Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for late arrival to the meeting were received from County Councillor D Selby.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 30^th July 2024 as a correct record.

The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 30^th July 2024 as a correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest from Cabinet Members relating to items for consideration on the agenda.

To consider a report by County Councillor Pete Roberts, Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys.

Cabinet considered a report proposing the closure of Ysgol Bro Cynllaith from 31 August 2025 with Powys-based pupils to transfer to their closest school in Powys. For most pupils, the closest school in Powys would be Ysgol Gynradd Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant. The report set out the reasons for the recommendation and was supported by an options appraisal, a draft community impact assessment and a draft integrated impact assessment.

County Councillor Jake Berriman sought and was provided with further commentary from Officers, as to how the situation before Cabinet compared and contrasted with the previous administration conclusions.

County Councillor Jackie Charlton requested and was provided with clarification on the impact on the community if were to lose funding towards the Community Hall.

County Councillor Aled Davies spoke as the local member and welcomed the addition of further data and information, from the report that was brought to Learning and Skills Committee, in regard to pinch point in classes, which would be similar in Llanrhaeadr Yn Mochnant. The Condition Survey banding was still a concern, as funds had been spent e.g., adding a new roof, however Powys County Council aspects of the recommendations report, in terms of security, were yet to be completed.

Disappointment was noted that other options especially of the “Classroom in the Countryside” model with Llanfyllin school had not been considered as an alternative solution.

Question raised and was answered by Officers in respect of the previous Administrations request for a report into the impact of small school closures across Powys borders not being completed.

Concern expressed that due to the proximity of the border, with over 97% of the pupils living within Bro Cynllaith catchment, a unique statistic in Powys, it was very likely that Powys County Council would not only lose WG funding but incur further costs to transport these pupils to their nearest school in England. 

The football pitch on the school site was the only green space within the village, the community hall was frequently utilised and had a Stay and Play group which 10-15 children attended.

The Cabinet and Corporate Leadership Team were invited to attend a public meeting as soon as a date had been convened, to discuss the consultation with the community.

County Councillor Gwynfor Thomas presented the recommendations of the Learning and Skills Committee and requested that narrative be updated and correct prior to the commencement of a consultation. It was hoped that the consultation would give clarity on the receiving-in schools, the impact on the community and on Powys of the potential loss of learners, and whether Welsh Medium education was, through the implementation of Trochi sessions, sought. 

County Councillor Bryn Davies spoke as a local member and noted the reduction in Welsh speakers in the area over the last 50 years, adding that individuals should not have to choose between their education or their culture. Consideration should have been given to the actual location of schools in north-east Powys with Llansilin being a natural location as the largest village in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To consider a report by County Councillor James Gibson-Watt, Leader and Cabinet Member for an Open and Transparent Powys.

Cabinet considered the Council’s 2024 to 2025 Quarter 1 (April to June) Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan Scorecard.

The Cabinet is asked to review the performance and confirm that they are assured by the performance or that they are satisfied that remedial actions will effectively improve performance where this is not on track.

                        RESOLVED

1.    That Cabinet confirm they are assured that performance is progressing well, or that mitigating actions have been identified and reflected in updates to service Integrated Business Plans.

2.    That Cabinet confirm they are satisfied that any remedial actions will effectively improve performance in line with outcomes set out in the Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan.

3.    That Cabinet note the following amendments to measures:

Measure 26: ‘The equality and diversity of the workforce better compares to the demographics of the people of Powys (a number close to zero is better)’.  Reporting this information meaningfully and consistently has been challenging, and it is requested that this measure be removed and converted into a CSEP action, which will be reportable quarterly as a text narrative.

Measure 27: ‘The applicants and staff appointed [to jobs] reflect (generally) the equality and diversity of the people of Powys (a number close to zero is better)’. Reporting this information meaningfully and consistently has been challenging, and it is requested that this measure be removed and converted into a CSEP action, which will be reportable quarterly as a text narrative.

Measures 42 to 46 that record the number of contacts made to’ Housing, Income and Awards, Adult Social Services (ASSIST), and Children’s Social Services (Front Door) have been removed from the reporting.  The ‘contacts made to the Council’ measure was originally intended to help the Council better understand how citizens are engaging with service.  However, there are no mechanisms in place to enable all types of contacts to be recorded, and there are no Council-wide plans to develop recording systems that would support the reporting.  Therefore, the figures reported lack context and comparability (for example, it is not possible to determine whether phone calls are decreasing but emails are increasing, as some services can only measure phone calls, whereas others may include emails and Facebook messages).

To receive and consider the Corporate Safeguarding Board activity report.

Cabinet received the activity report for the Corporate Safeguarding Board.  

To note the delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.

Cabinet noted the delegated decisions made by portfolio holders since the last meeting.

To consider the Cabinet forward work programme.

Cabinet noted the forward work programme.