Agenda and minutes

Points raised by the Committee:

Responses received from Officers or Cabinet Members:

Was the intention to update all centres with solar panels.

A joint approach was taken with the Council to ensure that as many sites as possible had solar panels.  Plans continue into the coming years.

It was asked if all centres would have building management systems upgraded.

All centres had been updated over the past six years.

Was a date available for the next installs of solar.

Outcomes of funding bids were awaited from Sports Wales and if successful the next solar installations would be completed by March 2025.

Collaboration with different partners would then be undertaken to map out future steps.

When did the energy contract expire.

Gas was a flexi contract a fixed plan was in place for electricity.  Brokers and sustainable Energy Team were working together to achieve the best possible renewal.

It was asked if all the number of customers that were engaged with could be added to the report.

The report showed on page 18  - 300 responses were received 69 detractors, 78 passive, 149 promoters.

It was asked if the energy being generated could be provided in the report.

Figures would be provided in future reports.

A financial surplus was demonstrated but it was asked if a few years could be shown.

2023-24 showed the first positive surplus since the contract began in 2015 and would provide the history and where investment was invested across the estate.

An additional measure of how many people were using each centre was requested.

Participation figures only provided totals.

The information would be added to Portfolio Holder updates for all Councillors.

It was asked if the percentage of the population that were not using the centres could be targeted with specific marketing, to enable more access from different groups.

What percentage of the Powys population were accessing centres on a regular basis.

The detail would be compiled and shared with the Committee.

Had the water/shower usage and costs increased.

Significant investment had been made; and full consideration taken when changing rooms were updated.  Specific performance measures were recorded to ensure targets were met and included both usage and

disposal. Details would be added to the energy section of the report.

Page 15- active participation, it was asked if benchmarking exercises were undertaken. 

Benchmarking was undertaken both internally, across Wales, the portfolio and with UK partners.  The last couple of years showed a positive steady recovery for Powys.

Page 24 – customer feedback scores, examples were asked to be provided on what the detractor feedback was.

Price was a key priority that appeared on a regular basis.  Opening hours and providing

refurbished facilities was also included.

However, it was noted that positive feedback was always received for staff friendliness and helpfulness.

Page 14 – marketing, would specific marketing for centres be beneficial to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Points raised by the Committee:

Responses received from Officers or Cabinet Members:

It was felt an easy read version with simplified language was required and would be helpful to avoid misinterpretation.

Clarification was requested around the issue of bus passes.

A reference to bus passes had been added to the policy as a new system had been introduced to enable officers to monitor the use of daily bus travel and vehicles used. 

More information around free transport for English and Welsh students was required.

Options and scenarios were explained to the Committee and how the transport to Welsh medium schools was in support of the Welsh Language.

Did the council benchmark against other Welsh Authorities and if so, did Powys show any consistency with other Welsh Authorities.

Analysis had been undertaken and noted that Powys was not inconsistent but was dependent on the varying interpretation of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008.

The Council could not provide all options but supported the Welsh Language offer by the  promotion of school transport.

Was there an enhancement that could be added to the vacant seat policy due to parents/residents’ concerns.

The legislation did not allow for vacant seats to be sold, clarification from the Welsh Government was awaited.

It was noted that the school was chosen by the parent or guardian and the policy complied with the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 which stated the nearest suitable or catchment school.

The policy was questioned, and it was asked if the Council could provide sufficient information and evidence if challenged/appealed.

It was explained that discretion was held within the policy and the transport team liaise with the school service to ensure that needs were met.  Evidence was gathered in order for alternative options for pupils were provided or temporary measures were put in place.

It was noted that the legal team had reviewed and provided comment to the policy.

Officers were thanked for clear examples of how discretion was used in the Council as it was highlighted that residents had commented how the Council hid behind policies.

The Chair of Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee asked why the

policy had not been brought to both scrutiny committees before the consultation began.

A time pressure was in place with a decision target for end of the month. 

Officers were happy to receive feedback from Councillors.

It was felt that the survey only asked specific questions and if the response rate was sufficient.

The specific questions were necessary and deliberate to emphasise the changes made to the policy and not the application.

A free text box was available after each question.

Once the consultation closed the figures would be reviewed.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Points raised by the Committee:

Responses received from Officers or Cabinet Members:

Clarification was requested around the decrease in ticket sales and was it due to the only option being two hours, also if residents had found other places to park due to the cost. 

Noting that recent figures had not been used in the report.

It was explained that many reasons cause fluctuations including weather which attribute to income loss.

A recommendation had been made to charge by the hour to encourage longer stays in car parks.

Paragraphs 2.15, 2.16 and 3.15 Working Group concerns and benefits to communities were not considered in the report.

All concerns and benefits were taken into consideration.  Recommendations made were unable to balance the budget as required by set targets.

It was asked if free car parking would be available for the Christmas period

As stated in the report it was advised to stop, unless income of funds was achieved and would then be a consideration for the Portfolio Holder.

The economic impact of the removal of free Christmas shopping was highlighted and would drive people to shop elsewhere.

It was noted that the full benefits were included in the Atkins Realis report but not in the scrutiny report.

It was asked for the rationale to be explained how short stay bays carparks were allotted.

For proportion and percentage breakdown of available short stay bays to be provided.

It was felt that half an hour for some residents would not allow enough time.

The review considered the one-hour short stay cost to the service for all car parks and felt that it could be introduced to those car parks currently without that option.

An example was provided of 200 tickets a day being sold which would be a mix of one- and two-hour stays.  On street parking must be considered which was also available up to one hour in many towns.

Town Councils suggested half hour options which would be considered in the future.

It was stressed that the Working Group had spent up to year working together to provide a thorough process on behalf of the review and felt that not all recommendations had been considered and how it would impact on residents and town centres and felt that one issue would be solved by introducing a further problem.

Disparity between locations was evident in the report and that the Council continued to maintain  discretionary car parks which are free.

Competitive charging with local authorities over the border was not evident.

Signage could be improved to ensure residents know the locations  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.