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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. To receive the findings of the Strategic Review. This concludes that significant change is required to the current post-16 model to ensure it meets the needs of Powys learners and is financially viable. 2. To note the current position of the options appraisal. 3. To approve engagement with key stakeholders to support the development of a preferred way forward.
RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 1 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).
RESOLVED 1. That the Council approve proposals for redesigning day opportunities and adopt the Powys Model for Delivery of Day Opportunities. 2. To employ Supported Employment specialists to sit within the Economy service’s Communities for Work Plus team and work alongside day opportunities. 3. To develop Local Area Co-ordination approach and employ Local Area Co-ordinators to deliver information, advice, and assistance, facilitate community engagement and resilience, supporting early intervention and prevention through collaboration and co-production. 4. To adopt place-based planning principles to reconfigure the buildings used for day opportunities, with a focus on maximising use of co-location in community assets. 5. To support the growth and development of Home Support via an exit strategy from grant funding and move into base budget. 6. To recommission external services via compliant procurement routes. 7. To arrange for supported living providers to deliver day opportunities as per paragraph 5.2 of the report.
The Leader was authorised to sign the minutes of the last meeting held on 8th April 2025 as a correct record.
The Head of Legal and Monitoring Officer advised members that those who were high school governors had a general interest in item 4 on the agenda, Strategic Review of Post 16 Education in Powys, but that there was a general dispensation which meant that they could speak and vote on the issue.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED 1. To receive the findings of the Strategic Review. This concludes that significant change is required to the current post-16 model to ensure it meets the needs of Powys learners and is financially viable. 2. To note the current position of the options appraisal. 3. To approve engagement with key stakeholders to support the development of a preferred way forward.
A strategic review of post-16 education in Powys had been undertaken and had concluded that significant change was required to the current model to achieve a critical mass of learners, to minimise duplication and improve resource allocation to maximise the curriculum offer available to Powys learners. Cabinet’s approval was sought to engage with all stakeholders, including pupils, to support the development of a preferred way forward. This engagement process would be the start of the Council’s response to recommendation 4 of the Estyn report following the inspection of the Council’s Education Service held in February 2025 which requires the Council to “work with partners to rapidly develop and implement a model for 16-19 education that is financially viable and sustainable, and meets the needs of all learners, and considers Welsh-medium and ALN provision.” In presenting the report the Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys acknowledged the challenge provided by the Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee and said that he accepted all of the Committee’s recommendations. The review set out the case for change and key challenges facing post-16 education in Powys and set out a range of options. Combined Option 3 was currently considered to have the widest potential benefits and opportunities to address the current challenges and deliver a curriculum offer that best meets the needs of Powys learners. Option 3 was to close all English-medium sixth forms and establish a post-16 centre under new governance, operating from two sites, one in Newtown to serve the North, one in Brecon to serve the South. Officers explained that Brecon and Newtown had the benefit of having Neath Port Talbot College sites and special schools giving the opportunity of blended learning. The option for Welsh-medium was to operate three Welsh-medium sixth forms aligned to the aspirations of the WESP to establish 3 designated Welsh-medium secondary providers. It was felt that with the limited pool of staff available, it was best to align with the Welsh-medium secondary schools. A two stage engagement process was proposed with stage one taking place in the summer term and stage two during the first half of the autumn term. Following this there would be a report back to Cabinet on the preferred way forward. Officers confirmed that pupils would be central to the engagement process. The Cabinet Member for a Learning Powys sought assurances that there would be no negative impact on pre-16 education and schools budgets and was advised that these issues would addressed in a future paper. The Chair of the Learning and Skills Scrutiny Committee asked that all County Councillors be part of the engagement process. The Committee had recognised the need to respond to Estyn recommendations at pace but that whatever was done would have to improve standards, be financially viable and prevent the loss of pupils out of county. The Committee had felt that there was lack of substantive evidence at this stage that the options would improve standards. County Councillor Aled Davies, speaking as leader of the Conservative group, asked if a Cabinet decision was required to establish two sub-groups working under the Organisational Management Board to plan the curriculum. Officers would check this point but noted that funding would not allow for the same number of courses could be delivered from September 2026 and planning had to be undertaken now. County Councillor Breeze speaking on behalf of the Powys Independents called for the report to be withdrawn so that Welshpool High School could be added as an option before going out to engagement. The Cabinet Member for a More Prosperous Powys confirmed that any proposals that came forward in the engagement would be considered. RESOLVED 1. To receive the findings of the Strategic Review. This concludes that significant change is required to the current post-16 model to ensure it meets the needs of Powys learners and is financially viable. 2. To note the current position of the options appraisal. 3. To approve engagement with key stakeholders to support the development of a preferred way forward.
The delegated decisions taken by Portfolio Holders since the last meeting were noted.
The forward work programme was noted. The Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys advised that the report on the car park review would be coming to Cabinet in the next few months.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 1 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).
RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 1 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED 1. That the Council approve proposals for redesigning day opportunities and adopt the Powys Model for Delivery of Day Opportunities. 2. To employ Supported Employment specialists to sit within the Economy service’s Communities for Work Plus team and work alongside day opportunities. 3. To develop Local Area Co-ordination approach and employ Local Area Co-ordinators to deliver information, advice, and assistance, facilitate community engagement and resilience, supporting early intervention and prevention through collaboration and co-production. 4. To adopt place-based planning principles to reconfigure the buildings used for day opportunities, with a focus on maximising use of co-location in community assets. 5. To support the growth and development of Home Support via an exit strategy from grant funding and move into base budget. 6. To recommission external services via compliant procurement routes. 7. To arrange for supported living providers to deliver day opportunities as per paragraph 5.2 of the report.
Cabinet considered proposals for changes to day service provision for adults with a learning disability and older people in Powys. Under the Powys model proposed, everyone currently receiving a day opportunity would continue to receive one, whether through a traditional service, supported living, direct payment or other method, and more people would access services to support them as well. Employing Local Area Co-ordinators within the five Sustainable Powys hubs and Supported Employment specialists for Powys, with people not just referred for building-based day opportunities, would create greater variety and capacity in the community. This would improve the opportunity to empower people to maximise their independence. This approach would explore family, carer, and community resources to support people to develop and maximise their independence. This model has three tiers of need; Preventative Support, Personalised Support, and Specialist Services, recognising that individuals benefiting from day opportunities will have various levels of need, and that this might change over time as needs increase due to age or illness, or as they gain independence. Officers answered questions from Members on the model being recommended and on how services would be delivered. RESOLVED 1. That the Council approve proposals for redesigning day opportunities and adopt the Powys Model for Delivery of Day Opportunities. 2. To employ Supported Employment specialists to sit within the Economy service’s Communities for Work Plus team and work alongside day opportunities. 3. To develop Local Area Co-ordination approach and employ Local Area Co-ordinators to deliver information, advice, and assistance, facilitate community engagement and resilience, supporting early intervention and prevention through collaboration and co-production. 4. To adopt place-based planning principles to reconfigure the buildings used for day opportunities, with a focus on maximising use of co-location in community assets. 5. To support the growth and development of Home Support via an exit strategy from grant funding and move into base budget. 6. To recommission external services via compliant procurement routes. 7. To arrange for supported living providers to deliver day opportunities as per paragraph 5.2 of the report.
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.
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