COUNCILLORS appointed to outside bodies could be expected to make an official report back at least once a year.

The report would explain what work is being done by other bodies with links to Powys County Council (PCC).

PCC’s Democratic Services committee has recommended that the full council agree that councillors produce one joint-annual report that will be discussed at a meeting, before the annual general meeting.

Committee chairman, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru – Glantwymyn) said: “There are a number of organisations that councillors are on and the thrust of this is basically how do they report and share the information?”

Scrutiny manager, Wyn Richards, explained: “I have had a query from a member recently, we put people onto these outside bodies and we don’t hear anything back in council.

“There are provision in the constitution for feedback and questions can be asked of members who are on the Fire Authority, Police and Crime Panel and National Parks.

“So this would tie all that together.”

Mr Richards added: “We need the information to know if that body is relevant to us as an authority and to make an appointment?

“Is there something we should have people on where we’re not represented and we should, and are we missing a trick?

“It’s abut having an understanding of what’s going on and what sort of priorities and views have they?”

Mr Richards said that the working group that had looked at the issue suggested that all councillors on working bodies should collaborate and produce one joint annual report.

The report would be included in news bulletins for councillors

Cllr David Evans, (Independent – Nantmel) is on the Police and Crime Panel.

He said “We used to report to the shire committees I asked for comments last year when the police precept was being set and I received very few.

“But, I agree we should have a system where we report back and say it’s a waste of time or a jolly good thing.”

Montgomeryshire, Brecknockshire and Radnorshire, the old historic shires of Powys, had separate committees which were made up of the county councillors from each one but these were abolished in 2018 to save money.

Cllr Roger Williams, (Liberal Democrat – Felinfach) believed that there should be a distinction made between outside bodies such as the Police and Crime Panel which do levy a precept which goes on top of the Council Tax, and others.

Committee chairman, Cllr Elwyn Vaughan (Plaid Cymru – Glantwymyn) believed the reports could be discussed at the annual general meeting which takes place in May, when many of the councillors are appointed to outside bodies.

Head of legal services, Clive Pinney said: “Perhaps not at the AGM but the meeting before it.”

The recommendation will go to a future meeting of the full council.