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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 5.1 that the Budget Strategy for 2025/26, which included the amendments at paragraph 4.1.5, be approved; 5.2 to approve the Band D Council Tax for 2025/26 of £1,759.07 (an increase of 9.75%) 5.3 the removal of specific savings proposals as identified in paragraph 3.2.7, be approved; 5.4 to approve the Medium Term Financial Plan which will form the basis of future years planning; 5.6 that authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, to make any amendments necessary as a consequence of the WG final settlement due on 25th February 2025.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 6.1 that the five-year Capital Programme and funding as detailed in Appendix A, with 2025/26 being a hard budget and 2026/27 to 2029/30 soft/indicative budgets, be approved; 6.2 that the programme be reviewed, as is usual, if anticipated external or county council funding does not materialise; 6.3 that the Capital Strategy in Appendix C, be approved. 6.4 that Cabinet/County Council delegates authority to the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources to make any amendments necessary as a result of any changes in the WG final settlement due on 25th February 2025
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 7.1 that the Treasury Management Policy and strategy for 2025-26 and recommendations contained therein, be approved; 7.2 that the Treasury Management Indicators, Prudential Indicators, the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement, the Investment Strategy and recommendations contained therein, be approved.
RESOLVED that the 2025/26 Retail Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief scheme outlined in the report be adopted.
RESOLVED TO: 9.1 Support the Carmarthen BID Company Ballot by facilitating the holding of a formal ballot to determine whether the town’s rateable businesses wish to operate the Carmarthen Business Improvement District (BID) for a new five-year term; 9.2 support the principle of the BID and the voting process for its 18 affected rateable properties within the BID zone, with an estimated annual levy charge of £25,422 plus inflation at 2% per annum; 9.3 approve the principle of conducting the BID levy collection as detailed in the Operational Agreement on behalf of the Carmarthen BID Company, at no charge to the BID for the new five-year term; 9.4 Approve and endorse the Statement of Baseline Services: to the BID Company; 9.5 Agree to oversee the BID ballot process on behalf of the Carmarthen BID Company at no fee.
RESOLVED that the updated Road Risk Policy be adopted.
RESOLVED 11.1 that the Welsh Government Corporate Parenting Charter be adopted; 11.2 the implementation of the principles and promises outlined in the Charter across all relevant departments and services within Carmarthenshire County Council be endorsed; 11.3 that the Corporate Parenting Panel oversee the adoption and integration of the Charter's principles.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor P.M. Hughes.
Councillor Minute Number Nature of Interest L.D. Evans 8. 8 - Business Rates - Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme 2025/26 In regard to Appendix A to the report, she declared a personal interest as her sister manages a hairdressing business.
The Chair advised that no questions on notice had been submitted by members.
The Chair advised that no public questions had been received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 5.1 that the Budget Strategy for 2025/26, which included the amendments at paragraph 4.1.5, be approved; 5.2 to approve the Band D Council Tax for 2025/26 of £1,759.07 (an increase of 9.75%) 5.3 the removal of specific savings proposals as identified in paragraph 3.2.7, be approved; 5.4 to approve the Medium Term Financial Plan which will form the basis of future years planning; 5.6 that authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, to make any amendments necessary as a consequence of the WG final settlement due on 25th February 2025.
Cabinet considered a report which brought together the latest proposals for the Revenue Budget 2025/26 with indicative figures for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 financial years. The report summarised the latest budgetary position, providing an update on the budget validation, spending pressures, the Welsh Government final settlement and the responses from the budget consultation. In presenting the report, the Cabinet Member for Resources stated that adopting the proposals detailed in the report would allow the Cabinet to present a fair and balanced budget to County Council, which responded to the views fed back from the consultation process. The implications on the 2025/26 Budget of the latest proposals were set out in the report were: • Proposed Net County Council Budget of £518.623m • Proposed Council Tax increase of 9.75% for 2025/26 – Band D of £1,759.07 The proposed 2025/26 budget assumed no contribution from reserves. It was highlighted that the Medium-Term Financial Plan’s funding growth in respect of 2026/27and 2027/28 would be significantly lower than 2025/26 and therefore did not match the expected expenditure demand, emphasising that significant budget reductions were to be identified. It was reported that over the next 2 years 2026/27 & 2027/28, it was estimated that a total of £20m budget reductions would be required based on an annual 5% Council Tax increase. In highlighting the inherent risks as stated within the strategy, Cabinet was reminded that between December 2024 and January 2025, the budget policy proposals were widely consulted upon successfully receiving over 2,900 responses. In general, the responses demonstrated an appreciation of the challenges, and the difficult choices having to be made. A full appraisal of the consultation responses was included within the report. Considering the feedback received from the consultation, the Cabinet Member for Resources recommended that a number of adjustments to next year's budget be made equating to a total value of nearly half a million pounds. These were outlined in paragraph 3.2.7 of the report, taking account of the consultation process and responds to the feedback from both public and Councillors. Within this figure is included: - the removal of the proposal to close or asset transfer public conveniences, worth £75k next year and a further £50k the year after, recognising the negative response expressed by the public in the budget consultation. - to curtail car parking charges increases, recognising that public comments regarding the important contribution facilities provided in supporting town centre businesses and tourism, as well as the daily impact on residents' lives. - £200k of savings to highways and flood defence budgets, recognising concern from Councillors expressed in the budget seminar and the Place, Sustainability and Climate Change Scrutiny Committee meeting. The report proposed that a £1m recurrent budget should be directed to meet the borrowing costs of future capital schemes. This sum would provide around £11m of funding which could be added to the capital programme going forward, as detailed within paragraph 4.1.5 of the report. Releasing the unallocated pressures funding of £550,000 and allocating £850,000 of contingency would allow Cabinet to present a balanced budget position based on a Council Tax increase of 9.75% to full council. The Cabinet Member for Resources in conclusion stated that adopting the proposals would allow the Cabinet to present a fair and balanced budget to County Council. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 5.1 that the Budget Strategy for 2025/26, which included the amendments at paragraph 4.1.5, be approved; 5.2 to approve the Band D Council Tax for 2025/26 of £1,759.07 (an increase of 9.75%) 5.3 the removal of specific savings proposals as identified in paragraph 3.2.7, be approved; 5.4 to approve the Medium Term Financial Plan which will form the basis of future years planning; 5.6 that authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, to make any amendments necessary as a consequence of the WG final settlement due on 25th February 2025.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 6.1 that the five-year Capital Programme and funding as detailed in Appendix A, with 2025/26 being a hard budget and 2026/27 to 2029/30 soft/indicative budgets, be approved; 6.2 that the programme be reviewed, as is usual, if anticipated external or county council funding does not materialise; 6.3 that the Capital Strategy in Appendix C, be approved. 6.4 that Cabinet/County Council delegates authority to the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources to make any amendments necessary as a result of any changes in the WG final settlement due on 25th February 2025
The Cabinet considered a report which brought together the latest proposals for the five-year capital programme 2025/26 to 2029/30, taking account of the consultation exercise undertaken and the revenue implications arising from the programme. The proposed gross expenditure on the capital programme for 2025/26 is £94.673m with the projected funding being £42.794m from the county council’s own resources through the application of borrowing, reserves, direct revenue financing, capital receipts and general capital grant, with the balance of £51.879m coming from external sources. The new capital programme is fully funded over the five years. The Authority’s capital strategy, required by the prudential code for capital finance in local authorities, has been updated and sets out the long-term context in which capital expenditure and investment decisions are made. It gives due consideration to both risk and reward and impact on the achievement of priority outcomes. The capital strategy covered expenditure on both Council Fund and HRA capital and was included as Appendix C. The Cabinet Member for Resources, in presenting the report, highlighted that despite the rising costs and funding cuts, a significant programme of capital investments had been delivered for the people of Carmarthenshire – in schools, in transport links and infrastructure, as well as cultural and leisure facilities. The new Capital programme included a £188m of investment over the next five years which included: • £44m for commitment to improve our school buildings and children’s homes. • £12m toward Disability Facilities Grant to help transform the quality of life for many people in their own homes • £20m for a new care home at Plas Y Bryn, Cwmgwili - which would save ongoing revenue costs due to the ever-increasing demand and the increasing costs of providing care through the private sector. • £2m investment in improving facilities and to comply with statutory obligations at Burry Port Harbour • £33m for Economic Development projects to boost economic activity • £61m to improve local economic Highways Infrastructure and Recycling Infrastructure • £5m for critical digital IT hardware and infrastructure. The comprehensive detail of the proposed programme is set out in Appendix A to the report. It was reported that the capital strategy was as comprehensive and as wide-ranging as resources would allow and was supported by funding from the Welsh Government, the UK Government, and the council’s own resources. Whilst ambitious it measured responsibly given the current financial constraints and outlook, with the focus on economic stimulation and the provision of high-quality facilities for the residents of Carmarthenshire. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 6.1 that the five-year Capital Programme and funding as detailed in Appendix A, with 2025/26 being a hard budget and 2026/27 to 2029/30 soft/indicative budgets, be approved; 6.2 that the programme be reviewed, as is usual, if anticipated external or county council funding does not materialise; 6.3 that the Capital Strategy in Appendix C, be approved. 6.4 that Cabinet/County Council delegates authority to the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chief Executive, Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources to make any amendments necessary as a result of any changes in the WG final settlement due on 25th February 2025
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 7.1 that the Treasury Management Policy and strategy for 2025-26 and recommendations contained therein, be approved; 7.2 that the Treasury Management Indicators, Prudential Indicators, the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement, the Investment Strategy and recommendations contained therein, be approved.
Cabinet was reminded that as part of the requirements of the revised CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management, the Council had agreed to maintain a Treasury Management Policy detailing the policies and objectives of the Authority’s treasury management activities and to also approve a Treasury Management Strategy annually before the start of the financial year to which it related. In addition, under the Local Government Act 2003, the Council was required to approve the Treasury Management Indicators for the coming year. In accordance with the above requirements, the Cabinet considered the Council's Treasury Management Policy and Strategy for the 2025-26 financial year prior to its formal submission to Council for final adoption. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL 7.1 that the Treasury Management Policy and strategy for 2025-26 and recommendations contained therein, be approved; 7.2 that the Treasury Management Indicators, Prudential Indicators, the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement, the Investment Strategy and recommendations contained therein, be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the 2025/26 Retail Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief scheme outlined in the report be adopted.
[Note: Prior to the consideration of this item, Councillor Linda Evans declared a personal interest and left the Chamber.] The Cabinet received a report on the Business Rates – Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme 2025/26 which sought the adoption of the scheme being made available to billing authorities by the Welsh Government for 2025/26. The Welsh Government would provide grant funding to the 22 local authorities in Wales to provide the Retail, Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief scheme to eligible ratepayers for 2025-26. The scheme aimed to provide support for eligible occupied properties by offering a discount of 40% on the non-domestic rates bill for a property, to all eligible premises. Furthermore, Relief would be granted to each eligible business as a reduction to its rates bill, based on occupation between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2026. Welsh Government had indicated the types of business that they considered appropriate for this relief, and those which were not. The non-exhaustive list of business types was provided in Appendix A to the report. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the 2025/26 Retail Leisure and Hospitality Rates Relief scheme outlined in the report be adopted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED TO: 9.1 Support the Carmarthen BID Company Ballot by facilitating the holding of a formal ballot to determine whether the town’s rateable businesses wish to operate the Carmarthen Business Improvement District (BID) for a new five-year term; 9.2 support the principle of the BID and the voting process for its 18 affected rateable properties within the BID zone, with an estimated annual levy charge of £25,422 plus inflation at 2% per annum; 9.3 approve the principle of conducting the BID levy collection as detailed in the Operational Agreement on behalf of the Carmarthen BID Company, at no charge to the BID for the new five-year term; 9.4 Approve and endorse the Statement of Baseline Services: to the BID Company; 9.5 Agree to oversee the BID ballot process on behalf of the Carmarthen BID Company at no fee.
The Cabinet received a report on the Carmarthen Business Improvement District (BID) – New Ballot for consideration. It was highlighted that the Carmarthen BID had instructed a ballot process for their second term on 27th February 2025. The report detailed the Carmarthen Business Improvement District (BID) initiative and the proposal for a new ballot. It sought to consider support for the proposed Carmarthen BID for a new five-year term, during which, if supported, a levy would be implemented to generate substantial funds for investment in projects and services that would benefit businesses within the designated area. It was proposed that the Cabinet support in principle the positive response to the BID by accepting all recommendations within the report, with exception of the approval to appoint a member representative to service on the BID Company. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED TO: 9.1 Support the Carmarthen BID Company Ballot by facilitating the holding of a formal ballot to determine whether the town’s rateable businesses wish to operate the Carmarthen Business Improvement District (BID) for a new five-year term; 9.2 support the principle of the BID and the voting process for its 18 affected rateable properties within the BID zone, with an estimated annual levy charge of £25,422 plus inflation at 2% per annum; 9.3 approve the principle of conducting the BID levy collection as detailed in the Operational Agreement on behalf of the Carmarthen BID Company, at no charge to the BID for the new five-year term; 9.4 Approve and endorse the Statement of Baseline Services: to the BID Company; 9.5 Agree to oversee the BID ballot process on behalf of the Carmarthen BID Company at no fee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the updated Road Risk Policy be adopted.
The Cabinet received an updated Road Risk Policy. The Policy was a legal requirement and held a high standard of the management of health and safety to minimise the risks to employees and others, arising from the use of motor vehicles. The aim of this policy was to raise awareness of occupational road risks within the Council and to reduce the associated risks to employees, Elected Members, the public, and the Council to an acceptable level. A Driver Handbook accompanied the policy which was an operational document stipulating the requirements from every driver and would be rolled out via the Operational Training Team and Service Managers. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the updated Road Risk Policy be adopted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED 11.1 that the Welsh Government Corporate Parenting Charter be adopted; 11.2 the implementation of the principles and promises outlined in the Charter across all relevant departments and services within Carmarthenshire County Council be endorsed; 11.3 that the Corporate Parenting Panel oversee the adoption and integration of the Charter's principles.
The Cabinet considered a report which proposed to adopt the Welsh Government Corporate Parenting Charter which aimed to enhance the support and services provided to care-experienced children and young people in the County. The Welsh Government Corporate Parenting Charter outlined a set of principles and promised that public bodies, including local authorities, should adopt to support care-experienced children and young people. The Charter aims to ensure that these children and young people have the same life chances as their peers by promoting equality, eradicating stigma, and providing comprehensive support. It was acknowledged that by adopting the Charter a coordinated effort across various departments and services within the Council would be required. Challenges could include aligning existing policies and practices with the Charter's principles, ensuring staff training and awareness, and securing the necessary resources to implement the Charter effectively. UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED 11.1 that the Welsh Government Corporate Parenting Charter be adopted; 11.2 the implementation of the principles and promises outlined in the Charter across all relevant departments and services within Carmarthenshire County Council be endorsed; 11.3 that the Corporate Parenting Panel oversee the adoption and integration of the Charter's principles.
The Chair advised that there were no items of urgent business.
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.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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