Venue: Committee Room, Brecon - Neuadd Brycheiniog. View directions
Contact: Shane Thomas
No. | Item |
---|---|
Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were accepted from County Councillors G.W. Ratcliffe and S. Williams. |
|
Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 82 KB To authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on Monday 5th December 2016 as a correct record. Minutes: The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on Monday 5th December 2016. |
|
Chairman's Announcements To receive announcements from the Chairman:
a. Blaubeuren – 750 Anniversary b. Brecon Barracks 2027 – 2 p.m. meeting at the Barracks Minutes: In the absence of the Chairman the Vice-Chair raised the following matters:
a. Blaubeuren 750th Anniversary – a number of members had received invites to attend a celebration at Blaubeuren to mark 750 years of the town (the earliest historical record of the town dated back to 1267). Celebrations would begin with a festive evening on Saturday 25th March. It would be usual for the Chair and/or Vice-Chair to attend twinning events, however, on this occasion neither would be able to. It was agreed to extend the invite to attend across the membership of the shire and that the Chair should be approached with regard to use of the Chairman’s fund to purchase a gift for sending to Blaubeuren to mark this special occasion. It would be usual for members attending to fund their own transport. Options to apply for EU grant funding to meet attendance costs would be explored b. Brecon Barracks (Proposed Closure – 2027) –the MOD had agreed to host a session this afternoon at Brecon Barracks from 2 p.m. The Town Council, Brecon Beacons National Parks and Brecknockshire members had been invited to attend |
|
Declarations of Interest To receive declarations of interest from Members in relation to items on the agenda to be discussed. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest received from members in relation to items to be discussed on the agenda. |
|
Superfast Cymru - Update To receive an update in relation to the roll out of Superfast Cymru – Martin Jones, BT. Minutes: Members welcomed Martin Jones, NGA Programme Manager Wales – BT Group to the meeting to provide an update in relation to the roll out of Superfast Cymru. During discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Network – to date the programme has delivered an improved network. Coverage across Wales is at 88.9% with access speeds of 24mb. The programme is on target to achieve 90% coverage across Wales by June. Coverage in Powys is at 62% and in Brecon and Radnor 63% are able to connect to fibre broadband b. Comparative Costs/Access – despite views to the contrary UK access to the web is very good and the costs are reasonably cheap compared to other EU countries c. Connections – dwellings which are within 3km of exchange boxes are connected, for dwellings that are in excess of 3km from exchanges it would be usual for there to be a fibre connection direct to the property. Where connection costs would exceed a set limit those areas would sit outside of the programme. Areas which sit outside of the programme would be considered and there are a range of options that could deliver a service i.e. community schemes etc. The programme recognises that 5% of Wales would not be connected due to cost i.e. very isolated dwellings d. Wayleaves – there are in the region of 29,000 properties where access to land and permissions from landowners has prevented the network being upgraded to allow for connections. The Welsh Government had been kept updated and would be working with BT to look to arrive at appropriate arrangements. The normal payment to the landowner for access would be in the region of £800. Where there are issues local members could help with arrangements for access and in talking to landowners e. Developments – developers should engage with BT at the onset. There would be no charge to introduce networks at new developments where there would be thirty or more dwellings, however, where developments have been undertaken and there had been no regard to network connections or engagement with BT there would be a charge f. Bwlch – the local member for Bwlch reported that there had been raised expectations in the area for years and numerous statements that fibre would be available. The community had been holding out for the programme to deliver better connections in the area, however, it is not clear whether the network would be upgraded and website updates seemed to be misleading. Martin agreed to check with the programme and to update the members g. Cwmtwrch – the local member requested detail in relation to the roll out of the programme in her area and in particular when networks would become available. Martin would report back h. Talgarth – a member reported that there were areas between good connections in Talgarth where access seemed to be much poorer and limited. Martin would review provision in the area but would welcome more detail from the member who raised the matter (Councillor ... view the full minutes text for item BS5-2017 |
|
Reports from and Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders To receive reports from, and put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders:
a. Councillor Graham Brown – Deputy Leader/Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Commissioning and Procurement and Children’s Servcies b. Councillor Rosemarie Harris – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Planning and Customer Services Minutes: Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders.
a. Councillor Graham Brown – Deputy Leader/Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Commissioning and Procurement and Children’s Services
i. Libraries (Co-location with the Department for Work and Pensions) – the Department for Work and Pensions had approach the Authority with a view to locating at library sites in Ystradgynlais, Newtown and Llandrindod. Local member would be kept updated and informed. A member suggested introducing coffee facilities at Ystradgynlais library, the Portfolio Holder would raise the matter with the relevant manager ii. Llanwrtyd Library – the local member urged the speedy delivery of training by the Authority to volunteers in order that they could staff the library and meet the standards imposed by the Welsh Government in order to retain the facility iii. Hay-on-Wye Library (The Book Town) – there had been significant objections locally with regard to reviewing provision. The Portfolio Holder confirmed that the proposal had been to move the library so that would operate from a new school site once it had been built. Hours of operating etc. would need to be considered. The Authority had attempted to engage with the community regarding an asset transfer. To date the Town Council had indicated an interest, however, proposals had not been received. A local group had arranged a public meeting on Monday of next week to discuss matters but had done so without engaging with the Council, the Portfolio Holder could not attend the date which had been by the group iv. Commercial Services – the Commercial Services Team continues to support services in reviewing spends and delivering on the commissioning and procurement approach. In this regard the team has supported delivering on savings running into the millions. There had been a focus on reviewing the 3rd party spend which is in the region of £140 million per annum. More recently the payment system had been reviewed. Members were informed that it costs the Authority in excess of £40 to raise an invoice and recover funds and that we issue around 100,000 invoices per annum v. Theatr Brycheiniog / Coliseum – there had been an issue in that the local cinema (the Coliseum) had expressed concern with regard to Theatr Brycheiniog applying to show film. The Portfolio Holder would be meeting with both organisations later to discuss the matter. Whilst understanding the position with the local cinema it was reported that the theatr would be looking to show non-mainstream films which would not impact on the cinema and its profits vi. Children’s Services – Amanda Lewis had recently left the Authority, Amanda held the position of Strategic Director: People which included Director of Social Services. In the light of the position Carol Shillabeer, Director of the Health Board had assumed the role of Director of Social Services and Phil Hodgson had been appointed Head of Operations for Social Services. The arrangement was cost neutral. There had been recent changes with a view to strengthening arrangements ... view the full minutes text for item BS6-2017 |
|
Reports from and Questions to Members Serving on Outside Bodies To receive reports from, and put questions to, Members serving on outside bodies.
a. To appoint to a vacancy on the Brecon and Radnor Sports Partnership (Avril York) Minutes: Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, members serving on outside bodies.
a. Brecon and Radnorshire Sports Partnership – while recognising the request to appoint to the position following the resignation of Councillor York as County Councillor for Builth Wells it was agreed that it should be for the new Council to appoint after the May elections. The clerk would inform those who support the partnership.
|
|
Correspondence To receive items of correspondence. Minutes: There were no items of correspondence. |
|
Date of Next Meeting To note the date of the next meeting – 12th April 2017. Minutes: The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 12th April 2017. |