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The committee looked at the budget problems at Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) and agreed to write to the Cabinet Member with its views. It endorsed the Allotments Services short scrutiny report for Cabinet and approved its 2026/27 work programme, including new short scrutiny reviews and a task and finish group on a commemorative plaque scheme. It also noted updates on the regional Corporate Joint Committee and on correspondence, and approved the Scrutiny Annual Report for Full Council.
Apologies had been received from Councillor Green, Councillor Lewis and Councillor Jones. The Chairperson welcomed Councillor Caruana to his first Committee meeting.
Cllr Caruana declared a personal interest on item 5, Allotment Services Short scrutiny, as his father is an Allotment plot holder.
The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 16th June 2026, were approved 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 Committee considered a report setting the context for scrutiny of the budgetary position of the Cardiff International White Water Centre (CIWW), including the reasons for the current budget deficit, asset maintenance arrangements, energy costs and opportunities to improve the Centre's long-term financial sustainability. The Chair welcomed John Wheadon, Centre Manager, Donna Jones, Assistant Director County Estates, and Eirian Jones, Operational Manager Strategic Estates. It was noted that technical difficulties affected the presentation and hard copies were used. Members were advised that CIWW provides a wide range of activities in addition to white water rafting, including tubing, indoor wave activities, climbing, open water swimming, paddle sports and off-site outdoor activities. The Centre serves families, schools, community groups, clubs, universities, corporate customers and visitors, whilst also providing pathways into competitive sport and national governing body programmes. This reflected the wider role of the facility as outlined in the report. The Committee heard that specialist emergency services and water rescue training had become one of the Centre's fastest growing areas. The facility provides a controlled but realistic environment for emergency responders to develop water rescue skills and team coordination. Members were informed that income from specialist training had increased significantly in recent years and that the Centre currently delivers Natural Resources Wales water safety training under contract. In relation to the financial position, officers reported that CIWW generated approximately £1.25 million of income during 2025/26 against an income target of approximately £1.4 million, resulting in a deficit of £241,215. The Committee noted that the report had identified a budget deficit of £226,000 in 2025/26, largely attributable to a shortfall against income targets and an unanticipated conveyor belt repair. Officers outlined four principal challenges affecting the Centre's financial position: • An income target which had increased significantly above historic performance levels. • The failure of the conveyor belt between October 2025 and July 2026, reducing operational capacity and preventing some bookings from taking place. • Increased electricity costs. • The level of Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR) payable by the Centre. Members were informed that the current year's forecast deficit had reduced significantly to approximately £89,000 and that specialist training income continued to grow. In response to a question from Members regarding activities listed on the budget documentation and the Centre's website, the Centre Manager explained that activities varied throughout the year according to seasonal demand and operational capacity. Members were advised that some activities had been introduced since the budget information had been prepared and that future information would be updated to ensure consistency between published information and budget schedules. Responding to questions regarding capacity and income generation, officers stated that current activity levels were approaching some of the busiest periods experienced by the Centre. Increased bookings had been seen from schools, colleges and universities, whilst weekend attendance had improved compared with the previous year. Officers advised that although capacity was reached on some occasions, there remained scope for further growth. When asked about contracts with emergency services, the Committee was informed that, apart from the Natural Resources Wales contract, most emergency services bookings were made on an ad hoc basis, although some organisations booked training up to two years in advance. Members requested additional information explaining the practical impact of increased energy costs, including comparative operating costs over time. Officers agreed to provide further details. Members referred to the original expectations that CIWW would generate income for the Council and enquired about the review of the Centre's NNDR liability. Officers advised that a challenge was being prepared by specialist rating advisers and would be submitted to the Valuation Office Agency. Members were informed that any successful reduction could be backdated and may significantly improve the Centre's financial position. The Committee also explored opportunities to increase income through marketing and the development of additional facilities. Officers advised that they worked closely with Visit Cardiff and undertook a range of marketing activities through social media and promotional campaigns. In relation to future development, Members heard that options were being explored for the installation of an outdoor river surfing wave, which would be unique within the United Kingdom. Members discussed the previous café provision at the Centre. Officers explained that the café had been operated by an external tenant which ceased trading before the Covid-19 pandemic. It was acknowledged that reintroducing café facilities could enhance the visitor offer and generate additional income. During discussion of seasonal demand, officers advised that during quieter winter periods the Centre increased its focus on emergency services training and indoor wave activities to maximise utilisation of the facility. The Committee considered the impact of the conveyor belt failure. Officers explained that the equipment was highly specialised and manufactured overseas, resulting in lengthy lead times for replacement parts. Members were reassured that a spare section of conveyor belt was now available should a similar failure occur in future. In response to questions regarding maintenance arrangements, officers advised that the Centre worked closely with Cardiff Harbour Authority and specialist contractors to undertake inspections and servicing. Members noted that the Council's wider asset management approach was currently focused on reactive maintenance due to financial pressures, as set out within the report. The Chair referred to recommendations arising from the recent Audit Wales report concerning asset condition knowledge and asset management planning. Officers confirmed that they had a clear understanding of the condition of the Centre's infrastructure and that Cardiff Harbour Authority maintained oversight of key assets. Members requested further information on: • Maintenance expenditure and budget allocations. • A breakdown of income generated by individual activities. • Historic and current performance trends for activities and visitor numbers. • Comparative energy consumption and operating costs. The Committee was also updated on the soft market exercise approved by Cabinet in relation to the future operation of CIWW. Officers advised that agents had been appointed but that further due diligence work was being undertaken while monitoring the Centre's improving financial position. The Committee noted that Cabinet had previously approved a soft market exercise to explore external operation and/or disposal options for the facility. 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 endorse the report for submission to Cabinet.
The Committee considered the draft report of the Allotments Services Short Scrutiny and received a briefing from officers on the scrutiny process, key findings and recommendations. The scrutiny had been undertaken through committee evidence sessions, site visits to a range of allotment sites across Cardiff, discussions with allotment holders and representatives, consideration of written submissions and desk-based research. Members were reminded that the draft report and recommendations had previously been circulated for comment and that the meeting provided a final opportunity to propose amendments before submission to Cabinet. The report identified a range of systemic issues affecting allotment services, including staffing pressures, underdeveloped digital systems, limited budgets, tenancy management delays, billing issues, communication concerns and support arrangements for locally managed sites. Members welcomed the report and thanked officers and contributors for their work. It was noted that the scrutiny had highlighted significant and recurring concerns raised by allotment holders across the city. Particular reference was made to ongoing issues relating to maintenance, water supply, communication and responsiveness to service requests, which reinforced the importance of the report's recommendations, especially those relating to performance monitoring and accountability. Members agreed that the report accurately reflected the evidence received during the scrutiny process and contained constructive recommendations to support service improvement. No substantive amendments were proposed. RESOLVED: to endorse the report for submission to Cabinet.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the update on the work of the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee and the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.
The Committee received a report providing an update on the work of the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) and the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC). The report outlined matters considered by the CJC at its meetings in June and July 2026, including governance and staffing matters, performance monitoring, investment and growth funding, the Child Poverty Strategy, and a range of regional economic development initiatives. In presenting the report, the Principal Scrutiny Officer advised that the CJC is the regional partnership covering the ten local authorities of South East Wales and has assumed responsibility for the former City Deal programme, alongside wider strategic functions. It was noted that much of the CJC's current work focuses on investment, economic growth and the delivery of regional priorities, which could have benefits for Cardiff. The Committee was advised that Cardiff Council is represented on the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee by Councillor Wong, with Councillor Owen Jones serving as reserve representative. The Principal Scrutiny Officer reported that the JOSC had not met since the previous update and that its scheduled meeting had been postponed. When convened, the Committee will consider its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year. Members were informed that a working group is being established to undertake detailed scrutiny of the Regional Transport Delivery Plan, focusing on delivery risks, governance arrangements, and monitoring and reporting processes. The Principal Scrutiny Officer emphasised that, while regional scrutiny arrangements are in place through the JOSC, this does not prevent the Committee from scrutinising matters relating to the CJC that have a specific impact on Cardiff. It was noted that relevant CJC-related items were already included within the Committee's work programme. RESOLVED: That the update on the work of the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee and the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED - • That the proposed Work Programme for 2026/27 be approved, subject to the amendment that scrutiny of the Atlantic Wharf item be rescheduled from November to December. • That the proposed joint short scrutinies relating to Cardiff Central Station and Shared Regulatory Services - Tackling Dodgy Shops be agreed in principle, with detailed scopes to be submitted to a future meeting. • That the Innovation short scrutiny and the Playgrounds and Play Areas short scrutiny be approved. • That a Task and Finish Group be established to examine the introduction of a commemorative plaque scheme in Cardiff. • That Councillors James Caruana and Peter Huw Jenkins be appointed to the Task and Finish Group, with officers authorised to seek additional nominations from outside the Committee where appropriate. That the Committee's Forward Work Plan be approved for publication.
The Committee received a report seeking approval of its Work Programme for 2026/27, following two Work Programming Forum meetings held during the summer. Members were advised that the forums had undertaken an initial prioritisation exercise and subsequently reviewed and refined the proposed programme to ensure that the Committee's workload was manageable and appropriately balanced between pre-decision scrutiny, policy development, policy review and other scrutiny activity. The Principal Scrutiny Officer presented the proposed work programme calendar and explained that the different colours shown in Appendix A reflected the various forms of scrutiny activity. Members were reminded of recent recommendations encouraging scrutiny committees to undertake more policy development, policy review and short scrutiny work, alongside traditional pre-decision scrutiny. It was noted that the Committee's proposed programme maintained a balanced approach to scrutiny activity. The Committee was advised that, since publication of the report, a revised Cabinet Forward Plan had been issued. As a result, the proposed pre-decision scrutiny of Atlantic Wharf would move from November to December. It was also noted that a Cabinet response to the Committee's recent scrutiny of the City Centre Strategy did not currently appear on the Forward Plan and officers would pursue an update. Members were informed that a reserve list of policy review items had been included within the work programme to provide flexibility should scheduled items be delayed. Members considered the draft programme and agreed the proposed schedule of committee items and reserve items. The Committee then considered proposals for four short scrutiny reviews. Members were advised that two reviews would be undertaken by the Committee itself, namely: • Innovation; and • Playgrounds and Play Areas. In addition, two joint short scrutinies were proposed: • Cardiff Central Station, to be undertaken jointly with the Environmental Scrutiny Committee; and • Shared Regulatory Services - Tackling Dodgy Shops, to be undertaken jointly with the Environmental Scrutiny Committee and the Community and Adult Services Scrutiny Committee. Members were advised that detailed scopes and terms of reference for the joint reviews were still being finalised and would be submitted to the relevant committees for approval in October. The Committee agreed the proposed joint short scrutinies in principle. In considering the Innovation short scrutiny, Members noted that the review would examine innovation activity linked to the Corporate Joint Committee and governance arrangements associated with innovation activity affecting Cardiff. Members agreed the proposed scope and terms of reference. The Committee also considered the proposed Playgrounds and Play Areas short scrutiny. Members noted that the topic had been identified through engagement undertaken by the Child Friendly Cardiff team and had again emerged as a priority issue for children and young people. It was proposed that site visits be undertaken during the autumn to inform the review and support engagement with children and young people. The Committee agreed the proposed scope and terms of reference. The Committee then considered a proposal from the Chair to establish a Task and Finish Group to examine the introduction of a commemorative plaque scheme in Cardiff. Members were advised that, if approved, the group would develop detailed terms of reference for formal consideration by the Committee at a future meeting. The Committee agreed to establish the Task and Finish Group and received nominations from Councillors James Caruana and Peter Huw Jenkins to serve on the Group. Members also agreed that expressions of interest could be sought from councillors outside the Committee where relevant expertise or experience could contribute to the work. During discussion, Members emphasised the importance of maintaining an equality perspective across all scrutiny activity, including short scrutinies and task and finish work, and agreed that this principle should inform the Committee's future work. RESOLVED - • That the proposed Work Programme for 2026/27 be approved, subject to the amendment that scrutiny of the Atlantic Wharf item be rescheduled from November to December. • That the proposed joint short scrutinies relating to Cardiff Central Station and Shared Regulatory Services - Tackling Dodgy Shops be agreed in principle, with detailed scopes to be submitted to a future meeting. • That the Innovation short scrutiny and the Playgrounds and Play Areas short scrutiny be approved. • That a Task and Finish Group be established to examine the introduction of a commemorative plaque scheme in Cardiff. • That Councillors James Caruana and Peter Huw Jenkins be appointed to the Task and Finish Group, with officers authorised to seek additional nominations from outside the Committee where appropriate. That the Committee's Forward Work Plan be approved for publication.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Annual Report of Scrutiny be approved for submission to Full Council.
The Committee received the Scrutiny Annual Report 2025-26, incorporating the reports previously considered and approved by individual scrutiny committees. Members were advised that the report would be presented to Full Council later in the month and were invited to identify any inaccuracies or amendments, of which there were none. RESOLVED: That the Annual Report of Scrutiny be approved for submission to Full Council.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: to note the report.
The Committee received the correspondence update report. Members noted that a response had been received from Councillor Bridgeman regarding the Committee's pre-decision scrutiny of the Regeneration Strategy 2025-2030, considered in May 2026, and that responses relating to the Committee's scrutiny of GLL Better Leisure service delivery and performance in June 2026 remained outstanding. Officers were continuing to pursue the outstanding responses, together with other responses awaited from previous scrutiny inquiries. RESOLVED: to note the report.
None received.
13th October 2026, 4.30pm.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
Caruana: Personal interest on Allotments Services Short Scrutiny report
His father is an allotment plot holder.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.