Scrutiny committees question the Cabinet's plans and decisions and can ask them to think again. More in the guide
On 15 October 2024 the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee considered three Cabinet reports: the Shared Prosperity Fund, a further loan for the Park House heritage building, and the Atlantic Wharf project. For each Cabinet report, the Committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations. The minutes do not record the Cabinet's own decisions.
The Committee scrutinised two Cabinet reports before decisions were made: the replacement frameworks for council property maintenance and disabled adaptations, and the annual report on Adult Services. The minutes record no decisions on the proposals themselves. The Committee agreed that the Chair would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations on both items.
The Committee reviewed two items ahead of Cabinet decisions on 17 October 2024: the Local Development Plan Annual Monitoring Report and the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Road Map. Members raised questions on housing, jobs, traffic, parking and charging points. For both items, the Committee agreed that the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with the Committee's observations and recommendations.
The committee scrutinised the Council's month 4 budget monitoring for 2024/25 before a Cabinet report on it is considered next week. The month 4 revenue overspend was £8.865m, and the committee agreed that the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations.
Cancelled
The Committee scrutinised a Cabinet report on increasing accommodation to help meet the council's housing emergency, including three open-market options for 280 units for single people. Members questioned placements outside Cardiff, the impact on current residents, and safeguards in case a purchase falls through. The Committee also agreed its draft work programme for 2024/25, and agreed that the Chair would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations, which the minute does not record.
Cancelled
Pre-decision scrutiny means councillors examine a report before the decision-maker considers it. The committee also discussed its work programme for 2024/25, and agreed that the Chair would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations on both reports.
It also agreed its work programme for 2024/25. It formally agreed to start an inquiry into additional learning needs and task and finish groups on education other than at school.
The Committee scrutinised the draft Football Facilities Strategic Framework before the Cabinet decides on it, and agreed that the Chair will write to the Cabinet Member with the Committee's observations and recommendations. It also agreed the draft Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 for Full Council and noted how its 2024-25 work programme will be developed.
The Committee agreed that the Chairperson write to the Cabinet Member on the property and budget items, supported moving Wolf's Castle, Llanishen, into the Housing Revenue Account, and agreed how it will set its work programme.
On 15 July 2024 the Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee examined two reports before they go to Cabinet: a proposed rise in the maximum weekly charge for non-residential social care, and the Adults, Housing & Communities delivery plan for 2024/25. The Committee made no decision on either report. It agreed that the Chair would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations.
This was a pre-decision item, so the committee examined it before the Cabinet makes a decision. The committee agreed that the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations. The committee also received the Scrutiny Annual Report 2023/24 and asked for no changes to it.
Cancelled
The Committee carried out pre-decision scrutiny of proposals for more than 100 places for children and young people with additional learning needs (ALN) across several schools, ahead of Cabinet on 20 June 2024. Only one objection had been received, and the Committee resolved that the Chair write to the Cabinet Member with its comments. Pre-decision scrutiny means councillors examine a proposal before the body that makes the decision considers it.
On both items the Committee resolved only that the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member with its comments, and no other decision is recorded.
It carried out the first annual check on the Workforce Strategy 2023-27 and gave pre-decision scrutiny, which means it reviewed a report before Cabinet decides, on an update to Cabinet about City Hall maintenance, funding for later works and the core office strategy. The Committee agreed that its Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member on both items.
The committee scrutinised progress on the Music Strategy and preparations for the Cardiff Music City Festival, due this autumn. It also considered a report proposing to protect 11 parks and open spaces from future development through Fields in Trust, a protection that keeps land for outdoor use. The committee agreed that the Chairperson would write to the Cabinet Member on both items with its observations and recommendations.
Pre-decision scrutiny means a committee examines a proposal before the decision is taken.
The Committee scrutinised the council's Quarter 4 performance for January to March 2024 across adult social services, housing and communities. It also considered progress on the housing emergency declared in December 2023 and the proposals to address it. For both items, the Committee agreed that the Chair would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations.
Members asked questions about public transport capacity, park and ride, parking and protests. The Committee agreed that the Chairperson should write to the Cabinet Member on its behalf with any comments, observations and recommendations.
The committee scrutinised the council's leisure centre partnership with GLL and progress on Audit Wales recommendations on leisure services. It also held the first part of a short scrutiny of employment services, covering Cardiff Commitment, Into Work and the council's apprenticeship and trainee programme. The minute records one decision: the Chairperson will write to the Cabinet Member with the committee's observations and recommendations.
The meeting also noted an update on the Shared Regulatory Services and a draft annual scrutiny report. The only decision recorded is that the Chairperson will write to Race to Cardiff with the Committee's comments.