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 County Councillors M. Alexander (who in addition to being a Montgomeryshire member had been due to attend for a school Portfolio Holder update and question slot), P. Davies, S. Hayes, A. Davies and E. Vaughan.
Councillors R.M. Harris, Leader who was to attend for an update slot also apologised having been called to attend the Local Government Association Annual Conference.
While members welcomed update slots from Portfolio Holders at meetings it was felt that if members could not attend for their slots that they should provide written updates and/or attend future meetings.
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Remit, Role and Purpose (10.05 - 10.15) To discuss the remit, role and purpose of shire meetings. Minutes: The Chairman welcomed all members, and in particular new members, to the first Montgomeryshire meeting of the new Council. The issue of operating shire meetings had been questioned towards the end of the last Council when it had been agreed to continue with them. The agreement within the constitution being to hold bi-monthly meetings with the ability of the Chair to call additional meetings if required. Shire meetings are the most local meetings arranged through Democratic Services. Attendance at Shire meetings would not count towards figures held for review by the Standards Committee. The powers of Shires had been limited to determining Traffic Regulation Orders.
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Minutes of Previous Meetings PDF 104 KB To receive the Minutes of the previous meetings held on Wednesday 8th March and Wednesday 18th May 2017. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the previous meetings held on Wednesday 8th March and Wednesday 18th May 2017 were confirmed as a correct record.
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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 received in relation to matters to be discussed on the agenda for today’s meeting. |
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Chairman's Announcements To receive announcements from the Chairman. Minutes: The Chairman reported on:
a. Previous Chair (Councillor Kath Roberts-Jones) – the Chair thanked Councillor Kath Roberts-Jones for having Chaired the shire last year b. Shire Working Group – the Chair would like to reinstate the Shire Working Group. The group had not met for some time. The remit would be to consider issues to bring to future shire meetings c. Citizenship Ceremonies – the Chair had officiated at a ceremony. The role of the Chair in regard to citizenships would be to fulfil a legal duty and act under the authority of the queen d. Wedding Celebrations – the Chair had helped in celebrating a 73 year wedding anniversary for residents from the shire e. Newtown Hospital – the Chair would need to leave before the end of today’s meeting to attend a naming ceremony f. Regional Assembly Members/Members of Parliament – the Chair had extended an invite for regional AMs and local MPs to attend a shire meeting AMs are usually in session at the Senedd on Wednesdays (the same days as shire meetings) but could attend on other week days. The Chair would continue to link with the clerk regarding setting up a meeting so that members could receive updates in relation to the work of regional AMs and raise issues of relevance g. Superfast Broadband – members were reminded of a summit event to be held in Newtown on Monday 17th July at The Elephant and Castle public house h. Garden Awards – the annual garden award presentation would be after the next shire meeting i. Guilsfield C P School – the Chair had attended the school when the Impact Schools Team had been on site (a Christian movement which undertakes school visits) j. Chairman of Council (Civic Service) – the Chairman of Council (Councillor Dai Davies) thanked members for attending his Civic Service in Berriew |
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Fan Gorau and Dementia Home Treatment - Montgomeryshire (10.20 - 10.40) PDF 501 KB To receive an update in relation to Fan Gorau and Dementia Home Treatment – Adrian Osbourne, Powys teaching Health Board. Minutes: Members welcomed Joy Garfitt, Assistant Director: Mental Health Services, Powys teaching Health Board to the meeting to provide an update in relation to Fan Gorau Unit, Newtown and Dementia Home Treatment. During discussions particular reference was made to:
a. Fan Gorau Unit, Newtown (8 Bedded Unit) – in June 2016 the site had been closed on the grounds of service safety. There are requirements that apply to operating the site and could not be met due to staff vacancies. Repeated recruitment campaigns had failed in attracting candidates to positions that are needed in order to operate the site b. Alternative / Community Provision (Dementia and Mental Health Services) – the positon with regard to the above (Fan Gorau Unit being unable to operate) had resulted in a new approach having been adopted. The approach had been to provide a community focused service where treatment and support had been provided at the home. This had proven to be a much better way of providing the services and been praised by patients and their carers. Operating this way had also reduced the need for hospital admissions c. Moving Forward (Consultations) – given the success of the community focused approach it had been agreed to consult on operating this way. There had been a very thorough consultation exercise and a range of user groups, patient groups, family and carer representatives and the wider community had been invited to comment. The position had been accepted and welcomed, the only area of concern had been access to hospital services should the need arise. Impatient units were either over the border in England or towards the very south of the county. While the position was not ideal it was a best fix given the positioning of services. The need to provide services closer to home and within the shire would be at the forefront of future considerations. The proposal that would be put to the Powys in order to build on the positive approach d. Fan Gorau Unit, Newtown – should the proposal to operate a Dementia Home Treatment Team be accepted the site which had been used for providing dementia care would be utilised by the Powys teaching Health Board in a different way. Members would welcome the site being used as opposed to being left empty and falling into disrepair e. Recruitment – unlike operating a unit arrangement i.e. Fan Gorau there had been significant interest in positions that would support the community based approach f. Carers – members view support for carers as very important and were reminded that the Council provide services which could be discussed by calling Powys People Direct (the Powys social care number) tel. 01597 827666. Members were urged to share contact information with those caring for others g. Dementia/Mental Health Services Consultation – a member expressed concern regarding sessions held in the south of Powys to discuss the dementia and mental health services. It was reported that events would be held throughout Powys and not just in the ... view the full minutes text for item 9-2017 |
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Newtown Bypass (10.40 - 11.10) To receive an update in relation to the Newtown bypass – Nick Cleary, Alun Griffiths Construction. Minutes: Members welcomed Nick Cleary, Alun Griffiths Construction to the meeting to provide an update in relation to the Newtown bypass development. During discussion and update particular reference was made to:
a. Contract for Works – Alun Griffiths Construction had been awarded the tender to design and build the Newtown Bypass in 2012, Ministerial approval for the development had been granted in 2016 when construction began, the latest competition date would be May 2019, however, the development is on track to finish during the winter of 2018. The contract would run for five years after completion to allow for landscaping, environmental and habitat works etc. b. Scale of Works – in order to give an understanding of the scale of the project members were informed that there would be five roundabouts, seven bridges, four underpasses, 40,000m2 of concrete would be used, 2.5 million tonnes of earth and rock would be removed and 1000 tonnes of tarmac would be used. Members would welcome the detail in order to update those residents who were interested in the development. Details would be included in the next progress newsletter for issue to residents c. Disturbance – works would continue to be undertaken in accordance with the relevant guidance to limit disturbances to the environment and to residents living near development areas. There would, inevitably, be some disturbances that some residents would object to i.e. road closures d. Roman Road – during works a Roman road had been uncovered but left in condition that would allow for future excavation e. Community Benefits – community benefits feature high, eight apprentices had been employed, it is hoped that sixteen graduates would be employed and there are good links with the local high school. The workforce would be around 220 and most would be sourced locally, there are good cause schemes operating and grant funding could be applied for f. Highway – the scheme didn’t a merit dual carriage way, however, there would be dual lanes of traffic operating for part of each highway g. Royal Welsh Show – works would have regard to the timing of the annual Royal Welsh Show h. Flyover – a short 6 minute film would be published to show the journey to be travelled over the bypass route. Members would be provided with the link i. Local Dispute – the Welsh Government had been working with a landowner who had erected signage on the way into Newtown which had caused some offence to those travelling the route
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Reports from and Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders (11.10 - 12.10) To receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders:
a. Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Schools – Councillor Myfanwy Alexander b. Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Property and Waste - Councillor Phyl Davies (upon request) Minutes: a. Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Schools – Councillor Myfanwy Alexander b. Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Property and Waste – Councillor Phyl Davies
As mentioned in the apologies Councillor Alexander, Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Schools could not attend today’s meeting neither could the Leader. Councillor Phyl Davies had been invited to attend upon request to update on Waste matters but had a prior commitment so presented his apologies, however, he had arranged for Ashley Collins, Waste and Recycling Strategy Manager and Laura Samuel, Senior Contracts Officer: Waste to attend to update on waste matters. During update and discussion particular reference was made to:
a. Powys Kerbside Recycling Scheme – Powys has adopted the Welsh Government’s preferred recycling scheme i.e. kerbside sorted recycling in boxes b. Household Recycling Sites – there would be a press release regarding plans to review site operations following the Cabinet’s decision to re-consider the changes introduced in April. The original proposal in MTFS was to save £700k which would mean operating three sites across Powys (one in each shire). Following the consultation, the saving was reduced to £200k with the additional money coming from the FRM process and reserves for 2017/18. This was to be achieved through the reduction in opening days and commercial vehicle restrictions which has been operational since April. Cabinet would be considering the position on Tuesday 11th July with a view to implementing any change for 1st September. There had been significant concern raised by members and the public in relation to sites not accepting household waste brought in commercial vehicles or in trailers especially when it was clear that it was household waste and not commercial/trade waste which should be dealt with differently under a payed arrangement. In order that residents can dispose of genuine household waste the Cabinet are now considering operating a permit scheme. Hours of site operations would also be reviewed (currently sites are open for three days). Due to health and safety some residents who had visited on foot had been unable to enter for their own safety (it would always be best in such situations to contact sites before visiting) c. Recycling Sites and Bulking Stations/Transfer Sites – it would be much better for the Authority to own and operate its own sites for a variety of reasons. The Welsh Government had provided some grant funding for new sites, it would be important to maximise the drawdown of the funding available d. Waste Management (Targets/Requirements) – the Welsh Government had imposed statutory recycling targets in order to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. Unmet targets are subject to financial penalties, charges for landfill are rising. Brexit would have no effect on the positon, the Welsh Government has committed to continue to continue to increase recycling and reduce waste sent for landfill e. Four Day Collection Week – residents would see very little change from a four day collection week. The only change may be the pick-up day and time of collection. Work undertaken to review routes ... view the full minutes text for item 11-2017 |
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Reports from and Questions to Members Serving on Outside Bodies PDF 38 KB a. To receive reports from, and put questions to, members serving on outside bodies b. To appoint to groups as required Minutes: Members were reminded that shire appointments were required in order that members could sit on a number of relevant outside bodies. As opposed to in previous years it had been decided not to appoint to bodies by default but to wait for bodies to approach the Council seeking representation. Members agreed the following appointments:
While discussing matters it was reported that work to remove five railway crossings that were operating in Montgomeryshire was well underway. It is hoped that the programme would end by 31st December 2017. Councillor Michael Williams was pleased to report that considerations at rail meetings were in relation to how to organise and support increased use (in years gone by use had been an issue and there had been discussions about how to increase usage). |
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Road Safety and Traffic Management Schemes (12.30 - 12.45) PDF 72 KB To consider road safety and traffic management schemes:
a. Kerry ‘Waiting Restrictions’ A489 and C2012 b. Y Fan ’30 mph Speed Restrictions’ c. Long Bridge Street, Llanidloes, Old Market Hall (B4518) Weight Restrictions Additional documents:
Minutes: Members welcomed Chris Lloyd, Area Traffic Officer (north) to the meeting for this item of business.
a. Kerry ‘Waiting Restrictions’ A489 and C2012 – it was noted that the proposal to introduce parking restrictions on the A489 had not been supported by the Community Council. Having discussed the matter and noting the report of the officer and support of the local member it was RESOLVED:
i. To support the proposed loading and waiting prohibitions on the county highways within Kerry as identified on the proposed plan ii. To Authorise the local highway authority to commence the legal consultation procedures for the proposed traffic regulation order, and if no substantive objections are received, authorise the traffic engineer to implement the proposal
b. Y Fan ’30 mph Speed Restrictions – in the light of the change of local member following the May 2017 County Council election it was agreed that the officer should discuss the proposal with the local member (Councillor Phyl Davies). In the event of the local member supporting the proposal the Committee would RESOLVE 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 proposal be implemented. In the event of the local member objecting there would be further considerations/discussions between the member and officer
c. Long Bridge Street, Llanidloes, Old Market Hall (B4518) Weight Restrictions – damage to the Old Market Hall as a result of a road very close to the site had been an on-going concern for the area. The Hall is listed and there are regular reports of damage caused. In order to limit the potential for damage the recommendation to reduce the weight of traffic permitted to travel on the highway had been put to the meeting. Members RESOLVED that the introduction of a 7.5 tonne goods vehicle weight limit is the preferred option, and that the Traffic Regulation Order consultation procedure be initiated in accordance with The Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (England and Wales) Regulations 1996; and if no substantive objections are received the proposal be implemented. |
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Date of Next Meeting To note the date of the next meeting – 6th September 2017. NOTE: To be followed by the Annual Garden Awards Ceremony. Minutes: Members were reminded that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 6th September and that the meeting would be followed by the annual garden awards.
Members were reminded that works for housing repairs and maintenance had, with effect from Monday of this week, transferred to the Heart of Wales Property Services. Members would welcome direct contact information.
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