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There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Councillors Keith Evans and Marc Davies apologised for their inability to attend.
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The Chair welcomed Duncan Hall (Corporate Lead Officer and Section 151 Officer) and the Cabinet Member, Councillor Gareth Davies to the meeting to present the current situation. Duncan Hall introduced the report highlighting the salient points and key financial challenges and constraints, covering both the Revenue Outturn and the Capital Outturn position for 24/25. Members were then given the opportunity to ask questions and the main points raised during discussion were: 1. A Welsh translation error was brought to the Committee’s attention which will be rectified – this will be amended to read under-spend rather than over-spend, point 1, heading - Summary, page 1. 2. In response to a Councillor enquiring if the additional funding from Welsh Government for additional Highways expenditure was included in this quarterly report figure, it was confirmed that the WG Local Government Borrowing Initiative for Highways (£4.6 million for Ceredigion) is allocated for the financial years, 25/26 and 26/27. 3. A Councillor asked if the capital receipt from sale of schools is allocated specifically for the school’s budget, it was confirmed that this is allocated to corporate funding as corporate funding had been used in lieu of the capital receipts being received. 4. Members stated it would be interesting to receive comparative data on reserves for other local authorities. In response, it was advised that it would be difficult to compare data, other than a simple headline comparison, as policies will differ between Local Authorities e.g. Ceredigion has a reserve for each of the Corporate Wellbeing Objectives. Duncan Hall reminded Members of the benefits to keeping reserves, for example, the interest earned, money for contingencies, funding to assist with fulfilling Member ambitions. 5. Following a query regarding the parking fees on the promenade in Aberystwyth, it was confirmed that following the political decision made, preparations are fully on track with implementation fairly imminent. 6. Following a question regarding the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme running over time, it was confirmed that for any capital funding project that runs over the timeline there is an assessment made (by the Contract Administrator) as to whether the costs fall to the client or the contractor. 7. It was confirmed by the Section 151 Officer, following a question, that there are five amber BRAG status remaining which are still be monitored and this will be done as part of normal budget monitoring. 8. It was confirmed that the Authority are actively promoting opportunities to recruit; however, agency staff are being utilised when required. 9. In response to a question to the Section 151 Officer asking what his greatest financial concern is at present, he responded that the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme is the current short term financial concern. RECOMMENDATIONS: To note the report and for the Committee to scrutinise the information provided as it deems appropriate and relevant to the areas under its remit. Reasons for decision: To scrutinise the latest financial position. The Chair on behalf of the Committee Members thanked Duncan Hall and Cabinet Member, Councillor Gareth Davies for attending and presenting a very comprehensive report to Committee Members.
The Chair welcomed the Equality and Inclusion Manager, Cathryn Morgan and Councillor Catrin M S Davies, Cabinet Member, to the meeting to present the report. The Committee considered the Strategic Equality Plan Monitoring Report 2024-25 and the key achievements, challenges and future priorities relating to each of the five equality objectives, namely: 1. To be an exemplar equal opportunities employer 2. To foster good relations and tackle prejudice 3. To ensure engagement and participation 4. To ensure dignity, respect, and access to services 5. To provide fair and inclusive education Members of the Committee highlighted the value of the work, especially in relation to recruitment, and they thanked the Officers involved for all their hard work throughout the year in promoting equal opportunities. Recommendation: The Committee voted unanimously to endorse the Council’s Strategic Equality Plan Monitoring Report 2024-25 to Cabinet, with no amendments. Reasons for decision: It is a requirement of the Public Sector Equality Duty that we produce and publish an annual report that shows our progress in delivering our Strategic Equality Plan.
The Chair welcomed Hazel Lloyd-Lubran, Chair of the Public Service Board, and Chief Executive of CAVO, to present the report along with Officers Timothy Bray, Partnerships and Civil Contingencies Manager, and Diana Davies, Corporate Manager. Under Section 35 of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, Local Authorities are required to ensure their Overview and Scrutiny Committees have the power to scrutinise decisions made, or other action taken, by the Public Services Board for the Local Authority area in the exercise of its functions. Hazel Lloyd-Lubran referred to the vast engagement work currently being undertaken as noted in the minutes. Diana Davies referred to the draft Annual Report 2024/25 and emphasised the importance of reporting annually on progress against the Local Well-being plan. The report will be presented at the next Coordinating Committee meeting. The Chair emphasised the important of Committee Members reading the report. Recommendation(s): i. To receive the draft minutes of the Ceredigion PSB meeting held on 2nd of June 2025. Reasons for decision: For the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee to carry out their role of taking an overview of the overall effectiveness of the PSB. Committee Members agreed to receive the draft minutes of the Ceredigion PSB meeting held on the 2nd of June 2025. The Chair thanked Hazel Lloyd Lubran, Diana Davies and Timothy Bray for attending and presenting the minutes.
Each Chair/vice Chair/Overview and Scrutiny Officer in turn gave an update on their respective Committee’s Forward Work Plans. During discussion, it was agreed to add the following to a Forward Work Plan: 1. That the Learning Communities O&S Committee consider the Schools Transport Policy in future. This would follow any new guidance that is introduced by Welsh Government. New guidance is currently out to consultation and closes on 3rd September 2025. The Chair of the Learning O&S Committee stated that due to his personal interest in this matter, the Committee’s vice-chair will step in to Chair that agenda item when appropriate. 2. The Chair, Councillor Wyn Evans asked for an update in relation to the County Farms Task and Finish Group. Councillor Rhodri Evans, Task and Finish Chair, stated that we are awaiting Officers to arrange a visit to a Farm in Carmarthenshire and the Agricultural College in Carmarthen. No further update available at this point in time.
It was AGREED to confirm the minutes of the 7 May 2025 Committee meeting as a true record. The Chair thanked Members for attending, Translators, Nia Jones, and Dwynwen Jones for their support during the meeting. He reminded the Committee Members of the importance of attending the Budget task and finish group on Monday 7th July 2025 9am. Chairman: ___________ Date_____________
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