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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 recommendations and that no further recommendations were made by the Committee for Cabinet to consider.
Councillor Ceris Jones apologised for her inability to attend the meeting.
There were no disclosures of Personal and Prejudicial Interests (including whipping declarations) from Committee Members.
The Chair, on behalf of Alun Williams, Corporate Lead Officer, Policy and Performance, reminded Committee Members of their roles and responsibilities as Chairs and Vice Chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees to monitor and scrutinise relevant items on the Authority’s Risk Register.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that they had considered the recommendations and that no further recommendations were made by the Committee for Cabinet to consider.
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. 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 However, this was then superseded by the WG and Plaid Cymru Budget Agreement announced on 09/12/25.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. The Cabinet Member, Councillor Gareth Davies and Section 151 Officer Duncan Hall, Executive Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement then provided an overview of the funding settlement, key budget pressures, the proposed Council Tax increase, key projects contained within the Capital Programme and the significant gap between aspirations and available funding, financial resilience and identified risks. 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. It was also confirmed that the WG 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 10/02/25. Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions. The main points raised were as follows: · In response to a question regarding the timing of the public engagement exercise undertaken, it was confirmed that this was not formal consultation but an engagement exercise to collect the public’s views and opinions prior to setting the final Budget. It was confirmed that the outcome would be reported to each of the Budget Scrutiny committee meetings the following week. The timing was largely dictated by when the WG Provisional Settlement is announced, which then allows a more specific Budget position to be outlined. · A Councillor enquired whether the Real Living Wage in relation to externally commissioned Social Care service applied to Agency Workers. The Section 151 Officer confirmed that this is not the case and applies only to externally commissioned services e.g. Domiciliary Care and Older Persons Residential Care Homes. · It was noted that it is not possible to balance the Budget by having both low Council Tax increases and at the same time sustaining & retaining all Services. · 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 and that the Leadership Group budget 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, and since been replaced by funding transferred into the 26/27 Settlement. · A Member asked for more information on the £1m capital item. It was explained 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, There was a brief discussion in relation to the recently purchased farm Llettytwppa and the use of the University Campus site at Lampeter, the Leader confirmed that there are many ideas and aspirations currently in discussion for both sites. Once these ideas have been further progressed, detail will be shared with all Councillors. The Chief Executive stated that this is a very exciting project for Ceredigion with options currently in early discussions. · Following a question regarding sickness pay policy and whether the increase in minimum wage will affect the sickness pay arrangements, the Corporate Lead Officer for People and Organisation confirmed that Ceredigion have a robust plan in place for such changes which will be reported in due course, but that given the Local Authority’s terms and conditions in this area are more favourable than the private sector the changes weren’t expected to have any impact of significance. · It was advised following a question regarding working with other Local Authorities that collaborative working in this regard is always considered whenever possible and appropriate. · In response to a question regarding whether Ceredigion can afford the costs to achieve current net zero targets, it was suggested that realistically substantial additional funding is required from WG to achieve these targets. Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following recommendations: 1. To consider the overall Budget position as shown in the Budget report in Enclosure A. 2. To note that individual Overview and Scrutiny Committees will consider the impact on the Services within their remits on 02/02/26 and 03/02/26. 3. To make any recommendation(s) for Cabinet to consider on 10/02/26 that the Committee deems appropriate in relation to the Budget. Committee’s recommendation: Following discussion, Committee Members AGREED that they had considered the recommendations and that no further recommendations were made by the Committee for Cabinet to consider.
It was AGREED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4th December 2026. Matters arising: None. The Chair thanked everyone for attending and for their contribution to the meeting.
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