Council

It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Council held on 20 March 2025, the Minutes of the Special Meeting of Council held on 2 May 2025, and the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Council held on 16 May 2025. Matters arising There were no matters arising.

Councillors Gareth Davies, Rhodri Evans and Ceris Jones withdrew from the meeting for the duration of the discussion. Proposer: Councillor Alun Williams Seconder: Councillor Eryl Evans "Ysbyty Cyffredinol Bronglais “Ysbyty Cyffredinol Bronglais may be on the northern periphery of the Hywel Dda Health Board area, but it is in a central position on the map of Wales and the only general hospital between Carmarthen and Bangor. It provides vital healthcare services for patients in Ceredigion, Powys and Meirionydd. Accessibility and local provision are fundamental to good healthcare and we will take a critical view of any proposals likely to lead to a loss of local services. We note that concerns have recently been raised about the potential reduction of services at the hospital by Hywel Dda University Health Board - this time concerning stroke services. To this end we support in principle the work of the Protect Bronglais Services local campaign group in its efforts to prevent any reduction of services at the hospital. Given that public transport links are already inadequate in this region, moving services away from Aberystwyth will make access to adequate hospital treatment even more difficult. As a Council we call for the maximum provision of facilities and services at Ysbyty Cyffredinol Bronglais and for equity of healthcare for the population of central Wales. We ask that: 1)Hywel Dda University Health Board: acknowledges that the residents of Ceredigion and central Wales deserve as full and accessible a health service as all other residents within the Board's remit. 2) Hywel Dda University Health Board, and the Welsh Government, clarify their positions on the future of vital services at Bronglais in general and equity of access to healthcare for the population of central Wales, stroke services in particular.” Councillor Alun Williams gave an outline of the above Notice of Motion, noting that over 200 people had attended a recent meeting by the Protect Bronglais Services Campaign Group, and that an online petition to the Welsh government had already received almost ten thousand signatories, required for a Senedd debate. He noted that Bronglais Hospital is on the outer periphery of the Hywel Dda University Health Board, and that due to budgetary restrictions, there was a risk of gravitating resources towards the demographic centre. Bronglais Hospital is the only hospital between Carmarthenshire to the south, and Bangor to the North and between the coast and the Welsh border. A successful campaign in 2012 had ensured that resources would be safeguarded at Bronglais Hospital, and he noted that Ceredigion County Council would need to stand up and make the case yet again for maintaining these important services in Mid Wales. Councillor Alun Williams noted that the Welsh Government was ultimately responsible for of healthcare throughout Wales and that the Bronglais Hospital sits in the biggest geographical catchment area of the whole of Wales. Councillor Eryl Evans seconded the motion, noting that the Bronglais Hospital Stroke Unit had recently received very high praise from SNAP, and that it would be unreasonable for patients or their families to have to travel to Llanelli or Haverfordwest following a stroke. Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council noted that Bronglais Hospital is essential not only for the residents of Ceredigion, but also for Gwynedd and Powys residents. He noted that the Council has an excellent relationship with the Hywel Dda University Health Board, and that a meeting had been arranged with them on 8 July to discuss this matter further. The comments by the proposer and seconder were re-iterated by several Members, who also noted that a journey from Eglwys Fach to Llanelli takes 4 hours and 35 minutes each way by public transport, with the last bus leaves at 5.40pm, therefore it would be impossible for family and friends to visit and provide vital support to the patients. It was noted that resident in Mid Wales would be treated as second class citizens, with no consideration as to the cost of transport, rural poverty or the lack of availability of public transport in rural areas. Following a vote it was unanimously RESOLVED to agree the motion.

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to the Council outlining the requirement for elected members of a local authority to review the use of the 1997 and 2000 Act. He noted that the SRO had reviewed the RIPA Policy and made amendments where necessary to ensure that the policy remained up to date with current legislation, Codes and guidance including the 2024 Covert surveillance code of practice. The key changes related to updated links to the revised legislation; updates to the Covert Surveillance and Property Interference Code of Practice 2024; and an update to the contact information for the Information Commissioner’s Office. Following a vote, it was RESOLVED to approve the draft amended Corporate Regulation of Investigator Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy included in Appendix 1.

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, Policy, Performance and People and Organisation presented the report to the Council, noting the importance of public engagement, however he noted that it was also important that the Council adheres to fire regulations which places a limitation upon the number of people that are able to attend public meetings. He invited Councillor Elizabeth Evans, as Chair of the Democratic Services Committee which had led upon the protocol to say a few words and thanked the committee for all their hard work. Councillor Elizabeth Evans noted that she has asked officers to develop a draft protocol for consideration by the Committee, stating that insufficient consideration had been given by the architects when designing the Council Chamber as to the future needs of the public gallery. She noted that members of the public are now able to view meetings online, and that the capacity of the public gallery is not an issue during 80% to 90% of the meetings however there does need to be controls to ensure a safe environment on occasion. Councillor Gareth Lloyd, Vice Chair of the Democratic Services Committee noted that there had been a good discussion at the meeting, and that the proposed capacity figure was comparative with that of neighbouring authorities, and that Members had agreed to review the protocol if required. Following a discussion and a vote, it was RESOLVED to approve the draft protocol for members of the public attending Local Authority meetings in public.

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for and Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, Policy, Performance and People and Organisation presented the report to Council referring to the pilot exercise and the advantages and disadvantages which are outlined in the appendix. He invited Councillor Elizabeth Evans, Chair of the Democratic Services Committee to comment on the considerations of the Committee. Councillor Elizabeth Evans noted that The Governance and Audit Committee and the Democratic Services Committee had conducted a trial period whereby the meetings were held remote only. She noted that the Governance and Audit Committee is Chaired by a Lay Member who attends remotely, and that Officers from Audit Wales also attend remotely, and that it is difficult to chair meetings remotely when some are attending in person and some are attending remotely. She also noted that remote attendance is most effective for committees that have fewer members and those that have substantial reports to be considered. She noted that in terms of the Democratic Services Committee, it was not realistic for such a small committee to have some Members attending remotely, and some attending in person and that moving forward, the option of remote attendance for other small committees should be considered. Councillor Gareth Lloyd, Vice-Chair of the Democratic Services Committee noted that the Committee had considered comments both for and against remote only meetings, and that they had concluded that it made sense for these two committees to continue as remote only. Councillor Bryan Davies thanked Councillors Elizabeth Evans and Gareth Lloyd for their comments noted that consideration should be given to the arrangements for other committees, including matters such as cost and practicalities. Following a vote it was RESOLVED: a) that Council approve the continuation of the current arrangements for remote only attendance at meetings of the Democratic Services Committee and the Governance and Audit Committee b) to consult with other Committees regarding remote only attendance.

Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, Policy, Performance and People and Organisation presented the report to the Council thanking Councillor Elizabeth Evans for her excellent work chairing this Committee, which demonstrates the huge amount of work that this Committee carries out on behalf of the Members. Councillor Elizabeth Evans thanked Lowri Edwards, the Corporate Lead Officer for Democratic Services and Nia Jones, the Corporate Manager of Democratic Services for all of their work supporting the committee and drafting various protocols for the Committee to consider. She noted that the report highlighted the issues and outcomes and the excellent training that has been provided to Members. Over the next 2 years, she noted that the Committee would be preparing for the 2027 elections whilst continuing to develop new guidelines and protocols and the training requirements for Members. That Council noted the content of the report.

Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to Council, noting that the report provides a summary of the Committee’s work in discharging its duties. Caryl Davies, Chair of the Ethics and Standards Committee noted that training on the Code of Conduct had been provided to Members of the Town and Community Councils and that a recent satisfaction survey had been conducted. She noted that the number of cases of unacceptable behaviour had been very low within the Council, however 2 had transpired to a formal hearing. She also noted that the Committee had also considered a number of applications for dispensation. Caryl Davies thanked Members of the Committee, the Leaders of the Political Groups for their co-operation, the Democratic Services Officers and the Monitoring Officer for their support and advice. Councillor Bryan Davies thanked Caryl Davies, noting that the Group Leaders are happy to attend meetings with the Members of the Ethics and Standards Committee, as they feel that they are able to have an honest discussion regarding their concerns, and that they feel that they are being listened to. The Council noted that contents of the report, and the contents of the Annual Report from the Chairman of the Ethics and Standards Committee 2024/25.