Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors Heulwen Hulme, Sarah Lewis, William Powell, Phil Pritchard, Pete Roberts, and Jonathan Wilkinson.

The Chair of the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee advised that members of the Committee would have to leave at 1.00 p.m to attend a site visit and meeting in Welshpool following the postponement of the meeting due to adverse weather the previous week.

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

County Councillors Dai Davies, Gareth Morgan and Timothy Van-Rees declared personal and prejudicial interests in agenda item 9 Pay Policy Statement as relatives or friends of Council staff.

The Monitoring Officer explained that Wales Audit Office advice was that all officers should leave the Chamber while this item was considered but he asked for dispensation for the Professional Lead – Employment Services, the IT Support Officer and the translator to remain to assist with the running of the meeting. It was moved by County Councillor David Jones and seconded by County Councillor Michael Jones and

                        RESOLVED to give dispensation for the Professional Lead – Employment Services, the IT Support Officer and the translator to remain for item 9 to assist with the running of the meeting.

To receive any announcement’s from the Chair of Council.

The Chair congratulated Newbridge-on-Wye Post Office winner in the post office section of the Countryside Alliance Awards, and the Wheelwright Arms at Erwood which was highly commended in pub section.

Sarah Titcombe from the WLGA presented the Wales Charter for Member Support and Development recognising the excellent support provided to members.

To receive any announcements from the Leader.

The Leader thanked staff, members, contractors, volunteers and the emergency services who had worked during the adverse weather to ensure that roads were cleared and vital services delivered. She noted that most of the new schools in the Gwernyfed were open for business and that the new school in Clyro would be opening shortly. She advised that the Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Services, Vaugh Gethin AM and Minister for Children and Social Care, Huw Irranca-Davies AM would be visiting in the afternoon to discuss the parliamentary review of health and social care in Wales. She also noted the launch of the Mid Wales Freight Strategy and she closed by thanking all those involved in the very successful Careers Festival held  at the Royal Welsh Showground.

To receive a briefing from the Chief Executive.

The Acting Chief Executive also acknowledged the efforts of everyone who had worked to ensure that services were provided during the previous week’s heavy snow. He advised that progress continued to be made on Children’s Services and that the new Improvement Board chaired by Jack Straw would report to the  Leader and would be providing support and assurance to the Cabinet. He also referred to the Careers Festival which was now the largest in the UK. Finally he announced that Alison Bulman had been appointed as Director of Social Services and that she would be taking up post before the end of April.

To approve the Council Tax resolution and to set the Council Tax charges for 2018/2019.

Council considered the Council Tax resolution for 2018/19 in accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. As agreed at Council on 23rdFebruary 2017, the report contained a 5% increase in Council Tax for the financial year 2018-19.

1.            Thatata meetingoftheCabinetonthe21stNovember2017,theCouncil calculated thefollowing amountsfor theyear2018/2019inaccordancewith RegulationsmadeunderSection33(5)oftheLocalGovernmentFinance Act, 1992.

(a)          BeingtheamountcalculatedbytheCouncil,inaccordancewiththe Local   Authorities(CalculationofCouncilTaxBase)(Wales) Regulations1995,asamended,asitsCouncilTaxBasefortheyear 2018/2019.

(b)          Part of the Council's area community of:

Community of:

To receive and consider the Minimum Revenue Provision Annual Statement 2018/19.

Council considered the Minimum Revenue Provision Annual Statement for 2018/19. The recommendations were proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and seconded by County Councillor Martin Weale.

Recommendation1: by 51 votes to 8 with 2 abstentions it was

Recommendation 2: by 42 votes to 16 with 4 abstentions it was

Recommendation 3: by 44 votes to 15 with 3 abstentions it was

Recommendation 4: by 42 votes 15 with 3 abstentions it was

Recommendation 5: by 42 votes to 11 with 8 abstentions it was

To consider capital virements requiring Council approval.

Council considered the roll forward of capital budgets in the Housing Revenue Account. The Head of Housing explained why a number of projects had been delayed and advised that the delayed works would be carried out in the first 9 months of the new financial year. The recommendation was proposed by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and seconded by County Councillor James Evans and by 62 votes to 0 it was

To receive and consider the pay policy statement for 2018/19.

All officers with the exception of the Professional Lead – Employment Services, the IT Support Officer and the translator left the meeting whilst this item was being considered.

County Councillors DE Davies, G Morgan and TJ Van-Rees left the meeting whilst this item was being considered having declared personal prejudicial interests in this item.

The Vice Chair took the Chair for this item.

Council considered the Pay Policy Statement for 2018/19.

County Councillor Matthew Dorrance moved an amendment, seconded by County Councillor Sarah Williams:

“This Council commits to paying the Living Wage Foundation Rate from April 2019 and implementing any annual increases announced each November by the following May.

Furthermore, the Council commits to seek formal accreditation as a Living Wage employer with effect from April 2019.”

The amendment was put to the vote and lost by 28 votes to 32.

Council voted on the recommendation in the report and by 41 votes to 17 it was

Members and officers who had declared an interest returned to the meeting. County Councillor Dai Davies resumed the Chair.

To consider a report by the Solicitor to the Council.

Council considered a recommendation to allow the maximum number of days which the independent member of the Audit Committee could be paid to exceed the 25 day limit previously set by Council. In addition to serving on the Audit Committee the independent member was a member of a number of working groups. An amendment was moved by County Councillor Stephen Hayes seconded by County Councillor Myfanwy Alexander for the proposed review of the role and responsibilities of the independent member of the Audit Committee to be widened to include all independent members was passed by 45 votes to 9. The substantive motion was passed by 48 votes to 6.

County Councillor Phyl Davies arrived at 12.23.

County Councillors Graham Breeze, Linda Corfield, Les George, Iain McIntosh, David Price, Gareth Pugh left the meeting at 12.26.

To consider a report by the Solicitor to the Council.

Council received details of Boundary Commission proposals to reduce the number of Councillors in Powys from 73 to 68 and to introduce a number of multi member wards.  Council had until 29 May to comment on the proposals. County Councillor James Evans, seconded by County Councillor Timothy Van-Rees, proposed an amendment to the recommendation in the report that a members seminar be arranged to give members a chance to discuss the proposals was passed by 30 votes to 19, and the substantive motion by 28 votes to 17 with 1 abstention.

County Councillor Roger Williams left at 12.36.

County Councillor Jon Williams left at 12.38.

County Councillor Karen Laurie-Parry left at 12.40.

County Councillor E Michael Jones left at 12.46.

To consider the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy.

Council considered the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Statement for 2018/19. It was moved by the Portfolio Holder for Finance and seconded by County Councillor James Evans and by 47 votes to 0 it was

County Councillor Kathryn  Silk arrived at 12.49.

The horrors of our addiction to plastic are now common-knowledge.  Plastic has an important place in our technological development and is in many ways an ingenious and revolutionary product.  Nonetheless, it is time for another plastic revolution.  It is time to ditch single-use plastic.  On being elected to the Council in May, I was horrified by the number of single use plastic cups and single use composite cups that are used by Members, staff and visitors on a daily basis.  The response to the recent ‘Plastic-free Powys’ campaign indicates that residents would likely be just as disappointed.

Will Members demonstrate leadership by asking that Council;

A)   Promote Powys as a major plastic reducer

B)   Develop a strategy to:

1.     Encourage staff and residents to:

a.    Carry refillable water bottles and, longer term, consider a water fountain in town centres where they can be refilled.

Proposer: County Councillor Emily Durrant

Seconder: County Councillor Bryn Davies

Council debated the following notice of motion proposed by County Councillor Emily Durrant and seconded by County Councillor Bryn Davies:

“The horrors of our addiction to plastic are now common-knowledge.  Plastic has an important place in our technological development and is in many ways an ingenious and revolutionary product.  Nonetheless, it is time for another plastic revolution.  It is time to ditch single-use plastic.  On being elected to the Council in May, I was horrified by the number of single use plastic cups and single use composite cups that are used by Members, staff and visitors on a daily basis.  The response to the recent ‘Plastic-free Powys’ campaign indicates that residents would likely be just as disappointed.

Will Members demonstrate leadership by asking that Council;

A)   Promote Powys as a major plastic reducer

B)   Develop a strategy to:

1.     Encourage staff and residents to:

a.    Carry refillable water bottles and, longer term, consider a water fountain in town centres where they can be refilled.

b.    Carry reusable coffee cups and to refuse single use coffee cups when offered  (for example, by placing a 5p charge on single use coffee cups in council run buildings is one idea)

c.    Avoid products with micro beads and to only flush paper down their loos. Not flushing wet wipes and cotton buds and disposable contact lenses down the loo would reduce plastic in the ocean and help the sewage system.

2.     Encourage food and drinks outlets across the county to:

a.    Offer a biodegradable alternative and advertise a willingness to fill people's own cups

b.    Use paper and not plastic straws.”

Council adjourned from 13.02 to 13.51.

County Councillor D E Davies (Chair)

County Councillors MC Alexander, M Barnes, B Baynham, J Charlton, K W Curry, A W Davies, B Davies, P Davies, S C Davies, M J Dorrance, E Durrant, D O Evans, J Evans, L Fitzpatrick, M R Harris, S M Hayes, A Jenner, D R Jones, E Jones, M J Jones, D Jones-Poston, F H Jump, MC Mackenzie, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, C Mills, N Morrison, R Powell, GD Price, J Pugh, G W Ratcliffe, L Roberts, K M Roberts-Jones, E Roderick, D Rowlands, K S Silk, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, T J Van-Rees, E Vaughan, A Williams, G I S Williams, D H Williams, J M Williams,  and S L Williams

County Councillor Jackie Charlton moved the following amendment, seconded by County Councillor Maureen Mackenzie adding an extra recommendation

C)This Authority supports and promotes a National Bottle Return Scheme  within Powys schools  and buildings to cut the amount of waste as well as reduce the level of litter that we see across our road system in Powys.

County Councillor James Evans left at 13.59.

County Councillor Amanda Jenner, seconded by County Councillor Lucy Roberts proposed a further amendment:

C) This Authority looks into how it can support and promote a National Bottle Return Scheme  within Powys schools  and buildings to cut the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To receive a presentation by the Chief Fire Officer, Chris Davies, and the Area Manager, Iwan Cray.

The Chief Fire Officer, Chris Davies, and Area Manager Iwan Cray, gave a presentation on the work of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service and took questions from Members.

County Councillor Jeremy Pugh left at 14.11.

County Councillor Beverley Baynham  left at 14.59.

County Councillor Gareth  Ratcliffe left at 15.14.

That in celebration of the centenary of women gaining the vote, this council recognises the incredible contribution women have made to politics in Powys, Wales and the United Kingdom since time immemorial. 

This council will continue to actively encourage  women to run for political roles in the future and will strive to assist them in any way it can.

Proposer: Councillor Liam Fitzpatrick

Seconder: Councillor Amanda Jenner

Council debated the following notice of motion proposed by County Councillor Liam Fitzpatrick and seconded by County Councillor Amanda Jenner:

“That in celebration of the centenary of women gaining the vote, this council recognises the incredible contribution women have made to politics in Powys, Wales and the United Kingdom since time immemorial. 

This council will continue to actively encourage  women to run for political roles in the future and will strive to assist them in any way it can.”

County Councillor Myfanwy Alexander moved an amendment  seconded by County Councillor Rachel Powell to request that the Democratic Services committee examine ways in which women and other under-represented groups can be encouraged to participate in civic life in Powys.

The Chair of the Democratic Services Committee advised that he had already arranged a meeting with officers to look into this.

The amendment was put to the vote and by 32 votes to 0  it was

            RESOLVED to request that the Democratic Services Committee examine ways in which women and other under-represented groups can be encouraged to participate in civic life in Powys.

With stark warnings of community policing and ‘bobbies on the beat’ being cut to the bone, new figures show that Dyfed-Powys bucked the trend and has seen the biggest rise in the number of total officers and PCSOs in the last five years.

There are 29 more officers in the force area now than there were five years ago – a 2.6 per cent rise.

The biggest rise in total officers since 2012, Dyfed-Powys is one of only three forces in the UK where overall officer numbers have increased after UK police chiefs warnings that community officers were under “serious threat from financial cuts.

The number of neighbourhood officers and police community support officers in Dyfed-Powys has also risen since 2012, with 31 more local officers patrolling the streets in 2017 than five years ago.

The number of PCSOs in Dyfed-Powys has risen by 45 per cent to 143 in that time – one of only four forces where numbers rose.

It  is resolved that :

The Council welcomes and congratulates Dyfed Powys police and the Police & Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, on the news that it is one of only three forces in the UK who have increased the number of officers despite severe financial pressures.

The number of PCSOs in Dyfed-Powys has risen by 45 per cent to 143 in that time – one of only four forces where numbers rose.

Proposer: County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan

Seconder: County Councillor Bryn Davies

Council debated the following amendment proposed by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan, seconded by County Councillor Bryn Davies:

With stark warnings of community policing and ‘bobbies on the beat’ being cut to the bone, new figures show that Dyfed-Powys bucked the trend and has seen the biggest rise in the number of total officers and PCSOs in the last five years.

There are 29 more officers in the force area now than there were five years ago – a 2.6 per cent rise.

The biggest rise in total officers since 2012, Dyfed-Powys is one of only three forces in the UK where overall officer numbers have increased after UK police chiefs warnings that community officers were under “serious threat from financial cuts.

The number of neighbourhood officers and police community support officers in Dyfed-Powys has also risen since 2012, with 31 more local officers patrolling the streets in 2017 than five years ago.

The number of PCSOs in Dyfed-Powys has risen by 45 per cent to 143 in that time – one of only four forces where numbers rose.

It  is resolved that :

The Council welcomes and congratulates Dyfed Powys police and the Police & Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn, on the news that it is one of only three forces in the UK who have increased the number of officers despite severe financial pressures.

The number of PCSOs in Dyfed-Powys has risen by 45 per cent to 143 in that time – one of only four forces where numbers rose.

County Councillor Susan McNicholas, seconded  by County Councillor Huw Williams proposed an amendment:

This Council congratulations Dyfed Powys Police and its commitment to increasing officer numbers across the force area.

This Council recognises the financial commitment from Welsh Government in funding an extra 500 PCSOs across Wales.

Council voted on the amendment passing it by 20 votes to 6 with 3 amendments. Council then voted on the substantive motion and by 24 votes to 0 with 4 abstentions

            RESOLVED that this Council congratulations Dyfed Powys Police and its commitment to increasing officer numbers across the force area.

This Council recognises the financial commitment from Welsh Government in funding an extra 500 PCSOs across Wales.

Can the Cabinet Member explain what contact Cabinet Members or officials of the Council have had with the Welsh Government about the Minister responsible for digital infrastructure’s announcement on 30th January that Powys is to be targeted for connection to superfast broadband for homes and businesses not connected under the previous Openreach scheme; how many properties are expected to benefit in Powys under the proposed new contract; what areas of Powys are being prioritised; how those priorities are being established; when delivery is expected to begin and to be completed; and whether every settlement in Powys can now expect connection to superfast broadband?

Can the Cabinet Member explain what contact Cabinet Members or officials of the Council have had with the Welsh Government about the Minister responsible for digital infrastructure’s announcement on 30th January that Powys is to be targeted for connection to superfast broadband for homes and businesses not connected under the previous Openreach scheme; how many properties are expected to benefit in Powys under the proposed new contract; what areas of Powys are being prioritised; how those priorities are being established; when delivery is expected to begin and to be completed; and whether every settlement in Powys can now expect connection to superfast broadband?

Response

The Council’s Regeneration Team continues to work with Welsh Government’s ICT Infrastructure team over the roll out of Superfast Broadband in Phase 2 of its programme. We understand the budget for this programme across Wales which will cover the period 2018-23 is circa £80M with Mid Wales identified as a priority area for investment.

The Superfast Broadband initiative is a Welsh Government programme and Powys County Council’s is a consultee in this process.

In July 2017 as part of the Phase 2 consultation Powys County Council highlighted what it felt were priority areas for the next phase of roll out.

The second phase contracts (2018-23) are currently out to tender and it is anticipated that a Welsh Government decision on these will be known around April 2018.

We are given to understand that delivery locations will be agreed through the tender process itself.

Suppliers are required to indicate what and where they are able to deliver in the bids they submit.

Once this process is completed we will then understand how many properties may be connected in Phase 2.

At this time the detailed time table for delivery is not available as it has yet to be agreed with the successful suppliers.

As much of the core fibre network has already been installed it is anticipated that the second phase of delivery will include a higher number of alternative broadband solutions such as community based Wi-Fi systems and other technologies.

A successful Wi-Fi based pilot project was recently completed in the community of Crai, in the Brecon Beacons with support from the Regeneration Team providing stable 30Mb connections for 75 premises https://www.growinpowys.com/crai-project-uk .   

Councillor Silk’s supplementary question was to ask which  parts of Powys were being prioritised and how members would be  advised. In the absence of the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Planning,  the Leader would see that a response was provided.