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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED 1. THAT the amounts contained in paragraph 3.1 in the report be accepted by the Council for the year 2023/2024 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. 2. THAT, the Council in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992, hereby sets the amounts contained in paragraph 3.3 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2023/2024 for each of the categories of dwellings shown.
RESOLVED to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24. Officers returned to the meeting.
RESOLVED (1) that there is no change to the following committees: · Pensions and Investment Committee · Governance and Audit Committee · Finance Panel. Recommendations 2, 3 and 4 to reduce the number of members on Scrutiny Committee to 11 were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Gareth Morgan. A number of members spoke against the recommendation arguing that having more members provided greater diversity of opinion. It was moved by County Councillor Aled Davies and seconded by County Councillor Iain McIntosh to refer recommendations 2 – 11 back to Democratic Services Committee for consideration in 12 months time. This was lost by 28 votes to 31 with 4 abstentions. Council voted on Recommendations 2, 3 and 4 to reduce the number of members on Scrutiny Committee to 11 and by 34 votes to 28 with 2 abstentions it was RESOLVED (2) that the numbers of seats on all three scrutiny committees should be reduced to 11 Members, (plus the addition of co-opted Members where required). (3) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 7 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 2 above. (4) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer monitor attendance by Members at scrutiny meetings. Recommendations 5, 6 and 7 to reduce the number of members on the Democratic Services Committee, the Employment and Appeals Committee and the Licensing Act 2003 Committee were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Gareth Morgan, and by 34 votes to 27 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (5) that the numbers of members on Other Committees (Democratic Services Committee; Employment and Appeals Committee; Licensing Act 2003 Committee) be reduced to 11 Members. (6) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 9 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 5 above. (7) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer monitor attendance by Members at scrutiny meetings. Recommendations 8 and 9 to reduce the number of members on the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee to 17 members were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Jake Berriman, and by 34 votes to 28 with 2 abstentions it was RESOLVED (8) that the numbers of seats on the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee be reduced to 17 Members. (9) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 9 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 8 above. Recommendations 10 and 11 to change the titles and remit of the Scrutiny Committees was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Danny Bebb. The Chairs of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee and the Learning and Skills Committee spoke against the proposal. By 23 votes to 36 with 3 abstentions the motion was lost. Recommendations 12 and 13 to change the membership of the Public Service Board Scrutiny Committee was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Glyn Preston and by 51 votes to 4 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (12) That the membership of the Public Service Board Scrutiny Committee be a amended as follows with effect from the AGM in May 2023:- 9 Members in total. · Vice-Chairs of the 3 Scrutiny Committees Plus · 2 additional representatives from each of the scrutiny committees (on a politically balanced basis based on a Committee of 6) Political balance: Independents (1); Conservatives (1); Liberal Democrats (2) Labour (1), Independents for Powys (1) (13) That the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 7 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 12 above. County Councillor Lucy Roberts declared a pecuniary interest in the following recommendation and left the meeting while it was being considered. Recommendation 14 to retain the salary for the Chair of the Employment and Appeals Committee was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Ange Williams. It was argued that as the Chair no longer chaired appeals panel, the position should not attract a senior salary. By 21 votes to 31 with 7 abstentions the motion was lost. County Councillor Lucy Roberts returned to the meeting. Recommendation 15 that the Chair of the PSB Scrutiny Committee should not receive a senior salary was moved by County Councillor Glyn Preston and seconded by County Councillor Matthew Dorrance and by 55 votes to 1 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (15) that the role of Chair of the PSB Scrutiny Committee should not receive a Senior Salary in accordance with the IRPW report. Council adjourned for lunch from 13.40 to 14.35. PRESENT County Councillor DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT G W Ratcliffe (Chair) County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT B Baynham, D Bebb, M Beecham, S J Beecham, B Breeze, J Berriman, L Brighouse, A Cartwright, J Charlton, R Church, T Colbert, S Cox, A W Davies, A Davies, B Davies, B Davies, S C Davies, M J Dorrance, J Ewing, L George, I Harrison, K Healy, P James, A Jenner, A Jones, E A Jones, E Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, A Kennerley, C Kenyon-Wade, P Lewington, K Lewis, P E Lewis, W Lloyd, I McIntosh, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, C Johnson-Wood, G Mitchell, G Morgan, G Morgan, WD Powell, G Preston, G Pugh, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, C Robinson, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, J Brignell-Thorp, E Vaughan, C Walsh, A Williams, D H Williams, J M Williams and S L Williams
RESOLVED that County Councillor Liz Rijnenberg be appointed to the Foster Panel.
RESOLVED to · Accept the principle that the Welsh language belongs to every part of Powys. · Support the call for a rural economic development agency. · Call on the Welsh Government to extend the ARFOR scheme (a linguistic economic scheme worth £11m in West Wales) to Powys to promote the Welsh language and the economy. · Learn lessons and mirror what has happened in ANDOAIN in the Basque country by intertwining economic activity and language by creating an enterprise space, which there is called Kulturparkea. · Support the development of a cultural tourism plan making the most of the wealth of history in the county such as Sycharth, Brynglas, Cilmeri, Canolfan Glyndŵr etc, ensuring that Powys is as much part of the future as the past. · Ensure sustainability for the Welsh language to be an integral part of the new Local Development Plan. · Request that the Local development Plan Working Group, in addressing the replacement Development Plan, consider the introduction of an appropriate planning policy to require applications made under the Advisement Regulations for commercial premises to display bilingual signage. · Set an aim of increasing the percentage of fluent Welsh speakers in the Council’s workplaces to 16% to represent society. · A language awareness workshop for all members of the Council as well as the workforce. · Move 12 primary schools along the language continuum or create new Welsh provision/Welsh schools where that option does not exist as a matter or urgency. · Establish 3 new Welsh medium high schools as soon as possible. · Increase the IMMERSION provision in order to facilitate bilingualism. · Note the growing evidence that bilingual people benefit from a number of advantages that help their health, learning skills and lifestyles, including improved concentration, better performance in IQ tests and examinations, slowing the onset of dementia and the ability to learn further languages, and ask Council to promote the benefits of bilingualism through Welsh medium education to people’s health, learning skills and lifestyles within the resources already available for Welsh Medium Education.
The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8th December 2022 as a correct record.
County Councillor Lucy Roberts declared a pecuniary interest in item 10 on the agenda in respect of the senior salary for the Chair of the Employment and Appeals Committee. Council gave consent for the Professional Lead Employment Services, the Scrutiny Manager, the Cabinet Manager and the translator to remain in the meeting during consideration of the Pay Policy Statement to assist in the running of the meeting.
The Chair congratulated Councillor Danny Bebb on the birth of his son. He advised that he had given two Silver Kite awards to Powys residents.
The Leader gave an outline of some of the work which had been going on in addition to the work to produce the budget. A Child Poverty Task Conference chaired by the Deputy Leader, County Councillor Matthew Dorrance, had taken place on 8th February. Julie Morgan MS the Deputy Minister for Social Services had visited the new family centre in Newtown on 17th February. The Leader further advised that a 26 flat complex would be opening in Newtown the following week, adding to the Council’s social housing stock. He also advised Council that military veterans would be guaranteed job interviews. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation advised that the Business Rates Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief scheme was being extended to 2023-24 by Welsh Government. Cabinet would be considering the scheme on 7th March and, subject to approval, applications could be made from 8th March. Details were available on the Council’s website and businesses were being encouraged to apply.
Details would be circulated by email.
Can you tell me what all the spending budgets have been from 2010 to present and what services have been cut? You can include + or - percentages if that helps and could include council tax rises to give a rounded view of the question. RESPONSE Year Total Budget Council Tax increase Savings Further details on the budgets, including details of cuts to services can be found on the webpages linked below 2010/11 £232.945m 4.25% £2.262m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=149&MeetingId=2569&DF=28%2f01%2f2010&Ver=2 2011/12 £233.060m 2.99% £5.365m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=149&MeetingId=2580&DF=02%2f03%2f2011&Ver=2 2012/13 £233.841m 2.25% £5.992m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=149&MeetingId=2590&DF=01%2f03%2f2012&Ver=2 2013/14 £248.238m 2.75% £21.985m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=149&MeetingId=2600&DF=04%2f03%2f2013&Ver=2 2014/15 £242.430m 4.5% £17.576m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=149&MeetingId=2610&DF=05%2f03%2f2014&Ver=2 2015/16 £237.980m 4% £11.634m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/CeListDocuments.aspx?CommitteeId=149&MeetingId=2617&DF=11%2f02%2f2015&Ver=2 2016/17 £237.100m 4.25% £10.004m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=2800 2017/18 £240.600m 3.9% £9.616m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=3268 2018/19 £247.215m 5% £8.357m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=3966 2019/20 £255.186m 9.5% £11.653m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=4521 2020/21 £269.440m 4.8% £10.797m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=5459 2021/22 £280.664m 2.9% £11.829m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=6442 2022/23 £302.323m 3.39% £7.668m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=7070 2023/24 £326.554m 5% £16.516m https://powys.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=149&MId=7702 There was no supplementary question.
How, at time when the council is struggling to cover its statutory obligations, does the council justify spending £300,000 of tax payers money on “reimagining” the council? The public want services not snappy catch phrases which mean nothing. Response Growing financial and workforce pressures are having an impact on the ability of public services to meet the needs of the population. A radical transformation of Powys County Council is needed, making use of a reduced number of assets across the County, breaking down silos between services and reducing fragmentation in service delivery. We must become more effective, perform better and be more connected to the population we serve. We need to reimagine Powys County Council in 2025, the type and volume of services that we can offer to put the organisation on a more sustainable footing, moving away from annual service cuts. There is no doubt the organisation will be smaller and more efficient using technology where appropriate to improve service delivery. It will need to hold less assets whilst providing accessible services across community areas. Once we have identified the type and volume of service that the Council will provide, we will ensure it is of quality whilst also being the best value option for the people of Powys. It is for these reasons it is felt necessary to use the COVID recovery fund to put in the temporary additional capacity. This will mean the appointment, into temporary roles, to programme manage, support and cost the future Council. There was no supplementary question.
Is Powys County Council supportive of Land based Wind Turbine Farms and if so has the Council considered the means i.e. infrastructure required to convey the energy to the National Grid? Response Powys County Council has declared climate and nature emergencies and has just adopted its stronger fairer greener corporate plan in which our collective responsibilities in meeting the nett zero target by 2030 and commitments to the natural environment run through like a golden thread. The Council is therefore supportive of the principle of generating renewable and low carbon energy to meet future energy needs in line with Welsh Government’s renewable energy targets. This will include onshore wind as part of a range of renewable solutions. Where wind farm or transmission infrastructure proposals come forward for the Authority’s consideration or determination, these will be considered on their own merits in accordance with relevant planning policies and material considerations. Mr Holloway’s supplementary question was “When it comes to conveying energy to the National Grid will Powys County Council oppose overhead transmission?” Response I would like to thank James Holloway for his supplementary question as it allows me to expand on what I have already said. As a Local Planning Authority, Powys Council is bound to consider proposals for energy transmission on an individual basis, based on relevant national and local planning policies, and all other material planning considerations. In respect of Development Proposals of National Significance, these will be referred for consideration to the Welsh Government Minister for Climate Change, Julie James and not fall to Powys for determination, although officers will be asked to prepare a Local Impact Report on any such proposals. Let us be clear, the climate crisis is bearing down on us all and swift and decisive action is needed. The Council recognises that a more sustainable future for Powys communities requires us to deliver on our nett Zero and nature recovery targets and to help individuals and communities to make more informed choices, offering greater energy security and transitioning to a point where we are all less reliant on imported fossil fuels. The Welsh Government and Powys Council recognise that in the short to medium, term onshore wind energy will form part of our energy mix. In much the same way that supplying our homes and communities with the necessary capacity to heat our buildings, and charge our cars using green electricity, will require the need for new and upgraded transmission infrastructure, so will new energy projects. All such developments will need to demonstrate nett biodiversity gain and mitigate visual harm, especially in areas of high landscape value, with this infrastructure being placed underground where practicable. In any event, I shall be calling upon developers to hold meaningful consultations with communities to explain their proposals alongside the costs and benefits of helping us to decarbonise our energy supply chain and how Powys Communities can benefit from our wind resource.
What progress has the PCC made in reviewing the Leisure Centres in the County and putting in place a plan to improve facilities and ensure their long-term future? Leisure Centres are right at the heart of remote communities providing education, social interaction and wellbeing. As part of this question, I refer to the review promised in December 2022. https://en.powys.gov.uk/article/13732/Statement-on-a-review-of-leisure-services Response The planning stages of the comprehensive Leisure Review has commenced, with draft Terms of Reference for the Project Group established. The ToR will be considered by a Scrutiny Working Group, due to be established within coming weeks. The Leisure Review will have a number of officers who will make up a project board and will - • Agree the scope and intended outcomes / outputs of the review. • Co-ordinate the work and the agreed workstreams. • Support and progress the Leisure Review process in Powys County Council – providing consistent detail to inform the review and any recommendations. • Be open and transparent with regards all undertakings, demonstrating positive, proactive, professional and appropriate collaboration / sharing of information. • Manage and provide consistent, appropriate communications through agreed channels. • Ensure public engagement is undertaken in a timely and professional manner, involving a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties. • Raise issues as soon as they arise and work collaboratively to reach a solution. • Seek assurance / challenge from Council Scrutiny on a periodic basis. • Ensure roles and responsibilities and levels of commitment to the project are understood by those involved/required. • Escalate matters to senior leadership within the Council. • Regularly report to Powys involving Freedom Leisure where appropriate. The purpose/outcome of the review is to - determine the long-term, sustainability of leisure provision in Powys and ensure fit for purpose facilities for communities in the future - which will support, contribute and align to the Corporate Plan’s objectives, outcomes and priorities. It is also intended that a full public engagement exercise is undertaken over coming months, with details of how to contribute to this being available shortly. The timescale for the project is expected to last for around seven months with options / recommendations presented to Cabinet. Further consultation will then be undertaken with all interested parties and stakeholders. There was no supplementary question.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED 1. THAT the amounts contained in paragraph 3.1 in the report be accepted by the Council for the year 2023/2024 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. 2. THAT, the Council in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992, hereby sets the amounts contained in paragraph 3.3 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2023/2024 for each of the categories of dwellings shown.
Council considered the Council Tax resolution for 2023/24. It was moved by County Councillor Jake Berriman and seconded by County Councillor Sandra Davies and by 48 votes to 3 with 11 abstentions it was RESOLVED 1. THAT the amounts contained in paragraph 3.1 in the report be accepted by the Council for the year 2023/2024 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. 2. THAT, the Council in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992, hereby sets the amounts contained in paragraph 3.3 as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2023/2024 for each of the categories of dwellings shown.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24. Officers returned to the meeting.
Council gave consent for the Professional Lead Employment Services, the Scrutiny Manager, the Cabinet Manager and the translator to remain in the meeting to assist in its running. All other officers left the meeting while the item was being considered. Council considered the Pay Policy Statement setting out the Council’s arrangements for the pay and remuneration of its employees for financial year 2023/24. It was moved by County Councillor Jake Berriman and seconded by County Councillor David Thomas and by 62 votes to 1 it was RESOLVED to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2023/24. Officers returned to the meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED (1) that there is no change to the following committees: · Pensions and Investment Committee · Governance and Audit Committee · Finance Panel. Recommendations 2, 3 and 4 to reduce the number of members on Scrutiny Committee to 11 were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Gareth Morgan. A number of members spoke against the recommendation arguing that having more members provided greater diversity of opinion. It was moved by County Councillor Aled Davies and seconded by County Councillor Iain McIntosh to refer recommendations 2 – 11 back to Democratic Services Committee for consideration in 12 months time. This was lost by 28 votes to 31 with 4 abstentions. Council voted on Recommendations 2, 3 and 4 to reduce the number of members on Scrutiny Committee to 11 and by 34 votes to 28 with 2 abstentions it was RESOLVED (2) that the numbers of seats on all three scrutiny committees should be reduced to 11 Members, (plus the addition of co-opted Members where required). (3) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 7 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 2 above. (4) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer monitor attendance by Members at scrutiny meetings. Recommendations 5, 6 and 7 to reduce the number of members on the Democratic Services Committee, the Employment and Appeals Committee and the Licensing Act 2003 Committee were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Gareth Morgan, and by 34 votes to 27 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (5) that the numbers of members on Other Committees (Democratic Services Committee; Employment and Appeals Committee; Licensing Act 2003 Committee) be reduced to 11 Members. (6) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 9 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 5 above. (7) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer monitor attendance by Members at scrutiny meetings. Recommendations 8 and 9 to reduce the number of members on the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee to 17 members were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Jake Berriman, and by 34 votes to 28 with 2 abstentions it was RESOLVED (8) that the numbers of seats on the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee be reduced to 17 Members. (9) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 9 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 8 above. Recommendations 10 and 11 to change the titles and remit of the Scrutiny Committees was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Danny Bebb. The Chairs of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee and the Learning and Skills Committee spoke against the proposal. By 23 votes to 36 with 3 abstentions the motion was lost. Recommendations 12 and 13 to change the membership of the Public Service Board Scrutiny Committee was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Glyn Preston and by 51 votes to 4 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (12) That the membership of the Public Service Board Scrutiny Committee be a amended as follows with effect from the AGM in May 2023:- 9 Members in total. · Vice-Chairs of the 3 Scrutiny Committees Plus · 2 additional representatives from each of the scrutiny committees (on a politically balanced basis based on a Committee of 6) Political balance: Independents (1); Conservatives (1); Liberal Democrats (2) Labour (1), Independents for Powys (1) (13) That the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 7 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 12 above. County Councillor Lucy Roberts declared a pecuniary interest in the following recommendation and left the meeting while it was being considered. Recommendation 14 to retain the salary for the Chair of the Employment and Appeals Committee was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Ange Williams. It was argued that as the Chair no longer chaired appeals panel, the position should not attract a senior salary. By 21 votes to 31 with 7 abstentions the motion was lost. County Councillor Lucy Roberts returned to the meeting. Recommendation 15 that the Chair of the PSB Scrutiny Committee should not receive a senior salary was moved by County Councillor Glyn Preston and seconded by County Councillor Matthew Dorrance and by 55 votes to 1 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (15) that the role of Chair of the PSB Scrutiny Committee should not receive a Senior Salary in accordance with the IRPW report. Council adjourned for lunch from 13.40 to 14.35. PRESENT County Councillor DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT G W Ratcliffe (Chair) County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT B Baynham, D Bebb, M Beecham, S J Beecham, B Breeze, J Berriman, L Brighouse, A Cartwright, J Charlton, R Church, T Colbert, S Cox, A W Davies, A Davies, B Davies, B Davies, S C Davies, M J Dorrance, J Ewing, L George, I Harrison, K Healy, P James, A Jenner, A Jones, E A Jones, E Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, A Kennerley, C Kenyon-Wade, P Lewington, K Lewis, P E Lewis, W Lloyd, I McIntosh, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, C Johnson-Wood, G Mitchell, G Morgan, G Morgan, WD Powell, G Preston, G Pugh, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, C Robinson, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, J Brignell-Thorp, E Vaughan, C Walsh, A Williams, D H Williams, J M Williams and S L Williams
Council considered the recommendations of the Democratic Services Committee on revisions to the structure of the Scrutiny Committees and the number of seats on committees. Political Group Leaders had asked for the numbers of seats on committees to be reviewed following the reduction in numbers of Members in May 2022 from 73 to 68. Democratic Services Committee had recommended no change to the Pensions and Investment Committee, the Governance and Audit Committee and the Finance Panel. It was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Matthew Dorrance and unanimously RESOLVED (1) that there is no change to the following committees: · Pensions and Investment Committee · Governance and Audit Committee · Finance Panel. Recommendations 2, 3 and 4 to reduce the number of members on Scrutiny Committee to 11 were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Gareth Morgan. A number of members spoke against the recommendation arguing that having more members provided greater diversity of opinion. It was moved by County Councillor Aled Davies and seconded by County Councillor Iain McIntosh to refer recommendations 2 – 11 back to Democratic Services Committee for consideration in 12 months time. This was lost by 28 votes to 31 with 4 abstentions. Council voted on Recommendations 2, 3 and 4 to reduce the number of members on Scrutiny Committee to 11 and by 34 votes to 28 with 2 abstentions it was RESOLVED (2) that the numbers of seats on all three scrutiny committees should be reduced to 11 Members, (plus the addition of co-opted Members where required). (3) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 7 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 2 above. (4) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer monitor attendance by Members at scrutiny meetings. Recommendations 5, 6 and 7 to reduce the number of members on the Democratic Services Committee, the Employment and Appeals Committee and the Licensing Act 2003 Committee were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Gareth Morgan, and by 34 votes to 27 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (5) that the numbers of members on Other Committees (Democratic Services Committee; Employment and Appeals Committee; Licensing Act 2003 Committee) be reduced to 11 Members. (6) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 9 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 5 above. (7) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer monitor attendance by Members at scrutiny meetings. Recommendations 8 and 9 to reduce the number of members on the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee to 17 members were moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Jake Berriman, and by 34 votes to 28 with 2 abstentions it was RESOLVED (8) that the numbers of seats on the Planning, Taxi Licensing and Rights of Way Committee be reduced to 17 Members. (9) that the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 9 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 8 above. Recommendations 10 and 11 to change the titles and remit of the Scrutiny Committees was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Danny Bebb. The Chairs of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee and the Learning and Skills Committee spoke against the proposal. By 23 votes to 36 with 3 abstentions the motion was lost. Recommendations 12 and 13 to change the membership of the Public Service Board Scrutiny Committee was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Glyn Preston and by 51 votes to 4 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (12) That the membership of the Public Service Board Scrutiny Committee be a amended as follows with effect from the AGM in May 2023:- 9 Members in total. · Vice-Chairs of the 3 Scrutiny Committees Plus · 2 additional representatives from each of the scrutiny committees (on a politically balanced basis based on a Committee of 6) Political balance: Independents (1); Conservatives (1); Liberal Democrats (2) Labour (1), Independents for Powys (1) (13) That the Head of Legal Services and the Monitoring Officer prepare revisions to Section 7 of the Constitution to reflect the decision in recommendation 12 above. County Councillor Lucy Roberts declared a pecuniary interest in the following recommendation and left the meeting while it was being considered. Recommendation 14 to retain the salary for the Chair of the Employment and Appeals Committee was moved by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Ange Williams. It was argued that as the Chair no longer chaired appeals panel, the position should not attract a senior salary. By 21 votes to 31 with 7 abstentions the motion was lost. County Councillor Lucy Roberts returned to the meeting. Recommendation 15 that the Chair of the PSB Scrutiny Committee should not receive a senior salary was moved by County Councillor Glyn Preston and seconded by County Councillor Matthew Dorrance and by 55 votes to 1 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED (15) that the role of Chair of the PSB Scrutiny Committee should not receive a Senior Salary in accordance with the IRPW report. Council adjourned for lunch from 13.40 to 14.35. PRESENT County Councillor DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT G W Ratcliffe (Chair) County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT B Baynham, D Bebb, M Beecham, S J Beecham, B Breeze, J Berriman, L Brighouse, A Cartwright, J Charlton, R Church, T Colbert, S Cox, A W Davies, A Davies, B Davies, B Davies, S C Davies, M J Dorrance, J Ewing, L George, I Harrison, K Healy, P James, A Jenner, A Jones, E A Jones, E Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, A Kennerley, C Kenyon-Wade, P Lewington, K Lewis, P E Lewis, W Lloyd, I McIntosh, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, C Johnson-Wood, G Mitchell, G Morgan, G Morgan, WD Powell, G Preston, G Pugh, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, C Robinson, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, J Brignell-Thorp, E Vaughan, C Walsh, A Williams, D H Williams, J M Williams and S L Williams
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that County Councillor Liz Rijnenberg be appointed to the Foster Panel.
County Councillor Amanda Jenner who was stepping down from her role on the Foster Panel was thanked for all her work by County Councillor Sue McNicholas, the joint Cabinet Member for Future Generations. County Councillor Liz Rijnenberg was nominated by County Councillor Matthew Dorrance and seconded by Councillor Huw Williams. RESOLVED that County Councillor Liz Rijnenberg be appointed to the Foster Panel.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to · Accept the principle that the Welsh language belongs to every part of Powys. · Support the call for a rural economic development agency. · Call on the Welsh Government to extend the ARFOR scheme (a linguistic economic scheme worth £11m in West Wales) to Powys to promote the Welsh language and the economy. · Learn lessons and mirror what has happened in ANDOAIN in the Basque country by intertwining economic activity and language by creating an enterprise space, which there is called Kulturparkea. · Support the development of a cultural tourism plan making the most of the wealth of history in the county such as Sycharth, Brynglas, Cilmeri, Canolfan Glyndŵr etc, ensuring that Powys is as much part of the future as the past. · Ensure sustainability for the Welsh language to be an integral part of the new Local Development Plan. · Request that the Local development Plan Working Group, in addressing the replacement Development Plan, consider the introduction of an appropriate planning policy to require applications made under the Advisement Regulations for commercial premises to display bilingual signage. · Set an aim of increasing the percentage of fluent Welsh speakers in the Council’s workplaces to 16% to represent society. · A language awareness workshop for all members of the Council as well as the workforce. · Move 12 primary schools along the language continuum or create new Welsh provision/Welsh schools where that option does not exist as a matter or urgency. · Establish 3 new Welsh medium high schools as soon as possible. · Increase the IMMERSION provision in order to facilitate bilingualism. · Note the growing evidence that bilingual people benefit from a number of advantages that help their health, learning skills and lifestyles, including improved concentration, better performance in IQ tests and examinations, slowing the onset of dementia and the ability to learn further languages, and ask Council to promote the benefits of bilingualism through Welsh medium education to people’s health, learning skills and lifestyles within the resources already available for Welsh Medium Education.
Council considered the following motion proposed by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Bryn Davies: “The results of the recent Census have revealed the desperate need to act immediately and comprehensively in relation to the Welsh language in Powys. We have heard much about environmental sustainability and the need for action, well the same is true of our Welsh communities. Between 2011 and 2021 Powys lost over 2,600 Welsh speakers, and the percentage is now down to 16%. This also includes a fall of 1,864 in the number of children 3-15 years of age who can speak Welsh. Powys is the only County during recent years, where a lower percentage had access to Welsh education than the percentage of Welsh speakers in the community. It’s no surprise therefore that we are seeing figures decline every decade. Of course there are a number of reasons for the decline: economic weakness; a change in the agricultural pattern with less people working on the land, which is traditionally is the sector with a high percentage of Welsh speakers; young people moving from the area, and older people moving in; overdevelopment of houses in some communities which do not truly reflect those communities; but also the historical lack of action by Powys county council in favour of the Welsh language, and the lack of status afforded the langage and Welsh education. That is why we need to promote the economic foundation and have a development body similar to the old Development Board for Rural Wales. If sustainability is to mean anything, and if we want to change the situation by the next Census, then we must act now. Don’t think that Powys is alone in this situation; traditional communities or other historically linguistic communities across Europe have faced similar challenges, and there are lessons to be learned, especially from the Basque country in respect of the language and the economy. We must do this with a package of actions which include – Therefore the Council would like to - · Accept the principle that the Welsh language belongs to every part of Powys · Support the call for a rural economic development agency · Call on the Welsh Government to extend the ARFOR scheme (a linguistic economic scheme worth £11m in West Wales) to Montgomeryshire to promote the Welsh language and the economy · Learn lessons and mirror what has happened in ANDOAIN in the Basque country by intertwining economic activity and language by creating an enterprise space, which there is called Kulturparkea · Support the development of a cultural tourism plan making the most of the wealth of history in the county such as Sycharth, Brynglas, Cilmeri, Canolfan Glyndŵr etc, ensuring that Powys is as much part of the future as the past. · Ensure sustainability for the Welsh language to be an integral part of the new Local Development Plan · Ensure that commercial signs are bilingual throughout the County in the New Development Plan · Set an aim of increasing the percentage of fluent Welsh speakers in the Council’s workplaces to 16% to represent society · A language awareness workshop for all members of the Council as well as the workforce · Move 12 primary schools along the language continuum or create new Welsh provision/Welsh schools where that option does not exist as a matter or urgency · Establish 3 new Welsh medium high schools as soon as possible · Increase the IMMERSION provision in order to facilitate bilingualism. County Councillor Richard Church moved an amendment seconded by County Councillor Glyn Preston proposing the addition of the following: “To add the following to the list of actions:- · Note the growing evidence that bilingual people benefit from a number of advantages that help their health, learning skills and lifestyles, including improved concentration, better performance in IQ tests and examinations, slowing the onset of dementia and the ability to learn further languages, and ask Council to promote the benefits of bilingualism through Welsh medium education to people’s health, learning skills and lifestyles within the resources already available for Welsh Medium Education.” The proposer of the motion indicated that he was happy to accept the amendment. He accepted a further amendments to call on the Welsh Government to extend the ARFOR scheme to the whole of Powys to promote the Welsh language and the economy and to ask the LDP Working Group to request that the Local development Plan Working Group, in addressing the replacement Development Plan, consider the introduction of an appropriate planning policy to require applications made under the Advisement Regulations for commercial premises to display bilingual signage. In response to questions about the provision of new schools, Councillor Vaughan noted that this was already in the Welsh Education Strategic Plan approved by the previous administration and confirmed by the current administration and by the Welsh Government. It was not about building new schools, but moving schools along the language continuum. The motion as amended was passed by 46 votes to 2 with 5 abstentions becoming the substantive motion. The substantive motion was put to the vote and by 49 votes to 0 with 3 abstentions it was RESOLVED to · Accept the principle that the Welsh language belongs to every part of Powys. · Support the call for a rural economic development agency. · Call on the Welsh Government to extend the ARFOR scheme (a linguistic economic scheme worth £11m in West Wales) to Powys to promote the Welsh language and the economy. · Learn lessons and mirror what has happened in ANDOAIN in the Basque country by intertwining economic activity and language by creating an enterprise space, which there is called Kulturparkea. · Support the development of a cultural tourism plan making the most of the wealth of history in the county such as Sycharth, Brynglas, Cilmeri, Canolfan Glyndŵr etc, ensuring that Powys is as much part of the future as the past. · Ensure sustainability for the Welsh language to be an integral part of the new Local Development Plan. · Request that the Local development Plan Working Group, in addressing the replacement Development Plan, consider the introduction of an appropriate planning policy to require applications made under the Advisement Regulations for commercial premises to display bilingual signage. · Set an aim of increasing the percentage of fluent Welsh speakers in the Council’s workplaces to 16% to represent society. · A language awareness workshop for all members of the Council as well as the workforce. · Move 12 primary schools along the language continuum or create new Welsh provision/Welsh schools where that option does not exist as a matter or urgency. · Establish 3 new Welsh medium high schools as soon as possible. · Increase the IMMERSION provision in order to facilitate bilingualism. · Note the growing evidence that bilingual people benefit from a number of advantages that help their health, learning skills and lifestyles, including improved concentration, better performance in IQ tests and examinations, slowing the onset of dementia and the ability to learn further languages, and ask Council to promote the benefits of bilingualism through Welsh medium education to people’s health, learning skills and lifestyles within the resources already available for Welsh Medium Education.
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