35,601 items
Decided: Council rejected Amendment 1, proposed by Councillor P M Black, to add £2m to highways road resurfacing, funded by cutting the Skyline capital budget. The vote was 24 for and 37 against. Council approved the revised 2025/26 capital budget, and the 2025/26 budget and 2026/27 to 2030/31 programme, adding headroom of up to £50m subject to affordability.
Decided: Council deferred this item to its meeting on 25 March 2026.
Decided: Council rejected two opposition amendments. Amendment 1, from Councillor C A Holley, proposed deferring city centre car parking charge rises for a year at a cost of about £150k. Amendment 2, from Councillor S Bennett, proposed reducing a £250k Social Services saving linked to in-house homecare, funded by cutting the £3m base contingency by the same amount. Council then approved the 2026/27 Revenue Budget in Appendix A and the Budget Requirement and Council Tax levy in paragraphs 119 to 124. Votes on the substantive motion were 38 for, 4 against and 22 abstaining.
Decided: Council approved the Medium Term Financial Plan 2027/28 to 2029/30 as the basis for future service financial planning.
Decided: It noted the Interim Year Treasury Management Review 2025/26 (Appendix H) and the Annual Treasury Management Report 2024/25 (Appendix I).
Decided: Council noted and adopted the statutory resolutions setting Council Tax for 2026/27. The Council Tax base is 96,701.
Decided: Council approved the Capital Strategy 2025/26 to 2030/31.
Decided: Council approved the revenue budget proposals for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) in sections 11 to 21 of the report.
Decided: Council approved the transfers between schemes and the revised 2025/26 budgets, approved the budget proposals for 2026/27 to 2029/30, and committed the schemes in Appendix B along with their four-year funding.
RESOLVED 1. That the amounts contained in paragraph 3.1 above be accepted by the Council for the year 2026-27 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. 2. That the Council in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992, hereby sets the amounts contained in paragraph 3.3 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2026-27 for each of the categories of dwellings shown.
RESOLVED To note and approve the publication of the attached Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 to ensure compliance with section 38 (1) of the Localism Act 2011 and to respond to the legal requirements under the Standing Orders (Wales) Amendment Regulations 2014, the Local Government (Wales) Act 2015 and related advice from Welsh Government.
RESOLVED that County Councillor Gareth E Jones be appointed to the Board of Trustees of Wyeside Arts Centre.
RESOLVED to proceed to the next business. Councillors Iain McIntosh and Karl Lewis left the meeting.
RESOLVED that Council calls for 1. Immediate intervention by Welsh Government to stabilise services and protect patient safety in Powys. 2. A halt to any further erosion of local healthcare provision, including community hospital downgrades or closures. 3. A clear, transparent plan from Powys Teaching Health Board and Welsh Government to restore safe, accessible, and dignified healthcare for all Powys residents. 4. Urgent investment in local recruitment and retention of doctors, dentists, and nurses, ensuring Powys communities are not left behind. 5. On all parties standing in the Senedd elections to commit to more investment in social care to improve the outcomes for people leaving hospital and cut waiting times at NHS hospitals, noting the close working between Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council that was enabled by the £1.2 million Pathways of Care transformation grant, awarded by the Welsh Government as part of the 2025 budget agreement with the Welsh Liberal Democrats. 6. On all parties standing in the Senedd elections to commit to the completion within the term of the next Welsh government of the North Powys Wellbeing Hub in Newtown following the outline business case submitted jointly by the Council and Powys Teaching Health Board, noting the major contribution to improving local health care that the Well Being Hub will achieve in terms of specialist clinics, community dentistry, recruitment, healthy living activities and providing a new home for mental health teams for children, young people and adults. 7. Council further resolves to communicate this declaration directly to Welsh Government, Powys Teaching Health Board, and current and future Members of the Senedd, demanding urgent action to address the Powys Health Crisis Emergency The meeting adjourned from 1.30 to 2.10 pm. PRESENT County Councillor DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT WD Powell (Chair) County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT B Baynham, D Bebb, G Breeze, J Berriman, J Brignell-Thorp, R Church, T Colbert, S Cox, S C Davies, R Devlin, M J Dorrance, J Ewing, F Frantz-Morgans, C Hall, I Harrison, K Healy, P James, A Jenner, A Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, C Kenyon-Wade, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, G Mitchell, G Morgan, G Preston, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, P Roberts, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, J Wilkinson, A Williams, D H Williams, S L Williams Farming Fit Council received a presentation on Farming Fit from Sharon Healey, Head of Health, Wellbeing and Partnerships, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, Rhiannon Hobbs, Principal Public Health Practitioner, Powys Teaching Health Board, Greg Langridge-Thomas, Senior Manager – Community Health Protection and Wellbeing, Powys County Council, Amanda Thomas, Powys Regional Representative, DPJ Foundation and John Williams, Senior Officer for Engagement, Information, and Participation, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations. Farming Fit brought together the Community Health Protection and Wellbeing teams of Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations and the wider Powys Agri Wellbeing Support Network (PAWS). Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Council received a presentation from Gethin Havard 2026 President and Teleri Haf Thomas the 2026 Ambassador on the 2026 show when Brecknock would be the featured county.
RESOLVED 1. Strengthen Mental Health Awareness Across the Workforce and Councillors by: • Ensuring all employees complete basic workplace mental health awareness training, delivered through existing or partnership programmes. • Providing accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or equivalent training for managers and frontline staff where appropriate. • Embedding mental health awareness information into induction for all new employees. • Ensuring staff know how to access internal support, including counselling or employee assistance, through clear and proactive signposting. 2. Improve Visibility of Support Services by: • Displaying widely recognised helpline information (e.g., Samaritans) on appropriate council‑owned buildings and within council facilities such as libraries, leisure centres, day centres, and community hubs. • Working with relevant partners to identify suitable, lawful, and safe locations for signage in public spaces where the Council has responsibility. • Encouraging Powys schools to display support information in suitable internal and external areas, in line with safeguarding and wellbeing guidance. 3. Include Suicide Awareness Signposting on Council Communications by: • Adding a short, standardised line directing residents to mental health support services on council letters, notices, and other public-facing correspondence where appropriate. • Hosting a dedicated webpage on the Powys County Council website listing support lines and help routes. • Reviewing the wording annually to ensure accuracy, sensitivity, and compliance with best practice. 4. Promote Safe and Evidence‑Informed Public Awareness by: • Ensuring all suicide prevention messaging avoids stigma, shame, or sensationalism. • Using clear, hopeful, and accessible language that directs people towards help. • Working in partnership with Powys Teaching Health Board, public health teams, and recognised support organisations to ensure communications follow national guidance. 5. Maximise External Funding Opportunities by: • Actively seeking Welsh Government, Powys Teaching Health Board, and third‑sector funding to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness work. • Exploring opportunities through community safety, wellbeing, and early intervention grants. • Prioritising external funding to minimise the financial impact on the Council. 6. Report Annually to Full Council on Progress, including: • Workforce training undertaken and staff completion rates. • Implementation of signage and communication improvements. • Website and public information updates. • External funding secured. • Recommendations for further actions or improvements.
RESOLVED that, in order to allow implementation of the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) Fit for the Future Business case approved by Westminster Government in April 2025 and approved by the Council on the 10th of July 2025, Council :- . 1. Approves the updated Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) as set out in Appendix 1. 2. Delegates any further minor amendments required to the IAA as a result of legislative changes to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee. 3. Delegates the final approval and signing the document to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th February 2026 (10:00a.m.) be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th February 2026 (10:10a.m.) be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th February 2026 (10:20a.m.) be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th February 2026 (10:30a.m.) be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th February 2026 (10:40a.m.) be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 5th February 2026 (10:50a.m.) be signed as a correct record.
Decided: Council received four petitions. Julie Bartlett presented one with 84 relevant signatures, calling for Letton Road to return to two-way access for residents' cars. Cllr Ed Stubbs presented one with 117 signatures calling for a school bus for pupils of Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern. Cllr Rodney Berman presented one with 916 signatures supporting a Welsh-medium high school for the south of the city and calling on the council to rule out removing Ysgol Bro Edern. Cllr Berman also presented one with 1,619 signatures objecting to plans to demolish Cardiff East Park & Ride.
Decided: Council approved the draft Corporate Plan for 2026 to 2029. It delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to make minor amendments before publication by 1 April 2026. The Liberal Democrat amendment, moved by Cllr Berman and seconded by Cllr Molik, would have referred the plan back to Cabinet to add targets on school deficits, litter, bus services, performance indicators and County Hall. It was lost by 8 votes to 57, with 5 abstentions. The Conservative amendment, moved by Cllr Cowan and seconded by Cllr Lancaster, would have referred the plan back because not all targets had been set. It was lost by 15 votes to 51, with 4 abstentions. The recommendations were carried by 49 votes to 8, with 13 abstentions.
Decided: Council approved the Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Account budgets, including all proposals, and a 3.90% rise in Council Tax. It set the Council Tax amounts for each valuation band and area for 2026/27. It approved the Capital Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy, the Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 to 2030/31, the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2026/27 and the Budgetary Framework. It agreed to keep the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme and recognised the financial challenges set out in the Medium-Term Financial Plan. The Liberal Democrat alternative budget, moved by Cllr Carter and seconded by Cllr Berman, was lost by 8 votes to 59, with 2 abstentions. The Conservative alternative budget, moved by Cllr Cowan and seconded by Cllr Lancaster, was lost by 8 votes to 59, with 1 abstention. The recommendations in the report were carried by 46 votes to 13, with 10 abstentions.
Decided: Council noted the revised political make-up of the council and approved the updated allocation of committee seats. It agreed to make committee appointments in line with nominations from party groups. It asked the Monitoring Officer to fill any remaining vacancies and to report the appointments to the next meeting. It appointed Cllr Ferguson-Thorne as Chair of the Council Appeals Committee.
RESOLVED (a) That the revised Allocation of Committee Seats and Outside Bodies to political groups under the requirements of Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 as set out in Appendix 1 be approved, subject to the Plaid Cymru Group being allocated an additional seat on the Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee. (b) That the following appointments of Members not in a Political Group be approved: (i) Urgency Committee – Councillor Pat Davies (ii) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillor Steve Alderman (iii) Housing Revenue Account Working Group – Councillor Bethan Price (iv) School Modernisation Working Group – Councillor Viv Stoddart (v) Net Zero Working Group – Councillor Michele Wiggins (vi) South West Wales Corporate Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor David Simpson (vii) Celtic Freeport Joint Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Steve Alderman (c) That the following changes be noted: (i) Licensing Committee – Councillor Bethan Price to step down. (ii) National Park Authority – Councillor Steve Alderman to step down. (iii) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Steve Alderman to step down. (d) That the appointment of Members to Committees and other bodies, as set out in Appendix 3, be approved subject to the above amendments.
Decided: Council gave delegated authority to the Head of Planning to approve the application, after publicity as a departure from policy, subject to a Section 106 agreement tying the business to the farm, and to conditions. If the agreement is not completed within three months, the Head of Planning may refuse the application. The vote was 28 for, 15 against and 1 abstention.
Decided: Council extended the scope of the Section 31 review of community electoral arrangements to include Nolton and Roch, Martletwy, Stackpole and Castlemartin, and Pencaer. The vote was 43 for, with none against or abstaining.
Decided: Council approved an extension to the existing Liaison Group membership to include local Members of council-run Gypsy Traveller sites, and asked for terms of reference to be developed. The vote was 46 for, with none against or abstaining.