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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 approve the Annual Governance Statement 2024-25.
RESOLVED to approve the Council’s Statement of Accounts and the Harbour Statement of Accounts.
RESOLVED to approve the draft revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (‘RIPA’) Part II Directed Surveillance, Covert Human Intelligence Sources and Communications Data Corporate Policy and Procedures Document.
RESOLVED to 1. Appoint Lawrence Martin (Trading Standards and Licensing Manager), as the Council' Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, pursuant to Section 72 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985. • Authorise the following Legal Services roles: i) To undertake reserved legal and instrument activities (pursuant to Legal Services Act 2007, and ii) to conduct legal proceedings (pursuant to S223 Local Government Act 1972): - Legal Executive(s); - Paralegal(s); - Temporary Paralegal; - Law Clerk; and - Graduate Trainee.
RESOLVED to: 1) Approve the changes to the Constitution (Appendix 1-3) 2) Authorise the Monitoring Officer to update the Council’s Constitution .
Councillors Clive Davies, Ifan Davies and Caryl Roberts apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.
Councillor Keith Henson declared a personal interest in relation to item 6c below.
The Chair of the Council congratulated the following: a) Aberystwyth Ceredigion on receiving the UNESCO City of Literature status; b) Josh Tarling from Ffosyffin on winning the gold medal in the points race and the silver medal in the Madison at the World Track Championships held in Chile in October. Josh is the first British man since 2016 to win the title in the points race; c) Dame Elan Closs Stephens on being appointed the President for the Learned Society of Wales; d) Ysgol Gynradd Gymunedol Plascrug on winning the Uniting for Environmental Impact Award in the Tidy Wales Awards 2025; e) Cyngor Sir Ceredigion Catering Team on being nominated and reaching the short-list in the Wales Food and Fun awards; f) All those that took part in the Gŵyl Gerdd Dant which was held in Aberystwyth recently, and in the Wales Young Farmers’ Eisteddfod which was held on 15 November 2025; g) Darren and Samantha Davies from the Llandygwydd Bowling Club on representing Wales in an international competition held in Solihull; h) Keith and Eirlys Evans on celebrating 54 years of marriage.
It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 23 October 2025, subject to an amendment to the wording in item 6. Matters arising There were no matters arising from the minutes.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2024-25.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to Council, outlining the statutory requirements and noting that Members of the Governance and Audit Committee had considered the report in detail during the meeting held earlier that day, recommending the Annual Governance Statement for approval by Council. Following a vote, the Council RESOLVED to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2024-25.
Lucy Evans, of Audit Wales presented the report in respect of the Council’s Statement of Accounts for 2024-25, noting that it is their intention to issue an unqualified audit opinion on the year’s account subject to the Council’s decision, and receipt of a letter of representation. She provided a summary of the key findings noting that there are no uncorrected errors as any misstatements had been amended during the review, as outlined in appendix 2, and that they have no overall effect on the final statement. She noted that issues highlighted during the previous year had been addressed and that there had been no reoccurrence of this; however, Audit Wales did note that improvements were required in terms of monitoring the output of an external supplier which had led to a delay of 16 days. This had resulted in an adjustment to the Capital Reserves which did not affect the bottom line as it was reversed out later in the statement. Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council noted that he would be following up on this matter to ensure that there was not repetition in the future.
Mr Alan Davies, Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee presented feedback from the Committee held earlier that day. He noted that he was pleased to note that Audit Wales had presented an unqualified report and congratulated the whole team upon this achievement. He noted that Lucy Evans of Audit Wales had already referenced the matter relating to Estates, and that the Governance and Audit Committee had been satisfied with the agreed remedial measures, to notify Members of any potential concerns at an earlier stage. The Governance and Audit Committee had also proposed that the Overview and Scrutiny Thriving Communities Committee may wish to consider including a review the process within their Forward Work Programme.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the Council’s Statement of Accounts and the Harbour Statement of Accounts.
Councillor Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement Services presented the report to Council noting that it had been reported that Ceredigion County Council’s balance sheet was strong and resilient and that the Council’s budgets were well managed. He noted that he was also pleased to confirm an underspend of £310k, which was exceptional considering the cost pressures during the year. This has brought the reserves back to £7m, which falls between the 3–5% limit. He noted that this was a technical report, and thanked Audit Wales for their commitment, he thanked the Section 151 Officer for his hard work ensuring an unqualified report and he thanked the Leadership Group and all members of Team Ceredigion who are responsible for managing their own budgets. Following discussion, it was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the Council’s Statement of Accounts and the Harbour Statement of Accounts.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the draft revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (‘RIPA’) Part II Directed Surveillance, Covert Human Intelligence Sources and Communications Data Corporate Policy and Procedures Document.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to Council outlining the proposed amendments to the RIPA Policy, in order to ensure that the policy remains current with legislation, codes and guidance. Councillor Wyn Evans, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee noted that the Committee had considered the updates during its meeting held on 22 October 2025 and agreed to recommend that Council approve the draft amended policy. Following a vote, it was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the draft revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (‘RIPA’) Part II Directed Surveillance, Covert Human Intelligence Sources and Communications Data Corporate Policy and Procedures Document.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to 1. Appoint Lawrence Martin (Trading Standards and Licensing Manager), as the Council' Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, pursuant to Section 72 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985. • Authorise the following Legal Services roles: i) To undertake reserved legal and instrument activities (pursuant to Legal Services Act 2007, and ii) to conduct legal proceedings (pursuant to S223 Local Government Act 1972): - Legal Executive(s); - Paralegal(s); - Temporary Paralegal; - Law Clerk; and - Graduate Trainee.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to Council outlining the statutory requirements relating the Section 72 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985 and the Legal Services Act 2007. He noted that the Council had appointed an interim Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures on 17 July 2025, and that following appointment to the role of Trading Standards and Licensing Manager in August 2025 that it was now appropriate to appoint Lawrence Martin as the Council’s Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures. In addition to this, he noted that an update of officer authorisations was required in order that Legal Executives, Paralegals, Law Clerks and a Graduate Trainee are properly authorised to carry out reserved legal activities. Following a vote, it was RESOLVED to 1. Appoint Lawrence Martin (Trading Standards and Licensing Manager), as the Council' Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures, pursuant to Section 72 of the Weights and Measures Act 1985. • Authorise the following Legal Services roles: i) To undertake reserved legal and instrument activities (pursuant to Legal Services Act 2007, and ii) to conduct legal proceedings (pursuant to S223 Local Government Act 1972): - Legal Executive(s); - Paralegal(s); - Temporary Paralegal; - Law Clerk; and - Graduate Trainee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: 1) Approve the changes to the Constitution (Appendix 1-3) 2) Authorise the Monitoring Officer to update the Council’s Constitution .
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to Council outlining the proposed changes to the Constitution which included an amendment to the delegations for the Corporate Lead Officer: Legal and Governance; delegations to the Corporate Lead Officer: Policy, Performance and Public Protection relating to the addition of the Health Impact Assessment (Wales) Regulations 2025; an update to the Organisational Chart; and an update to job titles for Executive Corporate Director and Executive Corporate Lead Officers. Following a vote it was RESOLVED to: 1) Approve the changes to the Constitution (Appendix 1-3) 2) Authorise the Monitoring Officer to update the Council’s Constitution .
Councillor Alun Williams, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Through Age Wellbeing presented the report to Council noting that this was a significant piece of work which outlines the whole breadth of the services that fall within the responsibility of the team. He noted that Through Age Wellbeing accounted for a third of the Council’s overall budget, acknowledging the challenges that face all local authorities in Wales in looking after the most vulnerable people in our community. Councillor Alun Williams noted that the Care Inspectorate Wales report for 2024-25 had highlighted the strong foundation and clear trajectory for improvement embedded within Ceredigion and that leadership was both visible and responsive, fostering a culture of well-being and professional growth. He thanked Audrey Somerton Edwards and the Through Age Wellbeing Team for their essential work and the resilience of the front-line staff. Councillor Ceris Jones, Chair of the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted that the report had been considered by the Committee at its meeting held on 24 October 2025 and recommended for approval by Council. The content of the report was noted by Council.
Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, Policy, Performance and People and Organisation presented the report to Council noting that the report demonstrates the amount of work carried out by the Members of Overview and Scrutiny and the support provided by the Scrutiny Officers. He highlighted the importance of the scrutiny role and thanked the Chairs and Vice-chairs for the advice and recommendations that they had provided to Cabinet. Councillor Wyn Evans, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee reiterated the importance of work carried out by scrutiny, noting that in a democratic system it is essential that scrutiny is both robust and timely. He thanked officers for their support and for providing reports and he confirmed that during the previous meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee, the Members has noted that they were happy with the content and the revised format. The information contained within the report and the volume of work undertaken during 2024/2025 was noted by Council.
Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, Policy, Performance and People and Organisation noted that there was no report relating to this item as information had only just been received. He noted that the proposed Welsh Government Settlement for Ceredigion showed an increase of 2.3% compared to other authorities who were due to receive increases of up to 4.3%. He noted that the deficit and increased costs would have a significant impact upon the Council Tax for Ceredigion residents estimated to be circa 9%, however he noted that he had set a challenge to the Leadership Group to keep the Council Tax as low as possible, and that at present they were considering options for delivering a Council Tax increase of circa 6.9%.
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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