Venue: Hybrid meeting - Zoom - County Hall. View directions
Contact: Stephen Boyd 01597 826374
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To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the meetings held on 7th December 2023, 24th January 2024 and 25th Janaury 2024 as correct records. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meetings held on 7th December 2023, 24th January 2024 and 25th January 2024 as correct records subject to the inclusion of Councillor Chloe Masefield in the list of members present on 7th December. |
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Additional documents: |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda. Additional documents: Minutes: County Councillor Sandra Davies declared an interest in item 13 Notice of Motion - Seeking a technical evaluation of undergrounding power cables from energy parks.
County Councillors Angela Davies, Jeremy Pugh, Gwynfor Thomas, James Gibson-Watt, Aled Davies, Pete Lewington, Bryan Davies, Ian Harrison, Gareth D Jones, Graham Breeze, Jake Berriman, Karl Lewis and Arwel Jones declared interests in item 14 Notice of Motion - School Holidays.
County Councillors Ed Jones, Bryn Davies, Danny Bebb, William Lloyd, Angela Davies, Gareth E Jones, Gwynfor Thomas, David Thomas, William Powell, Aled Davies, Peter Lewis, Edwin Roderick, Pete Lewington, Arwel Jones, Bryan Davies, Ian Harrison, Gareth D Jones, Graham Breeze, Kelly Healy, Glyn Preston, Jake Berriman, Les George, Karl Lewis, Adam Kennerley, Elwyn Vaughan, Gareth Pugh and Adrian Jones declared interests in Item 16 Notice of Motion – Sustainable Farms.
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Chair's Announcements To receive any announcements from the Chair of Council. Additional documents: |
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Leader's Announcements To receive any announcements from the Leader. Additional documents: |
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Public Questions Additional documents: |
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Question to the Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys from Richard Miles PDF 70 KB Could we have a re-cycling centre for Crickhowell area, it’s ridiculous we have to make a 30 mile round trip to get rid of rubbish that can’t be taken from weekly roadside collections.
It would cover Crickhowell, Llangattock, Llanbedr, Llangrwney, Llangenny Llangynidr.
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Question to the Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys from Bob Jones PDF 71 KB Why are we suffering with 3 weeks bin collections, bins are not big enough and when you apply to get a bigger bin you get told NO !!!! But council can waste money on crazy stuff no relevant to the people off Powys in vast amounts !!!!
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Question to the Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys from Alan Austin PDF 80 KB Approximately 5 years ago Powys County Council drafted a Memorandum of Agreement setting out the basis upon which its responsibility for maintaining and improving rights of way could be shared with Town and Community Councils, who would enlist the help of local volunteers. Is it intended to develop this approach and, if so, what actions are planned?
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Question to the Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys from James Prothero PDF 70 KB Can the portfolio holder confirm that the bus fare rises of 10% are going ahead?
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Council Tax Resolution for 2024/25 PDF 365 KB To approve the Council Tax resolution and set the Council Tax for 2024/25. Additional documents: |
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To consider budget virements requiring approval by Council. Additional documents: |
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New Ways of Working and Council meetings – Member survey 2023 PDF 90 KB To consider the report of the Head of Transformation and Democratic Services.
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Social Media Guide for members PDF 78 KB To consider the report of the Head of Transformation and Democratic Services. Additional documents: |
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Pay Policy Statement 2024/25 PDF 105 KB To consider the Pay Policy Statement. Additional documents: |
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Appointments to Working Groups and Outside Bodies To make appointments to the following outside bodies
1. Newtown Town Partnership – vacancy for a Newtown member
2. Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE) – vacancy for Brecknockshire member
3. Local Development Plan Working Group – vacancy for a Brecknockshire member. Additional documents: |
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Notice of Motion - Seeking a technical evaluation of undergrounding power cables from energy parks It is widely recognised that the U.K needs more wind and solar farms and nuclear power in the coming years to meet low-carbon energy targets and the demand on the grid will only increase the more transport, industry, and domestic heating are electrified to reduce carbon emissions.
Renewable energy trade body RenewableUK Cymru said Wales needed to quadruple its wind power in just over a decade in order to stay on track to meet the Welsh Government's target for electricity to be 100% renewable by 2035. ( https://www.renewableuk-cymru.com/wp-content/uploads/Future-Energy-Wales-The-Critical-Role-of-Welsh-Wind-Power.pdf)
In recent months Green GEN Cymru have announced plans for two sets of pylons to link proposed energy Parks in Powys to the national grid further afield. Such plans are potentially controversial locally and will be decided as Developments of National Significance (DNS) by a Government appointed body PEDW (Planning and Environment Decisions Wales)
The Welsh Government are on record as saying “Updating Wales' grid is essential if we are to have an energy system fit for purpose in the long term. Our planning policy states that wherever possible lines should be laid underground" to reduce visual impact.
This is a reasonable proposition caveated by it being the best and most appropriate, cost-effective solution available. There will be, most people recognise, circumstances where new overhead cables will be the right solution. The sector highlight that the “technical specification for underground cables is likely to be more substantial, costly and environmentally disruptive to maintain and repair”, but are committed to work with the government to find an acceptable way forward.
In November, climate change Minister Julie James MS, said that establishing whether cable-ploughing was technically possible for the largest power lines would be important in understanding whether 'undergrounding' could be more extensively adopted. This is a sensible approach ahead of such proposals being tabled for determination. As Such:
This Council resolves to: 1. Call on the Welsh Government to commission an independent study, with comparative trials as appropriate, into the technical viability of cable ploughing being deployed extensively for the largest power lines to serve the energy parks arising from the Government’s renewable energy plans for the county, to minimise ongoing visual impacts.
Proposed: Cllr Jake Berriman Seconded: Cllr Glyn Preston
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Notice of Motion - School Holidays We call on the Council to lobby Welsh Government and oppose the proposed shorter School summer holidays.
We are calling on this for several reasons including:
The detrimental effect this will have on the Powys rural economy and the huge impact it will have on the Royal Welsh Show
The lack of evidence that the proposal will have a positive outcome for our learners.
Proposed: Cllr Gareth D Jones Seconded: Cllr Gwynfor Thomas
Additional documents: Minutes: Council considered a motion proposed by County Councillor Gareth D Jones and seconded by County Councillor Gwynfor Thomas calling on the Council to lobby Welsh Government in response to proposals to shorten summer holidays, highlighting the impact that it would have on the Royal Welsh Show.
By 52 votes to 1 with 2 abstentions it was
RESOLVED
To lobby Welsh Government in response to the proposals to shorten school summer holidays. Counties throughout Wales should retain their ability to change term-time arrangements to ensure the Royal Welsh Show continues to fall within the school holidays. Furthermore, the Council wishes Welsh Government to know that there are economic, social, and logistical reasons why the RWS should not be held during term time and the Council calls on Welsh Government to consider this impact when assessing the evidence – for and against – for altering the current term-time arrangements to shorten the summer holidays.
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Notice of Motion - Impacts of the War in Gaza Council notes The unresolved and ongoing violence of over 76 years and its context in the tragic event that took place on Oct 7th. Leading to the unacceptable loss of life and the crime of taking of hostages which took place on Oct 7th. The unparalleled and disproportionate killing and maiming of civilians within the Occupied Palestinian Territories - Include the lives of journalists, health professionals, civic and rescue workers. The unprecedented and reckless destruction of civilian infrastructure across the Gaza Strip - Including that of refugee camps, monuments, heritage sites, places of worships, graveyards, hospitals, universities and schools. Following South Africa's submission of a case against Israel to the International Court of Justice regarding alleged actions and statements made by Israeli government and military officials, provisional measures have been implemented against Israel. Additionally, an investigation into plausible claims of genocide has also been initiated by the ICJ. The "Return to Gaza Conference" took place on January 28th. It featured prominent members of the Israeli Government sharing a platform with individuals advocating for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza and promoting the construction of Israeli settlements on land previously occupied by destroyed Gazan communities. The Israeli government's perceived failure to address the radical proclamations made during this occasion is contrary to the Provisional Measure imposed on Israel by the ICJ. The continued and explicit declarations of intent to conduct comparable militarily action in Rafah, as that of areas further north. That Rafah, previously declared a 'Safe Area' for the civilian population, currently hosts over 1.7 million internally displaced civilians (85% of total population). Also noting that 47% of the population are children. That the UN office in Geneva states 70% of civilian infrastructure has been destroyed or severely damaged in Gaza and disease is spreading as the health system “collapses” with only 13 of 36 hospitals partially functional. And 25% of the population are grappling with catastrophic levels of food insecurity. The enormous costs of supporting refugees in camps or third countries impose a burden on the global community, and directly on Powys when the UK are part of a hosting scheme. Powys’ pension fund's investments in pooled arrangements that support the armaments industry. The number of peace vigils is on the rise in towns throughout Powys, and the ongoing mass protests taking place internationally, urging a cessation of hostilities in order to prevent famine and disease from precipitating a notable upsurge in mortality rates. Council believes That there should be an immediate and enduring ceasefire to enable the safe return of remaining hostages, the release of Palestinians held under administrative detention, and the expansion of access to humanitarian aid from within the Gaza Strip. That Israel should honour its commitment to allow Gazans to return to their properties and to prevent famine and disease by facilitating the rebuilding of residences, civilian infrastructure and health care systems across Gaza, which it has comprehensively destroyed. That following the ICJ's ruling issued on January 25th, all signatory parties of the Geneva Conventions ... view the full agenda text for item 15. Additional documents: Minutes: This motion was withdrawn. |
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Notice of Motion - Sustainable Farming Scheme Powys County Council calls on the Labour Welsh Government to pause and reconsider the ‘Sustainable Farming Scheme: keeping farmers farming’ consultation, given the current strength of feeling in the industry. It is clear that the farmers across Wales who have attended the Welsh Government hosted ‘roadshow’ events, and those hosted by the farming unions, reject the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme.
Given the importance of the farming sector to Powys’ economy it is important of get the future support scheme right, continuing with the current consultation of a flawed scheme is a mistake and will lead to serious frustration and resentment from farmers across Wales.
The cumulative effect of changes to agricultural policy in Wales, from The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations (NVZs) to the ending of Glastir contracts, coupled with the errors in the Habitat Wales Scheme and persistence of Bovine TB means that the Welsh sector is under increasing pressure.
This Council resolves as follows:
Powys County Council believe it to be prudent to pause the consultation, renew engagement with the farming unions before approaching the agricultural sector once serious amendments are made to the Sustainable Farming Scheme proposal. The current situation is unsustainable.
Proposed by County Councillor Lucy Roberts Seconded by County Councillor. Geoff Morgan
Additional documents: Minutes: Declarations of interest were made by County Councillors Ed Jones, Bryn Davies, Danny Bebb, William Lloyd, Angela Davies, Gareth E Jones, Gwynfor Thomas, David Thomas, William Powell, Aled Davies, Peter Lewis, Edwin Roderick, Pete Lewington, Arwel Jones, Bryan Davies, Ian Harrison, Gareth D Jones, Graham Breeze, Kelly Healy, Glyn Preston, Jake Berriman, Les George, Karl Lewis, Adam Kennerley, Elwyn Vaughan, Gareth Pugh and Adrian Jones.
Council considered a motion proposed by County Councillor Lucy Roberts and seconded by County Councillor Geoff Morgan calling on the Welsh Government to renew its engagement with farming unions on the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
By 28 votes to 1 with 4 abstentions it was
RESOLVED that Powys County Council considers the current situation to be untenable and asks the Welsh Government to renew engagement with the farming unions, before reapproaching the agricultural sector, once serious amendments have been made to the Sustainable Farming Scheme.
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