Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Neuadd Maldwyn, Welshpool, Powys. View directions

Contact: Shane Thomas tel. 01597 826430  e-mail.  shanet@powys.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were accepted from County Councillors M. Barnes, P Davies, A. Jones, M. Jones, G Morgan and J. Wilkinson.

2.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 92 KB

To receive the Minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 5th July 2017.

Minutes:

The Chairman was authorised to sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 5th July 2017 as a correct record.

3.

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.

4.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive announcements from the Chairman.

Minutes:

The Chairman reported on:

 

a.         Newtown Hospital Open Day – having attended an opening ceremony

b.         Newtown Birthing Centre – having attended the opening of a new birthing pool at Newtown

c.         Chairman of Council’s Civic Service – having attended the Chairman of Council’s Civic Service in Berriew

d.         Flintshire Civic Service – having deputised for the Chairman of Council and attended a civic service in Flintshire

e.         Citizenships - having officiated at a citizenship ceremony when the High Sheriff had been in attendance

f.          Neaudd Housing Association – the association had recently announced a development for the Vaynor area

g.         Garden Awards – members were urged to say for the annual garden award ceremony which would be after today’s shire meeting

5.

Future Fit Programme (10.15 - 10.30)

To receive an update in relation to the Future Fit Programme being run by the Shropshire and Telford NHS Trust.

Minutes:

Representatives from the Powys teaching Health Board and Future Fit Programme being run by Shropshire and Telford NHS Trust attended for this item of business.  During discussion and update particular reference was made to:

 

a.         Engagement – those running the Future Fit Programme had recognised the importance of engaging with Montgomeryshire county councillors and the communities which they represent (communities which access hospital services). Adrian Osborne, Powys teaching Health Board informed members that there would be a programme of community/local engagement supported by the Health Board during the pending formal consultation period

b.         2013 Future Fit Programme – the programme had been commissioned in 2013 via. a call to action

c.         Pre-formal Consultation – there had been a significant period of pre-consultation engagement with communities which had helped shape options for consideration (consultation requirements had been met)

d.         Formal Consultation in August the Programme Board had agreed to formally consult on two options around which hospital would become an Emergency Care site and which hospital would become a Planned Care Site. Both sites would have a 24-hour urgent care centre.  It is likely that the consultation period would run from mid-October and over the Christmas period. A member urged avoiding the festive period for such purposes

e.         Determination – a final agreement on the scheme would be made in February / March 2018.  The Clinical Commissioning Groups from the Shropshire and Telford NHS area would determine the final position

f.          Case for Change – the need for change had been driven, in the main, by staff vacancies. There are significant recruitment and retention problems which the programme would address.  People are living longer and projections forecast a significant increase in the number of residents expected to live beyond 70 years

g.         Travel Times / Access to Service – travel times and access to services had been recognised and had helped in shaping options for the future emergency and urgent care estate.  Travel times recognised the road networks in Powys and how they differ from those in more urban areas

 

The Chair thanked representatives for attending to update on the position and for continuing to engage with those who live in the Montgomeryshire area and access services.

 

6.

Services Fit for the Future (10.45 - 11.00) pdf icon PDF 141 KB

To discuss a Welsh Government consultation paper entitled ‘Services Fit for the Future’.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive reminded members that the deadline for providing views in relation to the Welsh Government consultation paper entitled ‘Services Fit for the Future’ would be 29th September.  The paper would strengthen scrutiny of health services.  Members were encouraged to respond to the consultation.

7.

Reports from and Questions to Cabinet Portfolio Holders (11.00 - 11.45)

To receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders:

 

Councillor Liam Fitzpatrick – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Highways

Councillor James Evans – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: ICT, HR and Communications

Minutes:

Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, Cabinet Portfolio Holders.  During discussion particular reference was made to:

 

Councillor Liam Fitzpatrick - Cabinet Portfolio Holder: Highways

 

a.         Parking Review – the Portfolio Holder confirmed that there would be a review of policy (the current policy having been adopted by the previous Cabinet).  It is recognised that local needs differ, the policy would allow for local variation but apply consistency

b.         Visible Services – the Portfolio Holder is very aware that most services in his area are very visible to the public and are often the cause of contacts from residents

c.         Budget Cuts – services within the portfolio had, in comparison to other services, been subject to significant cuts over recent years

d.         Grass Cutting- Cabinet would re-consider how best to provide the service which would include options for bringing the service back in-house

e.         Engaging with Members – the Portfolio Holder encouraged members to raise issues with him so that he could be made aware and address any concerns quickly

 

Councillor James Evans – Cabinet Portfolio Holder: ICT, HR and Communication

 

a.    Recruitment and Retention – there are recognised recruitment and retention issues that would be addressed. There would be a period of targeted recruitment to look to appoint to vacant positions

b.    Health and Safety – there are four health and safety advisors and a secondment of a team member to the health board.  There had been a review of towered housing in response to the Grenfell Tower incident.  Dwellings meet safety standards

c.    Welsh Community Care Information System (WCCIS) – the system went live in April and allows for the local authority and health service to have joint use.  The system allows for the sharing of patient information

d.    E-mail – the Authority’s contract with the NHS for use of their e-mail system is nearing an end (it had been a five year contract).  There are options to explore in terms of use of web-based systems

e.    Mobile Phones – the decision to provide members with mobile phones had been taken by the previous portfolio holder.  The portfolio holder would be reviewing the position given that members had experienced issues with operating them.  The review would include re-considering whether they were fit for purpose.  A member requested that phones be pre-loaded with direct officer contact information

f.     Skype – using skype in order to modernise IT activity would continue to be explored.  The telephone system had moved to being skype based.  There are some teething problems and the positon would be monitor

g.    Web Filters – a member expressed concern with regard to blocked access to internet sites.  It was his view that the filters used were excessive and blocked access to needed sites.  The Portfolio Holder would welcome detail of blocked sites

h.    Events – the Council supports a number of very significant and important events that are held in Powys each year.  Events which are very important to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Reports from and Questions to Members Serving on Outside Bodies

a.         to receive reports from, and put questions to, members serving on outside bodies

b.         to appoint a representatives to serve on the Oriel Davies Gallery Board of Trustees (Newtown)

c.         to appoint one qualifying representatives to serve on the Community Health Council (Councillor David Jones holds one position)

Minutes:

Members welcomed the opportunity to receive reports from, and to put questions to, members serving on outside bodies.

 

a.         Oriel Davies Gallery Board of Trustees – members RESOLVED to appoint Councillor Francesca Jump to represent them on the Board of Trustees.  It was noted that the appointment would be for a place with ‘observer’ status.  Members would challenge sitting on groups as observers given their role in representing communities and the shire

b.         Montgomeryshire Community Health Council – members appointed Councillor Heulwen Hulme to the vacant positon on the CHC

 

9.

Road Safety and Traffic Schemes (12 noon) pdf icon PDF 69 KB

a.         Llanfyllin Waiting Restrictions

b.         Llanrhaeadr Ym Mochnant Waiting Restrictions

c.         Tregynon Cemetery Footpath

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members welcomed Tony Caine – Traffic and Travel Manager and Chris Lloyd – Area Traffic Officer to the meeting for this item of business

 

a.         Llanfyllin Waiting Restrictions

 

Having regard to the view of the local member and Llanfyllin Town Council (views which were not in-line with the officer recommendation) and following discussion it was RESOLVED that

 

i.          Recommendation 2 – to amend the proposal for timed on-street designated parking at bays from 1 hour limited waiting to 2 hours limited waiting with no return within 1 hour (the recommendation had been 1 hour limited waiting)

ii.         Implementation - the implementation of the report (with the change as agreed above) be deferred until such a time as the Cabinet had determined its position regarding the wider parking review.  If the recommendation was at odds with the outcome of the wider review there would be further discussion with the town council and local member.  If the recommendation was in line with the spirt of the review it would be implemented

 

b.        LlanrhaeadrYm Mochnant Waiting Restrictions

 

Members RESOLVED to:

 

i.          support the proposed waiting prohibitions on the county highways within Llanrhaeadr YM as identified on the proposal plan, and the revision to the extent of the proposed waiting prohibitions along the east side of the Dol-y-bont cul de sac as verbally presented by the area traffic officer and supported by the local member

ii.         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

 

c.         Tregynon Cemetery Footpath

 

Members RESOLVED that the scheme be approved and included in the capital programme for road safety and small schemes

 

10.

Date of Next Meeting

To note the date of the next meeting – 8th November 2017.

Minutes:

Members were reminded that the next meeting would be held on Wednesday 8th November 2017.

 

11.

Annual Garden Award Presentation (12.30)

Annual Garden Awards.

Minutes:

Presentation of annual garden awards.