Scrutiny committees question the Cabinet's plans and decisions and can ask them to think again. More in the guide
The Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee met on 15 April 2026 to scrutinise two items: a progress report on Central Transport Services, including fleet management, and progress on the Workforce Strategy 2023-27. For both, the Committee agreed that the Chairperson will write to the relevant Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations. The Committee also agreed to cancel its meeting planned for 6 May 2026.
The minute records no decision on the substance of any item. The committee agreed that the Chair would write to the Cabinet Member with the committee's observations and recommendations.
The committee scrutinised three reports before they go to Cabinet on 19 March: the refreshed Housing Revenue Account business plan and tenant engagement strategy, the proposed purchase of a student accommodation block in Cathays, and the procurement of a contractor for recladding and improvement works at Beech House and Sycamore House. It also endorsed a task and finish report on access to adult social care for older ethnic minority communities for submission to Cabinet. On the first three items, the committee agreed that the Chair would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations.
The committee carried out pre-decision scrutiny of Cabinet's proposals to enter a Development Agreement for a new Core Office building and a Lease Agreement with the Wales Millennium Centre for the Capella Production Studio. Pre-decision scrutiny means the committee examines a proposal before Cabinet decides. The minutes record no decisions, and the committee moved into closed session on both items.
On 12 March 2026 the Environmental Scrutiny Committee examined four proposals before the Cabinet takes its decisions. For each, the committee agreed that the Chair will write to the Cabinet Member with the committee's comments and observations. The minutes record no decision on the proposals themselves.
The Committee scrutinised the draft school admissions policy for 2027/28 before Cabinet considers it on 19 March, and Cardiff's bid to renew its UNICEF Child-Friendly City status. On both, it agreed that the Chair should write to the Cabinet Member with its comments.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations. The minutes record no other decisions.
The minute records members' questions and comments on the budget, including a proposed 3.9% Council Tax rise. The only decision recorded is that the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with the committee's observations and recommendations.
The Committee scrutinised the One Planet Cardiff annual review and its proposed Green Growth Proposition before Cabinet considers them on 26 February 2026. It also examined the draft Corporate Plan 2026-2029 and the draft 2026/27 budget proposals as they relate to its areas. On each of these it agreed that the Chairperson will write to the relevant Cabinet Member with the Committee's comments.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson will write to each Cabinet Member with its comments; no formal recommendation was minuted on the budget overview itself.
The Committee agreed to write to each Cabinet Member with its observations, and the minutes record no other decisions.
Members questioned the Central South Active Partnership about its progress and funding, and began a short review of the council's allotments with officers. Members also approved the terms of reference and membership of a new inquiry into city centre users' daytime experiences.
At its meeting on 20 January 2026, the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee examined five reports ahead of Cabinet on 22 January: school budgets, the Annual Education Performance Report, investment in the education estate, Welsh-medium secondary places, and the St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School move to the Saints Federation. On each, the Committee agreed that the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with its comments and observations. The minutes record no other decisions by the Committee.
The Committee scrutinised four items ahead of Cabinet decisions on 22 January: a proposal to buy more land at Central Quay for council homes, a Migrant Worker Charter for social care, a briefing on Disabled Facilities Adaptations, and a monitoring update on the Responsive Repairs Unit. On all four items the Committee agreed that the Chairperson should write to the Cabinet Member with its observations.
On 14 January 2026 the Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee considered three items: the 2026/27 budget consultation, information governance, and a replacement framework for maintaining non-domestic buildings. On each item the Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations. The minutes record no decisions on the budget, the information governance service or the framework themselves.
On 16 December 2025 the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee examined four Cardiff Council items: a proposed long-term lease of Cardiff Riding School, planning for Euros 2028, the Regeneration Strategy, and an update on the regional Corporate Joint Committee. On the first three it agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member with the Committee's views. It also approved a draft inquiry report on place-based economic interventions.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member with its comments and observations. It also considered a proposal to extend the age range of Ysgol Gymraeg Coed-Y-Gof, where no objections were received, and asked no questions.
On 15 December 2025 the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee examined three reports before the Cabinet (the councillors who lead the council) considers them on 18 December. The reports cover a neurodivergent-friendly strategy for Cardiff, council housing rents and service charges for 2026/27, and proposed consultation on changes to the housing allocation policy. The committee made no decisions on the proposals themselves and agreed that the Chair would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations on each item.
It also heard an update on the proposed Road User Payment Scheme ahead of a Cabinet report. For both items the Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations.
The minute records no decisions beyond agreeing that the Chairperson write to the Cabinet Member with the Committee's observations and recommendations on each item. Members questioned officers on demand, maintenance, levy income and collection, and planning policy, but the minute states the Committee's recommendations only in general terms.
Councillors on the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee, a council committee that checks the work of council services, received three briefings on 17 November 2025: direct payments for care, performance figures for July to September 2025, and winter provision for homeless people, including people with No Recourse to Public Funds. On each item the Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations. The minutes record no other decisions.
The committee scrutinised two items before Cabinet decides on them: the proposed Local Heritage List of pubs, hotels and clubs, and the 2025 Local Air Quality Annual Monitoring Report covering 2024. Scrutiny means councillors examining a proposal in detail before a decision. The minutes record no decision on either item beyond agreeing that the Chairperson should write to the Cabinet Member with the committee's comments.
Scrutiny means councillors who are not in the Cabinet questioning the council's work. On each item, the Committee agreed that the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations, and the minutes record no other decision.