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: In attendance:
Jeremy Patterson – Chief Executive, Dale Boyington – Development Manager, Sophy Fearnley-Whittingstall - SFW Communications, Chris Jackson - RES Development Manager, Samantha Mayes - Community Relations Manager, England and Wales (RES) and Stuart Eckley – Dyfed Powys Police, Martin Jones - British Telecom Group Ltd. and Shane Thomas – Clerk.
Members welcomed training in relation to the operation of the microphone system from Alan Heaton, Mechanical and Electrical Services Technician.
Apologies for absence were accepted from Councillors R.I. George, P. Harris, E.A. Jones, E.M. Jones, G.M. Jones, P.C. Pritchard and R.G. Thomas.
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Minutes of Previous Meetings PDF 87 KB To receive the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 13th April and Wednesday 11th May 2016. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the previous meetings of the Committee held on Wednesday 13th April and Wednesday 11th May 2016 as correct records.
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Declarations of Interest To receive declarations of interest in relation to matters to be discussed on the agenda. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest made in relation to items on the agenda.
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Chairman's Announcements To receive announcements from the Chairman. Minutes: The Chairman reported on:
a. Citizenship Ceremonies – having officiated at a number of citizenship ceremonies b. Centenary Birthday – having presented flowers to a resident of Guilsfield who had achieved her 100th birthday. Where there are celebrations the Chair would welcome notice so that she could arrange to attend c. YFC Rally – having attended the recent Montgomeryshire YFC Rally which had been held in the ward of Kerry d. Ysgol Dafydd Llwyd – having attended the official opening of the Welsh Medium school in Newtown |
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Traffic Management Arrangements (10.15 - 11) To receive and update in relation to traffic management arrangements for windfarm developments – Mike Davis, Wind Prospect Ltd. Minutes: Members welcomed Sophy Fearnley-Whittingstall - SFW Communications, Chris Jackson - RES Development Manager, Samantha Mayes -Community Relations Manager, England and Wales (RES) and Stuart Eckley – Dyfed Powys Police to the meeting for this item of business. During discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Windfarm Developments – traffic convoys would be needed to transport equipment to two windfarm developments (Garreg Llwyd Hill Windfarm and Tirgwynt Windfarm). Both sites would need to be operational by April 2017 b. Tirgwynt Windfarm – a full trial run would be held on 30th June at the same time of day (12noon – 2p.m.) that the developer expects convoys to pass through Welshpool when normal runs begin. It’s expected that the convoy would pass through the town within 5 – 10 minutes (there will be a police escort for the trial). If all goes to plan movements would begin on 25th July. The result of the trial would be shared with the shire. 90 convoy loads would be needed to deliver equipment to the site. c. Garreg Llwyd Hill Windfarm – a full trial run would be held on 5th August at same time of day which the developer expects convoys to pass through Newtown (1p.m. – 1.30p.m.). If all goes to plan movement will begin on 12th September and run through to December. 136 convoy loads would be needed to deliver equipment to the site. The results of the trial would be shared with the shire d. 2010 Trial Runs – it’s accepted that the initial convoy trial runs undertaken in 2010 were not a true reflection, however, they provided valuable information to allow the developer to plan for the pending trial e. Convoys/Loads – the Welsh Government had permitted a daily convoy during daylight hours, however, there’s scope for the developers to work with the police to increase the number of convoys to two per day. Convoys would run for six days per week (there would be no convoys on Sundays or on bank holidays). Members would welcome the weekend being kept clear of convoys because of the impact on local trade etc. f. Police – the developers would fund the resource needed to police convoys. The police had worked with the developers to plan for all circumstances and to manage arrangements. Members raised concern with regard to an emergency situation and the potential for blockages to the highway which could delay emergency vehicles. It was reported that in such situations emergency vehicles would be better supported given the police being on site to manage situations. Police would also have advanced notice due to radio contact etc. The police would have overall authority for convoy movements g. Trunk Road Agency (Welsh Government) – the previous Minister had been advised of today’s meeting and requested to attend. Members expressed concern with regard to non-attendance by a representative from the Trunk Road Agency given that the Welsh Government had approved movement plans. The Chair would link with the Welsh ... view the full minutes text for item MS34-2016 |
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Superfast Cymru (11.00 - 11.30) To receive an update in relation to the roll out of Superfast Cymru – Mike Jones and Susan Ward, BT. Minutes: Members welcomed Martin Jones, British Telecom Group Ltd. to the meeting to provide an update in relation to the roll out of Superfast Cymru during which particular reference was made to:
a. Roll Out – the Welsh Government had recognised the importance of good internet coverage and speedy connections and had introduced its Superfast Cymru programme around five years ago. BT had been awarded the tender to upgrade the network and were nearing the end of a significant programme of works b. Powys – there had been specific issues with regard to the Powys network and the condition it had been in prior to bt having been awarded the contract (a low base to start from) c. Contract Specification – the contract had been for £240 million and required bt to provide minimum connection speeds of 30mb for 90% of the population and 24mb for 95% of the population d. Policy Commitment – the policy commitment would be to ensure that each property would have a connection point within 500 meters e. Rural Connections – the initial focus of the programme had been to provide better access to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. Quite early in the programme there were connections to some very rural areas. The focus now and towards the end of the programme would be to provide better access to more rural areas and areas where there are more issues to address f. Powys Intervention Area – there are 65,000 premises in the Powys area that would require a rural solution, 36,000 premises would be able to receive speeds in excess of 24mbs. 59 exchange areas have been enabled to support roll out in the intervention area g. Powys Local Growth Zones – the previous government had agreed to prioritise the roll out of fibre optic etc. within Local Growth Zone areas. The commitment had not been specifically recognised in the contract awarded to bt to upgrade the network. While welcoming the wider network programme a member felt that removing the focus on the Local Growth Zone areas had undermined their status h. Coverage Checker – residents could use a postcode facility to check when their network would be upgraded: i. (https://www.btwholesale.com/includes/adsl/adsl.htm?s_cid=ws_furls_adslchecker) j. Types of Connection – where dwellings are within 3km of a connection box (a fibre-to-the-cabinet) there would be good access, where dwellings are over 3km from the connection box connection speeds etc. would be less and other options could be considered. Where there are more direct fibre to premises network connections there would be the best access k. Options – there are a number of schemes operating that might provide a solution in areas where Superfast Cymru would not be able to operate i.e. Welsh Government Grant Schemes for residential and business access and BT community fibre l. UK Access – despite claims of the UK being a poor relation to other countries in relation to the cost of access and speeds the UK had been ranked top ... view the full minutes text for item MS35-2016 |
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Council Constitution - Section 13 (11.30 - 11.35) PDF 152 KB To receive an update in relation to the determination of Traffic Regulation Orders as agreed by Council on 20th April 2016. Minutes: The Chairman of the Powys Byways User Group (Councillor Gwilym Williams) had requested that each shire be reminded of requirements under the constitution in relation to the determination of Traffic Regulation Orders. The Council had agreed on 20th April 2016 that:
a. The Making of Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders relating to all Highways other than those specified in ii. below and not exceeding 18mths – sub-delegation to the Head of Highways, Transportation and Recycling and the Service Manager or persons authorised to act on their behalf. An extension to the time limit requires the permission of the relevant Welsh Government Minister b. The making of Temporary Traffic Regulation Orders relating to cycle tracks, footpaths, bridleways, restricted byways and byways open to all traffic – sub-delegation to the Leisure and Recreation Services Manager or persons authorised to act on their behalf. Such temporary orders can be given by the Authority for up to 6 months and extensions require the permission of the relevant Welsh Government Minister c. The making of Permanent Traffic Regulation Orders – sub-delegation to the relevant shire committee with exceptions in relation to Water Break its Neck, Moelfre City and car parks and car parking charging
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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 to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders.
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Councillor John Powell - Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Environment, Sustainability and Human Resources Minutes: 8.1 Councillor John Powell – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Environment, Sustainability and Human Resources
a. Waste Recycling Target – officers are confident that the recycling target for 2015/16 would have been met (figures have yet to be verified) b. Kerbside Recycling (Enforcement Actions) – there would be more of a focus on enforcement and those who do not comply with requirements would receive appropriate reprimands. The Authority has a three staged process, the final stage could result in the issue of financial penalties c. Recycling of Plastics – it would be important to communicate what plastic could and could not be recycled. Harder plastics would continue to be recyclable. Plastic food wrapping and coverings could not be recycled and would contaminate other recyclable waste. Cross-contamination would need to be avoided. A member requested details in relation to how other authorities recycle their plastics and in particular neighbouring authorities. It was felt that a stronger stance could result in a loss of the goodwill of residents who act in the spirit of recycling. Residents may be more inclined to put more waste out for landfill d. Three Weekly Waste Collections – the move to three weekly collections had proven very positive in reducing the quantity of waste sent to landfill e. Waste Collection Route Reviews – as part of efforts to reduce costs and become more efficient there would be collection route reviews which would be likely to be introduced in the autumn alongside a four day collection week f. Cae Post (Waste Recycling) – the Authority is currently in negotiation with Cae Post regarding its contract for managing waste in the north of the county g. Fly Tipping – a member requested details in relation to prosecutions for fly tipping. The Portfolio Holder would report back on the position h. Teeth Whitening Scam – there had been significant resource used to support investigations into a teeth whitening scam which had been identified at last year’s Royal Welsh Agricultural Show. It’s expected that a six week court case would held and that the Authority would receive some income from the proceeds of crime fund as a result of its efforts
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Councillor Wynne Jones - Deputy Leader/Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Finance, Legal and Communications Minutes: 8.2 Councillor Wynne Jones – Deputy Leader/Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Finance, Legal and Communications
a. Contacts with Members – the portfolio holder would welcome members contacting him in relation to any portfolio matters direct at any time b. 2015/16 Financial Year End – at the year-end expenditure was £1.95m below the budget. 76% (£9.716m) of the savings identified in the Medium Term Financial Plan had been achieved. This had resulted in a shortfall against the savings target of £3.052m. The general reserve had been set at 4.29% of the total budget. The total reserve (which include specific reserves identified for projects) had been £42.2 c. 2016/17 Budget Cycle – Cabinet had held its first meeting to consider in more detail its budget setting for 2016/17. It would be important to agree a set of principles to work to. There would be efforts to continue to align the Medium Term Financial Plan with the Corporate Plan. For the purpose of needing a figure for planning Cabinet would work on the assumption that there would be an annual Council Tax increase of 3.75% d. Welsh Government (Rural Protection/Floor/Expected Reduction) – Cabinet would be working on the assumption that the Welsh Government would reduce the 2017/18 budget by 4%, however, it’s also expected that there would be a more permanent arrangement with regard to providing rural protection via. a floor and that it would be set at around 1% of the reduction i.e. if budgets were cut by 4% rural budgets would protected by 1% and cut by 3% e. Community Delivery – Cabinet had agreed to continue with its efforts to link with those communities that had an appetite to engage in the spirit of community delivery. Cabinet had recently agreed to provide 45% of current levels of funding to those communities that would accept service/asset transfers. Schemes would be 3 or 5 year transfer agreements f. Budget Seminar – members were urged to attend a budget seminar which would be held on 13th July. Discussions would be likely to include potentially unpopular reviews in order to achieve savings i.e. introducing charging for post 16 transport and reductions in funding for adult social care g. Budget Reductions – the Authority had reduced its spend by £55 million since the UK Government had introduced austerity. It’s expected that there would be further reductions in the Powys budget over the next few years of in the region of £40m - £50m h. Communications – like all other areas the budget to support the Communications Department would be reduced. A £100k saving would need to be met. It would be important to embrace technology and to use cheaper, more popular ways of communicating with the public in relation to matters. Members and residents would be encouraged to access information provided by the Council via. the Powys Newline (http://www.powys.gov.uk/index.php?id=624&L=0) i. Cashless Schools – the roll out of cashless schools would continue, in some areas there are teething problems but generally the roll out ... view the full minutes text for item MS37-2016b |
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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.
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Community Health Council - Vacancy To consider appointing to a vacancy on the Community Health Council. Minutes: 9.1 Community Health Council - Vacancy
Subject to Councillor Joy Jones agreeing to serve members RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Jones to the vacant position on the Community Health Council
Councillor Michael Williams would report on the SACRE position (school inspection reports for church schools) at the next meeting.
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Correspondence To receive items of correspondence. Minutes: There were no items of correspondence reported to the meeting.
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Date of Next Meeting To note the date of the next meeting. Minutes: The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 7th September 2016
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