To consider and scrutinise the Steps being developed to implement Vision 2040 – the Powys Well-Being Plan.
Officer: Heather Delonnette, Sustainable Futures Officer, Powys CC.
Documents attached:
· Guidance on using the Future Generations Framework – the Committee may find this document useful in undertaking the scrutiny of the Steps.
· Briefing Note by the Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services.
· 12 Steps to deliver the Well-Being Plan
· Pro Forma documents for Steps 2 (3 documents), 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
Background Reading:
Vision 2040 document:
Future Generations Framework Developed by the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales:
https://futuregenerations.wales/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/FGCW-Framework.pdf
Wellbeing Information:
http://www.powys.gov.uk/en/community-development/well-being-in-powys/wellbeing-information-bank/
Minutes:
Documents Considered:
· 12 Steps to deliver the Well-Being Plan
· Pro-forma documents for steps 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,19,11 and 12
· Briefing note by the Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services
· Guidance on using the Future Generations Framework
Lead Officer:
· Heather Delonnette, Sustainable Futures Officer (PCC)
Issues Discussed:
· Steps 1 and 2 are internal steps. Steps 11 and 12 – the Public Service Board (PSB) has asked the Regional Partnership Board (RPB) to deliver these.
· Comments:
· Items in the Well-being Plan are already out of date e.g. steps 3,4,7,9 and 10 mention Brexit. By January 2019 we hopefully will know the way forward and the way that Brexit will influence these steps.
· The committee questioned how scrutiny could look at the steps and move these forward. The steps did not include some form of risk and opportunity coming from Brexit. It was suggested that the PSB Scrutiny Committee should look at how the PSB have reacted to these changes, understood them and amended the plan / steps.
· It was of concern that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) were not attending these meetings as they have a major role in landscape as NRW are heavily legislated by Europe although it is the local authorities who deliver a great deal. Although NRW are unable to provide a standing member for the committee, if scrutiny wanted to understand the environmental step then NRW could contribute to this.
· Step 10 – economic development – the step is trying to promote inward investment, however this is futile and the emphasis should be on growing our own / indigenous businesses. Inward investment will be predominantly on the M4 corridor and driven by Welsh Government. However, Powys should not give up on this but there is a need to look at the best use of resources. Economic Development is a big issue for the Cabinet, however the numbers in the plan are small. Step 10 therefore needs to be rethought.
· There is no impetus now in Powys to develop business since the demise of the Welsh Development Agency. If economy is that important there needs to be more information on the Information Bank. It also appears as if collaboration is not happening on this matter. For example, the Fire Service is involved in business development such as building new fire stations using local people to build them. There needs to be more actual collaboration rather than collaboration on paper.
· The economy is a key driver for the PSB and Vision 2025. Economic information is available from the well-being assessment. The information bank will provide this information in time. Step 10 is about creating a sense of identity for Powys (brand) a place where people want to come and work and develop businesses
· The steps are the first part of the process in developing the plan. The PSB is now looking to deliver those steps. In terms of the role of scrutiny, the steps have been identified where collective work was needed. The question for scrutiny to ask is “is the sum of the whole greater than the sum of the parts” i.e. is the PSB adding value.
· As the economy underpins everything, this is probably a good place for scrutiny to start. However, the focus should not just be about attracting businesses into Powys. There is also a question as to whether the links between Powys, Hereford and Shropshire are being developed as this is certainly the case in health.
· All the steps are interlinked e.g. transport links and infrastructure.
Outcomes:
Action |
Action By / Completion Date |
That the Committee considers Step 10 as a starting point and looks at how it is developing and what it is trying to achieve at the January 2019 meeting |
WR / HD |
That the use of external facilitators be investigated to support the development of the PSB Scrutiny Committee in Powys. |
WR |
Supporting documents: