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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED to note the report and the progress made towards the development of a Culture Strategy and Culture Plan for Ceredigion.
AGREED to note the contents of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Progress Report for Year 4 (2025-2026).
AGREED to note the Q4 Outturn position.
AGREED to note the update.
Councillor Marc Davies, Rhodri Davies and Elizabeth Evans apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.
None.
None.
It was agreed that item 5 on the agenda be considered prior to item 4.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the report and the progress made towards the development of a Culture Strategy and Culture Plan for Ceredigion.
Consideration was given to the Report outlining the progress towards the development of a Culture Strategy and Culture Plan for Ceredigion. Members were advised that the Culture Department's aim was to promote and facilitate cultural opportunities across the County and to support the use of the Welsh language. The report highlighted the importance of culture in contributing to well-being, community cohesion, identity and the local economy. It was reported that work undertaken since 2025 had focused on three key areas: an Economic and Social Value Report, a survey of residents' views and experiences of culture, and a Regional Culture Strategy project. Members noted the findings of the Economic and Social Value Report, which estimated that cultural organisations generated an annual economic impact of £48.5 million, supported employment for approximately 380 residents and attracted over one million visitors and audience members each year. The report also highlighted the sector's contribution to skills development, social inclusion, community cohesion, well-being and the Welsh language. The Committee further noted the results of engagement work with residents. Over 500 responses had been received, with the majority of respondents considering cultural activities to be important. Music, heritage and history, theatre, language and community celebrations were identified as the most valued aspects of culture. Key barriers to participation were reported as lack of time, cost and public transport. Members were informed that successful funding had been secured through a regional partnership with Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Powys County Councils to develop a Regional Culture Strategy and individual county culture plans. Consultants had been appointed and work was underway, with the aim of producing a Regional Strategy and a Ceredigion Action Plan by autumn 2026. The Committee noted that the evidence gathered demonstrated the significant contribution of culture to the County's well-being, economy, identity and communities, and that the work would provide a strong foundation for the development of a future Culture Plan for Ceredigion. It was AGREED to note the report and the progress made towards the development of a Culture Strategy and Culture Plan for Ceredigion.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the contents of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Progress Report for Year 4 (2025-2026).
Consideration was given to the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Progress Report for Year 4 (2025-2026) and noted the progress made in the provision of childcare services across the county. Members were informed that the number of registered childcare places had increased by 112 during the year, bringing the total to 1,609 places. New provision had been established at Cylch Meithrin Deri Bach, Llangybi; Plant Meithrin Gogerddan, Comins Coch; and Cylch Meithrin Llangwyryfon, in addition to the registration of six new childminders. The Committee noted that £359,916.36 in Welsh Government Early Years and Childcare Small Capital Grants had been awarded to 52 childcare providers and that a successful grant application had secured funding to replace the cabin at Cylch Cei Newydd. Members also welcomed the fact that 72% of providers were able to offer Welsh-medium or bilingual services. It was reported that Flying Start childcare provision had been expanded into eight additional LSOAs, benefiting 83 two-year-old children. However, it was noted that children living in 20 LSOAs remained unable to access the funded Flying Start childcare entitlement of 12.5 hours per week. The Committee was advised of several ongoing challenges facing the sector. These included the impact of a declining population on the sustainability of small rural childcare settings, increasing referrals to the Flying Start outreach programme, and difficulties recruiting suitably qualified staff, particularly Welsh speakers. Concerns were also raised regarding rising operating and capital costs, a reduction in the number of learners undertaking childcare qualifications, and the increasing number of children attending childcare settings with additional learning, medical or complex needs requiring enhanced support. Members were informed that further expansion of Flying Start childcare provision would require additional qualified staff and that there was currently no funding available to support childcare staff wishing to undertake Welsh language training in their own time. Concern was also expressed regarding the reduction in local childcare training opportunities. Looking ahead, officers reported that work would continue to implement new Welsh Government childcare support measures, increase childcare capacity, provide ongoing support to providers, and pursue further capital funding opportunities. It was reported that there was ongoing work to ensure that all childcare settings operating on Council land had appropriate lease or licence arrangements in place and preparations for the implementation of the new Voluntary Approval Scheme. The Committee were also informed on the proposed actions to promote careers in childcare in partnership with Social Care Wales, improve support arrangements for children with Additional Learning Needs, ensure the availability of mandatory training, and provide a range of continuing professional development opportunities to support quality provision across the sector. Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED to note the contents of the Childcare Sufficiency Assessment Progress Report for Year 4 (2025-2026).
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the Q4 Outturn position.
The Committee received the quarterly revenue and capital financial monitoring reports for consideration. The Cabinet Member for Finance & Procurement confirmed that there was an overall underspend of £278k for last financial year and that the 25/26 Accounts were submitted on time to Audit Wales on 30/06/26 who would now be independently externally auditing them. The Section 151 Officer reported that during 2025/26, the Schools and Lifelong Learning Service achieved an underspend of £92,000, primarily due to vacant posts and the receipt of SPF grants. School balances reduced from £3.8 million to just under £3.1 million by 31 March 2026, although they remained above typical pre-COVID levels. The number of primary schools operating with a deficit balance decreased from three schools to two schools, with a combined deficit of £36,000. The Council continued to support schools through a coordinated Team Ceredigion approach, and Estyn recognised this support through two good practice case studies relating to local authority support for school budget management. Provisional national data on School Balances was referred to that indicates that 50% of Local Authorities in Wales now have, as at 31/03/26, an overall negative set of School Balances. Ceredigion’s School balances therefore remained in a significantly healthier position than those of many other authorities in Wales. The Section 151 Officer also highlighted the latest position on Long Term Empty Properties and Second Homes subject to a Council Tax Premium and the slower decline in the Council Tax collection rate. The cumulative position on the Community Housing Scheme (equity loans to assist individuals purchase a property in Ceredigion) was also highlighted. Members were informed of the positive full capital expenditure position under the WG Schools Capital Maintenance grant (which had 2 increases late in the financial year) and that 2 Capital receipts for former Schools had been received during the year. An update was requested on the latest position on the Ceredigion Museum Roof capital project. It was confirmed by Officers that the scheme was ahead of its expenditure profile and that an overspend was emerging. This was as a result of the age and condition of the building with unforeseen issues arising as different layers were uncovered during the works. It was confirmed that the position would be reported further as part of the 26/27 in year reports. It was AGREED to note the Q4 Outturn position.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the update.
It was AGREED to note the update.
It was agreed to note the content of the Forward Work Programme subject to the following information/reports being requested:- • Members discussed pupil attendance during periods of extreme weather, noting that some schools had closed while others had remained open. Concerns were raised regarding the recording of absences when schools remained open but pupils were unable/decided not to attend due to weather conditions. The Executive Corporate Lead Officer for Schools and Lifelong Learning explained that schools had been encouraged to remain open where it was safe to do so. Where schools remained open and pupils did not attend, absences had been recorded in accordance with Welsh Government guidance. It was noted that new attendance codes and procedures would be introduced soon, but for now the attendance would continue to be recorded in line with national guidance. • An update was sought regarding post-16 education arrangements. It was advised that a dedicated workstream on post-16 education would be considered in November. • That pupil projections would also be presented at a workstream session rather than presenting a report to Committee to reduce the number of items on the agenda in November. • Discussion took place regarding numbers of pupils progressing into employment and apprenticeship pathways available to learners in Ceredigion. Officers advised that further information and key dates relating to apprenticeships would be confirmed in due course. This information would be explored through a future workstream which would be held at Hyfforddiant Ceredigion Training Centre in Llanbadarn. This would also give Members an opportunity to view the provision-resources available to learners at the centre. • Members were informed that a presentation on the new WG attendance codes would be provided at a future meeting
It was AGREED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the meetings held on the 21 May 2026 subject to noting that Councillor Caryl Roberts was the chair for the meeting and that Councillor Endaf Edwards was present at the meeting. Matters arising None.
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