not been used for capital financing purposes, is included in the balance sheet as usable capital receipts. Non-housing capital receipts are 100% usable.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash is represented by cash in hand. Cash equivalents are considered to be deposits with financial institutions that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash. The Council has determined that investments less than 3 months in length are deemed cash and cash equivalents.

In the Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement, cash and cash equivalents are shown net of bank overdrafts that are repayable on demand.

COMPONENT ACCOUNTING

Component accounting is to be implemented with effect from 1 April 2010 whereby each part of a material item of property, plant and equipment with a cost that is significant in relation to the total cost of the item shall be depreciated separately; the requirements are applicable to enhancement expenditure incurred, acquisition expenditure incurred, and revaluations carried out. A deminimus materiality level of 0.5% of the value of the asset base has been set, below which individual items of property, plant and equipment will not be considered for componentisation; significant components will be deemed as those whose current cost is 20% or more of the total current cost of the asset.

DEBT REDEMPTION

Debt is redeemed as and when it falls due. Amounts set aside from revenue for the repayment of external loans or to finance capital expenditure are shown in the movement on reserves statement; a minimum revenue provision is charged equal to 2% of debt outstanding for the housing revenue account, and 4% for the council fund. The Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 requires the Council to make prudent provision for the repayment of its debt (regulation 22).

DEBTORS AND CREDITORS

The revenue and capital accounts of the Authority are prepared on an accruals basis. Sums are included in the final accounts to cover income or expenditure attributable to the year of account for goods received or work done, but for which payment has not been received/made by 31st March 2011.

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DEPRECIATION

Straight line depreciation is provided for on all property, plant and equipment with a finite useful life (other than for non-depreciable land), with provision made from the first full financial year following acquisition/valuation. The calculation is based on the 2010/11 opening net balance sheet valuations (valuation list less cumulative depreciation), with assumed nil residual values for all property, plant and equipment.

The most common useful lives used in respect of the provision for depreciation are:-

Years

Other land and buildings 50 Vehicles, plant, furniture and equipment 3 - 10 Infrastructure assets 40 Community assets 20

Where the asset comprises two or more major components, and the cost of the component is significant in relation to the total cost of the asset, with substantially different useful economic lives, each component has been accounted for separately.

Council Dwellings are depreciated by a sum equivalent to the Major Repairs Allowance (MRA). Assets capitalised under finance leases are depreciated over the life assigned to the asset by either the contract in place or, in the absence of this information being available, the Council’s independent lease consultants as a result of their review of the lease.

Assets under Construction are not depreciated until the asset is brought into use.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

The full cost of employees is recognised in the year in which the service is received from employees. The cost of annual leave entitlement, flexi-time and time off in lieu (TOIL) earned but not taken by employees at the end of the year is accrued in the financial statements.

Where retrospective adjustments or special payments are required, for example through pay awards or redundancy payments, an accrual is also included.

FINANCIAL ASSETS

Financial assets are classified into two types:

 loans and receivables – assets that have fixed or determinable payments but are not quoted in an active market

 available-for-sale assets – assets that have a quoted market price and/or do not have fixed or determinable payments.

Loans and Receivables:

FINANCIAL ASSETS (continued)

This means that the amount presented in the balance sheet is the outstanding principal receivable (plus accrued interest) and interest credited to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement is the amount receivable for the year in the loan agreement.

Loans and Receivables:

These are initially measured at fair value and carried at their amortised cost. Annual credits to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement for interest receivable are based on the carrying amount of the asset multiplied by the effective rate of interest for the instrument. This means that the amount presented in the balance sheet is the outstanding principal receivable (plus accrued interest) and interest credited to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement is the amount receivable for the year in the loan agreement.

Available-for-Sale Assets:

Available-for-sale assets are initially measured and carried at fair value. Where the asset has fixed or determinable payments, annual credits to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement for interest receivable are based on the amortised cost of the asset multiplied by the effective rate of interest for the instrument. Where there are no fixed or determinable payments, income (e.g. dividends) is credited to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement when it becomes receivable by the Council.

Assets are maintained in the balance sheet at fair value. Values are based on the following principles:

 instruments with quoted market prices – the market price

 equity shares with no quoted market prices – independent appraisal of company valuations.

Changes in fair value are balanced by an entry in the available-for-sale reserve. The exception is where impairment losses have been incurred – these are debited to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement, along with any net gain/loss for the asset accumulated in the reserve.

Where assets are identified as impaired because of a likelihood arising from a past event that payments due under the contract will not be made (fixed or determinable payments) or fair value falls below cost, the asset is written down and a charge made to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement.

FINANCIAL LIABILITIES

Financial liabilities are initially measured at fair value and carried at their amortised cost. Annual charges to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement for interest payable are based on the carrying amount of the liability, multiplied by the effective rate of interest for the instrument. This means that the amount presented in the balance sheet is the outstanding principal repayable (plus accrued interest) and interest charged to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement is the amount payable for the year in the loan agreement.

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FINANCIAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH COMPANIES

Flintshire County Council was the sole shareholder in AD Waste Limited, an 'arms length' local authority waste disposal company (LAWDC) as permitted under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Royalties and dividends received from the company are reserved for future waste disposal purposes.

On 28th September 2007, the Council gave notice to terminate its remaining contract with the company; following a review of various options available, and in view of the pending contract end date, the Authority resolved on 29th October 2008 to bring the company’s activities in-house. The transfer of the trade and assets of the company was completed during 2010/11.

GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Grant receipts in support of capital and revenue expenditure are accounted for on an accruals basis. Where an asset is financed partly or wholly by government grant (or any other contribution), the income is recognised in the comprehensive income and expenditure statement. Grants to cover general revenue expenditure (such as revenue support grant) are also credited to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement.

Where capital grants are credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, they are reversed out of the Council Fund Balance in the Movement in Reserves Statement. Where the grant has yet to be used to finance capital expenditure, it is posted to the Capital Grants Unapplied Account. Where it has been applied, it is posted to the Capital Adjustment Account. Amounts in the Capital Grants Unapplied Account are transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account once they have been applied.

GROUP ACCOUNTS

Local authorities with, in aggregate, material interests in subsidiary, associated companies or joint ventures are required to prepare a full set of group financial statements. The Council has such material interests in AD Waste Limited which has been determined as, and accounted for as a subsidiary. The adjustment required by AD Waste Limited for each individual standard under IFRS is immaterial and as such AD Waste’s UK GAAP accounts have been consolidated into the group financial statements.

IMPAIRMENT

The values of each category of assets and of material individual assets that are not being depreciated are reviewed at the end of each financial year for evidence of reductions in value. Where impairment is identified as part of this review or as a result of a valuation exercise, this is accounted for by the loss being taken initially to the revaluation reserve to the extent that there is a balance on that reserve relating to the specific asset, with any excess charged to the relevant service revenue account.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets are non-monetary assets without physical substance. They are recognised only where it is probable that future economic benefits will flow to, or service potential be provided to, the Council and where the cost of the asset can be measured reliably. Development expenditure, or purchased software licences may meet the definition of assets when access to the future economic benefits that they represent is controlled by the Council, either through custody or legal protection; a de minimis expenditure level of £10,000 below which the requirements of capital accounting will not be applied is in place. 23 Page 10 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

INTANGIBLE ASSETS (continued)

Intangible assets are amortised from the first full financial year following acquisition/ implementation. The most common useful lives used in respect of amortisation are:-

Years

Software licences 5 Development expenditure 7

INTEREST CHARGES

External interest payable is charged to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement together with the amortisation of gains and losses on the repurchase or early settlement of borrowing carried forward in the balance sheet.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realisable value. The cost of each type of inventory is measured in a different way; the measurements used in respect of the Council’s main inventories are:-

 Queensferry (Fuel) FIFO (first in first out)  Halkyn Weighted average  Alltami (Grounds Maintenance) Weighted average  Alltami (Vehicle Spares) Weighted average  Alltami (Fuel) FIFO  Canton FIFO

INVESTMENT PROPERTY

Investment properties are those that are used solely to earn rentals and/or for capital appreciation. The definition is not met if the property is used in any way to facilitate the delivery of services or production of goods or is held for sale.

Investment properties and the agricultural estate have been valued at fair value. In cases where there was no market-based evidence of fair value for a particular asset, depreciated replacement cost has been used. Properties are not depreciated but are revalued annually according to market conditions at the year-end.

Gains and losses on the revaluation and impairment of investment properties are recognised in the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement rather than through the revaluation reserve. The same treatment is applied to gains and losses on disposal. The gains and losses are not permitted by statutory arrangements to have an impact on the Council Fund Balance and therefore are reversed out in the Movement in Reserves Statement and posted to the Capital Adjustment Account and (for any sale proceeds greater than £10,000) the Capital Receipts Reserve.

Rentals received in relation to investment properties are credited to the Financing and Investment Income line and result in a gain for the Council Fund Balance.

24 Page 11 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

INVESTMENTS

Investments are shown in the balance sheet at fair value (market value) for each class of financial instrument.

Short term deposits and investments are included in the cash and cash equivalents rather than short term investments if they mature within 3 months of the acquisition date, under IAS 7.

LEASES

Finance Leases

For a lease to be classified as a finance lease substantially all risks and rewards of ownership need to be bourne by the Council. There are five examples of situations that individually or in combination would normally lead to a lease being classified as a finance lease. These are:

 the lease transfers ownership of the asset to the lessee by the end of the lease term

 the lessee has the option to purchase the asset at a price that is expected to be sufficiently lower than the fair value so as to make it reasonably certain the option will be exercised

 the lease term is for the major part of the economic life of the asset

 the present value of the minimum lease payments amounts to at least substantially all of the fair value of the leased asset (the Council have determined ‘substantially all’ to equate to 90% as advised by their independent lease consultants), and

 the leased assets are of such a specialised nature that only the lessee can use them without major modifications.

Where substantially all risks and rewards of ownership of a leased asset are bourne by the Council, the asset is recorded as property, plant and equipment and a corresponding liability is recognised. The value at which both are recognised is the lower of the fair value of the asset or the present value of the minimum lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. The implicit interest rate is that which produces a constant periodic rate of interest on the outstanding liability. The property, plant and equipment acquired under finance leases are depreciated over the life of the asset as per the depreciation accounting policy above.

The asset and liability are recognised at the inception of the lease, and are de-recognised when the liability is discharged, cancelled or expires. The annual rental is split between the repayment of the liability and a finance cost. The annual finance cost is calculated by applying the implicit interest rate to the outstanding liability.

Operating Leases

Leases that do not meet the definition of finance leases are accounted for as operating leases. Operating lease rentals are charged to revenue accounts, on an accruals basis, on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

Property leases are classified and accounted for as separate leases of land and buildings.

25 Page 12 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

NON-CURRENT ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

Non-current assets held for sale have been valued at fair value. Property, Plant and Equipment which has been reclassified as ‘Held for Sale’ ceases to be depreciated upon the reclassification. Assets intended for disposal are reclassified as non-current assets held for sale once all of the following criteria are met:

 The asset must be available for immediate sale in its present condition subject to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets.

 The sale must be highly probable; the appropriate level of management must be committed to a plan to sell the asset and an active programme to locate a buyer and complete the plan must have been initiated.

 The asset (or disposal group) must be actively marketed for a sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value.

 The sale should be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one year of the date of classification and action required to complete the plan should indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.

OVERHEADS

The costs of centrally provided support services and administrative buildings have been charged to services in line with the Best Value Accounting Code of Practice (BVACOP). The costs of the corporate and democratic core and any non distributed costs are allocated to separate objective heads and are not apportioned to any other service.

PENSIONS

The Council participates in two different pension schemes which meet the needs of employees in particular services. The schemes provide members with defined benefits related to pay and service:

Teachers: This is an unfunded scheme administered by the Department for Education (DfE). The pension costs charged to the accounts are at a contribution rate set by the DfE on the basis of a notional fund.

Other Employees: This is a funded defined benefit final salary Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). All actuarial gains and losses are recognised in Other Comprehensive Income and Expenditure. The accounts recognise the full liability that the Council has for meeting the future cost of retirement benefits that will arise from years of service earned by employees up to the balance sheet date, net of the contributions paid into the Fund and the investment income they have generated. The discount rate which is used to place a value on liabilities and calculate the current service cost is based on the redemption yields available on high quality corporate bonds.

Charges to service revenue accounts are based on a share of current service cost (the increase in future benefits arising from service earned in the current year) rather than employer’s contributions. Discretionary benefits awarded on early retirement are accounted for in the year that the award decision is made.

26 Page 13 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Expenditure relating to the acquisition, creation or enhancement of property, plant and equipment is capitalised, provided that the asset yields benefits to the authority and to the services it provides for a period of more than one year; a de minimis expenditure level of £20,000 below which the requirements of capital accounting will not be applied is in place. Expenditure for the routine repair and maintenance of fixed assets is charged direct to service revenue accounts.

Property, plant and equipment are valued on the basis recommended by CIPFA and in accordance with the Statements of Asset Valuation Practice and Guidance Notes issued by The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). They are classified into various groupings as required by the 2010/11 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.

The fair value of council dwellings is measured using existing use value–social housing (EUV–SH). Other operational fixed assets (infrastructure and community assets) and assets under construction are valued on the basis of historic cost.

The whole of the assets of the Authority must be revalued every five years - the Council meets this requirement by revaluing a proportion of the total asset portfolio each year; during 2010/11 (the first of the new cycle, commencing 1st April 2010), 10% of the total assets were revalued. Material changes to valuations are adjusted in the interim period, as they occur. Increases in valuations are matched by credits to the revaluation reserve to recognise unrealised gains. The revaluation reserve contains revaluation gains recognised since 1st April 2007 only, the date of its formal implementation. Gains arising before that date have been consolidated into the capital adjustment account. Different classes of asset included on the group balance sheet are measured on different bases (in common with the balance sheet).

PROVISIONS

The Council makes proper provisions for any liabilities or losses which are likely to be incurred, or certain to be incurred but where the expenditure required in settlement of the liability is uncertain with regards to the amount or timing of any payment.

RESERVES

Amounts set aside for purposes falling outside the definition of provisions are considered as reserves. They represent either a planned set-aside of cash to resource unforeseen expenditure demands in the short term, resources to assist cash flow management or accumulated resources which have not been spent or earmarked at the end of the accounting period. Transfers to and from them are shown as appropriations in the movement on reserves statement, which replaces the statement of movement on the council fund balance.

REVENUE EXPENDITURE FUNDED FROM CAPITAL UNDER STATUTE (REFCUS)

Expenditure incurred during the year that may be capitalised under statutory provisions but does not result in the creation of fixed assets has been charged as expenditure to the relevant service account in the year. Where the Council has determined to meet the cost of this expenditure from existing capital resources or by borrowing, a transfer to the capital adjustment account then reverses out the amounts charged in the movement on reserves statement so there is no impact on the level of Council tax.

27 Page 14 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES continued

SEGMENT REPORTING

Responsibility for the allocation of resources rests with elected Members and the Responsible Financial Officer. The assessment of performance is undertaken by Members and the relevant Chief Officer. Segments have been identified which reflect the Council’s organisational structure as reported to the Chief Operating Decision Maker (the Executive), and these have been reflected in the financial statements.

A segment is reported where its expenditure is 10% or more of the gross expenditure within the net cost of services; or its income is 10% or more of the gross income within the net cost of services. Where the reportable segments identified do not include at least 75% of the expenditure within the net cost of services, additional segments or combinations of segments are treated as reportable segments until the reportable segments include at least 75% of the expenditure within the net cost of services.

The Council does not report assets or liabilities internally and as such there is not requirement to report these by segment in the financial statements.

VALUE ADDED TAX

The Council receives reimbursement for the net cost of value added tax incurred. The accounts have been prepared exclusive of tax, in accordance with SSAP 5.

Date of Authorisation of Accounts

The 2010/11 Statement of Accounts was authorised for issue on 16th September 2011 by Kerry Feather (Head of Finance). This is the date up to which events after the balance sheet date have been considered.

28 Page 15 STATEMENT OF RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS

THE AUTHORITY'S RESPONSIBILITIES

The Authority is required to :-

 make arrangements for the proper administration of its financial affairs and to secure that one of its officers has the responsibility for the administration of those affairs. In this Authority, this is the Head of Finance;

 to manage its affairs to secure economic, efficient and effective use of resources and safeguard its assets;

 approve the statement of accounts.

Signed :

Hilary McGuill Chair to the County Council

Dated :

THE HEAD OF FINANCE’S RESPONSIBILITIES

The Head of Finance is responsible for the preparation of the Authority's statement of accounts in accordance with the proper practices as set out in the CIPFA/LASAAC Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in Great Britain ("the Code").

In preparing this statement of accounts, the Head of Finance has :-

 selected suitable accounting policies and then applied them consistently;

 made judgements and estimates that were reasonable and prudent;

 complied with the Code.

The Head of Finance has also :-

 kept proper accounting records which were up to date;

 taken reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The following statement of accounts has been prepared in accordance with the Accounts and Audit (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2010. The statement of accounts presents a true and fair view of the financial position of the Authority at 31st March 2011, and its income and expenditure for the year then ended.

In addition the statement presents a true and fair view of the financial transactions of the Clwyd Pension Fund during the year ended 31st March 2011 and the amount and disposition at that date of its assets and liabilities.

Signed :

Kerry Feather CPFA Head of Finance

Dated : 16/9/11

29 Page 16 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT

1. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

Flintshire County Council is responsible for ensuring that its business is conducted in accordance with the law and proper standards, and that public money is safeguarded, properly accounted for and used economically, efficiently and effectively. The Council also has a duty under the Local Government Act 1999 to make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised, having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.

In discharging this overall responsibility, Flintshire County Council is responsible for putting in place proper arrangements for the governance of its affairs, facilitating the effective exercise of its functions, which includes arrangements for the management of risk.

The Council has approved and adopted a Code of Corporate Governance, which is consistent with the principles of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) / the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE) Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: A Framework.

The Code of Corporate Governance – Self Assessment Review 2011 and the Code of Corporate Governance are available from the Democracy and Governance Manager in Legal and Democratic Services

This Statement explains how Flintshire County Council has complied with the Code and also meets the requirements of the Accounts and Audit (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2010.

2. THE PURPOSE OF THE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

The governance framework comprises the systems and processes, and culture and values, by which the Council is directed and controlled and its activities through which it accounts to, engages with and leads the community. It enables the Council to monitor the achievement of its strategic objectives and to consider whether those objectives have led to the design and provision of appropriate, cost-effective services.

The system of internal control is a significant part of that framework and is designed to manage risks and challenges to a reasonable level. It cannot eliminate all risk of failure to achieve policies, aims and objectives and can therefore only provide reasonable and not absolute assurance of effectiveness. The system of internal control is based on an ongoing process designed to identify and prioritise the risks to the achievement of the Council’s policies, priorities, aims and objectives, to evaluate the likelihood of those risks and challenges being realised and the impact should they be realised, and to manage them efficiently, effectively and economically.

The governance framework has been in place at Flintshire County Council for the year ended 31st March 2011 and up to the date of approval of the annual statement of accounts.

3. THE GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

The key elements of the Council’s governance arrangements are reflected in the Code of Corporate Governance. The Code forms part of the Constitution and applies to all aspects of the Council’s business. Members and employees are required to conduct themselves in accordance with the high standards expected by the citizens of Flintshire and the six core principles set out within the CIPFA / SOLACE Framework:

30 Page 17 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

 Focusing on the purpose of the authority and on outcomes for the community and creating and implementing a vision for the local area  Members and officers working together to achieve a common purpose with clearly defined functions and roles  Promoting values for the authority and demonstrating the values of good governance through upholding high standards of conduct and behaviour  Taking informed and transparent decisions which are subject to effective scrutiny and managing risk  Developing the capacity and capability of members and officers to be effective  Engaging with local people and other stakeholders to ensure robust public accountability

The County Vision and priorities are set by the Flintshire Local Services Board (LSB) for the aspirations of the County partners for the future state of Flintshire and its public services. The Local Services Board brings together the public service providers in Flintshire including: Flintshire County Council, North Wales Police, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, Deeside College, Flintshire Local Voluntary Council, National Public Health Service, North Wales Fire and Rescue Service and the Environment Agency.

The current County Vision has five priorities:-

 economic prosperity  health improvement  learning and skills for life  living sustainably  safe and supportive communities

The quality of services received by users is measured and evaluated in different ways according to the type of service and how it is provided. Measurements include:-

 formal evaluation and assessment by regulatory bodies and through self-assessment  national performance measures which can be analysed over time to show trends and benchmarked with others  local performance indicators developed to provide current and useful management information  ongoing consultation and feedback via surveys, needs assessments and feedback mechanisms  the use of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees to monitor and check on service quality

In addition the Council has in place a series of mechanisms to improve service quality by identifying “Improvement Targets” which are reviewed annually by officers and Overview and Scrutiny members, and also by delivering the Outcome Agreement.

The Outcome Agreement is a three year agreement (with Welsh Government) based on ten strategic themes; with one broad outcome selected from within each theme as appropriate to the needs of Flintshire as a County. Outcome Agreements are required to show collaboration and partnership working. The themes and outcomes have been agreed by Executive and were subsequently endorsed by the Local Service Board (LSB). The Local Service Board's role meets the collaborative part of the agreement.

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Progress against the Outcome Agreement is reported as part of the Quarterly Performance reports by Heads of Service and is monitored by Welsh Government annually.

The Outcome Agreement is available from the Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager in the Policy, Performance and Partnerships Unit.

The Executive, in consultation with the Constitution Forum, are responsible for approving the Code of Corporate Governance, and the Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer are responsible for ensuring that it is kept up to date by way of annual review. The Monitoring Officer and Responsible Financial Officer are responsible for ensuring an annual review of compliance with the Code, and Internal Audit independently audits the process. A self-assessment review of corporate governance arrangements was undertaken in the spring of 2011, setting out the Council’s achievements under each of the six core principles, and where appropriate identifying further action needed to strengthen the Council’s arrangements. Detailed action plans have been incorporated within the Council’s business planning arrangements. Internal Audit have carried out a review of overall Corporate Governance and made a few recommendations to ensure further improvement. Internal Audit will track the actions as part of their ongoing review of Corporate Governance. A further review will be undertaken in 2012.

The Code of Corporate Governance – Self Assessment Review 2011 and the Code of Corporate Governance are available from the Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager in the Policy, Performance and Partnerships Unit.

Sound corporate governance is supported by the business planning processes and disciplines of service planning, risk and financial management. A renewed council planning framework has been developed which has at its core the Council’s (Plan) Governance Framework, supported by the services delivered by the Council’s three public service Directorates and identified within the supporting service plans and appraisal arrangements. The Council (Plan) Governance Framework is a family of co-related documents stating ambition, priorities and targets against a governance framework describing how the Council is run and governed and identifying organisational values, roles and responsibilities. The governance framework, as presented to the Executive on 17 May 2011 is now operational, is reviewed annually and covers the following areas:-

The Council and Democracy  annual corporate governance self assessment  ongoing constitutional review  ongoing review of delegation  updating roles and responsibilities  development of accountability frameworks across the Council's structures

Organisational Vision and Values  development of the County Vision  development of more specific Council priorities  organisational values for high performance

Resources  development of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, People Strategy, Asset Management Plan and ICT Strategy as the four principal resources of the council  programme and project management methods  change management policy and practice

Business Processes  service planning at Head of Service level and new directorate planning arrangements 32 Page 19 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

 Outcome Agreement with Welsh Government  refresh of the model for presentation and review of the Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges  categorisation and review of targets  consistent approach to target setting methodology and action planning  protocols for managing external regulation

Partnerships  national, regional and local partnership working and collaboration  governance arrangements for collaborative projects  strategic partnership commitments and governance arrangements

The three service Directorates (Community Services, Environment and Lifelong Learning) produce Directorate Plans which summarise the critical priorities, performance, risk and improvement activity for the Directorate, as well as reflecting key aspects of delivery commitments for the strategic partnerships. Plans are produced to reflect the administrative year (May to May), along with any emerging budget pressures and efficiencies but with longer term considerations. The corporate services are reflected in the Service Plans for ICT and Customer Services, Finance, Human Resources and Legal and Democratic Services.

All council service areas review and complete their Service Plans at Head of Service level. These are annual plans but have a longer term considerations to reflect the objectives of sustainable services, business continuity and longer term performance and improvement commitments. Plans are reviewed and refreshed periodically throughout the year; at least quarterly to inform ongoing budget and resource planning. Quarterly performance reports on progress are prepared and reported to Executive and Scrutiny Committees.

Service Plans are available from the Policy and Performance Unit.

To ensure clarity, direction and consistency in stated aims and expectations for good governance, the Council has revised their Statement of the Priorities, which covers the current Council term (to May 2012). The selection of priorities has been lead by the Executive in its leadership role condensing the previous list of 40 priorities into 10 primary priorities. They are based on a range of sources including the prior consultations undertaken to inform the County Vision plus other local and service level consultations.

The list is concise and comprehensive having four governance and six public service priorities as follows:-

 To be a modern, efficient and cost effective public organisation through our four resources strategies - the Medium Term Financial Strategy, the People Strategy, the Asset Management Strategy and the ICT Strategy - whilst ensuring our local taxes and fees and charges are fair and affordable  To achieve the greatest possible cost efficiencies through regional and sub-regional collaboration to reinvest in local public services  To be a modern, caring and flexible employer with fair and equal pay and terms and conditions of employment under a Single Status Agreement  To achieve the highest standards of customer service and care through our Customer Services Strategy  To make our communities safe and to safeguard the vulnerable with children and older people being priority groups  To protect and grow the local and regional economy, to be a prosperous County and to provide help and support for those vulnerable to poverty 33 Page 20 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

 To promote independent, healthy and fulfilled living in the community with the highest quality personalised and supportive social and health care services  To meet housing need in the County and to work with partners to ensure a sufficient supply of quality and affordable homes and housing services in the social, mixed tenure and private sector housing markets  To secure a modern and high performing range of learning, cultural, play and leisure opportunities for all ages with our schools, colleges and other partners  To protect, plan and develop sustainable natural and built environments

These 10 primary priorities are supported by the more detailed secondary priorities set out in the three Directorate Plans for Community Services, Environment and Lifelong Learning and in the corporate governance plans. The corporate governance plans are the Improvement Plan, the Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges (SARC) and the four business plans for the corporate resources of the Asset Plan, the ICT and Customer Services Strategies, the Medium Term Financial Strategy and Plan and the People Strategy. The primary and secondary priorities both support, and are supported by strategies adopted by local partnerships e.g. the Children and Young People Partnership (CYPP).

The Council will evaluate and report on the performance of these 10 priorities twice yearly.

The Council’s Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges (SARC) document was created during 2007/08 and refreshed in 2010 and provides a detailed assessment of the Council’s risk and challenges and a basis for action.

The SARC document provides the foundation for both the Council’s Service/Business Plans, Internal Audit Plan and the Regulatory Plan. It defines and details the priorities for change and improvement and is supported by our business planning processes and disciplines of service planning, risk management, financial planning, resource planning, monitoring and review.

The content of the ongoing review of the strategic assessment of risks and challenges (SARC) informs (i) the Corporate Management Team Work Programme, (ii) the Internal and External Regulatory Programme for 2011/12 and (iii) the Council Planning Framework. The strategic assessment has been compiled under the following categories:

 Community Leadership - critical local issues which cannot be solely delivered by the Council (e.g. Affordable Housing)  Council Delivery - public service issues which are largely within the control and responsibility of the Council (e.g. Housing)  Council Governance - issues of organisational governance and management (e.g. Finance)

The SARC risks are described in Directorate Plans, detailed in Service Plans and reported on a quarterly basis as part of the quarterly performance report. In addition a separate review is undertaken of all the SARC risks twice yearly to ensure comprehensive coverage and assurance of risks and mitigating actions. This is reported to the Council’s Executive and Audit Committees.

The current Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges is available from the Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager, Corporate Services.

The Council’s Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made, the procedures to be followed to ensure that these decisions are efficient, transparent and accountable to

34 Page 21 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

local people. The Constitution is divided into 19 articles which set out the basic rules covering the Council’s business.

Officers and Members are both subject to Codes of Conduct which include a wide range of standards of behaviour required of them. Copies of the Codes are available to officers and Members on Infonet, which are supported by regular training events.

Flintshire County Council has in place a clear framework of systems and procedures to deter, prevent, detect and investigate fraud and corruption. This includes an Anti Fraud and Corruption Strategy that identifies the responsibilities of both members and employees in promoting a culture of honesty and integrity. The Council has a Whistleblowing Policy which enables employees to raise any concerns in confidence. The Internal Audit Manager keeps these policies under review in order to take account of any changes in Council policy and government legislation. Other policy documents that are in place and reviewed regularly are: Financial and Contract Procedure Rules, Customer Complaints Procedure, and Scheme of Delegation.

The Council's designated Responsible Financial Officer (S.151) is the Head of Finance. The postholder reports to the Chief Executive, is a member of the Corporate Management Team and is the Council's principal advisor on finance having direct access to all members and specifically through the Executive, Scrutiny, Audit Committee and Council. In so doing, the Head of Finance is a key member of the leadership team in developing and implementing strategy and is actively involved and able to bring influence to bear on all material business decisions ensuring risks and implications are considered and aligned with the financial strategy. The Council’s designated Monitoring Officer is the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and the Council’s principle legal adviser to ensure the lawfulness and fairness of decision making within the Council , monitor, review and maintain the Council’s Constitution and promote and maintain high standards in public life.

The Council actively recognises the limits of lawful activity placed upon them whilst also striving to utilise powers to the full benefit of their communities through:-

 Legal advice in the preparation of Council, Committee and Executive reports.  The availability of legal advice at meetings of the Council, the Executive and Statutory Committees.  The pro-active work of the Council’s Legal Service and its close working relationship with service managers.  Professional development and training (including multi-agency training for Children’s Services staff in particular).  The Council’s policies and protocols set out the processes.

Flintshire County Council has developed a new People Development Strategy in partnership with Deeside College. The various levels of supervisory and management development can be identified by reference to the overview diagrams contained within the People Development Strategy. Development requirements for these officers are identified through the Flintshire appraisal process, training data then being forwarded to the Corporate Training Team for action.

Members in receipt of special responsibility allowances have annual personal development meetings to identify their development needs. These then inform the annual Member development programme prepared by the Member Development Working Group. Specific training is given to Members of Audit and Planning Committees, which they are expected to attend. Further training is also undertaken both locally and across Wales for all Members via the Welsh Assembly.

35 Page 22 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

Senior officer development within the organisation is also identified through the appraisal process, together with individual assessments. The Corporate Training Manager is currently researching organisations that can assist with this process. It will be a combination of the following -

 360 degree feedback with interpretation through a coaching conversation  Residential sessions with reflective discussions on areas of leadership, performance, impact and leader behaviour  Review sessions to increase self awareness  Facilitated discussions providing insight into leadership best practice  Opportunities to receive peer comment on leader behaviour and impact  Post-residential coaching sessions to embed learning

Effective communication with customers, businesses, partner organisations and within its own workforce is a key priority for Flintshire County Council. The Communication Strategy sets out the principles and key aims of the Strategy.

Consultation and engagement with our customers and communities takes place on a number of different levels: representative democracy through our elected members, structured engagement through for example our County Forum (with Town and Community Councils), formal needs assessments through our strategic partnerships, surveys and feedback mechanisms such as workshops and roadshows. The range of methods is selected according to requirements, audience and coverage.

In 2010 the Council adopted Flintshire Futures as a programme to promote further organisational change and re-design to achieve the maximum financial efficiencies, and extends our commitments to regional collaboration.

The Flintshire Futures Programme has four parts which, taken together, will further modernise and change the organisation, make efficiencies and improve the resilience and quality of services.

The four parts are:-  Corporate Change: centrally led corporate projects which affect the whole organisation e.g. systems, lean working, procurement, costs of employment  Service Change: service led projects which affect specific services and functions e.g. transforming social services for adults  Regional Collaboration: regional and sub-regional collaborative projects with other councils and other public sector partners e.g. school improvement services  Local County Collaboration: county level collaborative projects with public and third sector partners e.g. carbon reduction and maximising opportunities/anti-poverty The Flintshire Futures Programme has the aims of:-  creating a modern and flexible organisation which makes the best use of its resources  maximising opportunities for efficiencies / income generation to limit the impact of reducing public sector funds on local services  improving local services and access to them and achieving the highest possible performance standards The Flintshire Futures Programme is designed to:-

36 Page 23 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

 fit with the national programmes of the Efficiency and Innovation Board chaired by the First Minister  maximise the benefits from collaboration with others  maximise the benefits from organisational change and modernisation The Flintshire Futures Programme is being developed alongside the Medium Term Financial Strategy, the Governance Plan and the three public service Directorate Plans to ensure clarity of direction and purpose, co-ordination of activity, and clarity over accountabilities and outcomes. This set of complementary plans will be reported through May and June 2011. The projected cumulative efficiencies of the Flintshire Futures Programme will be key to forecasting our ability to manage our finances for 2012/13 onwards given the indicative local government settlements set by the Welsh Assembly Government for 2012/13 and 2013/14 and our forecast budget pressures.

Flintshire has a wide range of partnerships and partnering arrangements. These range from strategic, statutory, operational, commissioning and contracting organisations, through to advisory bodies and collaborative partnering solutions. Flintshire’s strategic partnerships form the basis of the Council’s community planning arrangements (Flintshire in Partnership) comprising: Flintshire Local Service Board, Children and Young People’s Partnership, Health Social Care and Wellbeing Partnership, Community Safety Partnership, Regeneration Partnership and Voluntary Sector Compact.

The role of the Local Service Board (LSB) is five fold: to be a partnership body of local leaders; to discharge the responsibilities of the LSB; to undertake consistent and effective governance and performance reviews of the strategic partnerships; to identify common issues as public bodies; to promote collaboration and make best economic use of local partners’ resources.

The statutory requirement for the development of a Community Strategy on a partnership basis for the whole County of Flintshire was endorsed by Executive on 17th February 2009. Subsequently, the Community Strategy (County Vision) was formally adopted by Flintshire County Council on 30th June 2010.

The Community Strategy Work Plan is based around the issues, challenges and risks identified by the ‘County Vision’ by Flintshire in Partnership. The Flintshire Local Service Board (LSB) have identified carbon reduction and the impact of poverty and it’s associated disadvantages within the County as key issues to be tackled collectively. Collaborative ways of working are being actively pursued at the national, regional and local levels.

National Flintshire is part of the local government 'family' in Wales. The Council makes a contribution to national policy development and evaluation with the Welsh Assembly through:-  being an active member of the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) - the representative body for unitary, national park, police and fire and rescue authorities in Wales  being a statutory consultee recognised by Government and Government agencies  participation in national studies and programmes of work and national boards, networks and working groups

Flintshire also has a presence and an influence through the national professional bodies of whom its senior officers are active members. These include the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE), the Association of Directors of Education Wales (ADEW) and the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). These bodies are actively involved in national programmes of policy and practice development and evaluation. 37 Page 24 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

Flintshire is also active in the work of other national bodies such as the Wales Audit Office with its programme of national 'value for money' and innovation studies and the UK body the Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) which promotes improvement through comparative study and practice sharing.

Flintshire supports its elected members and professional officers to be active in all of the above to represent Flintshire's interests and to enhance our reputation as a leading council.

Regional Flintshire is an active member of regional partnerships and representative bodies.  nominates members to the North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Authorities  nominates members to various bodies with a regional remit  is active in regional networks such as the North Wales Economic Forum  is a member of regional consortia such as the regional transport consortium TAITH  is a member of formal joint committees which oversee joint services such as the Joint Committee for the North Wales Residual Waste Treatment procurement partnership  is a full member of the Regional Leadership Board, a regional committee of the WLGA  is a full member of the four regional portfolio boards which promote collaboration in public services

The Council helps shape regional priorities and policy through all of the above in addition to promoting and defending the interests of the region on a Wales and UK level and the interests of Flintshire on a regional level.

The Council is also an active member of the Mersey Dee Alliance which promotes cross-border strategic planning and co-operation for economic development and infrastructure development.

Local Working alongside the Flintshire Local Service Board (LSB) are six key Strategic Partnerships:  Children & Young People’s Partnership and Plan (2011 to 2014)  Community Safety Partnership and Strategic Plan (2008 to 2011)  Flintshire Housing Partnership  Health, Social Care and Well-being Partnership and the Good Health, Good Care Strategy (2011 to 2014)  Regeneration Partnership  Voluntary Sector Compact

Collectively, the LSB and these Strategic Partnerships are known as 'Flintshire in Partnership'. Flintshire's Strategic Partnerships are critically important in contributing towards the quality of life for the County of Flintshire.

Strategic partnership performance is reported to the Council’s Executive and the Community Profile and Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee twice yearly.

A recent review of the North Wales Partnerships has resulted in a series of changes including in phase 1 the setting up new joint Boards:-

 Regional Leadership Board: Leaders and Chief Executives  Joint Local Safeguarding Children’s Board with Wrexham  Joint Community Safety Partnership with Wrexham 38 Page 25 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

Phase 2 will further consolidate these partnerships to develop a North Wales Safer Communities Board and regional working for commissioning, governance and accountability of the Health Social Care and Wellbeing Partnerships and Children and Young People’s Partnerships.

In October 2009, the LSB agreed that a Strategic Partnership Governance Framework be developed to provide a consistent approach to Strategic Partnership Governance. This Framework is now being used (or implementation is planned) by the following:  Children and Young People Partnership  Community Safety Partnership  Flintshire Housing Partnership  Health, Social Care & Well-being Partnership  Regeneration Partnership  Youth Justice Service Executive Management Board  Local Safeguarding Children’s Board

4. REVIEW OF EFFECTIVENESS

Flintshire County Council has responsibility for conducting, at least annually, a review of the effectiveness of its governance framework including the system of internal control. The review of effectiveness is informed by the work of Directors, Corporate Heads and managers within the authority who have responsibility for the development and maintenance of the governance environment, the Head of Internal Audit’s annual report, and also by comments made by the external auditors and other review agencies and inspectorates.

Flintshire County Council has 70 councillors that represent 57 Electoral Divisions in Flintshire and are democratically elected every four years. Elected members are accountable to Full Council and to the electorate of their electoral division. The role purpose and activity of elected members

 Representing and supporting communities

 Making decisions and overseeing council performance

 Representing the Council on outside bodies (subject to appointment)

 Internal governance, ethical standards and relationships

 Personal and role development To be committed to the values of the Council and the following values in public office:

 Openness and transparency

 Honesty and integrity

 Tolerance and respect

 Equality and fairness

 Appreciation of cultural difference

 Sustainability

39 Page 26 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

Decisions are usually made by the Executive committee for all issues including major policy matters. The role of Overview and Scrutiny is to hold the Executive to account as a critical friend and to monitor/assist in the improvement and development of the Council’s policies and services. Under the Local Government Act 2000, local authorities must have at least one Overview and Scrutiny committee. Flintshire has seven Overview and Scrutiny committees, supported by a team of officers. The committees are as follows:

 Housing

 Corporate Resources

 Environment

 Lifelong Learning

 Community Profile & Partnerships

 Social and Health Care

 Co-ordinating

Some functions of the full Council include:

 Adopting and changing the Constitution

 Approving or adopting the policy framework, the budget and any application to the National Assembly for Wales in respect of any Housing Land Transfer

 Appointing the Leader of the Council

 Deciding the size and terms of reference for Committees and deciding the allocation of seats to Political groups in accordance with the political balance rules and appointments to Committees of those Members, if any, who are not members of any Political Group

The business to be considered by the Executive, Overview and Scrutiny Committees and the Council as a whole is published in the forward work programme. Meetings of the Executive, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, the Council and other Committees are open for the public to attend except where exempt or confidential matters are being discussed, as defined by law. The Executive has to make decisions which are in line with the Council’s overall policies and budget. If it wishes to make a decision which is outside the budget or the policy framework, this must be referred to the Council as a whole.

In accordance with best practice guidance the Council has an established Audit Committee with clear Terms of Reference. The Committee’s role and functions are to:

 Review the effectiveness of the Council’s systems of internal control and risk management systems  Oversee the financial reporting process to ensure the balance, transparency and integrity of published financial information  Monitor the performance and effectiveness of the internal and external audit functions within the wider regulatory context.

The Terms of Reference form part of the Council’s Constitution and ensure that the Audit Committee undertakes the core functions as identified in CIPFA’s Audit Committee – Practical Guidance for Local Authorities. The Audit Committee completes a self assessment against the CIPFA requirements on an annual basis. 40 Page 27 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

The Standards Committee’s primary role is to promote and maintain high standards for all Councillors. A Code of Conduct covering the behaviour and actions of Councillors has been adopted and all Councillors have agreed to abide by it. The agreed composition of the nine-strong committee is five ‘independent’ members, who are neither a Councillor or an officer or the spouse of a councillor or officer of this Council or any other relevant Authority as defined by the Act, appointed in accordance with the procedure set out in the Standards Committees (Wales) Regulations 2001, three councillors other than the Leader or Executive Members, and one member of a community council.

Internal Audit is a statutory independent review function providing a service to the Executive and all levels of management. Internal Audit has to meet the standards laid down by professional bodies such as CIPFA and the requirements of the Auditing Practices Board as interpreted by the CIPFA Code of Practice for Internal Audit in Local Government in the United Kingdom. Internal Audit is independent of the activities that it audits so as to ensure the unbiased judgments essential to its proper conduct and impartial advice to management. In this respect, Internal Audit operate within a framework that allows:-  Unrestricted access to all functions, records and property;  Full and free access to the Audit Committee;  Unrestricted access to senior management, members and all employees;  The issue of audit reports in its own name.

The Head of Internal Audit provides an independent opinion on the adequacy and effectiveness of risk management, governance and internal control.

The Constitution Committee has devised a work programme, however some aspects of the programme which had been delayed due to the late start of the Wales Audit Office Corporate Governance Diagnostic exercise, have now been considered by the Committee. Consideration needs to be given in the near future as to how the proposed new statutory Democratic Services Committee introduced by the latest Local Government Measure will affect the work of the Constitution Committee.

The Council is committed to maintaining effective and sound industrial relations by working in partnership with its recognised trade unions. As part of these arrangements, management and elected Members meet with the trade unions on a regular basis. The Flintshire Joint Trade Union Committee (FJTUC) which comprises senior management representatives and trade union colleagues, and the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) comprising senior management, elected Members and trade unions, is a framework for the exchanging of ideas and views which affect the interest of the workforce and the organisation. These committees enable the Council to engage fully with the trade unions at an early stage and to communicate and consult on proposals and issues of common interest to all parties. These arrangements are important in maintaining partnership working between employer and trade unions for the Council and have worked effectively during the course of the year.

5. SIGNIFICANT GOVERNANCE ISSUES

The significant corporate risks identified within SARC which have a status of ‘Red’ are:

 CD20 School Buildings / School Modernisation

o Risk description - Condition, suitability and sufficiency of education assets and meeting the Flintshire County Council policy on school surplus places. Mitigating actions contained in the SARC are progressing, however, at March 2011; the risk is still evaluated as high with the Council in the early stages of area reviews of secondary provision. 41 Page 28 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

 CD23 Procurement of independent sector placements for looked after children

o Risk description - Budget pressure created by the cost of procuring independent sector placements that provide specialist care or education to meet the unpredictable needs of looked after children. Mitigating actions contained in the SARC are progressing, however, the status of ‘red’ remains. The task and finish group are continuing their work, and are improving commissioning processes and reducing costs, to plan. The North Wales project is progressing. The budget is being monitored very closely due to the volatility of the demand.

Other risks contained within the SARC that are also of significant importance to the Council but do not currently have ‘red’ status are:

 CD14 Housing Ballot

o Risk description – Not meeting the objective of completing a housing ballot in a reasonable timescale and according to Welsh Government guidelines. Mitigating actions contained in the SARC are progressing to plan (and approved by Welsh Government and Wales Audit Office) with the ballot to be held early 2012.

 CG11 Terms and Conditions of Employment

o Risk description – Implementation of Single Status / Job Evaluation. Mitigating actions contained in the SARC are progressing; however, the timetable for implementation of the Single Status Agreement has been moved back to early / mid 2012.

 CG21 Medium Term Financial Strategy

o The Council adopted its Medium Term Financial Strategy 2011/15 in June 2011; which sets out the financial resourcing strategy by which the Council will deliver its visions and strategic objectives over the medium term. Work on the Medium Term Financial Plan is now developing a robust forecasting model to compare resource availability, demands on those resources and opportunities to meet the shortfall. The Flintshire Futures Programme sets out an ambitious programme for the Council as it modernises and re-shapes its service delivery and responds to the challenging financial future facing local government.

The current Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges is available from the Policy, Performance and Partnerships Manager, Corporate Services.

Other Governance Issues

Some significant weaknesses were identified by Internal Audit in the areas listed below. If allowed to continue, these weaknesses could lead to financial loss, non-compliance with legislation or inefficient working. Controls were therefore recommended to manage the risks.

 Employment Practices Codes o The need to improve practices in order to comply with the Code with respect to data protection. Non compliance could lead to financial and reputational risk.

 Charges on Clients Properties o The need to ensure that charges are registered where applicable 42 Page 29 ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT continued

 Business Enterprise Units o The need to produce plans, procedures and service level agreements for the units

 Data Management – Public Protection o The need to improve the management of the data system to ensure the accuracy and usefulness of the information held

 Technology Forge – Asset Management System o The need to ensure the system is fully used

 Affordable Housing o The need to improve procedures to ensure that the required level of affordable housing is produced

 Main Accounting o The need to improve controls over debt recovery and the write off of bad debts

 Absence Management o The need for managers to apply HR policies

 Holiday Entitlements o The need to standardise entitlements across the Authority

 Payroll o the need for improved procedures and controls following the transfer onto the Trent system

 Use of Consultants o The need to improve controls over the engagement and monitoring of consultants

 Children’s Services Taxis o The need to improve communication between departments and the operational controls over taxis

 Section 106 Agreements o The need to improve the monitoring and enforcement of the agreements, and the timeliness, accountability and member involvement in the process

Detailed action plans have been drawn up to address these issues as a priority.

In the Annual Governance Statement for 2009/10 areas of significant weaknesses identified by internal audit were noted. These included rent recovery, corporate grants, procurement, housing maintenance, TASK (highways job costing), taxi contracts and public protection – income from fees. Action plans had been agreed to correct the weaknesses identified during these reviews. During 2010/11 these areas were subject to recommendation tracking to ensure that action was being taken. In all cases progress has been made to address the weaknesses.

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The following areas were first reported in the AGS in 2009. The 2010 AGS reported that some progress has been made, but the issues remain and more is needed to be done. Progress in the last year has been affected by delays in the completion of the Finance Function Review.

 General Ledger

o The need to undertake a major review of the main financial IT system to ensure it is able to provide robust, accurate and timely management information.

Establishing a robust finance function capable of supporting a major review of the main IT system is one of the objectives of the Finance Function Review (FFR), pending capacity being in place to facilitate a major review. Upgrades to the existing software have been actioned to enhance facilities available and to enable the implementation of Purchase to Pay (P2P) software to support modernisation of procurement practices. It is likely that the major review will now be undertaken as a collaborative project with other North Wales councils and will need to be timetabled in conjunction with other finance and IT departments.

 Debt Recovery and Enforcement

o The need to tighten controls on debt recovery, credit checking and bad debt write-offs.

A Finance led project under the Flintshire Futures Programme began in August 2011 to address these issues, building on work undertaken in 2010/11 by a Lean Team review. This project will be completed in 2011/12 and will provide an updated Corporate Debt Policy and revised recovery procedures.

Whilst the Finance Function Review is taking longer to implement than planned, significant progress is now being made to enable its aims to be achieved. This will also be a significant contributor to enhanced governance arrangements for the Council.

We propose over the coming year to take steps to address the above matters to further enhance our governance arrangements. We are satisfied that these steps will address the need for the improvements that were identified in our review of effectiveness and will monitor their implementation and operation as part of our next annual review.

………………………………… ………………………………

Leader of the Council Chief Executive

………………………………

Head of Finance

Dated : 16/9/11

44 Page 31 MOVEMENT IN RESERVES STATEMENT for the year ended 31st March 2011

Earmarked Housing Capital Capital Council Council Revenue Total Total Receipts Grants Fund Fund Account Usable Unusable Reserves of Reserve Unapplied Balance Reserves Balance Reserves Reserves the Authority Note £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

At 31st March 2010 4,818 6,906 27,246 5,004 1,492 45,466 431,920 477,386

Surplus/(deficit) on the provision of services 0 0 21,010 0 (4,598) 16,412 0 16,412

Other comprehensive income and expenditure 00 0 00 0 18,095 18,095

Total comprehensive income and expenditure 0 0 21,010 0 (4,598) 16,412 18,095 34,507

Adjustments between accounting and funding basis under regulations 9 1,409 2,238 (20,142) (441) 4,720 (12,216) 12,216 0

Net increase/(decrease) before transfer to earmarked reserves 1,409 2,238 868 (441) 122 4,196 30,311 34,507

Transfers to/(from) earmarked reserves 0 0 5,997 127 0 6,124 0 6,124

Increase/(decrease) in year 1,409 2,238 6,865 (314) 122 10,320 30,311 40,631

At 31st March 2011 6,227 9,144 34,111 4,690 1,614 55,786 462,231 518,017

45 Page 32 MOVEMENT IN RESERVES STATEMENT for the year ended 31st March 2011 (continued)

At 31st March 2009 1,788 10,229 27,581 3,647 917 44,162 656,216 700,378

Surplus/(deficit) on the provision of services * 0 0 (110,668) 0 (121,262) (231,930) 0 (231,930)

Other comprehensive income and expenditure 00 0 00 0 8,938 8,938

Total comprehensive income and expenditure * 0 0 (110,668) 0 (121,262) (231,930) 8,938 (222,992)

Adjustments between accounting and funding basis under regulations * 9 3,030 (3,323) 110,333 1,357 121,837 233,234 (233,234) 0

Net increase/(decrease) before transfer to earmarked reserves 3,030 (3,323) (335) 1,357 575 1,304 (224,296) (222,992)

Transfers to/(from) earmarked reserves 00 0 00 0 0 0

Increase/(decrease) in year 3,030 (3,323) (335) 1,357 575 1,304 (224,296) (222,992)

At 31st March 2010 4,818 6,906 27,246 5,004 1,492 45,466 431,920 477,386

* prior period adjusted figures (housing revenue account)

A prior period adjustment reflects a revised impairment charge calculation for Council dwellings (from the previously recorded £84,122k to £118,876k). This adjustment is followed through in related 2009/10 comparative figures within the Statement of Accounts.

46 Page 33 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT for the year ended 31st March 2011 2011 2010 Gross Gross Net Gross Gross Net Note Expenditure Income Expenditure Expenditure Income Expenditure Service Expenditure Analysis £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Adult social care 58,969 16,921 42,048 56,020 16,414 39,606 Central services to the public 2,953 1,569 1,384 3,569 1,754 1,815 Education and children's services 158,369 24,768 133,601 236,470 26,009 210,461 Cultural, environmental, regulatory and 64,734 24,364 40,370 70,315 17,206 53,109 planning services Highways and transport services 27,094 8,677 18,417 24,782 9,083 15,699 Housing services : Housing - Council fund 54,840 49,658 5,182 51,397 48,382 3,015 Housing revenue account (HRA) * 26,079 24,058 2,021 142,573 23,676 118,897 Corporate and democratic core 2,350 16 2,334 1,756 16 1,740 Non distributed costs 3,697 0 3,697 6,837 0 6,837 Exceptional non distributed costs ** (34,157) 0 (34,157) 0 0 0 Write down of plant and equipment costs *** 0 0 0 3,871 0 3,871

Net cost of services * 364,928 150,031 214,897 597,590 142,540 455,050 Other Operating Expenditure Net gain on the disposal of non-current assets (323) (648) Levy - North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority 7,119 6,973 Precept - North Wales Police Authority 6 12,186 11,793 Other preceptors - community councils 6 2,119 2,040 Total Other Operating Expenditure 21,101 20,158 Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure Interest payable and similar charges 3 9,970 10,056 Investment losses and investment expenditure 3,4 5,326 8,605 Interest and investment income 3 (6,197) (8,005) Pensions interest cost 3,5 32,897 30,299 Expected return on pensions assets 3,5 (22,906) (17,024) Total Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure 19,090 23,931

Net operating expenditure * 255,088 499,139 Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income Council tax income 6 (67,384) (65,151) Distribution from non-domestic rate pool 7 (42,236) (40,437) Grants - revenue (general) and capital (all) 8 (166,478) (161,621) Total Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income (276,098) (267,209)

(Surplus)/deficit on the provision of services * (21,010) 231,930

(Surplus)/deficit arising on revaluation of non-current assets * (4,231) (74,805) (Surplus)/deficit arising on revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets (14) 66 Actuarial (gains) or losses on pension assets and liabilities (15,729) 66,121 Other comprehensive income and expenditure 353 (320) Total comprehensive income or expenditure (40,631) 222,992

* prior period adjusted figures (housing revenue account) ** Gains due to the change in scheme benefits - applying CPI to pensions which were previously calculated on RPI. ** * relevant asset values, rather than as specifically identifiable individual items - 2009/10 was the final year of required write down.

The Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement discloses the accounting cost of providing services in accordance with generally accepted accounting practices rather than the amount to be funded from local taxation. 47 Page 34 BALANCE SHEET as at 31st March 2011

2011 2010 1st April 2009 Note £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 NON-CURRENT ASSETS Property, Plant & Equipment 20,22,23 Council dwellings * 293,286 293,961 386,415 Other land and buildings 344,344 349,035 407,648 Vehicles, plant, furniture and equipment 6,941 6,935 11,776 Surplus assets 7,919 8,747 10,501 Infrastructure assets 154,016 153,821 150,208 Community assets 9,458 9,134 7,853 Assets under construction 1,700 681 9,177 Total Property, Plant & Equipment 817,664 822,314 983,578 Investment properties 21,22,23 27,006 27,313 28,423 Agricultural estate 21,22,23 14,493 14,493 12,439 Intangible Assets 19 628 693 417 Long term investments 24,38 2,628 612 7,123 Long term debtors 25 591 299 278 NON-CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL 863,010 865,724 1,032,258

CURRENT ASSETS Inventories 26 1,264 1,031 1,210 Short term debtors (net of impairment provision) 27 28,187 30,096 23,960 Short term investments 28 10,410 6,947 7,889 Cash and cash equivalents 29 39,982 28,964 27,795 Assets held for sale 30 9,493 9,473 756 CURRENT ASSETS TOTAL 89,336 76,511 61,610

CURRENT LIABILITIES Borrowing repayable on demand or within 12 months 31 (5,803) (1,330) (1,329) Short term creditors 32 (33,108) (28,524) (30,578) Provision for accumulated absences 34 (3,598) (2,810) (3,762) Deferred liabilities 15 (363) (454) (368) CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL (42,872) (33,118) (36,037)

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES Long term creditors 32 (2,205) (2,471) (2,192) Long term borrowing 33,38 (173,744) (173,613) (173,613) Deferred liabilities 35 (2,065) (1,742) (873) Provisions 34 (10,140) (4,975) (71) Other long term liabilities 5 (203,303) (248,930) (180,704) NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES TOTAL (391,457) (431,731) (357,453)

NET ASSETS 518,017 477,386 700,378

* prior period adjusted figures

48 Page 35 BALANCE SHEET as at 31st March 2011 (continued)

2011 2010 1st April 2009 Note £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 USABLE RESERVES Capital receipts reserve 36 6,227 4,818 1,788 Capital grants unapplied 36 9,144 6,906 10,229 Council fund 36 34,111 27,246 27,581 Housing revenue account 36 1,614 1,492 917 Specific reserves 36 4,690 5,004 3,647 USABLE RESERVES TOTAL 55,786 45,466 44,162

UNUSABLE RESERVES Revaluation reserve 37 114,579 112,792 44,082 Available-for-sale financial instruments reserve 37 254 240 306 Capital adjustment account * 37 574,061 586,629 807,631 Financial instruments adjustment account 37 (9,679) (11,131) (11,394) Pensions reserve 37 (203,303) (248,930) (180,704) Unequal back pay account 37 (10,099) (4,903) 0 Deferred capital receipts 37 16 33 57 Accumulated absences account 37 (3,598) (2,810) (3,762) UNUSABLE RESERVES TOTAL 462,231 431,920 656,216

TOTAL RESERVES 518,017 477,386 700,378

* prior period adjusted figures

49 Page 36 CASH FLOW STATEMENT for the year ended 31st March 2011

The Cash Flow Statement shows the changes in cash and cash equivalents of the Authority during the reporting period. The statement shows how the Authority generates and uses cash and cash equivalents by classifying cash flows as operating, investing and financing activities. The amount of net cash flows arising from operating activities is a key indicator of the extent to which the operations of the Authority are funded by way of taxation and grant income or from the recipients of services provided by the Authority. Investing activities represent the extent to which cash outflows have been made for resources which are intended to contribute to the Authority’s future service delivery. Cash flows arising from financing activities are useful in predicting claims on future cash flows by providers of capital (i.e. borrowing) to the Authority.

Note 2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000

Net surplus or (deficit) on the provision of services * 21,010 (231,930)

Adjustment to surplus or deficit on the provision of services for 18,276 256,481 non-cash movements

Adjust for items included in the net surplus or deficit on the (22,028) (21,944) provision of services that are investing and financing activities Net cash outflows from operating activities 45 17,258 2,607

Net cash flows from investing activities 46 (6,074) (5,087)

Net cash flows from financing activities 47 494 1,025 (5,580) (4,062)

Net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents 11,678 (1,455)

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period 29 28,964 27,795

Other (660) 2,624

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting period 29 39,982 28,964

* The cash flow statement is reported using the indirect method, whereby net surplus or deficit on the provision of services is adjusted for the effects of transactions of a non-cash nature, any deferrals or accruals of past or future operating cash receipts or payments, and items of revenue or expense associated with investing or financing cash flows

50 Page 37 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended 31st March 2011

1. TRANSITION TO IFRS

The Statement of Accounts for 2010/11 is the first to be prepared on an IFRS basis. Adoption of the IFRS-based Code has resulted in the restatement of various balances and transactions, with the result that some amounts presented in the financial statements are different from the equivalent figures presented in the Statement of Accounts for 2009/10.

The following tables explain the material differences between the amounts presented in the 2009/10 financial statements and the equivalent amounts presented in the 2010/11 financial statements; other less material differences account for the balance of those IFRS restated totals not covered within the tables.

Short-Term Accumulating Compensated Absences

Short-term accumulating compensated absences refers to benefits that employees receive as part of their contract of employment, entitlement to which is built up as they provide services to the Authority. The most significant benefit covered by this heading is holiday pay.

Employees build up an entitlement to paid holidays as they work. Under the Code, the cost of providing holidays and similar benefits is required to be recognised when employees render service that increases their entitlement to future compensated absences. As a result, the Authority is required to accrue for any annual leave earned but not taken at 31st March each year. Under the previous accounting arrangements, no such accrual was required.

The Welsh Government has issued regulations that mean local authorities are only required to fund holiday pay and similar benefits when they are used, rather than when employees earn the benefits. Amounts are transferred to the Accumulated Absences Account until the benefits are used.

Accruing for short-term accumulating compensated absences has resulted in the following changes being made to the 2009/10 financial statements:

Opening 1st April 2009 Balance Sheet –

2009/10 Adjustments 2009/10 Statements Made Statements (SORP) (Code) £000 £000 £000 Current provisions 0 3,762 3,762 Accumulated absences account 0 3,762 3,762

31st March 2010 Balance Sheet –

2009/10 Adjustments 2009/10 Statements Made Statements (SORP) (Code) £000 £000 £000 Current provisions 0 2,810 2,810 Accumulated absences account 0 2,810 2,810

51 Page 38 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

1. TRANSITION TO IFRS (continued)

2009/10 Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement –

Cost of Services (Net):

2009/10 Adjustments Statements Made £000 £000 Adult social care 39,892 (225) Central services to the 1,590 (1) public Education and children's 210,851 (642) services Cultural, environmental, 55,473 (39) regulatory and planning services Highways and transport 14,244 (11) services Housing - Council fund 2,940 (13) Housing revenue account 83,528 (22) (HRA) Corporate and democratic 6,834 (2) core Non distributed costs 3,871 3

Leases

Under the Code, leases of property are accounted for as separate leases of land and buildings. Previously, each property lease would have been accounted for as a single lease. The change in accounting treatment can result in the land or buildings element of the lease being accounted for as an operating lease where it was previously treated as a finance lease, or as a finance lease where it was previously treated as an operating lease.

The Welsh Government has issued regulations and statutory guidance in relation to accounting for leases. Under these arrangements, the annual charge to the Council Fund (where the Authority is the lessee) will be unchanged.

Where the Authority is the lessor, the regulations allow the Authority to continue to treat the income from existing leases in the same way as it accounted for the income prior to the introduction of the Code.

The Authority has one property lease for which the accounting treatment has changed following the introduction of the Code. Also, the Authority has 24 equipment leases where the accounting treatment has changed (22 existing prior to 1st April 2009 and two entered into during 2009/10). These leases were previously classified as operating leases, but under the Code, they should be recognised as finance leases.

52 Page 39 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

1. TRANSITION TO IFRS (continued)

As a consequence of classifying these leases as finance leases, the financial statements have been amended as follows:

 The Authority has recognised the assets and finance lease liabilities on the balance sheet.

 The operating lease charge within the relevant lines within net cost of services has been reduced by the amount that relates to the buildings element of the lease payments.

 A depreciation charge has been included within the relevant lines within net cost of services.

 The depreciation charge has been transferred from the Council Fund to the Capital Adjustment Account. This transfer has been reflected in the Balance Sheets as at 1st April 2009 and 31st March 2010, and the adjustments that relate to 2009/10 are reported in the Movement in Reserves Statement for the year.

 The interest element of the lease payments is charged to the Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure line in the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services.

This has resulted in the following changes being made to the 2009/10 financial statements:

Opening 1st April 2009 Balance Sheet –

2009/10 Adjustments 2009/10 Statements Made Statements (SORP) (Code) £000 £000 £000 Property, plant and equipment (leased assets) 0 2,009 2,009 Deferred liability (finance leases) 0 1,241 1,241 Capital adjustment account (finance leases) 0 768 768

31st March 2010 Balance Sheet (in year movement) –

2009/10 Adjustments 2009/10 Statements Made Statements (SORP) (Code) £000 £000 £000 Property, plant and equipment (leased assets) 0 (211) (211) Deferred liability (finance leases) 0 70 70 Capital adjustment account (finance leases) 0 141 141

53 Page 40 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

1. TRANSITION TO IFRS (continued)

2009/10 Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement –

Cost of Services (Net):

2009/10 Adjustments Statements Made £000 £000 Education and children's services 210,851 35 Cultural, environmental, regulatory and 55,473 (89) planning services Housing - Council Fund 2,930 8 Financing and investment income and 9,466 185 expenditure

The net increase in the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services is removed by the transfer of the depreciation charge to the Capital Adjustment Account. This transfer is shown in the Movement in Reserves Statement.

Government Grants

Under the Code, grants and contributions for capital schemes are recognised as income when they become receivable. Previously, grants were held in a grants deferred account and recognised as income over the life of the assets which they were used to fund.

As a consequence of adopting the accounting policy required by the Code, the financial statements have been amended as follows:

 The balance on the Government Grants Deferred Account at 31st March 2009 has been transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account in the opening 1st April 2009 balance sheet.

 Portions of government grants deferred were previously recognised as income in 2009/10; these have been removed from the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in the comparative figures.

 For grants received in 2009/10 but not used, previously, no income was recognised in respect of these grants, which was shown in the Grants Unapplied Account within the liabilities section of the balance sheet. Following the change in accounting policy, the grants have been recognised in full, and transferred to the Capital Grants Unapplied Account within the reserves section of the balance sheet.

54 Page 41 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

1. TRANSITION TO IFRS (continued)

This has resulted in the following changes being made to the 2009/10 financial statements:

Opening 1st April 2009 Balance Sheet –

2009/10 Adjustments 2009/10 Statements Made Statements (SORP) (Code) £000 £000 £000 Government grants deferred account 92,488 (92,488) 0 Capital adjustment account 0 92,488 92,488 Grants and contributions unapplied (liabilities) 10,229 (10,229) 0 Capital grants unapplied (reserves) 0 10,229 10,229

31st March 2010 Balance Sheet (in year movement) –

2009/10 Adjustments 2009/10 Statements Made Statements (SORP) (Code) £000 £000 £000 Government grants deferred account 14,612 (14,612) 0 Capital adjustment account 0 14,612 14,612 Grants and contributions unapplied (liabilities) (3,323) 3,323 0 Capital grants unapplied (reserves) 0 (3,323) (3,323)

2009/10 Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement –

Cost of Services (Net):

2009/10 Adjustments Statements Made £000 £000 Adult social care 39,892 22 Education and children's 210,851 54 services Cultural, environmental, 55,473 54 regulatory and planning services Highways and transport 14,244 183 services Housing Revenue 83,528 134 Account (HRA) Government grants - (139,074) (18,328) general

55 Page 42 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

2. SEGMENTAL REPORTING

The analysis of income and expenditure by service on the face of the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement is that specified by the Best Value Accounting Code of Practice. However, decisions about resource allocation are taken by the Authority’s Executive on the basis of budget reports analysed across directorates. These reports are prepared on a different basis from the accounting policies used in the financial statements. In particular:

 no charges are made in relation to capital expenditure (whereas depreciation, revaluation and impairment losses in excess of the balance on the Revaluation Reserve and amortisations are charged to services in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement)

 expenditure on some support services is budgeted for centrally and not charged to directorates.

The income and expenditure of the Authority’s principal directorates recorded in the budget reports for the year is as follows:

Central and Community Lifelong Corporate Corporate 2010/11 Services Environment Learning Services Finance HRA Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fees, charges & other service Income income (8,881) (32,422) (14,263) (47,655) (14,418) (21,546) (139,185)

Government grants (10,860) (7,823) (19,616) (438) 0 (6,391) (45,128) Total (19,741) (40,245) (33,879) (48,093) (14,418) (27,937) (184,313)

Employee Expenditure expenses 31,573 24,921 109,144 13,706 5,166 6,417 190,927 Other service expenses 42,174 47,109 37,211 52,373 34,021 21,484 234,372 Total 73,747 72,030 146,355 66,079 39,187 27,901 425,299

Final Outturn 54,006 31,785 112,476 17,986 24,769 (36) 240,986

56 Page 43 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

2. SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)

Central and Community Lifelong Corporate Corporate 2009/10 Services Environment Learning Services Finance HRA Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fees, charges & other service Income income (5,464) (25,352) (12,403) (3,067) (40,649) (57,362) (144,297)

Government grants (14,292) (11,615) (22,101) (42,501) 0 6,441 (84,068) Total (19,756) (36,967) (34,504) (45,568) (40,649) (50,921) (228,365)

Employee Expenditure expenses 32,475 25,388 107,019 14,682 5,552 6,424 191,540 Other service expenses 40,561 42,750 37,846 48,947 57,037 43,937 271,078 Total 73,036 68,138 144,865 63,629 62,589 50,361 462,618

Final Outturn 53,280 31,171 110,361 18,061 21,940 (560) 234,253

Reconciliation of Directorate Income and Expenditure to Cost of Services in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement This reconciliation shows how the figures in the analysis of directorate income and expenditure relate to the amounts included in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. 2010/11 2009/10 £000 £000 Final outturn 240,986 234,253 Add amounts not reported to management * 3,380 274,427 Remove amounts reported to management not included in comprehensive income and expenditure statement (29,469) (53,630) Net Cost of Services in Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement 214,897 455,050

* prior period adjusted figures (housing revenue account)

Reconciliation to Subjective Analysis

This reconciliation shows how the figures in the analysis of directorate income and expenditure relate to a subjective analysis of the Surplus or Deficit on the Provision of Services included in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement.

57 Page 44 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

2. SEGMENTAL REPORTING (continued)

Reconciliation to Subjective Analysis Service Not ReportedNot Included Net Cost of Corporate Total (Single Entity) 2010/11 Analysis to Manag't in I&E Services Amounts £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fees, charges & other service income (139,185) 0 0 (139,185) 0 (139,185) Interest and investment income 0000 (29,103) (29,103) Income from council tax 0000 (67,384) (67,384) Distribution from non-domestic rate pool 0000 (42,236) (42,236) Government grants and contributions (45,128) 0 0 (45,128) (166,478) (211,606) Gain or loss on disposal of fixed assets 00 0 (323) (323) Total Income (184,313) 0 0 (184,313) (305,524) (489,837)

Employee expenses 190,927 0 0 190,927 0 190,927 Other service expenses 234,372 (52,303) (8,178) 173,891 0 173,891 Support Service recharges 0 21,291 (21,291) 0 0 0 Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 0 34,392 0 34,392 0 34,392 Interest payments 0000 48,193 48,193 Precepts & levies 0000 21,424 21,424 Total operating expenses 425,299 3,380 (29,469) 399,210 69,617 468,827

Surplus or deficit on the provision of services 240,986 3,380 (29,469) 214,897 (235,907) (21,010)

Reconciliation to Subjective Analysis Service Not ReportedNot Included Net Cost of Corporate Total (Single Entity) 2009/10 Analysis to Manag't in I&E Services Amounts £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fees, charges & other service income (144,297) (225) 0 (144,522) 0 (144,522) Interest and investment income 0 0 4,873 4,873 (25,029) (20,156) Income from council tax 0000 (65,151) (65,151) Distribution from non-domestic rate pool 0000 (40,437) (40,437) Government grants and contributions (84,068) 2,774 0 (81,294) (161,621) (242,915) Gain or loss on disposal of fixed assets 0000 (648) (648) Total Income (228,365) 2,549 4,873 (220,943) (292,886) (513,829)

Employee expenses 191,541 5,697 (952) 196,286 0 196,286 Other service expenses 271,077 148,357 (27,781) 391,653 0 391,653 Support Service recharges 0 22,294 (22,294) 0 0 0 Depreciation, amortisation and impairment * 0 95,530 0 95,530 0 95,530 Interest payments 0 0 (7,476) (7,476) 48,960 41,484 Precepts & levies 0000 20,806 20,806 Total operating expenses 462,618 271,878 (58,503) 675,993 69,766 745,759

Surplus or deficit on the provision of services 234,253 274,427 (53,630) 455,050 (223,120) 231,930

* prior period adjusted figures (housing revenue account)

58 Page 45 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

3. FINANCING AND INVESTMENT INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

Interest payments and similar charges of £9,970k (£10,056k in 2009/10) together with investment losses of £99k (£1,680k in 2009/10) and investment expenditure of £5,227k (£6,925k in 2009/10) totaling £5,326k (£8,605k in 2009/10), pensions interest cost and expected return on pensions assets of £9,991k (£13,275k in 2009/10) and interest and investment income of £6,197k (£8,005k in 2009/10) produce an aggregate net total of £19,090k (£23,931k in 2009/10).

2011 2010 £000 £000 Interest payable and similar charges 9,970 10,056 Investment losses and investment expenditure (see analysis in note 4 below) 5,326 8,605 Pensions interest cost and expected return on pensions assets 9,991 13,275 Interest and investment income (6,197) (8,005)

19,090 23,931

4. INVESTMENT LOSSES

Impairment of £99k net (£1,680k in 2009/10) and investment expenditure of £5,227k (£6,925k in 2009/10) have been recognised.

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

Impairment on investment property 234 1,329 Impairment adjustments - Landsbanki 28 535 Less interest receivable (163) (184) (135) 351

99 1,680 Investment (properties) expenditure 5,227 6,925 5,326 8,605

Investment property impairment losses account for £234k of the net total, offset by a net adjustment of £135k relating to investments in the Icelandic bank Landsbanki, which collapsed in October 2008. The Council has £3,700k deposited with Landsbanki with varying maturity dates and interest rates :-

Date Maturity Amount Interest Invested Date Invested Rate £000 % 22/07/08 17/10/08 1,200 5.82 01/09/08 14/11/08 1,500 5.70 08/09/08 18/11/09 1,000 5.67

All monies are currently subject to the administration process - the amounts and timings of payments to depositors will be determined by the administrators. Information currently available indicates that recovery of 94.86% of the deposit value might be achieved; the Authority has recognised an impairment based on the estimated recovery as at 31st March 2011.

59 Page 46 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

4. INVESTMENT LOSSES (continued)

The available information is not definitive as to the amounts and timings of payments to be made by the administrators, and it is likely that further adjustments will be made to the accounts in future years. However, the gross impairment adjustment for 2010/11 (£28k) recognised in the comprehensive income and expenditure statement has been calculated by discounting the assumed cash flows at the effective interest rate of the original deposits in order to recognise the anticipated loss of interest to the Authority until monies are fully recovered. Adjustments to the assumptions will be made in future accounts as more information becomes available.

Recovery is subject to the following uncertainties and risks:

 Deposits have been awarded priority status by the Icelandic district court, but there could be an appeal against the award to the Supreme Court.

 The impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the value of assets recovered by the resolution committee and on the settlement of the Authority’s claim, which may be denominated wholly or partly in currencies other than sterling. Currently, these fluctuations are not expected to be material, although this may change in the future.

Any change to the priority creditor status would have a significant impact upon the amount of the deposit that is recoverable. The total assets of the bank only equate to one third of its liabilities, assuming that the bond remains at its current value. Therefore, if priority creditor status is removed the recoverable amount may only be 29%.

No information has been provided by the resolution committee about the timing of any payment to depositors, and because it is anticipated that all the assets of Landsbanki will need to be realised to repay priority creditors, settlement in a single sum is unlikely. It is therefore assumed that the repayment will be made as follows –

Date %

December 2011 22.17 December 2012 8.87 December 2013 8.87 December 2014 8.87 December 2015 8.87 December 2016 8.87 December 2017 8.87 December 2018 19.47

94.86

The Council took advantage of the Capital Finance Regulations to defer the impact of the impairment on the Council Fund until 2010/11. The cumulative impairment charge of £791k net (as detailed below), has now been transferred to the Council Fund –

Year £000

2008/09 575 2009/10 351 2010/11 (135)

791 60 Page 47 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

5. PENSIONS

Teachers:

In 2010/11, the Council paid £7,331k to the Department for Education in respect of teachers' pension costs (£7,313k in 2009/10), which represents 14.10% (average) of teachers' pensionable pay (14.11% in 2009/10).

In addition, the Council is responsible for all pension payments relating to added years it has awarded, together with the related increases. In 2009/10 these amounted to £476k (£434k in 2009/10), representing 0.92% of pensionable pay (0.84% in 2009/10).

The Teachers’ Pension Scheme is a defined benefit scheme but is treated as a defined contribution scheme for accounting purposes as the Authority is unable to identify its share of assets and liabilities.

Other Employees:

The Council paid £2k to the Clwyd Pension Fund during 2010/11 in respect of interest on cash balances (£66k in 2009/10), and received £847k from the fund for benefits administration and other central support services (£905k in 2009/10).

The impact of the pension costs charge on the balance sheet and comprehensive income and expenditure statement is reflected in the notes that follow.

Further information regarding the Clwyd Pension Fund accounts is provided on pages 94 to 116, and in the Clwyd Pension Fund Annual Report which is available upon request.

Transactions Relating to Retirement Benefits -

The cost of retirement benefits is recognised in the net cost of services when they are earned by employees, rather than when the benefits are eventually paid as pensions. However, the charge that is required to be made against Council tax is based on the cash payable in the year, so the real cost of retirement benefits is reversed out in the movement in reserves statement. The transactions that have been made in the comprehensive income and expenditure statement and the movement in reserves statement during the year are :-

61 Page 48 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

5. PENSIONS (continued)

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000 Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement Net Cost of Services - Current service cost 14,168 8,705 Past service cost/(gain) (34,117) 61 Curtailments/settlements 1,090 1,726 Net Operating Expenditure - (18,859) 10,492 Interest cost 32,897 30,299 Expected return on scheme assets (22,906) (17,024) 9,991 13,275 Net charge to comprehensive income and expenditure statement (8,868) 23,767

Movement in Reserves Statement

Reversal of net charges made for retirement 8,868 (23,767) benefits in accordance with IAS 19

Actual amount charged against the Council fund balance for pensions in the year

Employers' contributions payable to scheme 21,030 21,662 Net debit/(credit) to the movement in reserves statement 29,898 (2,105)

In addition to the recognised gains and losses included in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement, there are actuarial gains of £15,729k (losses of £66,121k in 2009/10). The cumulative amount of actuarial losses is £148,411k (net).

Assets and Liabilities in Relation to Retirement Benefits -

Reconciliation of present value of the scheme liabilities -

2011 2010 2009 £000 £000 £000 1st April 589,060 429,545 501,354 Current service cost 14,168 8,705 12,945 Interest cost 32,897 30,299 30,607 Contributions by scheme participants 4,954 4,996 4,732 Actuarial gains and losses (22,010) 133,034 (104,007) Benefits paid (21,511) (19,306) (16,870) Past service costs 40 61 38 Past service gains * (34,157) 00 Curtailments/settlements 1,090 1,726 746 31st March 564,531 589,060 429,545

* gains due to the change in scheme benefits - applying CPI to pensions which were previously calculated on RPI 62 Page 49 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

5. PENSIONS (continued)

Reconciliation of fair value of the scheme assets -

2011 2010 2009 £000 £000 £000 1st April 340,130 248,841 314,870 Expected rate of return 22,906 17,024 21,202 Actuarial gains and losses (6,281) 66,913 (96,343) Employer contributions 21,030 21,662 21,250 Contributions by scheme participants 4,954 4,996 4,732 Benefits paid (21,511) (19,306) (16,870) 31st March 361,228 340,130 248,841

The actuarial assumptions used have been agreed with the actuary (Mercer Human Resource Consulting Limited) in line with the guidance provided by CIPFA.

The expected return on scheme assets is determined by considering the expected returns available on the assets underlying the current investment policy. The assumed investment return on government bonds is the yield on 20 year fixed interest gilts at the relevant date. The return on equities is the yield on 20 year fixed interest gilts plus an allowance for the ‘risk premium’ associated with equity investment.

The actual return on scheme assets in the year was £24,206k (£83,937k in 2009/10).

Scheme History - 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006* Restated Restated £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Present value of liabilities (564,531) (589,060) (429,545) (501,354) (465,645) (460,835) Fair value of assets 361,228 340,130 248,841 314,562 317,008 293,235 Surplus/deficit in the scheme (203,303)(248,930) (180,704) (186,792) (148,637) (167,600)

* The council has elected not to restate fair value of scheme assets for 2005/06.

The liabilities show the underlying commitments that the authority has in the long run to pay retirement benefits. The total liability of £203,303k has an impact on the total reserves of the authority as recorded in the Balance Sheet, the overall balance being £518,017k.

Statutory arrangements for funding the deficit mean that the financial position of the authority remains healthy; the deficit on the local government scheme will be made good by increased contributions over the working life of employees, as assessed by the scheme actuary.

The total contributions expected to be made to the Local Government Pension Scheme by the Council in the year to 31st March 2012 is £18.9m.

63 Page 50 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

5. PENSIONS (continued)

Basis for Estimating Assets and Liabilities -

Liabilities have been assessed on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method, an estimate of the pensions that will be payable in future years dependant on assumptions about mortality rates, salary levels, etc. The liabilities have been assessed by Mercer Human Resource Consulting Limited, an independent firm of actuaries; estimates for the County Council are based on the latest full valuation of the scheme as at 1st April 2010.

The principal assumptions used by the actuary are -

2011 2010 1st April 2009 Long term expected return on assets in the scheme

Equity investments 7.5% 7.5% 7.5% Bonds n/a n/a n/a Other 7.5% 7.5% 7.5%

Mortality Assumptions Longevity at 65 for current pensioners - Men 21.8 yrs. 21.2 yrs. 21.2 yrs. Women 24.3 yrs. 24.1 yrs. 24.0 yrs. Longevity at 65 for future pensioners - Men 23.2 yrs. 22.2 yrs. 22.2 yrs. Women 25.9 yrs. 25.0 yrs. 25.0 yrs.

Rate of inflation (Retail Prices Index) 3.4% 3.3% 3.3% Rate of inflation (Consumer Prices Index)2.9% 2.8% n/a Rate of increase in salaries 4.4% 4.55% 4.55% Rate of increase in pensions 2.9% 3.3% 3.3% Rate for discounting scheme liabilities 5.5% 5.6% 7.1% Take up option to convert annual pension 50% 50% 50% into retirement lump sum

The Local Government Pension Scheme’s assets consist of the following categories, by proportion of the total assets held :-

2011 2010 1st April 2009 % % % Equity investments 58 58 52 Other bonds 12 12 12 Property 7 7 8 Cash/liquidity 2 0 1 Other assets 21 23 27 100 100 100

64 Page 51 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

5. PENSIONS (continued)

History of Experience Gains and Losses -

The actuarial gains identified as movements on the Pensions Reserve in 2010/11 can be analysed into the following categories, measured as a percentage of assets or liabilities at 31st March 2011 :-

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 Restated Restated %%%% Differences between the expected and (1.74) 19.67 (38.72)(9.70) 0.64 15.04 actual return on assets

Experience gains and losses on liabilities 3.31 0.00 0.001.68 0.00 (1.87)

6. COUNCIL TAX

All domestic dwellings are included in the Council tax valuation list which is issued and maintained by the Valuation Office Agency. Each dwelling is placed in one of nine main bands (A to I) depending on the open market valuation of the property at 1st April 2003. A tenth band (A*) is only available to those taxpayers who live in band A properties and are entitled to a reduction where a property has been adapted for their disability.

Council tax is based on the valuation band into which a property has been placed. Charges are calculated by dividing the total annual income requirements of the Council and the North Wales Police Authority by the Council tax base. The tax base is the total of all the properties in each band adjusted by a proportion to convert the number to a band D equivalent, and also adjusted for discounts. The tax base for 2010/11 was 60,528 (60,328 in 2009/10), as calculated below :

Band A* Band A Band B Band C Band D Band E Band F Band G Band H Band I Total Chargeable Dwellings

Number of chargeable dwellings - 3,759 8,658 19,243 11,772 9,703 6,536 2,967 572 223 63,433

Dwellings with disabled reliefs - 26 59 140 116 115 78 38 11 21 604

Adjusted chargeable dwellings 26 3,792 8,739 19,219 11,771 9,666 6,496 2,940 582 202 63,433

Adjusted Chargeable Dwellings

Dwellings with no discounts 12 1,256 4,821 12,644 8,440 7,459 5,426 2,530 504 181 43,273

Dwellings with one discount 14 2,535 3,912 6,567 3,321 2,201 1,063 403 61 17 20,094

Dwellings with two discounts 01681067717466

Discounted chargeable dwellings 26 3,792 8,739 19,219 11,771 9,666 6,496 2,940 582 202 63,433

Discounted Chargeable Dwellings

Total discounted dwellings 23 3,158 7,758 17,573 10,936 9,113 6,227 2,836 558 196 -

Ratio to band "D" 5/9 6/9 7/9 8/9 1 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9 21/9 -

Band "D" equivalent 13 2,105 6,034 15,621 10,936 11,138 8,994 4,726 1,116 457 61,139

Collection rate adjustment (at 1%) (611)

Exempt properties adjustment 0

Council Tax Base 2010/11 60,528

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6. COUNCIL TAX (continued)

The basic Flintshire charge for a band D property in 2010/11 was £878.86 (£850.78 in 2009/10). Council tax bills were based on the following multipliers for bands A* to I :-

Band A* A B C D E F G H I Multiplier 5/9 6/9 7/9 8/9 9/9 11/9 13/9 15/9 18/9 21/9

Significant amongst the precepts levied on Flintshire County Council was that of the North Wales Police Authority in the sum of £12,186,102 (£11,792,917 in 2009/10). The 34 community/town councils also levied precepts amounting in total to £2,119,240 (£2,040,139 in 2009/10).

Analysis of the net proceeds from Council tax:

2011 2010 £000 £000 Council tax collected 67,676 65,550

Add - Decrease in bad debts provision 124 12

Less - Amounts written off to provision (416) (411) 67,384 65,151

Less - Payable to North Wales Police Authority (12,186) (11,793) 55,198 53,358

7. NON-DOMESTIC RATES (NDR)

NDR is organised on a national basis. The government sets the rate poundage which in 2010/11 was 40.9p for all properties (48.9p in 2009/10). The Council is responsible for collecting the rates in its area, which are paid into the NDR pool administered by the Welsh Government.

The Welsh Government distributes NDR pool receipts to local authorities on the basis of a fixed amount per head of population. 2010/11 NDR income paid into the pool was £50,591,181 after relief and provisions (£45,986,231 in 2009/10), based on a year end rateable value total of £148,694,794 (£119,609,361 in 2009/10).

Analysis of the net proceeds from non-domestic rates:

2011 2010 £000 £000 Non-domestic rates collected 51,085 46,941 Less - Paid into NDR pool (50,591) (45,986) Less - Cost of collection (509) (864) Add - Decrease in bad debts provision 15 (91) 0 0 Receipts from pool 42,236 40,437 42,236 40,437

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8. GRANTS – REVENUE (GENERAL) AND CAPITAL

Welsh Government revenue grant funding of £146,458k (£143,293k in 2009/10) was received during 2010/11, comprising of revenue support grant, and improvement agreement grant.

Capital grants and contributions earned totaling £20,020k (£18,328k in 2009/10) are also reflected in the Comprehensive Income and, producing a grant income total of £166,478k (£161,621k in 2009/10).

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000

Revenue Grants - General Revenue support grant 144,976 141,572 Improvement agreement grant 1,482 1,496 Deprivation grant 0 225 146,458 143,293 Capital Grants and Contributions Capital grants 14,820 13,128 Major repairs allowance 5,200 5,200 20,020 18,328 166,478 161,621

9. ADJUSTMENTS BETWEEN ACCOUNTING BASIS AND FUNDING BASIS UNDER REGULATIONS

This note details the adjustments that are made to the total comprehensive income and expenditure recognised by the Authority in the year in accordance with proper accounting practice to the resources that are specified by statutory provisions as being available to the Authority to meet future capital and revenue resources. The debit adjustment for the year is £12,216k (£233,234k credit in 2009/10).

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9. ADJUSTMENTS BETWEEN ACCOUNTING BASIS AND FUNDING BASIS UNDER REGULATIONS (continued)

Earmarked Housing Capital Capital Council Council Revenue Total Receipts Grants Fund Fund Account Usable Unusable Reserve Unapplied Balance Reserves Balance Reserves Reserves 2010/11 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

Adjustments involving the Capital Adjustment Account: Reversal of items debited or credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement: Charges for depreciation and impairment of non current assets 0 0 27,168 0 6,873 34,041 (34,041) Revaluation losses on Property, Plant and Equipment 00650065 (65) Movements in the market value of Investment Properties 0 0 234 0 0 234 (234) Amortisation of intangible assets 000033 (3) Capital grants and contributions applied 0 (17,782) 0 0 0 (17,782) 17,782 Movement in the Donated Assets Account 000000 0 Revenue expenditure funded from capital under statute 0 0 7,597 0 0 7,597 (7,597) Amounts of non current assets written off on disposal or sale as part of the gain/loss on disposal to the CIES 0 0 (323) 0 465 142 (142) Inclusion of items not debited or credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement: Statutory provision for the financing of capital investment 0 0 (5,864) 0 (550) (6,414) 6,414 Capital expenditure charged against the Council Fund and HRA balances 0 0 (1,229) (441) (2,000) (3,670) 3,670 Adjustments involving the Capital Grants Unapplied Account: Capital grants and contributions unapplied credited to CIES 000000 0 Application of grants to capital financing transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account 0 20,020 (20,020) 0 0 0 0 Adjustments involving the Capital Receipts Reserve: Use of the Capital Receipts Reserve to finance new capital expenditure 1,409 0 0 0 0 1,409 (1,409) Adjustments involving the Financial Instruments Adjustment Account: Amount by which finance costs charged to the CIES are different from finance costs chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements 0 0 53 0 (188) (135) 135 Adjustments involving the Pensions Reserve: Amount by which pension costs calculated in accordance with the Code (ie in accordance with IAS19) are different from the contributions due under the pension scheme regulations 0 0 (29,898) 0 0 (29,898) 29,898 Reversal of items relating to retirement benefits debited or credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement 0 0 0 0 1,236 1,236 (1,236) Employer’s pensions contributions and direct payments to pensioners payable in the year 0 0 0 0 (947) (947) 947 Adjustment involving the Unequal Pay Back Pay Adjustment Account: Amount by which amounts charged for Equal Pay claims to the CIES are different from the cost of settlements chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements 0 0 5,196 0 0 5,196 (5,196) Adjustment involving the Accumulated Absences Account Amount by which officer remuneration charged to the CIES on an accruals basis is different from remuneration chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements 0 0 814 0 (27) 787 (787) Other Adjustment Net transfer to or from earmarked reserves as required by legislation 0 0 (3,935) 0 (145) (4,080) 4,080 Adjustments between accounting basis & funding basis under regulations 1,409 2,238 (20,142) (441) 4,720 (12,216) 12,216

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9. ADJUSTMENTS BETWEEN ACCOUNTING BASIS AND FUNDING BASIS UNDER REGULATIONS (continued)

Adjustments involving the Capital Adjustment Account: Reversal of items debited or credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement: Charges for depreciation and impairment of non current assets * 0 0 132,666 0 124,178 256,844 (256,844) Revaluation losses on Property, Plant and Equipment 000000 0 Movements in the market value of Investment Properties 0 0 (1,048) 0 0 (1,048) 1,048 Amortisation of intangible assets 00640064 (64) Capital grants and contributions applied 0 0 (17,747) 0 0 (17,747) 17,747 Movement in the Donated Assets Account 000000 0 Revenue expenditure funded from capital under statute 0 0 4,126 0 0 4,126 (4,126) Amounts of non current assets written off on disposal or sale as part of the gain/loss on disposal to the CIES 0 0 (1,583) 0 0 (1,583) 1,583 Inclusion of items not debited or credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement: Statutory provision for the financing of capital investment 0 0 (6,416) 0 (614) (7,030) 7,030 Capital expenditure charged against the Council Fund and HRA balances 0 0 (248) 899 (1,682) (1,031) 1,031 Adjustments involving the Capital Grants Unapplied Account: Capital grants and contributions unapplied credited to CIES 000000 0 Application of grants to capital financing transferred to the Capital Adjustment Account 0 (3,323) 0 0 0 (3,323) 3,323 Adjustments involving the Capital Receipts Reserve: Use of the Capital Receipts Reserve to finance new capital expenditure 3,030 0 0 0 0 3,030 (3,030) Adjustments involving the Financial Instruments Adjustment Account: Amount by which finance costs charged to the CIES are different from finance costs chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements 0 0 (24) 0 (238) (262) 262 Adjustments involving the Pensions Reserve: Amount by which pension costs calculated in accordance with the Code (ie in accordance with IAS19) are different from the contributions due under the pension scheme regulations 0 0 1,887 0 0 1,887 (1,887) Reversal of items relating to retirement benefits debited or credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement 0 0 0 0 1,146 1,146 (1,146) Employer’s pensions contributions and direct payments to pensioners payable in the year 0 0 0 0 (931) (931) 931 Adjustment involving the Unequal Pay Back Pay Adjustment Account: Amount by which amounts charged for Equal Pay claims to the CIES are different from the cost of settlements chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements 0 0 4,903 0 0 4,903 (4,903) Adjustment involving the Accumulated Absences Account Amount by which officer remuneration charged to the CIES on an accruals basis is different from remuneration chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements 0 0 (929) 0 (22) (951) 951 Other Adjustment Net transfer to or from earmarked reserves as required by legislation 0 0 (5,318) 458 0 (4,860) 4,860 Adjustments between accounting basis & funding basis under regulations * 3,030 (3,323) 110,333 1,357 121,837 233,234 (233,234) * prior period adjusted figures (housing revenue account)

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10. PROVISION FOR REPAYMENT OF EXTERNAL LOANS

Section 22 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 requires the Authority to set aside a minimum revenue provision (MRP) in respect of the financing of capital expenditure incurred in that year or in any financial year prior to that year. The amounts set aside in 2010/11 were as follows :-

2011 2010 £000 £000 Total minimum revenue provision 6,338 7,030 Recharge to housing revenue account (592) (614) 5,746 6,416

11. RELATED PARTIES

The Council is required to disclose material transactions with related parties i.e. bodies or individuals that have the potential to control or influence the Council or to be controlled or influenced by the Council – relevant transactions with members of the Council during 2010/11 amounted to £357k (£285k in 2009/10); total precepts and levies to the North Wales Police Authority and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority amounted to £19,305k (£18,766k in 2009/10); total precepts to the 34 community/town councils amounted to £2,119k (£2,040k in 2009/10); material transactions with the Welsh Government are summarised in notes 7 and 8, with further grant support as below:-

2011 2010 £000 £000

Communities First 792 747 Concessionary Fares 1,590 1,895 Education, Support and Training / Other 18,353 18,479 Local Transport Subsidy 562 540 Social Services Programme 3,546 3,936 Substance Misuse 492 752 Supporting People 6,157 5,641 Sustainable Waste Management 3,465 2,815 Miscellaneous 790 1,335 35,747 36,140

During 2010/11 the Council continued to have an interest in an associated company (AD Waste Limited) up until the company’s activities were brought in-house with effect from 1st October 2010; relevant transactions for the period are disclosed within the group accounts (and notes) on pages 91 and 92. Details of transactions with the Pension Fund are provided in note 5 on pages 47 to 51, and within the Pension Fund accounts on pages 94 to 116.

12. AUDIT FEES

Total audit and inspection fees due during the year amounted to £491k (£436k in 2009/10). External audit services were provided by Wales Audit Office.

2011 2010 £000 £000 Fees for the accounts 221 216 Fees for the Local Government Measure 156 70 Fees for grants 114 150 491 436 70 Page 57 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

13. OFFICERS' REMUNERATION

Regulation 7A of the Accounts and Audit (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2010 requires disclosure (in £5,000 bandings) of the number of employees whose remuneration - all sums paid to or receivable by the employee, expense allowances chargeable to tax, and the money value of benefits - exceeded £60,000 :-

2011 2010 Remuneration Non- Non- Band Schools Schools Schools Schools No. No. No. No. £60,000 - £64,999 3 8 4 4 £65,000 - £69,999 12 5 9 5 £70,000 - £74,999 3 3 4 4 £75,000 - £79,999 1 4 0 1 £80,000 - £84,999 2 1 2 0 £85,000 - £89,999 1 1 1 2 £90,000 - £94,999 0 1 2 0 £95,000 - £99,999 2 0 0 0 £100,000 - £104,999 0 0 0 0 £105,000 - £109,999 0 0 0 0 £110,000 - £114,999 0 0 1 0 £115,000 - £119,999 0 0 0 0 £120,000 - £124,999 0 0 0 0 £125,000 - £129,999 0 0 0 0 £130,000 - £134,999 0 0 0 0 £135,000 - £139,999 1 0 1 0 £140,000 - £144,999 3 0 0 0 28 23 24 16

Information has been compiled on the basis of the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations, and related CIPFA guidance; the numbers include ‘non-permanents’ (interims / consultants), and all non-school numbers include the senior employee posts listed on page 58. The band values do not include employer pension contributions, which (for both 2009/10 and 2010/11) were accounted for at a rate of 14.1% for teachers and 22.3% for other employees.

2009/10 comparators have been restated to take account of the requirements of the 2010/11 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting.

Senior Employee Emoluments (Salary between £60,000 and £150,000 per year) –

The Accounts and Audit (Wales (Amendment) Regulations 2010 introduced the requirement to disclose the individual remuneration details for senior employees. Senior employees for the purpose of the disclosure are the chief executive, strategic directors and statutory chief officers.

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13. OFFICERS' REMUNERATION (continued)

Total Total Remuneration Remuneration Excluding Employer's Including Pensionable Expense Pension Pension Pension Post Title Pay Allowance Contributions Contributions Contributions Note £ £ £ £ £ 2010/11 Chief Executive 140,264 160 140,424 31,279 171,703 Director of Community Services (not in post) 0 0 0 0 0 Director of Environment 97,328 0 97,328 21,704 119,032 Director of Lifelong Learning 97,328 0 97,328 21,704 119,032 Head of Finance 81,960 0 81,960 18,277 100,237 Head of Legal and Democratic Services 83,049 0 83,049 18,520 101,569

499,929 160 500,089 111,484 611,573

2009/10 (comparative information) Chief Executive 1 136,855 160 137,015 30,519 167,534 Director of Community Services 89,132 160 89,292 19,876 109,168 Director of Environment 93,742 0 93,742 20,904 114,646 Director of Lifelong Learning 93,742 0 93,742 20,904 114,646 Head of Finance 81,960 160 82,120 18,277 100,397 Head of Legal and Democratic Services 2 83,049 0 83,049 18,520 101,569

578,480 480 578,960 129,000 707,960

Note 1 : Pensionable pay includes remuneration relating to (a) returning officer for national elections (with costs reimbursed by the respective government), and (b) clerk to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority (with costs reimbursed by that body). Note 2 : Pensionable pay includes remuneration relating to deputy clerk to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority (with costs reimbursed by that body).

14. AGENCY SERVICES

Flintshire County Council is one of six partners within the North Wales Trunk Road Agency (NWTRA), the other partners being Anglesey, Conwy, Denbighshire, Gwynedd and Wrexham Councils. The Environment directorate within Flintshire County Council undertakes trunk road work on behalf of NWTRA for the Welsh Government.

Reimbursement for work carried out under the Trunk Road Agency Agreement amounted to £2,258k (£2,332k in 2009/10), which included an administrative allowance, and direct funding for the directorate’s Technical Investigations Unit, which is located in the Agency’s St. Asaph area office.

Income and expenditure relating to the Trunk Road Agency Agreement is incorporated in the comprehensive income and expenditure statement net cost of services total, including a surplus of £25k from the Technical Investigations Unit (£100k in 2009/10); the Unit is transferring to Gwynedd County Council with effect from 1st April 2011.

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15. LEASING

Lessee Rentals

Finance Leases -

The Council has acquired a number of items of vehicles, plant and equipment under finance leases. The assets acquired under these leases are carried as Property, Plant and Equipment in the Balance Sheet at the following net amounts:

2011 2010 1st April 2009 Asset Classification £000 £000 £000 Land 0 0 0 Buildings 451 0 0 Vehicles, plant and equipment948 1,798 2,009 1,399 1,798 2,009

The Council is committed to making minimum payments under these leases comprising settlement of the long-term liability for the interest in the property, plant and equipment acquired by the Council, and finance costs that will be payable by the Council in future years while the liability remains outstanding. The minimum lease payments are made up of the following amounts of which £363k is due to be paid during the next 12 months (£454k equivalent for the previous financial year); the non- current amount of £1,040k is included within the deferred liabilities total of £2,065k (note 35 on page 73) : 2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 Finance lease liabilities (net present value of the minimum lease payments): Current 363 454 368 Non-current 1,040 717 873 1,403 1,171 1,241

Finance costs payable in future years 520 375 514 Minimum lease payments 1,923 1,546 1,755

Minimum lease payments - the lowest amount that a lessee can expect to pay on a lease over its lifetime Finance lease liabilities - the capital element of the minimum lease payments Finance costs - the interest element of the minimum lease payments

The minimum lease payments and finance lease liabilities will be payable over the following periods:

Minimum Lease Payments Finance Lease Liabilities 2011 2010 1st April 2011 2010 1st April 2009 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Not later than one year 489 542 543 363 454 368 Later than one year and not later 1,189 750 900 830 521 649 than five years Later than five years 245 254 312 210 196 224 1,923 1,546 1,755 1,403 1,171 1,241

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15. LEASING (continued)

Operating Leases -

In 2010/11, operating lease rentals paid amounted to £1,764k (£1,607k in 2009/10).

2011 2010 Asset Classification £000 £000

Land 22 17 Buildings 172 197 Vehicles, plant and equipment 1,570 1,393 1,764 1,607

The minimum lease payments due under operating leases in future years are :

Vehicles, Land Buildings Plant & Total Equipment £000 £000 £000 £000

Not later than one year 22 163 1,455 1,640 Later than one year and not later than five years 69 393 2,446 2,908 Later then five years * 913 172 22 1,107 1,004 728 3,923 5,655

* Any open ended agreements are calculated to 2018/19 in line with the general average life of the longest leases

Lessor Rentals

Operating Leases –

The Council leases out property under operating leases largely for economic development purposes. In 2010/11, lease rentals receivable amounted to £2,324k (£2,323k in 2009/10).

The minimum lease payments receivable under operating leases in future years are:

Land Buildings Total £000 £000 £000

Not later than one year 412 1,849 2,261 Later than one year and not later than five years 1,621 6,858 8,479 Later then five years * 30,733 13,001 43,734 32,766 21,708 54,474

* Any open ended agreements are calculated to 2029/30 in line with the general average life of the longest leases

Finance Leases –

The Council does not lease out any properties on finance leases.

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16. MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES

Allowances totaling £1,346k (inclusive of employer's national insurance and superannuation) were paid to members of the Council in 2010/11 (£1,395k in 2009/10).

2011 2010 £000 £000 Basic allowance 910 906 Special responsibility allowance 251 312 Care allowance 4 2 Employer's national insurance 96 103 Employer's superannuation 38 38 Members' expenses 47 34 1,346 1,395

The allowances paid fall into the following bands :-

2011 2010 Allowance Band Number of Number of Members Members

£10,000 - £14,999 48 36 £15,000 - £19,999 3 9 £20,000 - £24,999 6 8 £25,000 - £29,999 3 9 £30,000 - £34,999 6 5 £35,000 - £39,999 3 2 £40,000 - £44,999 0 0 £45,000 - £49,999 0 0 £50,000 - £54,999 1 1 70 70

17. TRADING OPERATIONS

Since the repeal in January 2000 of the statutory requirements relating to the accounting and reporting for direct service organisations, there is no longer a prescribed requirement to keep trading accounts for services, but the following summary information is provided in relation to recognised trading activities. These accounts are an integral part of the total costs of particular services and consolidated in the net operating expenditure.

2011 2010 Income (Surplus)/ Income (Surplus)/ Deficit Deficit £000 £000 £000 £000 Building maintenance 9,229 (580) 8,127 (81) Refuse collection 5,934 (300) 5,581 (210) 15,163 (880) 13,708 (291)

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17. TRADING OPERATIONS (continued)

 The building maintenance surplus of £580k reflects significant improvement on the 2009/10 surplus figure of £81k, which is due mainly to increased productivity and improved organisational efficiency following restructuring.

 The improved refuse collection surplus of £300k reflects additional income on internal contracts arising from further expansion of recycling services.

18. NATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES (WALES) ACT 2006

The Council has an agreement with Wrexham County Borough Council and the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, pursuant to Section 33 of the National Health Service (Wales) Act 2006, for the provision of an integrated community equipment service under a pooled fund arrangement. The service is provided through staff of Flintshire County Council (as host partner) from Unit 3, Hawarden Industrial Estate, Hawarden.

2011 2010 Partnership £000 £000

Gross expenditure 958 545 Gross income (942) (608)

(Surplus)/deficit for year 16 (63)

Contribution to Budget

Flintshire County Council 362 236

Unit 3, which is situated within Flintshire, is jointly owned by Flintshire County Council (50.25%) and Wrexham County Borough Council (49.75%), and has been valued at £907k; the premises are included in Flintshire County Council’s balance sheet (as host partner):-

Valuation £000 %

Flintshire County Council 456 50.25 Wrexham County Borough Council 451 49.75 907 100.00

19. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

2011 Write-Offs Additions 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Software licences0 (6) 0 6 12 Development expenditure 628 (106) 47 687 405 628 (106) 47 693 417

Intangible assets are amortised from the first full financial year following acquisition, in line with the related accounting policy as included on pages 9 and 10.

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20. PROPERTY PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Movements 2010/11

Council Other Land Vehicles, Surplus Infra- Community Assets under Total Dwellings & Buildings Plant, Assets structure Assets Construction and Furniture & Assets Garages Equipment

£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Cost or Valuation At 1st April, 2010 * 299,303 471,080 32,144 8,983 190,758 10,370 11,493 1,024,131 Additions 8,021 6,909 1,733 0 4,919 550 532 22,664 Disposals (514) (35) 0 0 0 0 0 (549) Reclassifications (1,389) (105) 0 49 0 0 0 (1,445) Revaluations 11 (7,843) 0 0 0 0 0 (7,832) At 31st March 2011 305,432 470,006 33,877 9,032 195,677 10,920 12,025 1,036,969

Depreciation and Impairments At 1st April, 2010 * (5,342) (122,045) (25,209) (236) (36,937) (1,236) (10,812) (201,817) Depreciation charge for 2010/11 (5,200) (8,021) (2,713) 0 (4,724) (226) 0 (20,884) Impairment charge for 2010/11 (1,604) (1,026) 0 (10) 0 0 0 (2,640) Disposals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reclassifications 0 105 0 115 0 0 0 220 Revaluations 0 2,413 0 (982) 0 0 0 1,431 At 31st March 2011 (12,146) (128,574) (27,922) (1,113) (41,661) (1,462) (10,812) (223,690)

Balance Sheet at 31st March 2011 293,286 341,432 5,955 7,919 154,016 9,458 1,213 813,279 Acquisitions AD Waste purchase 0 2,912 986 0 0 0 487 4,385 Balance Sheet at 31st March 2011 293,286 344,344 6,941 7,919 154,016 9,458 1,700 817,664 Balance Sheet at 1st April 2010 * 293,961 349,035 6,935 8,747 153,821 9,134 681 822,314

Nature of Asset Holding Owned 293,286 343,893 5,993 7,919 154,016 9,458 1,700 816,265 Finance Lease 0 451 948 0 0 0 0 1,399 Private Finance Initiative 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 At 31st March 2011 293,286 344,344 6,941 7,919 154,016 9,458 1,700 817,664

* prior period adjusted figures

77 Page 64 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

20. PROPERTY PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

Movements 2009/10

Council Other Land Vehicles, Surplus Infra- Community Assets under Total Dwellings & Buildings Plant, Assets structure Assets Construction and Furniture & Assets Garages Equipment

£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Cost or Valuation At 1st April, 2009 411,984 448,418 31,059 11,115 182,587 8,901 9,177 1,103,241 Opening Adjustments 0 (587) 0 81 0 0 0 (506) Additions 6,020 8,583 1,085 0 8,171 1,469 1,865 27,193 Disposals (479) (555) 0 (600) 0 0 0 (1,634) Reclassifications 0 (7,789) 0 (1,613) 0 0 451 (8,951) Revaluations 5,692 23,010 0 0 0 0 0 28,702 At 31st March 2010 423,217 471,080 32,144 8,983 190,758 10,370 11,493 1,148,045

Depreciation and Impairments At 1st April, 2009 (25,569) (40,770) (19,283) (614) (32,379) (1,048) 0 (119,663) Opening Adjustments 0 15 0 493 0 0 0 508 Depreciation charge for 2009/10 (5,200) (7,853) (5,926) 0 (4,558) (188) 0 (23,725) Impairment charge for 2009/10 (118,876) (97,303) 0 (115) 0 0 (10,812) (227,106) Disposals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Reclassifications 0 1,116 0 0 0 0 0 1,116 Revaluations 20,389 22,750 0 0 0 0 0 43,139 At 31st March 2010 (129,256) (122,045) (25,209) (236) (36,937) (1,236) (10,812) (325,731)

Balance Sheet at 31st March 2010 293,961 349,035 6,935 8,747 153,821 9,134 681 822,314 Balance Sheet at 1st April 2009 386,415 407,648 11,776 10,501 150,208 7,853 9,177 983,578

Nature of Asset Holding Owned 293,961 349,035 5,137 8,747 153,821 9,134 681 820,516 Finance Lease 0 0 1,798 0 0 0 0 1,798 Private Finance Initiative 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 At 31st March 2010 293,961 349,035 6,935 8,747 153,821 9,134 681 822,314 Nature of Asset Holding Owned 386,415 407,648 9,767 10,501 150,208 7,853 9,177 981,569 Finance Lease 0 0 2,009 0 0 0 0 2,009 Private Finance Initiative 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 At 1st April 2009 386,415 407,648 11,776 10,501 150,208 7,853 9,177 983,578

Property, Plant and Equipment  Council dwellings, other land and buildings, vehicles, plant, furniture and equipment that are held, occupied, used or contracted to be used on behalf of the Authority, or consumed in the direct delivery of services. Included are dwellings and other housing properties, office buildings, schools, libraries, sports centres and pools, residential homes/day centres, depots and workshops, cemetery buildings, off street car parks, vehicles, mechanical plant, fixtures and fittings and other equipment. 78 Page 65 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

20. PROPERTY PLANT AND EQUIPMENT (continued)

 Infrastructure assets are inalienable assets, expenditure on which is only recoverable by continued use of the asset created, i.e. there is no prospect of sale or alternative use. Included are highways, footpaths, bridges, water and drainage facilities and coastal defences.

 Community assets are assets that the Authority intends to hold in perpetuity, that have no determinable useful life and which may, in addition, have restrictions on their disposal. There is little prospect of sale and change of use. Included are parks and open spaces, recreation grounds, play areas and cemetery land.

21. INVESTMENT PROPERTIES AND AGRICULTURAL ESTATE

Movements 2010/11

Investment Agricultural Total Properties Estate

£000 £000 £000 Cost or Valuation At 1st April, 2010 31,386 14,864 46,250 Additions 16 0 16 Disposals 0 0 0 Reclassifications 105 0 105 Revaluations (469) 0 (469) At 31st March 2011 31,038 14,864 45,902

Depreciation and Impairments At 1st April, 2010 (4,073) (371) (4,444) Depreciation charge for 2010/11 0 0 0 Impairment charge for 2010/11 0 0 0 Disposals 0 0 0 Reclassifications (105) 0 (105) Revaluations 0 0 0 At 31st March 2011 (4,178) (371) (4,549)

Balance Sheet at 31st March 2011 26,860 14,493 41,353 Acquisitions AD Waste purchase 146 0 146 Balance Sheet at 31st March 2011 27,006 14,493 41,499 Balance Sheet at 1st April 2010 27,313 14,493 41,806

Nature of Asset Holding Owned 26,860 14,493 41,353 Finance Lease 0 0 0 Private Finance Initiative 0 0 0 At 31st March 2011 26,860 14,493 41,353

79 Page 66 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

21. INVESTMENT PROPERTIES AND AGRICULTURAL ESTATE (continued)

Movements 2009/10

Investment Agricultural Total Properties Estate

£000 £000 £000 Cost or Valuation At 1st April, 2009 29,748 12,439 42,187 Additions 69 49 118 Disposals 0 0 0 Reclassifications 0 0 0 Revaluations 1,569 2,376 3,945 At 31st March 2010 31,386 14,864 46,250

Depreciation and Impairments At 1st April, 2009 (1,325) 0 (1,325) Depreciation charge for 2009/10 0 0 0 Impairment charge for 2009/10 (2,743) (371) (3,114) Disposals 0 0 0 Reclassifications 0 0 0 Revaluations (5) 0 (5) At 31st March 2010 (4,073) (371) (4,444)

Balance Sheet at 31st March 2010 27,313 14,493 41,806 Balance Sheet at 1st April 2009 28,423 12,439 40,862

Nature of Asset Holding Owned 27,313 14,493 41,806 Finance Lease 0 0 0 Private Finance Initiative 0 0 0 At 31st March 2010 27,313 14,493 41,806 Nature of Asset Holding Owned 28,423 12,439 40,862 Finance Lease 0 0 0 Private Finance Initiative 0 0 0 At 1st April 2009 28,423 12,439 40,862

80 Page 67 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

22. ASSET VALUATION

Non-Current Asset Valuation

The freehold and leasehold properties which comprise the Authority's property portfolio have been valued in accordance with the Statements of Asset Valuation Practice and Guidance Notes of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and the CIPFA Guide to Asset Registers - they are classified into various groupings as required by the 2010/11 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom. The whole of the assets of the Authority must be revalued every five years, with 2010/11 representing the commencement of the new five year cycle. During 2010/11 approximately 10% of non-dwelling assets were revalued, although material changes to valuations are adjusted as they occur. The valuation process incorporates impairment reviews in compliance with IAS 36.

Council dwellings and garages have been valued on the basis of existing use value for social housing. All property, plant and equipment are now valued at fair value (as is required by the implementation of IFRS) in accordance with IAS 16, with the exception of infrastructure assets, community assets and assets under construction which are valued on the basis of historical cost. Investment properties and the agricultural estate have also been valued at fair value in accordance with IAS 40. Those assets included at fair value have been valued by way of in-house and external valuers –

Property, Plant and Equipment - Council dwellings and garages Alex Wheldon BSc(Hons) DipConsHistEnv(RICS) MRICS of Valuation Office Agency Wales, Wrexham and Paula M. Blellock BSc (Hons) MRICS of Flintshire County Council

Residential homes Not applicable this financial year

Other operational land and buildings Paula M. Blellock BSc (Hons) MRICS, John Allen FRICS, both of Flintshire County Council

Non-Operational Assets Investment property Paula M. Blellock BSc (Hons) MRICS, John Allen FRICS of Flintshire County Council

Agricultural estate Not applicable this financial year

Straight line depreciation is provided for on all non-current assets with a finite useful life, other than for non-depreciable land and non-operational investment properties in accordance with IAS 16 and IAS 40. The calculation is based on the 2010/11 opening balance sheet valuations, with assumed nil residual values for all non-current assets, and varying useful life values across the portfolio. Where the asset comprises of two or more major components with substantially different useful economic lives, each component has been accounted for separately. A materiality level has been set for componentisation being individual assets greater than or equal to £2.5 million and significant components have been identified as 20% of the value of any material asset. Details of the useful lives for depreciation purposes are included within the Accounting Policies on page 7.

Vehicles, plant, furniture and equipment are valued on the basis of historic cost at £6,941k, net of depreciation (£6,935k in 2009/10).

23. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND CAPITAL FINANCING

Total capital expenditure of £29,826k during the year was financed as detailed on page 68.

Capitalisation Direction

Under Section 16 (2)(b) of the Local Government Act 2003, the Welsh Government directed that the Council could treat in-year expenditure of £201k, which was incurred for the purpose of promoting Invest-to-Save agile-working initiatives, as expenditure for capital purposes. 81 Page 68 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

23. CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND CAPITAL FINANCING (continued)

Capital Financing

Supported Prudential Capital Capital Grants Capital Total Borrowing Borrowing Receipts & Reserves/CERA Contributions £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

Property, plant & equipment 5,412 757 207 12,546 3,291 22,213 Investment properties (and 16000016 agricultural estate) Total 5,428 757 207 12,546 3,291 22,229 REFCUS (see page 13) 2,345 10 5,237 5 7,597 2010/11 total 7,773 757 217 17,783 3,296 29,826 Being :- Housing revenue account 0 0 184 5,580 2,441 8,205 Council fund 7,773 757 33 12,203 855 21,621 2010/11 total 7,773 757 217 17,783 3,296 29,826

Future Commitments

At 31st March 2011, the Council’s forward capital programme includes (amongst other indicative programme schemes), significant commitments in respect of school buildings repair and maintenance ‘backlog’ works (£11,833k), school amalgamation works (£4,230k) and regional transport plan schemes (£4,500k).

24. LONG TERM INVESTMENTS

Long term investments are carried in the balance sheet at fair value. Further related information is included in note 38 on pages 80 – 84.

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 War stock 13 12 14 Shares 613 600 661 Banks/building society deposits2,002 0 6,448 2,628 612 7,123

25. LONG TERM DEBTORS 2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 Mortgages Former council house tenants 8 21 45 Private borrowers 0 0 1 8 21 46 Renewal and improvement loans 304 0 0 Assisted car purchase loans 241 240 196 Private street works 38 38 36 591 299 278

82 Page 69 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

26. INVENTORIES

The Council hold total inventories of £1,264k (£1,031k in 2009/10 and £1,210k at 1st April 2009) in the balance sheet as at 31st March 2011.

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000

Building maintenance 145 147 146 Highways maintenance 378 448 501 Fleet fuel 31 33 21 Grounds maintenance 14 20 16 Vehicle maintenance 47 40 44 Miscellaneous 649 343 482 1,264 1,031 1,210

In accordance with IAS 2 the total cost in the year of each main type of inventory held at the balance sheet date is to be disclosed.

2011 2010 £000 £000

Building maintenance 643 917 Highways maintenance 354 409 Fleet fuel (Queensferry) 363 237 Fleet fuel, grounds maintenance and 362 292 vehicle maintenance (Alltami) 1,722 1,855

27. SHORT TERM DEBTORS

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000

Housing rents 1,160 1,154 1,068 Local taxation 2,697 2,858 2,618 Government departments 3,746 2,115 2,731 Taxation 2,276 1,449 2,052 Lending 13 13 13 Payments made in advance 3,451 3,449 3,069 Benefit overpayments 1,264 1,150 983 Non-domestic rates agency 493 8,210 1,695 Other debtors 15,656 12,640 12,337 30,756 33,038 26,566 Less provision for impairment losses (2,569) (2,942) (2,606) (note 34) 28,187 30,096 23,960

83 Page 70 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

28. SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS

The balance sheet total of £10,410k (£6,947k in 2009/10 and £7,889k at 1st April 2009) includes investments of £3,700k deposited in Landsbanki (see also note 4 on pages 45 to 46), which have been impaired to take account of the financial difficulties being experienced by Icelandic banks :-

Date Maturity Amount Interest Carrying Invested Date Invested Rate Amount Impairment £000 % £000 £000

22/07/08 17/10/08 1,200 5.82 954 9 01/09/08 14/11/08 1,500 5.70 1,189 11 08/09/08 18/11/09 1,000 5.67 794 8 3,700 2,937 28

The carrying amounts have been calculated using the present value of the expected repayments, discounted using the investment’s origins rate. The expected repayments (in December of each year) have been estimated as follows, based on the statements made by the administrator :-

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

817 309 291 275 260 245 232 480 2,909

29. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Current Assets Temporary investments (call accounts)22,500 11,000 8,600 Cash and cash equivalents 22,074 25,441 27,551 Cash overdrawn (4,592) (7,477) (8,356) 17,482 17,964 19,195 39,982 28,964 27,795

30. ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

The Council has newly classified a net total of £1,170k of its property assets as ‘held for sale’ (£8,438k in 2009/10); the 2010/11 total includes Right to Buy (RTB) properties for the first time. There has been no in-year reversals of previous impairment losses (£660k in 2009/10), and assets sold amounted to £1,150k (£381k in 2009/10), producing a final balance as at 31st March 2011 of £9,493k (£9,473k in 2009/10). 2011 2010 £000 £000 Balance outstanding at 1st April 9,473 756 Assets newly classified as held for sale: 1,170 8,438 Reversal of impairment losses 0 660 Assets sold (1,150) (381) Balance outstanding at 31st March 9,493 9,473

84 Page 71 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

31. BORROWING REPAYABLE ON DEMAND OR WITHIN 12 MONTHS

The balance sheet total of £5,803k reflects the value of accrued interest on long term external borrowing of £1,141k (£1,330k in 2009/10 and £1,329k as at 1st April 2009) together with an Invest to Save loan repayable in 2011/12, and an ‘inter company’ loan which records the purchase price of AD Waste – this value will remain on the balance sheet until the company is finally liquidated.

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000

Accrued interest on long term external borrowing 1,141 1,330 1,329 Invest to Save loan (from Welsh Government) 131 0 0 AD Waste - inter company loan 4,531 0 0 5,803 1,330 1,329

32. SHORT TERM CREDITORS

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

Government departments 2,512 2,072 2,740 Other creditors 28,292 24,588 25,313 30,804 26,660 28,053 Payments received in advance Housing rents 184 167 151 Local taxation 732 737 717 Other * 1,388 960 1,657 2,304 1,864 2,525 33,108 28,524 30,578

* net of transfer to non-current liabilities of £2,205k (£2,471k in 2009/10 and £2,192k at 1st April 2009)

33. LONG TERM BORROWING 2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 Balance Sheet Analysis External borrowing 173,744 173,613 173,613 173,744 173,613 173,613

Interest Rates 2010 2010 2009 External Borrowing Analysis Minimum % Maximum % £000 £000 £000

By Type of Loan (Fixed Rate) Wales GovernmentInterest Free 131 0 0 Government (PWLB) 0.76 9.50 154,663 154,663 154,663 Other financial institutions 4.48 4.58 18,950 18,950 18,950 173,744 173,613 173,613 By Maturity Between 1 and 2 years 1,631 0 0 Between 2 and 5 years 0 1,500 1,500 Between 5 and 10 years 11,600 1,600 1,600 More than 10 years 160,513 170,513 170,513 85 173,744 173,613 173,613

Page 72 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

34. PROVISIONS

Non-Current Provisions The amounts recognised as provisions are the best estimates of the expenditure required to settle present obligations. The provision total of £10,140k incorporates the following balances :-

Movement Movement 2011 Out In 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Claims (staff) 40 0 0 40 40 North Wales Safety Camera Partnership 1 (31) 0 32 31 Unequal pay back pay10,099 05,196 4,903 0 10,140 (31) 5,196 4,975 71

 The staff claims provision covers the anticipated costs of various staff claims against the Council; no immediate calls against the provision are expected.

 The North Wales Safety Camera Partnership provision provides cover for compensation to drivers who have been wrongly fined for speeding in a designated area when it was not correctly marked as a 30 m.p.h. zone. The timing and certainty of obligations depends entirely upon those motorists who haven’t already submitted claims, proceeding to do so.

 The unequal pay back pay provision provides cover for potential equal pay claims should liability be determined, and is required to be disclosed for reasons of prudence and Code compliance. The unequal pay back pay account included in the balance sheet on page 35 is used to hold an amount equal to back pay which has been deferred from being charged to the Council fund under the Local Authority (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Wales) Regulations.

Current Provisions – Accumulated Absences The provision for accumulated absences in 2010/11 is £3,598k (£2,810k in 2009/10 and £3,762k as at 1 April 2009).

Movement Movement 2011 Out In 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Accumulated absences3,598 0 788 2,810 3,762 3,598 0 788 2,810 3,762

Short-term accumulating compensated absences refer to benefits that employees receive as part of their contract of employment, entitlement to which is built up as they provide services to the Authority. The most significant benefit covered by this heading is holiday pay. Employees build up an entitlement to paid holidays as they work. Under the Code, the cost of providing holidays and similar benefits is required to be recognised when employees render service that increases their entitlement to future compensated absences. As a result, the Authority is required to accrue for any annual leave earned but not taken at 31st March each year. Under the previous accounting arrangements, no such accrual was required. The Government has issued regulations that mean local authorities are only required to fund holiday pay and similar benefits when they are used, rather than when employees earn the benefits. Amounts are transferred to the Accumulated Absences Account until the benefits are used.

86 Page 73 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

34. PROVISIONS (continued)

Current Provisions - Provision for Impairment Losses (Bad Debts)

Amounts due to the Council have been reduced by estimated provisions for impairment losses.

2011 2010 £000 £000 Housing rents 435 492 Council tax 830 954 Other debtors 1,304 1,496 2,569 2,942

35. DEFERRED LIABILITIES

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 Non-current finance leases 1,040 717 873 AD Waste Limited 1,025 1,025 0 2,065 1,742 873

A finance lease total of £1,040k is due to be paid beyond 2011/12 (£717k in 2009/10 and £873k at 1st April 2009) as part of the minimum lease payments due as disclosed in note 15 on page 59. The AD Waste Limited liability £1,025k (£1,025k also in 2009/10) in respect of the environmental aftercare of former waste disposal sites, remains on the balance sheet until the company is finally liquidated during 2011/12.

36. USABLE RESERVES

Movements in the Authority’s usable reserves are detailed in the Movement in Reserves Statement and note 9.

Capital Receipts Reserve The capital receipts reserve contains receipts from the sale of assets which have yet to be used to finance capital or to repay debt.

Capital Grants Unapplied Capital grants unapplied are amounts received but not yet applied to finance capital expenditure.

Specific Capital Reserves The specific capital reserve records the value of agreed (but unused) 2010/11 HRA revenue funding for capital expenditure purposes – the related programme expenditure has slipped into 2011/12.

Council Fund The Council fund revenue reserves total £34,111k (£27,246k in 2009/10 and £27,581k at 1st April 2009) includes unearmarked balances of £5,962k (£6,277k in 2009/10 and £7,257k at 1st April 2009), earmarked balances of £5,795k (£2,876k in 2009/10 and £5,144k at 1st April 2009), the single status/unequal pay balance of £20,380k (£16,643k in 2009/10 and £12,677k at 1st April 2009), and the surpluses generated by locally managed schools of £1,974k (£1,450k in 2009/10 and £2,503k at 1st April 2009). The schools balances are not available for general county purposes.

87 Page 74 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

36. USABLE RESERVES (continued)

Specific Revenue Reserves Specific revenue reserves include those for supporting people, waste disposal, and insurance funds.

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000

Reserves Unearmarked 5,962 6,277 7,257 Earmarked (service balances) 5,795 2,876 5,144 Single status/unequal pay 20,380 16,643 12,677 Schools 1,974 1,450 2,503 34,111 27,246 27,581 Specific Reserves Supporting people 1,209 1,026 474 Waste disposal 895 894 1,363 Insurance funds 1,233 1,453 1,437 Other (including theatre - see below) 1,353 1,631 373 4,690 5,004 3,647 38,801 32,250 31,228

Housing Revenue Account The housing revenue account reserve surplus of £1,614k (£1,492k in 2009/10) reflects the 2010/11 HRA surplus of £122k (£575k in 2009/10), as detailed on page 88.

Clwyd Theatr Cymru

The theatre is owned and operated by Flintshire County Council in exercise of its functions under, inter alia, Section 145 of the Local Government Act 1972.

It is managed under a scheme of delegation by which Flintshire County Council provides for the governance of the theatre and the discharge of all of the Council's functions, powers and duties in connection therewith. Under the scheme of delegation, the Council now delegates to and vests in its Chief Executive all of its functions, powers and duties in relation to the theatre. The Director of the theatre is responsible to the board of governors for ensuring that all departmental expenditure is kept within approved budgets. The Chief Executive is required to report to the Executive on the theatre's operations and finances, including the current surplus/deficit carry forward position and actions being taken to address this. In the year 2010/11 the theatre made an operating surplus of £5k (£1k surplus in 2009/10).

In the event of the theatre's demise, responsibility for any outstanding deficits and/or other net closure costs would fall on Flintshire County Council.

88 Page 75 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

37. UNUSABLE RESERVES

The details of movements on unusable reserves are as follows –

2011 2010 1st April 2009 Reserves £000 £000 £000 Revaluation reserve 114,579 112,792 44,082 Available-for-sale financial instruments reserve 254 240 306 Capital adjustment account 574,061 586,629 807,631 Financial instruments adjustment account (9,679) (11,131) (11,394) Pensions reserve (203,303) (248,930) (180,704) Unequal back pay account (10,099) (4,903) 0 Deferred capital receipts 16 33 57 Accumulated absences account (3,598) (2,810) (3,762) Total Unusable Reserves 462,231 431,920 656,216

Revaluation Reserve The revaluation reserve contains the gain made by the Authority arising from increases in the value of its property, plant and equipment. The balance is reduced when assets with accumulated gains are:  revalued downwards or impaired and the gains are lost  used in the provision of services and the gains are consume through depreciation, or  disposed of and the gains are realised.

The revaluation reserve records unrealised revaluation gains arising since 1st April 2007, the date that the Reserve was created. The reserve is matched by non-current assets within the balance sheet - the resources are not available for financing purposes.

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000

Balance at 1st April * 112,792 44,082 Upward revaluation of assets * 5,661 74,887 Downward revaluation of assets and impairment losses not charged to the surplus/deficit on the provision of services (1,431) (2,974) Surplus or deficit on revaluation of non-current assets not posted to the surplus/deficit on the provision of services 4,230 71,913 Difference between fair value depreciation and historical cost depreciation (2,443) (3,203) Accumulated gains on assets sold or scrapped 0 0 Amount written off to the capital adjustment account (2,443) (3,203) Balance at 31st March 114,579 112,792 * prior period adjusted figures

Available-for-Sale Financial Instruments Reserve The available-for-sale financial instruments reserve records unrealised revaluation gains arising from holding available-for-sale investments, plus any unrealised losses that have not arisen from impairment of the assets. The reserve is matched by borrowings and investments within the balance sheet - the resources are not available for financing89 purposes. Page 76 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

37. UNUSABLE RESERVES (continued)

Available-for-Sale Financial Instruments Reserve (continued)

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000

Balance at 1st April 240 306 Upward revaluation of investments 14 0 Downward revaluation of investments not charged to the surplus/deficit on the provision of services 0 (66) 14 (66) Balance at 31st March 254 240

Pensions Reserve The pensions reserve is an adjustment account that absorbs the timing differences arising from different arrangements for post employment benefits and for funding benefits in accordance with statutory provisions. The Authority accounts for post employment benefits in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement - the benefits are earned by employees accruing years of service. The liabilities recognised in the accounts are updated to reflect inflation, changing assumptions and investment returns on any resources set aside to meet the costs.

Statutory arrangements require those benefits earned to be financed as and when the Authority makes the employer’s contributions to the pension fund, or eventually pays any pensions for which it has direct responsibility. The debit balance on the Pensions Reserve therefore shows a substantial shortfall in the benefits earned by past and current employees and the resources the Authority has set aside to meet them. The statutory arrangements will ensure that funding will have been set aside by the time the benefits come to be paid.

The actuarial gains and losses identified as movements on the pensions reserve in 2010/11 are as detailed in note 5 on pages 47 to 51 :- 1st April 2011 2010 2009 £000 £000 £000 Statement of Actuarial (Gains) and Losses - Asset (gain)/loss 6,281 (66,913) 96,343 Liability (gain)/loss (22,010) 133,034 (104,007) Net (Gain)/Loss (15,729) 66,121 (7,664)

Capital Adjustment Account The capital adjustment account absorbs the timing difference arising from the different arrangements for accounting for the consumption of non-current assets and for financing the acquisition, construction or enhancement of those assets under the statutory provisions. The account is debited with the cost of acquisition, construction or enhancement as depreciation, impairment losses and amortisations are charged to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (with reconciling postings from the revaluation reserves to convert fair value figures to a historical cost basis). The account is credited with the amounts set aside by the Authority as finance for the costs of acquisition, construction and enhancement.

The account contains accumulated gains and losses on investment properties and revaluation gains accumulated on property, plant and equipment before 1 April 2007, the date that the revaluation reserve was created to hold such gains. 90 Page 77 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

37. UNUSABLE RESERVES (continued)

Note 9 provides details of the source of all the transactions posted to the account, apart from those involving the revaluation reserve.

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000

Balance at 1st April 586,629 807,631 Reversal of items relating to capital expenditure debited or credited to the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement: - Charges for depreciation and impairment of non-current assets (34,039) (251,794) - Amortisation of intangible assets (65) (64) - Revenue expenditure funded from capital under statute (7,597) (4,126) - Amounts of non-current assets written off on disposal or sale as part of the gain/loss on disposal to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement (2,104) (1,409) (43,805) (257,393) Long term debtors adjustments 1,020 483 Adjusting amounts writen out of the revaluation reserve 2,443 3,203 Net written out amount of the cost of non- current assets consumed in the year (40,342) (253,707)

Capital financing applied in the year: - Use of the capital receipts reserve 615 612 - Capital grants and contributions credited to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement that have been applied to capital financing 17,782 14,521 - Application of grants to capital financing from the capital grants unapplied account 0 7,130 - Statutory provision for the financing of capital investment charged against the council fund and HRA balances 6,315 7,030 - Capital expenditure charged against the council fund and HRA balances 3,296 1,036 28,008 30,329

Movements in the market value of investment properties debited or credited to the Comprehensive income and expenditure statement (234) 2,376 (234) 2,376

Balance at 31st March 574,061 586,629

91 Page 78 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

37. UNUSABLE RESERVES (continued)

Financial Instruments Adjustment Account The financial instruments adjustment account (FIAA) provides a balancing mechanism between the different rates at which gains and losses (such as premiums on the early payment of debt) are recognised under the Code and are required by statute to be met from the Council fund. Again, the reserve is matched by borrowings and investments within the balance sheet, and the resources are not available for financing purposes. 2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000

Balance at 1st April (11,131) (11,394) Premiums incurred in the year and charged to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement (87) - Proportion of premiums incurred in previous financial years to be charged against the Council Fund balance in accordance with statutory requirements 613 613

Impaired investment transfers - Landsbanki 926 (350) Amount by which finance costs charged to the Comprehensive income and expenditure statement are different from finance costs chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements 1,452 263 Balance at 31st March (9,679) (11,131)

Regulations issued in March 2009 allowed the Council to defer charging amounts relating to its impaired investments in Landsbanki (see also page 45). The Council took advantage of the regulations, and transferred £926k to the FIAA during the period 2008/09 – 2010/11; the FIAA records the timing differences between charging these amounts to the Council Fund in accordance with proper practice, and in accordance with the regulations. Under the regulations, the Council is required to transfer the balance on the FIAA to the Council fund by no later than 31st March 2011, and must also credit the FIAA with interest earned until such time as the balance has been transferred to the Council fund; the transfer was made during 2010/11.

Unequal Back Pay Account The unequal back pay account compensates for the differences between the rate at which the Authority provides for the potential costs of back pay settlements in relation to equal pay cases and the ability under statutory provisions to defer the impact on the council fund balance until such time as cash might be paid out to claimants. 2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000

Balance at 1st April 4,903 0 Increase in provision for back pay in relation to equal pay cases 5,196 4,903 Cash settlements paid in the year 0 0

Amount by which amounts charged for equal pay claims to the comprehensive income and expenditure statement are different from the cost of settlements chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements 5,196 4,903 Balance at 31st March 10,099 4,903 92 Page 79 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

37. UNUSABLE RESERVES (continued)

Deferred Capital Receipts Deferred capital receipts are amounts derived from sales of assets, which will be received in instalments over agreed periods of time. The reserve holds the gain recognised on the disposal of non-current assets but for which cash settlement has yet to take place. They arise from mortgages on sales of council houses.

Under statutory arrangements, the Authority does not treat these gains as usable for financing new capital expenditure until they are backed by cash receipts. When the deferred cash settlement eventually takes place, amounts are transferred to the capital receipts reserve.

2011 2010 1st April 2009 £000 £000 £000 Council houses 16 33 57 16 33 57

Accumulated Absences Account The accumulated absences account absorbs the differences that would otherwise arise on the council fund balance from accruing for compensated absences earned but not taken in the year, eg annual leave entitlement carried forward at 31st March. Statutory arrangements require that the impact on the council fund balance is neutralised by transfer to or from the account.

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000

Balance at 1st April (2,810) (3,762) Settlement or cancellation of accrual made at the end of the preceding year 2,810 3,762

Amounts accrued at the end of the current year (3,598) (2,810)

Amount by which officer remuneration charged to the comprehensive income and expenditure Statement on an accruals basis is different from remuneration chargeable in the year in accordance with statutory requirements (788) 952 Balance at 31st March (3,598) (2,810)

93 Page 80 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

38. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Financial instruments included in the balance sheet are made up of the following financial liabilities and assets:

Long-Term Current 2011 2010 1st April 2011 2010 1st April 2009 2009 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Financial liabilities at amortised cost 173,744 173,613 173,613 1,141 1,330 1,329 Payables 0 0 0 29,922 25,627 27,035 Total financial liabilities 173,744 173,613 173,613 31,063 26,957 28,364

Loans 304 0 0 10,410 6,947 7,889 Receivables 2,002 0 6,448 18,762 13,577 16,302 Available-for-sale financial assets 626 612 675 0 0 0 Total financial assets 2,932 612 7,123 29,172 20,524 24,191

The balance sheet value of trade payables and other payables amounted to £29,922k (£25,627k in 2009/10 and £27,035k at 1 April 2009) as disclosed above, and trade receivables amounted to £18,762k (£13,577k in 2009/10 and £16,302k at 1 April 2009).

The gains and losses recognised in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement in relation to financial instruments are made up as follows:

2011 2010 Financial Financial LiabilitiesFinancial Assets Liabilities Financial Assets

Liabilities Loans and Available- Liabilities Loans and Available- Measured Receivables for-Sale Total Measured Receivables for-Sale Total at Assets at Assets Amortised Amortised Cost Cost

£000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Interest expense (9,443) 0 0 (9,443) (10,060) 0 0 (10,060) Impairment losses 0 135 0 135 0 (351) 0 (351)

Interest payable and (9,443) 135 0 (9,308) (10,060) (351) 0 (10,411) similar charges

Interest income 0 535 0 535 0 755 0 755

Interest and investment 0 535 0 535 0 755 0 755 income

Gain on revaluation 04 Deficit arising on revaluation of financial assets 04

Net gain/(loss)for the year (9,443) 670 0 (10,060) 404 4

94 Page 81 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

38. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Carried at Amortised Cost

Financial liabilities and financial assets represented by loans and receivables are carried in the balance sheet at amortised cost. Their fair value can be assessed by calculating the present value of the cash flows that will take place over the remaining term of the instruments (in line with the 2010 method). The 2011 borrowing figure for Public Works Loans Board (PWLB) loans has been calculated by reference to the ‘premature repayment’ set of rates in force on 31st March 2011 (in line with the 2010 method).

The 2011 Lender Option Borrower Option loans (LOBOs) figure has been calculated in the same way as PWLB, less a 0.65% margin for the value of six monthly options to the lender (again in line with the 2010 method).

The fair value of shares and war stock are calculated using the value of undated gilts as published for 31st March 2011.

The fair value of trade and other receivables is taken to be the invoiced or billed amount, and no early repayment or impairment is recognised.

The fair values are calculated as follows:

2011 2010 1st April 2009 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Amount Value Amount Value Amount Value £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Financial Liabilities PWLB 155,576 193,686 155,766 188,975 155,766 198,169 LOBOs 19,177 22,647 19,176 21,994 19,176 17,923 174,753 216,333 174,942 210,969 174,942 216,092

The PWLB fair value is higher than the carrying amount because the Authority’s portfolio of loans includes a number of fixed loans where the interest rate payable is higher than the rates available for similar loans at the balance sheet date. This commitment to pay interest above current market rates increases the amount that the Authority would have to pay if the lender requested or agreed to early repayment of the loans. The same is the case for LOBOs, with the interest rates higher than the PWLB rates available at the balance sheet date, resulting in a higher fair value.

2011 2010 1st April 2009 Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Carrying Fair Amount Value Amount Value Amount Value £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Loans and Receivables War stock 131312121414 Shares 613 613 600 600 661 661 Long term investments 2,002 2,002 0 0 6,448 6,448 2,628 2,628 612 612 7,123 7,123

95 Page 82 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

38. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Disclosure of Nature and Extent of Risks Arising from Financial Instruments

The Council manages its Treasury Management risk by adoption of the CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services - Code of Practice 2009, the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, and an Annual Investment Strategy as issued by the National Assembly for Wales under section 15 (1) (a) of the Local Government Act 2003. The Authority must prepare (as a minimum) a Policy and Strategy Statement (a mid-year report) and an annual outturn report for submission to Executive, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules. The National Assembly for Wales also requires investment limits on specified (investments offering high security and liquidity), non-specified investments (investments with greater potential risk) and investments committed for more than one year. In addition, key prudential indicators must be set and Treasury Management Practices documented. These practices include financial risks such as Credit Risk, Liquidity Risk and Market Risk.

The Authority’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks:

 Credit risk – the possibility that other parties might fail to pay amounts due to the authority

 Liquidity risk – the possibility that the authority might not have funds available to meet its commitments to make payments

 Market risk – the possibility that financial loss might arise for the authority as a result of changes in such measures as interest rates and stock market movements.

The Authority’s overall risk management programme focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimise potential effects on the resources available to fund services. Risk management is carried out by a central treasury team, under policies approved by Flintshire County Council in the Policy and Strategy Statement. Flintshire provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as written policies covering specific areas, such as interest rate risk, credit risk and the investment of surplus cash.

Risk - Liabilities

The Council has raised long term finance by either borrowing from the PWLB or the market via LOBOs.

 PWLB – The majority of this debt is fixed rate, hence there is interest rate risk. If rates fall in the future, the Council will be paying higher than the current market rate, however, it is considered more beneficial to have budget certainty on future payments of interest in a low interest rate environment; currently 6% of PWLB debt is variable rate, reducing the interest rate risk but increasing budget uncertainty. There is an option in the Treasury Management Policy Statement to have 35% variable debt if deemed appropriate. Liquidity risk is managed through the debt maturity profile and a prudential indicator which does not allow any more than 10% of debt to reach maturity in any one year.

96 Page 83 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

38. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

 LOBOs - All LOBOs have a fixed rate of interest for a period of between 12 and 23 months followed by a further fixed rate for the period of the loan, however the loan can be recalled by the lender after a certain fixed period of time. LOBOs are used because they have an interest rate lower than PWLB and this is balanced against the risks of rates rising and the loan having to be repaid which results in re-financing risk at a time of higher interest rates. The amount of LOBOs is restricted to 35% of long term borrowing.

Analysis shows that if interest rates rose by 1% the financial effect would be an increase in debt costs of £231k. If rates were to fall by 1%, costs would decrease by £79k.

Risk - Loans and Receivables

Long Term Investments -

 Investments of more than 1 year or with non-rated building societies with a minimum asset size of £1bn are referred to as non-specified investments because of the additional interest rate risk. There is a limit of £20m for long term investments and additional procedures for authorisation by the Head of Finance.

 Deposits with banks and building societies do carry some credit risk and this is managed by using three rating agencies and only investing in highly rated banks or building societies with assets of more than £1bn. The criteria is shown in the table below :–

FITCH MOODY’S STANDARD & POORS

Rating Type UK & Overseas Building UK & Overseas Building UK & Overseas Building Banks Societies Banks Societies Banks Societies

Short Term F1 F2 P1 P2 A-1 A-2

Long Term A A- A2 A3 A A-

Analysis shows that if interest rates rose by 1% the financial effect would be an increase in investment income of £585k. If rates fell by 1%, there would be a loss of income for the same amount.

The Council has £3,700k deposited in the Icelandic bank Landsbanki, which collapsed in October 2008. Information currently available indicates that the invested sum will not be fully repaid.

Bonds -

Investments in bonds have limited credit risk because they are government backed but the market will fluctuate based on current interest rates thus changing the fair value.

Shares -

The Council’s shareholding in 2009/10 and 2010/11 related to AD Waste Limited; there is no longer a credit risk involved as the company came in house during 2010/11.

97 Page 84 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

38. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)

Other Receivables -

Customers are required to make arrangements to pay outstanding monies due to the Council, based on their ability to pay. Customers are requested to complete a financial assessment form and are required to confirm in writing the amount agreed and the start date of the arrangement, and to make the Council fully aware of any circumstances surrounding their ability to pay which they wish to be taken into account in making the assessment.

39. FOUNDATION SCHOOLS

The Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 changed the status of grant maintained schools to foundation schools maintained by the local education authority. The change for funding purposes took effect from 1st April 1999, resulting in the inclusion of the current assets and liabilities controlled by Flintshire's only foundation school (Derwen Primary, Higher Kinnerton) in the balance sheet. Fixed assets and long term liabilities remain vested in the governing body of the school and therefore values and amounts have not been consolidated in the balance sheet.

40. RELATED COMPANIES

Related companies information is included within the notes to the group accounts on page 92.

41. OTHER FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE AUTHORITY

The County Council administered 33 education trust funds up until 2010/11, each consisting of relatively small sums of money received from individuals and invested in order to provide an annual income for prizes etc. The administration of eight funds was transferred to their associated schools during 2010/11; the remaining 25 funds are under review. The total fund balance at 31st March 2011 was £280,453 (£283,059 in 2009/10), which is not reflected in the balance sheet.

The Council also administers a trust fund on behalf of Optec D.D. (UK) Limited. The fund provides financial support to the youth exchange scheme between Flintshire County Council and Murata and Kuga Cho in Japan. The fund balance at 31st March 2011 was £137,447 (£152,697 in 2009/10), and is not included in the balance sheet.

The Council is responsible for the management and maintenance of St. Margaret's Cemetery, Rhewl. This registered charity has three bank accounts with a total current value of £357 (also £357 in 2009/10). The bank accounts are not shown in the balance sheet.

Flintshire County Council acts as lead authority in the administration of the Welsh Church Acts Fund on behalf of Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. Income received from investments, net of central management expenses, is apportioned to each authority to be used to give grants which accord with the stated objectives. At 31st March 2011 the fund balance was £577,867 (£574,794 in 2009/10), Flintshire having an unused income balance of £3,383 (£413 in 2009/10). These figures are not reflected in the balance sheet.

The Community Services Directorate - Social Services for Adults Section maintain individual bank accounts for service users living in the community who are unable to cope with their financial affairs due to their mental incapacity; individual members of the Deputyship team are approved to act as corporate appointee with the Department for Work and Pensions for each service user. The total amount held by the Council at 31st March 2011 was £2,246k in 295 separate accounts (£1,880k in 264 accounts in 2009/10).

98 Page 85 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

42. CONTINGENT LIABILITY

The Council is reconsidering its legal position in relation to a number of unequal pay claims registered in the Employment Tribunal as a result of judgments involving other authorities including Sheffield and Birmingham, and whilst it is too early to determine what that position is likely to be, an offer has been made to relevant trade unions to discuss the potential for settling the claims; the settlement costs will be made from the single status/unequal pay reserve. There are a number of other claims against the Council, some of which are expected to proceed through the courts and tribunals; but with one exception, adverse decisions are not anticipated at this stage.

43. CONTINGENT ASSET

The Council continues to pursue from HM Revenue and Customs, refunds of VAT following the House of Lords decisions in the cases of Fleming (trading as Bodycraft) and Conde Nast Publications Ltd. In 1996, the time limit for claiming overpaid VAT was reduced to three years; the absence of transitional arrangements was held in 2008 to breach Community law and the three year cap was disapplied. The individual claims relate to various periods between April 1973 and December 1996. Following the Court of Appeal judgment in the Compass Contract Services case of 2006 and subject to the current High Court Littlewoods case, the Council will pursue appeals to the Tax Tribunal and/or in the High Court for compound interest where repayment to date has been made with the addition of simple interest only.

44. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT

The decision to uplift public service pensions using the Consumer Prices Index rather than the Retail Prices Index has been recognised in these accounts (as referred to in note 5 on page 48). This decision is currently before the courts in judicial review proceedings. The Government is defending the case and therefore no adjustment has been made to the accounts for this matter. The financial implications consequent on the review finding against the Government have not been assessed.

99 Page 86 NOTES TO THE CORE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS continued

45. CASH FLOW STATEMENT - OPERATING ACTIVITIES

The cash flows for operating activities include the following items :

2011 2010 £000 £000

Interest received 820 1,124

Interest paid (9,910) (9,963)

46. CASH FLOW STATEMENT - INVESTING ACTIVITIES

2011 2010 £000 £000

Purchase of property, plant & equipment, investment property and (22,335) (26,942) intangible assets Purchase of short term and long term investments (5,479) 0

Other payments for investing activities (305) (44) Proceeds from the sale of property, plant & equipment, investment 2,024 3,640 property and intangible assets

Other receipts from investing activities 20,021 18,328

Net cash flows from investing activities (6,074) (5,087)

47. CASH FLOW STATEMENT - FINANCING ACTIVITIES

£000 £000

Cash receipts of short term and long term borrowing 262 0 Cash payments for the reduction of the outstanding liability 232 0 relating to finance leases Repayment of short term and long term borrowing 0 1,025 Net cash flows from financing activities 494 1,025

100 Page 87 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT for the year ended 31st March 2011

2011 2010

£000 £000 £000 £000

Expenditure Repairs and maintenance 9,124 7,783

Management and supervision 2,693 2,634

Rents, rates, taxes and other charges 816 1,377

Housing revenue account subsidy payable 6,391 6,448

Depreciation and impairment of non-current assets * 6,873 124,178 Debt management costs 16 11

Increase in bad debt provision 166 142

Total expenditure * 26,079 142,573

Income Dwelling rents (gross) 23,179 22,790

Non-dwelling rents (gross) 279 277 23,458 23,067

Charges for services and facilities 600 609

Total income 24,058 23,676

Net cost of HRA services as included in the 2,021 118,897 whole authority Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement *

HRA share of other amounts included in the 142 151 whole authority Net Cost of Services but not allocated to specific services Net cost of HRA services * 2,163 119,048 Interest payable and similar charges 1,509 1,596

Net loss on sale of HRA assets 465 0

HRA investment income (8) (15)

Pensions interest cost and expected return on 469 633 pension assets Total (surplus)/deficit on the HRA Income and Expenditure Statement * 4,598 121,262

* prior period adjusted figures

101 Page 88 MOVEMENT ON THE HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT STATEMENT for the year ended 31st March 2011

This statement shows how the surplus/deficit on the Housing Revenue Account Income and Expenditure Statement for the year reconciles to the surplus/deficit for the year on the Statutory Housing Revenue Account.

Note 2011 2010 (from £000 £000 core notes) At 1st Apri1 2010 1,492 917

Surplus/(deficit) on the HRA income and expenditure statement * (4,598) (121,262)

Total comprehensive income and expenditure * (4,598) (121,262)

Adjustments between accounting and funding basis under regulations * 9 4,720 121,837

Net increase/(decrease) before transfer to earmarked reserves 122 575

Transfers to/(from) earmarked reserves 0-

Increase/(decrease) in year on the HRA 122 575

At 31st March 2011 1,614 1,492

* prior period adjusted figures

The 2010/11 balance carried forward total includes a ringfenced surplus of £128k relating to the tenants' communal heating scheme (£41k surplus in 2009/10).

102 Page 89 NOTES TO THE HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT for the year ended 31st March 2011

1. LEGISLATION

The housing revenue account, in accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, reflects a statutory obligation to account separately for local authority housing provision. It shows the major elements of housing revenue expenditure - maintenance, rent rebates, administration - and capital financing costs, and how these are met by rents, subsidy and other income.

2. HOUSING STOCK

The type and number of dwellings at 31st March 2011 were :-

2011 2010 Type No. No.

Houses 4,089 4,098 Flats 1,377 1,377 Maisonettes 199 199 Bungalows 1,796 1,796 7,461 7,470

3. RENT ARREARS

2011 2010 Analysis of arrears £000 £000

Rents Current tenants 802 737 Former tenants 177 255 979 992

Provision for impairment losses (bad debts) £000 £000

Opening provision 599 508 Written off in year (284) (51) Increase in provision 166 142 481 599

The rents total of £979k (£992k in 2009/10) includes, in addition to the basic rent element, amounts due in respect of water/sewerage rates, heating charges, household insurance, communal television licences and value added tax on some garage rentals. These individual rent elements cannot be separately identified from the whole.

103 Page 90 NOTES TO THE HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT continued

4. NON-CURRENT ASSET ACCOUNTING

Capital Financing

Housing revenue account capital expenditure of £8,205k (£6,020k in 2009/10) was financed as follows :-

Capital Receipts Capital Grants Revenue Total & Contributions Contributions £000 £000 £000 £000

Capital financing 184 5,580 2,441 8,205 184 5,580 2,441 8,205

Major Repairs Allowance (MRA)

Included within the capital grants and contributions total (£5,580k) is the 2010/11 MRA allocation figure of £5,200k (also £5,200k in 2009/10). The MRA allocation figure is included within the government grants – general line in the Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement. This Welsh Government grant was fully used in 2010/11 in financing qualifying capital expenditure.

Capital Receipts

Gross capital receipts of £1,287k (£1,494k in 2009/10) were realised by way of the disposal of dwellings, land sales, shared ownership sales and mortgage repayments :-

2011 2010 £000 £000 Council dwellings 585 514 Mortgages 17 24 Land sales 685 956 1,287 1,494

Depreciation

Straight line depreciation is provided for on all housing revenue account non-current assets with a finite useful life, other than for non-depreciable land. The charge of £5,208k (£5,219k in 2009/10) is based on the 2010/11 opening net balance sheet valuations (valuation list less cumulative depreciation), with assumed nil residual values.

2011 2010 £000 £000 Dwellings5,200 5,200 (equating to the value of MRA) Garages 0 8 Plant and equipment 8 11 5,208 5,219

Impairment Losses and Revenue Expenditure Funded from Capital Under Statute

A HRA dwellings impairment adjustment total of £1,604k was accounted for in 2010/11 (£94,498k in 2009/10). There was no revenue expenditure funded from capital under statute in 2010/11 (as in 2009/10).

104 Page 91 GROUP COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT for the year ended 31st March 2011 2011 2010 Gross Gross Net Gross Gross Net Note Expenditure Income Expenditure Expenditure Income Expenditure Service Expenditure Analysis 1 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Adult social care 58,969 16,921 42,048 56,020 16,414 39,606 Central services to the public 2,953 1,569 1,384 3,569 1,754 1,815 Education and children's services 158,369 24,768 133,601 236,470 26,009 210,461 Cultural, environmental, regulatory and planning services 2 64,999 24,768 40,231 70,512 17,644 52,868 Highways and transport services 27,094 8,677 18,417 24,782 9,083 15,699 Housing services : Housing - Council fund 54,840 49,658 5,182 51,397 48,382 3,015 Housing revenue account (HRA) * 26,079 24,058 2,021 142,573 23,676 118,897 Corporate and democratic core 2,350 16 2,334 1,756 16 1,740 Non distributed costs 3,697 - 3,697 6,837 - 6,837 Exceptional non distributed costs (34,157) - (34,157) - - - Write down of plant and equipment costs - - - 3,871 - 3,871 Net cost of services * 365,193 150,435 214,758 597,787 142,978 454,809 Other Operating Expenditure Net gain on the disposal of non-current assets (323) (648) Levy - North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority 7,119 6,973 Precept - North Wales Police Authority 12,186 11,793 Other preceptors - community councils 2,119 2,040 Total Other Operating Expenditure 21,101 20,158

Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure

Interest payable and similar charges 9,985 10,117 Investment losses and investment expenditure 5,326 8,605 Interest and investment income (6,198) (8,009) Pensions interest cost 32,897 30,299 Expected return on pensions assets (22,906) (17,024) Taxation of group entities 16 55 Total Financing and Investment Income and Expenditure 19,120 24,043 Net operating expenditure * 254,979 499,010 Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income Council tax income (67,384) (65,151) Distribution from non-domestic rate pool (42,236) (40,437) Grants - revenue (general) and capital (all) (166,478) (161,621) Total Taxation and Non-Specific Grant Income (276,098) (267,209) (Surplus)/deficit on the provision of services * (21,119) 231,801

(Surplus)/deficit arising on revaluation of non-current assets * (4,231) (109,559) (Surplus)/deficit arising on revaluation of available-for-sale financial assets (14) 66 Actuarial (gains) or losses on pension assets and liabilities (15,729) 66,190 Other comprehensive income and expenditure 353 (320) Total comprehensive income or expenditure (40,740) 188,178 * prior period adjusted figures (housing revenue account)

105 Page 92

NOTES TO THE GROUP ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st March 2011

1. SUBSIDIARY

During the year the Council had material interests in AD Waste Limited, which was consolidated as a subsidiary. It was an 'arms length' local authority waste disposal company (LAWDC), as permitted by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Environmental Protection Act 1990.

AD Waste Limited was a subsidiary of the Council in that :

 The Council was able to exercise control over the operating and financial policies of the entity, and

 The Council was able to gain benefits from the entity or was exposed to the risk of potential losses arising from this control.

AD Waste Limited was vested during 1993/94. It was incorporated in 1991 as a private company, limited by shares. Shares were issued at 100 ordinary £1 shares and 654,900 preferred ordinary £1 shares (of which 300,000 were redeemed at par in 1995/96). Flintshire County Council was the sole shareholder. A comprehensive shareholders' agreement existed between the company and the Council, setting out all matters concerning dividend policy, conduct of company business and financial reporting.

For the 184 day period ended 1st October 2010, AD Waste’s profit and loss account indicates an operating profit on discontinued operations of £139k (£241k profit for 2009/10 in total), and a balance sheet net assets total of £4,068k (£1,049k in 2009/10).

Copies of AD Waste Limited's accounts may be obtained from AD Waste Limited, 5/7 Grosvenor Court, Foregate Street, Chester, CH1 1HG.

2. INCOME AND EXPENDITURE

During the year the Council made payments of £3,642k to AD Waste Limited, chiefly in respect of tipping fees, landfill tax and management fees (£7,000k in 2009/10). Receipts from the company, chiefly in the form of royalties, dividends and pension fund contributions, amounted to £214k (£441k in 2009/10).

3. TRANSFER OF ACTIVITIES

On 29th October 2008 Flintshire County Council resolved to take the Company’s activities in-house. The transfer of trade and assets of the company, at fair values, was effected on 30th September 2010; the transaction is recorded within the Explanatory Foreword on page 3, under the heading ‘Assets Acquired and Liabilities Incurred’.

4. OTHER SUBSIDIARIES

There are no other subsidiaries which have been excluded from consolidation.

106 Page 93

NOTES TO THE GROUP ACCOUNTS continued

5. JOINT ARRANGEMENTS THAT ARE NOT ENTITIES (JANEs)

Flintshire County Council is currently involved in four JANE type arrangements (a contractual arrangement under which the participants engage in joint activities that do not create an entity because it would not be carrying on a trade or business of its own), being :-

 North East Wales Community Equipment Service (NEWCES)  North East Wales Food Waste Hub  North Wales Residual Waste Treatment Project  North Wales Procurement Partnership

The Council’s share of the assets and liabilities of each JANE is considered to be not material for accounting/reporting purposes.

107 Page 94 CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st March 2011

THE MANAGEMENT AND MEMBERSHIP OF THE CLWYD PENSION FUND

The Clwyd Pension Fund is administered by Flintshire County Council on a lead authority basis. The administration and investment strategy of the Fund is considered and agreed each quarter by the Clwyd Pension Fund Panel, consisting of five elected Members, the Head of Finance, the Clwyd Pension Fund Manager, a consultant to the Fund, and a scheme member observer. The Fund's investment management arrangements were implemented by fifteen investment managers during 2010/11.

The Clwyd Pension Fund is a statutory Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), set up to provide death and retirement benefits for local government employees, other than teachers, police and firefighters in North East Wales. In addition, other qualifying bodies which provide similar services to that of local authorities have been admitted to membership of the LGPS and hence the Fund.

The Clwyd Pension Fund operates a defined benefit scheme whereby retirement benefits are based on employees' final remuneration and length of service. The Fund was funded by variable percentage contributions from both employees and employers which take account of the relationship of assets to liabilities (see Note 17). The benefits of the scheme are prescribed nationally by Regulations made under the Superannuation Act 1972.

The membership of the Fund as at 31st March 2011 is shown below:-

2011 2010 No. No. Contributors 14,960 15,073 Pensioners : Ex employees 7,641 7,395 Widows/dependants 1,450 1,425 Preserved benefits 6,910 5,969 Total membership 30,961 29,862

The scheduled bodies which contributed to the Fund during 2010/11 are :-

Counties : Flintshire, Denbighshire, Wrexham. Colleges : Glyndwr University, Deeside College, Llysfasi College, Yale College of Wrexham. Community Argoed, Coedpoeth, Connah's Quay, Hawarden, Rhosllanerchrugog, Buckley, Councils: Prestatyn, Offa, Mold, Caia Park, Rhyl, Shotton, Llanasa. Other: Yale Enterprise Ltd, North Wales Probation Board, North Wales Fire Service, North Wales Valuation Tribunal,

The admitted bodies contributing to the Fund are :-

Other: Careers Wales, AD Waste, Cartref y Dyffryn Ceiriog, Denbighshire Voluntary Services, Clwyd Leisure, Bodelwyddan Castle Trust.

The content of the accounts comply with accounting standards, but further information is available in the Clwyd Pension Fund Annual Report and Statement of Investment Principles which are presented each year to the Annual Joint Consultative Meeting for employers and member representatives each November.

108 Page 95 CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

On 6th May 2010, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) published “Improving disclosures about financial instruments (Amendments to IFRS 7)”. In order to improve the disclosure of how entities measure the fair value of their financial instruments, the disclosure requirements in IFRS 7 have been extended to introduce a fair value hierarchy and enhanced risk disclosures. The new disclosures are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1st January 2011.

This is, therefore, the first year that Local Authorities have been required to prepare their Accounts on the basis of full adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). The 2010/11 Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting is the first Code to be based on IFRS and as a result, the Accounts for 2010/11 differ significantly from those presented in previous years.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The general principles adopted in the preparation of the full Annual Report and Accounts are those recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). They meet the requirements of the Local Government Pension Fund Regulations and the recommendations of the “Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2010/11” (the Code) based on International Financial Reporting Standards. The disclosure requirements for the summarised pension fund accounts are, however, limited to those recommended by the Code.

Accounting policies adopted are detailed further in the relevant sections, and other than the first here have not changed from the previous year’s accounting policies. In summary –

 The Scheme has its own bank account which held the scheme’s cash balances from 1st April 2011. This is to comply with the requirements of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2009. Prior to this, the scheme’s cash balance was held within the administering authority’s bank accounts.

 Contributions, benefits and investment income due at 31st March are included on an accruals basis.

 Investments are included in the accounts at market value, usually bid price.

 Debtors and creditors are raised for all amounts outstanding at 31st March.

 Transfer values received and paid out, have been accounted for on a cash basis.

 The financial statements do not take account of liabilities to pay pensions and other benefits after the reported accounting period.

 Investment management expenses are shown separately from scheme administration in the Fund Account and include the fees paid and due to the fund managers and custodian, actuarial fees, performance measurement and investment consultant fees.

 Acquisition costs of investments include all direct transaction costs and sales receipts are net of all direct transaction costs.

 Derivative contracts outstanding at the year-end are stated at fair value as both investment assets and liabilities.

109 Page 96 CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st March 2011

2011 2010 Note £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Contributions and Benefits Contributions receivable : From employers 1 51,433 50,713 From employees or members 1 15,102 14,915 66,535 65,628 Transfers in 9,801 6,774 Other income 1,622 2,571 11,423 9,345 77,958 74,973

Benefits payable : Pensions 1 39,479 37,637 Lump sums (retirement) 1 12,953 11,444 Lump sums (death grants) 1 1,152 897 53,584 49,978 Payments to and on account of leavers : Refunds of contributions 10 18 Transfers out (individual) 4,690 4,869 Other 213 179 Administrative and other expenses bourne by the scheme 2 1,262 1,280 6,175 6,346 59,759 56,324

NET ADDITIONS (WITHDRAWALS) 18,199 18,649

Returns on Investments Investment income 4 2,898 2,466 Change in market value of investments (Realised and 4 79,965 241,627 Unrealised) Investment management expenses 2 (5,080) (4,321) NET RETURNS ON INVESTMENT 77,783 239,772 NET (DECREASE)/INCREASE IN THE FUND 95,982 258,421

OPENING NET ASSETS OF THE SCHEME 955,833 697,412 CLOSING NET ASSETS OF THE SCHEME 1,051,815 955,833

110 Page 97 CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st March 2011

2011 2010 2009 Note £000 £000 £000

Net Assets Statement Investment Assets : 5 Managed fixed interest fund 123,024 111,825 88,246 Managed UK equity funds 161,383 241,446 132,111 Managed overseas equity funds 263,366 271,001 197,178 Managed multi strategy funds 88,318 44,318 37,974 Property funds 65,317 52,077 45,485 Infrastructure funds 20,753 16,243 12,831 Timberland funds 12,212 11,120 9,641 Commodity funds 39,814 14,847 11,119 Private equity funds 112,563 86,810 74,730 Hedge fund of funds 50,646 52,121 34,848 Currency funds 0 28,400 29,440 Leveraged loans 16,346 20,043 14,514 Futures contracts 11 665 0 0 Other investment assets 9 1,218 0 2,002 Cash 7 97,373 2,944 4,062 Investment Liabilities : Futures contracts 11 (169) 0 0 Other investment liabilities 9 (1,195) 0 0

Current Assets : Due within 1 year 8 4,157 3,909 3,708 Due over 1 year 8 359 471 0 Current liabilities 8 (4,335) (1,742) (477)

NET ASSETS AT 31ST MARCH 1,051,815 955,833 697,412

111 Page 98 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS for the year ended 31st March 2011

1. ANALYSIS OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVABLE/BENEFITS PAYABLE

Contributions represent those amounts receivable from various employing authorities in respect of their own contributions and those of pensionable employees. The total contributions received from employers during 2010/11 amounted to £51.433m (£50.713m in 2009/10). This comprised an amount of £29.823m (£29.426m in 2009/10) relating to the common contribution rate of 12.5% paid by all employers and £21.610m (£21.287m in 2009/10) relating to the individual adjusted rates and additional contributions paid in respect of deficit funding for individual employers.

Benefits payable and refunds of contributions have been brought into the accounts on the basis of all valid claims approved during the year.

Analysis of contributions received and benefits payable is shown below :-

Benefits Contributions Payable Receivable

Scheduled Bodies - £000 £000 Flintshire County Council 18,034 22,550 Wrexham County Borough Council 17,487 20,026 Denbighshire County Council 11,140 16,018 Fund apportionment with : Gwynedd and Powys County Councils 2,477 0 North Wales Probation 1,208 1,527 Colleges 2,120 4,102 Community Councils 191 194 Others - scheduled bodies 533 1,233 Others - admitted bodies 394 885 53,584 66,535

The above merely reflects the figures in the accounts. The circumstances pertaining to each of the bodies listed is different for a variety of reasons (contribution and pensioner profiles, employees' contribution rates, early retirement experience etc.) and direct comparisons, therefore, are largely meaningless.

Flintshire County Council, Wrexham County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council have recognized a liability, in their respective accounts, for pension contributions on the back pay element of their equal pay settlements. However, as a result of the uncertainty relating to the value and timing of these payments, these amounts have not yet been recognized in the Pension Fund accounts.

2. ADMINISTRATION AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT EXPENSES

The regulations permit the County Council to charge the cost of administering the scheme to the Fund. The external managers' fees have been accounted for on the basis contained within their management agreement.

112 Page 99 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

2. ADMINISTRATION AND INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT EXPENSES (continued)

The cost of pensions administration and investment management is shown below :-

2011 2010 £000 £000 Investment management fees 5,080 4,321 Administration 1,262 1,280 6,342 5,601

Investment management fees are based on valuations of the investments. The Fund is invested in pooled vehicles of which the majority of fees are charged within the Funds. In order to be transparent, the Fund discloses these fees. The fees included in the Pooled Vehicles amounted to £3.9m during the year (note 4).

3. INVESTMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Further details on the investment strategy are available in the Statement of Investment Principles which can be obtained from the Head of Finance, County Hall, Mold, CH7 6NA (Web site www.clwydpensionfund.org.uk or Telephone 01352 702264).

The County Council uses the investment performance services of the WM Company. Their report for the financial year 2010/11 showed that the Fund achieved an overall return of +7.8% from its investments (+33.3% in 2009/10). This compares with the Fund’s benchmark return of +6.2% for the year.

The Fund undertook a review of fund management arrangements in 2010/11. The impact of the changes, largely made in March 2011, explain the differences in transactions and values between 2009/10 and 2010/11. The major transactions are outlined in note 10 although other changes include:  Changes to asset allocation and investment mandates (note 5)  An increase in purchases and sales as a result of the transition (note 4)  An increase in cash balances as at 31st March 2011 (note 7)

4. ANALYSIS OF TRANSACTIONS AND RETURN ON INVESTMENTS

Overview

The Fund invests its surplus monies in assets through a wide range of managers. All these main investments are through pooled vehicles where the Fund is one of many investors and where these pooled monies are invested on a common basis, although in the Fund’s alternative assets there are a couple of quoted holdings. Generally, however, the Fund has no direct holdings of equities, bonds, properties, private equity companies, commodities or other financial instruments.

Transactions and Return on Investments

Details of the 2010/11 investment transactions and the net profit on sales of £44.275m (£11.192m in 2009/10) together with investment income of £2.828m (£2.466m in 2009/10) are set out below. The unrealised profit for 2010/11, as a result of the change in the market value of investments, amounted to £35.690m (£230.435m in 2009/10). Therefore the increase in market value of investments (realised and unrealised) is £79.965m (£241.627m in 2009/10).

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4. ANALYSIS OF TRANSACTIONS AND RETURN ON INVESTMENTS (continued)

Direct transaction costs are included in the cost of purchases and sale proceeds. Transaction costs are incremental costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition and disposal of an investment. They include fees and commissions paid to agents, advisers, brokers and dealers, levies by regulatory agencies and securities exchanges and transfer taxes and duties. They are added to purchase costs or netted against sales proceeds, as appropriate. These costs cannot be directly identified as the Clwyd Pension Fund is almost wholly invested through pooled vehicles. Investment income includes share dividends, interest on investments and net property rental income. Accruals are made for dividends receivable, interest receivable and the recoverable tax on dividends.

Market Purchases Sales & Realised Unrealised Market Investment Value & Take Take Off Gain Gain Value Income 2009/10 On (Loss) (Loss) 2010/11 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed Interest Securities 111,825 18,082 17,995 70 11,042 123,024 0 UK Equities Active 241,446 151,557 345,516 (7,564) 23,736 63,659 254 UK Equities Passive 0 97,753 0 0 (29) 97,724 0 Overseas Equities Active 271,001 230,463 347,474 45,637 (25,407) 174,219 521 Overseas Equities Passive 0 89,237 0 0 (90) 89,147 0 Multi Strategy 44,318 41,276 0 0 2,724 88,318 0 Property 52,077 12,861 3,566 0 3,945 65,317 1,778 Infrastructure 16,243 4,087 365 0 788 20,753 213 Timber 11,120 1,141 175 0 126 12,212 0 Commodities 14,847 20,042 0 0 4,925 39,814 0 Private Equity 86,810 24,241 12,253 1,638 12,127 112,563 62 Hedge Fund of Funds 52,121 8,000 12,325 (1,008) 3,858 50,646 0 Currency 28,400 0 26,612 860 (2,648) 0 0 Leveraged Loans 20,043 0 5,165 1,361 97 16,346 0 950,251 698,740 771,446 40,994 35,194 953,742 2,828

Cash 2,944000097,3730 Futures Contracts 0 0 0 (656) 496 496 0 Fees within Pooled Vehicles 0003,900000 Interest 00000070 Currency 00037000 2,944 0 0 3,281 496 97,869 70

Total 2010/11 953,195 698,740 771,446 44,275 35,690 1,051,611 2,898

2009/10 692,179 88,962 64,791 11,192 230,435 953,195 2,466

114 Page 101 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

5. MARKET VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (EXCLUDING CASH AND FUTURES)

The book cost of the investments as at 31st March is £856.413m (£888.116m in 2009/10). The market value of investments as at 31st March 2011 is £953.742m (£950.251m in 2009/10) which can be analysed as follows.

By Continent

The UK holdings as at 31st March 2011 account for 27% of total investments at market value

2011 2010 £000 £000 UK 254,729 330,881 Europe 114,927 114,931 Asia Pacific 79,608 75,486 North America 78,688 88,643 Emerging markets 72,463 44,545 Global Investments 353,327 295,765 953,742 950,251

By Fund Manager 2011 2010 £000 % £000 % Fidelity 0 0 31,568 3 BlackRock 59,043 6 77,737 8 Gottex 61,415 7 108,480 11 Wellington 66,165 7 59,392 6 Aberdeen 50,075 5 43,918 5 T Rowe Price 0 0 52,399 5 TT International 0 0 20,898 2 BlackRock (Quellos) 00 10,108 1 State Street (Transition Manager) 48,512 5 0 0 Pioneer 3,6450 5,501 1 Liongate 23,269 2 18,050 2 SSARIS 23,732 3 18,462 2 Goldman Sachs 0 0 28,400 3 Standard Life 0 0 132,966 14 Investec 51,525 5 44,254 5 Stone Harbor 123,024 13 111,825 12 SSgA 186,871 20 0 0 Pyrford 29,275 3 0 0 Property 65,317 7 52,077 6 Infrastructure 20,753 2 16,243 2 Timber 12,212 1 11,120 1 Private Equity 112,563 12 86,810 9 Leveraged Loans 16,346 2 20,043 2 953,742 100 950,251 100

115 Page 102 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

6. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS

Financial Instruments

Whilst the Fund invests almost exclusively through pooled vehicles, the managers of these vehicles invest in a variety of financial instruments including bank deposits, quoted equity instruments, fixed interest securities, direct property holdings, unlisted equity products, commodity futures and other derivatives. This exposes the Fund to a variety of financial risks including credit and counterparty risk, liquidity risk, market risk and exchange rate risk.

Stock lending is the loan of specific securities from one investor to another that entitles the lender to continue receiving income generated by the stock plus an additional payment by the borrower. Exposure to risk is reduced by the borrower providing high quality collateral (cash, securities or gilts). It is effectively a trading activity to generate income rather than an investment. The Fund has no direct exposure to stock lending but the Fund’s passive equity manager does use stock lending in its pooled vehicles to generate income as an offset to transaction costs.

Fair Value – Valuation Bases

Investments are shown in the accounts at fair value as at 31st March 2011 on the following bases.

 UK and overseas listed securities are valued within the respective pooled vehicles using the official bid prices quoted on the relevant stock exchange. Overseas holdings are converted to sterling at an exchange rate quoted at close of business on 31st March 2011.

 Unit trusts are valued at the bid market price.

 Other pooled vehicles are valued at the bid point of the latest process quoted by their respective managers or fund administrators at 31st March 2011. Where a bid price is not available the assets are priced at the net asset value provided.

 Property funds are valued at the bid market price, which is based upon regular independent valuation of the pooled vehicle’s underlying property holdings.

 Private equity holdings are interests in limited partnerships. These holdings are valued based upon the Fund’s share of the net assets of the partnership according to the latest financial statements published by the respective mangers. Where these valuations are not at the Fund’s balance sheet date, the valuations are adjusted having due regard to the latest dealings, asset values and other financial information available at the time of preparing these statements in order to reflect the Fund’s balance sheet date. The managers’ valuation statements are prepared in accordance with the European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (EVCA) Guidelines, net of carried interest. These incorporate the US-based FAS157 protocol on valuation approaches –

o Market – uses prices and other relevant data generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets/liabilities (e.g. money multiples) o Income – uses valuation techniques to convert expected future amounts to a single present amount (discounted cash flows or earnings) o Cost – based upon the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (adjusted for obsolescence)

Managers are required “to use the method that is appropriate in the circumstances and for which sufficient data is used and to apply the approach consistently until no longer appropriate.” It is also possible to use multiple or combinations of approaches. Most private equity managers use a combination the “market” and “income” approaches.

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6. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

 Infrastructure investments are generally carried at the lower of cost and fair value, except where there are specific upward or downward valuations. In estimating fair value, managers use their judgement, having regard to the EVCA guidelines noted above for valuing unquoted investments. Upward valuations are considered only where there is validation of the investment objectives and such progress can be demonstrated. Downward valuations are enacted regardless of the investment stage where the manager considers that there is impairment to the underlying investment.

 Timberland investments are carried at net asset value as determined by the General Partner. In most cases fair value is derived from the audited financial statements provided by underlying managers or vehicles. In circumstances where audited financial statements are not available to 31st March, the valuations are derived from unaudited quarterly reports from the underlying managers or vehicles. Where the timber investments are direct rather than through underlying managers, valuations are based upon regular independent valuation of these holdings.

 Commodity exposure is actively managed through the use of exchange traded and OTC derivative instruments (Futures, Options and Swaps) and some securities. Exchange traded derivatives are priced using a vendor file sent daily from Bloomberg with IDC as a second source. These prices are sourced directly from the derivative exchanges. Options receive the last trade price on the primary exchange. If an option does not trade, the bid price is utilized to value the option. Valuations for OTC options are sourced from brokers/dealers that are usually the counterparty to the deal. If the necessary inputs are available from vendors on a schedule that permits same day pricing, OTC options may be valued using a vendor- supplied option calculator, with the dealer price used to validate the model results. Residual cash is primarily invested in short-dated investment-grade, US dollar-denominated debt obligations.

 Funds of hedge funds and multi-strategy hedge funds are valued monthly to create a net asset value on the basis of the fund’s proportionate share of the value of underlying pools on a manager by manager basis. Generally the fair value of the fund’s investment in a related pool represents the amount that the fund could be reasonably expected to receive from the pool if the fund’s investment was redeemed at the date of valuation, based upon information reasonably available at the time that the valuation was made and that the fund believes to be reliable.

 GTAA funds invest for the most part in markets that are not exchange-based. These include OTC or “interdealer” markets and leverage is utilized by such funds to a significant level. If market prices are not available or do not reflect current market prices, the fund applies its own pricing policies by reference to such relevant prices as are available to establish a fair value for the assets held.

Fair Value – Hierarchy

The fair value hierarchy introduced as part of the new accounting Code under IFRS 7 requires categorisation of assets based upon 3 levels of asset valuation inputs –

 Level 1 - quoted prices for similar instruments

 Level 2 - directly observable market inputs other than Level 1 inputs

 Level 3 - inputs not based on observable market data

The following table shows the position of the Fund’s assets at 31st March 2011 based upon this hierarchy. 117 Page 104 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

6. FAIR VALUE OF INVESTMENTS (continued)

Market Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Value 2010/11 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed Interest Securities 123,024 104,251 1,341 17,432 UK Equities Active 63,659 24,562 30,425 8,672 UK Equities Passive 97,724 0 97,724 0 Overseas Equities Active 174,219 173,209 5 1,005 Overseas Equities Passive 89,147 0 89,147 0 Multi Strategy 88,318 72,810 15,278 230 Property (1) 65,317 0 0 65,317 Infrastructure (1) 20,753 3,965 0 16,788 Timber (1) 12,212 0 0 12,212 Commodities 39,814 20,814 19,000 0 Private Equity (2) 112,563 4,922 0 107,641 Hedge Fund of Funds 50,646 215 45,584 4,847 Leveraged Loans 16,346 0 0 16,346 953,742 404,748 298,504 250,490

Cash 97,373 97,373 0 0 Futures Contracts 496 0 496 0 97,869 97,373 496 0

Total 2010/11 1,051,611 502,121 299,000 250,490

(1) Property/ Infrastructure /Timber – Various valuation bases are used. Direct fund holdings are valued based upon independent valuations, but funds also often hold joint venture and partnership interests which are subject to a variety of valuation methodologies. To be conservative, all funds have been classified Level 3 unless the fund itself is quoted.

(2) Private Equity – Various valuation bases are used – cost, quoted prices (often discounted for “lock-ups”, transaction multiples, market multiples, future realisation proceeds, company prospects, third party opinion etc. Company and fund valuations often reflect combinations of these valuation bases. To be conservative, all funds have been classified Level 3 unless the fund itself is quoted.

Although the majority of the investments within the Fund are unlisted, the underlying investments of those funds are listed. Within the Private Equity and Leveraged loans and Property/infrastructure/timber portfolios, although some are listed, the Fund does have substantial holdings in unquoted investments (£218.304m) These are valued at a fair value by the fund managers, using an appropriate basis of valuation. The valuations are reliant upon a significant degree of judgement, and due to the subjectivity and variability of these valuations there is an increased likelihood that the valuations included in the financial statements would not be realised in the event of a sale. The difference could be materially lower or higher.

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7. ANALYSIS OF CASH BALANCE

The cash balance can be analysed as follows :-

2011 2010 £000 £000 Fund manager balances (note 10) 78,544 491 Transition Cash (note 10) 15,384 0 In-house balance 3,445 2,453 97,373 2,944

8. DEBTORS/CREDITORS

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000 Current Assets : Admitted bodies 3,106 3,248 Added years 82 191 H.M. Revenue and Customs 69 59 Pension strain 801 378 Miscellaneous 99 33 4,157 3,909 Assets over 1 year : Pension strain 359 471 359 471 Less Current Liabilities : Lump sums (3,423) (1,277) Death grants (119) (16) Administering authority (146) 0 Added years (31) 0 Miscellaneous (616) (449) (4,335) (1,742) Net Current Assets 181 2,638

9. OTHER INVESTMENTS

2011 2010 £000 £000 £000 £000 Other Investment Assets : Income accrual 1,218 0 1,218 0 Other Investment Liabilities : Purchases of investments (1,195) 0 (1,195) 0 Other Investment Balances 23 0

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10. MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS

The Fund undertakes a three yearly review of fund management arrangements. A full review was carried out during 2010/11 and the Fund redeemed from 6 active equity managers and GSAM, the Currency Fund Manager. The changes to the Fund are shown in the table below.

Manager Mandate Allocation Note (Previous Asset Allocation %) SSgA Developed Passive Equities 19% Replace Active Developed Equity Managers (42%) : Standard Life UK Equities (15%) Gottex UK Portable Alpha (12%) BlackRock Europe (4%) TT International Europe (2%) T Rowe Price US (5%) Fidelity Japanese Equities (4%)

DuetGlobal Equities 5% New Mandate

Pyrford Tactical Asset Allocation 3% New Mandate

Bluecrest Tactical Asset Allocation 3% New Mandate

The Duet Global Equity Fund and the Bluecrest Tactical Asset Allocation Fund were not invested until April 1st 2011 but the Fund Managers held £48m and £29m respectively in cash (see note 7). The transition manager held £15.4m in cash of which £1.2m was to cover the pending transaction outstanding for the Pyrford Tactical Asset Allocation Fund over the year end (see notes 7 and 9).

The review also resulted in an allocation increase of 1% to the existing Global Tactical Asset Allocation Fund which was effected by 31st March 2011 and allocation increases to Commodities Fund (2%), Emerging Market Fund (3%), Asia Pacific Fund (3%), Global Fixed Income Fund (2%), Property & Timber (1%) and Private Equity & Infrastructure Investments (2%). These will be effected after April 1st 2011 with the redemption of the Gottex UK Equity Portable Alpha Fund.

11. INVESTMENT RISKS As demonstrated above, the Fund maintains positions in a variety of financial instruments including bank deposits, quoted equity instruments, fixed interest securities, direct property holdings, unlisted equity products, commodity futures and other derivatives. This exposes the Fund to a variety of financial risks including credit and counterparty risk, liquidity risk, market risk and exchange rate risk. Procedures for Managing Risk

The principal powers to invest are contained in the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2009 and require an Administering Authority to invest any pension fund money that is not needed immediately to make payments from the Pension Fund. These regulations require the Pension Fund to formulate a policy for the investment of its fund money. The Administering Authority’s overall risk management procedures focus on the unpredictability of financial markets and implementing restrictions to minimise these risks. The Pension Fund annually reviews its Statement of Investment Principles (SIP) and corresponding Funding Strategy Statement (FSS), which set out the Pension Fund’s policy on matters such as the type of investments to be held, balance between types of investments, investment restrictions and the way risk is managed. The SIP and FSS can be found on the Fund’s website (www.clwydpensionfund.org.uk) under the “Governance and Investments” tab.

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11. INVESTMENT RISKS (continued)

The Fund carries out a formal review of its structure at least every 4 years, usually every 3 years. As noted above, the latest 2010 review, effective from April 2011, was in the process of being implemented at 31st March 2011 and will be fully implemented in early 2011/12. The Fund’s higher than normal exposure to futures at 31st March 2011 is a reflection of these transition arrangements. The Fund’s optimisation model, used to help determine the Fund’s strategic benchmark, suggests that the asset mix so determined coupled with the requirements for certain fund managers to outperform their market indices should produce long-term returns of just over 9% with a volatility of around 10%. A key element in this review process is the consideration of risk and for many years now the Fund has pursued a policy of lowering risk by diversifying investments across asset classes, investment regions and fund managers. Furthermore alternative assets are subject to their own diversification requirements and some examples are given below.

 private equity – by stage, geography and vintage where funds of funds are not used

 property – by type, risk profile, geography and vintage (on closed-ended funds)

 infrastructure – by type (primary/secondary), geography and vintage

 hedge funds – multi-strategy or funds of funds

Manager Risk

The Fund is also well diversified by manager with no single manager managing more than 15% of Fund assets. On appointment fund managers are delegated the power through an investment management agreement to make such purchases and sales as they deem appropriate under the mandate concerned. Each mandate has a benchmark or target to outperform or achieve, usually on the basis of 3-year rolling periods. An update, at least quarterly, is required from each manager and regular meetings are held with managers to discuss their mandates and their performance on them. There are slightly different arrangements for some of the alternative assets. On private equity, property, infrastructure and timber/agriculture, investment is fund rather than manager-specific, with specific funds selected by the in-house team after careful due diligence. These commitments tend to be smaller in nature than main asset class investments but again regular performance reports are received and such investments are reviewed with managers at least once a year.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty to a financial instrument will fail to discharge an obligation or commitment that it has entered into with the Fund. As noted above almost all the Fund’s investment are through pooled vehicles and a number of these are involved in derivative trades of various sorts, including futures, swaps and options. Whilst the Fund is not a direct counterparty to such trades and so has no direct credit risk, clearly all derivative transactions incorporate a degree of risk and the value of the pooled vehicle, and hence the Fund’s holding, could be impacted negatively by failure of one of the vehicle’s counterparties. However, part of the operational due diligence carried out on potential manager appointees concerns itself with the quality of that manager’s risk processes around counterparties and seeks to establish assurance that these are such as to minimise exposure to credit risk. Once appointed, managers are required to provide copies of their annual internal control reports for review to ensure that the standards expected are maintained.

121 Page 108 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

11. INVESTMENT RISKS (continued)

The Fund does not usually have direct holdings in futures contracts but, as noted above, transition was being implemented at 31st March 2011 to put in place the revised structure arising from the 2010 Fund structure review exercise. As a result the Fund’s transition manager, State Street, sought to provide short-term interim exposure broadly in line with target manager allocations. As a result of this, State Street equitised approximately £27 million into Long Gilt futures as a proxy for an additional allocation to Stone Harbor and equitised approximately £22 million in Asia/Pacific ex Japan equities as a proxy for an additional allocation to Aberdeen (see note 10 Material Transaction above). The economic exposure of £49.104 million represents the notional value of stock purchased under the futures contracts and therefore the value subject to movement, although the net real exposure is just £0.496 million. Details are set out below.

Economic Country Exchange Expiration Exposure Asset Liability Value £'000 £'000 £'000

UK Long Gilt Future Less than 1 year 26,832 0 169 Asia Pacific MSCI Taiwan Less than 1 year 1,705 10 0 Asia Pacific SGX S&P CNX Nifty Less than 1 year 3,456 90 0 Asia Pacific Hang Seng Index Future Less than 1 year 4,243 77 0 Asia PacificKOSPI2 Index Future Less than 1 year 2,475 170 0 Asia PacificMSCI Singapore Index Less than 1 year 5,920 98 0 Asia PacificSPI 200 Index Less than 1 year 4,473 220 0 49,104 665 169

Within the Fund, the areas of focus in terms of credit risk are bonds and some of the alternative asset categories.

 The Fund’s bond portfolio is managed on an unconstrained basis and has a significant exposure to credit, emerging market debt and loans. At 31st March 2011, the Fund’s exposure to non- investment grade paper was £37.4 million or 30.4% of the fixed interest portfolio (36.1% at 31st March 2010).

 On private equity and infrastructure the Fund’s investments are almost entirely in the equity of the companies concerned. However the leveraged loans within the portfolio clearly carry some credit risk (see table below).

Book Cost Market Value £000 £000 Leveraged Loans ECM 8,609 13,111 Opus Credit 4,564 3,235 13,173 16,346

122 Page 109 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

11. INVESTMENT RISKS (continued)

On hedge fund of funds and multi-strategy vehicles, underlying managers have in place a broad range of derivatives. The Fund’s exposure to hedge funds through its managers at 31st March 2011 is set out below, together with the amount within this that relates directly to investments in the fixed interest area (there may also be other credit exposures within the multi-strategy and other elements of these funds).

Book Cost Market Credit Value Value

£000 £000 £000

Hedge fund of funds Liongate 21,801 23,269 2,641 SSARIS 22,000 23,732 3,985 Gottex 67,822 61,415 11,853 Total 111,623 108,416 18,479

The Fund also has residual “side-pocketed” holdings with former managers, which are currently either illiquid or in cash form but currently being held back under the liquidity terms in the managements agreements. Details of these holdings are also set out below.

Book Cost Market Cash Other Value £000 £000 £000 £000

Hedge fund of funds BlackRock (Quellos) 3,344 3,645 0 2,641 Pioneer 0 1,032 1,032 0 3,344 4,677 1,032 2,641

Liquidity Risk

The Pension Fund now has its own bank account. At its simplest, liquidity risk is the risk that the Fund will not be able to meet its financial obligations when they fall due, especially pension payments to its members. At a strategic level the Administering Authority, together with its consulting actuary, reviews the position of the Fund triennially to ensure that all its obligations can be suitably covered. Ongoing cash flow planning in respect of contributions, benefit payments, investment income and capital calls/distributions is also essential. This is in place with the Fund’s position updated much more regularly.

Specifically on investments, the Fund holds through its managers a mixture of liquid, semi-liquid and illiquid assets. Whilst the Fund’s investment managers have substantial discretionary powers regarding their individual portfolios and the management of their cash positions, they hold within their pooled vehicles a large value of very liquid securities, such as equities and bonds quoted on major stock exchanges, which can easily be realised. Traditional equities and bonds now comprise 58% of the Fund’s value and, whilst there will be some slightly less liquid elements within this figures (emerging market equities and debt for example), the funds investing in these securities offer monthly trading at worst – often weekly or fortnightly.

123 Page 110 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

11. INVESTMENT RISKS (continued)

On alternative assets the position is more mixed. Whilst there are a couple of quoted vehicles here, most are subject to their own liquidity terms or, in the case of property, redemption rules. Closed- ended funds such as most private equity vehicles and some property and infrastructure funds are effectively illiquid for the specified fund period (usually 10 years), although they can be sold on the secondary market, usually at a discount.

The table below analyses the value of the Fund’s investments at 31st March 2011 by liquidity profile. Market 1 Month 2 - 3 3 - 6 6 - 12 Closed - Locked Value Months Months Months ended 2010/11 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 £000 Fixed Interest Securities 123,024 123,024 0 0 0 0 0 UK Equities Active 63,659 2,244 0 61,415 0 0 0 UK Equities Passive 97,724 97,724 0 0 0 0 0 Overseas Equities Active 174,219 174,219 0 0 0 0 0 Overseas Equities Passive 89,147 89,147 0 0 0 0 0 Multi Strategy 88,318 88,318 0 0 0 0 0 Property 65,31700032,97232,3450 Infrastructure 20,753 3,965 0 0 0 16,788 0 Timber 12,212000012,2120 Commodities 39,814 39,814 0 0 0 0 0 Private Equity 112,563 4,922 0 0 0 107,641 0 Hedge Fund of Funds 50,646 0 23,269 23,732 0 0 3,645 Leveraged Loans 16,346 0 16,346 0 0 0 0 953,742 623,377 39,615 85,147 32,972 168,986 3,645

It should be noted that different quoted investments are subject to different settlement rules but all payments/receipts are usually due within 7 days of the transaction (buy/sell) date. Because the Fund uses pooled vehicles for quoted investments these are often subject to daily, weekly, 2-weekly or monthly trading dates. All such investments have been designated “within 1 month” for the purposes of liquidity analysis. Open-ended property funds are subject to redemption rules set by their management boards. Many have quarterly redemptions but these can be held back in difficult markets so as not to force sales and disadvantage continuing investors. For liquidity analysis purposes, a conservative approach has been applied and all such investments have been designated “within 6-12 months”. Closed-ended funds have been designated illiquid for the purposes of liquidity analysis. However, these closed-ended vehicles have a very different cash flow pattern to traditional investments since the monies committed are only drawn down as the underlying investments are made (usually over a period of 5 years) and distributions are returned as soon as underlying investments are exited (often as early as year 4). In terms of cash flow, therefore, the net cash flow for such a vehicle usually only reaches a maximum of about 60-70% of the amount committed and cumulative distributions usually exceed cumulative draw downs well before the end of the specified period, as these vehicles regularly return 1½ to 2½ times the money invested. At the same time, it has been the Fund’s practice to invest monies on a regular annual basis so the vintage year of active vehicles ranges from 1997 to 2011. This means that, whilst all these monies have been designated closed-ended and thereby illiquid on the basis of their usual “10-year life”, many are closer to maturity than implied by this broad designation. In fact, of the £254 million committed to private equity between 1997 and 2011, half was committed between 1997 and 2006. 124 Page 111 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

11. INVESTMENT RISKS (continued)

As can be seen from the table, even using the conservative basis outlined above, around 65% of the portfolio is realisable within 1 month and 70% is realisable within 3 months.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial institution will fluctuate because of changes in market price. The Fund is exposed to the risk of financial loss from a change in the value of its investments and the consequential danger that its assets will fail to deliver returns in lines with the anticipated returns underpinning the valuation of its liabilities over the long term. Market risk is comprised of two elements –

 The risks associated with volatility in the performance of the asset class itself (beta);

 The risks associated with the ability of managers, where allowed, to move away from index weights and to generate alpha, thereby offsetting beta risk by exceeding market performance.

The table below sets out an analysis of the Fund’s market risk positions at 31 March 2011 by showing the amount invested in each asset class and through each manager within each main asset class, the index used as a benchmark, the target set for managers against this benchmark and managers’ maximum target volatility (or risk) against index in achieving this. This target volatility is a measure of the maximum degree of dispersion of likely results compared with the selected benchmark.

Manager Market Value Benchmark Target Risk (<) 2010/11 £000 (Gross) %

Fixed Interest Securities Stone Harbor 123,024 FT All Stocks +1.5% 4.0 UK Equities–active Gottex 61,415 FTSE 100 +4.0% 3.0 UK Equities–passive SSgA 97,724 FTSE All Share Match 0.5 Foreign equities–active Investec 51,526 MSCI AC World NDR +3.5% 10.0 Aberdeen 50,075 MSCI AC Asia/P ex Japan +3.0% 12.0 Wellington 47,165 MSCI EM Free +2.5% 8.0 BlackRock 59,043 7 day LIBID +15.0% 20.0 Pyrford 29,275 RPI +5.0% 8.0 Foreign equities–passive SSgA 29,753 FTSE AWD Europe ex UK Match 0.5 SSgA 29,861 FTSE AWD North America Match 0.5 SSgA 29,533 FTSE AWD Japan Match 0.5 Hedge fund of funds Liongate 23,269 Absolute +8-10% 6.0 SSARIS 23,732 Absolute +8-10% 5.0 Pioneer 3,645 Absolute +8-10% 4.0 Commodity fund Wellington 19,000 GCSI Equally Weighted +1.5% 4.0 Property funds Various 65,317 IPD Balanced PUTs Exceed Infrastructure funds Various 20,753 Absolute +15.0% Timber funds Various 12,212 Absolute +15.0% Private equity funds Various 112,563 Absolute +15.0% Leveraged loans Various 16,346 7 day LIBID +15.0% Transition Custodian 48,511 Temporary holdings 953,742

125 Page 112 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

11. INVESTMENT RISKS (continued)

The risks associated with volatility in market values are managed mainly through a policy of broad asset diversification. The Fund sets restrictions on the type of investment it can hold through investment limits, in accordance with the Local Government Pension Scheme (Management and Investment of Funds) Regulations 2009. The Fund also adopts a specific strategic benchmark (details can be found in the Fund’s SIP) and the weightings of the various asset classes within the benchmark form the basis for asset allocation within the Fund. Under normal conditions there is quarterly rebalancing to this strategic benchmark within fixed tolerances. This allocation, determined through the Fund’s asset allocation model, is designed to diversify and minimise risk for a specific level of performance through a broad spread of investments across both the main and alternative asset classes and geographic regions within each asset class. The current strategic benchmark is targeted to produce long-term returns of just over 9% with a volatility of around 10%.

Market risk is also managed through manager diversification – constructing a diversified portfolio across multiple investment managers. On a daily basis, managers will manage risk in line with the benchmarks, targets and risk parameters set for the mandate, as well as their own policies and processes. The Fund itself monitors managers on a regular basis (at least quarterly) on all these aspects. On property and private equity, fund and manager diversification is vital and, whilst a full list of investments is not detailed here, the Fund has exposures as shown below.

Market Managers Funds Properties / Value Companies 2011 Estimated

£000 No. No. No.

Property / Timber 77,529 17 22 >260 Private Equity / Infrastructure 149,662 22 60 >4,000

The Fund holds a number of financial assets in overseas markets and is therefore also exposed to the risk of loss arising from exchange rate movements of foreign currencies. The Fund does not require its managers to hedge holdings back to sterling and the Fund itself does not operate any over-arching currency hedge. At 31st March 2011, the Fund’s exposures to overseas currency movements were as shown below.

Market Value 2010/11 £000 Overseas Equities Active 174,219 Overseas Equities Passive 89,147 Multi Strategy 88,318 Property 22,766 Infrastructure 8,095 Timber 12,212 Private Equity 90,772 485,529

126 Page 113 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

11. INVESTMENT RISKS (continued)

The Fund’s funding position is particularly sensitive to changes in equities (still the largest allocation and therefore a key determinant of Fund performance) and bond yields (which affect the value placed on the Fund’s liabilities). As part of the 2010 Fund structure review exercise, a considerable amount of work was done to enhance the Fund’s optimisation model post-2008 by factoring in not just asset diversification but risk diversity. Clearly different asset classes have different combinations of risk attributes (equity risk, credit risk, illiquidity risk, inflation risk etc.) and only by identifying the weightings of these for each separate asset class can risk diversity be quantified for different combinations of assets and tested at total Fund level. This in turn encouraged the Fund to start thinking about assets in a different way and ultimately suggested a revised grouping that was more meaningful in terms of risk profile, fund structures and liabilities.

On liabilities, the relevant elements here are clearly “Fixed Interest” and “Real Assets”. The model enhancements identified the links between these assets and their potential to improve risk diversity and hedging (inflation and interest rates). Consequently, the allocations to “Fixed Interest” and “Real Assets” were increased by 2% and 3½% respectively. On assets, there was a reduction in equity exposure, particularly in developed markets where alpha has proved elusive, and an increased focus on the developing world.

Another key change was on governance and the Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) process where the Fund recognised the need for greater exposure and increased flexibility. The TAA weighting was increased from 5% to 12% and is now delivered through 3 providers with very difference strategies. At the same time, the in-house team was given discretion to flex equity/bond allocations tactically (+/-15%) when market conditions warrant this. The key purpose of these changes is to mitigate market risk.

12. POST BALANCE SHEET EVENT

The accounts outlined within the statement represent the financial position of the Clwyd Pension Fund as at 31st March 2011. Since this date, the performance of the global equity markets may affect the financial value of pension fund investments. This movement does not affect the ability of the Fund to pay its pensioners.

13. ADDITIONAL VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS (AVCs)

A market value or an estimate thereof has not been included for the money purchase AVC investments. These assets are specifically allocated to the provision of additional benefits for particular members. The Clwyd Pension Fund has the services of two AVC providers for members’ additional benefits with the funds being invested in a range of investment products including fixed interest, equity, cash, deposit, property and socially responsible funds, as follows :-

Contributions paid £ 492,962 Units purchased No. 100,958 Units sold No. 108,688 Market value as at 31st March 2011 £ 3,683,250 Market value as at 31st March 2010 £ 3,456,797

127 Page 114 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

14. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Under legislation, introduced in 2004, Councillors are entitled to join the Pension Scheme. As at 31st March 2011, no Members of the Pension Panel have taken this option. The Members of the Pension Fund Panel do not receive any fees in relation to their specific responsibilities as members of the Panel.

No senior officers responsible for the administration of the Fund have entered into any contract, other than their contract of employment with the Council, for the supply of goods or services to the Fund.

In the course of fulfilling its role as administering authority to the Fund, Flintshire County Council provided services to the Fund for which it charged £847,104 (£904,671 in 2009/10). These costs are in respect of those staff employed in ensuring the pension service is delivered, and other costs such as payroll and information technology. The costs are included in the accounts within administration expenses (see note 2). During 2010/11, the Fund received interest of £2,317 from Flintshire County Council in respect of Clwyd Pension Fund cash balances identified separately from Council monies. At the year end, a balance of £146,370 was owing to Flintshire County Council relating to support service costs which were not available at 31st March 2011.

15. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES AND CONTRACTUAL COMMITMENTS

As at 31st March 2011, the Fund has contractual commitments of £353.7m in private equity and property funds, of which £248.9m has been invested, leaving an outstanding commitment of £104.8m.

16. TRANSACTION COSTS

Transaction costs are incremental costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or disposal of an investment. They include fees and commissions paid to agents, advisers, brokers and dealers, levies by regulatory agencies and securities exchanges and transfer taxes and duties. They can be added to purchase costs or netted against sales proceeds, as appropriate. These costs cannot be directly identified as the Clwyd Pension Fund is wholly invested in pooled vehicles.

17. ACTUARIAL VALUATION & VALUE OF PROMISED RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IAS 26 (Provided by the Fund’s Actuary)

This is the statement required under Regulation 34(1)(d) of The Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations 2008.

An actuarial valuation of the Clwyd Pension Fund was carried out as at 31st March 2010 to determine the contribution rates with effect from 1st April 2011 to 31st March 2014. The results of the valuation are contained in our report dated 30th March 2011.

On the basis of the assumptions adopted, the valuation revealed that the value of the Fund’s assets of £956 million represented 72% of the Funding Target liabilities of £1,332 million at the valuation date. The valuation also showed that a common rate of contribution of 11.7% of Pensionable Pay per annum was required from employers. The common rate is calculated as being sufficient, together with contributions paid by members, to meet all liabilities arising in respect of service after the valuation date.

128 Page 115 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

17. ACTUARIAL VALUATION & VALUE OF PROMISED RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IAS 26 (Provided by the Fund’s Actuary) (continued)

Adopting the same method and assumptions as used for assessing the Funding Target the deficit could be eliminated by an average additional contribution rate of 9.0% of Pensionable Pay for 20 years. This would imply an average employer contribution rate of 20.7% of Pensionable Pay in total.

In practice, each individual employer’s position is assessed separately and the contributions required are set out in our report dated 30th March 2011. In addition to the certified contributions, payments to cover additional liabilities arising from early retirements (other than ill-health retirements) will be made to the Fund by the employers.

The funding plan adopted in assessing the contributions for each individual employer is in accordance with the Funding Strategy Statement (FSS). Different approaches adopted in implementing contribution increases and deficit recovery periods are as determined through the FSS consultation process. For certain employers, in accordance with the FSS, an increased allowance has been made for assumed investment returns on existing assets and future contributions, for the duration of the employer’s deficit recovery period.

The valuation was carried out using the projected unit actuarial method. Full details of the actuarial assumptions are contained in our report dated 30th March 2011, but the main financial assumptions used for assessing the Funding Target and the common contribution rate were as follows:

For future service liabilities For past service liabilities (Common Contribution (Funding Target) Rate) Rate of discount: - pre retirement 6.5% per annum 6.75% per annum - post retirement 5.5% per annum 6.75% per annum

Rate of pay increases: 4.5% per annum 4.5% per annum

Rate of increases in pensions in payment (in excess of 3.0% per annum 3.0% per annum Guaranteed Minimum Pension):

The assets were assessed at market value.

The next triennial actuarial valuation of the Fund is due as at 31st March 2013. Based on the results of this valuation, the contributions payable by the individual employers will be revised with effect from 1st April 2014.

129 Page 116 NOTES TO THE CLWYD PENSION FUND ACCOUNTS continued

17. ACTUARIAL VALUATION & VALUE OF PROMISED RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR THE PURPOSE OF IAS 26 (Provided by the Fund’s Actuary) (continued)

Actuarial Present Value of Promised Retirement Benefits for the Purposes of IAS 26

IAS 26 requires the present value of the Fund’s promised retirement benefits to be disclosed, and for this purpose the actuarial assumptions and methodology used should be based on IAS 19 rather than the assumptions and methodology used for funding purposes.

In order to assess the value of the benefits on this basis, we have used the same actuarial assumptions as those used for funding purposes, other than the discount rate where we have used a rate of 5.6% per annum both before and after retirement, rather than the rates as outlined above. We have also used valuation methodology in connection with ill-health and death benefits which is consistent with IAS 19. On this basis, the value of the Fund’s promised retirement benefits as at 31st March 2010 was £1,414 million.

We have also carried out similar calculations as at the previous actuarial valuation date of 31st March 2007, using the same actuarial assumptions as those used for funding purposes at that date, other than the discount rate where we have used a rate of 5.4% per annum both before and after retirement. On this basis, the value, for IAS 26 purposes, of the Fund’s promised retirement benefits at that date was £1,276 million.

The information in this note is based on the decision to uplift public service pensions using the Consumer Price Index rather than the Retail Price Index. This decision is currently before the courts in judicial review proceedings. The Government is defending the case and therefore no adjustment has been made to this note for this matter. The financial implications consequent on the review finding against the Government have not been assessed.

Paul Middleman Fellow of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Mercer Limited June 2011

18. NON ADJUSTING SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On 1st April 2011, those Wales Probation Trust Staff that were members of the Clwyd Pension Fund transferred to the Rhondda Cynon Taf Pension Fund. This comprised of 470 members with a combined transfer value of £20m. As transfers to and from other pension schemes are accounted for on a cash basis, this amount is reflected in the Net Assets Statements at 31st March 2011 and in the actuarial present value of promised retirement benefits at that date as disclosed in note 17.

130 FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 11

REPORT TO: FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL DATE : 28 SEPTEMBER 2011 REPORT BY: HEAD OF FINANCE SUBJECT : ANNUAL TREASURY MANAGEMENT REPORT 2010/11

1.00 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.01 To present to Council the recommendation of the Executive of 19th July 2011 in relation to the Annual Treasury Management Report for 2010/11.

2.00 BACKGROUND

2.01 On 17th February, 2010 the Council adopted the 2009 edition of the CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice, which requires the Council to approve a Treasury Management Strategy before the start of each financial year, a mid year report and an annual report after the end of each financial year.

2.02 The Council delegates responsibility for the implementation and regular monitoring of its treasury management policies and practices to Executive, and for the execution and administration of treasury management decisions to the Head of Finance, who acts in accordance with the Council's Policy and Strategy Statement and Treasury Management Practices.

2.03 The Council has nominated Audit Committee to be responsible for ensuring effective scrutiny of the treasury management strategy and policies. A treasury management update was provided to the Audit Committee at each quarterly meeting during 2010/11. A mid year update was presented to Executive on 21st September 2010 and Council on 7th December 2010.

2.04 The Council approved the 2010/11 Treasury Management Strategy at its meeting on 17th February 2010. This report provides members with a review of the treasury management function in 2010/11 which was reviewed by the Audit Committee on 13th July 2011.

2.05 The Council approved the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statement for 2011/12 on 1st March 2011. A mid year update will be provided to the Audit Committee on 28th September 2011, Executive on 18th October 2011 and Council on 22nd November 2011.

3.00 CONSIDERATIONS

3.01 The draft Treasury Management Annual Report for 2010/11 is attached as Appendix A. The report includes the following:

Date: 22/09/2011

131 Flintshire County Council

Confirmation that the treasury function operated within the limits detailed in the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statement 2010/11. The financial environment within which the treasury function operates was, and remains, challenging. Overall performance was in line with the expectations of the Policy Statement 2010/11, however base rate did not rise at the end of 2010 as originally forecast.

4.00 RECOMMENDATIONS

4.01 That the Council approves the recommendation of the Executive in relation to the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2010/11.

5.00 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.01 As detailed in the Annual Report.

6.00 ANTI POVERTY IMPACT

6.01 None

7.00 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

7.01 None

8.00 EQUALITIES IMPACT

8.01 None

9.00 PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

9.01 None

10.00 CONSULTATION REQUIRED

10.01 Sterling Consultancy Services as Treasury Management Advisers.

11.00 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN

11.01 Sterling Consultancy Services as Treasury Management Advisers

12.00 APPENDICES

12.01 Appendix A - Treasury Management Annual Report 2010/11

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

Date: 22/09/2011

132 Flintshire County Council

Treasury Management Policy & Strategy Statement 2010/11 Schedule of temporary investment transactions 2010/11 List of approved banks and building societies at 31st March 2011

Contact Officer: Philip Latham Telephone: 01352 702264 E-Mail: [email protected]

Date: 22/09/2011

133

FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

TREASURY MANAGEMENT

DRAFT ANNUAL REPORT 2010/11

134

1.00 INTRODUCTION

1.01 The Council approved the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statement (Policy Statement) 2010/11 including key indicators, limits and an annual investment strategy on 17th February 2010.

1.02 The Policy Statement was produced based on the 2009 edition of the CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice.

1.03 The purpose of this report is to review the outcomes from 2010/11 treasury management operations and compare with the Policy Statement.

2.00 TREASURY MANAGEMENT COMPLIANCE STATEMENT 2010/11

2.01 Treasury management comprises the management of the local authority's cash flows, its banking, money market and capital market transactions; the effective control of the risks associated with those activities; and the pursuit of optimum performance consistent with those risks.

2.02 All treasury management activity undertaken during 2010/11 complied with the approved Policy and Strategy Statement 2010/11, the CIPFA Code of Practice 2009, and the relevant legislative provisions.

2.03 The Authority's current policy is to appoint an external consultant to advise on its treasury management function. The external adviser is Sterling Consultancy Services.

3.00 ECONOMIC & INTEREST RATE REVIEW 2010/11

3.01 The UK base rate remained at 0.50% throughout 2010/11.

3.02 The 2010/11 maximum and minimum PWLB rates for fixed maturity loans were:

Period Maximum Minimum 31/03/2011 4 to 5 years 3.83% 1.66% 3.57% 9 to 10 years 4.99% 2.97% 4.71% 10 to 15 years 5.38% 3.14% 5.13% 15 to 25 years 5.55% 3.64% 5.32%

3.03 The graph below shows the movement in U.K. base rate during 2010/11 and Sterling’s forecast for 2010/11 upon which the Strategy was based. As can be seen from the graph, the forecasted rise in base rate to 1% did not materialise. Sterling provided revisions to this forecast during the year and their review of the year follows. 2

135

Monthly Base Rate Movements in 2010.11

1.2

0.8

0.6

0.4

0.2

Y R R R R Y E RY R B MAY RCH JUNE JUL M OBE MBE UA A APRIL NUA TE CEMBE A M AUGUST J EP OCT FEBR S NOVE DE Date Changed Monthly Base Rate Movement Sterling Forecast

3.04 Annual Review 2010/11 by Sterling Consultancy Services

Following recession in 2009, global economic activity rebounded in 2010. Traditional exporters like Germany benefited from rising consumer demand worldwide, although economies more reliant on domestic consumption, including the UK, faced a weaker outlook. The government and household sectors of these countries were burdened by excessive debt, ultimately resulting in weaker domestic spending.

The absence of a quick economic recovery led to rising government budget deficits, especially in the European periphery, and prompted some concern among bond investors and credit rating agencies. This loss of confidence in the ability of some governments to repay their debts saw bond yields rise and the markets effectively closed to certain countries. Greece, Ireland and Portugal were all forced to seek financial assistance from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

The UK’s deteriorating financial position was also a concern. The UK had the highest budget deficit in the EU in 2009/10 and the economic outlook was weak. However, the new Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government, formed following the inconclusive General Election in May 2010, outlined what was perceived by investors and credit rating agencies to be a credible fiscal consolidation plan. With financial problems continuing elsewhere in Europe, the UK was perceived to be a relative “safe haven”, and strong appetite for UK government debt kept gilt yields low.

While the UK government focused on tightening fiscal policy, the Bank of England 3

136

maintained loose monetary policy. Bank Rate remained at 0.5% throughout the financial year, despite inflation rising to over double the 2% target as the price of raw materials increased. With inflation expected to test 5% during 2011, heightening the risk that raised inflation expectations would feed into wages and prices, three members of the Monetary Policy Committee voted for a rise in Bank Rate in February. The remaining six members, however, were more concerned that higher interest rates could choke off the economic recovery, which was already showing signs of slowing in response to fiscal tightening. The MPC remains divided on when to raise Bank Rate.

4.00 TREASURY MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES DURING 2010/11

4.01 The following were the main treasury activities during 2010/11:

 The Head of Finance received a monthly update on Treasury activities.  An Internal Audit report in June 2010 provided substantial assurance.  The Council received a Mid Year Report on 7th December 2010.  Quarterly updates reports were presented to the Audit Committee including the Icelandic monies at risk (see paragraph 7).  All Members were invited to a training session undertaken by Sterling Consultancy Services on 30th January 2011, which was hosted by Audit Committee.  The new Policy and Strategy Statement 2011/12 was approved by Council on 1st March 2011.  The Council continues to be an active member of both the CIPFA Treasury Management Forum and the CIPFA Benchmarking Club.  The Council’s cash flow was managed on a daily basis. During the year the Authority acted both as a borrower and as a lender and was a net borrower over the year in question. The maximum investments the Authority had on deposit at any one time was £82.3m and the maximum long-term borrowing at any one time was £173.6m. The average investment balance was £66.0m.

5.00 TREASURY MANAGEMENT DEBT STRATEGY

5.01 The total long term debt outstanding, brought forward into 2010/11 totalled £173.6 million (m) of which £154.7m was at fixed rate and £18.9m was variable in the form of Lobo’s (Lender’s Option, Borrower’s Option). The Council’s overall borrowing rate at the start of the year was 5.65%.

5.02 The Debt Strategy as stated in the Policy Statement 2010/11 and outcomes are recorded below:

 To effect borrowing required in 2010/11 at the cheapest cost commensurate with future risk based on interest rate forecasts outlined in 4

137

the strategy statement

There was a long term borrowing requirement of £2.45 million for 2010/11, as reported in the 2010/11 Treasury Management Policy & Strategy Statement. However no borrowing was under taken as it was not required at the time and the Council was concerned about the heightened credit risk of temporarily investing borrowed cash.

 The Head of Finance will keep under review, along with its Treasury Consultants, the opportunities which may arise for restructuring the Council’s debt in order to take advantage of potential savings as interest rates change and to enhance the balance of the long term portfolio (amend the maturity profile and/or the balance of volatility). Any actions carried out under delegated powers will be reported to the Executive and County Council as appropriate.

Some debt re-structuring was undertaken in May 2010. Five loans with interest rates of 4.45% were reduced in total by £10m and replaced by a new variable rate loan of £10m at 0.65% for 10 years. After consideration of the cost of the premium for early repayment and the allocation of savings to the HRA, the resultant savings were estimated to be in the region of £250K for 2010/11, which was already assumed as part of the 2010/11 budget. The Council’s overall borrowing rate reduced to 5.43%. Further re-structuring and debt repayment is constantly under review.

 To manage the Council’s debt maturity profile, i.e. to leave no one future year with a high level of repayments that could cause problems in re- borrowing with the limits stated within the strategy statement.

The debt maturity profile as at 31 March 2011 is shown on page 10 and includes the impact of the debt restructuring detailed above. This shows a debt maturity profile in line with CIPFA's recommendations of having no more than 10% of the debt portfolio maturing in any one future year. No more than 5.76% of the Council's portfolio matures in any one year. The Council remained within the approved Prudential Limits for Debt Maturity.

 To monitor and review the level of variable interest rate loans in order to take greater advantage of interest rate movements, within the limits stated in the strategy statement.

The Council had one variable PWLB rate loan during 2010/11 (note above in May 2010). The interest rate on this loan varied between 0.65% - 0.70% during the year. The interest rate on the Council’s LOBOs can be increased by the lender but the Council has the opportunity to repay. As forecast, this event did not occur 5

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in 2010/11 as market rates remain low. The Council remained within the approved Prudential Limits for Variable Interest Rate Exposure.

6.00 TREASURY MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT STRATEGY

6.01 The Council’s investment strategy was:

 Investments will be made in accordance with the Guidance on Local Government Investments issued by the National Assembly for Wales under section 15(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 2003, and with the institutions identified in the authorised lending list. Investments will be made with the aim of meeting cash flow requirements whilst achieving a level of return greater than would be secured by internal investment and maintaining capital security and policy flexibility.

6.02 Investment transactions totalled £324.0m in 2010/11 with interest earned amounting to £507k on an average balance of £66m. The weighted average temporary investment rate obtained in the year was 0.82%. This compares with the Policy Statement which assumed an average rate of 0.77% on an average balance of around £70m, estimating income of £545k. A full list of transactions undertaken during the year is available in the background papers. All investments were made in accordance with the Treasury Management Policy & Strategy Statement 2010/11.

6.03 The weighted average temporary investment rate obtained in the year of 0.82% is higher than the seven day LIBID rate of 0.43% which is a proxy of a return without effective cash flow management.

6.04 No temporary borrowing costs were incurred during 2010/11 which is a measure of the accuracy of short term cash flow management.

6.05 The maturity of investments was regularly reviewed with the aim of maximising returns whilst managing the risk of future interest rate movements. As at 31st March 2011, the maturity of investments is shown in the table below:

Maturity Due Actual % Forecast % < 1 month 41.3% 35% 1 – 3 months 35.4% 55% 3 – 12 months 13.1% > 12 months 3.6% Icelandic 6.6% 10% Investments

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The table above only illustrates the position as at 31st March 2011. The percentages fluctuated throughout the year but marginally more cash was held short term than forecast because of the investments held in call accounts which have paid rates higher than counterparties in the market for periods below 1 – 3 months.

6.06 The Investment Strategy set a Prudential Limit of £40 million for non-specified investments. In 2010/11, non-specified investments were limited to investments over 364 days including forward deals with counterparties which meet the credit rating criteria. As part of this strategy, the following longer term investments were made during 2010/11.

Amount Counterparty Date From Date to Period Interest (£) (days) rate (%) £2 million Barclays 15/06/10 15/06/12 731 1.85 £2 million Barclays 15/06/10 17/06/11 367 1.34

6.07 Cash balances in relation to other Funds were utilised in the year and interest was paid at the following rates and times as stated in the Treasury Management Practices –

Clwyd Pension Fund – average investment rate, quarterly Education Trust Funds – base rate, annually Optec Youth Exchange Fund – average monthly rate, quarterly Insurance Fund – average seven day rate, annually Education Delegated Fund – average seven day rate, annually

6.08 It is Council policy to minimise daily cash flow balances. However, on certain occasions it is uneconomic to deal (below £200,000) and therefore, the balance is kept in the bank account.

7.00 LANDSBANKI INVESTMENTS - UPDATE

7.01 On 7th October 2008, Landsbanki was placed in receivership. At that time Flintshire had £3.7 million of Council monies invested with the UK subsidiary. The investments were made as follows –

£1.2 million maturing 17th October 2008 (invested on 22nd July 2008) £1.5 million maturing 14th November 2008 (invested on 1st September 2008) £1.0 million maturing 18th November 2008 (invested on 8th September 2008)

7.02 All monies are currently subject to the administration process, the amounts and 7

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timings of payments to depositors will be determined by the administrators. However, the recovery is subject to the following uncertainties and risks:

 Deposits have been awarded priority status by the Icelandic District Court; but, there is an appeal against this to the Supreme Court.  The impact of exchange rate fluctuations on the value of assets recovered by the resolution committee and on the settlement of the Authority’s claim, which may be denominated wholly or partly in currencies other than sterling. Currently, these fluctuations are not expected to be material, although this may change in the future.

Any change to the priority creditor status would have a significant impact upon the amount of the deposit that is recoverable. The total assets of the bank only equate to one third of its liabilities, therefore, if priority creditor status is removed the recoverable amount may only be 29%.

7.03 No information has been provided by the resolution committee about the timing of any payment to depositors, and because it is anticipated that all the assets of Landsbanki will need to be realised to repay priority creditors, settlement in a single sum is unlikely. The 2010/11 accounts have been closed taking account of the guidance from the Wales Audit Office and CIPFA. It is therefore assumed for accounting purposes that the repayment will be made as follows –

Date % December 2011 22.17 December 2012 8.87 December 2013 8.87 December 2014 8.87 December 2015 8.87 December 2016 8.87 December 2017 8.87 December 2018 19.47 Total 94.86

7.04 Council Officers have been and continue to provide information to assist the Local Government Association (LGA), Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and other bodies who are seeking to recover investments.

8.00 PEER GROUP PERFORMANCE COMPARISON

8.01 Flintshire County Council is a member of the CIPFA Treasury Management Benchmarking Club. The draft 2010/11 report compared the Council with 69 other authorities. Whilst this benchmarking information assists in reviewing comparative performance, it must be recognised that not all Councils are in the comparison 8

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(69 out of several hundred) and that the size of Councils and their historic Treasury Management positions do not provide comparable situations and so results from benchmarking need to be reviewed with care. The data provided showed that the weighted average long term borrowing rate for Flintshire of 5.43% was higher than the benchmarking group average of 4.90%. The reason for this difference reflects the Council’s historic borrowing and no new borrowing since 2001/02 where rates have been lower. The weighted average investment rate was 0.82% compared with the benchmarking group average of 1.26%. The main reasons for the lower average rate are:

 Average investment balance of the benchmarking group is over £90m compared with £60m for the Council. These higher balances may assist larger councils with access to counterparties and better rates for longer periods.  The average term in days for fixed investments less than 365 days was 137 days for the group compared with 81 days for the Council.  In terms of investments over 365 days, some councils still have ‘old’ investments earning between 5 – 7% some of which were made at the time of the 2008 crisis when the council became more risk averse and kept all investments short.

8.02 In previous years comparison has been made with other Welsh Unitary Authorities but this has become less appropriate as only 4 of the other 21 Authorities now participate.

8.03 The performance of external cash managers is monitored by Sterling Consultancy Services and if it is considered appropriate in the future to appoint such a manager, then a recommendation will be made to Executive.

9.00 CONCLUSION

9.01 The treasury management function has operated within the statutory and local limits detailed in the 2010/11 Treasury Management Policy Statement.

9.02 There is a revised Policy Statement for 2011/12which has made further changes with the view of continuing to improve performance by managing the various treasury risks.

9.03 The financial environment within which the treasury function operates remains challenging.

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Debt Maturity Profile £m 12

1 11 21 31 41 15/16 25/26 35/36 45/46 55/56 010/ 0 020/ 0 030/ 0 040/ 0 050/5 0 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

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AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 12

REPORT TO: FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL DATE : 28 SEPTEMBER 2011 REPORT BY: HEAD OF PLANNING SUBJECT : FLINTSHIRE UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - CONSIDERATION OF THE REPRESENTATIONS TO THE FURTHER STATEMENT OF DECISIONS AND FURTHER PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS

1.00 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.01 This report presents the outcome of the consultation exercise carried out between January and March 2011 on the Further Statement of Decisions and Further Proposed Modifications as agreed by the Council at its meeting on 11th November 2010. The report details recommended responses to the representations made and seeks Members' approval for those responses. It also seeks Members' approval for the way forward for the Plan in terms of progressing to adoption.

1.02 The Contents of this report have been considered by the Development Plans Panel on the 13th September 2011, which had been appointed in accordance with the resolution of County Council on 29th June 2011. The Panel resolved to recommend that the County Council accept the recommendations contained in this report.

2.00 BACKGROUND

2.01 Members will be aware that a detailed report concerning each individual Inspector’s recommendation (Statement of Decisions) and resulting Proposed Modifications was considered by Executive and Full Council at special meetings held on 14th July 2009, where it was resolved to accept the recommendations of the Inspector and publish the Statement of Decisions and Proposed Modifications for consultation. This consultation took place between September and November 2009.

2.02 The representations received and the recommended responses to them were considered by the Executive and Full Council on 9th March 2010. Members will recall that Officers, having considered the representations, recommended that the UDP should be adopted without further modification or the need to re-open the Inquiry.

2.03 At the meeting of the Full Council on of 9th March 2010, Members resolved to amend the recommendation to adopt the Plan, by agreeing instead to adopt the UDP ‘in principle’, but also detailing a number of specific matters relating to named sites and policies where Members had remaining concerns that required further consideration, prior to the Plan proceeding to adoption. Following this meeting, 16 Members made written submissions to the Head of Planning outlining their remaining concerns and these were considered by the Development Plans Panel

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which met on six occasions during the summer and autumn of 2010. The recommendations of the Panel were reported to and considered by a special meeting of the County Council on 11th November 2010 at which Members resolved to delete the housing allocations at Ash Lane, Mancot and West of Wrexham Road, Abermorddu and to cap the density of development on the allocation at South of Retail, Broughton at 25 dwellings per hectare.

2.04 The resolutions of Members were issued for further public consultation in the form of a Further Statement of Decisions (on the Inspector’s Report) and a set of Further Proposed Modifications. The two documents, in conjunction with an addendum to the ‘Sustainability Report’ (Strategic Environmental Assessment and Sustainability Appraisal) were the subject of a six week public consultation exercise which commenced on Friday 28th January 2011 and ended on Friday 28th March.

Representations Received 2.05 During the consultation period a total of 55 duly made representations were received of which 10 were objections and 45 were supporting representations. A summary of the representations received and changes sought are detailed in the schedule of representations set out in Appendix 1. Members will note that the response to all of the representations and the recommendation is set out in this report rather than in the schedule in Appendix 1. The representations can be further broken down as follows:

2.06 Ash Lane, Mancot - This site was the subject of 4 representations of which 3 were objections and 1 was in support. The objections received were from Anwyl Construction, the Home Builders Federation and Bloor Homes.

2.07 West of Wrexham Road, Abermorddu - This site was the subject of 47 representations of which 3 were objections and 44 in support. The objections were from the Home Builders Federation, Bloor Homes and David Wilson Homes (North West).

2.08 South of Retail Park, Broughton - This site was the subject of 4 representations, all of which were objections. One objection was still opposed to development on the site whilst the other three objections were from the Home Builders Federation, Development Securities plc and Bloor Homes. The single objection opposing the site in principle, raises issues relating to increased population and impact on facilities and services; increased traffic outside schools; the provision of a path through the park; and previous promises relating to a ‘green noise barrier’.

2.09 North of Isa Farm, Mynydd Isa - In submitting objections to the deletion / alteration of the three housing allocations, Bloor Homes have also put forward an alternative site North of Isa Farm in Mynydd Isa as a housing allocation. Bloor Homes point out that the development potential of the site has been recognised by the Council throughout the Plan making process.

Common Themes Raised 2.10 In analysing the objections there are a number of common themes emerging and these are set out below:

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The Council has previously accepted the Inspector’s recommendations The Council has now overturned that decision without: Providing any new robust planning evidence or reasons Raising any new issues not previously considered by the Inspector Providing / presenting any significant / relevant change in circumstances Demonstrating / proving any discrepancies in the Inspector’s Report The Council’s decision is inappropriate, unwarranted, unjustified and reckless. If the Council can find robust planning reasons for deleting / altering the sites then alternative sites should be identified (as highlighted in para 3.11 of the Report to Special Council) in order to maintain the soundness of the Plan and its ability to deliver the housing requirement. Based on the 2008 Housing Land Availability Study there is only a 2.57yr land supply when measured against the Clwyd Structure Plan Second Alteration housing figure and a 4.19yr supply against the UDP housing requirement. Assuming windfall and small sites continue to come forward at assumed rates there is a shortfall of 1647 dwellings which will need to be made up by sites such as those deleted / altered. In presenting its reasons for the deletion / alteration of the sites, the Council has not advanced any reason relating to housing land supply. Therefore, there is no defence that the sites are not required to meet the identified shortfall in delivery of the 2008 Joint Housing Land Availability Study (JHLAS). “We believe that if robust evidence can be supplied for the removal of any of the sites, the Council should find alternative sites in order to replace the numbers lost or provide robust evidence to justify that the reduction in numbers will not affect the soundness of the UDP and its ability to deliver the housing requirement”. (Home Builders Federation)

Detailed Points Raised 2.11 Objections have raised a number of issues that are relevant to specific sites and these are summarised below:

2.12 Ash Lane, Mancot

The deletion of the allocation leaves Mancot (category B settlement with adopted 8-15% growth band) with no new allocations or commitments and 0% growth. The Council continues to accept the Inspector’s recommendations in respect of the Plan’s growth strategy and green barriers but not for this site. The Inspector has considered all of the issues raised by Members i.e. Hawarden and Mancot to be treated as separate settlements for UDP purposes Characteristics of Mancot as a sustainable settlement with community facilities

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Agricultural land quality Ecological quality Mining / contamination Access / highways The Inspector recommended the allocation, even though it exceeded the 8-15% growth for the reason that: There was a substantial need for housing That Mancot had the capacity to acceptably exceed its growth The development constraints were insufficient to justify not allocating it In terms of the green barrier, no evidence has been provided or issues raised to justify reinstating the green barrier. No figures are presented regarding growth bands with and without the site and consequently no evidence to justify the claim regarding ‘inappropriate scale of development in that part of the settlement’ or to identify what the unacceptable impacts are.

2.13 West of Wrexham Road, Abermorddu

The Council allocated the site for housing as part of the Proposed Changes. The Council considered the representations and issues raised during the Proposed Changes consultation and continued to support the allocation. The Inspector’s Report considered a number of issues from local residents to the allocation including coalescence, availability of brownfield sites, open countryside, excessive growth and access / highways. The Inspector found that: the site assists in the provision of a sufficient housing supply; brownfield land has been used where possible to minimise the take up of greenfield sites; the location of the site was appropriate in a category B settlement; the indicative growth rate was appropriate for the settlement due to the range of facilities; that a settlement boundary is a planning tool whereby a number of communities can exist within a settlement boundary and the allocation of sites within this boundary does not automatically result in the coalescence of settlements for planning purposes. No substantive case exists to support the contention that the scale of development is inappropriate, given that the Inspector considered scale was acceptable in recommending to support the Council’s previous support for the site.

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No evidence has been provided to support the contention that the site's open aspect and its ecology outweigh any housing need. No definition of ‘open aspect value’ has been put forward and no evidence of ecological value, potential harm or the ability to mitigate has been put forward.

2.14 South of Retail Park

No justification exists for the decision to cap density at 25 dwellings per hectare (dpha). The Council themselves increased density from 25dpha to 30dpha at Proposed Changes stage (the Council must have considered the site was able to accommodate this density). Density at 25dpha is contrary to the advice of the Inspector who recognised a ‘basic conflict in seeking to make efficient use of land whilst proposing development at 25dpha’, particularly in settlements such as Broughton which has a range of facilities and access to services. The capping of density is entirely inconsistent with WAG advice which requires the ‘most efficient use of land’. Higher density development is considered appropriate and sustainable, particularly at hubs and interchanges and close to corridor routes and with good access by foot, bike and public transport. The site is therefore suitable for higher density development. Allocation at 25dpha would be inconsistent with residential development on other sites in category B settlements and make it less attractive to potential developers compared to other sites. The reduction in density results in a loss of 47 units from the housing land supply which is not insignificant given the shortage of land for housing and that the site is the second largest allocation on the Plan. A reduction in density will have a significant impact on the delivery of affordable housing (14 fewer dwellings), and is therefore contrary to the objectives of the Plan. A large proportion of the County’s employment provision is in / near Broughton and it is important for sustainability principles associated with reducing travel, to provide an adequate supply of housing land (through sites being developed at maximum density) to cater for the additional need generated by employment development. The Inspector recommended a minimum density of 30dpha with the actual density being determined at the planning application stage. There are no known constraints to the site such as drainage, community infrastructure or wildlife restrictions that should influence density on the site, a factor recognised by the Inspector. Traffic impact assessments have shown capacity for up to 300 units, which was confirmed by the Mouchel Report. With no exception, the studies have concluded that the site, taking into account other committed developments in the area, would raise no highway capacity issues within Broughton. A reduction by

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47 units would have an inconsequential impact on the highway infrastructure of Broughton. The report to Special Council highlights that there was no substantive evidence put forward to justify the concerns expressed regarding traffic and highways capacity. In the absence of robust evidence, the density cap should be lifted and any issues regarding density considered at planning application stage. To constrain development on the site based on a lack of evidence and unjustified concerns is fundamentally wrong and impacts on the credibility and unenforceability of the Plan.

3.00 CONSIDERATIONS

3.01 There are therefore a small number of objections from landowners/developers with a narrow focus, who object firstly to the deletion or alteration of the three allocations on the basis that they are not soundly based on robust planning evidence or reasons, and secondly the implications for the soundness of the Plan as a whole, having regard to the ability of the Council to maintain a sufficient land supply to deliver its housing requirement figure.

3.02 Before looking at the site specific objections in detail however, there are a number of points to be made in response to the general matters raised by objectors, which will be expanded on later, but which are important in setting the context for how the site specific matters set out above are considered and responded to.

3.03 These relate to the wider context in which the Council made its decision and acted to make the further focused changes to the Plan. They also respond to the points made by objectors to there being no context or evidence in relation to housing need, land supply, capacity of the Plan to deliver the housing requirement, and there being no change in circumstances since the Inspector made her considerations/recommendations on the affected sites. Indeed, objectors have ‘invited’ the Council to present “more robust evidence” in order to further substantiate and set in context the further changes it has proposed.

3.04 In response to this it is clear that in making the changes it has to the Plan, the Council has acted in a context that is highly material and appropriate to those changes. The main elements of this are:

1. A significant change in circumstances since the Inspector considered the need for these additional sites i.e. the economic recession and its continuing effects on the housing market and the development industry in relation to delivering housing; 2. The fact that the two deleted sites were ‘later additions’ to the Plan, where at the time their need to help meet the housing requirement figure in the Plan was felt to override other factors, but where (as per 1. above) circumstances have changed;

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3. The up to date housing ‘balance sheet’ for the Plan shows clearly that the Plan has more than sufficient capacity to deliver its housing requirement, without the need for the two deleted over-allocations; 4. The recently completed 2010 Joint Housing Land Availability Study (JHLAS) demonstrates that Flintshire can clearly meet its statutory requirement to provide a 5 year supply of land, with 6.03 years supply based on just TAN1 sites, and 10.64 years supply when contributing UDP sites are added in. This is not new evidence as such, as this is an annual survey and the 2010 JHLAS is the latest statement of the state of the market and the industry in terms of its ability and willingness to deliver housing; 5. Given that the issues preventing the progress of the Plan to adoption focus very narrowly around the interests in just three sites, and having established the lack of need for these sites and/or their capacity, the overriding public interest that is served by adopting the UDP far outweighs the continuing pursuit of private interests in these sites; 6. Any sites not required by the UDP have the potential to be assessed as candidate sites as part of the LDP process.

3.05 In this context, the response to the specific issues raised by objectors to each site is as follows.

Ash Lane, Mancot 3.06 In the absence of an allocation, it is not the case that Mancot would experience 0% growth over the Plan period, as claimed by an objector. Survey work for the JHLAS as at April 2010 indicates a 5.8% growth rate taking into account completions since the base date of the Plan i.e. 2000 and commitments at 2010. Whilst this is substantially below the growth rate with the Ash Lane allocation included (31.6%), it is only marginally below the lower limit of the indicative growth band for the settlement (8-15%) and it is possible that further growth could be achieved through windfalls or small sites to bring growth within the growth band. Nevertheless, the Inspector accepted that the growth bands were indicative whereby growth could be either below, within or above the indicative growth band, based on the characteristics of the settlement and availability of suitable sites. It is clearly not the case that every settlement must have a housing allocation.

3.07 The Inspector, in recommending that the site be allocated for housing, dealt with the issues raised by the objectors promoting the allocation of the site and raised by the Council in opposing the site. As the site was taken through the Inquiry process as an ‘omission site’ (i.e. the development plan regulations did not allow for the opportunity for interested parties to comment on it as a result of consultation) a wider range of detailed issues was not able to be considered by the Inspector. Contrary to one objector’s assertion, the Inspector did not consider for instance agricultural land quality or mining / contamination issues, as they were not before her, but subsequent investigation by Officers indicated that neither were of sufficient merit to warrant reconsidering the Inspector’s acceptance of the broader principle of development on the site. The community however, have always maintained a different view.

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3.08 Having regard to 2010 based figures a growth of 31.6% is well in excess of the indicative growth band for a category B settlement (8-15%) and in fact represents the largest growth by far of any settlement in the Plan. Members were therefore entitled to be concerned about such a high level of growth, particularly when they had not proposed it for this or any other settlement in the Plan. Objectors have pointed out that merely the existence of a high growth rate in Mancot is not justification for it being unacceptable or harmful, in the absence of robust evidence of harm. That said, given that there are known issues with this site relating to agricultural land quality, mining activity and highways infrastructure, which the Inspector did not consider and which have not been quantified or assessed by the land owner/developer to date, it cannot be said that there would not be any harm resulting from the development of this site. Coupled with the need to demonstrate that this site can be delivered within 4 years in order for it to make a contribution to meeting the UDP housing requirement, and the fact that the UDP has more than sufficient capacity without the need for it, apart from not being needed there is no certainty that this site is either suitable or deliverable.

3.09 In conclusions, whilst the views of officers are clearly recorded as part of the UDP audit trail, given the above issues and uncertainties with this site it is understandable that Members were entitled to reach the precautionary conclusion they did in deleting this site. In the absence of information to counter these uncertainties the place to do that now is as part of the LDP. The need for studies to support assessment of the developable area of the Mancot site is now more relevant than previously as there are significant queries relating to the delivery of this site within the plan period. That also strikes at the level of certainty there is to justify the allocation the site at this late stage given that aside from understanding the implications of the agricultural land study already undertaken (and which the Inspector did not see), a full traffic impact assessment and mining survey would now be required. Given the need for all of this as well as current market conditions, it seems highly unlikely that this site could be brought forward and developed within the plan period.

3.10 The developer/landowner has been aware of the need for such studies to support the development of this site for some time now, but it is now essential that such studies are carried out to support the allocation of the site. Given that in the main no such information has been presented to support the objections made, and the fact that the change in economic circumstances that has occurred since the Inspector made her recommendations, this has a significant bearing on the fact that this site is now no longer needed to provide the capacity to achieve the UDP housing requirement. Sufficient capacity remains within the plan without the need for this site (and the one at Abermorddu). It is no coincidence that the Council has deleted the two largest housing sites that were added later on in the plan process as over-allocations, on the basis that having had to delete original allocations from the deposit plan because of constraints, replacement sites were felt to be needed to guarantee that the plan would achieve its housing figures. This is no longer the case and it is therefore appropriate for the Council to review the need for these later additions.

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3.11 The key consideration therefore is whether the deletion of the allocation affects the soundness of the Plan in terms of meeting its housing requirement figure of 7,400 dwellings. As will be shown in more detail later, the revised UDP housing balance sheet and the development industry’s own assessment as presented by the 2010 JHLAS, show that there is no impact on the ability of the Plan to meet its housing requirement.

West of Wrexham Road, Abermorddu 3.12 It is a matter of public record that the Council allocated this site as part of its Proposed Changes (as a replacement for the Pigeon House Lane allocation) and maintained the allocation following consideration of the range of issues submitted in response to the Proposed Changes consultation. A whole range of issues were raised by objectors and were considered by the Inspector both at an Inquiry session and in the form of written representations.

3.13 Whilst it is acknowledged that the Inspector considered the effects of the allocation on the level of growth for the settlement, this consideration was not made on the basis of the essential need for Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn y Bedd (HCAC) to have an allocation. Instead, it was premised on the fact that a number of deposit allocations had been found to be constrained and were removed from the Plan at the Proposed Changes stage. The site at Abermorddu was proposed for inclusion in the Plan on the basis of a perceived need at that time to find ‘replacement’ sites to allocate to ensure that the Plan’s overall housing figure could be met. It was therefore added as an over-allocation or ‘flexibility’ to ensure that there were enough sites to meet supply. Given that the revised UDP housing balance sheet (see appendix 1) now shows that there is more than sufficient capacity within the Plan without the need for this site, there is no need to over-allocate land by including this site.

3.14 In terms of ecology the Inspector in para 11.73.11 comments ‘I acknowledge that the allocation will result in encroachment into the countryside. However, I do not find the area to be of such ecological or landscape value to outweigh the need to allocate the land to meet the future housing needs of the County and this defined settlement. Whilst development of the land would reduce the area of undeveloped land between Abermorddu and Caergwrle, it would not result in the two merging into one another’. It is therefore accepted that there is ecological value associated with parts of the site, and the Council has recognized this in its reasons to remove the site from the Plan. This is also set in the context that since the Inspector felt that the need for housing in the County [not necessarily HCAC] was an overriding factor, circumstances have changed significantly in economic and housing market terms, such that in relation to late addition sites that constituted ‘flexibility’ or over-supply, such as the site at Abermorddu, there is no longer an overriding need for such sites.

3.15 In terms of the ‘open aspect value’ of the site, objectors claim that there is no definition of this term and no evidence as to what harm would arise from development and whether this can be mitigated. ‘Open aspect value’ is not a term used either in the UDP or as part of documentation associated with the Inquiry Process. Given that the Inspector addressed the ‘landscape value’ of the site it is considered that this terminology should also be used here, as both are concerned with

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the role that the site plays in contributing to its surroundings. It is accepted that the site encroaches into open countryside and the determining factor for the Council was that development, with no demonstrable need for it, would result in harm.

3.16 Objectors claim that the wording of the Council’s resolution ‘… that the need for housing at this site does not outweigh the open aspect value of the site and its ecology’ can be interpreted as implying that the Council recognizes there is a need for housing but that this is outweighed by other considerations. This is not correct for the reasons previously set out. This site was never allocated to meet an identified local need, but rather was put into the Plan as part of an over-allocation of land to ensure sufficient flexibility to meet the Plan’s overall housing requirement figure. Based on 2010 survey information for the JHLAS, HCAC would experience growth of 16.1% with the allocation and 10% without the allocation, which is within the indicative growth band for the settlement (8-15%). It is also possible that further growth could be achieved through windfalls or small sites to bring growth closer to the midpoint of the indicative growth band. On the basis that the housing market has radically changed since the Inspector made her recommendation and that flexibility sites such as the one at Abermorddu are not required as there is no overriding issue of need, recognised matters of concern relating to ecology and open countryside impacts are appropriately reassessed by the Council.

3.17 In conclusion whilst the views of officers are clearly recorded as part of the UDP audit trail, the key consideration is whether the deletion of the allocation affects the soundness of the Plan in terms of meeting its housing requirement figure of 7,400 dwellings. As will be shown in more detail later, the revised UDP housing balance sheet and the development industry’s own assessment as presented by the 2010 JHLAS, show that there is no impact on the ability of the Plan to meet its housing requirement.

3.18 It is also important to recognise that whilst the Inspector previously recognised matters related to ecology and landscape, she felt that the overriding need for sites to secure the housing requirement figure outweighed these considerations. In the context that the economic circumstances have changed since the Inspector made such a recommendation, the outcome of which is that sites added later in the process are no longer needed, it is appropriate for the Council to reconsider the significance of such issues in the absence of an overriding need for housing sites.

South of Retail Park, Broughton 3.19 The broader principles of allocating the site for housing have already been established through the UDP process. Whilst noting the points made by the objector, most, if not all, of which rehearse ground already covered, the decision ultimately as to the appropriate development density of this site, does not/will not reside solely with the UDP. Whilst the Council has set out its position regarding the circumstances for, and appropriate density at which this site should be developed, the objector is still free to make whatever case they wish to establish what they feel is the appropriate density via the planning application process.

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3.20 This is in fact what they have done via the submission of a planning application for this site, rather than in evidence to the UDP Inquiry. Given that this application proposes (indicatively) a higher density than the Council considers appropriate, is supported by evidence, and is subject to an appeal yet to be heard. It will be that process which will ultimately decide how this site is developed, as this will supersede whatever the UDP says on the specific issue of density relating to this site.

3.21 This site remains the second largest allocation in the Plan, but whilst the objector simply seeks to maximise the development capacity of this site, in capping the density of this site the Council was entitled to try to give expression to concerns raised by the community regarding the cumulative impact of the development of this site on top of the quantum of recent significant development that this community has had to bear. These impacts relate to the perceived negative impact that more development will have on the quality of life of the residents of Broughton, and whilst difficult to quantify or support with evidence, are nevertheless real for the residents and the Council, who feel that such issues are simply being ignored. Whilst the Plan should rightly promote growth and development it should not do so at the expense of diminishing a community’s quality of life.

3.22 In conclusion, whilst the views of officers are clearly recorded as part of the UDP audit trail, the key consideration is whether the reduced yield for the allocation of 47 dwellings affects the soundness of the Plan in terms of meeting its housing requirement figure of 7,400 dwellings. As will be shown in more detail later, the revised UDP housing balance sheet and the development industry’s own assessment as presented by the 2010 JHLAS, show that there is no impact on the ability of the Plan to meet its housing requirement.

North of Issa Farm, Mynydd Isa 3.23 This was previously an allocation but was deleted from the Plan in the light of the Inspector’s conclusions and recommendations. The Inspector commented ‘I have a fundamental problem with [this site] HSG1(46) in that because of its location, shape, landscape and the surrounding topography, I find it would be poorly related to the existing pattern of development and a significant incursion into the rural area. My conclusions on other allocations/omission sites mean that the deletion of this component of housing supply would not result in an inadequate supply of land in the County’. In considering the recommendations of the Inspector, officers and subsequently Members were mindful of the fact that the Inspector’s Report was not ‘binding’ but nevertheless accepted the Inspector’s recommendations with a small number of minor exceptions. In the context of the objection proposing the re- introduction of the North of Issa Farm allocation being made on the basis that the Inspector was simply ‘wrong’ to delete the site from the Plan, it then raises the question why the Inspector wasn’t ‘wrong’ in her conclusions and recommendations at Ash Lane, Mancot or West of Wrexham Road, Abermorddu? Such a selective approach by the objector argues against the soundness of their objections overall. Given that the Inspector did not consider the deletion of the North of Issa Farm allocation would result in an inadequate supply of land in the County, this is considered even more relevant given the present economic downturn and reduced levels of house building. If there is no need for the over-allocations at Mancot and

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Abermorddu because the Plan has more than adequate capacity to provide housing, then there is no requirement for any other ‘replacement’ sites to be considered.

Development Briefs and Supplementary Guidance 3.24 Members are aware that as a parallel process to the Further Modifications to the UDP discussed in this report, there is a requirement to produce development briefs for housing sites in Broughton and Sychdyn, as well as supplementary planning guidance to support the interpretation of policy S11 Retention of Rural Facilities.

3.25 The drafting of these documents has now been through several iterations where comments have been sought from the relevant Member concerned. A final formatted draft has been sent to those Members prior to this meeting in order to secure agreement that the documents can now be put out for public consultation. This consultation is required as an important precursor to complying with the previous Council resolution to prepare the briefs and guidance and to bring them before the Council for approval. To approve them as formal supplementary guidance to sit alongside the adopted UDP, the Council needs to demonstrate that they have been through a formal public consultation process in line with the requirements of Welsh Office circular 13/97.

3.26 The development briefs particularly focus on ensuring that the site specific matters of greatest concern will be protected and considered as part of the development of these sites. In relation to the Broughton site for example, the brief establishes the protection for the existing landscape buffer and seeks its enhancement as part of the development along with further landscaping and noise mitigation measures along the site frontage. Preservation of these features reduces the overall site area from 1.8 hectares to a net developable area of 1.25 hectares, which will only yield 35 to 40 dwellings. Similarly for the site in Sychdyn, the need for a landscape buffer of 25 metres to protect the line of Wats Dyke together with other site mitigation to preserve hedgerows and provide play space, has reduced the site area of 1.9 hectares to a developable area of 1.3 hectares. This could accommodate between 33 and 39 dwellings at average densities, and in both cases the Council does not consider a higher level of development to be appropriate.

3.27 It is proposed that following the Council’s consideration of this report, and subject to its acceptance of the recommendation to adopt the Plan without further modification and to publish its adoption notice, the draft briefs and supplementary guidance will be made available for consultation during the statutory period that the Council must allow for any potential challenges to the adoption of its Plan. This period extends for six weeks following the publication of the adoption notice, and will allow time for any interested parties to comment and for officers to take account of any comments received and prepare a report relating to finalizing the briefs and guidance. This will be presented to the next scheduled meeting of the Council, on 22nd November 2011.

3.28 The Council already has a number of other Local Planning Guidance notes already in use for development control purposes, and it is also the intention that these will be advertised for consultation at the same time as the above draft development briefs and guidance, with a view to seeking their formal adoption as supplementary

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planning guidance following confirmation of the adoption of the UDP itself. These will also be reported to a future Executive or Council meeting for approval, as appropriate.

The ‘Soundness of the Plan’ - Meeting the Plans Overall Housing Requirement Figure

3.29 Having considered all of the detailed matters relating to specific sites, this report now focuses more strategically in responding in detail to the common themes raised by objectors. These were set out by objectors in terms of there being no context or evidence in relation to: housing need, land supply, capacity of the Plan to deliver the housing requirement, and there being no change in circumstances since the Inspector made her considerations/recommendations on the affected sites.

3.30 Objectors have also specifically ‘invited’ or challenged the Council to provide further evidence in relation to the above, to support the decisions taken on the Plan.

Maintaining a 5 year land supply 3.31 The Plan’s housing requirement figure is for 7,400 dwellings over the 15 year Plan period. Related to the allocation of land in the Plan is the requirement, as set out in PPW and TAN 1, for the Council to ensure that sufficient land is genuinely available to provide a 5 year supply of land for housing. Supply is monitored on a regular basis via the JHLAS and in order for a site to be included within the JHLAS it must either have outline or detailed planning permission or be allocated within an adopted development plan. In the most recent (2010) JHLAS a number of key facts are demonstrated:

The agreed assessment is based on past completion rates; It is agreed that a Structure Plan calculation base no longer has relevance; There is no shortage of land supply: 6.03 years supply from just TAN1 sites; 10.64 years supply when contributing UDP sites included; A further 1,946 units are available on UDP sites which are not considered likely to come forward within the 5 year supply. This is not due to any site constraints, but the industry’s assessment that ‘market forces’ mean that not all UDP sites will be brought forward by the end of the Plan period; If these remaining UDP sites were included in the land supply calculation, then there would be 16.70 years supply from the 2010 base line.

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3.32 The economic downturn has seen a national trend in reduced house building with no clear sign of recovery in the next five years. Locally, the 2010 JHLAS illustrates how this has been manifested in a Flintshire context:

A relatively low rate of completions overall; A significant backlog of unimplemented permissions; The drop in completions is despite an increase in units permitted on the previous JHLAS study – suggests a mothballing of permissions; Growing latent supply through commitments – this is confirmed by the UDP balance sheet which when updated to take account of the 2010 JHLAS (see Appendix 2), shows commitments building up as land owners/developers are reticent to implement permissions at present, whilst UDP allocated sites also remain undeveloped.

3.33 Whilst the rate of completions may rise over the next year or so, even if it were to double its current average rate of 321 units per annum over the remaining life of the UDP, there would still be more than sufficient supply to maintain a 5 year supply, without the need to re-introduce an unnecessary over-supply of sites.

Flexibility allowance – The Revised Housing Balance Sheet 3.34 The manner in which the Plan’s housing requirement is to be met on the ground in terms of different components of the housing land supply, is set out in a Housing Balance Sheet within the written statement. In the Deposit Plan the housing balance sheet highlighted that supply was greater than the requirement by some 11% and this represents the Plan’s flexibility allowance. During the lifetime of a Plan it is common for some sites to not come forward at all or to not be developed at the rate envisaged due to unforeseen circumstances relating to technical constraints, ownership difficulties, or some other factor. It is therefore standard practice for development plans to incorporate a flexibility allowance of typically 10-15% over the life of a plan.

3.35 As a result of the Inspector’s recommendations on specific allocations as well as the increased density on allocations in category B and C settlements, the flexibility allowance increased to 14%. The Inspector comments in para 3.5.28 of her report ‘From the comparison table set out below, it is evident that if my recommendations are accepted there will be sufficient land allocated to ensure the delivery of 7400 new homes within the plan period, a 5 year supply of land, and a healthy flexibility allowance of about 14% to ensure that if there is slippage the housing industry will still have the potential to deliver sufficient homes to ensure people have the opportunity to live in good quality affordable homes’. The Inspector summarises the position in para 3.5.30 ‘This leads me to the overall conclusion that 7400 new homes is an appropriate level to provide within the plan period and the proposed supply is capable of ensuring its delivery’.

3.36 Having regard to the Housing Balance Sheet as recommended to be amended by the Inspector (based on 2006 Housing Land Availability Study) the reduced number of

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dwellings arising from new allocations (to reflect the deletion of the two allocations and the reduced yield on the third allocation) resulted in a reduced flexibility allowance of 9%. However, updating the Housing Balance Sheet to reflect the 2010 JHLAS, results in a flexibility allowance of 13% (see Appendix 2). This therefore still represents a more than "healthy flexibility allowance" to allow for the Plan to be capable of meeting its housing requirement.

3.37 The revised balance sheet calculation is net of the over-allocated units at Abermorddu and Mancot, i.e. it doesn't include them or the reduction in site capacity at Broughton, and demonstrates clearly that the Plan has more than sufficient capacity to deliver housing, without the need for these sites. To reinstate these sites would result in an over-allocation of 18% which is neither necessary nor justifiable, particularly with only 4 years of the UDP plan period remaining. The place to consider the need for sites to meet a future housing demand is as part of the LDP process, which will immediately follow adoption of the UDP.

Small Sites and Further Flexibility 3.38 An important component of the housing land supply is an allowance made for small sites (60 units per annum) and windfall sites (50 units per annum) which come forward for development during a plan period. Objector’s arguments that windfall and small sites will only come forward at the rate assumed in the plan, is flawed as the consistent trend has been for a much greater rate of permissions and completions on these sites. For example, the plan assumes that windfall sites will come forward at 50 units per year, and small sites at 60 units per year, which from the base date of the 2010 JHLAS would provide 550 units over the remaining 5 years of the plan. However, when the average rate for just small site completions (120 units per annum 2005-2010) is projected over the remaining 5 years of the plan, this would result in 600 units alone, before taking account of future windfall contributions. Even if these only come forward at the rate suggested in the Plan (50 per annum) this could add a further 250 units to the 600 expected from small sites.

Material Change in Circumstances 3.39 The Public Inquiry pre-dated the economic downturn and therefore this represents a material change in circumstances since the Inspector made her recommendations to the Council. In particular, consideration of the need for additional large sites added at a later stage in the plan process to ensure the achievement of the plan’s strategy for housing, is now significantly questioned as the recession has changed the dynamics of the housing market, the demand for new housing, the willingness and ability of developers and house builders to deliver new housing, and the ability of prospective purchasers to obtain mortgages.

3.40 From this, it is clear that the overriding need for additional sites as recommended in 2008 by the Inspector no longer exists as there is now such a backlog of sites with planning permission and remaining in the UDP, that it will not be realistic or practical to assume that they will be delivered within the remainder of the UDP plan period. This is significant as with more than sufficient supply to meet the 5 year requirement and deliver on other policy requirements such as affordable housing, the wider public benefits of adopting the UDP far outweighs the perceived need for two

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sites. Any issues regarding the future demand for and supply of sites should therefore be considered as part of the LDP process.

3.41 The benefits of adopting the UDP now include:

Adoption of an up to date policy framework in Flintshire and replacement of a complex framework of dated plans and policies; Certainty for the public and other interests in terms of the nature and location of development; A focus on moving to an LDP where the level of housing need and site specific issues can be considered/reconsidered afresh; Avoidance of the potential to not comply with EU directives e.g. waste; Focus on actual delivery of sustainable housing, rather than debating theoretical delivery; Supporting national and local economic recovery with an adopted plan; Release of sustainable sites to count towards land supply.

3.42 Given that there are only 4 years of the UDP plan period left, and the housing balance sheet shows that the plan still has 2,879 units to deliver to meet its overall housing requirement, the development industry would have to provide homes at a rate of 823 units per annum. This is significantly above the planned annual rate of completions and given that provision is dependant on market forces, the achievement of this rate is highly unlikely. Whilst this is not ideal it is the reality of the current situation which could not have been legislated for at an earlier stage in the plan process. This is not just the Council’s assessment, as the 2010 JHLAS assessment of supply is based on the opinion given by industry representatives, who all felt that not all UDP sites would come forward by 2015, due to “market forces”.

3.43 All the plan can do is respond to such an unprecedented scenario and in that sense it has. With a deflated housing market and developers taking a generally cautious approach to delivering new development, it is difficult to see how the development industry can or will respond in such a short space of time, to deliver all of the housing shown on the UDP balance sheet, and by the end of the plan period. The revised balance sheet is net of the two deleted sites and reduced capacity at Broughton, and this reflects two things:

firstly the change in context as set out above which has removed the overriding need to consider these as necessary later additions to the plan; secondly, given the acknowledgement that the UDP will not deliver all of its housing within the plan period, this situation and any residual sites either within the plan or those discounted at one stage or other as part of the plan process (including the sites at Mancot and Abermorddu) stand to be considered afresh as part of the LDP process which, when allowed to commence, will follow on immediately from adoption of the UDP.

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3.44 This is the real opportunity to consider the long term sustainability of sites to contribute to future needs, rather than trying to add just two more to a UDP that already, because of market factors outside of its control, will not deliver its remaining housing requirement in time.

3.45 Notwithstanding the above and without the two later addition sites now deleted, the Plan still has the capacity to deliver at least the rate of growth it set out to achieve, whilst also maintaining a greater than 5 year land supply.

3.46 In such circumstances when there is no identifiable need or evidence of ability to deliver, to maintain over-allocations in a plan simply on the basis that one or other land owner/developer retains an interest in them, is not sufficient justification and would be inappropriate of the Council, and indeed ‘reckless’ to use an objectors term.

3.47 On this basis and with reference to paragraph 3.11 of the Report to Special County Council (November 2010), there is no need to consider adding deleted sites back in or adding alternative sites to those deleted, as whilst the Plan still has the potential capacity to deliver its housing requirement through remaining sustainable site allocations together with sufficient flexibility, it is unlikely to achieve this due to market forces and an unwillingness/inability of the development industry to respond in sufficient time to deliver all sites by 2015.

3.48 The JHLAS calculation in 2010 of the residual requirement also requires completions to occur at an average of 823 per year when the average completion rate for 2005- 2010 has been only 321.4 units per annum. This shortfall of over 500 units per year is unlikely to be recovered by developers in the current climate.

3.49 Given the acceptance of this situation by the HBF and other developer stakeholders as part of agreeing the 2010 JHLAS (now published by the Welsh Government) it is difficult to see what would be gained by re-opening the inquiry and therefore officers do not regard re-opening the Inquiry as essential.

3.50 Apart from the time factor and the cost, (which in the Council’s view would not serve the wider public interest for the reasons given in this report and particularly paragraph 3.36), the Council is struggling to see what other evidence there is to justify the inclusion of more sites in the present and likely future economic circumstances.

3.51 The main source of evidence relating to housing need that would be relevant at such an inquiry would be the 2010 JHLAS, and there is no dispute over its findings between objectors and the Council. It is therefore difficult to see what would be served by an inquiry where the main agreed evidence on need and supply, demonstrates well in excess of a 5 year supply of land and sufficient sites to meet the Plan’s housing requirement, and what could reasonably be argued against this (given the position of agreement with the 2010 JHLAS) to include more sites.

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3.52 In any event, such arguments are matters of planning judgment and as such are ones that, given the previous scrutiny given to the affected sites as well as the changed economic circumstances, are appropriate for the Council to consider and decide upon. The overriding purpose of the development plan is to achieve a sustainable balance between meeting the need for development and preservation of the environment. In relation to the affected sites this balance has changed, moving away from need as the primary driver and allowing other factors such as the environment to be reconsidered. The 2010 JHLAS provides the evidence to sustainably justify this change of balance, enabling officers to see the new circumstances and support the decisions made by Members.

3.53 Rather than just advance reasons of land supply in making its changes, the Council has always been confident that the plan has ample capacity to deliver the intended housing requirement. The changes made by the Council are therefore in the context of the prevailing market conditions and the reality of the development industry’s cautious approach to delivery.

3.54 There is nothing that the Council has done in making these focused changes to the plan that has, or is proving to be a barrier to the ability of developers to bring site’s forward. Indeed given the advanced stage the plan has reached and its approved status for development control purposes, the Council are making decisions on applications in accordance with its plan.

Next Steps 3.55 Following the Council’s consideration of this report, and subject to its acceptance of the recommendation to adopt the Plan without further modification, the Council must publish a notice once in the London Gazette, and for two successive weeks in at least one local newspaper, stating the date on which the plan was adopted and the date when it became operative.

3.56 Copies of the plan as adopted and other relevant documents will be made available for public inspection at the Council’s offices for a minimum of six weeks following the date on which the notice of adoption was first published. This coincides with the statutory period the authority must allow for any person aggrieved by the plan who questions its validity, to apply (on certain grounds) to the High Court, under section 287 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, to have the plan or parts of the plan quashed.

3.57 Final printed copies of the Plan will be made available as soon as practicable following the above process.

4.00 RECOMMENDATIONS

4.01 That the contents of this report be agreed as the response to all of the representations received and referenced in Appendix 1, and that the Council adopt the Plan without further modification.

4.02 That a public notice advertising the adoption of the UDP be published.

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4.03 That delegated authority be given to officers to prepare the final version of the Plan for publication, including the need to address any final minor errors or matters of consistency that may come to light following this meeting.

5.00 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.01 None arising at this time.

6.00 ANTI POVERTY IMPACT

6.01 None.

7.00 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

7.01 The Plan has been subject to a Sustainability/Strategic Environmental Assessment which has informed improvements to the Plan.

8.00 EQUALITIES IMPACT

8.01 None.

9.00 PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

9.01 None.

10.00 CONSULTATION REQUIRED

10.01 Publication of Notice of Adoption in acordance with regulations.

11.00 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN

11.01 Throughout the UDP process.

12.00 APPENDICES

12.01 Appendix 1 Schedule of Representations Received Appendix 2 Updated UDP Housing Balance Sheet

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

UDP Further Statement of Decisions and Further Proposed Modifications

Contact Officer: Andy Roberts Telephone: 01352 703211

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E-Mail: [email protected]

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163 FLINTSHIRE UNITARY DEVELOPMENT PLAN - DEPOSIT DRAFT Appendix 1 FURTHER PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS RESPONSES

Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

Site Name: Ash Lane Mancot

111919453 Mike Pender Anwyl Construction Company Limited

O That the Council Objects to the withdrawal of the housing allocation at See report to Full Council See report to Full Council should go back to the Ash Lane, Mancot on the basis that: decisions made at Proposed Modifications a) the Council previously accepted the Inspector's stage. Report and recommendation b) the Council overturned that decision without - providing any new evidence - raising any new issues not previously considered by the Inspector - providing / presenting any new significant / relevant change of circumstances - demonstrated / proved any discrepancies in the Inspector's Report

Accordingly, the Council's decision to overturn its previous decision is wholly unwarranted, unjustified and reckless. It leaves the UDP substantially deficient, with no new housing allocations in Mancot, a category B settlement with an adopted growth figure of 8-15%. There are no other new allocations or commitments in Mancot resulting in 0% growth.

The Council continues to accept the Inspector's recommendations in respect of the growth strategy (overall spatial growth / settlement hierarchy / % growth figures for settlements) and green barrier (aims, objectives and principle and the tests / criteria that a specific designation of land needs to meet) but has decided to disregard all of these for this site.

The Inspector considered all the issues raised by

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Members and these are: - Hawarden and Mancot to be rightly treated as two separate settlements for UDP purposes - characteristics of Mancot as a sustainable settlement with community facilities - agricultural quality of the land - ecological quality of the land - mining / contamination - access / highways The Inspector's conclusion in para 11.124.17 was to still recommend the allocation even though it exceeded the 8-15% growth for the reason that: - there was a substantial need for housing - that Mancot had the capacity to acceptably exceed its growth band - the development constraints were insufficient to justify not allocating the land.

The Officers report to Special Council on 11/11/10 in para 3.03 recognised that Members has raised no new issues nor new evidence to overturn the Council's previous decision or to rebut the Inspector's Report.

In terms of the green barrier, no new evidence has been provided or issues raised to challenge and rebut the matters raised by the Inspector that the land does not meet the aims / objectives of green barriers or the specific tests / criteria for designation.

The Further Statement of Decisions does not provide any new evidence to justify the decisions and changes made. No figures are presented regarding growth bands achieved with and without the site and consequently no evidence to justify the claim 'the development of this site is unacceptable having regard to the inappropriate scale of development in that part of the settlement'. No evidence is presented to reinstate the green barrier designation.

07 September 2011 Page 2 of 23 165 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

Site Name: Ash Lane Mancot

241119454 Mr Richard Price Home Builders Federation

OSeeks the Objects on the basis of major concerns with the See report to Full Council See report to Full Council reinstatement of the decisions taken to alter / remove sites from the UDP allocation unless sound as a result of the Proposed Modifications and robust planning consultation and the Report to Special Council on evidence is produced. 11/11/10. If the deletion of the allocation can be Cannot find any relevant planning evidence within justified then the Further Proposed Modifications document or the alternative sites should Report to Special Council to warrant removal of the be found. Ash Lane, Mancot site. The process of removing the site without such evidence is not appropriate and therefore, if the Council cannot provide robust evidence to justify removal of the site, it must be reinstated.

In the context of the Report to Special Council, the principle of development seemed to be acceptable, but the central reason for removing the site appears to be based on the dispute over the percentage growth figure for the area if the site were developed. However, although a revised percentage growth figure was put forward by the objectors, which was deemed to represent an unacceptable level of growth, no evidence can be found to justify this claim, or any evidence to demonstrate what the unacceptable impacts of this level of growth would be on the area. As such, until more robust evidence can be provided in this respect, the housing site should be reinstated.

highlighted by para 3.11 of the Report to Special Council which states 'The shortfall of sites resulting from further modifications will leave the Plan vulnerable in terms of meeting the overall housing requirement as well as maintaining a 5 year land supply and ensuring sufficient flexibility, which will result in alternative sites elsewhere in the County being proposed'. It would seem crucial that if the sites were to be removed based on sound planning reasons, then alternative sites would need to be found in order to ensure the housing strategy of the Plan can be delivered appropriately. Site Name: Ash Lane Mancot

770819458 Mr Mark Waite Bloor Homes

O Seeks i) robust Has significant concerns with the decisions taken to See report to Full Council See report to Full Council planning evidence to alter and remove sites from the UDP as a result of justify the removal / the Proposed Modifications consultation and the alteration to the sites Report to Special Council on 11.11.10. Cannot find and ii) an alternative any relevant planning evidence within the Report to site at 'North of Isa Special Council or the Further Proposed Farm' . Modifications document to warrant such removal. The process of removing sites without such evidence is not appropriate and therefore, if the Council cannot provide robust evidence to justify the removal of the sites in question, they must be reinstated. Alternatively, additional sites should be identified to ensure the overall quantum of housing is achieved.

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the sites were to be removed on the basis of sound planning reasons, then alternative sites should be found in order to ensure the housing strategy of the UDP can be delivered appropriately.

The site 'North of Isa Farm, Bryn y Baal' is commended as a potential alternative site as the development potential of this has been recognised by the Council throughout the Plan making process. Site Name: Ash Lane, Mancot Mancot

752819406 The Martyn Rogers Rev. S n/a Supports the decision not to include the land and to Noted See report to Full Council reinstate the green barrier in order to preserve the distinction between Upperdale and Mancot and because of the risk of fllooding. Site Name: South of Retail Park Broughton

43719451 Mr Gary Stanton

O If it is necessary to Objects to increasing the population and impact on See report to Full Council See report to Full Council build on green fields schools, doctors etc. Also objects to increased and not previously vehicles outside school as this is dangerous. States developed land, then that putting a path through the park should not be the amount of done. dwellings should be kept to a minimum. In the past a 'green noise barrier' was promised and this should be upheld. Site Name: South of Retail Park Broughton

241119456 Mr Richard Price Home Builders Federation

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O Seeks the lifting of the Objects on the basis of major concerns with the See report to Full Council See report to Full Council density cap on the decisions taken to alter / remove sites from the UDP allocation unless robust as a result of the Proposed Modifications planning evidence is consultation and the Report to Special Council on produced. 11/11/10.

In terms of the decision to cap the density of the allocation at Broughton to 25 units per hectare, no substantive evidence can be found to warrant this. The Report to Special Council states that concerns regarding the traffic implications on the highway infrastructure in Broughton were given as the reason for the reduction in density, despite the fact that the site had been subject to a traffic impact assessment which showed capacity for up to 300 units, which was also confirmed by the Mouchel report. In this respect, it seems from the Report to Special Council there was no substantive evidence put forward to justify the concerns expressed with reagrs to traffic and highways infrastructure, yet the decision was made to cap the density anyway. In the light of this, unless robust evidence can be produced to justify these concerns, the density cap on this site should be lifted and any issues reagrding density should be considered at planning application stage. Site Name: South of Retail Park Broughton

741119457 Mr Richard McCubbine Development Securities Plc

O The density of Objects to the reduction in density of the allocation See report to Full Council See report to Full Council development should be from 30 to 25 dwellings per hectare. The objector retained at 30dpha as has made representations throughout the Plan recommended in the preparation process which have been consistent in Inspector's Report. being focused primarily on the density of development on the site. The site was initially allocated at 25dpha and subsequently increased to 28dpha at pre-inquiry proposed changes. The Inspector then recommended the minimum density on sites to 30dpha and it is against this background

07 September 2011 Page 6 of 23 169 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

the objection is made.

i) The change is contrary to the advice of the Inspector who stated 'there is a basic conflict in seeking to make efficient use of land whilst proposing a minimum density of 25 dwellings per hectare', particularly in settlements such as Broughton, which have a range of facilities and access to services. Indeed, the Inspector also recommended a minimum density of 30dpha on allocated sites in category C settlements.

ii) The change is inconsistent with changes made to the emerging UDP in advance of the public inquiry when the Council increased the minimum density to 28 dpha. Such a change was made as the Council considered the site was able to accommodate this level of density. To apply a density of 25 dpha disregards the previous position of the Council.

ii) the change is entirely inconsistent with WAG advice which requires the 'most efficient use of land'. Indeed, national planning policy sets no minimum density of requirement but rather seeks the most effective use of that land whilst safeguarding the areas character and amenity. Higher density development is considered to be appropriate in the interests of sustainable development, particularly at hubs and interchanges and close to corridor routes where access on foot and bike and public transport is good. The site is considered to be suitable for higher density development.

iv) the application of 25dpha on this site would render its development inconsistent with the residential development of other sites in category B settlements. This is both unacceptable and inappropriate and would result in the site being less attractive to potential developers compared with other sites.

07 September 2011 Page 7 of 23 170 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

v) A reduction in the density of development would have an adverse impact on housing land supply. The lower density results in a loss of 47 sites on the site. Having regard to the shortage of land suitable for residential development and the fact that this site is the second largest allocation in the County, the loss of 47 units is not insignificant, particularly as the site is available for immediate development.

vi) A reduction in density will also have a significant impact on the level of affordable housing delivered on the site. At 30% requirement, the site would deliver 14 fewer affordable dwellings. Given the shortfall in affordable housing within Flintshire and the lack of opportunities for delivering new affordable housing, the further proposed modifications would diminish the delivery of affordable housing contrary to the objectives of the Plan.

vii) A large proportion of the County's employment provision is in and in close proximity to Broughton. Taking account of the principles of sustainability and in particular, the requirement to reduce the need to travel, it follows that it is important for the settlement to provide an adequate supply of residential development to cater for the additional need generated by this employment provision. In the absence of any other significant sites within Broughton it is of critical importance that the site is developed at maximum density.

viii) The Inspector states that a minimum density of 30dpha should be achieved for new residential development in category B settlements. Importantly this figure is not meant to be prescriptive, but rather indicative with the actual density of development being determined at the planning application stage. Indeed, it is entirely inappropriate for the development plan specify and fix the density of development on individual sites, not least because it 07 September 2011 Page 8 of 23 171 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

is impossible to determine the appropriate density in the absence of detailed plans. In addition, the density will vary depending on the type and mix of residential development. There are no known constraints to the site such as drainage capacity, community infrastructure or wildlife restrictions that should influence the density of development on the site; a factor recognised by the Inspector; and such issues in any event can be dealt with by planning condition or legal agreement.

In terms of the Council capping the density based on traffic implications on highway infrastructure, the following comments are made: a) the development of the site for more than 280 units has been considered in a number of transport studies, including those prepared on behalf of the objector and on behalf of the Council by Mouchel Ltd. With no exception the studies have concluded that the site, taking into account other committed development in the area, would raise no highway capacity issues within Broughton. The Head of Highways has raised no objection to the principle of housing on the site. b) A reduction of 47 units would have inconsequential impact on the highway infrastructure of Broughton. Accordingly, there is no justification for reducing the density of development on the site on grounds of traffic impact. c) To constrain development on the site based on a a lack of evidence and unjustified concerns is fundamentally wrong and impacts on the credibility and unenforceability of the Plan. Site Name: South of Retail Park Broughton

770819460 Mr Mark Waite Bloor Homes

O Seeks i) robust Has significant concerns with the decisions taken to See report to Full Council See report to Full Council planning evidence to alter and remove sites from the UDP as a result of

07 September 2011 Page 9 of 23 172 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

justify the removal / the Proposed Modifications consultation and the alteration to the sites Report to Special Council on 11.11.10. Cannot find and ii) an alternative any relevant planning evidence within the Report to site at 'North of Isa Special Council or the Further Proposed Farm' . Modifications document to warrant such removal. The process of removing sites without such evidence is not appropriate and therefore, if the Council cannot provide robust evidence to justify the removal of the sites in question, they must be reinstated. Alternatively, additional sites should be identified to ensure the overall quantum of housing is achieved.

Concerns are highlighted by the assertion in para 3.11 of Report to Special Council, 'The shortfall of sites resulting from further modifications will leave the Plan vulnerable in terms of meeting the overall housing requirement as well as maintaining a 5 year land supply and ensuring sufficient flexibility, which will result in alternative sites elsewhere in the County being proposed'. It would seem crucial that if the sites were to be removed on the basis of sound planning reasons, then alternative sites should be found in order to ensure the housing strategy of the UDP can be delivered appropriately.

241119455 Mr Richard Price Home Builders Federation

07 September 2011 Page 10 of 23 173 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

If the deletion of the allocation can be Cannot find any relevant planning evidence within justified then the Further Proposed Modifications document or the alternative sites should Report to Special Council to warrant removal of the be found. West of Wrexham Road, Abermorddu site. The process of removing the site without such evidence is not appropriate and therefore, if the Council cannot provide robust evidence to justify removal of the site, it must be reinstated.

In terms of the West of Wrexham Road site, after reading the Report to Special Council, it would seem that there are no substantive planning grounds for the removal of this site. The Head of Planning responded in full to all the objections raised to the development of this site, and there appeared to be no sustantive evidence put forward to support the concerns raised and therefore the removal of the site. Until more robust evidence can be provided, the housing site should be reinstated.

If robust evidence can be supplied for the removal of the site(s) the Council should find alternative sites in order to replace the numbers lost or provide robust evidence to justify that the reduction in numbers will not affect the soundness of the Plan and its ability to deliver the housing requirement. This concern is highlighted by para 3.11 of the Report to Special Council which states 'The shortfall of sites resulting from further modifications will leave the Plan vulnerable in terms of meeting the overall housing requirement as well as maintaining a 5 year land supply and ensuring sufficient flexibility, which will result in alternative sites elsewhere in the County being proposed'. It would seem crucial that if the sites were to be removed based on sound planning reasons, then alternative sites would need to be found in order to ensure the housing strategy of the Plan can be delivered appropriately.

07 September 2011 Page 11 of 23 174 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

770819459 Mr Mark Waite Bloor Homes

The site 'North of Isa Farm, Bryn y Baal' is commended as a potential alternative site as the development potential of this has been recognised by the Council throughout the Plan making process.

07 September 2011 Page 12 of 23 175 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

7752 19461 David Wilson Homes (North West)

O That the Council agree Objects to the deletion of the housing allocation See report to Full Council See report to Full Council with the Inspector's West of Wrexham Road which should be retained as decision, and the part of the housing land requirement. original judgement of planning officers, to As part of the Proposed Changes, the allocation at allocate the site for Pigeon House Lane (HSG1-40) was deleted and housing. replaced with the West of Wrexham Road allocation (HSG1-41a). A number of objections and supporting representations were raised as part of the consultation and following examination of these, the Council continued to support the site.

The Inspector's Report, following an Inquiry into objections to the Plan, highlighted a number of issues from local residents to the allocation including the coalescence of settlements, allocating greenfield sites whilst brownfield options remain available, incursion into open countryside, excessive growth of Abermorddu and issues relating to access and highways.

The Inspector found that the site assists in the provision of a sufficient housing supply in order to meet the overall housing need. The location of the site is judged to be appropriate being within a category B settlement with an indicative growth band 8-15%. The Inspector found that this growth range is appropriate for the settlement due to the range of facilities available (para 11.73.3). In terms of the settlement boundary the Inspector confirmed that a settlement boundary is a planning tool in which a single contiguous urban area exists, in this scenario it actually encompasses 4 different areas / communities (para 11.73.4). Therefore a number of communities can exist within a settlement boundary and the allocation of sites within this boundary does 07 September 2011 Page 13 of 23 176 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

not automatically result in the coalescence of settlements for planning purposes.

In relation to brownfield land the Inspector highlighted that they are '…satisfied that in allocating land for housing, brownfield land has been used where possible to minimise the take up greenfield sites and loss of countryside' (para 11.73.6). Aside from these key subjects the Inspector also found that the allocation would not raise any issues in terms of access and school capacity.

The allocation has the full support of planning officers and the Inspector. The objector also supports the Inspector's decision to advocate Proposed Change 326 to allocate the site for housing to ensure that the settlement has an appropriate level of growth over the Plan period.

In the absence of a 2010 Joint Housing Land Availability Study, the housing supply situation in Flintshire must be examined in the context of the 2008 Study. A) Based on the Clwyd Structure Plan Second Alteration, which considers PPW sites only, there is a supply of 1907 homes which equates to a 2.57 year supply against the Plan requirement. B) In terms of the UDP housing requirements the supply of 2748 homes equates to a 4.19 year supply. C) The 2008 Study assumes 839 dwellings are delivered for the UDP allocations. Yet, to achieve the residual Plan requirement a further 1847 dwellings must be delivered from category 3i sites or windfall sites. Assuming windfall sites come forward through the Plan period at the Plan's assumed rate of 60 per annum small sites and 50 per annum large sites, this would only meet 200 of the shortfall. Therefore sites such as Wrexham Road are required to meet the shortfall.

07 September 2011 Page 14 of 23 177 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

In presenting its reasons for the deletion of Ash Lane, Mancot or West of Wrexham Road, Abermorddu, the Council has not advanced any reason relating to housing land supply. Therefore, there is no defence that the sites are not required to meet the identified shortfall in delivery of housing in the 2008 JHLA.

There is no substantive case presented by the Council to support contentions that the scale of development is inappropriate. The scale is a subject that is open to control through a planning application in terms of layout, scale and density. The Inspector found no case that the site would represent an inappropriate scale in reaching her recommendation to support the Council's previous support for the allocation.

No evidence has been presented to support the Council's contention that the sites open aspect and its ecology outweigh any housing need. No definition of open aspect value has been put forward and no evidence of ecological value, potential harm or the ability to mitigate has been put forward. It is considered that the Council cannot reasonably de- allocate on either ground. Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

121119403 Mr Michael Barber

S Fully endorses the Council's decision not to accept Noted See report to Full Council the allocation of the land and the reason given. Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

574519405 Mr Alan Rushton Hope Community Council

S n/a Strongly supports the decision not to include this Noted See report to Full Council area of land in the UDP. Urges the Council to

07 September 2011 Page 15 of 23 178 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

confirm the further statements of decisions and the further proposed modifications. Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

736319443 Mr & Gerhard Krassner Mrs S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

736419431 Ms Audrey Bhatt

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

737119404 Mrs Elaine Barber

S n/a Fully supports the Councils not accepting the Noted See report to Full Council allocation of the site and the reason for the decision. Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

737219435 Mr Leslie Parry

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

737419419 Mr & Gareth Stevenson Mrs S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

737619412 Mr William John Mathers

07 September 2011 Page 16 of 23 179 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

S n/a Supports the further statement of decisions, Noted See report to Full Council particularly with regard to the withdrawal of Land West of Wrexham Road. Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

737719416 Mrs Shirley Mathers

S Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

744519440 Mrs E Guest

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

744619428 Mrs S Roberts

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

745219441 P Guest

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

745319442 J B Vaughan

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

745419414 Mrs B Jones

07 September 2011 Page 17 of 23 180 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

745819426 Mrs Liz Prydderch

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

746019413 Mrs P A Prydderch

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

747619402 Ms Christine Ankers

S Fully supports the withdrawal of the site from the Noted See report to Full Council UDP. Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

749319436 Mr & N & S Ellis Mrs S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

749919429 Mr Thomas Wynne

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

753419409 Mrs M P Hanmer

07 September 2011 Page 18 of 23 181 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

753719408 Mr R C Hanmer

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

772919407 Mrs G Stephenson

S n/a Supports the non acceptance of the Inspector's Noted See report to Full Council recommendation for the following reasons: i) contained within a narrow valley adjacent to castle where development would lead to a cramped enclosed feeling for new and old residents ii) further spread of housing close to the castle would harm the position and history of castle iii) development would result in loss of positive environment for the flora and fauna that inhabit the damp ground on the site. Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773019410 Mr Gareth Prydderch

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773119411 S R Millington

S Notes Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

07 September 2011 Page 19 of 23 182 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773219415 C. L. & G. L. Jones

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773319417 Rita Davies

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773419418 Mr N R Davies

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773519420 Mr Paul Prydderch

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773619422 N Gawler

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773719424 M Prydderch

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation noted See report to Full Council

07 September 2011 Page 20 of 23 183 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773819427 K. L. & P Williams

S Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

773919430 Mr Michael Lewis

S Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774019432 Jane Nielson

S Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774119433 Kevin Langford

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774219434 Edna Humphreys

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774319438 E. & B. Jones

S Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

07 September 2011 Page 21 of 23 184 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774419437 Mrs Susan J Jones

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774519439 Simon & Ruth Hodson

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774619444 P. Roder

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774719445 Margaret Davies

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation. Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774819446 F Waight

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation Noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

774919447 R M Waight

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation noted See report to Full Council

07 September 2011 Page 22 of 23 185 Rep type Requested Changes Reasons for Representation Councils Response Recommendation

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

775019449 Mr Chris Hewitt

S n/a Supports the withdrawal of the housing allocation noted See report to Full Council

Site Name: West of Wrexham Road Hope, Caergwrle, Abermorddu, Cefn

775119452 Ms Sheila Bullough

S n/a Supports the Council's decision to withdraw the site Noted See report to Full Council and welcomes the fact the the Councils has listened to the concerns of the residents.

07 September 2011 Page 23 of 23 186 Appendix 2

UDP Housing Requirement Balance Sheet (as at April 2010)

Requirement 2000-2015 7,400

Less completions:

2000-2001 474 2001-2002 239 2002-2004 621 2004-2005 347 2005-2006 318 2006-2007 317 2007-2008 494 2008-2010 478 3,288 -3,288

Revised Requirement 4,112

Less commitments and allowances:

Sites with PP and in adopted plans 1,938 Sites allocated in unadopted plans (DNFLP only)* 0 Small sites allowance (9 units or less) 60/annum** 0 Windfall allowance (10 units or more) 50/annum 250 2,188 -2,188

Residual Requirement 1,924 1,924

New allocations remaining in UDP*** 2,879 3,272 ‘Over' allocation on Residual Requirement 955 1,348 For which a 10% flexibility accounts for 740 740 Further flexibility 215 608 Actual flexibility allowance 13% 18%

* Last site removed - now developed for Lidl, Mold ** An allowance for small sites is already Included within 1,938 *** UDP allocations without pp and including 650 units NW of Garden City (includes Mount Pool as this didn't have pp at April 2010 - just a resolution to approve) Excludes sites at Abermorddu and Ash Lane, Mancot, and impact of reduced density at South Retail Park, Broughton (393 units in total).

NB: Second column in italics under Residual Requirement illustrates the degree of unnecessary over allocation if the sites in question were left in the UDP.

187 FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 14

REPORT TO: FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL DATE : 28 SEPTEMBER 2011 REPORT BY: CHIEF EXECUTIVE AND DIRECTOR OF LIFELONG LEARNING SUBJECT : HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING COUNCIL FOR WALES (HEFCW) - FUTURE STRUCTURE OF UNIVERSITIES IN WALES

1.00 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.01 To invite Council to respond to the proposals of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) on the future structure of Higher Education provision in Wales on which Welsh Government is consulting.

2.00 BACKGROUND

2.01 In the past there have been numerous reviews and reports around the structure and sustainability for Higher Education (HE) in Wales. Subsequent growth of the sector has resulted in a number of smaller institutions being created which has brought about the need to reconfigure and enhance collaborative working.

2.02 This comes at a time when public service providers, in general, recognise the benefits of collaborative working in order to reduce complexity, improve public services and achieve sizeable efficiencies in response to the current challenging economic and financial climate.

2.03 It has also been recognised that the full potential for the investment made in HE is not being fully achieved in Wales, including for example the capacity to secure additional funding, to capture research grants or to sustain a broad subject portfolio. Conversely, there are clear strengths and weaknesses of the sector and its capacity to operate effectively to achieve long-term sustainability.

2.04 Reconfiguration has been further emphasised in For our Future. HEFCW responded through its Corporate Strategy, which was endorsed by the Cabinet of the Welsh Assembly Government as the action plan For our Future. This included a specific target on reconfiguration, linked directly to sustainability. The Council then expressed its view even more clearly in a statement on the future shape of the HE sector in Wales in December 2010.

2.05 In June 2011 the HEFCW gave advice to the Minister on the structure of HE provision in Wales in a report entitled The Future Structure of Universities in Wales. The Minister has subsequently issued a consultation based on this entitled The Future Shape of Higher Education in Wales. This consultation ends on the 5th October, 2011.

Date: 22/09/2011

188 Flintshire County Council

2.06 Within the consultation the Minister proposes various options for the structure of higher education in Wales with one preferred option for North Wales. The expectation is that providers across all sectors need to focus on working collaboratively with the HE and FE sectors in North Wales.

2.07 The Minister has indicated that he is "minded at this stage to accept the broad thrust of HEFCW recommendations". He has also invited "all interested stakeholders to comment on the analysis and recommendations set out in the report before reaching a firm view on the most appropriate structure for the future".

3.00 CONSIDERATIONS

3.01 In summary, HEFCW is recommending that:

Cardiff University should remain committed to securing a position as a world class research intensive university, while collaborating particularly with Swansea in areas where together they would be more effective, and working with its neighbours to deliver regional coherence; Swansea University should maintain its aim of developing as a research intensive university and strengthen key research and teaching partnership with Cardiff. HEFCW also suggests that Swansea should deepen regional coordination with the proposed new Trinity Saint David/Swansea Metropolitan University structure; Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities should substantially widen and deepen their strategic partnerships (including development towards integrated governance processes) and should develop a longer-term plan for merger; Glyndwr University should develop strong structural relationships with a range of FE colleges within a group structure led by Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities in order to expand the range of HE provision available in NE Wales, and to secure greater regional coherence; The University of Glamorgan, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff and University of Wales, Newport should merge to create a true 'metropolitan' university in SE Wales, comparable to those in similarly sized city-regions around the UK; and University of Wales Trinity Saint David and Swansea Metropolitan University should merge as already planned, potentially but not necessarily also with the University of Wales and should deepened regional coordination with Swansea University. 3.02 Specific issues of concern for the Council on the proposals for North Wales include:

a loss of status and independence for Glyndwr University; an inequitable and inadequate funding base for North Wales and Glyndwr compared to other regions of Wales; and

Date: 22/09/2011

189 Flintshire County Council

a limitation on the freedom of Glyndwr to invest in research and development and support for the Welsh Government economic sector plans and a negative impact on the growth competitiveness of the sub-regional economy.

4.00 RECOMMENDATIONS

4.01 To agree a response to the proposals of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) on the future structure of Higher Education provision in Wales on which Welsh Government is consulting.

5.00 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.01 None directly.

6.00 ANTI POVERTY IMPACT

6.01 None directly.

7.00 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

7.01 None directly.

8.00 EQUALITIES IMPACT

8.01 None directly.

9.00 PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

9.01 None directly.

10.00 CONSULTATION REQUIRED

10.01 Not a Council consultation.

11.00 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN

11.01 Not a Council consultation.

12.00 APPENDICES

12.01 None.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

Date: 22/09/2011

190 Flintshire County Council

Contained within the Executive Office, County Hall.

Contact Officer: Chief Executive Telephone: 01352 702101 E-Mail: [email protected]

Date: 22/09/2011

191 FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 16

REPORT TO: FLINTSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL DATE : 28 SEPTEMBER 2011 REPORT BY: DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE MANAGER SUBJECT : CONSULTATION BY THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL FOR WALES

1.00 PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.01 To determine the Council's response to consultation by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRPW) on its Draft Annual Report.

2.00 BACKGROUND

2.01 On the 1 August, 2011 the IRPW issued for consultation its Draft Annual Report for 2012/13. Consultees have been given until the 3 October to comment on it. This is the first Draft Annual Report issued by the IRPW under its new powers given by the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011. Copies of the Draft Report have been made available in Members' Services and in the group rooms. Copies have also been sent to the political group leaders and to the two non-aligned Members.

2.02 The Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 provided for the continuation of the IRPW and gave it increased powers. The increased powers include enabling the IRPW to decide the amount of payments to Members rather than merely setting the maximum limits. The Measure has also extended the powers of the IRPW to include payments for civic responsibilities, family absence by Members and extended its remit to include national park authorities, fire and rescue authorities and community and town councils within Wales. Under the powers provided by the Measure the Panel has developed a new set of regulations to come into effect on 1 April, 2012 to replace the existing regulations concerning allowances. The proposed new regulations appear at Annexe 1 to the Draft Annual Report.

2.03 Some of the proposals in the Draft Report reflect proposals in the Panel's previous report "Moving Forward Proposals Beyond 2010" such as:-

a. Replacing existing references to basic and special responsibility allowances by references to basic salary and senior salaries. b. All members of unitary authorities receiving the same basic salary. c. Senior salaries to include the amount of basic salary. d. The amount of senior salaries varying according to which of three population groups each authority falls under. 2.04 There are however some surprising proposals in the Draft Report that have not previously been mentioned namely:-

Date: 22/09/2011

192 Flintshire County Council

a. Limiting the number of posts that can receive a senior salary (in Flintshire's case the proposed limit is 16). b. Allowing authorities to choose which posts should receive senior salaries. c. Introducing daily and half daily fees for co-opted member payments. 2.05 In the Council's response to previous consultation on "Moving Forward Proposals Beyond 2010" Flintshire's representations included the following:-

a. The Council believed it was inappropriate to refer to salaries as Councillors are not employees. b. The Council was in favour of the Panel prescribing the levels of basic and special responsibility allowances. c. The Council agreed that the basic allowance should be set at the equivalent of three fifths of the Wales median full-time salary. d. The Council disagreed with consolidating basic and special responsibility allowance for special responsibility postholders.

3.00 CONSIDERATIONS

3.01 The Draft Annual Report prescribes the amount of basic salary to be paid rather than as previously specifying the maximum. In response to previous consultation this was something that the Council welcomed. The prescribed basic salary will apply to all councillors of unitary authorities in Wales. The current basic allowance paid in Flintshire is £12,996 and the Draft Report indicates that it will be set at £13,175. As the majority of councils pay a basic allowance less than the Panel's previous maximum, and in view of the current economic climate, the Panel has decided to prescribe the level of basic salary at 5% less than its previous maximum. This does however break the link with the Panel's original methodology which set the rate at three fifths of the Welsh median gross earnings.

3.02 For senior salaries (formerly special responsibility allowances) the rates depend upon which population band the Council falls within. Flintshire is in the middle group of the three groups. The senior salaries quoted in the report include the basic salary of £13,175 all Members will receive. In the past the Panel merely set a maximum for each category of special responsibility allowance but the Draft Annual Report is prescribing the amounts of senior salaries to be paid. The Panel has decided that in view of the current economic climate the rates of senior salaries should be set at 10% less than the maxima it set for 2010/11. The amount varies according to the post in question and these are detailed in Appendix 1 to this report. For comparison purposes Appendix 1 also includes proposed senior salaries net of basic salary.

3.03 The Draft Annual Report introduces senior salaries for the Council Chair and Vice- chair. Allowances are currently paid under separate provisions contained in the Local Government Act 1972. For group B authorities such as Flintshire, this would

Date: 22/09/2011

193 Flintshire County Council

be set at £21,375 for the Chair and £16,625 for the Vice-chair (paragraph 3.2 in the Draft Report).

3.04 The Draft Report (paragraph 3.17) is proposing that councils may distribute senior salaries as they see fit subject to a maximum number which for a Council such as Flintshire would be 16. At present Flintshire pays 20 special responsibility allowances and could pay 21 if the Chair of the Clwyd Pensions Panel did not already receive such a payment. At present the Council also pays allowances to the Council Chair and Vice-chair. As a result of the Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 next year the Council will also have to have a Democratic Services Committee. In effect the proposals would mean that rather than 23 posts being eligible for an additional payment, only 16 would be eligible. The Local Government (Wales) Measure 2011 does give the IRPW the power to limit the proportion of members eligible for senior salaries and a query has been raised with the IRPW as to whether it has the ability to prescribe a number of senior salary office holders for each of the different groups of council. In response the Panel accepts this point and has indicated that if it decided to use the current groupings in its final report a percentage would need to be calculated for each Council. This percentage would vary between 22% and 45% depending on the size of the Council. The current regulations governing allowances puts a limit of 50% of the membership of the council. The proposal in the Report would reduce this to below 25% for Flintshire.

3.05 Other points in the Draft Report (paragraphs 3.23 and 3.24) concerning payments to members include the following:-

That the Leader, Deputy Leader and Executive Members should not receive any additional salary for representing the Council on a national park or a fire and rescue authority. Councils will provide without charge to individual councillors as much support as it is necessary to enable councillors to fulfil their duties. Councils will make publicly available a statement of the basic responsibility of a councillor, identifying clearly the duties expected. Councils will negotiate with HMRC block tax dispensations for councillors in respect of the full range of allowable expenses. In a recent communication the Panel has indicated this would be best done by a local authority collective body.

3.06 For co-opted members the draft report is recommending that in future they receive a daily or a half daily fee rather than the current annual payment. This fee includes for preparation and travel to meetings and assumes the full day fee being paid for over 4 hours.

3.07 For care allowances for reimbursement of care expenses, the maximum rate payable is to remain at £403 per month. In 2012/13 co-opted members will also become eligible for this.

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194 Flintshire County Council

3.08 For travel allowances the draft report indicates no change to the existing mileage rates. It is not clear whether the 45p per mile is a prescribed rate or a maximum rate as currently Flintshire pays 40p per mile. The Panel is proposing that for 2012/13 members will be able to claim travel allowance for undertaking ward duties in relation to the interests of constituents.

3.09 For subsistence allowances the draft report is proposing to increase the maximum for overnight costs in London from the existing £124 to £150 per overnight stay. In paragraph 3.35 of the Report the Panel has decided that for 2012/13 subsistence expenses for official business taking place within the county shall not be reimbursed. This reflects the existing arrangements within Flintshire.

3.10 Chapter 8 of the draft report covers monitoring compliance with the requirements of the IRPW. Paragraph 8.3 to the draft report indicates that the Panel intends moving beyond monitoring the payments made to members towards monitoring the performance for which such payments are made. Whilst it considers this to be a matter for the longer term and intends to carry out further consultation, it does go on to make a start on this in 2012/13. These include:-

Requiring authorities to maintain an annual schedule of member responsibility and remuneration to include whether records are kept of Councillor attendance and activity. Requiring authorities to arrange for the publication of the schedule, not later than 31 July 2012. Authorities must make arrangements for the publication within their area of the total sum paid by it to each member and co-opted member in respect of salary allowances and fees, no later than the 30 September, following the close of the year to which the payments relate.

4.00 RECOMMENDATIONS

4.01 For the Council to determine its response to consultation on the draft annual report.

5.00 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

5.01 See Appendix 1.

6.00 ANTI POVERTY IMPACT

6.01 None as a result of this report.

7.00 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT

7.01 None as a result of this report.

8.00 EQUALITIES IMPACT

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195 Flintshire County Council

8.01 The care allowances are an important equalities initiative which the IRPW intends to continue and extend to co-opted members.

9.00 PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS

9.01 None as a result of this report.

10.00 CONSULTATION REQUIRED

10.01 None.

11.00 CONSULTATION UNDERTAKEN

11.01 With political group leaders.

12.00 APPENDICES

12.01 Appendix 1 - Proposed and current senior salary amounts

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) ACT 1985 BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS

Draft Annual Report of the IRPW

Contact Officer: Peter J Evans Telephone: 01352 702304 E-Mail: [email protected]

Date: 22/09/2011

196 APPENDIX 1 MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES 2011/12 Payable

Current pyt Total per Person Council

BASIC ALLOWANCE

70 Basic Allowance 12,996 909,720

Total Basic Allowances 909,720

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY ALLOWANCE

1 Leader 33,027

1 Deputy Leader 18,162

7 Executive Members 16,510 115,570

7 Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny 9,708 67,956

1 Chair of Planning 7,133

1 Leader of largest Opposition Group 8,914

1 Chair of Audit 6,987

1 Chair of Licensing (Band 5) 7,133

20 Total Special Responsibility Allowances 264,882

CO-OPTEES' ALLOWANCE

1 Chair 2,230

9 Other 1,200 10,800

Total Co-optees Allowances 13,030

TOTAL MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES 1,187,632

CHAIR & VICE-CHAIR OF THE COUNCIL

Chair 7,792

Vice chair 1,946

Total Chair & Vice-chair Allowances 9,738

GRAND TOTAL 1,197,370

197 MEMBERS' REMUNERATION 2012/13 Prescribed Payable

Prescribed pyt Total per Person Council

BASIC SALARY

70 Basic Salary 13,175 922,250

Total Basic Salary 922,250

Individual net of Basic Total net of SENIOR SALARIES Inc Basic Salary Salary Basic Salary

1 Leader 47,500 34,325 34,325

1 Deputy Leader 33,460 20,285 20,285

7 Executive Members 28,780 15,605 109,235

1 Chairman of Council 21,375 8,200 8,200

1 Vice-Chairman of Council 16,625 3,450 3,450

5 Remaining Senior Salaries from Scrutiny 21,910 8,735 43,675 Chairs, other committee chairs and Leader of the largest opposition group

16 Total Senior Salaries 219,170 max no 16 to include chair and vicechair of council

CO-OPTEES' ALLOWANCE paid daily to max of 10 days 1 Chair 256 2,560

9 Other 198 17,820

Total Co-optees Allowances 20,380

TOTAL 1,161,800

2012/13

Maximum of 16 senior salaries payable, to include chair and vice chair of council Senior salaries include basic salary Chair to £8,200 from £7,792, vice to £3,450 from £1,946 Co-optees now paid a daily rate up to a maximum of 10 days Care allowance remains at a maximum of £403 per month, this is now available to co-optees Travel allowance up from 40p to 45p per mile Travel allowance can now be claimed for ward duties Subsistence not claimable within county boundary

Reduction in remuneration paid between 2011/12 and 2012/13 is £35,570

198