Agenda and draft minutes

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Contact: Wyn Richards, Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services  Email: wyn.richards@powys.gov.uk

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

2.

Declaration of Party Whips

To receive disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member has been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

 

(NB: Members are reminded that under Section 78 Members having been given a prohibited party whip cannot vote on a matter before the Committee.)

Minutes:

The Committee received no disclosures of prohibited party whips which a Member had been given in relation to the meeting in accordance with Section 78(3) of the Local Government Measure 2011.

3.

Disclosures of Interest

Any disclose of interests by Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting.

Minutes:

There were no disclosures of interest by Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting.

4.

Scrutiny of Business Critical Activities pdf icon PDF 123 KB

To receive for information details of the business critical activities subject to scrutiny.

Minutes:

The Committee received for information details of the business critical activities subject to scrutiny.

5.

Scrutiny of Business Critical Activities - Economy, Residents, Communities and Governance Scrutiny Committee

5.1

Briefing Reports pdf icon PDF 410 KB

To receive the attached briefing report as background information:

 

Minutes:

The Committee received and noted the briefing report as background information.

5.2

Verbal Updates and Scrutiny of Business Critical Activities

To receive a verbal update on the briefing note circulated with the agenda and scrutinise any matters arising from that update.

 

Minutes:

The Committee received a verbal update on the briefing note circulated with the agenda.

 

Issues Discussed:

·                     Homelessness Service

·                     Few homeless people in Powys, but a number of people on the margins of homelessness. Having housed people challenge is to sustain and accommodate these individuals.

·                     Questions:

What is a private leasing scheme?

Council uses private accommodation to provide support and accommodation to an individual.

Priority need cases – how does the Council plan to move individuals (151) from bed and breakfast to priority need and ensure we have housing stock for this?

This is about making sure we have the housing stock available and placing people in the right size of accommodation for their needs. Also need to long at housing stock for the long term and working with partners.

Homeless Cell and longer term strategy – request to Welsh Government for Council to be involved in private housing leasing pilot scheme - what does this mean for the Council?

This will need to be referred to a subject specialist for a response.

 

·                     Public Protection

·                     Work of the Service has included support and advice to care homes, closure of caravan parks, advice to retailers. Also some prohibition notices issued. Critical work has been in establishing the temporary mortuary in Llanelwedd.

 

·                     Support for Businesses

·                     About £42.5 million paid out to support businesses in Powys. There are some gaps for some sectors and Council has been identifying these and lobbying government for support.

·                     Questions:

Has the criteria changed for holiday lets? Other authorities looking at the criteria differently.

The criteria has changed and Council has adhered to guidance in effect at that time.

Were those paid out in the early stages, will the money be clawed back where the criteria has changed?

The Council processed the applications based on the criteria at the time. The Portfolio Holder for Finance commented that some authorities might not be implementing all the criteria and it was unclear whether if they did so they would be reimbursed by Welsh Government.

Holiday lets – properties developed over last 12 months not eligible for these grants. Also, there is a delay in valuers visiting properties to value properties so they can seek grant aid.

Not aware that there is an issue with valuers undertaking valuations. Officers can seek clarification from the valuation office.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance commented that there is team within the Finance Section looking at hard cases such as this who have not got business rating up to date.

Business rates – Community Amateur Sports Clubs – not eligible for small business rate relief but discretionary relief, but Welsh Government may have recently amended that, the same as for charities – is this correct.

That is the position, but we are awaiting the guidance from Welsh Government.

PPE levels and those being produced by volunteer groups. These groups being asked for PPE. Do we have a true reflection of the amount of PPE available in Powys.

There is a Council group which co-ordinates the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.2

6.

Scrutiny Work Programme

The next meeting of the Committee will be on 1st June 2020 (11.00 to 12.00)

 

The Committee is asked to consider which items it wishes to include in the work programme for the next and forthcoming meetings which will be on a 2 weekly basis.

 

As meetings will be an hour each, it is suggested that only 2 topics per session should be selected.

 

Minutes:

The Committee noted the date of the next meeting on 1st June, 2020 and the request to consider items for the future work programme.

 

HWRCs and Homelessness Services were identified for future meetings in addition to items already identified.