Venue: Council Chamber - Neuadd Maldwyn, Welshpool, Powys. View directions
Contact: Shane Thomas tel. 01597 826430 e-mail. shanet@powys.gov.uk
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were accepted from Councillors R.I. George, P. Harris, G.M. Jones, P.E. Lewis, J.G. Shearer and G.P. Vaughan.
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To receive the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 4th November 2015. Minutes:
The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on Wednesday 4th November 2015 as a correct record.
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Chairman's Announcements To receive announcements from the Chairman. Minutes: The Chairman reported on:
a. Dafydd Wyn-Jones – the recent passing away of Dafydd Jones, a previous member and Chairman of Montgomeryshire. Members expressed their condolences to the family b. Centenary – having visited Eira Gispert resident who had recently achieved her 100th birthday
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Declarations of Interest To receive declarations of interest in relation to matters to be discussed on the agenda. Minutes: Having sought advice from the Chief Executive and noting the recommendation from the Standards Committee that he withdraws from meetings when school review matters are being discussed the Chairman withdrew from the meeting for item 6 below. There were no other declarations of interest from members in relation to items to be discussed on the agenda.
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Exempt Item The Monitoring Officer has determined that category 1 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules applies to the following item. His view on the public interest test (having taken account of the provisions of Rule 11.8 of the Council’s Access to Information Rules) was that to make this information public would disclose personal data relating to an individual in contravention of the principles of the Data Protection Act. Because of this and since there did not appear to be an overwhelming public interest requiring the disclosure of personal data he felt that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. Members are asked to consider these factors when determining the public interest test, which they must decide when considering excluding the public from this part of the meeting.
Minutes: Members accepted the determination of the Monitoring Officer and excluded the public from the meeting for the next item of business under category 1 of the Access to Information Procedure rules rule 11.8 because it was their view that to make the information public would disclose personal data relating to an individual in contravention of the principles of the Data Protection Act.
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Secondary School Review Briefing (10.15 - 10.45) To receive a confidential secondary school review briefing from the Chief Executive/Director of Education. Minutes: The Chief Executive confirmed that Spectrwm consultants had taken issue with regard perceived criticism which had been directed at them in relation to an information gathering exercise which they had conducted on behalf of the Authority. After meeting with the Leader and Portfolio Holder the Chief Executive, at the request of the Leader, had responded to the issues and the consultant had accepted the response.
Having listened to the concerns of members the Chief Executive accepted the need to review operating informal information gathering sessions prior to entering into formal consultation arrangements. It was the general feeling of the meeting that the formal route would be the better approach.
Members accept the need to review the current school estate in the light of budget pressures and surplus capacity with a view to reducing the number of secondary school sites operating in the Montgomeryshire area.
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Reports from and Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders To receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders. Minutes: Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders.
In the light of recent announcements and media attention the Chairman had requested an update from the Portfolio Holder in relation to arrangements for supporting the Syrian Refugee Crisis during which it was reported that two accepting areas had been identified (one in Newtown and the other in Ystradgynlais). Both areas would accept a small number of families and there would be a selection process. The Council would lead in terms of a multi-agency approach. The Home Office had confirmed that set-up funding would be provided. The Portfolio Holder would keep members advised and informed of arrangements and there would be appropriate community briefings. |
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Councillor Stephen Hayes - Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Adult Social Care Minutes: 7.1 Councillor Stephen Hayes – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Adult Social Care
a. Residential Care (BUPA Contract) – the Authority would take advantage of a break-clause and review its contract with BUPA for providing residential care. It would be important to continue to review provisions to ensure that the contract delivers on need and within budget b. Integration with Powys teaching Health Board – on 15th December Cabinet would consider options for moving closer to integrated working. Governance would be a key issue to address and options would favour more member involvement in determining directions. At a more local level there would be a move to introduce local, multi-agency service sites for providing care/health services c. Day Care – the Authority would be reviewing arrangements for meeting the needs of elderly people in-line with the direction of the Welsh Government. After Christmas there would be day care pre-consultation to assess need and preference. Formal consultation would take place later in the year d. Head of Adult Social Care – the current Head of Adult Social Care would be leaving to take up a partnership position between the Council and teaching Health Board to provide mental health services. In the light of the current position with adult social care and the two areas of focus (delivering provision and looking to transform/change) two positions had been created as opposed to looking to appoint to the one position of Head of Adult Social Care. Positions would be advertised in due course |
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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: There were no reports from, or questions to, members serving on outside bodies.
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Correspondence To receive items of correspondence. Minutes: The Chairman reported that he had received a letter from the Montgomeryshire YFC expressing concern about the impact of reduced funding on the YFC and its activities.
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Date of Next Meeting / Items for Future Meetings To note the date of the next meeting and to discuss possible agenda items. Minutes: There would not be a January meeting. The Chair would determine when to meet in February 2016 and send due notice to members.
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