Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cabinet Assistant Councillor Adam Kennerley.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the meetings held on 16^th January and 23^rd January as correct records.

The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meetings held on 16^th and 23^rd January 2024 as correct records subject to the deletion of the name of Councillor J Brignell-Thorp from the list of Cabinet members present on 23^rd January.

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 consider a report by the Leader, County Councillor James Gibson-Watt.

Cabinet considered the annual update to the Council’s Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan: Stronger, Fairer, Greener (2024-2027). The Plan reaffirmed the Council’s three well-being objectives and the updated actions that need to take to deliver them.

Cabinet noted that the Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys had asked for the following text to be added to the Leader’s and Chief Executive’s joint introduction to reflect the Nature Emergency:

“During 2024-2025, we will be focusing on how we can contribute to addressing both the Climate Emergency (where we need to reach the goals of Net Zero by 2030), and Nature Emergency (where we need to set the road to recovery with many species and habitats at risk of extinction), by aiming to effectively manage 30% of our land, freshwater and sea for nature by 2030. This is a key action of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and will help to support and recover existing habitats, which in turn will positively impact upon a range of species in Powys and beyond.”

It was noted that reference to the Property Planning and Public Protection Improvement Board on page 28 should be amended to the Planning Improvement Board. The Cabinet Member for a Connected Powys would liaise with the Head of Transformation and Democratic Services on this section of the report.

It was confirmed that once approved, the Plan would be translated into Welsh. Officers would also look producing a simplified version and making it available to those members of the public who were digitally excluded.

RECOMMENDED to Council that the annual update to the Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan (as outlined in Appendix A and updated at the meeting) is approved for publication, with implementation from 01 April 2024.

To note the delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.

Cabinet noted the delegated decisions taken by Portfolio Holders since the last meeting.

To consider the Cabinet forward work programme.

Cabinet noted that reports on the Local Development Plan, Road Safety and the Netherwood report should be listed. Officers were asked to review the forward work programme.