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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED to approve the Council’s response on the statutory consultation on the proposed Glyndŵr National Park to formally object, as set out in Appendix 1, and submit to Natural Resources Wales. Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe returned to the meeting.
RESOLVED to appoint Geralene Griffiths as Independent (Lay) Member of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years from 26 January 2026.
RESOLVED that Councillor Beverley Baynham be appointed to the Elan Valley Trust.
RESOLVED to suspend the debate until the next meeting.
RESOLVED to support the joint initiative, led by Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, that would involve establishing dental education centres across the two regions, managed by both universities and calls on Welsh Government to support this initiative. Council adjourned at 12:25 and reconvened at 14.00. PRESENT County Councillor DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT WD Powell (Chair) County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT B Baynham, D Bebb, G Breeze, J Berriman, J Brignell-Thorp, J Charlton, R Church, T Colbert, S Cox, AB Davies, A W Davies, B Davies, S C Davies, M J Dorrance, D Edwards, F Frantz-Morgans, J Gibson-Watt, C Hall, I Harrison, K Healy, A Jenner, A Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, C Kenyon-Wade, P Lewington, K Lewis, W Lloyd, I McIntosh, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, G Mitchell, G Morgan, G Preston, G Pugh, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, P Roberts, C Robinson, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, E Vaughan, C Walsh, A Williams, D H Williams, S L Williams and J Yeomans The High Sheriff, Sally Roberts, presented the Council with a plaque in recognition of its work in support of the White Ribbon campaign preventing violence against women and girls. Council received a presentation by representatives of Kaleidoscope Powys a charity providing support for people with drug and alcohol issues.
RESOLVED to call on the Health Boards and Wales Air Ambulance to work together and with communities in ensuring that Recommendation 4 is fully implemented first before the closure of Welshpool and Caernarfon bases.
The Chair was authorised to sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 9th October 2025 as a correct record.
County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe declared an interest in item 11 Notice of Motion – Reintegration of the Statement of Common Ground into the Powys Local Development Plan as he had just been appointed as Chair of the National Parks UK Chairs, Convenors and CEO Forum. County Councillor Angela Davies declared an interest in item 10 Appointment to the Elan Valley Trust as a tenant on the estate. County Councillor Chris Walsh declared an interest in item 12 Notice of Morion – Support Mid Wales Dental School and item 13 Notice of Motion – Wales Air Ambulance Rapid Support Vehicles as a member of the Powys Teaching Health Board. County Councillor Sandra Davies declared an interest in item 11 Notice of Motion – Reintegration of the Statement of Common Ground into the Powys Local Development Plan as she had a relative working in the energy sector.
The Chair gave details of his engagements since the last meeting. He congratulated Councillor Pete Lewington on his election as Mayor of Newtown and Llanllwchaiarn Town Council and Councillor Lewington thanked the Chair for attending his Civic Service.
The Leader reported that Derek Walker, Future Generations Commissioner had visited Mid Wales and had been shown how Powys and Ceredigion Councils were leading the way in food innovation, sustainability, and clean growth. He also reported that the Council was leading work on a new tourism strategy for the Marches. The Leader reported that he had been working to secure additional funds for Powys through the WLGA. He thanked staff for their work on the budget and he asked colleagues to promote the budget survey. He also asked colleagues to encourage organisations to register warm spaces to support residents during colder months. The Leader was pleased to report that following inspection Brecon High School had come out of category. The Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys outlined the Council’s education improvement journey.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the Council’s response on the statutory consultation on the proposed Glyndŵr National Park to formally object, as set out in Appendix 1, and submit to Natural Resources Wales. Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe returned to the meeting.
County Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe left the meeting while this item was considered having declared an interest. Council considered a response to National Resources Wales consultation on the proposed Glyndŵr National Park in the north east of the County. County Councillors Aled Davies and Bryn Davies noted that there was no support in the communities they represented. It was moved by Councillor Jake Berriman and duly seconded and by 59 votes to 0 it was RESOLVED to approve the Council’s response on the statutory consultation on the proposed Glyndŵr National Park to formally object, as set out in Appendix 1, and submit to Natural Resources Wales. Councillor Gareth Ratcliffe returned to the meeting.
Council received the annual report of the Head of Democratic Services on the support provided to County Councillors and an overview of scrutiny arrangements in Powys. The Scrutiny and Democratic Services team were thanked for their support and the Chair of the Democratic Services Committee thanked Carol Johnson who was retiring for her work with Councillors.
The Director of Social Services and Well Being presented her annual report for 2024/25. The year had been marked by significant achievements, innovation, and partnership across both Adults and Children’s Services, as well as ongoing challenges. She thanked the Portfolio Holders, Councillors Sian Cox and Sandra Davies for their support, the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee for their constructive challenge and the staff for their hard work and dedication.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to appoint Geralene Griffiths as Independent (Lay) Member of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years from 26 January 2026.
Council was advised that following interview by a panel of the Standards Committee chaired by the High Sheriff, Sally Roberts, Geralene Griffiths was recommended for appointment as lay member to the Standards Committee. It County Councillor Beverley Baynham and seconded by County Councillor James Gibson-Watt and by 59 votes to 0 it was RESOLVED to appoint Geralene Griffiths as Independent (Lay) Member of the Standards Committee for a period of 6 years from 26 January 2026.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that Councillor Beverley Baynham be appointed to the Elan Valley Trust.
Councillors Beverley Baynham and Geoff Morgan were nominated. Following a ballot it was RESOLVED that Councillor Beverley Baynham be appointed to the Elan Valley Trust.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to suspend the debate until the next meeting.
Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Iain McIntosh and seconded by County Councillor Claire Johnson-Wood (who reserved her right to speak until later in the debate). This Council resolves to: • Have the Statement of Common Ground between Powys County Council and the Ministry of Defence (2017) added to the current Local Development Plan (LDP) as a material planning consideration and evidence base document. • Instruct officers to take the necessary steps to reinstate and publish the SoCG within the Council’s adopted LDP documentation. • Write to the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) to reaffirm the Council’s recognition of the 10-kilometre safeguarding zone around SENTA, and to invite the MOD to confirm or, if necessary, update the Statement of Common Ground to reflect current operational and planning circumstances. • Ensure that all future planning policy and decisions within this safeguarding zone give full weight to national defence interests and the operational integrity of the Sennybridge Training Area. Members asked if there had been a formal approach from the Ministry of Defence. The Chief Executive advised that there had not been. Councillor McIntosh said that he had had communication from the Secretary of State for Defence which he was happy to share. A number of members expressed concern that they did not have sufficient information on which to make a decision. It was proposed by Councillor Jackie Charlton and seconded by Councillor Ange Williams to suspend the debate until the next meeting and by 43 votes to 17 it was RESOLVED to suspend the debate until the next meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to support the joint initiative, led by Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, that would involve establishing dental education centres across the two regions, managed by both universities and calls on Welsh Government to support this initiative. Council adjourned at 12:25 and reconvened at 14.00. PRESENT County Councillor DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT WD Powell (Chair) County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT B Baynham, D Bebb, G Breeze, J Berriman, J Brignell-Thorp, J Charlton, R Church, T Colbert, S Cox, AB Davies, A W Davies, B Davies, S C Davies, M J Dorrance, D Edwards, F Frantz-Morgans, J Gibson-Watt, C Hall, I Harrison, K Healy, A Jenner, A Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, C Kenyon-Wade, P Lewington, K Lewis, W Lloyd, I McIntosh, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, G Mitchell, G Morgan, G Preston, G Pugh, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, P Roberts, C Robinson, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, E Vaughan, C Walsh, A Williams, D H Williams, S L Williams and J Yeomans The High Sheriff, Sally Roberts, presented the Council with a plaque in recognition of its work in support of the White Ribbon campaign preventing violence against women and girls. Council received a presentation by representatives of Kaleidoscope Powys a charity providing support for people with drug and alcohol issues.
Cabinet debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Joy Jones: To support the joint initiative, led by Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, that would involve establishing dental education centres across the two regions, managed by both universities and calls on Welsh Government to support this initiative. Council was advised that the project to develop a Well Being Hub in Newtown included proposals for two dentists on site. By 58 votes to 1 it was RESOLVED to support the joint initiative, led by Aberystwyth and Bangor Universities, that would involve establishing dental education centres across the two regions, managed by both universities and calls on Welsh Government to support this initiative. Council adjourned at 12:25 and reconvened at 14.00. PRESENT County Councillor DOCVARIABLE "ChairPresentShortRoleList" \* MERGEFORMAT WD Powell (Chair) County Councillors DOCVARIABLE "MembersPresentShortList" \* MERGEFORMAT B Baynham, D Bebb, G Breeze, J Berriman, J Brignell-Thorp, J Charlton, R Church, T Colbert, S Cox, AB Davies, A W Davies, B Davies, S C Davies, M J Dorrance, D Edwards, F Frantz-Morgans, J Gibson-Watt, C Hall, I Harrison, K Healy, A Jenner, A Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, C Kenyon-Wade, P Lewington, K Lewis, W Lloyd, I McIntosh, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, G Mitchell, G Morgan, G Preston, G Pugh, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, P Roberts, C Robinson, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, E Vaughan, C Walsh, A Williams, D H Williams, S L Williams and J Yeomans The High Sheriff, Sally Roberts, presented the Council with a plaque in recognition of its work in support of the White Ribbon campaign preventing violence against women and girls. Council received a presentation by representatives of Kaleidoscope Powys a charity providing support for people with drug and alcohol issues.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to call on the Health Boards and Wales Air Ambulance to work together and with communities in ensuring that Recommendation 4 is fully implemented first before the closure of Welshpool and Caernarfon bases.
Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Elwyn Vaughan and seconded by County Councillor Graham Breeze: Council calls on the Health Boards and Wales Air Ambulance to work together and with communities in ensuring that Recommendation 4 is fully implemented first before the closure of Welshpool and Caernarfon bases. The Judicial Review’s Judgment Recommendation 4 was that a network of RRV's - Rapid Response Vehicles be established in Mid Wales and Gwynedd to alleviate concerns and detrimental effects of the closure of both bases. By 46 votes to 0 it was RESOLVED to call on the Health Boards and Wales Air Ambulance to work together and with communities in ensuring that Recommendation 4 is fully implemented first before the closure of Welshpool and Caernarfon bases.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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