Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
RESOLVED that the report be referred to Cabinet for a discussion to address the issues raised in the petition.
RESOLVED to approve the in-year update to the Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan for publication.
RESOLVED to: 1. Note the WPP Fit for the Future Business Case previously considered by the Pensions and Investment Committee (Appendix 3, and section 5) 2. Approve the formation of a corporate entity wholly owned by the WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) to be the WPP Investment Management Company (IMCo.) and all other actions necessary to submit an application to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for the authorisation of the IMCo. including but not limited to the selection and recruitment of Senior Management Function (SMF) roles as required by the FCA and the preparation and submission of the application to the FCA. (Section 7) 3. Approve the revised WPP Business Plan & budget 25/26 which includes design/enabling costs for Project Snowdon (Appendix 5 and Section 8) 4. Delegate to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Pensions and Investment Committee Chair to progress Project Snowdon alongside other WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) in line with the Government timetable within the approved budget. 5. Delegate the final approval of the final formal documentation required for IMCo. to be operational, described as “Go Live Work” as outlined in Section 9, to the Pensions and Investment Committee to give effect to The WPP Fit for the Future Business Case.
RESOLVED 1. That this council recognises the level of public concern regarding the introduction of a booking system for household waste recycling centres and calls on Powys County Council to review the success of this booking system within 6 months of its introduction in order to assess whether such system should continue. This review should include consideration of evidence on whether there has been any increased fly tipping, how easy residents have found using the booking system, any increase in the reports of garden fires and any complaints/feedback from residents regarding the booking system. 2. This Council also recognises that a one-system fits all approach cannot be applied across a county the size of Powys when making further decisions about the future of this booking system.
RESOLVED to: 1. Oppose the discriminatory waiting time disparities and advocate for equitable treatment for Powys patients attending English hospitals. 2. Call upon the Welsh Government to provide immediate funding support to PTHB, addressing the challenges of cross-border healthcare commissioning and ensuring equitable access to timely care for Powys residents. 3. Demand systemic changes in healthcare policies that ensure all patients, regardless of residency, receive fair and timely treatment. 4. Mobilise collective community support to raise awareness of these issues and challenge practices that compromise patient well-being and economic stability.
RESOLVED that this Council 1. Recognises the valuable contribution that council-owned farms play in supporting food production and enabling young entrants into farming. 2. Regrets that selling council-owned farms risks reducing Powys food security and traditional farming practices. 3. Calls on Powys County Council to impose a moratorium on the sale of its council-owned farms, until a sound County Farms management policy is agreed by Council. 4. Scrap the arbitrary £10 million/annum asset sales target.
RESOLVED that Council resolves to call on the Chairman of Powys County Council to: 1. Write to the Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs urging an urgent review of the current Bluetongue movement restrictions; 2. Request that the Minister works with the UK Chief Veterinary Officer to develop a coordinated, UK-wide response to managing the risk of Bluetongue; 3. Ask the Minister to ensure any future decisions on livestock movement are based on sound science, veterinary evidence, and practical farming needs; 4. Highlight the specific impact of these rules on Powys County Council’s Farms Estate, and the tenants we have a duty to support.
RESOLVED that the Council requests that the Cabinet considers reviewing its decision made on 30th September 2024 to adopt a new Home to School Transport policy for implementation in the 2025/26 academic year and considers developing a new policy that complies with the 13th October 2022 motion.
Apologies for absence were received from County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersExcusesShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT T Colbert, A Jones, G Preston, G Pugh, L Roberts, J Wilkinson and A Williams.
The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meetings held on 20th February, 6th March, 10th April and 15th May 2025 as correct records subject to the formatting of the Welsh language minutes of the 6th March being corrected. In response to a member’s question on the allocation of additional resources to HTR at Council on 20th February, the Director of Corporate Services advised that the allocation had been made to HTR and not to specific budget headings and therefore a budget virement was not required. She would check this point.
The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that councillors who were members of the Local Government Pension Scheme had a personal interest in item 10 Wales Pension Partnership Local Government Pension Scheme Fit for the Future Business Case but that there was an exception under the Code of Conduct so they could speak and vote on this item. The following members had interests in this item: County Councillors B Baynham, D Bebb, G Breeze, J Brignell-Thorp, J Charlton, AW Davies, A Davies, AB Davies, B Davies, S Davies, M Dorrance, D Edwards, A Evans, J Gibson-Watt, C Hall, I Harrison, K Healy, P James, A Jenner, C Johnson-Wood, E Jones, GD Jones, GE Jones, J Jones, A Kennerley, C Kenyon-Wade, K Lewis, P Lewis, C Masefield, S McNicholas, D Meredith, G Mitchell, G Morgan, W Powell, J Pugh, G Ratcliffe, Pete Roberts, E Vaughan, C Walsh, H Williams and S Williams. The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that all councillors had an interest in item 11 Members Allowances and Expenses but had a dispensation to speak and vote on the item. County Councillor D Edwards declared a personal and prejudicial in item 17 Home to School Transport. County Councillor C Walsh declared an interest as an independent member of Powys Teaching Health Board in item 13 Notice of Motion – Powys Patients attending English Hospitals. County Councillor D Bebb declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 14 Notice of Motion - County Farms. The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that Councillors who are livestock farmers are potentially affected by the motion on bluetongue movement restrictions and should declare a personal interest. Due to the dispensation granted by the Standards Committee did not have a prejudicial interest and could therefore participate and vote in the debate. County Councillors B Baynham, D Bebb, AW Davies, A Davies, GD Jones, E Jones, P Lewis and W Lloyd declared personal interests.
The Chair outlined details of some of his engagements. He expressed condolences to the families of John Hugo Gwyn of Talgarth and Lord David Lipsey who had died in recent weeks. He welcomed Fleur Frantz-Morgans, the newly elected Councillor for Llanidloes to her first meeting. The Chair invited colleagues to join him for a reception at the Royal Welsh Show on 24th July.
The Leader advised that he had established a cross party budget advisory group to work with the Cabinet to set a balanced budget for the Council. He had started to visit each of 13 localities and he invited councillors to contact him to arrange visits. Time to talk would be launched at the Royal Welsh Show and he and the Deputy Leader would be taking questions from staff on 15th July. He was pleased to report that several schools had been removed from Estyn review
Why is Council Tax higher in Builth Wells than it is in Llandrindod Wells? Response Each individual council tax bill is made of three elements – the charge for the main unitary authority or county council, the charge for the police authority and the charge for the local town or community council. All properties in Powys that are within Band D for council tax will have the same charge for the Powys County Council element and for Dyfed-Powys Police Authority. The only element that varies is the charge for the local town or community council. The table below provides the figures for the average across Powys, for Builth Wells Town Council and for Llandrindod Wells Town Council. Band D Council Tax Powys County Council Dyfed-Powys Police Community Council Total Council Tax Charge £ £ £ £ Powys Average 1,784.64 360.68 89.12 2,234.44 Builth Wells 1,784.64 360.68 130.55 2,275.87 Llandrindod Wells 1,784.64 360.68 97.10 2,242.42 There was no supplementary question.
Sheltered Housing When will the housing department of the council revert to the correct procedures for allocating these properties particularly in Alexander Court and Orchard Gardens in Llandrindod. These are for people of a certain age with health problems and applicants are placed in a certain band. Recently the housing dept has ignored these rules, with 25%of the 24 flats in Alexander Court being allocated to single mothers. I appreciate there is pressure on housing but I see no valid reason why the housing dept favour single mothers over OAPs. This is wrong. Response Thank you for raising your concerns regarding the allocation of properties at Alexander Court and Orchard Gardens in Llandrindod. I want to assure you that we remain committed to the original purpose of sheltered housing namely providing secure, supported accommodation for older people and those with specific health needs. These schemes continue to play a vital role in our housing strategy, and we prioritise applicants in accordance with our Homes in Powys Allocations Policy, which includes banding based on assessed need. However, we are currently facing significant pressures on our housing stock. In response, the Council has had to make difficult but necessary decisions to ensure that all available accommodation is used effectively to meet the urgent and varied needs of our communities. The pressures we face are further compounded by the current levels of homelessness across Powys. This has led to an increased reliance on expensive and often unsuitable Bed & Breakfast accommodation as emergency housing. In this context, the use of sheltered housing for other households in urgent need has, in some cases, been a necessary measure to avoid placing vulnerable individuals and families in inappropriate temporary settings. These decisions are made with careful consideration and are always accompanied by active support to help households move on to more suitable long-term accommodation. I can confirm that there have been no recent changes of occupancy at either Alexander Court or Orchard Gardens. However, in light of the concerns raised, Housing Services will undertake an audit to confirm that all properties are being used as main residences. This is particularly important given the chronic housing need across Powys. Thank you again for your engagement on this matter. I hope this response provides clarity and reassurance. In response to Mr Williams’ supplementary question on why the Housing department changes the rules on eligibility for sheltered housing, the Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for a Fairer Powys advised that the service remained committed to the principles for sheltered housing but that there had to be flexibility to enable the service to respond to homelessness. The service had committed to undertake an audit of allocations at Alexandra Court and Orchard Gardens.
(1) Why is there no on-line schedule available to indicate when roads are going to be repaired, e.g. some road surfaces in Welshpool town appalling yet small country roads and laybys are repaired and there is no way of finding out where Welshpool is on a priority list? I've sent e-mails to the relevant County Council department about the above which have been ignored, I requested help from political representatives and they have been ignored as well, so at least we are all being treated with equal disdain. (2) Would it be prudent to charge companies when roads are being excavated and also require that they return perhaps after a two year period to ensure their repairs to the road are still satisfactory rather than that cost fall to the County Council? This may encourage companies to be more efficient and reduce the time temporary traffic lights are in place, especially when there is no work being undertaken. Response (1) Officers do have programme of works of highway capital schemes which includes resurfacing. However, due to the nature of the works including within the programme, priorities can change due to circumstances outside of our control (such as severe weather events) meaning that the scheduled programme of works can change during the course of the year. This may mean that a scheme at the top of the list may suddenly get reprogrammed lower down the list or pushed into the following year due to the available resources we have for any one given financial year. It is for this reason why we do not generally publish the capital programme. As the service transitions to a digital platform, we can start to explore ways to publish our capital programme that manages expectations more effectively. (2) Wales operate a noticing regime and not a permitting regime. Therefore we cannot levy a charge against the utility companies for booking road space under the noticing regime. There is already a two-Year embargo on resurfaced roads. After resurfacing, roads are protected from excavation for two years, except in cases of: • Emergencies or urgent works • New customer connections • Agreed full or half-width machine-laid reinstatements There is already a two-Year guarantee on utility works: • Utility companies are responsible for their repairs for two years. • Local authorities inspect these sites before the guarantee expires to ensure any necessary remedial work is completed at the utility’s expense. Fines for Inefficiency • If companies leave temporary traffic lights up too long without active work, fines can be imposed. Genuine reasons for apparent inactivity Delays can be due to, amongst other things: • Coordination between different teams (digging, spoil removal, reinstatement) • Waiting for utility shut offs or specialist jointers, etc • Inaccurate underground apparatus maps There was no supplementary question.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the report be referred to Cabinet for a discussion to address the issues raised in the petition.
Vaughan Myfanwy Mudie presented a petition to Make Crai safer for the residents and all road users of the A4067. The improvements requested were: • The speed limit through Crai is reduced from 60 to 30mph. (This zone should start when travelling towards Dyfynnog prior to the sign for Crai and should include both working farms Beiligwern and Nantmadog.) • Speed cameras should be installed at either end of this zone. (Signs are in place, but one would need to be moved to include the working farms.) • Double white lines should be placed to prevent overtaking at the cross roads for Crai and leading up to and through Beiligwern and Nantmadog. • The farm crossing lights at Beiligwern should be reinstated and include the crossing for Nantmadog. The local member, County Councillor Edwin Roderick, spoke in support of the petition. The Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys and the Leader offered to look at the issues raised in the petition. It was proposed by County Councillor Edwin Roderick and seconded by County Councillor Angela Davies that the report be referred to Cabinet for a discussion to address the issues raised in the petition. By a show of hands it was RESOLVED that the report be referred to Cabinet for a discussion to address the issues raised in the petition.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to approve the in-year update to the Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan for publication.
Council considered an update to the Council’s Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan: Stronger, Fairer, Greener (2025-2026). The Plan had been updated following the Estyn inspection to incorporate the six objectives from the Education service Integrated Business Plan. The Plan had also been updated to take account of a number the recommendations made by the joint Scrutiny Committee which had been accepted including a diagram illustrating the “golden thread” from the CSEP to individual Services Integrated Business Plans (IBP’s) individual objectives. It was moved by the Leader and seconded by County Councillor Liz Rijnenberg and by 46 votes to 5 with 5 abstentions it was RESOLVED to approve the in-year update to the Corporate and Strategic Equality Plan for publication.
Mr Stephan Hayes, the independent Chair of the Standards Committee, presented the Committee’s report for 2024/25. The report set out the Committee’s responsibilities and activities for the year. Mr Hayes noted that in 2024/25 Powys had the highest number of referrals to the Public Services Ombudsman from Town and Community Councils. He emphasised the importance of councillors putting their training into practice and of treating people with courtesy and respect.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to: 1. Note the WPP Fit for the Future Business Case previously considered by the Pensions and Investment Committee (Appendix 3, and section 5) 2. Approve the formation of a corporate entity wholly owned by the WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) to be the WPP Investment Management Company (IMCo.) and all other actions necessary to submit an application to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for the authorisation of the IMCo. including but not limited to the selection and recruitment of Senior Management Function (SMF) roles as required by the FCA and the preparation and submission of the application to the FCA. (Section 7) 3. Approve the revised WPP Business Plan & budget 25/26 which includes design/enabling costs for Project Snowdon (Appendix 5 and Section 8) 4. Delegate to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Pensions and Investment Committee Chair to progress Project Snowdon alongside other WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) in line with the Government timetable within the approved budget. 5. Delegate the final approval of the final formal documentation required for IMCo. to be operational, described as “Go Live Work” as outlined in Section 9, to the Pensions and Investment Committee to give effect to The WPP Fit for the Future Business Case.
The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer reminded that Councillors who were members of the Local Government Pension Scheme had a personal interest but that there was an exception under the Code of Conduct so they could speak and vote on this item. Council considered a report on the Wales Pension Partnership Fit for the Future Business Case in response to the Government’s consultation on the LGPS and its requirement for pools to operate through a FCA regulated Investment Management Company (IMCo). Wales Pension Partnership (WPP), which comprised the 8 Welsh pension funds, had produced a business case to build its own IMCo and retain its independence as a Pool with all 8 Welsh LGPS as sole shareholders and clients. Members commended the work of officers who had worked on the Business Case. The recommendations were moved by the Chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee, County Councillor Peter Lewis and seconded by County Councillor Beverley Baynham and by 59 votes to 1 it was RESOLVED to: 1. Note the WPP Fit for the Future Business Case previously considered by the Pensions and Investment Committee (Appendix 3, and section 5) 2. Approve the formation of a corporate entity wholly owned by the WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) to be the WPP Investment Management Company (IMCo.) and all other actions necessary to submit an application to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for the authorisation of the IMCo. including but not limited to the selection and recruitment of Senior Management Function (SMF) roles as required by the FCA and the preparation and submission of the application to the FCA. (Section 7) 3. Approve the revised WPP Business Plan & budget 25/26 which includes design/enabling costs for Project Snowdon (Appendix 5 and Section 8) 4. Delegate to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Pensions and Investment Committee Chair to progress Project Snowdon alongside other WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) in line with the Government timetable within the approved budget. 5. Delegate the final approval of the final formal documentation required for IMCo. to be operational, described as “Go Live Work” as outlined in Section 9, to the Pensions and Investment Committee to give effect to The WPP Fit for the Future Business Case.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer reminded all members that they had an interest in this matter as they were in receipt of a salary but that there was a dispensation which permitted them to speak and to vote. Council received for information details of amounts paid and reimbursed to Members and Co-opted Members during the tax year 2024-25, relating to salary and expenses. PRESENTATION BY PROSTATE CYMRU Andy Thomas, the Chair of Prostate Cymru, gave a presentation on the charity’s work. Council adjourned for lunch at 1 pm and reconvened at 1.45 pm. PRESENT County Councillor DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT WD Powell (Chair) County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT B Baynham, D Bebb, B Breeze, G Breeze, J Berriman, L Brighouse, J Brignell-Thorp, J Charlton, R Church, S Cox, A W Davies, A Davies, B Davies, B Davies, S C Davies, R Devlin, M J Dorrance, D Edwards, A Evans, J Ewing, L George, J Gibson-Watt, C Hall, I Harrison, K Healy, P James, A Jenner, E A Jones, E Jones, G D Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, A Kennerley, C Kenyon-Wade, P Lewington, K Lewis, P E Lewis, W Lloyd, Chloe Masefield, I McIntosh, DW Meredith, C Johnson-Wood, G Mitchell, G Morgan, J Pugh, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, P Roberts, C Robinson, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, E Vaughan, C Walsh, D H Williams, S L Williams and J Yeomans
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED 1. That this council recognises the level of public concern regarding the introduction of a booking system for household waste recycling centres and calls on Powys County Council to review the success of this booking system within 6 months of its introduction in order to assess whether such system should continue. This review should include consideration of evidence on whether there has been any increased fly tipping, how easy residents have found using the booking system, any increase in the reports of garden fires and any complaints/feedback from residents regarding the booking system. 2. This Council also recognises that a one-system fits all approach cannot be applied across a county the size of Powys when making further decisions about the future of this booking system.
Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Amanda Jenner and seconded by County Councillor Aled Davies: This council recognises the level of public concern regarding the introduction of a booking system for household waste recycling centres and calls on Powys County Council to review the success of this booking system within 6 months of its introduction in order to assess whether such system should continue. This review should include consideration of evidence on whether there has been any increased fly tipping, how easy residents have found using the booking system, any increase in the reports of garden fires and any complaints/feedback from residents regarding the booking system. This Council also recognises that a one-system fits all approach cannot be applied across a county the size of Powys when making further decisions about the future of this booking system. Councillor Jenner explained that she had brought the motion because of public concerns over the new arrangements. The Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys explained that there would be a review in October. By 32 votes to 12 with 11 abstentions it was RESOLVED 1. That this council recognises the level of public concern regarding the introduction of a booking system for household waste recycling centres and calls on Powys County Council to review the success of this booking system within 6 months of its introduction in order to assess whether such system should continue. This review should include consideration of evidence on whether there has been any increased fly tipping, how easy residents have found using the booking system, any increase in the reports of garden fires and any complaints/feedback from residents regarding the booking system. 2. This Council also recognises that a one-system fits all approach cannot be applied across a county the size of Powys when making further decisions about the future of this booking system.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to: 1. Oppose the discriminatory waiting time disparities and advocate for equitable treatment for Powys patients attending English hospitals. 2. Call upon the Welsh Government to provide immediate funding support to PTHB, addressing the challenges of cross-border healthcare commissioning and ensuring equitable access to timely care for Powys residents. 3. Demand systemic changes in healthcare policies that ensure all patients, regardless of residency, receive fair and timely treatment. 4. Mobilise collective community support to raise awareness of these issues and challenge practices that compromise patient well-being and economic stability.
County Councillor Chris Walsh declared a personal interest as an independent member of Powys Teaching Health Board appointed by the Council. Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Beverley Baynham and seconded by County Councillor Joy Jones: This Council resolves to: 1. Oppose the discriminatory waiting time disparities and advocate for equitable treatment for Powys patients attending English hospitals. 2. Call upon the Welsh Government to provide immediate funding support to PTHB, addressing the challenges of cross-border healthcare commissioning and ensuring equitable access to timely care for Powys residents. 3. Demand systemic changes in healthcare policies that ensure all patients, regardless of residency, receive fair and timely treatment. 4. Mobilise collective community support to raise awareness of these issues and challenge practices that compromise patient well-being and economic stability. This motion reflects our steadfast commitment to healthcare equity and the well-being of Powys residents. It is essential that we work together to address these systemic challenges and fight for the dignity and rights of all patients. Councillor Baynham argued that there needed to be equity for Powys residents receiving treatment in English hospitals. By 53 votes to 0 with 1 abstention it was RESOLVED to: 1. Oppose the discriminatory waiting time disparities and advocate for equitable treatment for Powys patients attending English hospitals. 2. Call upon the Welsh Government to provide immediate funding support to PTHB, addressing the challenges of cross-border healthcare commissioning and ensuring equitable access to timely care for Powys residents. 3. Demand systemic changes in healthcare policies that ensure all patients, regardless of residency, receive fair and timely treatment. 4. Mobilise collective community support to raise awareness of these issues and challenge practices that compromise patient well-being and economic stability.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that this Council 1. Recognises the valuable contribution that council-owned farms play in supporting food production and enabling young entrants into farming. 2. Regrets that selling council-owned farms risks reducing Powys food security and traditional farming practices. 3. Calls on Powys County Council to impose a moratorium on the sale of its council-owned farms, until a sound County Farms management policy is agreed by Council. 4. Scrap the arbitrary £10 million/annum asset sales target.
County Councillor Danny Bebb declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item. Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Gareth D Jones and seconded by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan: The Council 1.Recognises the valuable contribution that council-owned farms play in supporting food production and enabling young entrants into farming. 2.Regrets that selling council-owned farms risks reducing Powys food security and traditional farming practices 3.Calls on Powys County Council to impose a moratorium on the sale of its council-owned farms, until a sound County Farms management policy is agreed by Council. 4.Scrap the arbitrary £10 million/annum asset sales target. Councillor Gareth D Jones said that the purpose of the motion was to secure a sustainable future for the County Farms Estate and wasn’t intended to stop the sale of farms. The Leader reminded colleagues that the sales target was for all Council owned property and not specifically County Farms. Sales were required to fund investment in education and HTR and every £560,000 raised equalled ½ percent of Council Tax. He reported that the sale of The Gwalia had fallen through. By 27 votes to 20 with 4 abstentions it was RESOLVED that this Council 1. Recognises the valuable contribution that council-owned farms play in supporting food production and enabling young entrants into farming. 2. Regrets that selling council-owned farms risks reducing Powys food security and traditional farming practices. 3. Calls on Powys County Council to impose a moratorium on the sale of its council-owned farms, until a sound County Farms management policy is agreed by Council. 4. Scrap the arbitrary £10 million/annum asset sales target.
Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Iain McIntosh and seconded by County Councillor Geoff Morgan; This Council resolves to ask the Chief Executive and the Leader to: • Consider the Introduction of a dedicated "DOGE Officer" post within Powys County Council, to lead and coordinate Government Efficiency initiatives across the organisation. This officer should: o Identify, develop, and promote efficiency opportunities across all services; o Champion innovative working methods and new uses of technology; o Support services in improving processes and eliminating waste or duplication; o Work closely with Finance and Service Heads to monitor delivery of efficiency targets; o Provide transparent public reporting on efficiency outcomes and progress. • Consider assigning an explicit Cabinet Member responsibility for DOGE, ensuring that one named Cabinet Member takes on the additional portfolio responsibility of overseeing the Council’s Government Efficiency agenda. This Member should: o Provide political leadership and accountability for efficiency initiatives; o Work in partnership with the DOGE Officer to set strategic priorities and targets; o Promote a culture of innovation and efficiency across the Cabinet and wider Council. • Council further Requests that the Chief Executive brings forward a formal proposal to Cabinet within the next three months, setting out: o Options for appointing or recruiting a DOGE Officer (whether new or adapted from an existing role); o Recommendations for which Cabinet portfolio should take on DOGE responsibility; o Budgetary implications, potential savings, and expected benefits; o Proposed governance and reporting arrangements for this work. In proposing the motion Councillor McIntosh argued that this was necessary if the Council was serious about providing value for money. Other Councillors referred to the amount of savings made in recent years including £6 million attributed to Sustainable Powys in the last budget. The motion was lost by 4 votes to 40 with 6 abstentions.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that Council resolves to call on the Chairman of Powys County Council to: 1. Write to the Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs urging an urgent review of the current Bluetongue movement restrictions; 2. Request that the Minister works with the UK Chief Veterinary Officer to develop a coordinated, UK-wide response to managing the risk of Bluetongue; 3. Ask the Minister to ensure any future decisions on livestock movement are based on sound science, veterinary evidence, and practical farming needs; 4. Highlight the specific impact of these rules on Powys County Council’s Farms Estate, and the tenants we have a duty to support.
The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised that the proposer and the seconder had agreed to remove part 5 of the motion so no members would have a prejudicial interest. Those with personal interests could speak and vote because of the dispensation granted by the Standards Committee. County Councillors Beverley Baynham, Danny Bebb, Aled Davies, Angela Davies, Gareth D Jones, Ed Jones, Peter Lewis and William Lloyd declared personal interests. Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Geoff Morgan and seconded by County Councillor Ed Jones: Council resolves to call on the Chairman of Powys County Council to: • Write to the Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs urging an urgent review of the current Bluetongue movement restrictions; • Request that the Minister works with the UK Chief Veterinary Officer to develop a coordinated, UK-wide response to managing the risk of Bluetongue; • Ask the Minister to ensure any future decisions on livestock movement are based on sound science, veterinary evidence, and practical farming needs; • Highlight the specific impact of these rules on Powys County Council’s Farms Estate, and the tenants we have a duty to support. By 48 votes to 1 it was RESOLVED that Council resolves to call on the Chairman of Powys County Council to: 1. Write to the Welsh Government Minister for Rural Affairs urging an urgent review of the current Bluetongue movement restrictions; 2. Request that the Minister works with the UK Chief Veterinary Officer to develop a coordinated, UK-wide response to managing the risk of Bluetongue; 3. Ask the Minister to ensure any future decisions on livestock movement are based on sound science, veterinary evidence, and practical farming needs; 4. Highlight the specific impact of these rules on Powys County Council’s Farms Estate, and the tenants we have a duty to support.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that the Council requests that the Cabinet considers reviewing its decision made on 30th September 2024 to adopt a new Home to School Transport policy for implementation in the 2025/26 academic year and considers developing a new policy that complies with the 13th October 2022 motion.
County Councillor Deb Edwards declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item. Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Aled Davies and seconded by County Councillor Peter Lewis: 1. The Council requests that the Cabinet considers revoking its decision made on 30th September 2024 to adopt a new Home to School Transport policy for implementation in the 2025/26 academic year and revert to the policy that was in place before September 2024 until the Cabinet develops a new policy that complies with the 13th Oct 2022 motion and honours the spirit of the Welsh Government policy of providing Home to School transport to the nearest suitable school. 2. The Council has no confidence in the portfolio holder Cllr J Charlton. 3. The Council has no confidence in the portfolio holder Cllr P Roberts. The proposer indicated that he was prepared to withdraw points 2 and 3 if the Cabinet gave an undertaking to review the Home to School Transport policy. The Leader and the Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys gave that assurance and points 2 and 3 were withdrawn. Councillor Aled Davies also asked for a lenient approach in dealing with appeals from families so that siblings would be able to attend the same schools. By 47 votes to 0 it was RESOLVED that the Council requests that the Cabinet considers reviewing its decision made on 30th September 2024 to adopt a new Home to School Transport policy for implementation in the 2025/26 academic year and considers developing a new policy that complies with the 13th October 2022 motion.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.