Powys Council delays Finance Panel scrapping

Powys County Council has postponed its plan to scrap the Finance Panel until the Governance and Audit Committee can examine the proposal in detail.

The decision was taken at the Democratic Services Committee meeting on Friday 25 September, where councillors were handed a report on the recommendation ahead of a full council vote scheduled for 8 October.

Officers argue the move is intended to tidy up the council’s financial governance arrangements and to avoid duplication of scrutiny functions.

Councillors, however, have expressed unease, describing the proposal as “coming out of the blue” and questioning its timing.

Last year the council established a Budget Advisory Group, giving representatives across the political spectrum a formal channel to influence the annual budgeting process.

Committee chairman Cllr Graham Breeze, a Powys Independent from Welshpool Llanerchyddol and a member of the Governance and Audit Committee, warned that the Finance Panel’s removal could undermine that oversight.

“I have requested that this report is not discussed today and deferred for further review”.

The Governance and Audit Committee met on Friday morning and voiced reservations about the timing and implications of the proposal.

Head of Business Intelligence and Governance Catherine James explained that the recommendation originated from officers seeking to streamline processes while preserving democratic oversight of resource use.

She noted that an external Panel Performance Assessment review conducted in April produced nine recommendations for improvement, one of which targeted the Finance Panel.

The review suggested the council “rationalise” its financial governance by “reviewing the purpose, remit and membership of the Finance Panel and the potential for duplication and confusion with the legitimate functions of the established scrutiny committees.”

Ms James added that the Governance and Audit Committee had examined the review and a corresponding council action plan that morning.

The action plan includes a proviso that the review of the Finance Panel should be completed “no later” than December.

Faced with the looming October deadline, Cllr Breeze moved to defer the decision, citing the need for further scrutiny.

Cllr Gareth E Jones, also a Powys Independent, voiced his support for the postponement and urged that the Budget Advisory Group’s role be codified in the council constitution if it is to continue.

Cllr Pete Lewington, a Conservative representing Newtown West, argued the proposal should not return to the committee until the Governance and Audit Committee had fully examined its implications.

After a brief debate, councillors agreed that the Finance Panel proposal would be withdrawn from the current agenda and revisited “in due course”.

The postponement means the full council will now consider the matter at the 8 October meeting, giving the Governance and Audit Committee time to conduct a thorough review and present its findings.

Stakeholders and residents will be watching closely, as the outcome could reshape how Powys County Council oversees its finances and engages elected representatives in budgetary decisions.