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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 and 16 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED: · To note the agreed Committee dates for the forthcoming year To agree the work programming approach as outlined by the Chairperson.
Noted
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Bowen-Thomson and Ash-Edwards
None received.
The minutes of the meeting held on 7 May 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.
Decision as recorded
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Chairperson advised Members that the Committee’s Terms of Reference confer responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the Council’s use of human resources. This item provided Members with an opportunity for pre-decision scrutiny of proposed modifications to senior management arrangements to deliver the Council’s Stronger, Fairer Greener policy agenda. Following the meeting, Members would be invited to inform both Cabinet and the consultation process of their comments and observations. This Committee is a part of a consultation process the Chief Executive is undertaking on the proposals, with individuals and Trade Unions, prior to final proposals being considered by Cabinet on 18 September 2025. For this item the Chairperson welcomed Councillor Chris Weaver, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance and Paul Orders, Chief Executive. The Cabinet Member and Chief Executive were invited to make opening statements after which Members were provided with a presentation. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. The Committee acknowledged the rationale for streamlining senior management and supported the Chief Executive’s authority in revising the structure. Members reviewed the need for expansion and accepted that further reductions in senior posts were not viable. They recognised that the proposed increase in senior capacity was necessary to deliver the scale of organisational change underway. Any rise in senior management costs would be followed by a review of operational management to identify savings. The importance of clear and sensitive communication with middle and junior management was stressed, given the pressures on these tiers. It was agreed that transparent messaging on costs would be essential when presenting to Full Council, and that external communications should be carefully managed to avoid media misinterpretation. Members were reassured that the Council had budgeted prudently for increased National Insurance costs, with 85% funding expected from the Welsh Government. Clarification was provided on key roles: - Assistant Director, Development & Regeneration - will oversee partnerships and the HRA capital programme. - Assistant Director, Planning & Transport - will manage planning functions and transport policy. - Director of Frontline Services - will be responsible for waste, recycling, highways, parks, and bereavement services, with a noted need for better coordination across these areas. Members heard that the feasibility of a three Corporate Director model was considered but rejected due to the pressure it would place on combined portfolios. The Committee supported alignment with future Welsh Government strategies and noted that the structure supports City Region planning, despite no current plans for local government reorganisation. Changes to the Planning, Transport & Environment Directorate were seen as improving alignment across Economic Development, Housing, and County Estates, while addressing pressures in Planning and Transport. The creation of an Assistant Director, City Development role—50% funded by Cardiff City Region (CCR)—was noted. Members requested more information on similar part-funded roles and potential conflicts of interest. The Committee welcomed the inclusive consultation process and viewed the proposals as a rationalisation rather than a major restructure. They requested clarity on customer-facing impacts and an update on the change programme in the 2025/26 work plan, along with an evaluation of outcomes. Officers advised that the potential transfer of school estate maintenance from Education to the Development and Growth Directorate is under review. Members were advised that the two new Director roles will be filled through open recruitment. One Assistant Director role may be matched internally. No significant negative impacts are expected, and the changes are anticipated to improve coordination of equalities policy work. Members were further advised that an assessment is available in the published Single Impact Assessment. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 and 16 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
The Chairperson advised that this item provided Members with an opportunity for pre-decision scrutiny of the Council’s budget outturn position for 2024/25. Members were reminded that Appendix 7 was confidential and any questions related to the information in that appendix should be retained for the closed session. For this item, the Chairperson welcomed Councillor Chris Weaver, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance; Chris Lee, Corporate Director Resources and Ian Allwood, Head of Finance. The Cabinet Member was invited to make an opening statement after which Members were provided with a presentation from Officers. The Chairperson invited questions and comments from Members. Members acknowledged the delivery of a balanced budget and examined whether accountancy flexibilities or creative accounting had been used. While most savings were achieved, some targets were missed due to delays, prompting calls for more realistic budgeting. Officers confirmed contingency planning was in place, and the report demonstrated transparency in budget movements and pressures. Strong macro-financial management was maintained, with Finance working closely with services. The Month 4 monitoring report was noted as forthcoming, and ongoing financial oversight was deemed essential for meeting the 2025/26 budget. Members noted that unpredictable Welsh Government grant timings complicated planning, with year-end grants—often from underspends—posing challenges despite being welcomed. Members recognised that Government officials also faced similar constraints. Members heard that no reserves were used in 2024/25 for Education, Children’s Services, Adult Services, or Housing, thanks to grants and underspends. A late Housing grant and prudent Children’s Services management preserved £500,000 in reserves. Officers confirmed annual budget priority reviews, and Members were interested in the innovative uses of surplus HRA funds, especially for youth support. Members were informed that Education overspends were driven by rising costs in home-school transport, out-of-county placements, and ALN support. Despite reviewed eligibility criteria, the focus remained on children’s needs. These pressures were seen as Wales-wide, and lobbying efforts to the Welsh Government were welcomed. Concerns were raised about value for money in private school placements for children with learning needs. Officers assured oversight existed, though market competition and demand posed challenges. Members were pleased to hear that improved council tax collection aided budget balancing, attributed to faster processes and better rates. Members praised the sharing of best practices, despite challenges from the city’s fluid population. Members sought clarity on the financial impact of St David’s Hall and City Hall closures, noting their cost. Further details on closure reasons, timelines, and income recovery plans were requested from Economic Development. Members questioned income targets for parking enforcement, given its deterrent purpose. Officers clarified the income was ring-fenced for transport services and didn’t contribute to the 2024/25 budget balance. Further clarification was requested on the rationale behind such targets. RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 and 16 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item. AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: · To note the agreed Committee dates for the forthcoming year To agree the work programming approach as outlined by the Chairperson.
Committee Members were asked to note the agreed committee dates listed in the report for this item. The Chairperson explained that over the summer Committee will be drafting its work programme for the forthcoming year so that it can be brought back to committee in September for formal discussion and agreement. The Principal Scrutiny Officer was in the process of identifying potential work programme items for consideration and prioritisation. The Chairperson proposed that once that list is complete, he would circulate it and arrange for Members to express their priorities, with a focus on where scrutiny can have most impact and help to deliver improved performance. The draft prioritised list would then form part of the committee papers in September. Members were asked if they were content with the approach, which had worked well for the past few years. RESOLVED: · To note the agreed Committee dates for the forthcoming year To agree the work programming approach as outlined by the Chairperson.
None received.
5.30pm on Wednesday 2 July 2025.
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