Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED that they had considered the content of the report and the remaining recommendations; the Committee did not propose any additional recommendations.
Councillor Carl Worrall apologised for his inability to attend the meeting. Councillor Catrin M S Davies, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Customer Services; apologised for her inability to attend the meeting due to other Council Business.
There were no disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests (including whipping declarations) from Committee Members.
None
Decision as recorded
AGREED that they had considered the content of the report and the remaining recommendations; the Committee did not propose any additional recommendations.
Each Overview and Scrutiny Committee were asked to consider the draft 2026/27 Budget report presented to Cabinet on 13 January 2026. The Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 03.02.2026 at 1.30pm. Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council and Councillor Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement presented the draft budget report for 2026/2027 to the Committee providing an overview of the funding settlement, key budget pressures, the proposed Council Tax increase, the Capital Programme and the significant gap between aspirations and available funding, financial resilience and identified risks. It was also noted that communication was received on the Friday of last week, noting that Ceredigion County Council would receive a grant of £38k towards the cost of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service levy. This would result in a decrease of 0.05% to the overall Council Tax. It was also noted that demographic changes including an ageing population and declining pupil numbers were having a significant impact upon the primary schools in Ceredigion which would also impact secondary schools in due course. The Leader of the Council stated that Welsh Government (WG) announced the 26/27 Local Government Provisional Settlement on 24/11/25, which initially gave Ceredigion a funding increase of 2.3%, via a funding floor. However, this was then superseded by the WG and Plaid Cymru Budget Agreement announced on 09/12/25. The updated position means that Ceredigion will now receive a 4.1% funding increase for 26/27 in total worth c£6m. The Leader stated that although he was pleased and grateful for the funding increase provided by Welsh Government, Ceredigion County Council are receiving the lowest settlement. This is considered to be due to the Welsh Government funding formula. He said he had written to the Minister expressing concerns listing the numerous challenges faced by the Authority and will continue to lobby as and when appropriate to do so. Members were also reminded of the Council’s legal obligation, a duty which falls on all Members, to set a Budget before 11th March of each year for the following year. Duncan Hall, Executive Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement advised Committee Members that Welsh pubs, restaurants, cafes and live music venues will see a discount to their business rates of 15% for one year, the Welsh Government has today announced. Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford's decision follows similar action taken in England to ease the tax burden on hospitality firms. Duncan Hall, Executive Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement also confirmed the Welsh Government Final Settlement had resulted in a small change, with an additional £6k which would need to be reflected in the figures for the report to Cabinet on 10/02/26. · Employee Pay awards are always a key budget variable, not determined by the Authority. For 26/27 pay awards are assumed to fall back and are estimated to cost c£4.1m. Unions have submitted a pay claim for 26/27 of £3,000 or 10% for every spinal point, 2 hours reduction in working hours per week and 1 additional annual leave day per year. As this point in time no National Employers’ offer had been made. · The largest Budget Reduction / Saving of c£1.6m was due to a reduction in the Employers Contribution rate in relation to the Dyfed Pension Fund. He advised that the latest triennial valuation undertaken by an independent actuary showed that the Ceredigion share of the Pension Fund had assets of c£559m and liabilities of c£429m, thereby meaning there was a surplus of c£130m or 30%. This position meant the Employers Contribution rate could reduce from 14.6% to 12.5% for the next 3-year period. Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions. The main points raised were as follows: • A request for clarity upon the increase to the Leadership Group budget line. It was confirmed that there has been a £120,000 reduction to the Leadership Team management cost, as approved by Council in July 2025, with the wider context being that the number of officers in the senior management team had now reduced from 22 to 14 over the last decade or so. The Leadership Group budget also held the Council wide corporate risk for the 25/26 Budget setting assumption for Employers National Insurance where income from the Welsh Government had previously been assumed, now replaced by funding transferred into the 26/27 Settlement. . Member’s requested clarification in terms of the Capital Projects, specifically plans to build an extension at Aberaeron, Rhydypennau and Penparc Primary Schools. Officers noted that a 9-year Strategic Outline Plan (SOP) had been submitted to the Welsh Government, and that the proposals for Aberaeron, Rhydypennau and Penparc Primary Schools were included in the second of the 3-year terms. It was also noted that there were several strategic capital ambitions which would require match funding including a proposed Coast Protection scheme for Aberystwyth, Education aspirations and Lampeter Farm and wider campus related plans. • It was confirmed that maintaining general balances are essential should any emergency situations arise and that is it expected that General Balances are between 3% and 5%. To fall below that level could start undermining the Council’s sound financial management position with Audit Wales. • A Member asked whether the empty homes premium is likely to be reduced in the next financial year. It was confirmed that no substantial change is expected but that a greater level of change was being seen on Long Term Empty Properties and less so on Second Homes and this information was reported on a quarterly basis. • Members raised concerns regarding the high number of empty properties in the County. Officers assured the Committee that empty homes are included in the Asset Development Programme. A report is due to be considered by the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the 16th of February 2026 that will provide further information. • Russell Hughes-Pickering, Corporate Lead Officer, Economy and Regeneration, confirmed that costings had been received on work that needs undertaking to the Authority’s County Farms, with a programme of works in progress. • Following a question, it was confirmed that Penweddig PFI will be ending in December 2030 and that there is an internal Project Group in place to manage the transition. • A Member requested information on what had happened to a sum of £35,000 that had been put aside for relocation of Lampeter Library during the previous financial year. Councillor Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member, confirmed that as this scheme will no longer progress, this sum had been allocated to the Library Services and that the 2024/25 decision had been reversed by Cabinet in the 2025/26 budget process. • It was confirmed that the income generation target for the Estates Service was £1.1 million for 25/26 and it was estimated that £1.07 million will be achieved. It is hoped that during the next 5 years this will increase slightly but it was highlighted that there are a number of challenges and examples were given regarding downward rent reviews and properties needing investment. Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following recommendations: For the respective Services that are within the remit of this Overview and Scrutiny Committee: 1. To consider: a) the overall draft 26/27 Budget position. b) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Movements. c) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Cost Pressures. d) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Reductions Proposals. e) the relevant elements of the Fees & Charges proposals. f) the relevant elements of the Multi-year Capital Programme. g) the Budget Engagement Feedback report. 2. To consider the proposal recommended by Cabinet on 13/01/26: a) A draft 26/27 Budget Requirement of £221.493m, resulting in a Council Tax increase (for the Ceredigion County Council component) of £7.47 per month for a Band D property (4.75%). b) month for a Band D property (4.75%). (Noting that Ceredigion County Council would receive a grant of £38k towards the cost of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service levy. This would result in a decrease of 0.05% to the overall Council Tax, increase of £7.39 per month for a Band D property (4.7%). 3. To make recommendation(s) for Cabinet to consider on 10/02/26, as the Committee deems appropriate, in relation to the Budget. Committee’s recommendation: 1. Following discussion, Committee Members AGREED that they had considered the content of the report and the remaining recommendations; the Committee did not propose any additional recommendations.
It was AGREED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8th December 2025. Matters arising: None.
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.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.