Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - County Hall. View directions

Contact: Stephen Boyd  01597 826374

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 278 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 5th November 2019 as a correct record.

3.

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.

4.

Council Tax Base pdf icon PDF 413 KB

To consider a report by County Councillor Aled Davies, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport.

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the Council Tax base for 2020-21. Cabinet was advised that the increase in the number of properties may not be reflected in the  population figures which had not been formally published yet but which were a key part of the RSG calculation.

 

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision:

1.    That the calculation of the Council Tax Base for the whole of its area for the year 2020-21 of 62,396:70 be approved,

 

2.      That the calculation of the Tax Base for each Town & Community Council contained within section 3.2 of the report, be approved.  

 

To meet the legal requirement of the Council to set a Council Tax Base for 2020-21

 

 

 

 

5.

Financial Overview and Forecast as at 31st October

To consider a report by County Councillor Aled Davies, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport.

This is the link to the report

https://sway.office.com/4HuS0Do3Wl9vqvAZ?ref=Link

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the financial overview and forecast report for the period ended 31st October. The savings delivered to date had increased by £1.068m to £13.589m, 63% of the total. Assurance had been provided that a further £2.784m could be delivered but £5.318m savings were considered to be unachievable in the current financial year and the Senior Leadership Team had been tasked with bringing forward proposals to bridge the gap.

 

Cabinet also considered budget virements of £185,630 from the Proceeds of Crime Act into the specific Proceeds of Crime Act reserve, £327,620 to fund the budget shortfall in  the joint ICT budget with PTHB,  an increase in grant to the Estate Agency budget from £221,550 to £877,730 and £150,000 for a grant from the Regional Tourism Engagement Fund for marketing and project management of the Discover the Cambrian Way project.   

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision

1.    That the budget position is noted.

2.    That the virements proposed in the report are approved.

3.    That the virements over £500k are recommended to Council for approval.

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.

To ensure appropriate virements, are carried out to align budgets and financing requirements.

 

 

6.

Capital Forecast as at 31st October

To consider a report by County Councillor Aled Davies, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Countryside and Transport.

This is the link to the report

https://sway.office.com/zvcTWnBqznmpacXe?ref=Link

 

 

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the Capital Programme update for the period ended 31st October 2019. The Leader asked for an end of year report highlighting the capital projects delivered.

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision

That the contents of the report are noted.

 

To report on the Capital Outturn position for the 2019/20 financial year. 

 

 

7.

Digital Powys Strategy pdf icon PDF 302 KB

To consider a report by County Councillor Graham Breeze, Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Engagement.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet considered the Digital Powys Strategy which set out how the Council would take full advantage of new digital tools and technologies to transform how it engaged with residents, businesses and communities and give 24/7 access to services. The strategy was a critical element of the transformation programme and supported the delivery of the Vision 2025 Corporate Improvement Plan. The impetus behind the strategy was improving customer experience. It was recognised that not all residents would have access to digital services so the Council would therefore continue to offer face to face services. Over £908k funding had been secured from Welsh Government for the strategy which would help speed up implementation. The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Engagement and the Leader thanked the Director of Transformation and the Head of Digital Services and their team for their work in bringing forward this key strategy for the Council. The Leader also thanked Welsh Government for the funding provided. 

 

RESOLVED

Reason for Decision:

That the Digital Powys Strategy  as set out in Appendix A to the report is approved as the level of ambition for digital transformation for the Council.

To enable responsive, consistent and excellent public services through transformed digital delivery.

 

 

 

 

8.

Children's Pledge pdf icon PDF 2 MB

A Pledge to children and young people was officially launched by Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board on 20 November (Children’s Rights Day).

 

The newly adopted Children’s Pledge includes a list of promises to all children and young people in Powys, based on what they said is important to them.

 

Promises include providing access to information, listening to views, providing safe environments, and treating all children equally.

 

The Pledge forms a commitment from Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board to ensure children have equal access to services, support and life opportunities.

 

It’s a reminder to staff and councillors of their duty of care to children, in line with the council’s vision and values.

 

A Communications Plan has been developed in conjunction with partners to help explain the pledge and raise awareness of it.

 

The Pledge can be viewed in full at www.powys.gov.uk/childrenspledge

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cabinet welcomed the Pledge to Children and Young People that had been officially launched by the Council and Powys Teaching Health Board on 20th November. The Pledge listed promises to all children and young people in Powys based on what they said was important to them including providing access to information, listening to views, providing safe environments and treating all children equally. The Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People was thanked for organising the Member development session on the UN Convention on Rights of the Child the previous week. Cabinet asked that publicity be given to the council’s role as an equal opportunities employer.

9.

Correspondence

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

Minutes:

There were no items of correspondence.

10.

Delegated Decisions Taken Since the Last Meeting pdf icon PDF 140 KB

To note the delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.

Minutes:

Cabinet noted the delegated decisions taken since the last meeting.

11.

Forward Work Programme pdf icon PDF 73 KB

To consider the Cabinet forward work programme.

Minutes:

Cabinet noted the forward work programme.