County council meeting arrangement debate continues

Powys County Council is set to reconsider changes to their meeting procedures following a recent report and ensuing debate at the council's annual meeting.

The report proposed a new working model for all council meetings, advocating for a hybrid setup where some councillors would participate in person while others would connect remotely. In addition, it recommended two in-person meetings per year for each committee, fostering better relationships between councillors and staff.

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Cllr Graham Breeze of the Independent group brought an amendment to the proposal, emphasising the mixed reactions to these new work practises among councillors and officers. He suggested an annual review of the working practises, highlighting both the benefits and drawbacks of the hybrid system, notably the decreased physical interaction between councillors and staff.

Cllr Breeze's amendment further proposed granting the Planning Committee Chairman the discretion to call in-person meetings as required. He noted that councillors and planning officers have experienced technical difficulties during meetings, potentially undermining public confidence in the handling of their applications.

Cllr Gareth Ratcliffe, a Liberal Democrat, expressed the necessity for councillors to have the option to attend meetings remotely, acknowledging the time commitment involved in attending in-person meetings and the potential exclusion of working people from the council. He was supported by fellow Liberal Democrat and Cabinet member for a safer Powys, Cllr Richard Church, who reminded the council of the Welsh Government's requirement for remote participation options.

Planning Committee Chairman, Conservative Cllr Karl Lewis, also weighed in on the debate, recognising the importance of in-person attendance but conceding that remote operation was feasible.

Amid the debate, there was some confusion regarding the proposed changes, as Cllr Angela Davies, a Liberal Democrat, expressed uncertainty over what the council would be voting on.

In a final twist, Cllr Breeze was not permitted to rephrase his amendment and had to decide whether to withdraw it or put it to a vote. While the annual review was approved, the amendment to grant the planning chair the power to call in-person meetings was rejected by 30 to 19 votes, with 10 abstentions

The issue will be referred back to the Democratic Services Committee for a renewed evaluation, with 60 councillors voting in favour and two abstentions.