Loading
Cabinet agreed a new Cyber Resilience Strategy, a refreshed Medium Term Financial Strategy, new staffing policies, a licensing policy for festive lighting and revised complaints and information policies. It also raised foster care allowances to £560 a week per child from 4 October 2026 and backed in principle full council tax relief for foster carers from April 2027. It recommended the Medium Term Financial Strategy to full Council on 22 October 2026 and noted several scrutiny and annual reports.
Councillor Amanda Edwards, Chair of the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee apologised for her inability to attend the meeting.
None.
a) Councillor Bryan Davies declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to items 83 and 84 and withdrew from the meeting whilst the matters were being discussed. b) Councillor Gareth Davies declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to item 83 and withdrew from the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed.
To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Cabinet held on 1 September 2026. Matters arising: There were no matters arising from the minutes.
None.
Cabinet noted the report.
DECISION: 1. To endorse the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy (Appendix 1). 2. To recommend to Council on 22nd October 2026 that the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy (Appendix 1) is approved. 3. To note the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for the decision: To set out the strategy and framework within which the 2027/28 Budget Setting processes will continue.
DECISION: 1. To approve the: • Cyber Resilience Strategy 2026 (Appendix A), and • associated Cyber Resilience Action Plan (Appendix B). 2. To note the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for the decision: To set the Council’s strategic direction for reducing the likelihood and impact of cyber-attacks and strengthening the Council’s ability to maintain services and protect data.
DECISION: 1. To approve the revised Information and Records Management Policy (Appendix 1). 2. To note the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for the decision: To update and set out the Council’s approach to managing information and records throughout their lifecycle, including creation, storage, retention, sharing, security and disposal.
DECISION: 1) To note the assurance opinion and current corporate information risk position. 2) To approve the Senior Information Risk Owner (SIRO) Annual Report 2026 (Appendix A). 3) To note the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for the decision: • To ensure effective governance and oversight. • To support the continued delivery of the identified mitigation and improvement activity.
DECISION: 1) To approve the Flexible Retirement Policy (LGPS) (Appendix 1). 2) To approve the Phased Retirement Policy (Teachers’ Pensions) (Appendix 3). 3) To note the feedback from the Corpoate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for the decision: 1) To provide a clear, consistent framework for the application and management of flexible retirement requests. 2) To provide a clear, consistent framework for the application and management of phased retirement requests.
DECISION: 1. To approve the Adverse Conditions Policy (Appendix 1). 2. To note the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for the decision: To provide clear and consistent guidance for employees and line managers during periods of adverse conditions.
DECISION: 1) To approve the Ceredigion County Council Seasonal & Festive Lighting & Decorations Policy 2026-2031 (appendix 1). 2) To note the feedback from the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee; 3) That Officers: a) write to every Town and Community Council to seek details regarding: i. Whether they erect lighting / decorations on the Council’s highways ii. What arrangements they have in place for ensuring safety of the lights / decorations iii. Whether they have liability insurance, and if so, how much? b) provide an estimate of the cost of a licence in order that it may be included in the precept. Reason for the decision: To approve the guidance policy document in order to safeguard the public.
DECISION: 1. To approve the following revised policies and procedures: • Concerns and Complaints Policy (Appendix 1) • Concerns and Complaints Procedure (Appendix 2) • Social Services Complaints Policy and Procedure (Appendix 3) • Freedom of Information Policy and Procedure (Appendix 4) • Environmental Information Regulations Policy and Procedure (Appendix 5) 2. To note the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for the decision: To ensure continuous improvement and adherence to the Council’s statutory obligations in relation to complaints and requests for recorded information under FOI & EIR.
DECISION: 1. To approve the new Discretionary Foster Care weekly allowances outlined in the table below, which replaces the current discretionary Foster Care weekly allowances and for these new allowances to be paid to Foster Carers registered with Ceredigion County Council with effect from 04/10/26. Age of Child Ceredigion Discretionary Weekly Allowance 0 to under 5 years old £331.00 Over 5 to under 16 years old £352.00 Over 16 to under 18 years old £300.00 2. To note that the new Discretionary Foster Care weekly allowances are in addition to the basic weekly allowances set by Welsh Government, so the total weekly Foster Care allowance payable for any child under the age of 18 will now be £560.00 per week with effect from 04/10/26. 3. To note that there is no change proposed to the one-off allowances paid for specific events. 4. To support the principal of granting the equivalent of 100% Council Tax relief for Foster Carers registered with Ceredigion County Council, with a proposed effective date from 1st April 2027 onwards, but subject to this requiring further consideration as part of the Council’s 2027/28 Budget setting process. 5. To note the feedback from the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Reason for the decision: To strengthen the recruitment and retention of local authority foster carers, increase the availability of stable local placements for looked after children and reduce reliance on significantly more expensive independent fostering agency and residential provision. The recommendations will also support the Council’s longer-term placement sufficiency duties and the transition towards not-for-profit children’s social care, while improving financial recognition and support for eligible foster carers.
Cabinet noted the report and the feedback from the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Cabinet noted the report and the feedback from the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Cabinet noted the report and the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
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.