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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED That the Notice of Motion be adopted.
RESOLVED That the Standards Committee Annual Report for 2022- 2023 be noted.
RESOLVED That the changing nature of collaboration between schools, the Local Authority and Pembrokeshire College, under the Memorandum of Understanding, prior to review by Council, be noted.
RESOLVED That the Authority’s self-assessment and decisions required for its Panel Performance Assessment be undertaken by Council, considering recommendations made by the Improvement and Transformation Board.
RESOLVED That the resolution of the Planning Committee to approve the above application be endorsed, subject to the conditions outlined in the report.
RESOLVED (a) That the officer response to the single representation received on the replacement LDP (LDP 2) Preferred Strategy, presented in Appendix A to the report, be endorsed; noting that the representation and response will be presented as Appendix F to the Initial Consultation Report on the Council’s website. (b) That the Addendum to the original LDP 2 Initial Consultation Report, which forms Appendix B to the report, be endorsed; noting that the Addendum will subsequently be presented as Appendix G to the Initial Consultation Report on the Council’s website.
RESOLVED (a) That the progress made by the Communities Electoral Review Working Group in developing the Council Size Policy, be noted. (b) That the revised timetable, as set out in the report, to allow enhanced engagement with all Members and all Pembrokeshire city, town and community councils be noted.
RESOLVED That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2022-23 be endorsed.
RESOLVED (1) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees: (a) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (b) Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (c) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee That Councillor Viv Stoddart be appointed to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee. (2) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (a) Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (b) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (c) Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (d) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (e) Urgency Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (f) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jacob Williams and Tim Evans (g) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillor Pat Davies (3) That Members in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (a) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillors Joshua Beynon, Nicola Gwynn, Marc Tierney (b) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jordan Ryan, Thomas Tudor, Maureen Bowen (4) That Members be appointed as Reserve Members to the following Council bodies to which political balance rules do not apply: (a) Standards Committee – Councillor Michele Wiggins (b) Appointments Panel – Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (c) Member Family Absence Complaints Panel – No Nominations (1) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees: (d) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (e) Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (f) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee That Councillor Viv Stoddart be appointed to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee. (2) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (h) Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (i) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (j) Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (k) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (l) Urgency Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (m)Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jacob Williams and Tim Evans (n) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillor Pat Davies (3) That Members in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (c) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillors Joshua Beynon, Nicola Gwynn, Marc Tierney (d) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jordan Ryan, Thomas Tudor, Maureen Bowen (4) That Members be appointed as Reserve Members to the following Council bodies to which political balance rules do not apply: (d) Standards Committee – Councillor Michele Wiggins (e) Appointments Panel – Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (f) Member Family Absence Complaints Panel – No Nominations
RESOLVED That Ms Suzanne Lewis be re-appointed to the Standards Committee for a period of four years commencing on the 26 July 2023. The vote to appoint Community Councillor S Snow, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [58] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That Community Councillor Sarah Snow be appointed to the Standards Committee for the period up until the next ordinary election of Community Councils (May 2027).
RESOLVED That the contents of Audit Wales’ Stage 1 follow up for their Report in the Public Interest be noted and the organisational response to its additional recommendation be adopted.
RESOLVED (a) That the Council maintains a bi-annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering Net Zero Council operations 2030, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (b) That the Council maintains a bi-annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering a Net Zero Council Housing stock, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (c) That, from this point forward, specific decisions on Capital schemes to include Net Zero provisions over and above those mandated, include a cost benefit analysis of doing so. The vote for the Substantive Motion, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was then carried.
RESOLVED That a review of the Memorandum of Understanding will be undertaken be noted; and that the decision on which body approves the review be deferred for legal advice.
Apologies were received from Councillor Iwan Ward.
In welcoming everyone to the meeting, the Presiding Member / Chair/Deputy Presiding Member made the following announcements:
The Presiding Member brought to Members’ attention the tragic incident that took place recently outside of Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest, which sadly took the life of eight month old Mabli Cariad Hall. He then offered the Council’s deepest condolences to Mabli’s parents and family. He also announced the sudden death of Mr Glyn Jones, one of the founders of the Prince's Gate Water Company and Community Councillor for Lampeter Velfrey, and extended the Council’s deepest sympathies to his family. He then asked Members to stand for one minute’s silence as a mark of respect. He then welcomed Corinna Kershaw, the Chair of the Standards Committee, to the meeting to speak to agenda item 7.
The Chair / Deputy Presiding Member offered his personal condolences to the family and friends of baby Mabli Cariad Hall, and hoped that the love and support received from the entire community would be of some comfort. He highlighted the incredible performance of powerlifter Bleddyn Gibbs from Thornton, Milford Haven, who represented Team GB at the Special Olympics in Berlin, and returned home with four gold medals. He congratulated Bleddyn on behalf of all Members. The Chair also congratulated Jo Price, a Youth Worker with the Council, who had secured a 1st Class Honours Degree in Youth Work & Social Education. Just days after graduating from University of Wales Trinity Saint David, it was said that Jo set off to California to coach the Welsh team at the Homeless Football World Cup. He stated that it had been a pleasure to honour and present certificates and congratulations to Hugo Thompson, Miranda Thompson and Owen Campbell-Morse on their admission to the role of Freeman of Haverfordwest. He also mentioned the Pembroke Town Civic Service and newly appointed Mayor, former Councillor Aden Brinn. He referred to his attendance at the following events: the Ancient Connection Celebrations in St David's City and Cathedral, the Tenby Food Festival, visiting Haverfordwest with Finance Minister, Rebecca Evans, the Ras Yr Laith Race in Goodwick, the open day for Norman Industries, and the graduation ceremony at St David's Cathedral of Pembrokeshire College students 2023. He then offered his sincere congratulations to all the students. He also attended the Coronations and Investitures exhibition at St Peter's Church, Little Newcastle. The Chair then congratulated Lisa Roberts and her dedicated catering team at Tenby VC School, for being shortlisted for Jamie Oliver's catering award Team Championships. Finally, he thanked Councillor Steve Alderman, Vice-Chair, for attending various events on his behalf. He then wished all Members a good summer break.
The following of declarations of interest were made: Item 8 – Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of Post-16 Education in Pembrokeshire Councillor Aled Thomas declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Local Authority appointed Governor for Ysgol Caer Elen. Councillor Michael John declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Local Authority appointed Governor for Haverfordwest High VC School. Councillor Michael Stoddart declared a personal and prejudicial interest by virtue of his daughter teaching at Pembrokeshire College but mentioned that he had a dispensation to speak but not to vote. Councillor Viv Stoddart declared a personal and prejudicial interest by virtue of her daughter teaching at Pembrokeshire College but mentioned that she had a dispensation to speak but not to vote. Councillor Tessa Hodgson declared a personal interest by virtue of her sister teaching at Pembrokeshire College. Councillor Michelle Bateman declared a personal interest by virtue of that fact she has one daughter as a pupil and one daughter as a staff member at Ysgol Bro Gwaun. Councillor Alan Dennison declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor for Milford Haven School. Councillor Bethan Price declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor for Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and having a family member who works at Pembrokeshire College. Councillor Thomas Tudor declared a personal interest by virtue of having a family member who works at Pembrokeshire College. Councillor Jonathan Grimes declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor for Monkton School. Councillor Michele Wiggins declared a personal interest by virtue of her daughter teaching at Ysgol Harri Tudur. Councillor Alec Cormack declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor for Greenhill School. Councillor Jordan Ryan declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor for Ysgol Bro Gwaun. Councillor Alistair Cameron declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Governor for Greenhill School and Tenby VC School. Councillor Chris Williams declared a personal interest by virtue of his brother being the Head Teacher of Golden Grove School in Pembroke. Councillor Nicola Gwyn declared a personal interest by virtue of her daughter being a pupil at Henry Tudor School. Item 11 – Replacement Local Development Plan - LDP 2 - outcome of targeted preferred strategy consultation in 2022 Councillor Vanessa Thomas declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Community Councillor for Jeffreyston Community Council.
Council considered the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2023, the Minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 12 May 2023 and the Minutes of the Extraordinary Council meeting held on 18 May 2023. The Minutes of the meeting on 11 May 2023 were Moved by Councillor Simon Hancock; Seconded by Councillor Brian Hall. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 11 May 2023 be approved as a correct record. The Minutes of the Annual Meeting on 12 May 2023 were Moved by Councillor Simon Hancock; Seconded by Councillor David Simpson. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 12 May 2023 be approved as a correct record. The Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 18 May 2023 were Moved by Councillor Simon Hancock; Seconded by Councillor Brian Hall. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the Extraordinary Council Meeting held on 18 May 2023 be approved as a correct record.
The Presiding Member announced that item 5, Notice of Motion relating to Costs Analysis of Climate Emergency, would be moved back until Councillor Aaron Carey, originator of the Notice of Motion, was present at the meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Notice of Motion be adopted.
Council considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services which outlined the decision of the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to a Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Aled Thomas to Council on 2 March 2023, in the following terms: That the Cabinet/Council immediately reinstate the working group responsible for ratifying the County Farms letting policy (to include annual rents) and a full review begin taking place to ensure that the farms and land blocks meet the council's financial expectations and indeed lower carbon future ambitions. The originator of the Motion, Councillor Aled Thomas, spoke to his Notice of Motion and suggested that the Authority should be at the forefront of any new legislation and promoting a thriving environment, as well as maximising financial returns for the Authority in the process. He stated that this Notice of Motion was not one to detract from the review which began in late 2018 and concluded in January 2020, and believed that that review provided a solid foundation, but believed the Authority could go further and do better. Councillor Thomas highlighted that with housing delivery across the County being constrained by the ongoing phosphate load in the Cleddau River, the Authority should do all that was possible to negate any further negative impacts. He mentioned the County Farms Estate Working Group and stated that it would welcome feedback from all Members in order to help deliver the vision set out by the Authority for the Farms Estate as follows: “To promote the agricultural sector in Pembrokeshire by providing a County Farm estate that supports tenants, stimulates the farming community and promotes biodiversity and environmental best practice, in line with the wider strategic objectives of the Local Authority.” Councillor Aled Thomas Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Joshua Beynon. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [58] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That the Notice of Motion be adopted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Standards Committee Annual Report for 2022- 2023 be noted.
Council considered a report by the Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer which outlined the Standards Committee Annual Report for 2022-2023. The Presiding Member welcomed to the meeting the Chair of the Standards Committee, Corinna Kershaw, who introduced the report. She stated that the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, required the Standards Committee to produce an annual report to demonstrate how it had discharged its functions in the preceding financial year. She mentioned that the Committee had met six times over the last year, where they had dealt with two Code of Conduct hearings and 20 Applications for Dispensation. She also referred to meetings with Group Leaders regarding their duties, namely their aims in promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct within their Groups. Ms Kershaw highlighted that poor behaviour and social media issues were featured in the report as the most frequent problems complained about, with 35 cases investigated by the Ombudsman with 12 referred to the relevant Standards Committee for a hearing, two of which were held in Pembrokeshire. She concluded that by setting and adhering to high ethical standards, Local Authorities would cultivate trust among their constituents, which would, in turn, encourage people to engage, attract investment and promote economic growth. The Leader Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Guy Woodham. Councillor Jacob Williams sought reassurance that the Standards Committee would hold hearings, and their evidence, in the public domain going forward, not including deliberations. In response, Ms Kershaw confirmed that to be the case. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Standards Committee Annual Report for 2022- 2023 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the changing nature of collaboration between schools, the Local Authority and Pembrokeshire College, under the Memorandum of Understanding, prior to review by Council, be noted.
[Please refer to Minute 40 for a continuation of this item.] [During consideration of this item of business, Councillors Huw Murphy and Michael James each declared a personal interest as a Governor of Ysgol Bro Preseli.] Council considered a report by the Director of Education which outlined the Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of Post-16 Education in Pembrokeshire. Councillor Huw Murphy, Chair of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report and stated that the purpose of the report was to conduct an annual review of the effectiveness of the Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of Post-16 Education in Pembrokeshire. He highlighted that the matter had been reviewed and debated at the June meeting of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee, where the Committee noted the changing nature of Education arrangements. He then referred to the main considerations as outlined in the report, specifically learner choice, Federation uptake numbers, Sixth Form & Pembrokeshire College average class size,Transition Arrangements into Pembrokeshire College for 11-16 Schools, Vulnerable Year 11 learners transition into post-16 pathway, Pre-Engagement Programme and Destinations analysis. Councillor Murphy then Moved the following Recommendation, as passed by the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22 June 2023: To consider the changing nature of collaboration between schools, the Local Authority and Pembrokeshire College, under the Memorandum of Understanding, prior to review by Council. The Recommendation was Seconded by Councillor Alan Dennison. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the changing nature of collaboration between schools, the Local Authority and Pembrokeshire College, under the Memorandum of Understanding, prior to review by Council, be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Authority’s self-assessment and decisions required for its Panel Performance Assessment be undertaken by Council, considering recommendations made by the Improvement and Transformation Board.
Council considered a report by the Head of Law and Governance which outlined the consideration of a Local Choice Function, in regards to Self-Assessment and Panel Performance Assessment. Councillor Neil Prior, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Improvement and Communities, introduced the report and stated that it provided an update from the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 in regards to the production of an Annual Self-Assessment. He explained that the outlined option, as discussed with the Policy and Pre-Decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their June meeting, was that the Self-Assessment and Panel Performance Assessment be presented to Full Council, once it had been viewed by the Improvement and Transformation Board. Councillor Neil Prior then Moved the following Recommendation; That the Authority’s Self-Assessment and decisions required for its Panel Performance Assessment should be undertaken by Council considering recommendations made by the Improvement and Transformation Board. The Recommendation was Seconded by Councillor Joshua Beynon. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [57] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That the Authority’s self-assessment and decisions required for its Panel Performance Assessment be undertaken by Council, considering recommendations made by the Improvement and Transformation Board.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the resolution of the Planning Committee to approve the above application be endorsed, subject to the conditions outlined in the report.
Council considered a report by the Head of Planning which outlined a development management policy issue, in regards to Planning Application 22/1005/PA: Full application to provide nine accommodation cabins and an ancillary office cabin to allow for the diversification of an existing fishery business. Councillor Jacob Williams, Chair of the Planning Committee, introduced the report and explained that at the April meeting of the Planning Committee, Members resolved that the application be deferred, as the Committee was minded to approve the application on the basis that the following considerations outweighed the presumption against development, given the conflict with the policies of the statutory development plan: i. The proposed development is as well related to a settlement as it could be; ii. The proposed development will bring economic benefits; iii. The proposed development is adequately screened and not open to public view. He stated that the application was then presented at the May meeting of the Committee, where the Committee resolved to grant planning permission for the development, subject to the conditions outlined in the committee report and against the recommendation of the Director of Community Services.Councillor Williams highlighted that the application was considered to be a ‘departure’ from the policy set out in the Local Development Plan (LDP) and accordingly, the final decision was not within the plenary powers of the Planning Committee and therefore needed to be reviewed by Council. Councillor Jacob Williams then Moved Recommendation B as follows; Endorse the resolution of the Planning Committee, subject to the conditions outlined above. Seconded by Councillor Brian Hall. Councillors Delme Harries, Brian Hall and Reg Owens stated their support for the application and urged Members to do the same. They referenced supporting the local Community, local businesses and the boost the application would provide to the economy in North Pembrokeshire. Councillor Alistair Cameron stated that he did not support the application and urged Members to vote against it, on the basis that it was in the open countryside, far from a settlement boundary. He highlighted that the planning documents outlined the diversification of an existing fishing business based around the pond, but stated that he saw no evidence of this business when he visited the site. Councillor Di Clements agreed with Councillor Cameron and stated that the goals of the LDP needed to be supported and that decisions related to the LDP remained consistent. Councillor Mark Carter also agreed and failed to see any evidence of a fishing village. He referred to a similar planning site in Penally which had been rejected, and highlighted that there needed to be a degree of consistency. Councillor Phil Kidney stated his support for the application and the jobs it would create for the area, especially with the current state of the Hospitality Sector. Councillor Jamie Adams believed the area, in relation to the application, to be a sustainable location and close to a boundary settlement. He suggested that the LDP Policy was not fit for purpose and highlighted that economic development within the Fishguard and Goodwick area could not wait. He referred to many applications challenging the current LDPand suggested that it could not keep pace with the needs and demands of the economy of the County, as well as the opportunities that were created through families investing in their local areas. He then stated his support for the application. Councillor Bethan Price supported the application and the jobs it would create for the area. Councillor Pat Davies agreed and stated that it wasan ideal opportunity to attract more visitors to the area. Councillor Jordan Ryan also supported the application and urged Members to do the same. In reference to the boundary settlement aspect, the Chief Planning Officer explained that Planning Policy Wales required developments in the countryside to be within or adjoining a settlement, therefore the LDP Policy did support proposals that were not adjoining settlements, provided they were well related to the settlement. In relation to the outlined application, the visual relationship to the settlement was one of the concerns of Officers. He also highlighted concerns around the proximity to the nearest urban facilities that tourists may use. He explained that in terms of the review of the LDP, a Pembrokeshire context may be provided in order to consider small scale developments in rural areas to support Pembrokeshire’s rural economy. Councillors Steve Alderman and Tony Wilcox also stated their support for the application. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Delme Harries, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright and Steve Yelland [48] Against the Motion: Councillors Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, Simon Hancock, Jon Harvey, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams and Danny Young [8] Abstentions: Councillor Tessa Hodgson [1] RESOLVED That the resolution of the Planning Committee to approve the above application be endorsed, subject to the conditions outlined in the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (a) That the officer response to the single representation received on the replacement LDP (LDP 2) Preferred Strategy, presented in Appendix A to the report, be endorsed; noting that the representation and response will be presented as Appendix F to the Initial Consultation Report on the Council’s website. (b) That the Addendum to the original LDP 2 Initial Consultation Report, which forms Appendix B to the report, be endorsed; noting that the Addendum will subsequently be presented as Appendix G to the Initial Consultation Report on the Council’s website.
Council considered a report by the Head of Planning which outlined the outcomes from the targeted Local Development Plan (LDP) 2 Preferred Strategy consultation. Councillor Jon Harvey, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Planning and Housing Delivery, introduced the report and stated thata targeted LDP 2 Preferred Strategy consultation ran from 19January to 16 March 2022, where a single response was received, as outlined in the report. He highlighted that following Cabinet endorsement on 3July 2023, Full Council was asked to approve the Council’s response to the consultation, as a precursor to the repeat of the Deposit stage of the LDP 2 Plan process, based on a revised document. He explained that due to an administrative error, a small number of individuals on the LDP 1 database were not notified of the opportunity to register their interest on the LDP 2 database. In order to remedy the oversight, Officers wrote to all those affected, inviting them to register to receive notifications on the replacement LDP, along with the opportunity to submit candidate sites. Councillor Harvey stated that this resulted in three further candidates' sites being submitted, which had been added to the candidate sites register. Councillor Jon Harvey Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by the Leader. Councillor Jacob Williams sought clarification in regards to the legality of the LDP process in regards to the land in Jeffreyston put forward for inclusion. In response, the Development Plans Manager explained that a decision regarding the site at Jeffreyston would be required later along in the process, when the LDP Deposit Plan 2 was published. He highlighted that there would be an opportunity for members of the public to comment on the Plan and any persons who were not happy with the Plan outlined, could object at that stage. He explained that objections could be taken forward into the independent examination stage of the Plan process, where an independent inspector would consider the matter from all view points and, if necessary, would make a binding recommendation to the Council as to how to proceed in relation to those sites. He stated that the report was a stepping stone on the way to address the issues that had arisen. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [56] Abstentions: Councillor Mike James [1] There were no votes against. RESOLVED (a) That the officer response to the single representation received on the replacement LDP (LDP 2) Preferred Strategy, presented in Appendix A to the report, be endorsed; noting that the representation and response will be presented as Appendix F to the Initial Consultation Report on the Council’s website. (b) That the Addendum to the original LDP 2 Initial Consultation Report, which forms Appendix B to the report, be endorsed; noting that the Addendum will subsequently be presented as Appendix G to the Initial Consultation Report on the Council’s website.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (a) That the progress made by the Communities Electoral Review Working Group in developing the Council Size Policy, be noted. (b) That the revised timetable, as set out in the report, to allow enhanced engagement with all Members and all Pembrokeshire city, town and community councils be noted.
Council considered a report by the Assistant Chief Executive which outlined the work of the Communities Electoral Review Working Group on the development of the Council Size Policy. Councillor Neil Prior, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Improvement and Communities, introduced the report and stated that the Boundary Commission had been appointed to assist with the work relating to the development of the Council Size Policy. He highlighted that as a result of the most recent meeting of the Communities Electoral Review Working Group, it had been decided that more time was required to allow Members to find out more about the ongoing work and to engage more thoroughly with Town and Community Councils on the matter. Councillor Prior highlighted that the Working Better Together Forum for Town and Community Councils had been reinstated, to allow as many Town and Community Councils to give their views and options in regards to the size policy. He mentioned that during a recent survey, there was a 15% response rate out of all Town and Community Councillors, said to be around 650. Councillor Neil Prior Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Alec Cormack. Councillor Thomas Tudor stated that he was willing to assist with the process within his ward. Councillor Di Clements sought clarification in regards to the event timeline on page 231 of the Agenda. In response, Councillor Prior explained that the Initial Boundary Commission Meeting, due to take place on 4 September 2023, was an all Members Seminar. He stated that there would be a meeting with the Boundary Commission in October 2023 with the Working Group, but highlighted that it was yet to be confirmed. Councillor Michael John stated his support for the change in the timescale of the decision. He believed that there should not be a blanket approach in regards to boundary sizes and highlighted that there were some effective small Community Councils who looked after services in their areas extremely well. He then sought clarification in regards to what work was being undertaken to ensure that the affected Community Councils were able to engage with the policy, before the Council Size Policy consultation was due to take place on 5 September 2023. In response, Councillor Prior agreed that there were various effective smaller Community Councils and wished to highlight that no decisions had been made, but Council could feedback to the Boundary Commission during their review. He stated that he was happy for Members to engage with their local Town and Community Councils on the matter, and highlighted that a briefing note would also be shared. He mentioned that he was happy with the outlined timelines, and that the Council and Boundary Commission would do everything possible to engage with Town and Community Councils. Councillor Mark Carter sought clarification in regards to precept protection for the residents of small Town and Community Councils, if amalgamated with a larger one. Councillor Prior stated that he did not have the answer to that question but highlighted that it would be a good point to consider at the Members’ Seminar in September, in order to feed into the arrangements. Councillor Jacob Williams wished to know whether Council had the final say in regards to the future report of the Boundary Commission in regards to the size policy. In response, the Assistant Chief Executive explained that the Communities Electoral Review Working Group was deciding on the size policy, which the Boundary Commission would then work on and ultimately recommend to Welsh Government what the boundary wards should look like. He highlighted that the Council would be consulted throughout the process. Councillor Steve Alderman referred to rising tensions within various Town and Community Councils and supported the change in the timescale. Councillor David Howlett offered his support as a result of past experience with a similar issue and stated that he also supported the change in the timescale. He urged Members with small Town and Community Councils in their wards to review the details of the process. Councillor Reg Owens stated that a ‘one size fits all’ policy would not be appropriate. Councillor Jamie Adams also supported the delay in the process and stated that it would allow good relationships with Town and Community Councils to remain. He then urged caution and that the process be undertaken in a manner that reflected the complexities of the relationships between communities and the County Council. Councillor Alan Dennison suggested that the Working Group consider the legal challenges of potential amalgamated finances between small and large Town and Community Councils. Councillor Joshua Beynon referred to democratic deficit and stated that he would be happy to merge Town and Community Councils, as it would result in more resources for the benefit of local residents. He then referred to Members who were uncontested at the most recent County Council Elections and suggested that it was not healthy for democracy that around 19 Councillors had not been challenged for their role. In relation to Councillor Beynon’s point, Councillor Marc Tierney sought clarification as to whether any work would be undertaken in regards to the Welsh Government’s Democratic Health Task and Finish Group, in order to promote democratic health in Pembrokeshire. In response, Councillor Prior stated that it was an important point and highlighted that the various issues mentioned by Councillors would be addressed within the process. He also appreciated the words of caution from Members with previous experience. Councillor Tony Wilcox sought clarification in regards to Town and Community Councils’ financial reserves and whether some could be kept aside if there was a significant amount. The Chief Executive stated that he would discuss with the Section 151 Officer the rules and regulations of Town and Community Council reserves and would report back outside of the meeting. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED (a) That the progress made by the Communities Electoral Review Working Group in developing the Council Size Policy, be noted. (b) That the revised timetable, as set out in the report, to allow enhanced engagement with all Members and all Pembrokeshire city, town and community councils be noted.
The Chair / Deputy Presiding Member announced that the Haverfordwest County Football Team was in Europe to play against North Macedonia, and wished them the best of luck on behalf of all Members.
The meeting was paused at 11:56am for a short comfort break and was resumed at 12:15pm.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2022-23 be endorsed.
Council considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services which outlined the Annual Report on the work of each of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees. Councillor Aled Thomas, Vice-Chair of the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee, introduced the report and stated that it provided details of scrutiny activities for the period June 2022 to March 2023 and covered each of the five Scrutiny Committees in a combined report. He highlighted that there was a section covering the work of each Scrutiny Committee over the 10 month period, the areas of work scrutinised at each meeting, a commentary on some of the good practice and positive outcomes which have been achieved, as well as highlights of the future challenges for each of the Committees. Councillor Thomas also referred to the Member survey for views on the structure and arrangements of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, the results were attached as Appendix 2 to the report. Councillor Aled Thomas Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Peter Morgan. Councillor Mark Carter, Chair of the Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, stated that he was pleased with the results and Member attendance for his Committee, and highlighted the various interesting topics that were discussed and improved with Member input. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [58] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2022-23 be endorsed.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (1) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees: (a) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (b) Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (c) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee That Councillor Viv Stoddart be appointed to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee. (2) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (a) Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (b) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (c) Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (d) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (e) Urgency Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (f) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jacob Williams and Tim Evans (g) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillor Pat Davies (3) That Members in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (a) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillors Joshua Beynon, Nicola Gwynn, Marc Tierney (b) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jordan Ryan, Thomas Tudor, Maureen Bowen (4) That Members be appointed as Reserve Members to the following Council bodies to which political balance rules do not apply: (a) Standards Committee – Councillor Michele Wiggins (b) Appointments Panel – Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (c) Member Family Absence Complaints Panel – No Nominations (1) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees: (d) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (e) Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (f) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee That Councillor Viv Stoddart be appointed to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee. (2) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (h) Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (i) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (j) Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (k) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (l) Urgency Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (m)Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jacob Williams and Tim Evans (n) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillor Pat Davies (3) That Members in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (c) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillors Joshua Beynon, Nicola Gwynn, Marc Tierney (d) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jordan Ryan, Thomas Tudor, Maureen Bowen (4) That Members be appointed as Reserve Members to the following Council bodies to which political balance rules do not apply: (d) Standards Committee – Councillor Michele Wiggins (e) Appointments Panel – Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (f) Member Family Absence Complaints Panel – No Nominations
Council considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services which outlined vacant seats on Committees and the appointment of Reserve Members to Committees where applicable. The Presiding Member sought nominations from Members not in a political group for the Social Care, Corporate and Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committees. There were no nominations for the Social Care and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committees, therefore the vacancies would be rolled over to the next meeting of Council. Councillor Jacob Williams Moved that Councillor Viv Stoddart be appointed to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee; Seconded by Councillor Tim Evans. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. The Presiding Member then sought nominations from Members not in a political group to be appointed to Committees as Reserve Members. The Head of Democratic Services announced that Councillor Jacob Williams had provided notice of his wish to become a Reserve Member for the Schools and Learning, Social Care, Services and Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committees, the Urgency Committee and the Democratic Services Committee. Councillor Jacob Williams then nominated Councillor Tim Evans to be appointed to the Democratic Services Committee as a Reserve Member. The nominations were Moved by Councillor Mike Stoddart; Seconded by Councillor John Cole. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. Councillor Jacob Williams Moved that Councillor Pat Davies be appointed to the Governance and Audit Committee as a Reserve Member; Seconded by the Presiding Member. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. The Presiding Member sought nominations from Members in a political group be appointed to Committees as Reserve Members. Councillor Joshua Beynon Moved that Councillors Joshua Beynon, Nicola Gwynn and Marc Tierney be appointed to the Governance and Audit Committee as Reserve Members; Seconded by Councillor Thomas Tudor. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. Councillor Joshua Beynon Moved that Councillors Jordan Ryan, Thomas Tudor and Maureen Bowen be appointed to the Democratic Services Committee as Reserve Members; Seconded by Councillor Thomas Tudor. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. The Presiding Member sought nominations from Members to be appointed as Reserve Members to Council bodies to which political balance rules did not apply. Councillor Jacob Williams Moved that Councillor Michele Wiggins be appointed to the Standards Committee as a Reserve Member; Seconded by Councillor Mike Stoddart. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. Councillor Jacob Williams Moved that Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall be appointed to the Appointments Panel as a Reserve Member; Seconded by Councillor Mike Stoddart. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED (1) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees: (a) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (b) Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (c) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee That Councillor Viv Stoddart be appointed to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee. (2) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (a) Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (b) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (c) Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (d) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (e) Urgency Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (f) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jacob Williams and Tim Evans (g) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillor Pat Davies (3) That Members in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (a) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillors Joshua Beynon, Nicola Gwynn, Marc Tierney (b) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jordan Ryan, Thomas Tudor, Maureen Bowen (4) That Members be appointed as Reserve Members to the following Council bodies to which political balance rules do not apply: (a) Standards Committee – Councillor Michele Wiggins (b) Appointments Panel – Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (c) Member Family Absence Complaints Panel – No Nominations (1) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees: (d) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (e) Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee As there were no nominations, this would be carried over to the next meeting of Council. (f) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee That Councillor Viv Stoddart be appointed to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee. (2) That Members not in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (h) Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (i) Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (j) Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (k) Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (l) Urgency Committee – Councillor Jacob Williams (m)Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jacob Williams and Tim Evans (n) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillor Pat Davies (3) That Members in a political group be appointed to the following Committees as Reserve Members: (c) Governance and Audit Committee – Councillors Joshua Beynon, Nicola Gwynn, Marc Tierney (d) Democratic Services Committee – Councillors Jordan Ryan, Thomas Tudor, Maureen Bowen (4) That Members be appointed as Reserve Members to the following Council bodies to which political balance rules do not apply: (d) Standards Committee – Councillor Michele Wiggins (e) Appointments Panel – Councillor Sam Skyrme-Blackhall (f) Member Family Absence Complaints Panel – No Nominations
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That Ms Suzanne Lewis be re-appointed to the Standards Committee for a period of four years commencing on the 26 July 2023. The vote to appoint Community Councillor S Snow, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [58] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That Community Councillor Sarah Snow be appointed to the Standards Committee for the period up until the next ordinary election of Community Councils (May 2027).
Council considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services which outlined the reappointment of an Independent Member to the Standards Committee and the appointment of a Community Council Member to the Standards Committee. Councillor David Simpson, Leader and Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Matters, introduced the report and stated that Ms Suzanne Lewis was appointed by Council on 26 July 2018 for a five-year Term of Office and her appointment was up for renewal. She had confirmed that she wished to carry on serving on the Committee for a further Term of Office. He explained that an Independent Member may be reappointed for one further consecutive term, which should not exceed four years. He then stated that the Appointments Panel met on 4 July to interview four candidates for the role of Community Council representative on the Standards Committee. Following this process, it was the unanimous decision of the Panel to recommend to Council the appointment of Community Councillor Sarah Snow, of Penally Community Council, as the Community Council Member to the Standards Committee. The Leader stated that Community Councillor Sarah Snow may be appointed to the Standards Committee for the period up until the next ordinary election of Community Councils (May 2027). The Leader Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Paul Miller. Councillor Di Clements sought clarification in regards to how many people had put their names forward for the position of Community Council Member to the Standards Committee. In response, the Head of Democratic Services stated that there were ten applications, with four being shortlisted for interview. Councillor Mike Stoddart requested that the votes be taken separately as both matters were unrelated to each other. The Presiding Member confirmed that this could be done. Councillor Phil Kidney stated that Community Councillor Sarah Snow was an excellent Chair of the Community Council and that she would be a good appointment to the Standards Committee. The vote to reappoint Ms S Lewis, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [55] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That Ms Suzanne Lewis be re-appointed to the Standards Committee for a period of four years commencing on the 26 July 2023. The vote to appoint Community Councillor S Snow, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [58] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That Community Councillor Sarah Snow be appointed to the Standards Committee for the period up until the next ordinary election of Community Councils (May 2027).
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the contents of Audit Wales’ Stage 1 follow up for their Report in the Public Interest be noted and the organisational response to its additional recommendation be adopted.
Council considered a report by the Assistant Chief Executive which outlined the contents of Audit Wales’ Stage One follow up for their Report in the Public Interest, Audit Wales’ additional recommendation and the proposed organisational response. Councillor Neil Prior, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Improvement and Communities, introduced the report and stated that the report previously came before Council in March 2023 and was monitored on a regular basis by the Governance and Audit Committee. He also highlighted the additional Recommendation from Audit Wales, as outlined in the report. Councillor Neil Prior Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Joshua Beynon. The Presiding Member then introduced Alison Lewis from Audit Wales to the meeting. Ms Lewis highlighted the key messages outlined in the report and stated that Audit Wales was aware that cultural change within the Council would take longer to implement compared to changes to certain processes, and was not expecting to see changes fully implemented at stage one of the review. She highlighted that the Council was on a journey of improvement in its Governance arrangements and that Audit Wales would undertake their work in a phased way. Ms Lewis explained that the report provided the findings from the stage one reviewof whether the Council was taking effective action on the recommendations in the Public Interest Report. She was pleased to tell Members that it was a positive report that showed that the Council was making progress in addressing all eight of the recommendations. She then explained that as part of the overall findings by Audit Wales, going forward, the Council needed to assure itself and demonstrate that the actions it was taking were sustainable and would achieve the intended impacts, therefore a new recommendation had been issued to this effect. Councillor Jamie Adams welcomed progress but sought clarification as to whether there was an ongoing fee from Audit Wales in relation to this work. The Chief Executive stated that he had confirmed with Audit Wales that this work would be included in their standard work for the year and would therefore be incorporated in their standard fees. Ms Lewis confirmed this to be the case. Councillor Thomas Tudor stated that he was pleased with the report and the positive comments expressed by Audit Wales, and congratulated the Chief Executive for steering the Council in the right direction. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [56] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That the contents of Audit Wales’ Stage 1 follow up for their Report in the Public Interest be noted and the organisational response to its additional recommendation be adopted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (a) That the Council maintains a bi-annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering Net Zero Council operations 2030, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (b) That the Council maintains a bi-annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering a Net Zero Council Housing stock, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (c) That, from this point forward, specific decisions on Capital schemes to include Net Zero provisions over and above those mandated, include a cost benefit analysis of doing so. The vote for the Substantive Motion, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was then carried.
Council considered a report by the Head of Democratic Services which outlined the recommendation of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to a Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Aaron Carey to Council on 11 May 2023, in the following terms: The UK produced 331.5 million tonnes of CO2 last year (approximately 1% of the world output). Of that, Pembrokeshire produced 673,601 tonnes (approximately 0.2% of the UK output, or 0.00002% of the world output). Given the amount of pressure on our statutory services, staff, and budgets, along with potential costs running into the hundreds of millions of pounds, I propose that a full cost/benefit analysis be brought to full council for us to understand the true financial cost of the 'climate emergency' which was passed in May 2019. Councillor Di Clements, on behalf of the originator of the Motion Councillor Aaron Carey, read his supporting statement. The statement explained that the Motion called for a more in-depth approach when considering the climate emergency and all aspects of cost. Councillor Di Clements Moved the Recommendation. Councillor Michael John, Chair of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, highlighted page 136 of the Agenda which outlined the detail that went before the Committee at its June meeting. He stated that Recommendation B of that report specified that the Notice of Motion be deferred to later in the year, when a detailed analysis could be put together. Councillor John stated that the main considerations of the Committee were outlined in the main report and explained that a report, completed by Swansea City Council, suggested a common approach across all Welsh authorities in regards to a methodology to calculate the cost of zero carbon by 2030. The report highlighted that it would be impossible to get every building to a zero-carbon state as there would be residual emissions, but stated that Swansea Bay Local Authorities would work jointly on a study to explore how these emissions could be offset to satisfy the Welsh Government. He then highlighted that the debate at the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee was long and ultimately the vote on the outlined Recommendations came to a split decision. Councillor Michael John Seconded the Recommendation. Councillor Mike Stoddart referred to a report that went to the last meeting of the Governance and Audit committee, which outlined the cost of decarbonising Council Housing stock. He explained that the risk associated with this action was at the highest level. Councillor Stoddart agreed with Councillor Carey and believed that the Council could not spend money on decarbonising Council houses as well as build new Council houses. He stated that Members needed to decide where their priorities lay in respect of this matter, but only with the fullest amount of information available. Councillor Alistair Cameron believed that all Councillors needed to take action to deal with climate change, but also need to be fully aware of the costs involved to make sensible judgements. He agreed with the outcome of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee and supported that the matter be deferred, as well as the need for an official methodology that had been tested and used throughout Wales. Councillor Cameron Moved an Amendment to the effect that the matter be deferred until a tried and tested methodology, used throughout Wales, was accepted; Seconded by Councillor Alec Cormack. Councillor Jacob Williams sought clarification in regards to the timeline of the full cost analysis and when it would come back to Council for review. In response, the Head of Infrastructure and Environment stated that work was due to be undertaken by the Welsh Government Energy Service to work out costs, and highlighted that the deadline for this work was Autumn 2023, but stated that the timeline was flexible. He explained that there was a commitment to do this work, but he wished to confirm a date when the information would be given to the Council and therefore when it would be available to be reviewed by Full Council. The Chief Executive added that this was not a straightforward piece of work, as it would require external partnerships in order to deliver financial costings, which would ideally need to run through to 2030 and potentially beyond. He stated that more detailed work needed to be done to determine the timeline, but Officers would seek to have something in place for the next Budget setting process in March 2024. Councillor John sought clarification as to whether the adoption of the Notice of Motion would impose a different timeline in regards to the work be completed. Councillor Paul Miller believed that the Council should work with the other Local Authorities across Wales to develop a methodology that works for everyone. He stated he was not against the Motion as he agreed that Members should have all the information on cost when considering Net Zero options, but did not understand the benefit of not communicating with other Local Authorities. The Presiding Member then stated that discussions were to take place on the Amendment. Councillor Stoddart suggested that a cost analysis should be received in a timely manner for Members to consider, and stated that he realised the methodology for working out such costs was not a simple task for Officers, but urged that Members should have some idea of the scale of the project that the Council had committed to. Councillor Clements sought clarification as to the timescale of creating a methodology with the other Local Authorities across Wales. In response, Councillor Miller stated that he was unaware but highlighted that the Energy and Sustainable Development Manager indicated to the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee, that such a task could potentially be completed towards the end of 2023. At this juncture, Councillor Paul Miller Moved notice of a Further Amendment to the effect that: That Council maintain an annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering net zero council operations 2030, over and above business as usual activity; and that from this point forward, specific decisions on capital schemes to include net zero provisions over and above those mandated, include a cost benefit analysis of doing so. Councillor Jordan Ryan wished to remind Members that the Welsh Government and UK Government would help in regards to the cost of becoming a Net Zero Authority. Councillor Alec Cormack agreed with the previous speakers that costs associated with becoming Net Zero needed to be understood and highlighted the importance of undertaking the work once, as he suggested that there was a real risk in going ahead with a methodology that could become outdated very quickly, which would result in the work being done again. He hoped that Members would support Councillor Cameron’s Amendment. The Chief Executive stated that creating a methodology in the autumn and delivering a comprehensive plan to Council in March, would require a huge amount of work in order to deliver effectively. He highlighted that a methodology would need to be determined, whether it was done by the Council or with the other Local Authorities in Wales and Welsh Government at some point in the autumn. Councillor Michelle Bateman wished to clarify that the decarbonisation of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account owned housing stock, would need to be completed in order to meet the Welsh Housing Quality Standard 2023. She highlighted that the timescales of that were not clear, but it was something that every stock retaining Local Authority and every Housing Association across Wales would need to undertake, which ultimately linked in with the wider climate change agenda. Council then proceeded to the vote for Councillor Alistair Cameron’s Amendment. The vote for Councillor Alistair Cameron’s Amendment, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was lost. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion:Councillors Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Alistair Cameron, Alec Cormack, Alan Dennison, Nicola Gwynn, Jon Harvey, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Marc Tierney, Thomas Tudor, Chris Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham and Simon Wright [23] Against the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, David Bryan, Di Clements, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, David Howlett, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Peter Morgan, Bethan Price, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Michael Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Anji Tinley, Michele Wiggins, Jacob Williams and Danny Young [27] Abstentions: Councillors John Cole, Tessa Hodgson, Michael James, Huw Murphy [4] Council then considered the Further Amendment from Councillor Paul Miller to the effect that: (a) That Council maintain a regularly updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering Net Zero Council operations 2030, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (b) That, from this point forward, specific decisions on capital schemes to include net zero provisions over and above those mandated, include a cost benefit analysis of doing so. Seconded by Councillor Jamie Adams. Councillor Alan Dennison stated his support for the Amendment. Councillor Clements sought clarification in regards to the second sentence of Amendment (a) ‘This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits’. She wished to know the procedure if such methodologies did not exist and whether they would have to be created within the Council if so. Councillor Miller stated that the inclusion of the sentence would allow more flexibility to professional Officers to work out how best to deliver the Council's intention, and to develop a methodology if one did not already exist. Councillor Aled Thomas sought clarification in regards to the sentences, ‘the anticipated cost associated with delivering Net Zero Council operations 2030’ and ‘That, from this point forward, specific decisions on capital schemes…’ In response, Councillor Miller stated that he could further clarify his Amendments but offered reassurance that he was simply trying to offer a sensible way forward. He stated that he would be happy to include a further Amendment relating to the Housing Revenue Account stock. In regards to Capital Schemes, Councillor Miller stated that he was referring to the approval of new Capital Schemes going forward. Councillor Stoddart wished to know how often ‘regularly’ was, as outlined in the Amendment. He also sought clarification in regards to whether comments would be circulated to Members for any Capital spending proposals. In response, Councillor Miller stated that he would be happy to take suggestions in regards to how often Members would like an update in relation to anticipated costs. He also stated that he would be happy to take suggestions from Members in regards to how they would like Capital Projects to be presented to them. The Chief Executive stated that reports to Council would adopt the normal format, which would include comments from Corporate Heads. He then suggested that the update in relation to anticipated costs be received either annually or, at most, bi-annually. Councillor Michael John wished to include a point around perceived costs as a whole being received, rather than the costs of projects as and when they are proposed. Councillor Paul Miller then Moved an updated Amendment to the effect that; (a) That Council maintain an annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering Net Zero Council operations 2030, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (b) That Council maintain an annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering a Net Zero Council Housing stock, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (c) That, from this point forward, specific decisions on capital schemes to include net zero provisions over and above those mandated, include a cost benefit analysis of doing so. Councillor Jamie Adams accepted the updated Amendment as the Seconder. Councillor Alec Cormack sought clarification as to whether the same focus on costs was applied to the benefits. In response, Councillor Miller stated that defining the benefits was a difficult task, but suggested that it was for Members to decide for themselves the accuracy of both sides of that equation, and believed it was important to look at costs and benefits in the round. Councillor Michelle Bateman pointed out that the associated costs of delivering the Council Housing stock, already formed part of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan which was presented to Cabinet annually. She highlighted this aspect to avoid work duplication and highlighted that the HRA Working Group received regular updates with the detail of some of the associated funding. Councillor Miller stated that it was acceptable that this aspect already existed within the HRA Business Plan. Councillor Stoddart then wished for the annual updates specified in the Amendment, to be changed to bi-annually. Councillors Miller and Adams accepted this. Council then proceeded to the vote for Councillor Paul Miller’s Amendment as further amended. The vote for the Amendment, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Simon Hancock, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Peter Morgan, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Reg Owens, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright and Danny Young [55] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED (a) That the Council maintains a bi-annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering Net Zero Council operations 2030, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (b) That the Council maintains a bi-annually updated assessment of the anticipated cost associated with delivering a Net Zero Council Housing stock, over and above business as usual activity. This, where possible, shall be undertaken in-line with nationally recognised methodologies for assessing costs and benefits. (c) That, from this point forward, specific decisions on Capital schemes to include Net Zero provisions over and above those mandated, include a cost benefit analysis of doing so. The vote for the Substantive Motion, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was then carried.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That a review of the Memorandum of Understanding will be undertaken be noted; and that the decision on which body approves the review be deferred for legal advice.
[Please refer to Minute 28 for the start of the item.] The Presiding Member announced that it had been brought to the attention of Officers that there had been a misunderstanding in regards to what Councillor Huw Murphy Moved by way of a Motion during Item 8. Councillor Murphy clarified that he Moved the Recommendation agreed by the Members of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee at their 22 June 2023 meeting, as follows: ‘That the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee consider the changing nature of collaboration between Schools, the Local Authority and Pembrokeshire College under the Memorandum of Understanding, prior to review by Council.’ Councillor Murphy highlighted that the Recommendation outlined on page 179 of the Council Agenda did not match the Recommendation agreed at the 22 June meeting of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The Presiding Member then clarified that the only change between the two Recommendations, was that Councillor Murphy substituted the word Cabinet for Council. Councillor Murphy confirmed this to be the case. The Head of Law and Governance explained that the reason the Recommendation outlined in the Council Agenda had been amended related to the fact that, despite Council having the authority to decide on determined School reorganisation proposals, Education as a whole was a Cabinet function, therefore a change in the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for Post-16 Education would be referred to Cabinet. She highlighted that it was acceptable for Council to give their views and to receive an update, however the final decision on any sort of educational matters which did not refer to a school reorganisation proposal, was an Executive function. Councillor Jacob Williams raised a concern regarding the Recommendation and questioned whether it would stand as a final resolution, as the matter would need to be referred to Cabinet for final approval. The Head of Law and Governance confirmed that the final decision on the MOU would need to be referred to Cabinet for approval. Councillor Williams believed it to be fair for Members to assume that the Recommendation in the report would be the decision of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and suggested that if that changed, it needed to be clear to Members. Councillor Jamie Adams stated that the since the MOU started in 2015, it had been a decision of Council on every occasion, including the July meeting of Council in 2022 and highlighted his confusion on the matter. The Head of Law and Governance stated that she was unable to find in law or the Council’s Constitution where it stated that this particular decision on the MOU for Post-16 Education would be a decision for Council. She explained that Council was unable to encroach on the remit of Cabinet in law and the remit of Cabinet in regards to Education functions generally, unless it was specifically retained to Council. Councillor Mike Stoddart highlighted that the original decision to sign off the MOU was taken at an Extraordinary Council meeting, due to the fact that Councillor Viv Stoddart had proposed that matters related to School reorganisation were a Council function. He stated that if the original MOU was a Council function, then reviewing it should also be a Council function. Councillor Guy Woodham highlighted that there was no debate on the matter when originally discussed at the start of the meeting, and stated that the item was announced as for noting, therefore Council simply did a show of hands. He explained that when he voted, he believed that the Recommendation referenced was the one outlined in the report on page 179 of the Agenda. He stated that he wished to comply with Legislation as outlined by the Head of Law and Governance, but highlighted that he would prefer the matter to go to Overview and Scrutiny before being referred back to Cabinet for final approval. Councillor Alan Dennison sought clarification in regards to when the change in wording of the Recommendation occurred and why Members were not notified. He also sought further clarification in regards to the process of the final decision. The Head of Law and Governance explained that Council would be able to give their views on the matter, however the final decision would be a matter for Cabinet. In regards to the change in wording, she stated that she was unaware and could only make a judgement on a matter alongside the law at the current time. Councillor Stoddart announced a Point of Order in relation to the remarks made by Councillor Woodham. He stated that a vote was taken on what was proposed, not what was outlined in the report. Councillor Pat Davies stated that Councillor Murphy spoke unclearly and that she did not notice the change in wording. Councillor Pat Davies Moved the Recommendation on page 179 of the Agenda; Seconded by Councillor John Cole. Councillor Murphy disagreed with Councillor Davies and clarified that he did not change a word in the outlined Recommendation, but instead Moved the Recommendation of the Schools and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee from their 22 June 2023 meeting. Councillor Michelle Bateman agreed with Councillor Woodham that Council was told that the report was for noting and that the vote could be taken by a show of hands, therefore the Recommendation was not voted on appropriately. She then suggested that Council take a break in order for Officers to re-watch the recording of the meeting to establish what was voted on. The Presiding Member stated that the recording could not be watched until the meeting was finished. Councillor Paul Miller firstly stated that Cabinet was happy for Council to be involved with the MOU, but agreed with the Head of Law and Governance that the matter fell within the remit of Cabinet. He highlighted that confusion could occur as the MOU had significant impact on School reorganisation, which was a decision for Council. Councillor Paul Miller then Moved an Amendment to the effect that prior to Cabinet taking any decision, Council be consulted and make the final decision, which would then be referred to Cabinet for the final approval. Councillor Davies withdrew her Proposal. Councillor Jamie Adams stated that for seven or eight years, the matter had consistently been decided on by Council, with no notice that the decision making process was flawed in any way. He agreed with Councillor Stoddart that the MOU was effectively a tool to assist with the process of School reorganisation. He stated that since the MOU had been extended to Schools in Milford, the MOU continued to be a relevant tool in School reorganisation and therefore believed it to be the responsibility of Council over Cabinet. Councillor Miller clarified his Proposal as follows; That Council notes the changing nature of collaboration between Schools, the Local Authority and Pembrokeshire College under the Memorandum of Understanding; that a review of the MOU will be undertaken and will be taken to Cabinet for approval,following consultation with Council. Councillor Williams agreed with Councillor Adams and wished to proceed on the basis that the MOU be referred to Council in the future. He then recalled that at an Extraordinary meeting of Council August 2022, it was agreed that the MOU would be revised annually by Council. He stated that he would support the MOU remaining under the remit of Council. Councillor Williams then Moved notice of a Further Amendment as follows: That Council notes the changing nature of collaboration between Schools, the Local Authority and Pembrokeshire College under the Memorandum of Understanding; that a review of the MOU will be undertaken and will be taken to Council for approval,following consultation with Cabinet. Seconded by Councillor Mike Stoddart. Councillor Stoddart also agreed with Councillor Adams and stated that Council had previously made the decision to reorganise Post-16 Education and that subsequent reviews of those arrangements would also be a Council function. Councillor Woodham raised concern regarding the reasonable legal advice given by the Head of Law and Governance and Members not following the advice. He stated that he was not comfortable with the situation and felt that it was inappropriate to vote against such advice. Councillor Mike John suggested that, to progress that matter, following the conclusion of the meeting, the webcast recording be reviewed by the Head of Law and Governance and if ultra vires, the matter be brought back to the next meeting of Council. Councillor Joshua Beynon agreed with Councillor John that the matter be deferred to allow for extra time in reviewing the matter. Councillor Joshua Beynon Moved that the matter be deferred to the next meeting. Councillor Jacob Williams supported the deferral and withdrew his Amendment. He then suggested that external legal advice be sought in order to resolve the matter. The Presiding Member stated that he was confident in the legal advice given by the Head of Law and Governance. Councillor Paul Miller also supported the deferral and withdrew his Proposal. The Presiding Member Seconded Councillor Beynon’s Proposal. Councillor Adams sought clarification in regards to the impact of a deferral in terms of the provision of education for Post-16 learners, with the new term due to start in September. The Director of Education confirmed that it would make no difference to the provision of education. Councillor Woodham advised that he did not wish for the review of the MOU to be deferred and asked that the Mover amend their Proposal to the effect that the decision on which body was able to approve the matter, be deferred. Councillor Beynon agreed. Councillor Aled Thomas highlighted that, given the advice from the Head of Law and Governance, the matter of commencing the review of the MOU could not be decided by Council if it was said to be a Cabinet function. The Head of Law and Governance stated that starting the review of the process was an operational matter and that no decisions would be made at that point. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Joshua Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Terry Davies, Alan Dennison, Andrew Edwards, Tim Evans, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, David Howlett, Mike James, Michael John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Peter Morgan, Huw Murphy, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Jordan Ryan, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Mike Stoddart, Viv Stoddart, Aled Thomas, Vanessa Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Tony Wilcox, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Michael Williams, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, and Danny Young [52] Against the Motion: Councillor Shon Rees [1] There were no abstentions. RESOLVED That a review of the Memorandum of Understanding will be undertaken be noted; and that the decision on which body approves the review be deferred for legal advice.
The meeting was paused at 2:05pm for a lunch break and was resumed at 2:54pm. Councillors Michelle Wiggins, Neil Prior, Di Clements and Jamie Adams submitted their apologies for the afternoon session. Councillor Aaron Carey was present for the afternoon session.
The item relating to the Question submitted by Councillor Alistair Cameron under Council Procedure Rule 4.10 ‘Section 106 Planning Gain Money and Paying for Health and Social Care’, was postponed to later in the meeting due to connectivity issues.
Councillor Guy Woodham, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to questions submitted by Councillor David Howlett prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: In the last few weeks the Welsh media has highlighted the fact that over 5,000 incidents of violence against staff in schools were recorded by local authorities in Wales between 2018 & 2022. However Pembrokeshire County Council was one of three authorities in Wales that said they did not hold this information and individual schools should be contacted for this information – (PCC Freedom of Information Request 12927 dated 24/1/23) I am extremely surprised that this information is not seemingly monitored given the importance of the well-being of school staff. I would be grateful if the Cabinet Member could advise of the reasons why this information is not collated and monitored on a county wide basis, and gives an assurance that in future this information will be collected and monitored. In response, Councillor Woodham stated that incidents of violence against staff in Pembrokeshire schools are monitored within the Education Directorate. With regard to this particular Freedom of Information (FOI) request, as each school in Pembrokeshire is registered as a separate Data Controller to the Local Authority, Councillor Woodham explained each school accepts and responds to their own FOI requests. On this particular occasion, Councillor Woodham said the Requester was advised to contact each School directly to make an FOI request. This was done on the basis that the request was looking for individual school data rather than aggregated local authority level data. Councillor Woodham emphasised that the monitoring of staff wellbeing is taken very seriously by the Local Authority. The Education Department has well documented procedures in relation to staff, learner and visitor wellbeing and health and safety matters in our schools. The Health and Safety group which includes local authority Officers from Education and the Health and Safety team, schools and education unions, meet on a quarterly basis to monitor and discuss issues that arise in schools. He confirmed reporting of such incidents is currently low. Councillor Woodham added schools are regularly provided with reminders about the need to report any issues that arise so that staff are provided with appropriate advice and wellbeing support. The established current reporting arrangements monitor the number of schools with incidents alongside the number of work days lost, as a result of the incident, and the incident type. Councillor Woodham was assured that the report produced for him by the Education Directorate covering school staff reported incidents/accidents for the period January 2022 to March 2023 demonstrated that the processes that the Education Directorate has in place are appropriate and was more than content for Councillor Howlett, or any other Member who may wish to do so, to attend a Health and Safety group meeting to hear first-hand of the work being done. Finally, Councillor Woodham said it would be inappropriate for him to report individual figures or reasons at that public meeting, but was happy, if requested, to make information available on a confidential basis to Members so long as it did not compromise the data of individuals. In response to a supplementary question about what steps could the Authority take not only to monitor the violence against staff but also, wherever possible, take strong action to address it, Councillor Woodham reiterated that the Health and Safety group would consider individual cases and actions arising from recommendations for the period from January 2022 to March 2023 would be taken forward. Councillor Woodham also expressed concern about the way FOI requests on schools are managed and stressed the need for them to be dealt with centrally within the Council. He gave an undertaking to investigate this possibility with the Director of Education, who confirmed every incident of school-related violence is followed up by the Occupational Health team. The Director for Education advised letters, which had been drafted with the assistance of the Council’s Legal Service, had been sent to some families barring them from school premises for extended periods of time of up to a year.
[Councillor Anji Tinley left the meeting at this juncture.] Councillor Alec Cormack, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Aled Thomas prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: To ask the Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance to provide a list of cost saving measures that have been implemented as stated in Appendix G of Agenda Item 8 of the March 2nd Council 2023. Please can the list provide any monetary variations - positive or negative - from the expected budget saving amount. In response, Councillor Cormack, making reference to Appendix G, stated that 59 cost saving measures had been identified and related to a 7.5% increase in Council Tax, which was agreed by FullCouncil. He informed the meeting that implementation started immediately after Council finalised the Budget in March 2023 and the Chief Executive had introduced a robust, internally audited process to monitor the implementation of those measures. Councillor Cormack advised he would be presenting Quarter 1 Monitoring Data, which would provide the first indications of the measures achieved and projected to be achieved at Service or Directorate level against the Budget, at the first Members’ Budget Seminar on 15 September 2023. He stated that seminar invitations were due to be sent to Members. Councillor Cormack then referred to the July Cabinet meeting where he advised Members that costs across the Council were being adversely affected by the slower than budgeted decline in inflation, coupled with the higher than expected interest rates, that seemed set to persist for longer than budgeted. Additionally, Councillor Cormack reported demand levels within Social Care, both adults and children's services, were putting huge pressures on achieving the budgeted savings in that Directorate. At a whole Council level, he stated the achievement of this year's base budget savings would be critical to the scale of challenge faced by Members when setting the 2024-25 budget. Next year, if Welsh Government allocated a 3.1% increase in Aggregate External Finance (AEF) core revenue funding and Members agreed to a 7.5% increase in Council Tax in the Medium Term Financial Plan, Councillor Cormack warned the Council was still looking at a projected £10m funding gap, even if all of this year's £8m green service savings/energy efficiency measures were achieved. He reminded Members that the savings measures assessed as amber and red remain to be taken and would be more difficult for the Council to implement in every way. In conclusion, Councillor Cormack stated he was certain it would be a very hard budget process to balance next year.
[Councillor Andrew Edwards left the meeting at this juncture.] Councillor Alec Cormack, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Aled Thomas prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: Please can the Cabinet Member for Corporate Finance provide a list of budgetary saving measures as well as the anticipated financial year cost saving and impact on free reserves that have been, or are expected to be taken this financial year that were not included in the Budget Saving Options document provided to councillors in Appendix G of the above meeting? In response, Councillor Cormack reiterated his answer to the previous question by stating the Council is working on 59 budget savings proposals. Further details of these will be given in the Quarter 1 Monitoring Data Report and will be discussed at the Budget Seminar on 15 September 2023. With regard to listing budget savings that have been implemented and were not mentioned in Appendix G, Councillor Cormack explainedthat the Chief Executive and his Leadership Team were encouraging all employees and Members to bring forward new ideas for budget savings. To the best of his knowledge, he declared no current list of additional measures implemented existed yet, but said he would ask for a future Cabinet report to highlight any significant additional saving measures that were not in the Appendix and would happily celebrate those initiatives in public in a Cabinet meeting. Councillor Cormack then reinforced this point and urged every single employee and Member to continue to look for ways to save the Council money every day, however small, in the current financial situation. He advised that turning off lights, avoiding unnecessary car journeys or holding unnecessary meetings - anything to save cost – would be the best way to minimise the need for future cuts in services or jobs. For the avoidance of doubt, Councillor Cormack then clarified that no public toilets were planned as part of the budget savings for 2023-24 and that the Council was budgeting for them all to stay open. In response to a supplementary question, Councillor Cormack reconfirmed the Council’s commitment to public toilet provision for this financial year. However, he stated that those toilets identified as being at risk were planned to close as part of budget savings from April 2024 unless a partner organisation agreed to finance their continued operation. He added negotiations were taking place with relevant third parties, primarily with Town and Community Councils and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, to reach a future financial commitment of no later than this winter. Following answers to further oral questions, the Chief Executive, later revisited this question to clarify Cabinet’s decision on the potential closure of public toilets. He highlighted the Council-funded toilets listed in Group B [written as Group 2 in Cabinet minutes] where Cabinet resolved to find alternative funding streams particularly where toilets were associated with car parks through partners, such as Town and Community Councils, the National Trust and PCNPA. The Chief Executive notified Members of the Council’s intent to fund those toilets through to the beginning of the next financial year on the basis that alternative funding models could be found. If, however, alternative funding models could not be found, the Chief Executive announced those toilets would be closed from November this year onwards until a funding stream could be found. He stated that he very much hoped partners would come forward to contribute towards funding the toilets that annually costs the Council over £800K and, in the current financial climate, he stated the Council wanted to try and maximise the availability of toilets in the future.
Councillor Guy Woodham, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Viv Stoddart prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: During Council on 13 October 2022, I asked about the current provision of C-Cards in the County’s Secondary Schools, now there has been change in the age range (initially 14 upwards) so that children as young as 13 can now access contraceptives without their parents’ knowledge or consent. In April 2015, the Council’s then Safeguarding Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that our secondary schools included clear details in their prospectuses of the C-Card scheme. If the lowering of the age to 13 to obtain condoms has been implemented in Pembrokeshire, how many of our secondary schools have made amendments/revised their information on the C-Cards scheme (as recommended by Scrutiny in 2015) to inform parents that the age at which their children can be provided with free condoms alongside sexual health advice has dropped from 14 to 13? In response, Councillor Woodham stated that in 2017, the Authority’s C-Card/Sexual Health Worker post became vacant and was unable to be filled. The Authority, therefore, negotiated transfer of responsibility for C-Card in schools to the School Nurse service. However, this stalled and the C-Card scheme has not been resurrected in schools since the Covid-19 pandemic. While Councillor Woodham accepted there is no Council C-Card delivery at this time and that most schools still have the age as 14 in their prospecti, he understood schools would be reminded shortly to update their prospectuses in line with the age change to 13. Councillor Woodham further explained that the C-Card is currently advertised as being operated by the following Third Sector Youth Organisations, The Point, in Fishguard, Tanyard, in Pembroke and Action for Children, in Haverfordwest. He added the Authority had recently met with these organisations and identified challenges with sustainability including the provision of resources, such as condoms, and appropriate staff training. He stated that the Authority had, therefore, placed a joint bid for external funding to the National Lottery Community Fund to create a shared Young Person’s Health & Wellbeing Coordinator post. If the bid was successful, sexual health would be part of their remit. An outcome to this grant application was expected in the next few weeks. Councillor Woodham outlined the proposed delivery model would be to deliver C-Card from community settings operated by the Youth Work Sector; school-based youth workers and other professionals would be able to ‘sign-post’ young people. Finally, he concluded young people under 25 can currently access free contraceptives and sexual health advice through the Frisky Wales website sponsored by Public Health Wales. In response to a supplementary question, Councillor Woodham reiterated his answer to the original question that the C-Card scheme is not currently operating in Pembrokeshire schools. He hoped funding from the National Lottery Community Fund could be used to support a community-based project to provide the C-Card to young people aged 13 to 25 years in future.
Councillor Guy Woodham, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Viv Stoddart prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: Will the Cabinet member for Education and the Welsh Language list outside agencies who have/are providing training and resources on Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) to our teachers and schools? In response, Councillor Woodham stated that the Council, along with its regional partners, has commissioned the Brook Charityto deliver training for teachers. This has been a three-hour online session entitled ‘Whole School Approach to Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)’. Councillor Woodham continued head teachers and senior leaders received a presentation from Spectrum Community Health CIC at the RSE conference in December, and support and training for schools is also provided by the Welsh Government’s Healthy Schools Scheme. Furthermore, schools may provide their own resources and will have discussed those directly with families. Catholic Schools are using resources from Ten Ten, Councillor Woodham concluded.
Councillor Paul Miller, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to questions submitted by Councillor Huw Murphy prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: Withybush Airport now has a projected outrun of £239k for 2023/24 when Council were informed pre-budget in March 2023 that the outrun would be £90k - a substantial increase with additional further costs envisaged to include the need for new fuel tanks at circa £200k and the potential need to replace the runway lights at a proposed cost of £450k, therefore, I have the following 2 questions: 1. With a projected outrun vastly beyond the budget forecast of £90k for 2023/24, can the Cabinet officer holding the Withybush Airport portfolio, confirm where is the additional money being sourced to cover the substantial increase to PCC to keep this Airport operational? 2. Can the following information be provided in relation to Withybush Airport usage for the year 2022, so that elected Councillors and County residents have a clear knowledge of how often the Airport is used in one calendar year? The number of: • fixed wing take off/landings • Rotary wing take off/landings • take off/landings by National Police Air Service (NPAS) • take off/landings by Air Ambulance • take off/landings by Coastguard Search and Rescue (SAR) • take off/landings by military fixed wing i.e. RAF, Army, Royal Navy • take off/landings by military rotary wing aircraft i.e. RAF, Army, Royal Navy • take off/landings by National Grid aircraft • Civilian take off/landings during "Tower Hours" • Civilian take off/landings when Tower is inactive/closed • Landings by any aircraft following broadcast of "Pan Pan" message • Landings by any aircraft following broadcast of "Mayday" message. In response to the first question, Councillor Miller stated that overspend was contained within the overall Community Services Directorate budget area through virements. He then reported the number of take-offs and landings at Withybush Airport as follows: • fixed wing take off/landings - 4,288 • Rotary wing take off/landings - 407 • take off/landings by NPAS - 10 • take off/landings by Air Ambulance - 32 • take off/landings by Coastguard (SAR) - 22 • take off/landings by military fixed wing i.e. RAF, Army, Royal Navy - 0 • take off/landings by military rotary wing aircraft i.e. RAF, Army, Royal Navy - 48 • take off/landings by National Grid aircraft - 54 • Civilian take off/landings during "Tower Hours" - 96 • Civilian take off/landings when Tower is inactive/closed - 372 • Landings by any aircraft following broadcast of "Pan Pan" and "Mayday" messages – 0
Councillor Tessa Hodgson, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Alan Dennison prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: The highest level of Cabinet approved grant funding at £173k for 2023/2024 was for an organisation named Adferiad. Can the Cabinet Member advise what this money is to be used for and how many Pembrokeshire residents benefit from it? In response, Councillor Hodgson stated the purpose of the grant funding to Adferiad was outlined in the Appendix A of the Cabinet paper on 24 April 2023. She then summarised four grants were awarded to Adferiad to the total of £173k. These were for the provision of housing-related support for people experiencing poor mental health and also unpaid carers, including carer support groups, respite for carers of people with dementia and short-term breaks whilst carers were awaiting assessments of their caring needs. Councillor Hodgson went onto say, in total, 234 people benefitted from the support made available in 2022-23 and this included people with mental health conditions, unpaid carers and the people that they care for including those with dementia. This comprised housing-related support at the Tenby Resource Centre, specialist mental health support including one-to-one community support, short-term replacement care that supported over 79 carers and a Saturday Club for people with dementia. In response to a supplementary question regarding the Council’s criteria for awarding grant funding to organisations, Councillor Hodgson stated that she could not comment on the financial reserves that an organisation holds, however, offered to raise the matter with the Commissioners after the meeting.
Councillor Paul Miller, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Alan Dennison prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: Can the Cabinet member confirm if the PCC-owned number 16 and 18 Bridge Street properties, not now needed for the Castle project are available to rent? In response, Councillor Miller confirmed the properties were not available to rent. In response to a supplementary question regarding whether the Council intends to rent out the properties in future, Councillor Miller stated that these properties were acquired for a scheme and were formally descoped by the UK Government on 5 June 2023. He admitted the process of re-letting a commercial property was not as simple as it once was as commercial buildings are required to achieve higher Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings. Councillor Miller maintained the Council’s view that the properties in question remain appropriate for a bespoke regeneration scheme, which the Council would undertake work on before placing them back on the open market.
Councillor Michelle Bateman, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Alan Dennison prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: Residents of the Ateb Group Limited- owned Kensington Court, in Milford Haven, have been asked to stump up another £47 per week plus a 10% increase in the management service charge to pay for the provision of a fire warden while retrospective modifications are made to improve fire safety. It was stated at the Residents’ Meeting that PCC has agreed to fund the increase for those on Housing Benefits. Can the Cabinet Member confirm if this is the case and what are the total costs of this funding? In response, Councillor Bateman stated that the Council has no control over the level of service charge ATEB raises as this falls within the Welsh Government’s Rent and Service Charge Standard policy 2020-2025. She continued the Council was not represented at the residents’ meeting. However, for Housing Benefit purposes, she stated this is an eligible service charge. As such, the Department for Work and Pensions will subsidise this cost in the form of Housing Benefit, providing that the charge can be evidenced and the Council is satisfied that it is reasonable. Councillor Bateman confirmed discussions concerning this charge are currently ongoing with ATEB. In response to a supplementary question addressing the concerns of residents not claiming Housing Benefits and facing the increased charge, Councillor Bateman stated that it was a matter for those residents to take up with ATEB.
[This item was postponed to later in the meeting due to connectivity issues.] [Councillors Paul Miller and Danny Young left the meeting at this juncture.] Councillor Jon Harvey, the relevant Cabinet Member, responded to a question submitted by Councillor Alistair Cameron prior to the meeting in accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 4.10 as follows: A number of new developments have been granted planning permission in the Kilgetty and Begelly area which place added pressure on our health and social care services including Saundersfoot Medical Centre and Kilgetty Surgery. This is an issue throughout Pembrokeshire. Could the relevant Cabinet Member advise how Section 106 Planning Gain Money (which is required as part of a planning consent) is used to provide extra resources for our hard pressed health and social care services. In response, Councillor Harvey stated that the starting point in terms of policy considerations would be the provision of the Local Development Plan (LDP), specifically policy GN.3 – Infrastructure and New Development. This policy notes, amongst other things, that contributions may be sought for a range of purposes, including community facilities, such as libraries. He added policy GN.33 of the LDP, and in footnote 110, records that ‘community facilities are any facilities that serve the community and contribute to the quality of everyday life, including’ …. ‘health centres’. Councillor Harvey further advised that Pembrokeshire County Council shares an adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on Planning Obligations with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority (PCNPA). The SPG provides a joint approach towards securing the improvements to local infrastructure, facilities, services and amenities that are required as a consequence of new development through the use of Planning Obligations by developers or Section 106 Agreements between developers and the Local Planning Authority. The SPG does include a provision for community facilities, however, Councillor Harvey said this is focussed on libraries and cultural services and does not include health centres. He then explained all planning applications would be assessed on their own individual merits and Planning Obligations would be considered in accordance with Welsh Office Circular 13/97 “Planning Obligations” and Regulations 122 and 123 of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations 2010. Councillor Harvey read out Regulation 122 of the CIL regulations, which stipulates that: “A planning obligation may only constitute a reason for granting planning permission if the obligation is firstly, necessary to make to the development acceptable in planning terms; secondly, directly related to the development and thirdly, fairly and reasonably related in scale and kind to the development”. Therefore, health centres and social care are something that do not generally find their way into Section 106 legal agreements unless on strategic scale developments, he continued, an example being Slade Lane, in Haverfordwest. If any contributions would be sought in future, Councillor Harvey stated this would have to be based upon evidence from the NHS, quantifying the impact of new development and the associated need. Policy GN 3 of the Deposit version of LDP 2 (2020) – also relating to Infrastructure and New Development – sets out the emerging policy for the replacement LDP. In this context, Councillor Harvey said the NHS would be consulted on the Deposit Plan and would have the ability to submit comments on capacity in relation to the proposed allocated sites. He then drew attention to several court cases which have explored this issue, notably University Hospital of Leicester v Harborough DC (2023), where it was held that the developer could not lawfully be required to contribute towards NHS services. Councillor Harvey hoped this case would act as a reminder that Regulation 122 of the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations 2010 must be satisfied for all section 106 contributions to mitigate the risks of a legal challenge to a grant of planning permission. In response to a supplementary question, Councillor Harvey explained where a new housing development creates additional population and a need for more infrastructure such as a GP surgery, provided the proposal was acceptable in planning terms, he could see no reason why the Council could not enter into negotiations with the developer for a contribution towards the cost of extending an existing health centre. He pointed out, however, that relevant case law and the fact that NHS services cannot be funded through the planning system would need to be considered in these instances.
A Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor Michael Williams in the following terms: That PCC initiate a full structural survey of Tenby market building to establish the condition of the building, together with an examination of its potential. The building is a listed building of considerable historical significance in the Town centre, which has sadly lacked investment over many years. Upon the terms of Council Procedure Rule 10.4, the Motion having been Moved by Councillor Joshua Beynon; Seconded by Councillor Maureen Bowen then stood referred to Cabinet.
This Notice of Motion was withdrawn ahead of the meeting.
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