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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
Apologies were received from Carolanne Butler; Carol Davies; Diane Reynolds, Powys County Council; Claire Swales, PAVO; Hayley Thomas; Mererid Bowley, Powys Teaching Health Board (represented by Tracey Deacon) and Christine Harley, HM Prison and Probation Service.
Proposed by Gavin Bown and seconded by Carl Cooper, the minutes of the previous meeting held on 26 September 2024 were agreed as a correct record. Actions arising from the previous meeting were discussed: Action/Issue Discussion Resolution Action Owner Difficulty in sharing files and communicating between meetings. Catherine James explained the ongoing discussions with Powys County Council’s ICT team to create a Microsoft Teams channel for PSB partner chief executives to facilitate communication. Some partners experienced technical issues when accessing Teams form outside their organisation. It was expected that the Teams channel access issue could be resolved quickly once details of those additional people requiring access were confirmed. Confirmation was to be circulated once resolved. PSB Secretariat Lack of funding for the PSB Climate Working Group. Liz Hutchins suggested that whilst further details of the Shared Prosperity Fund were awaited, that the Board consider articulating the need for funding to Welsh Government, to enable the PSB to successfully deliver on joint projects. Awaiting further details on the Shared Prosperity Fund. The Board agreed to make representations to Welsh Government for funding. Chair PSB Secretariat Discussion: • Emma Palmer, Gavin Bown and Iwan Cray highlighted budget constraints and the inability to commit additional funding. The Shared Prosperity Fund extension was discussed as a potential funding source. • In addition to the Board contacting Welsh Government, Rhys Morris agreed to discuss the need for additional funding for joint PSB initiatives at the Welsh Government’s internal operational group responsible for PSBs. • Alison Perry explained that there was a similar issue regarding the All-Wales Policing Strategy being pursued around climate change and sustainability, and would advise of the appropriate contact to discuss whether any funding sources for this work could also be used to support the PSB’s climate work.
Catherine James, Step lead, provided an overview of the quarter 3 progress report for the Evidence and Insight Step, which was included in the agenda pack, noting it was on track overall. Risks Catherine James noted the two risks identified for the Evidence and Insight Step: 1. IF additional funding is not identified to deliver the evidence and insight workstream THEN this step will not be fully resourced to be able to support the aspirations of the Public Services Board’s Well-being Plan. a. This risk was continuously being balanced due to there being no specific funding attached to the Evidence and Insight Step workstream. Activity therefore needed to be balanced against other pressures when working within existing resources. 2. IF data sharing agreements are not agreed or implemented THEN the data stream will be limited in its effectiveness to support the Public Service Board and it’s understanding of the people of Powys. a. Catherine James noted that data sharing arrangements were sufficient currently, but future work may require formal data sharing and processing agreements to be signed by PSB partners. Questions Emma Palmer asked whether there were any mechanisms currently in place that would allow the Community Safety Partnership to report into the PSB, particularly where there were relevant insights to be shared or actions to be taken by the PSB. ACTION Emma Palmer also suggested that the Population Needs Assessment be brought to the PSB to consider once it had been updated, to allow the Board to consider changes in need and to review potential actions needed to be taken. ACTION
On behalf of Mererid Bowley, Step lead, Tracey Deacon provided an overview of the quarter 3 progress update included in the agenda pack for the ‘Undertaking a Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight Step’, guided by a presentation. Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme The Scheme was rolled out on 1st August 2024 and has since engaged with 117 businesses who had since signed up which was noted as a positive uptake. Tracey Deacon invited all Powys PSB organisations to sign up to the scheme if they had not already, and to take the opportunity to review their public facing areas to ensure they were providing a welcoming environment for breastfeeding. Reporting and refocusing the Step Tracey Deacon noted that the team had taken the opportunity to review the challenges of the Step, in addition to identifying improvements to its reporting arrangements and overall vision. Questions Emma Palmer commented that it was positive to see the strength of the joint working taking place between the Council and Health Board to deliver the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme, in addition to the creativity involved in establishing and delivering the Cooking Counts courses, utilising Multiply government funding. Emma Palmer echoed Tracey Deacon’s call for the wider PSB membership to sign up to the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme, seeking clarity from the other PSB member organisations on their position in signing up to the Scheme. Iwan Cray explained that Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service had not signed up to the Scheme due to concerns around firefighters being at increased risk to certain cancers due to their occupation, which had been identified by the World Health Organisation. Gavin Bown explained that Natural Resources Wales (NRW) had limited public-facing areas across its sites, with offices in Llandrindod (County Hall, already subject to the Scheme) and Welshpool, with the Welshpool office having potential although it was noted that public use was limited. Gavin Bown explained that NRW’s New and Expectant Mothers Policy covered the provision of breastfeeding arrangements, although NRW had not yet formally signed up to the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme. Simone Lowthe-Thomas advised that Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority’s Facilities Department had signed up to the scheme and were now actioning. Alison Perry advised that both Dyfed Powys Police and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Well-being Manager had engaged with the Step Leads to sign up to the Scheme. Carl Cooper echoed Emma Palmer’s comment, noting that it was an important example illustrating how no organisation can tackle such issues alone. Carl Cooper queried how the PSB would be assured of the Step’s impact in terms of meeting milestones, and how its vision would be realised as a result. Tracey Deacon agreed with Carl Cooper’s observations that milestones were needed, noting that the Whole System Approach methodology avoided use of performance measures. Tracey Deacon further noted that some outcomes, such as reducing childhood obesity, would not be achievable in the short-term, and so a longer-term approach was necessary with the Step’s vision set accordingly.
Liz Hutchins and Melusi Moyo provided an overview of the quarter 3 progress update included in the agenda pack for the Responding to the Climate Emergency Step, guided by a presentation. An update was provided regarding the climate risk assessment undertaken by the PSB’s Climate Working Group, with the outputs and findings informing a Climate Action Plan. Liz Hutchins posed a question regarding the added value the PSB could provide by working together, particularly around procurement and in catalysing systems change in sectors such as food, by providing certainty for local food growers and producers by procuring sustainable food. Liz Hutchins ended the progress update by requesting that Powys PSB organisations think about: · their preferred method for receiving and digesting the finalised Powys climate action plan; · their preferred method of communication, and · how organisations plan to disseminate the information to the appropriate people within their organisation so that it is actively considered. In finalising her summary, Liz Hutchins noted that due to the likely large volume of the finalised climate action plan, a ‘quick read’ version was being considered to compliment the technical report, with high-level information included. Simone Lowthe-Thomas echoed Liz Hutchins’ point regarding the need for all Powys PSB organisations to consider how they will take all reasonable steps to deliver the climate action plan and wider well-being objectives of the PSB collectively, in addition to making resource available to deliver the systemic changes needed. Questions Gavin Bown noted the importance of delivering on the climate action plan considering the recent storm events which had effected Powys, with recovery work still ongoing before the next storm occurred. Gavin Bown also highlighted that the severity and frequency of such weather events were increasing, evidenced by the record river gauging levels recorded across Wales, and that this highlighted how exposed infrastructure was to these events which impacted on communities. Rhys Morris agreed with Gavin Bown in that the Climate Action Plan will help to demonstrate which elements are being delivered already by PSB member organisations. Rhys Morris asked whether there had been any barriers to engaging with Welsh Government around procurement in particular which he could look to address. Liz Hutchins responded by confirming that there had been no particular barriers, and noted that the work Welsh Government was doing to centralise procurement was important and encouraging. The issue was more around how this work applied in the context of Powys which had yet to be explored in detail. It was clear however that there was a lack of local, developed supply chains in Powys, which made place-shaping and economy-shaping even more important at the local level, and that this needed to link in with Welsh Government’s work around centralised procurement. Emma Palmer thanked Liz Hutchins for the presentation and suggested contacting Wayne Welsby, Professional Lead for Procurement and Commercial Services in Powys County Council, who chaired the WLGA procurement working group to discuss further. Recently the working group was focused on supply chains and the social care sector, however this did not necessarily mean that elements more relevant to the climate action plan could not be considered. Emma Palmer expressed a desire for an easy read version over a longer document, which made clear the solutions and necessary actions. A suggestion was made to approach officers supporting the Marches Partnership and Severn Valley Water Management Scheme, as their focus was not only private sector investment, but also about collaborative working between the stakeholders involved to realise environmental benefits. Liz Hutchins responded by confirming that she was aware of the Partnership and Scheme, and had a meeting scheduled with Daniel Burgess, Head of Economy and Climate at Powys County Council to discuss further. Liz Hutchins also advised that the intention was to cover economics and financing within the Climate Action Plan, with the private sector being important to leverage actions. Liz Hutchins questioned what the public sector’s role was in mobilising and focusing investment. Iwan Cray commented that considering Wales’ small size, it should be possible to coordinate climate action work across a wider footprint and would gain more traction if it was steered by Welsh Government. In response to Iwan Cray’s point, the Chair questioned how much coordination existed between the PSB’s, regionally and nationally on creating climate action plans, and how much commonality existed between them. Liz Hutchins agreed and advised that she had been advocating for a common framework for area-based climate action across Wales, to reduce the possibility of duplication by taking a common systematic approach. Originally a Mid Wales approach was favoured in order to relate the Climate Action Plan to the Mid Wales Corporate Joint Committee’s role, making use of its economic well-being, strategic planning and transport powers along a regional decarbonisation pathway, however that was not agreed to. Liz Hutchins explained that at a Wales-wide level, there had been interest for each local rea to sign up to the UN-backed Race to Zero framework, which could provide a common framework for adoption across Wales to take area-based climate action. This would then allow for resources and approaches to be shared more clearly. Liz Hutchins was hopeful that this approach would be adopted by Welsh Government, although noting that Powys PSB was leading the way as the first PSB to have a strategic climate action plan for the local area, taking a joint approach by considering carbon sequestration, decarbonisation and adaptation. The Chair was pleased that Powys PSB was leading the way in this area, and reiterated the need for individual Powys PSB organisations to consider their responses to the questions posed by Liz Hutchins. ACTION Simone Lowthe-Thomas added that the work would only remain exemplar if the Climate Action Plan was progressed, requiring a commitment from organisations to carefully consider the Plan in relation to their own individual strategies once it was finalised. Simone Lowthe-Thomas asked that PSB organisations inform the team of any funding opportunities over the coming months, as funding of this transition phase of the Climate Action Plan was critical to its success. Commitment from the public sector was also needed to engage communities and drive forward work around procurement. The Chair agreed with the points made and advised that the Climate Action Plan would be the PSB’s highest priority, although before decisions could be made, it was necessary to first consider the finalised Climate Action Plan to properly understand any implications. The Chair also noted that severe weather was becoming more frequent; highlighting the need to balance capital investment to build long-term resilience for the future, such as retrofitting buildings, with dealing with the acute issues of the present, and hoped that the Climate Action Plan would feature a balance of short and longer-term actions. Liz Hutchins confirmed that the Climate Action Plan would set outcomes which needed to be achieved both in the short and longer-term, including climate resilience, with steps and interventions needed to achieve them. However, the next phase of work would need to be informed by place-based plans for specific communities in Powys, with sectoral delivery plans setting out more detailed timescales. Liz Hutchins further noted that there would never be a cheaper time to decarbonise and minimise the risk of climate impacts, as it would continually become more expensive, so early action was the most economically sensible action. In response to Emma Palmer’s earlier questions regarding coordinating the investment to fund this transition, both for individual projects but also the overall transition to a well-being economy in Powys; Liz Hutchins highlighted that the Climate Action Plan would address these points, however their nature was so huge that an inclusive, evidence-based approach was needed to build on the engagement necessary with communities and stakeholders within and outside of the PSB’s organisations. Considering the limited resources available to the Climate Working Group, it would be wrong for the Climate Action Plan to set out details of everything that should happen across Powys. Instead, the Plan sets out the strategic vision, outcomes and steps needed to organise stakeholders and communities to deliver change accordingly. The Chair asked what the PSB would be required to do in terms of formally adopting the Climate Action Plan once presented at the following meeting. Liz Hutchins advised that once the Climate Action Plan was approved by the Climate Working Group, it would be at the Board’s discretion as to how it is approved. The PSB could formally adopt the Plan, however it would likely need to be approved by each organisation’s executive as the Plan included matters that are of consequence to all organisations’ work. Liz Hutchins further explained that the point was not to agree on every point within the Climate Action Plan, but to agree a sense of direction to organise around. The Chair noted the suggested approval approach to be agreeable in that it would not bind PSB organisations to address everything within the Plan, but would provide a resource to help advise and guide current and future actions to be taken within the resource and capacity available to them. The Chair thanked officers for the presentation and for all the work that had been done to inform and draft the Climate Action Plan.
The forward work programme and dates of future PSB meetings were noted: · Thursday 20th March 2025, 2-4 PM · Tuesday 15th July 2025, 2-4 PM · Thursday 25th September 2025, 2-4 PM · Thursday 11th December 2025, 2-4 PM
Action Action Owner Confirm resolution of Teams communication issue and circulate confirmation. PSB Secretariat Write to Welsh Government to highlight the need for funding to deliver climate action. Chair PSB Secretariat Raise the need for funding to enable joint PSB initiatives at the Welsh Government internal operations group for PSBs. Rhys Morris Explore Shared Prosperity Fund and other funding sources. PSB Climate Working Group Encourage PSB members to join the Breastfeeding Welcome Scheme. PSB members and invited participants Step Lead – Whole System Approach to Healthy Weight Step Finalise and present the Climate Action Plan at the next PSB meeting. Climate Working Group Step Lead – Responding to the Climate Emergency PSB organisations to consider how they will approach taking all reasonable steps to deliver the Climate Action Plan. PSB members and invited participants Research and report back on the mechanisms currently in place to allow the Community Safety Partnership to report into the PSB. PSB Secretariat Add ‘Population Needs Assessment Mid-Point Review’ to the forward work programme. PSB Secretariat
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