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, R.G. Brown, A.W. Davies, R.I. George, S.M. Hayes, G.M. Jones, P. Lewis, D.J. Mayor, J.G. Shearer and W.B. Thomas.
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 99 KB To receive the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 18th January 2017. Minutes: The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 18th January 2017 as a correct record subject to amending the reference in minute 6 g. to replace the title ‘Mental Health Champion’ with ‘Dementia Champion’ to correct the mistake.
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Chairman's Announcements To receive announcements from the Chairman. Minutes: The Chairman reported on:
a. Welshpool Day Centre (Ann Holloway Centre) – members for Welshpool Town would leave during the meeting to attend a re-naming ceremony at Welshpool Day Centre. The centre would be renamed the Ann Holloway Centre to recognise ex-County Councillor Ann Holloway b. Llanidloes Leisure Centre – having attended to open a refurbished fitness suite c. Centenary Birthday Celebrations – having attended two centenary birthday celebrations |
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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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Police and Crime Commissioner (Dyfed-Powys Police Force Area) - 10.15 - 10.45 To receive an update from Dafydd Llywelyn, Police and Crime Commissioner and to discuss policing matters. Minutes: Members welcomed Dafydd Llewellyn – Police and Crime Commissioner (Dyfed-Powys) and Suzanne Lloyd – Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant to the meeting for the following two items of business. During discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Commissioner (Background) – the Commissioner has strong ties to Powys and in particular Montgomeryshire. The Commissioner had joined the Force in 2001 and been elected to the Commissioner position in May 2016 b. Rural Policing – the Commissioner recognises that rural policing and its needs are very different to those in urban areas (distance being a particular issue) c. Community Engagement/Input – the Commissioner had determined that community engagement and local input would be very important and he had included it as a theme running through the Police and Crime Plan. As an example of how communities could shape functions the Commissioner reminded members that Welshpool Town Council had raised the issue of anti-social behaviour and how important it was for the area which had resulted in the introduction of a drinking ban in the town centre. Where there are local events the police would welcome information in order to consider attending etc. It would be important for members to advise on ways of engaging locally. Members would welcome being invited to input in this regard d. Police Stations - there are no small station closure programmes being progressed, however, operations and openings would always be reviewed in order to make best use of resource. There’s a £15 million estates programme which includes co-location considerations. The Commissioner would not want sites open for the sake of opening. The public can use an increasing number of means to report on crime and to link with officers to discuss matters i.e. use of internet technologies, social media, skype. In some areas recent rota changes had resulted in stations being unmanned at times when the previously had been. This was not a reduction in service because the police could still be accessed e. Annual Budget – the Commissioner works within an annual budget of in the region of £100 m f. Commissioner (Responsibilities) – the Commissioner is responsible for setting the police and crime plan, management of the estate and holding the Chief Constable to account g. Chief Constable (Responsibilities) – the Chief Constable is appointed by the Police and Crime Commissioner and is responsible for all operational matters and for delivering on the police and crime plan. Mark Collins is relatively new to post. Darren Davies had recently been appointed to the position of Deputy Chief Constable h. Management Structure – the structure of the Force at its highest level is relatively new. There’s a very positive feel to the team i. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (Dyfed Powys-Police Inspection) – the most recent HMIC inspection identified the Force as being in need of improvement. The Commissioner would look to address all those areas identified for improvement and raise practices so during his term others look to Dyfed-Powys as an exemplar and leading Force j. Transparency – ... view the full minutes text for item MS16-2017 |
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Community Policing (10.45 - 11.15) To discuss local policing matters - Suzanne Lloyd - Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant. Minutes: During an update and discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Neighbourhood Policing - the way in which neighbourhood policing is undertaken has had to change in response to new areas of criminal activity. Neighbourhood watch would be re-launched alongside other campaigns where there’s criminal activity i.e. on-line and internet safety, abuse (children, women, the elderly) etc. b. Engagement – County Councillors know their communities and could play a very important role in supporting the police in engaging. The way in which the police engage is under review and members input would be very welcome. Current methods include engagement with youth and community groups and through a very active school campaign. Members would welcome returning questionnaires and providing input to the force regarding local matters including their views on how best to engage c. Alerts – communities are able to register for local alters |
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Reports from and Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders (11.15 - 12.15) To receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders:
a. Councillor Wynne Jones – Deputy Leader/Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Finance, Legal and Communications b. Councillor John Powell – Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Environment, Sustainability and Human Resources Minutes: Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders. During discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Councillor Wynne Jones – Deputy Leader/Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Finance, Performance Management and Business Services
i. Budget – the Council had set it is budget, it would be for Cabinet to agree how to deliver services within what had been agreed. The work of Cabinet in this regard remains constant ii. Inflation – it is looking more and more likely that the country will slip back into recession. Inflation and meeting those pressures are likely to put additional pressure on Council budgets iii. Adult Social Care Budget – the budget remains volatile, however, indications are that during December and January a budget saving of in the region of £700k had been achieved iv. School Budgets – the school budget is in crisis and action needs to be taken. The forecast deficit for the secondary sector as at the 2017/18 year end is £4.3 million. Cabinet have a particular concern with regard to the secondary sector and have requested that the service review this area in particular. A member expressed concern with regard to the way in which funding is provided to schools via. its Fair Funding Formula. The Portfolio Holder informed Members that the Cabinet had requested a fundamental review of the formula, but reminded members that the formula simply distributes the delegated funding allocated in the Councils budget, changing the formula will just allocate the same money in a different way, rather like ‘moving the chairs on the deck of the titanic’. The current unsustainable schools organisation model would need £6 million injection of revenue funding now to make it sustainable (£6 million would equate to an additional 10% on Council Tax). That kind of funding is simply not available under current ongoing austerity v. 2019/2020 Budget Position – Management Team had recently been instructed by Cabinet to review services and provide detail on areas for possible review in order to review spends against a forecasted £6.8 million deficit for 2019/20. The three year budget cycle allows for a more planned approach to reviewing areas of spend vi. Agile Working - reducing the need for permanent office space to fit with better working practices continues. Considerations to achieve savings include unpaid leave for staff vii. Council Tax (2nd Home) – with effect from 1st April 2017 second homes or empty dwellings in Powys will attract a 50% Council Tax Premium (normal Council Tax plus 50%). The policy is aimed at reducing the number of 2nd homes and empty homes so that they are available to assist in the Powys housing demand. However, it is likely that although this will assist the policy direction, many owners will simply pay the extra premium, which it is estimated will bring in possibly over £500k of additional revenue which will be available to spend on housing in Powys viii. Invoice Processing – the cost of paying large ... view the full minutes text for item MS18-2017 |
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Reports from and Questions to Members Serving on Outside Bodies PDF 71 KB To receive reports from, and put questions to, members serving on outside bodies:
a. Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Liaision Committee – Councillor Mike Williams Additional documents: Minutes: Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, members serving on outside bodies.
a. Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Rail Liaison Committee – members thanked Councillor Michael Williams for another very comprehensive written report which had been issued with the papers for today’s meeting. Councillor Williams reported that Welshpool Town Council had been particularly active and supportive of discussion regarding rail links |
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Road Safety and Traffic Management Schemes PDF 72 KB To consider Road Safety and Traffic Management Schemes:
a. Leighton Arches 40 mph buffer zone - B4381 Welshpool Additional documents: Minutes: Members welcomed Chris Lloyd, Area Traffic Engineer to the meeting for this item of business.
a. Leighton Arches 40 mph buffer zone (B4381 Welshpool) – members RESOLVED that the Traffic Regulation Order consultation procedure is initiated in accordance with The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996; and if no substantive objections are received the proposals be implemented
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Correspondence To receive items of correspondence. Minutes: Members were informed that the Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations had welcomed input from the Shire with regard to the naming of a programme they were running which had the same title as the programme being run by the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust (Future Fit) and had agreed to change the name of the PAVO programme to avoid confusion. |
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Date of Next Meeting To note the date of the next meeting – 5th July 2017. Minutes: The next meeting would be held on Wednesday 5th July 2017.
The Chairman thanked members for their support during her chairmanship and wished those members who were retiring at the end of this Council and those who were standing for re-election all the very best. |