Venue: Committee Room, Brecon - Neuadd Brycheiniog. View directions
Contact: Shane Thomas
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Lewis, D Meredith, J Morris, D Price, J Pugh, G Ratcliffe, K Silk, TJ Van-Rees and S Williams.
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 76 KB To authorise the Chairman to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 19th July 2017 as a correct record. Minutes: The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 19th July 2017 subject to amending the reference on page 7 under appointments to outside bodies to read Industrial Alliance not Countryside Alliance. |
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Brecon Cultural Hub PDF 217 KB To receive a Brecon Cultural Hub update report – for update and information. Minutes: Brecon Cultural Hub (Y Gaer) – members welcomed an update/positon paper in relation to the Brecon cultural hub which had recently been named Y Gaer and noted that an officer would attend the next meeting to update and take questions/queries.
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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 made in relation to items to be discussed on the agenda. |
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Chairman's Announcements To receive announcements from the Chairman. Minutes: The Chairman reported on:
a. Annual Garden Awards – members were urged by the Chair to stay on after the meeting for the annual garden award presentation b. Blaubeuren Twinning – members welcomed ex-County Councillor Paul Ashton and two residents to the meeting for this item of business. Members were reminded that the decision to twin Brecknock Borough with Blaubeuren was taken back in the 1970s. The arrangement being that each town would host a delegation from the other every other year. More recently it had become difficult for the shire to contribute equally to the arrangement. It was noted that the Burgermeister had written to the shire with an offer to meet the costs associated with twinning arrangements in order to preserve the relationship. It was agreed that a working group comprising of Councillors W. Powell, M. Dorrance, J. Evans, K. Laurie-Parry and R. Harris would meet and produce an options paper for consideration at the next meeting when a representative from tourism would be in attendance. It would be important to determine the position.
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Emergency Services (9.45 - 11) a. to discuss local policing with Inspector Geraint Griffiths, Dyfed-Powys Police b. to discuss fire authority activities with a representative from the Fire Authority Minutes: Members welcomed Geraint Griffiths, Inspector – Dyfed Powys Police to the meeting to update on local policing matters. During discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Brecon Jazz – the event is growing and important to the town and wider community. The request to close streets to allow for floats to take part would need to be submitted three months prior to the event in order for appropriate consideration and response. The local member for Llangors (Councillor Emily Durrant) would pursue the matter. It was reported that had been 12 arrests during the 2017 festival period (there was no way of confirming whether the arrests were directly attributable to the festival). It is likely that there would be additional road closures in future years b. Selling of Vehicles – the local member for Llangattock (Councillor Jackie Charlton) expressed particular concern regarding verges and areas alongside highways being used for the sale of vehicles. Members were informed that as long as vehicles were taxed, had valid MOTs and were not causing obstructions they could be left at roadsides and advertised for sale. A number of members reported similar concerns in their areas and felt that the selling of cars from verges and the like was becoming more common. Members were encouraged to report their concerns to the police for review and potential action c. Parking in Built up Areas – the local member for Builth who had been unable to attend today’s meeting had raised the issue of dangerous parking in built up areas. It was reported that traffic calming and parking restrictions were a local authority function, however, where there are dangerous obstructions the police could be called to take appropriate action d. Royal Welsh Agricultural Show – the police recognise the importance of policing for the event. The Leader reported that a Safety Advisory Group had been constituted in response to a fatality at this year’s show (a young man had drowned in the river). The group comprises of representatives from the Council, Royal Welsh Agricultural Show Society and the emergency services e. Green Man Festival – the festival continues to be very successful. There had been 23 tent break-ins and a few drug seizures at this year’s event. The Leader reported that the festival had been awarded the BBC festival of the year f. Responsible Drinking – the drinking culture seems to be growing and it would be timely to approach relevant groups to advise of the dangers of drinking to excess i.e. YFC, other clubs and schools given the fatality at the RWAS where drinking contributed g. Halloween – in the light of disturbances in previous years policing during this year’s Halloween period would be increased h. Mid Wales Hospital Site (Talgarth) – the police had been working with the site owner in order to secure it following break-ins and vandalism. It seems that groups had visited in order to go ghost hunting. There would need to be a longer term plan in order to secure the ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
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Reports from and Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders (11.00 - 12 noon) To receive reports from, and put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders:
a. Councillor James Evans – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: HR, Communications and ICT b. Councillor Liam Fitzpatrick – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Highways
Minutes: In the light of the Welsh Government announcing provisional budget settlements the Chair took the opportunity to discuss matters during which particular reference was made to:
a. 2018/19 Medium Term Financial Plan – the Authority had planned for a 2.5% funding cut for 2018/19 in comparison to the 2017/18 budget. The MTFP includes an allowance for a 2% upgrade to meet inflation b. Medium Term Financial Plan (Schools) – the Cabinet had committed via. the MTFP to identify an additional £1m from the 2018/19 settlement to support schools c. 2018/19 Provisional Budget Settlement - the Powys settlement has historically been poor in comparison to other Welsh authority settlements and Powys had often received the lowest percentage increase of the 22 local authority areas. The provisional settlement announced yesterday would deliver a 1.0% reduction for Powys (the 17th lowest). It will be a 1.5% reduction across local government in 2019/20. The difference between the planned for 2018/19 budget and the provisional settlement would be in the region of £2.5 million d. Schools and Social Care (Top up Funding) – the Welsh Government had announced £62 million for schools and £42 million for Social Care (it is not clear whether funding would be within provisional settlements). Previous budgets had included hypothecated funding to support schools and social care. Authorities would welcome the detail in order to understand the position better e. Floor Funding – the Welsh Government had agreed a more permanent arrangement to provide floor funding which would ensure that no authority area would receive percentage increases below an agreed level. Powys would benefit from this arrangement f. Regional Working – there continues to be a drive to encourage regional working arrangements g. Grant Funding – it is usual for grant funding, provided by the Welsh Government to support particular areas, to transfer into the general revenue settlement after a given period of time. Authorities then have the ability to use the funding as they determine appropriate h. Welsh Local Government Association – the WLGA had taken a stance and would not support hypothecating budgets to support designated areas i. Final Settlement – the final settlement would be announced towards Christmas or in the New Year
Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet members. During discussion and update particular reference was made to:
Councillor James Evans – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: HR, Communications and ICT
a. Human Resources/Workforce (Targeted Recruitment) – there would be a period of targeted recruitment in order to recruit to vacant positions. Part of efforts would include a careers fair to be held next year. A member requested details in relation to recruitment to positions to support Children’s Services. Members were aware that there would be a damming CSSIW inspection report issued next week. A member who had requested information in relation to the structure of Children’s Services weeks prior today’s meeting reported that he had not received a response. The Leader confirmed that there had been issues in being ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
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Reports from and Questions to Members Serving on Outside Bodies To receive reports from, and put questions to, Members serving on outside bodies. Minutes:
Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, members serving on outside bodies. During discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Community Health Council – Councillor Jackie Carlton reported that she had attended meetings of the CHC and would report back to the Shire. Councillor Charlton urged members to respond to a consultation being run by the CHC regarding the future of services b. Brecon Beacons National Parks – there had been issues regarding the use of Section 106 monies obtained by the Parks in relation to developments within the BBNP area. Meetings had been arranged so that there could be further considerations. There would be a BBNP briefing on 24th October, members serving on the BBNP Planning Committee were encouraged to attend c. Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Panel – the Panel continue to hold the Commissioner to account for delivering on local policing. There would be another meeting on 16th November. Members with issues to raise were encouraged to do so via. their shire representatives d. Theatr Brycheiniog Board – Councillor Roderick reported that facilities had been improved and extended. Members were urged to promote and use the facility
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Road Safety and Traffic Management (12 noon - 12.30) PDF 901 KB To consider Road Safety and Traffic Management schemes:
a. B4560/U0171 Junction at Heolddu, Llangors – Visibility Improvement b. B4560 Llangors – Traffic Calming c. B4601 Glamorgan Street, Brecon – Footway Provision d. Crickhowell Parking Review Additional documents:
Minutes: Derek Price – Senior Engineer (Structures) and Jo Lancey – Road Traffic Officer attended the meeting for this item of business.
a. B4560/U0171 Junction at Heolddu, Llangors (Visibility Improvement) –members RESOLVED that the scheme be approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for Road Safety and Small Schemes works. Members noted that the scheme had been raised by the community as a concern. The cost would be in the region of £10.5k. The landowner had gifted the land and the scheme had the full backing of the local member (Councillor Emily Durrant) b. B4560 Llangors (Traffic Calming) – members RESOLVED that the scheme be approved for inclusion in the Capital Programme for Road Safety and Small Schemes. The community and local member are very supportive of the scheme c. B4601 Glamorgan Street, Brecon (Footway Provision) – members RESOLVED that the scheme be approved and included in the Capital Programme for Road Safety and Small Schemes. The local member had not been able to attend today’s meeting, however, it was noted that he was very supportive of the scheme d. Crickhowell Parking Review – the local member had been unable to attend today’s meeting, however, he supports the scheme. The main issues to address would be inconsiderate parking. It was RESOLVED to initiate a TRO consultation and if no substantive objections are received the proposals for Crickhowell be implemented
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Date of Next Meeting To note the date of the next meeting – 24th January 2018. Minutes: Members were reminded that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 24th January 2018.
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Annual Garden Awards Presentation of annual garden awards. Minutes: Members attended the annual awards presentation. |