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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 report and were satisfied with its content as information.
AGREED:- (i) that an update on County Farms programme be provided together with a meeting of its Task and Finish Group to discuss the current position; (ii) that visits be arranged within the coming month to Bremende Farm, Pibwr Lwyd and Castell Howell; and (iii) a report upon the Asset and Property Management Programme be presented to the next meeting
Councillor Hugh Hughes and Ceris Jones apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
AGREED that they had considered the report and were satisfied with its content as information.
The role of the Senior Information Risk Officer (SIRO) was outlined to the committee. It was noted that the SIRO took the lead on setting and delivering the organisation’s information management and cyber resilience strategy. The SIRO also provided support to the Data Protection Officer where appropriate in matters relating to information security. The committee was informed that the SIRO oversaw the information security function within the wider information governance team, as well as managing incident response and risk management in relation to cyber resilience and information governance issues. The SIRO further oversaw security management and reporting and ensured that corporate leadership was kept informed and engaged with security and resilience matters. It was highlighted that good practice required the SIRO to report annually on this work, including key risks, mitigations, and future improvement plans. Members noted that three corporate risks currently related to information security and management: • R009 – Information Management (Score 16) • R023 – Systems End of Life (Score 16) • R024 – Cyber Resilience (Score 20) The report presented to the committee reviewed activity undertaken during the 2024/25 financial year and outlined several areas of planned work. The main points raised were as follows by Members: - • That they were pleased to learn more about the ongoing work to improve Cyber Resilience. • It was noted that the Audit Wales report actions were in the process of being updated and would be reported to the Committee later in the year. • It was confirmed that AI (Artificial Intelligence) was creating added pressures due to the increase in Subject Access Requests (SARs) being received. • Members were assured that rigorous GDPR policies and tried‑and‑tested supporting processes were in place. Following discussion, Committee Members AGREED that they had considered the report and were satisfied with its content as information.
The committee was advised that Scrutiny was being requested to consider the matter to ensure appropriate oversight of the draft Engagement and Participation Policy prior to its presentation to Cabinet for approval. Members noted that three appendices had been provided to support the discussion: • Report on the consultation on Ceredigion County Council’s draft Engagement and Participation Policy • Ceredigion County Council’s Draft Engagement and Participation Policy • Updated Integrated Impact Assessment (Version 2) The documentation was received and considered to support Scrutiny’s role in reviewing the policy and its development before submission to Cabinet. The Committee was given the opportunity to ask questions, during which the following matters were discussed: Concern was raised regarding the low number of consultation responses (twelve in total). Officers advised that this may reflect a public view that the policy was appropriate as drafted, and therefore no further representations were considered necessary. The Committee suggested that alternative or additional methods of consultation could be explored in future to encourage a higher response rate. Following discussion, Members recommended to:- (ii) approve the Ceredigion County Council Engagement and Participation Policy, and (ii) consider the inclusion of an additional requirement within the policy stating that the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Holder views the content of any consultation prior to publication.
Decision as recorded
AGREED:- (i) that an update on County Farms programme be provided together with a meeting of its Task and Finish Group to discuss the current position; (ii) that visits be arranged within the coming month to Bremende Farm, Pibwr Lwyd and Castell Howell; and (iii) a report upon the Asset and Property Management Programme be presented to the next meeting
The Committee noted that it had previously requested that the Council explore the potential for developing new build homes on Council owned land. The aim of this work was to increase the supply of affordable housing in response to the significant and ongoing need for high quality affordable homes in Ceredigion. The Committee had also sought further insight into whether Social Housing Grant funding could be allocated to support such initiatives. Members received background information outlining the purpose of the report and its appendices, which were intended to assist the Committee in assessing the extent to which Council owned assets could be utilised to support the development of residential units across the county. It was reported that Appendix A set out the policy context for town centre regeneration, including the role of residential development in supporting regeneration objectives and the funding avenues currently available. Appendix B was presented as a factual summary of relevant Council assets. This included: • assets that had recently been converted or partially converted for residential use; • assets currently under consideration, with potential for future residential development; • opportunities arising from assets due to reach the end of their lease periods within the next two years; • land holdings located outside town centres that may present further development opportunities; and • an overview of funding opportunities available to both the public and private sectors to enable the development of new residential units. It was confirmed that the report did not seek to determine whether Ceredigion County Council should reconsider its established policy of not acting as a stock holding local authority. This matter remained the responsibility of Housing Services. The report instead provided an Asset Management and Development perspective, focused on how future asset use was informed by existing Corporate Policy. Officers referred Members to Appendix 1, which set out the policy context and the potential funding that the Council might have been able to access. Members also noted the information in Appendix 2, which outlined the position regarding properties that may have returned to the Council, including several with residential accommodation above commercial premises. Officers explained that some such units had been used for storage or office space and had been kept vacant where appropriate due to limitations around access or operational requirements. Members acknowledged that opportunities for properties returning to the Council were limited, with only a small number of units typically coming back at any given time. Officers outlined several current sites under review and the progress that had been made, including works at 11 Harford Square and assessments of other town centre units, such as those at Lampeter and Aberystwyth. Officers also updated Members on wider strategic work relating to development sites, surplus school land, county farms, and properties with potential for mixed use schemes. They confirmed that the Council had been exploring opportunities for external funding, including Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns programme, and had been working with partners to identify viable schemes. Members noted that approximately 35 development projects were included within the asset programme at that time. During discussion, Members expressed concern regarding the pace of progress on a number of property related projects across the county, including former school sites, empty buildings, and land previously considered by Task & Finish Groups. Members highlighted the need to maximise opportunities for affordable housing, community space, income generation, and town centre regeneration. Several Members referred to examples in their wards where progress had been slower than expected, leading to frustration within communities. Officers acknowledged these concerns and advised that capacity within teams had posed challenges; however, they emphasised that significant progress had been made across a large and complex programme of work. They confirmed that schemes involving county farms, surplus care facilities, commercial premises, and former schools were all progressing, albeit at different stages depending on funding, viability, and planning requirements It was AGREED:- (i) that an update on County Farms programme be provided together with a meeting of its Task and Finish Group to discuss the current position; (ii) that visits be arranged within the coming month to Bremende Farm, Pibwr Lwyd and Castell Howell; and (iii) a report upon the Asset and Property Management Programme be presented to the next meeting
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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