Agenda

To elect the Chair of Council for the ensuing year.

To elect the Vice-Chair of Council for the ensuing year.

To elect the Assistant Vice-Chair of Council for the ensuing year.

To receive apologies for absence.

To consider the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 24^th September 2020 as a correct record.

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

To consider virements requiring Council approval.

To consider recommendations from the Democratic Services Committee.

To consider approving the revised Licensing Act 2003 policy.

The agricultural sector is of paramount importance to our economy and communities of Powys as indicated in this this map. With 9.5 million sheep in Wales we have seen one of the main natural products, wool,  having extremely low prices in recent times.

We have wool grading centres in Newtown and Brecon, and the sheep sector is of huge importance in Powys. Wool is also a natural, environmentally friendly and fire retardant product.

In view of this, the Council proposes that the authority, as part of the Mid Wales Growth deal, looks at opportunities to add value to our agricultural products and specifically to work with the farming unions and the British Wool Marketing Board with a view of facilitating the establishment of the equivalent of WRONZ, Wool Research Organisation New Zealand in Mid Wales hence being a catalyst for innovative ideas, products and commercial spin offs using wool.

Proposer County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan

Seconder County Councillor Bryn Davies

This council calls upon the Welsh Government to immediately ban the deplorable practice of third-party low-welfare puppy and kitten farms, using ‘Lucy’s Law’ (as enacted in England in April 2020) as the legislative basis for the ban. Further, this Council condemns the unnecessary delay by the Welsh Government in bringing forward this basic animal welfare legislation which should be a prerequisite to a civilised society.

Proposer: County Councillor James Evans

Seconder: County Councillor Amanda Jenner

Powys County Council calls on Welsh Government to make gyms essential in any future lockdowns and firebreaks.

As a key sector of the Welsh Economy, gyms provide essential physical/mental health and well-being opportunities and solutions to a large percentage of the Powys population.

During these testing times gyms have never been more important to all age groups and demographics. Gym owners fully respect and understand the reasons for Fire Breaks and Lockdowns, but continually closing and re-opening gyms is now putting an increasing strain on their financial viability, jobs and more importantly the public who rely on gyms for a wide range of reasons, for both physical and mental health.

We now call on the Welsh Government to re-classify gyms as an ‘Essential Service’, allowing our gyms to continue operating through future lockdowns, in the interest of the public’s physical and mental health.

Proposer: County Councillor James Evans

Seconder: County Councillor Karl Lewis

Council notes for the Motion:-

1.    Hate Crime is a legal process and a criminal act which the Justice system deals with regularly.  Dyfed Powys Police are signed up to dealing with Hate Crime wherever it occurs.

2.    Local authorities have a part to play in combating Hate Crime.

3.    Training has been delivered by Victim Support across Wales throughout this year and they will continue to do so.

4.    Powys CC has expertise in Hate Crime and it is recognised that rural communities in Wales are not immune to this.

Council is asked to support:-

1.    The key priorities in the Hate Crime Charter.

2.    The need to raise awareness of Hate Crime through education leads, social care leads and Members.

3.    Schools to consider adopting awareness of Hate Crime within the curriculum  wherever appropriate.

4.    The provision of training for all Members and staff to understand the need to further raise awareness of crimes that include Hate Crime and the impact on rural communities in Powys.  Victim Support already deliver bespoke training which can be accessed for free.

This Council therefore resolves to:-

1.    Agree that Powys CC accepts the Victim Support Hate Crime Charter which includes help and support for victims and communities.

Proposer County Councillor Jackie Charlton

Seconder County Councillor William Powell