Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - County Hall. View directions

Contact: Stephen Boyd  01597 826374

Items
No. Item

C1- 2017

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

C2- 2017

Minutes pdf icon PDF 128 KB

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 14th March 2017 as a correct record.

C3- 2017

Declarations of Interest

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

Minutes:

County Councillor AG Thomas declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item C83 – 2017 Admission Arrangements for the 2018-19 School Year as the Chair of Governors of Llangors C in W School who had written in was his neighbour.

 

The Leader advised that he was changing the running order of the agenda to take the report on the Brecon Cultural Hub next as the Portfolio Holder for Property, Buildings and Housing had to leave to attend another meeting.

C16- 2017

Exempt Items

The Monitoring Officer has determined that category  3 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules applies to the following items. His view on the public interest test (having taken account of the provisions of Rule 14.8 of the Council's Access to Information Rules) was that to make this information public would disclose information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

 

These factors in his view outweigh the public interest in disclosing this information. Members are asked to consider these factors when determining the public interest test, which they must decide when considering excluding the public from this part of the meeting.

 

Minutes:

RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 3 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).

 

C17- 2017

Brecon Cultural Hub

To consider a report on Brecon Cultural Hub.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet received an update report on Brecon Cultural Hub. Cabinet was advised that the costs of the project had increased since Council had agreed to provide additional funding for the project in January 2017. A funding shortfall caused by increases in construction costs and fees had been identified.

 

The Leader and Cabinet members expressed their concern at the rising costs of the scheme with the contingency sum recently approved by Council already committed and a further virement required. Cabinet also expressed concern at the project management of the scheme and at delays in identifying rising costs and bringing these to the attention of elected Members. Officers reported on a meeting that had been held with the consultants appointed as project manager. In addition the Council had appointed its own project manager. Officers would produce a report for the Audit Committee and Scrutiny on lessons to be learned. Cabinet was also concerned that the combined current revenue budgets for Brecknock Museum and Brecon Library would not be sufficient to run the Cultural Hub. Further detail on running costs would be provided to the Cabinet in the summer.

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision:

1.    That a virement in the sum stated in the recommendation to the report is made from the Capital budget to make up the funding shortfall.

 

2.    That officers provide timely advice on any future action that may be required.

To ensure the Project is funded.

 

 

County Councillor Harris left the meeting. Cabinet went back into open session.

 

 

C4- 2017

Financial Overview and Forecast pdf icon PDF 174 KB

To consider a report by County Councillor Wynne Jones, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the financial overview and forecast for the period ended 28 February 2017. The Portfolio Holder for Finance reported a projected overspend of £3,675k against the approved budget, an improvement of £682k on the January position. Schools delegated budgets remained a risk for the Council with a combined projected deficit of £4.4m in 2 years.

 

 

RESOLVED:

Reason for Decision:

1.    The contents of this report are noted by Cabinet;  and

2.    Cabinet supports appropriate action by services to curtail or reduce the reported forecasted service deficits.

3.    The Capital virements set out in paragraph 14.2 are approved, and those over £500k be submitted to full council for approval.

4.    The virement between the General Fund and the Pension Fund as set out in paragraph 12.1 be approved.

To monitor the council’s financial performance and ensure that spending remains within approved limits and that the 3% minimum general fund reserve is maintained.

 

 

C5- 2017

Cabinet Response to Finance Scrutiny Panel Report on the Budget pdf icon PDF 95 KB

To consider a report by County Councillor Wynne Jones, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Minutes:

In giving the Cabinet’s formal response to the Finance Scrutiny Panel’s report on the budget, the Portfolio Holder for Finance thanked the Panel for their work and the Chair, County Councillor John Morris, for his professional and constructive approach. Councillor Morris thanked his colleagues on the Finance Scrutiny Panel and officers for their support and wished Councillor Wynne Jones well.

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision:

That Cabinet adopts the report as its response to the Finance Scrutiny Panel report.

To ensure an appropriate response to the valuable work carried out by FSP.

 

C6- 2017

Cabinet response to the Finance Scrutiny Panel report on the Adult Social Care Budget pdf icon PDF 93 KB

To consider a report by County Councillor Stephen Hayes, Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care.

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Services presented the response to the Audit / Finance Scrutiny Panel report into the overspend by Adult Social Care. The report set out the progress being made in relation to a number of the key areas addressed by the Audit/Scrutiny paper and the further work required.

 

RESOLVED:

Reason for decision:

To endorse and adopt the paper as the Cabinet response to the Joint Adult Social Care and Audit Committee report and further correspondence, including progress made in implementing improvements.

Response to the Joint Adult Social Care and Audit Committee report on ‘Adult Social Care Overspend’

 

C7- 2017

Admission Arrangements for the 2018-19 School Year pdf icon PDF 79 KB

To consider a report by County Councillor Arwel Jones, Portfolio Holder for Education.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

County Councillor AG Thomas left the meeting while this item was being discussed having declared an interest.

 

Cabinet considered admission arrangements for primary schools in the Gwernyfed catchment area in 2018/19. Cabinet noted the letter received from the Chair of Governors of Llangors C in W School objecting to the reduction in admission numbers for 24 to 21 and the explanation in the report as to why the additional space should not be included in the school capacity calculation.

 

 

RESOLVED

Reason for decison:

1.     That the additional space in Llangors C in W School is treated as a community/large group area and is not included in the school capacity calculation.

 

2.     That the annual admission numbers for the 4 schools in the Gwernyfed catchment area for the 2018-19 school year for which the Authority is the admission authority is set at:

 

Hay on Wye CP School

Llangors C in W School

Ysgol y Mynydd Du

Clyro C in W School

30

21

21

17

 

3.     That officers liaise with the headteacher and governing body of Llangors C in W School throughout the admissions process for the 2018-19 and subsequent year, to meet parental preferences up to a maximum of 24.

 

4.     That Cabinet approve the amendments to the admission arrangements for the 2018-19 school year.

To ensure surplus places for the school are controlled within the Authority’s target

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To meet parental preferences for pupil places within space available

 

Councillor AG Thomas returned to the meeting.

C8- 2017

ERW Business Plan 2017-20 pdf icon PDF 77 KB

To consider a report by County Councillor Arwel Jones, Portfolio Holder for Education.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet received the ERW business plan for 2017-2020.

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision:

To receive and note the ERW business plan for 2017-20

 

To ensure that Cabinet are aware of the objectives, aims and actions of the regional school improvement service

 

 

C9- 2017

Powys Public Service Board - Well-being Assessment 2017 pdf icon PDF 76 KB

To consider a report by the Leader, County Councillor Barry Thomas.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet received the Powys Public Service Board (Powys PSB) Well-being Assessment. The Assessment was a key evidence base on which a statutory well-being plan would be developed and would also inform the council’s corporate planning arrangements.

 

Cabinet was advised that two emails had been received from members of the public challenging the data presented in the Environment Key Findings paper that there had only been 20 responses that expressed concern at the LDP Renewable Energy planning policy. Cabinet was adjourned for 5 minutes for members to read the emails. When Cabinet reconvened it was explained that the data was taken at a set point in time last year before the LDP consultation attracted hundreds of responses. Cabinet was advised that the emails would be forwarded to the Public Service Board and that the Environment Key Findings paper would be updated to reflect the responses received on the Renewable Energy planning policy. Cabinet was reminded that they were receiving the Well-Being Assessment for information and that the Powys Public Service Board was responsible for approving it.

 

 

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision:

1)    The Powys PSB’s Well-being Assessment 2017 is noted and received for information.

2)    Powys PSB well-being assessment be made available to new members in their induction pack and in local libraries, leisure centres and public receptions for public use.

 

The Well-being Assessment 2017 provides an essential foundation for developing the well-being plan by 31st March 2018 and will also inform the council’s corporate planning arrangements.

 

The evidence base contained within the well-being assessment gives a comprehensive picture of the well-being of Powys and as such should be made available publicly.

 

Councillor Brown did not vote having missed the start of the debate.

C10- 2017

2025: Powys Transformed - Strategic Planning pdf icon PDF 107 KB

To consider the report of the Chief Executive.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive set out the approach he had developed with his Management Team to deliver a long term sustainable service delivery model for the Council called 2025: Powys Transformed. The approach would be centred on 3 priorities with 2 further (enabling) priorities in place to support their delivery:

 

  • Improving Health and Care
  • Creating a vibrant economy
  • Improving learner outcomes and aspiration for all

 

These would only be delivered by two ‘Enablers’

 

  • Developing the Workforce
    • Behaviours and Culture
    • Leadership
    • Engagement
    • RROOTS

 

  • Remodelling Council services and improving efficiency by using the approach outlined above that will in effect form a transformation toolkit consisting of the following:

 

  • Agile, Flexible, Remote and Mobile Working
  • Improving collaboration and Integration
  • Customer Insight and Business Intelligence
  • Business Process Improvements
  • Productivity
  • Flexibility
  • Commercialisation

 

Management Team would continue to work on developing the narrative produced for Powys 2020 to illustrate what the transformed Powys will look like in 2025 for the new Cabinet and Council to consider after the local government elections.  

 

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision:

That Cabinet endorse the ‘2025: Powys Transformed’  as a means of longer term strategic planning and savings delivery for the new Council to continue.

To enable the Chief Executive to commence strategic transformational planning to meet the savings requirement and explore options to be presented to a new administration

 

C11- 2017

Strategic Overview Board pdf icon PDF 74 KB

To consider a report by County Councillor Wynne Jones, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Performance.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

In presenting the minutes of the Strategic Overview Board meeting held on 21st March, the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Performance noted the positive contribution from the Scrutiny side. He asked that the information requested by the SOB be circulated before the end of this Council.

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision:

That Cabinet receive the Strategic Overview Board Quarter 3 2016-17 – Summary Report and the minutes of the Strategic Overview Board meeting held on 21st March 2017.

To ensure effective evaluation and challenge relating to performance against agreed priorities and Objectives.

 

C12- 2017

Update from the Anti-Poverty Champion

To receive an update from the Anti-Poverty Champion.

Minutes:

The Council’s Anti-Poverty Champion, County Councillor Joy Jones, supported by the Anti-Poverty Corporate Project Support Assistant reported back on the very successful Tackling Poverty Workshop held at Antur Gwy on 17 February. The event had been attended by  62 people representing Councillors, Council officers, third sector partners, service users and academics. Councillor Jones thanked Greg Thomas and Caroline Evans for their support. She wanted to build on the success by repeating the event and by establishing a Tackling Poverty Stakeholder Group.

 

The Leader thanked Councillor Jones for her work and expressed the hope that Anti-Poverty work would continue under the new Cabinet and asked for a further update report to be included in the Cabinet forward work programme for July.

 

Cabinet also thanked County Councillor Dawn Bailey for her outstanding work as the Council’s Dementia Champion.

C13- 2017

Correspondence

C13- 2017a

Royal British Legion pdf icon PDF 514 KB

To receive and consider a letter from the Royal British Legion calling for the Council’s support for the Legion’s Count Them In campaign to change the UK census in order to capture data at a local authority level regarding the size and needs of the armed forces community.

Minutes:

Cabinet received a letter from the Royal British Legion calling for changes to the census to capture data regarding the size and needs of the armed forces community.

 

                        RESOLVED to refer the letter to full Council.  

C13- 2017b

To receive such correspondence as in the opinion of the Leader is of such urgency as to warrant consideration.

C14- 2017

Delegated Decisions Taken Since the Last Meeting pdf icon PDF 50 KB

To note the delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.

Minutes:

Cabinet received details of delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.

 

C15- 2017

Forward Work Programme pdf icon PDF 63 KB

To consider the Cabinet forward work programme.

Minutes:

Cabinet received the forward work programme.

 

The Leader closed the meeting by thanking his Cabinet colleagues, and in particular his deputy leaders, for their loyalty and dedication. He thanked the people of his ward for the honour of representing them and colleagues for the privilege of being made Chairman, then Leader of the Council. He was thankful for the help he’d received and expressed the hope that the Council would continue to provide backing for the dyslexia support officer. He wished retiring colleagues and those seeking re-election well for the future.

 

Members thanked County Councillor Barry Thomas for his leadership. Retiring Members, County Councillors Wynne Jones, Graham Brown, Tony Thomas and John Brunt, thanked the Leader for the opportunity to serve and paid tribute to fellow Cabinet members, including Avril York and to staff.