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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors James Evans, Stephen Hayes, Arwel Jones, Francesca Jump, and Jeremy Pugh.
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To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 15th July 2021 as a correct record. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda. Minutes: County Councillor Peter Lewis declared a personal and prejudicial interest item 10 Pension and Investment Committee Chair’s Allowance. |
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Chair's Announcements To receive any announcements from the Chair of Council. Minutes: The Chair advised that details of his engagements would be circulated by email.
Council paused to remember Garry Banks, the former Councillor for Presteigne and past Chair of Council and Cabinet member who had passed away. |
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Leader's Announcements To receive any announcements from the Leader. Minutes: The Leader noted the high number of Covid cases in the county and the significant pressures being experienced in social care. She reported that the Council was working the Home Office and the WLGA to take in Afghan families and was finding accommodation for them. The Leader also advised that the Growing Mid Wales Board had agreed the Portfolio Business Case for submission to the UK and Welsh governments. She thanked the staff who had worked on the bid for UK City of Culture status. A decision on whether or not the bid had been shortlisted was expected in October. The Leader also reported that work was continuing on the Global Centre for Rail Excellence and that a decision was expected at the end of 2021.
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Chief Executive's Briefing To receive a briefing from the Chief Executive. Minutes: The Chief Executive reported that instances of Covid were at the highest level since the start of the pandemic. Half of recent cases were in the 0 – 10 and 11 – 19 age groups and this was having an impact on schools with Cradoc CP school closing and returning to on-line learning. On 23 August the Council had returned to business continuity due to the cumulative impact of 18 months of the pandemic impacting on services, particularly Social Care and Test, Track and Protect. Staff had been redeployed to support these services and more staff were being recruited.
The Chief Executive advised that new equipment had been purchased to enable hybrid meetings to be held in the Chamber but that such was the demand for equipment it would not be installed until the new year. Officers would make every effort to facilitate face to face meetings for Members. She advised that budget planning had started and noted that it was likely to be a very challenging budget round. Finally, she congratulated Lynette Lovell on her appointment as Director of Education.
Councillor Amanda Jenner, Chair of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee advised that the committee had been stood down for the time being to reduce the pressure on officers but that the committee would continue to do what it could to support social care without the need for formal meetings.
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To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services. Additional documents:
Minutes: Council considered the recommendations of the Democratic Services Committee on amendments to the Constitution.
Section 4 – Full Council
Council unanimously resolved as follows:
Section 11 – Officers. By 55 votes to 5 with 3 abstentions it was
Governance and Audit Committee – Section 9 (Regulatory Committees
Council unanimously resolved as follows:
Finance Panel andSection 7 (Scrutiny Procedure Rules)
By 57 votes to 4 with 2 abstentions it was
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Appointment of Independent (Lay) Members on the Standards Committee PDF 224 KB To consider a report by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.
Minutes: Council considered the recommendation of the Appointment Panel on the appointment of an independent (lay) member to the Standards Committee. It was moved by County Councillor Tim Van-Rees and seconded by County Councillor Gareth Morgan and by 56 votes to 8 with 1 abstention it was
Extension to the Term of Office of Independent (Lay) Member on the Standards Committee
It was further recommended that Mr Stephan Hays was reappointed for a further four-year term on the expiry of his current term on 25 January. It was moved by County Councillor Tim Van-Rees and seconded by County Councillor Kath Roberts-Jones and Council unanimously resolved as follows
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Llanddew Community Council - Inquorate PDF 102 KB To consider a report by the Principal Elections Officer. Additional documents: Minutes: Council considered a recommendation proposing the appointment of temporary community councillors to act until a sufficient number of councillors have been elected to take up office to make the Llanddew Community Council quorate again. The County Councillors for the neighbouring electoral wards of Felinfach St John and St Mary had agreed to act as such temporary members. A proposal to add a fourth member from the Yscir ward was not accepted by the Chair.
It was proposed by County Councillor RH Williams and seconded by County Councillor S McNicholas and by 52 votes to 8 with 3 abstentions it was
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Pensions and Investment Committee Chair's Allowances PDF 367 KB To consider a report by the Head of Finance and Section 151 Officer. Minutes: County Councillor P Lewis declared an interest in this item and left the meeting while it was considered.
Council considered the request of the Pensions and Investment Committee to make a payment equivalent to a Senior Responsibility Allowance to the Chair of the Committee and re-charged to the Pension Fund, to reflect the responsibilities placed on the chair of that Committee and the increasing demands being placed on the role.
An amendment was proposed by County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe and seconded by County Councillor RH Williams to refer the recommendation to the Democratic Services Committee. The amendment was lost by 26 votes to 37.
The recommendation in the report was moved by County Councillor T Van-Rees and seconded by H Williams. By 42 votes to 19 it was
RESOLVED to accept the recommendations of the Pensions and Investment Committee and agree that an amount equivalent to a senior responsibility allowance should be paid to the chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee and the additional cost to be recharged to the Pension Fund, to reflect the responsibilities placed on the chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee and the increasing demands being placed on the role.
Council adjourned at 13.23 and reconvened at 14.00.
PRESENT County Councillor R G Thomas (Chair)
County Councillors MC Alexander, M Barnes, B Baynham, J Berriman, G Breeze, J Charlton, L V Corfield, K W Curry, A W Davies, B Davies, D E Davies, P Davies, S C Davies, M J Dorrance, E Durrant, D O Evans, L George, J Gibson-Watt, M R Harris, H Hulme, A Jenner, D R Jones, E Jones, G Jones, J R Jones, E M Jones, M J Jones, D Jones-Poston, K Laurie-Parry, H Lewis, K Lewis, P E Lewis, MC Mackenzie, I McIntosh, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, C Mills, G Morgan, JG Morris, R Powell, WD Powell, D R Price, P C Pritchard, G Pugh, G W Ratcliffe, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, P Roberts, K M Roberts-Jones, E Roderick, D Rowlands, K S Silk, D Selby, L Skilton, D A Thomas, T J Van-Rees, E Vaughan, M Weale, J Wilkinson, A Williams, G I S Williams, D H Williams, J Williams, J M Williams, R Williams and S L Williams
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Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust Briefing by Jason Killens, the Chief Executive of the Welsh Ambulance Service NHS Trust. Minutes: Jason Killens, the Chief Executive of the Welsh Service Ambulance Trust, Benjamin Collins, the Ambulance Operations Manager for Powys and Estelle Hitchon, Director of Partnership & Engagement joined the meeting and gave an update on the pressures facing the service and on the actions being taken in response.
Mr Collins updated members on the situation in Powys reporting increases in the number of calls to the service every month for the last 24 months with almost two thirds in either red or amber categories. He advised that following local recruitment and roster reviews, ambulance cover was being focused on the peak times when the highest call volume was expected. He confirmed that no ambulance stations would be closing. It was confirmed that there were some local difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff and that the service was looking at targeted local recruitment. He advised that fire service first responders had been reintroduced to help provide greater resilience and that a rural health care model was being developed with Powys Teaching Health Board. The service was also keen to have social workers based in ambulance control rooms to help manage calls and welcomed the invitation to join the Regional Partnership Board where these options could be explored.
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Notices of Motion |
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Future motions presented to Council In recent years, a number of motions have been presented to full council meetings for consideration, by opposition groups, absent of any financial cost or resource analysis.
Elected Powys County Councillors recognise the importance of calculating andconsidering the financial and resource costs incurred by this council, when considering or proposing a motion, or amendment, to be presented to this council.
Elected Powys County Councillors recognise the importance of prudent spending of council tax payers money or, funding allocated to this council by central governments, on county council services and other statutory, or non-statutory, obligations.
Elected Powys County Councillors realise it would be irresponsible to put forward any motion, or amendment, without due consideration given to the financial or resource costs incurred to this council, should that motion, or amendment, be approved.
It would be the responsibility of the proposer to seek the appropriate assistance to evaluate the cost and resource implications within the council.
This council therefore resolves:
That all notices of motion, or any amendment to a motion, presented to this council for consideration, must be accompanied by a costed analysis of the financial and resource implications that motion, or amendment to a motion, would have on this council, should it be approved.
Proposer County Councillor Iain McIntosh Seconder County Councillor Lucy Roberts
Minutes: Council debated the following motion moved by County Councillor Iain McIntosh and seconded by County Councillor Lucy Roberts:
“This council resolves:
That all notices of motion, or any amendment to a motion, presented to this council for consideration, must be accompanied by a costed analysis of the financial and resource implications that motion, or amendment to a motion, would have on this council, should it be approved.”
The proposer and seconder argued that when a motion was brought to council should be aware of what a proposal would cost. A number of members argued that the motion would stifle debate. The Head of Finance advised that if the motion was passed, she and her officers would work in confidence with members on any notices of motion on costings but that they would need to be involved at an early stage.
An amendment was moved by County Councillor Jake Berriman and seconded by County Councillor David Selby asking Council to strike out
“That all notices of motion, or any amendment to a motion, presented to this council for consideration, must be accompanied by a costed analysis of the financial and resource implications that motion, or amendment to a motion, would have on this council, should it be approved”.
and replace it with Council Resolves to:
“Ask the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance to bring forward costed proposals to provide the necessary Member support to facilitate the proper costing of proposed Motions which Members may wish to put before Full Council for consideration”.
The amendment was put to the vote and was lost by 25 votes to 32 with 1 abstention. The motion was put to the vote and by 31 votes to 24 with 2 abstentions it was
RESOLVED that all notices of motion, or any amendment to a motion, presented to this council for consideration, must be accompanied by a costed analysis of the financial and resource implications that motion, or amendment to a motion, would have on this council, should it be approved.
County Councillors A Jenner and J Williams left the meeting at 15.48.
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Declaring an Ecological Emergency and Supporting the Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill The Climate Emergency Declaration, finally passed by Powys Council just 12 months ago was the first step on a journey to deliver services and actions in Powys which reach the ambitious target of Net Zero by 2030. The Cross-Party Working Group and all Councillors have been briefed on progress made to date designed to stem the catastrophic actions of the past and make a difference to the future, but more is still required. The UN’s most recent IPPC report “Summary for Policy Makers”, launched ahead of COP26, is a “code red for humanity” according to the UN Secretary. Alok Sharma COP26 President acknowledges that the next decade will be “decisive” as the UK Government prepares plans to reach net zero by 2050. To paraphrase the great Jeremy Clarkson, “forget climate change, if insects disappear so does all life on this Planet”. The two, however, are inextricably linked; we face two crises, the rise in temperatures and decline in nature and yet only 15% of Councils (including neighbouring Herefordshire) have declared an ecological/biodiversity emergency responding to the threat to wildlife and ecosystems. Just by way of example of the nature of this crisis, the State of Radnorshire Wildlife Report (2017) indicates the loss of 40 plant species, 95% of our native European eel population and 63% of Welsh butterflies.
The Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill, initially presented to Parliament in September 2020, now has the support of over 100 MPs across eight political parties. The Bill asks the UK to take responsibility for its fair share of greenhouse gas emissions, to actively restore biodiverse habitats in the UK and to stop damage to the environment through the production, transportation, and disposal of the goods we consume.
This Council therefore resolves to: 1. Declare an ecological emergency to demonstrate the Council's commitment to protecting Powys' natural environment, biodiversity and wildlife; 2. Declare its support for the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill; 3. Inform the local media of this decision, including sharing information on social media; 4. Write to our local Members of Parliament asking them to support the CEE Bill in its passage through Parliament; and 4. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill expressing our support (campaign@ceebill.uk).
Proposer County Councillor Jake Berriman Seconder County Councillor Jackie Charlton Minutes: Council debated the following motion moved by County Councillor Jake Berriman and seconded by County Councillor Jackie Charlton:
“This Council resolves to: 1. Declare an ecological emergency to demonstrate the Council's commitment to protecting Powys' natural environment, biodiversity and wildlife; 2. Declare its support for the Climate and Ecological Emergency (CEE) Bill; 3. Inform the local media of this decision, including sharing information on social media; 4. Write to our local Members of Parliament asking them to support the CEE Bill in its passage through Parliament; and 5. Write to the CEE Bill Alliance, the organisers of the campaign for the Bill expressing our support (campaign@ceebill.uk).”
The proposer and seconder urged Council to declare its support for a Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill to address the decline in nature. A number of members expressed concerns about the impact that the Bill would have on farming and the wider economy in the county.
The motion was put to the vote but lost by 24 votes to 31.
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Support a Simple Firework Licence PDF 616 KB During the pandemic there have been very few if any fireworks. This has provided a much needed respite for both animals and humans who cannot enjoy fireworks. We may have differing opinions on whether fireworks should be banned completely but we can all agree that if they are used, this should be done responsibly. This motion sets out some measures that we can put in place to allow licensed, controlled, and safe fireworks displays. The House of Commons Petitions Select Committee received a petition in 2019 which attracted over 750,000 signatures and as a result they recommended three things:- · Local authorities should be empowered to limit the number of firework displays in their areas · Government to fund and co-ordinate a national awareness campaign on the responsible use of fireworks which should include explicit information on the impact which fireworks can have on veterans and those with PTSD · Make sure that age restricted products are not packaged in a way to attract and appeal to children. This Council notes that: ·
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (RSPCA) says the law is failing. It does not prevent or
sufficiently reduce the risk of fireworks causing distress,
injury or anxiety to people, as well as
death, injury or distress to animals. ·
That further research is needed to properly
understand the impact of noise on animals and people. In the
meantime, several things can be done to improve the situation for
wildlife and people at risk of being affected by firework
explosions. · Review of existing measures in place and encourage the licensing of all PUBLIC FIREWORK DISPLAYS is needed, ensuring displays are better advertised to the public informing of noise levels and how it may affect people and animals. Note the motion carried by Rhondda Cynon Taff Cabinet on 13 October 2020. This focuses on council owned land but is a commitment to regulate and inform. · Raise awareness of the harm and distress that fireworks can cause with the level of noise and pollution of much more powerful fireworks sold for both private and public displays. This Council resolves to: 1. Actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks as the unintended consequences of legal fireworks.
2.
Support the RSPCA in the work being undertaken to
change the legislation on firework displays to enable and ensure
all public firework displays are advertised in advance of the
event, with appropriate information in respect of the size of the
display, allowing residents to take precautions for people and
pets.
Proposer County Councillor Jackie Charlton Seconder County Councillor Jake Berriman
Minutes: Council debated a motion proposed by County Councillor J Charlton and seconded by County Councillor J Berriman:
“This Council resolves to: 1. Actively promote a public awareness campaign about the impact of fireworks on animal welfare and vulnerable people – including the precautions that can be taken to mitigate risks as the unintended consequences of legal fireworks.
2.
Support the RSPCA in the work being undertaken to
change the legislation on firework displays to enable and ensure
all public firework displays are advertised in advance of the
event, with appropriate information in respect of the size of the
display, allowing residents to take precautions for people and
pets.
Councillor Charlton advised that the motion was about supporting the work of other campaigning organisations through awareness raising. She had discussed this with officers who had agreed that it would not result in additional costs. She confirmed that she was not was proposing a licensing system. The Leader and Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Regulatory Services advised that Trading Standards and Environmental Health were already very active in this area. The motion was put to the vote and was lost by 22 votes to 31 with 1 abstention.
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Universal Credit: Cancel the Cut This Council notes:
UK Government plans to cut Universal Credit will hit the lowest paid hardest and hurt our economic recovery.
More than eight thousand families in Powys will lose £1,000 a year while out of work support will be left at its lowest level in decades.
In Powys, more than 40% of people receiving Universal Credit are in work.
Charities, Trade Unions, and the devolved administrations all oppose the planned cut to Universal Credit.
The planned cut to Universal Credit will take more than £8 million out of the Powys economy.
This council resolves to:
Proposer County Councillor Liz Rijnenberg Seconder County Councillor Matthew Dorrance Minutes: Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Liz Rijnenberg and seconded by County Councillor Matthew Dorrance:
“This council resolves to:
The proposer and seconder argued that this was not the right time to withdraw the uplift to Universal Credit noting that more than eight thousand families in Powys would lose £1,000 a year and that £8 million would be taken out of the Powys economy and that more pressure would be placed on social services.
An amendment was moved by County Councillor Aled Davies and seconded by County Councillor Iain McIntosh to remove the three recommendations in the Motion and substitute with: “This council resolves to work in partnership with advice agencies to support residents impacted by the removal of the temporary increase in the Universal Credit.”
The mover of the amendment argued that it would concentrate on what the Council could do.
The amendment was put to the vote and passed by 26 votes to 23 with 3 abstentions. The substantive motion was put to the vote and by 35 votes to 11 with 8 abstentions it was
RESOLVED to work in partnership with advice agencies to support residents impacted by the removal of the temporary increase in the Universal Credit.
County Councillor MJ Jones left the meeting at 17.08. County Councillor G Breeze left the meeting at 17.10.
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Expansion of availability and awareness of Defibrillators in Powys Council notes that on average 30,000 people each year suffer a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital, and 20% of these incidents occur in public spaces. Council further notes only 10% of victims of cardiac arrests survive when the incident occurs outside hospital. Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) can play a significant role in saving the lives of people who suffer heart attacks in public. It is estimated that a shock from an AED, alongside CPR treatment, increases survival rates to 75-80%. Council notes the tragic events in Machynlleth and elsewhere in Wales this summer where individuals could potentially have been saved by defibrillator use but devices were either unavailable or not known about. Council notes the existing web sites heartsafe.org.uk, calonhearts.org,111.wales.nhs.uk and the “staying alive” mobile app have either incomplete coverage in Powys or have no location based location search facility. Council commends the work of Llandrindod Wells Town Council, the local group in Rhayader and others across the county in establishing new defibrillators across their areas and providing cabinets to organisations to enable then to place existing defibrillators in a place accessible to the public. Council welcomes moves by Alun Davies MS to introduce a cross party Bill to the Senedd to deliver “Universal Coverage” of defibrillators in Wales which would address some of these issues including the vital issue of the maintenance obligations around AEDs across Wales. However Council expresses its concern that, though there are public defibrillators in various places across the county, including many council premises and assets, there are gaps in the provision of publicly accessible AEDs and at present there is no holistic mapping system listing all AEDs in Powys. Therefore Council requests Cabinet to consider the following : · The compilation of a list, and subsequent publication and updating of, all defibrillators that are maintained on council premises with information on how to access them. · Undertaking a review of, and, where appropriate, and increase in, the public accessibility of defibrillators that are located within council-owned properties including public parks, community centres, schools, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall. · The Chair of Council sending a letter on behalf of the Council the Health and Education Secretaries in the Senedd urging them to support moves to extend the availability of AEDs and promote their use though especially though training within the education system. Proposer County Councillor Pete Roberts Seconder County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe Minutes: Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor P Roberts and seconded by County Councillor G Ratcliffe
“Council requests Cabinet to consider the following: · The compilation of a list, and subsequent publication and updating of, all defibrillators that are maintained on council premises with information on how to access them. · Undertaking a review of, and, where appropriate, and increase in, the public accessibility of defibrillators that are located within council-owned properties including public parks, community centres, schools, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall. · The Chair of Council sending a letter on behalf of the Council the Health and Education Secretaries in the Senedd urging them to support moves to extend the availability of AEDs and promote their use though especially though training within the education system.”
The proposer and seconder argued that this measure could make a significant difference. The motion was put to the vote and by 29 votes to 20 it was
RESOLVED to request Cabinet to consider the following : · The compilation of a list, and subsequent publication and updating of, all defibrillators that are maintained on council premises with information on how to access them. · Undertaking a review of, and, where appropriate, and increase in, the public accessibility of defibrillators that are located within council-owned properties including public parks, community centres, schools, leisure facilities, and areas of high public footfall. · The Chair of Council sending a letter on behalf of the Council the Health and Education Secretaries in the Senedd urging them to support moves to extend the availability of AEDs and promote their use though especially though training within the education system.
County Councillor C Mills left the meeting at 17.24.
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Questions in Accordance with the Constitution |
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Having benefitted from the assistance of interpreters and other locally enlisted personnel during my service overseas I would commend the Cabinet in deciding to offer accommodation to six families of refugees from Afghanistan.
Having regard to the state of affairs in that unhappy country there is likely to be a requirement for accommodation for a significantly larger number of refugees and indeed provision for the education of their children. What contingency plans has the Cabinet made in an event of an approach from HMG / Welsh Government for additional assistance?
Minutes: Having benefitted from the assistance of interpreters and other locally enlisted personnel during my service overseas I would commend the Cabinet in deciding to offer accommodation to six families of refugees from Afghanistan. Having regard to the state of affairs in that unhappy country there is likely to be a requirement for accommodation for a significantly larger number of refugees and indeed provision for the education of their children. What contingency plans has the Cabinet made in an event of an approach from HMG / Welsh Government for additional assistance?
Response Powys County Council has pledged to provide homes for six families as part of the national Afghan Relocations and Assistance Programme (ARAP). After discussions with housing associations the council has been able to increase the previous offer. The variety and complexity of the needs of the Afghan families, coupled with the rural nature of Powys, provides the Council with a number of challenges in scaling up provision. We need to ensure that both housing and support needs are fully met so that these families can settle quickly and thrive within their new communities when they move to Powys. In order to meet these challenges, services are able to draw on experience from the successful Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Project, where the council works in partnership to ensure that wrap around accessible support is readily available. Families recently displaced from Afghanistan are part of a wider and growing need from refugee and asylum seeking households. To this end, Powys County Council is also working in partnership with the Welsh Refugee Council and Clearsprings, the organisation tasked with finding homes for asylum seekers and secure suitable accommodation within the private rented sector. Schools are well prepared for accepting pupils from refugee families through the usual admissions process at the Local Authority. The Admissions Team are aware that refugee families will be settling in Powys, and are building on the already established link with the Vulnerable Groups team to ensure that they are notified of any admissions applications received in respect of refugee families from Afghanistan, in the same way as they do for refugee families from Syria. School places are available and the Admissions Team will be able to provide information about schools in the area that the families move to.
There was no supplementary question.
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Could the Portfolio Holder provide figures in actual and percentage terms for the total annual reductions in Powys County Council’s grant funding to arts and cultural organisations included in the Council’s Budget in each year from 2017/18 to 2021/22?
Minutes: Could the Portfolio Holder provide figures in actual and percentage terms for the total annual reductions in Powys County Council’s grant funding to arts and cultural organisations included in the Council’s Budget in each year from 2017/18 to 2021/22?
Response Powys County Council’s Arts Service Budget 2017 - 2022
The Arts Service budget has reduced every year during the period in question, 2017/18 to 2021/22. Over that timeframe the reductions equate to £170,900. The current budget for the Arts Service is £116,280. The Arts Service has consulted and communicated with affected organisations throughout this period, providing information, resources and advice on broadening funding income portfolios including opportunities for income generation, business development and re-modelling. This support for community arts providers and creative industry partners is continuing and developing, especially in the areas of access to external sources of funding, collaborative and partnership working as well as working closely with those involved in national strategic investment planning.
In response to Councillor Gibson-Watt’s supplementary question about how she would mitigate the message the Council’s reducing level of support for the arts would send to the assessors reviewing the bid for City of Culture status, the Portfolio Holder advised that the arts service would have to review commissioning principles and look at new ways of working with organisations in light of the current situation.
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Will the Portfolio Holder for Housing please update Council on the latest proposals for reorganisation of the Powys County Council Housing Service, currently subject to consultation?
At a time of intense housing pressure - and given the renewed emphasis by Welsh Government Climate Change Minister, Julie James MS, on the importance of the timely reinstatement of Empty Properties, can the Portfolio Holder please reassure Members that the prize winning Private Sector Housing Team will not be disbanded or eroded in any way?
Minutes: Will the Portfolio Holder for Housing please update Council on the latest proposals for reorganisation of the Powys County Council Housing Service, currently subject to consultation? At a time of intense housing pressure - and given the renewed emphasis by Welsh Government Climate Change Minister, Julie James MS, on the importance of the timely reinstatement of Empty Properties, can the Portfolio Holder please reassure Members that the prize winning Private Sector Housing Team will not be disbanded or eroded in any way?
Response Housing Services is being restructured with the aim to improve the Council’s ability to respond to a changing housing market in which supply and demand need to be better aligned, and to the expectations and aspirations of households to have more opportunities to enjoy a secure, well-maintained home. A proposal for a new approach to Housing Services, to meet these outcomes, was agreed this summer by Cabinet. The Business Case setting out a proposal for the future of Housing Services, was shared with colleagues on August 3rd. The proposal includes a strong emphasis on local accountability, a tenure blind approach to improving the way the housing market provides and improves homes, and a clear focus on high quality services. A six-week consultation period on the proposal ended on September 10th. During this time, all colleagues were able to have a 1-2-1 with the Professional Lead for Housing and team meetings and group discussions took place. Now that the consultation period has ended, a final Business Case is being drawn up, taking into consideration the contributions and feedback received since August 3rd. We cannot comment further on the proposals at this stage while the final Business Case is being completed. With the work still in progress in terms of the Management of Change process, it is not possible to outline the impact on the Private Sector Housing team at this stage. However, the work being undertaken by the team remains a priority and if there are changes it will be in order to build capacity in these key areas. The redesign is planned to be introduced on January 1st, 2022.
There was no supplementary question.
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As councillors we are constantly being told that staff are being seconded to other service areas because of Covid. Due to the extra workload adult social services are having to deal with and the huge amount of pressure they are facing on a daily basis, could the portfolio holder please tell me how many staff have been seconded to support adult social services, how many staff from this service area are on furlough and what steps are the council taking to ensure the welfare of the staff in this service area?
Minutes: As councillors we are constantly being told that staff are being seconded to other service areas because of Covid. Due to the extra workload adult social services are having to deal with and the huge amount of pressure they are facing on a daily basis, Could the portfolio holder please tell me how many staff have been seconded to support adult social services, how many staff from this service area are on furlough and what steps are the council taking to ensure the welfare of the staff in this service area.
Response Redeployment Since March 2020, 54 members of staff have been deployed into Adult Services & Commissioning from other service areas. One deployee from other area service was successful in application for permanent role in which they were initially deployed to. Redeployed staff have played a crucial role in assisting Adult Services in delivering its business critical services during business continuity, which the service has remained in since March 2020. The numbers of people redeployed to Adult Services has changed during the pandemic period, especially, when other areas of the Council came out of business continuity to step back up service delivery. As of 9th September 2021, 5 staff are deployed into Adult Services & Commissioning from other service areas (1 of these is now due to start in a permanent role imminently). We have another member of staff awaiting to be redeployed also. There are also two employees who are undertaking formal secondments in Adult Services from other service areas, who were previously redeployed from other service areas. It should be noted that Adult Services has also internally deployed some of its staff to ensure that we can maintain our mission critical activities. As of 25th August 2021, 35 of our staff whose substantive roles are in day support services, were redeployed to outreach and domiciliary care roles. Again, as of 25th August 2021, 3 additional staff from day support services are currently supporting continuity of care in our care homes. During the pandemic, we have had cause to support our commissioned care homes when they have faced acute staffing issues, by providing emergency staffing resource. Such a response is only made possible through the willingness of our staff to support, many of whom have not worked in a care home previously. We remain forever grateful to these staff for their willingness and ability to step up at very short notice to support our providers. We currently have 13 staff in Adult Services who have committed to supporting care homes at short notice (in the past, this has been with less than 24 hours notice).
Furlough With regards to furlough, we currently have 14 staff on full furlough and 47 staff on flexible furlough. Furlough arrangements are in place until 30th September 2021.
Steps taken to ensure staff welfare Our staff are our greatest asset and their resilience and resolve have been tested to the limits during the pandemic. We are in awe of ... view the full minutes text for item 13.4 |
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Question to the Leader from County Councillor William Powell PDF 379 KB The Mid Wales Growth Deal has the potential to be an enormous driver for the Mid Wales economy in the challenging years ahead and the efforts made by Members and Officers, working with UK and Welsh Government actors, need to be recognized.
However, the Welsh experience of other Growth Deal initiatives in recent years, notably in the Swansea Bay Region, has demonstrated the vital importance of scrutiny in testing the soundness and viability of particular strategies.
With this in mind, what consideration has the Leader given to promoting joint scrutiny by Members, drawn from Ceredigion and Powys County Councils, so as to provide reassurance and transparency, and thus gain greater buy-in, from the wider public?
Minutes: The Mid Wales Growth Deal has the potential to be an enormous driver for the Mid Wales economy in the challenging years ahead and the efforts made by Members and Officers, working with UK and Welsh Government actors, need to be recognized. However, the Welsh experience of other Growth Deal initiatives in recent years, notably in the Swansea Bay Region, has demonstrated the vital importance of scrutiny in testing the soundness and viability of particular strategies. With this in mind, what consideration has the Leader given to promoting joint scrutiny by Members, drawn from Ceredigion and Powys County Councils, so as to provide reassurance and transparency, and thus gain greater buy-in, from the wider public?
Response Thank you for your question regarding scrutiny of the Mid Wales Growth Deal. I can confirm that arrangements have been put in place for a joint scrutiny committee comprising of 7 Members from each Council. Members from each authority have been nominated by Group Leaders on a politically balanced basis and the Council’s former Co-Ordinating Committee agreed that our membership of the Joint Scrutiny Committee should be made up of 3 from the Economy, Residents and Communities Scrutiny Committee, 1 from Learning & Skills Scrutiny Committee, 1 from the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee, 1 from the Finance Panel with the 7th Member not on any Scrutiny Committee. Arrangements are in hand for meetings of the Joint Scrutiny Committee on 11th and 22nd October 2021 and 29th November 2021.
In response to Councillor Powell’s supplementary question about how business interests would be represented, the Leader advised that a new group would be established to replace the Economic Strategy Group and that she hoped that some members from the ESG would be part of the new group.
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Question to the Portfolio Holder for Environment from County Councillor Pete Roberts PDF 373 KB Progress of the Covid Recovery fund Pothole repair scheme
As we are now almost half way though the financial year and hence the duration of the covid recover fund cycle. Could the portfolio holder provide a breakdown by council ward of the cost and scope of pothole repair schemes that have been undertaken to date as a result of this investment and provide a similar breakdown of the works that are scheduled to be undertaken throughout the rest of the year?
Minutes: Progress of the Covid Recovery fund Pothole repair scheme As we are now almost half way though the financial year and hence the duration of the covid recover fund cycle. Could the portfolio holder provide a breakdown by council ward of the cost and scope of pothole repair schemes that have been undertaken to date as a result of this investment and provide a similar breakdown of the works that are scheduled to be undertaken throughout the rest of the year?
Response Thank you for your question in relation to the Covid recovery fund for highway works. I can confirm the highway spend across the County is as follows: North - £140,000 Mid - £80,000 South – £80,000
In response to Councillor Roberts’ supplementary question, the Portfolio Holder advised that it was not possible to provide a breakdown by Council ward as the work was carried by the three depots based on priority and not by ward.
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