Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors M Barnes, J Charlton, S Davies, M Dorrance, L Fitzpatrick, A Jenner, A Jones, J Jones, G Morgan and J Wilkinson.

The Leader advised Council of the appointment of an acting Chief Executive, Dr Mohammed Mehmet for a period of 9 months.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest reported.

To receive and consider the binding Inspector’s Report into the Examination in Public of the Powys Local Development Plan (LDP) and to adopt and publish the Powys LDP 2011-2026, incorporating the changes recommended in the Inspector’s Report.

Council considered the Powys Local Development Plan 2011 – 2026. The Plan incorporated five binding recommendations made by the Inspector. In moving the recommendations the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Planning paid tribute to the work of the Professional Lead – Planning Policy and his team and the LDP Working Group. The recommendations were seconded by County Councillor James Evans.

The Professional Lead – Planning Policy answered questions from members. He acknowledged the point made by a number of members that as the plan covered the period 2011-2016 it included some permissions that had already been given but advised that the plan identified 5,588 dwelling sites which was 24% in excess of the 4,500 requirement. Members were concerned that if sites with permissions were not developed there would be no scope for development. In such circumstances officers would look at other options for development through departure applications. Officers would encourage developers to bring forward sites or risk losing them. 

Recommendation 1: by 56 votes to 0 it was

Recommendation 2: by 57 votes to 0 it was

Recommendation 3:  by 56 votes to 0 it was

Recommendation 4: by 57 votes to 0 it was

To receive and consider the Corporate Improvement Plan 2018 – 23.

The Leader presented the Corporate Improvement Plan 2018-23 which replaced the current CIP and supported the Cabinet’s Vision 2025.

A number of members queried why the plan had not been scrutinised and Council was advised that the Joint Chairs and Vice Chairs Scrutiny Group had decided that comments should be submitted by email rather than refer it to the Scrutiny Committees. An amendment proposed by County Councillor James Gibson-Watt and seconded by County Councillor Pete Roberts that the item be deferred pending referral back to the Scrutiny Committees before coming back to Council for approval was lost by 20 votes to 37 upon being put to the vote.

In response to comments from Members that the target to increase the proportion of revenue spend with Powys based suppliers and providers was too modest, Council was advised that the Cabinet was looking to over achieve on these targets. The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Planning was committed to increasing the spend with Powys companies and would be contacting every member for details of businesses in their wards to build up a register of businesses that could be included on the Powys framework. The Leader also extended an invitation to all members to a series of business breakfasts being held across the county. In response to a question from the Chair of the Audit Committee on whether the Vision could be delivered given the savings services would have to make, the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport said he was confident that the Cabinet would deliver on the Vision despite the financial challenges faced although it would require some services to transform.

By 44 votes to 13 it was

To receive and consider the Powys Well-Being Plan 2018.

The Leader presented the Powys Well-Being Plan 2018 which had been prepared by the Powys Public Service Board and was being considered for adoption by each of the constituent member bodies. The plan set the direction the Public Service Board plan to take, working with residents, communities, town and community councils and others to promote and deliver well-being in Powys. The Leader thanked officers for their work on the Plan.

In response to questions about the scrutiny arrangements for the plan, members were reminded that Council had already agreed the scrutiny process, which would involve all the constituent bodies, at a previous meeting.     

The recommendation was moved by the Leader and seconded by County Councillor Myfanwy Alexander and by 47 votes to 4 it was

To agree revenue virements.

There were no revenue virements to be considered on this occasion.

On behalf of all members the Leader paid tribute to Paul Griffiths who was attending his last meeting of Council before standing down as Strategic Director Place. She referred to his long and distinguished career in local government both with Montgomeryshire District Council and Powys County Council.