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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: There were no apologies for absence. The Leader welcomed the announcement from Welsh Government that enhanced monitoring arrangements had been removed due to the substantial progress made in improving social services provision. She paid tribute to the Portfolio Holders and staff and she thanked Jack Straw the independent chair of the Improvement and Assurance Board for his challenge and encouragement. The Leader thanked Ness Young, the Corporate Director (Resources and Transformation) who was leaving the Authority for the contribution she had made to improving performance in the Council. She also thanked Councillor James Evans who was stepping down as Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Housing and Regulatory Services for his work on the Cabinet since his appointment in May 2017. Councillor Evans thanked the Leader for giving him the opportunity to serve and said he was proud to have overseen the building of the first Council houses in the county for a generation.
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To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the last meeting held as a correct record. Minutes: The Leader was authorised to sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 20th October 2020 as a correct record. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest reported. |
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The future of Special Educational Needs/ Additional Learning Needs in Powys Strategy PDF 418 KB To consider a report by County Councillor Phyl Davies, Portfolio Holder for Education and Property. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet considered a new strategy for Special Educational Needs/Additional Learning Needs in Powys. Cabinet was advised that there had been a high level of support for the policy in the consultation with 88% of respondents expressing support. Cabinet welcomed the proposal to add Welsh medium support and provision as a seventh area of transformation following feedback in the consultation.
County Councillor Pete Roberts, the Chair of the Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee reported that the Committee had a strong degree of confidence in the strategy. The one area where the Committee would like to see further development was in the post 16 – 24 offer and officers had been asked to update the Committee when it had been further developed.
RESOLVED
1. To approve the Future of Special Educational Needs/ Additional Learning Needs in Powys Strategy (Appendix D to the report) for implementation from October 2020. 2. That the costs be included in the Financial Resource Model (FRM).
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Quarter 2 Performance Report To consider a report by County Councillor Graham Breeze, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Engagement. This is the link to the Sway report https://sway.office.com/XivRETVhVAJB7hDA?ref=Link Minutes: Cabinet consider the performance report for the second quarter of 2020/21. In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Engagement placed on record his thanks to Ness Young for her work in driving transformation in the authority.
During this period the Council continued to implement its Corporate Business Continuity Plan and the report set out the activities taken to support the Covid-19 response and recovery efforts and keep communities safe.
During the quarter, the Council took the decision to re-start some of the work on the Transformation Programme projects, Vision 2025 priorities and business as usual activities. The report outlined performance against Corporate Improvement Plan objectives and Performance Accountability Measures. Given the current pandemic with much of the Council's resources focused on its business continuity plan, progress against the usual monitoring framework had been challenging and43%of measures did not have data for quarter 2. For areas where data was available, 36% of the 100 Corporate Improvement Plan (CIP) Measures and 24% of the 17 Public Accountability Measures (PAMs) met their target. This compared to 39% of the Corporate Improvement Plan (CIP) and 27% of PAM's for the same period in 2019/20. Out of the 90 Corporate Improvement Plan (CIP) objectives 54% were Green and 34% were Amber at the end of quarter 2. At the same time last year, 52% of Corporate Improvement Plan (CIP) objectives had met their target. Despite the pandemic, there had been some very good areas of performance and the Cabinet was particularly pleased to note a 12% increase in recycling rates.
To ensure a clear focus and achievable vision it was recommended that future monitoring and reporting would be based on 5 outcomes:
Economy: The Powys economy is thriving and sustainable. Health and Care: Powys residents start will, live well and age well. Learning and Skills: Powys residents are capable, confident and fulfilled. Residents & Communities: Powys communities are vibrant resourceful and connected Making it happen: Powys County Council is high performing and well run.
RESOLVED 1. That future reporting and monitoring will be based on the 5 new outcomes outlined above rather that the 40 objectives outlined in Vision 2025: Our Corporate Improvement Plan. 2. That Cabinet notes the continued achievements and tremendous response of the organisation during the unprecedented and challenging times of a global pandemic, while balancing the need to restart and progress business as usual and Vision 2025 priorities.
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Strategic Risk Register Report Quarter 2 2020/2021 PDF 136 KB To consider a report by County Councillor Aled Davies, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport. Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet considered the Strategic Risk Register for the second quarter of 2020/21. In order to effectively identify and manage risks relating specifically to the Covid-19 pandemic, a separate risk register was created to provide clarity and oversight for Gold and Silver Command. Currently there were 56 risks recorded, 4 of the 64 risks were placed within the 'major' impact category 2 with a probability of likely and 2 almost certain, and another 1 placed within the 'catastrophic' impact category with a probability of possible. The register was monitored by Gold and Silver Command on a weekly basis.
RESOLVED that Cabinet notes the current Strategic Risk Register and is satisfied with progress against mitigating actions for quarter 2.
This will ensure:
· Appropriate understanding and management of strategic risks which could prevent us from achieving our objectives · A risk managed approach to decision making and good governance of the Council · The risk related to Powys residents, services and Council staff as a result of a COVID-19 (Coronavirus) epidemic is monitored and reviewed regularly.
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Financial Forecast for the year ended 31st March 2021 (as at 30th September 2020) PDF 868 KB To consider a report by County Councillor Aled Davies, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport. Minutes: Cabinet considered the budget outturn report for the period ended 30 September 2020. The pandemic has had a considerable impact on the Council’s budget. With Welsh Government support the full year projected deficit reported at the end of the second quarter had reduced to £7.582 million (£5.993 million with the inclusion of schools and the HRA). Heads of Service had given assurances that they could deliver further cost reductions in the second half of the year and this coupled with further claims for lost income from Welsh Government would reduce the forecast outturn deficit to £2.843 million, (a projected deficit of £1,154 million including HRA and Schools). The report set out a number of virements including a virement of £635,000 to fund the additional 0.75% pay award for NJC staff that would require Council approval.
RESOLVED 1. That Cabinet note the half year budget position and the projected full year position to the end of March 2021. 2. That the virements proposed in section 8 of the report are approved and the virement relating to the pay award is recommended to Council for approval. |
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Capital Forecast as at 30th September 2020 PDF 728 KB To consider a report by County Councillor Aled Davies, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport. Minutes: Cabinet considered an update report on the Council’s capital programme as at 30th September. Actual spend and committed expenditure amounted to £44.05 million representing 38% of the total budget. The actual spend to date was £21.62 million, with £22.43 million the committed figure. The revenue expenditure to cover the borrowing for past and present capital schemes was estimated to be £12.18 million in 2020/21 and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) required was estimated at £3.78 million. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) proportion of these costs was expected to be £5.34 million.
The report also set out 2 virements that would require Council approval:
Heol y Ffynnon, Brecon, New Build Scheme A virement was required to realign the 2020/21 budget, removing the Capital Grant funding expectation (£1.51 million) and replace with borrowing in line with the confirmed revenue grant. Bowling Green, Newtown, New Build Scheme A virement was required to reflect a £2.19 million Innovative Housing Grant that had been received.
RESOLVED 1. That the contents of the report are noted. 2. The Virements in section 4 are recommended to Council for approval.
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