Cyngor llawn

The Leader noted two major events coming to the County in 2027, the Tour de France and the National Eisteddfod. He noted that the Council’s economic strategy was out for consultation and he asked members to share it and provide feedback. The Leader extended best wishes to Councillors standing in the forthcoming Senedd election.

I would like to ask why have you shown interest in the UK governments homes for migrants scheme? You have been elected to represent the needs / wants of the local people and not someone who has travelled half way around the world to get here. You should be more concerned with raising / asking questions on why Powys Teaching Health board have put a blanket 2 year wait on top of time already waited for operations in neighbouring English hospitals. Response The question appears to refer to the Home Office proposal to run an ‘Asylum Dispersal Pilot’ which has been in the news.  This being the case I can clarify as follows:- Firstly, it is important to understand that the Home Office is not offering a choice of whether or not to participate in asylum dispersal.  It is already happening across all Local Authority areas and it is mandatory. As such asylum dispersal is already operational in Powys and is under the direct control of the Home Office and their agent for Wales, Clearsprings Ready Homes. Currently, it is the Home Office and their agent who decide who is placed in Powys and where.  To date one family has been placed in Powys as part of the mandatory dispersal programme. The Council has made a non-binding expression of interest in this scheme to explore how we can make the system work better for our communities. We want the non-binding expression of interest to give the Council control over who is placed in Powys, and where and also provide some benefit for our local communities. The expression of interest is based on additional funding being made available to build extra housing, which the Council would not otherwise be able to build, and which would be allocated to local people on the waiting list.  Older properties could then be used to accommodate families who are seeking asylum under a time-limited lease to the Home Office.  In time those properties would be returned to the Council and once again be used to accommodate local people. The Council put forward the non-binding expression of interest so that it can find out more about the pilot.   The pilot may not proceed but, if it does, it could provide the above mentioned extra new housing for those on the housing waiting list. In the meantime, Powys will continue to comply with the Home Office directive to accommodate a share of individuals seeking asylum under the existing, mandatory dispersal scheme. Mr Ealden’s supplementary question was How many Powys residents are on the housing waiting lists in Powys and should these people already on the housing waiting list in Powys be given priority as that would then be saving the council money from paying out for emergency accommodation? The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for a Fairer Powys advised that there were 3243 households on the Common Housing Register. The Housing Service do not record if a household is a Powys resident however, those who have a local connection to Powys are given priority on the waiting list. The priority is based firstly on the banding, then local connection to the area then length of time of the waiting list.

Is it true you will be changing all street lights in Powys with an aim to get first dark sky designated county then eventually the whole of Wales? Response Thank you for your question. As part of a planned capital investment programme, we are replacing existing street lighting lanterns to modernise and future-proof the county’s lighting infrastructure. Due to increasing interest from community groups seeking Dark Sky accreditation, the new lanterns being installed are 2200K “dark sky and biodiversity friendly” units. This makes it easier for communities to pursue accreditation should they wish to do so. Powys already includes internationally recognised Dark Sky areas such as Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, the Elan Valley, and Presteigne and Norton, where the Council has supported accreditation efforts. However, the Council itself is not seeking Dark Sky designation for the whole county, nor is there any proposal to designate the whole of Wales. The lighting upgrade is primarily an infrastructure decision, with the added benefit of supporting community aspirations where appropriate. There was no supplementary question.

Council considered the Council Tax resolution for 2026/27. Councillors asked about the help available for residents struggling to pay their council tax and whether there was an opportunity to review the council tax reduction scheme. The Director of Corporate Services advised that she could raise this with colleagues at a national level. She further advised that the discretionary elements of council tax were kept under review. She encouraged anyone in difficulty to contact the Council’s Council Tax team and support was also available from the money advice team which had received additional resources. It was moved by County Councillor David Thomas and seconded by County Councillor Matthew Dorrance and by 33 votes to 18 with 5 abstentions it was RESOLVED 1. That the amounts contained in paragraph 3.1 above be accepted by the Council for the year 2026-27 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 2026-27 for each of the categories of dwellings shown.

The Monitoring Officer reminded Councillors who were members of the Local Government Pension Scheme had personal but not prejudicial interests which meant that they could speak and vote on this item. Council considered a revised Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) for the Wales Pension Partnership Local Government Pension Scheme to allow implementation of the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) Fit for the Future Business case approved by the Westminster Government. Tribute was paid to Council officers for their work in drafting the IAA and the Chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee, County Councillor Peter Lewis, who was the Chair of the WPP Joint Governance Committee. It was moved by County Councillor Peter Lewis and seconded by County Councillor Huw Williams and by 51 votes to 0 with 4 abstentions it was RESOLVED that, in order to allow implementation of the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) Fit for the Future Business case approved by Westminster Government in April 2025 and approved by the Council on the 10th of July 2025, Council :- . 1. Approves the updated Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) as set out in Appendix 1. 2. Delegates any further minor amendments required to the IAA as a result of legislative changes to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee. 3. Delegates the final approval and signing the document to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Pensions and Investment Committee.

Lynne Hamilton, the independent chair of the Governance and Audit Committee presented the annual report of the Committee for 2024/25. She referred to the important role of the Committee providing oversight, constructive challenge, and continued commitment to strengthening Powys County Council’s governance, risk management, and assurance arrangements. During the year, the Committee had reviewed capital planning, internal audit and whistleblowing arrangements and had undertaken a deep dive review into key strategic risks. She thanked the members of the Committee, officers and the Scrutiny and Democratic Services staff for their support. She also thanked the independent members of the committee for the external perspective they brought to the work of the committee. The Leader thanked Ms Hamilton for the important contribution made by the committee.

Board of Trustees of Wyeside Arts Centre County Councillor Gareth E Jones was nominated. RESOLVED that County Councillor Gareth E Jones be appointed to the Board of Trustees of Wyeside Arts Centre.

County Councillor Sandra Davies declared a prejudicial interest in this item. Council debated the following motion proposed by County Councillor Iain McIntosh and seconded by County Councillor Karl Lewis. 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. Councillor McIntosh argued that windfarm developments were causing uncertainty for MOD training and that including a Statement of Common Ground in the LDP would provide certainty and enable SENTA to continue its operations. Officers advised that with the replacement LDP process underway, there was no mechanism to add to or amend the current LDP. Therefore, if the motion was passed, the first three bullet points could not be implemented, while the fourth could. County Councillor Amanda Jenner joined the meeting. County Councillor David Selby moved to proceed to the next business, seconded by County Councillor Glyn Preston. By 29 votes to 27 with 2 abstentions it was RESOLVED to proceed to the next business. Councillors Iain McIntosh and Karl Lewis left the meeting.

County Councillor Chris Walsh declared an interest in this item as an independent member of Powys Teaching Health Board. Council considered the following motion proposed by County Councillor Joy Jones and seconded by County Councillor Geoff Morgan. “Council calls for: 1. Immediate intervention by Welsh Government to stabilise services and protect patient safety in Powys. 2. A halt to any further erosion of local healthcare provision, including community hospital downgrades or closures. 3. A clear, transparent plan from Powys Teaching Health Board and Welsh Government to restore safe, accessible, and dignified healthcare for all Powys residents. 4. Urgent investment in local recruitment and retention of doctors, dentists, and nurses, ensuring Powys communities are not left behind. 5. A full review of Powys Teaching Health Board’s financial management and accountability, with safeguards to prevent further overspends and protect frontline services. 6. Recognition that Powys residents must not be treated as second‑class citizens when it comes to healthcare access and outcomes. Council further resolves to communicate this declaration directly to Welsh Government, Powys Teaching Health Board, and Members of the Senedd, demanding urgent action to address the Powys Health Crisis Emergency.” In moving the motion, Councillor Joy Jones referred to increased waiting times faced by patients in Powys and the removal of services. County Councillor Glyn Preston moved an amendment seconded by County Councillor Pete Roberts to add the following 7. On all parties standing in the Senedd elections to commit to more investment in social care to improve the outcomes for people leaving hospital and cut waiting times at NHS hospitals, noting the close working between Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council that was enabled by the £1.2 million Pathways of Care transformation grant, awarded by the Welsh Government as part of the 2025 budget agreement with the Welsh Liberal Democrats. 8. On all parties standing in the Senedd elections to commit to the completion within the term of the next Welsh government of the North Powys Wellbeing Hub in Newtown following the outline business case submitted jointly by the Council and Powys Teaching Health Board, noting the major contribution to improving local health care that the Well Being Hub will achieve in terms of specialist clinics, community dentistry, recruitment, healthy living activities and providing a new home for mental health teams for children, young people and adults. Council voted on the amendment and by 29 votes to 22 with 3 abstentions the amendment was passed. Council debated the substantive motion. A number of members said that they did not think it was the role of Council to question Powys Teaching Health Board’s financial management. The proposer and seconder of the motion agreed to remove number 5. There was general agreement that the final paragraph be amended to refer to current and future members of the Senedd. County Councillor Amanda Jenner advised that she would abstain as she was Chair of the Health and Care Scrutiny Committee. By 42 votes to 10 with 1 abstention it was RESOLVED that Council calls for 1. Immediate intervention by Welsh Government to stabilise services and protect patient safety in Powys. 2. A halt to any further erosion of local healthcare provision, including community hospital downgrades or closures. 3. A clear, transparent plan from Powys Teaching Health Board and Welsh Government to restore safe, accessible, and dignified healthcare for all Powys residents. 4. Urgent investment in local recruitment and retention of doctors, dentists, and nurses, ensuring Powys communities are not left behind. 5. On all parties standing in the Senedd elections to commit to more investment in social care to improve the outcomes for people leaving hospital and cut waiting times at NHS hospitals, noting the close working between Powys Teaching Health Board and Powys County Council that was enabled by the £1.2 million Pathways of Care transformation grant, awarded by the Welsh Government as part of the 2025 budget agreement with the Welsh Liberal Democrats. 6. On all parties standing in the Senedd elections to commit to the completion within the term of the next Welsh government of the North Powys Wellbeing Hub in Newtown following the outline business case submitted jointly by the Council and Powys Teaching Health Board, noting the major contribution to improving local health care that the Well Being Hub will achieve in terms of specialist clinics, community dentistry, recruitment, healthy living activities and providing a new home for mental health teams for children, young people and adults. 7. Council further resolves to communicate this declaration directly to Welsh Government, Powys Teaching Health Board, and current and future Members of the Senedd, demanding urgent action to address the Powys Health Crisis Emergency The meeting adjourned from 1.30 to 2.10 pm. 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, R Church, T Colbert, S Cox, S C Davies, R Devlin, M J Dorrance, J Ewing, F Frantz-Morgans, C Hall, I Harrison, K Healy, P James, A Jenner, A Jones, G E Jones, J R Jones, C Kenyon-Wade, S McNicholas, DW Meredith, G Mitchell, G Morgan, G Preston, L Rijnenberg, L Roberts, P Roberts, E Roderick, D Selby, D A Thomas, R G Thomas, J Wilkinson, A Williams, D H Williams, S L Williams Farming Fit Council received a presentation on Farming Fit from Sharon Healey, Head of Health, Wellbeing and Partnerships, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations, Rhiannon Hobbs, Principal Public Health Practitioner, Powys Teaching Health Board, Greg Langridge-Thomas, Senior Manager – Community Health Protection and Wellbeing, Powys County Council, Amanda Thomas, Powys Regional Representative, DPJ Foundation and John Williams, Senior Officer for Engagement, Information, and Participation, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations. Farming Fit brought together the Community Health Protection and Wellbeing teams of Powys County Council and Powys Teaching Health Board, Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations and the wider Powys Agri Wellbeing Support Network (PAWS). Royal Welsh Agricultural Society Council received a presentation from Gethin Havard 2026 President and Teleri Haf Thomas the 2026 Ambassador on the 2026 show when Brecknock would be the featured county.

Council considered the following motion proposed by County Councillor Joy Jones and seconded by County Councillor Ange Williams: Council Resolves To: 1. Strengthen Mental Health Awareness Across the Workforce by: • Ensuring all employees complete basic workplace mental health awareness training, delivered through existing or partnership programmes. • Providing accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or equivalent training for managers and frontline staff where appropriate. • Embedding mental health awareness information into induction for all new employees. • Ensuring staff know how to access internal support, including counselling or employee assistance, through clear and proactive signposting. 2. Improve Visibility of Support Services by: • Displaying widely recognised helpline information (e.g., Samaritans) on appropriate council‑owned buildings and within council facilities such as libraries, leisure centres, day centres, and community hubs. • Working with relevant partners to identify suitable, lawful, and safe locations for signage in public spaces where the Council has responsibility. • Encouraging Powys schools to display support information in suitable internal and external areas, in line with safeguarding and wellbeing guidance. 3. Include Suicide Awareness Signposting on Council Communications by: • Adding a short, standardised line directing residents to mental health support services on council letters, notices, and other public-facing correspondence where appropriate. • Hosting a dedicated webpage on the Powys County Council website listing support lines and help routes. • Reviewing the wording annually to ensure accuracy, sensitivity, and compliance with best practice. 4. Promote Safe and Evidence‑Informed Public Awareness by: • Ensuring all suicide prevention messaging avoids stigma, shame, or sensationalism. • Using clear, hopeful, and accessible language that directs people towards help. • Working in partnership with Powys Teaching Health Board, public health teams, and recognised support organisations to ensure communications follow national guidance. 5. Maximise External Funding Opportunities by: • Actively seeking Welsh Government, Powys Teaching Health Board, and third‑sector funding to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness work. • Exploring opportunities through community safety, wellbeing, and early intervention grants. • Prioritising external funding to minimise the financial impact on the Council. 6. Report Annually to Full Council on Progress, including: • Workforce training undertaken and staff completion rates. • Implementation of signage and communication improvements. • Website and public information updates. • External funding secured. • Recommendations for further actions or improvements. The proposer and seconder agreed to include a reference to Councillors in the motion. By 39 votes to 0 it was RESOLVED 1. Strengthen Mental Health Awareness Across the Workforce and Councillors by: • Ensuring all employees complete basic workplace mental health awareness training, delivered through existing or partnership programmes. • Providing accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) or equivalent training for managers and frontline staff where appropriate. • Embedding mental health awareness information into induction for all new employees. • Ensuring staff know how to access internal support, including counselling or employee assistance, through clear and proactive signposting. 2. Improve Visibility of Support Services by: • Displaying widely recognised helpline information (e.g., Samaritans) on appropriate council‑owned buildings and within council facilities such as libraries, leisure centres, day centres, and community hubs. • Working with relevant partners to identify suitable, lawful, and safe locations for signage in public spaces where the Council has responsibility. • Encouraging Powys schools to display support information in suitable internal and external areas, in line with safeguarding and wellbeing guidance. 3. Include Suicide Awareness Signposting on Council Communications by: • Adding a short, standardised line directing residents to mental health support services on council letters, notices, and other public-facing correspondence where appropriate. • Hosting a dedicated webpage on the Powys County Council website listing support lines and help routes. • Reviewing the wording annually to ensure accuracy, sensitivity, and compliance with best practice. 4. Promote Safe and Evidence‑Informed Public Awareness by: • Ensuring all suicide prevention messaging avoids stigma, shame, or sensationalism. • Using clear, hopeful, and accessible language that directs people towards help. • Working in partnership with Powys Teaching Health Board, public health teams, and recognised support organisations to ensure communications follow national guidance. 5. Maximise External Funding Opportunities by: • Actively seeking Welsh Government, Powys Teaching Health Board, and third‑sector funding to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness work. • Exploring opportunities through community safety, wellbeing, and early intervention grants. • Prioritising external funding to minimise the financial impact on the Council. 6. Report Annually to Full Council on Progress, including: • Workforce training undertaken and staff completion rates. • Implementation of signage and communication improvements. • Website and public information updates. • External funding secured. • Recommendations for further actions or improvements.

Council gave consent for the Professional Lead Employment Services, the Cabinet Manager, the Senior Scrutiny Officer, the Democratic and Scrutiny Support Officers and the translator to remain in the meeting to assist in its running. All other officers left the meeting. Council considered the Pay Policy Statement setting out the Council’s arrangements for the pay and remuneration of its employees for financial year 2026/27. The Professional Lead Employment Services advised that the table in the report would be updated It was proposed by County Councillor David Thomas and seconded by County Councillor Jake Berriman and by 38 votes to 0 with 1 abstention it was RESOLVED To note and approve the publication of the attached Pay Policy Statement for 2026/27 to ensure compliance with section 38 (1) of the Localism Act 2011 and to respond to the legal requirements under the Standing Orders (Wales) Amendment Regulations 2014, the Local Government (Wales) Act 2015 and related advice from Welsh Government.