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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 reports for Quarter 4 25/26 and Quarter 1 26/27.
AGREED to recommend that Cabinet approve the Ceredigion County Council Seasonal & Festive Lighting & Decorations Policy 2026-2031, subject to the following: 1. That Officers 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? 2. There is an expectation that all Town and Community Councils adhere to the health and safety requirements, however there will be no fee for seeking a licence for December 2026. 3. To provide an estimate of the cost of a licence in order that it may be included in the precept.
AGREED to note the contents of the Forward Work Programme presented subject to the following: · Local Flood Risk Strategy, Highways Asset Management Plan - Annual Asset Status and Options Report & ULEV Policy to be presented at an additional meeting in October/ November · Update on the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme – December · Report on the income generated in Ceredigion Council-owned carparks for 24-25 and 25-26, to include Aberystwyth Promenade – December · A visit to Food Centre Wales, Horeb to be arranged in due cours
i. Councillor Sian Maehrlein apologised for her inability to attend the meeting. ii. Councillor Marc Davies apologised for leaving the meeting early due to other Council business.
Councillor Keith Henson declared a personal interest under item 4, in matters related to the Community Housing Scheme.
The Chair on behalf of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service thanked the agricultural sector for their assistance in combating the recent severe wildfires across the region. It was suggested that a letter be sent to NFU and FUW to thank the sector for their valuable support.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the reports for Quarter 4 25/26 and Quarter 1 26/27.
Councillor Gareth Davies (Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement) presented the Controllable Revenue Financial Monitoring and Capital Financial Monitoring reports for Quarter 4 25/26 presented to Cabinet on 07/07/26 and Quarter 1 26/27 presented to Cabinet on 01.09.26. The final overall revenue outturn position was an improved underspend of £278k, against a 2025/26 Budget of £209.2m. It was noted that the 25/26 accounts had been submitted to Audit Wales by 30/06/26 and subject to Audit Wales completing their work, the intention was for the accounts to be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee and Full Council on 24/09/26. Duncan Hall, Executive Corporate Lead Officer: Finance and Procurement explained that the final position in quarter 4 resulted in the Council’s General Balances ending the year at £7.3m, equating to 3.3% of the Council’s 26/27 Budget. The overall positive outturn position had enabled transfers to earmarked reserves and included £253k being ringfenced for future Planning (Development Control) Enforcement activity and a £239k top up to the Community Housing Scheme reserve. In relation to School balances, two of Ceredigion’s schools remained in deficit totalling £36k. Ceredigion’s schools were in a more favourable position compared to others nationally, as provisional data indicated that 50% of local authorities in Wales as at 31/03/26 had an overall negative set of School Balances. Ceredigion’s approach had been recognised twice in the national report produced by Estyn on local authority support for schools to manage their budgets. An overview of the Council Tax including premiums was provided. As reported in the 25/26 Capital Outturn report and at the previous meeting on 16/06/26, the Aberaeron Coastal Defence scheme was complete, achieving practical completion on 30/09/25 and was now in a 12-month defects liability period. There were no further updates to report at present. The Highways & Environmental Services had successfully delivered full expenditure on the Year 1 allocation of the WG Highways Local Government Borrowing initiative totalling £2.786m. In addition, two significant energy efficiency Carbon Reduction schemes were successfully delivered in 25/26 - the Carport Solar PV, battery storage and LED lighting at Canolfan Rheidol, Aberystwyth and the Low Carbon Heat Grants at Ysgol Bro Sion Cwilt, Synod Inn totalling £1.143m. Duncan Hall provided an overview of the revenue position at the end of quarter 1, where a small overspend position of £230k was currently forecast for the year across all Services. Similar to 25/26, challenges included out of county placements, agency staff and the in-year Council tax collection rate. Since the writing of the report, the NJC staff pay awards had been agreed at 3.3% for 26/27. Reference was made to the data on the parking on the Promenade in Aberystwyth which commenced on 18/05/26, to the financial impact of the Middle East conflict on the Council’s budget and to the Council Tax (including premiums) as outlined in the report. From a Capital perspective, the main emerging issue during quarter 1 related to Ceredigion Museum and the additional costs due to unforeseen building condition issues uncovered when the old roof was removed. From a Highways and Environmental Service perspective, the WG Highways Local Government Borrowing initiative was in its second and final year, unless further funding was allocated by WG and they had received circa £6m of Regional Transport Funding across a variety of projects. Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Duncan Hall and Councillor Gareth Davies. The main points raised were as follows: · In relation to the significant overspend on assets under Growth and Enterprise, it was noted that this was mainly due to an increase in bad debt provision and the cost of vacant properties, which led to higher NNDR and maintenance costs. In addition, there were emerging repairs and maintenance required on the county farms. It was noted that the Planning Service’s overspend related to a historically high-income target. The situation was being managed by the Economy and Regeneration Service and had resulted in an overall underspend of £18k for 25/26. · In response to a query related to the 27/28 budget process, the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy would be presented to the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 22/09/26 and the provisional settlement was due to be published by WG on 01/12/26. Ceredigion was currently modelling a 2% settlement level; however, the local authority at any given opportunity lobbied for a fairer settlement. · A member queried whether enough was being done to promote the Community Housing Scheme. It was noted that a Task and Finish Group had been set up to discuss the re-branding and re-launch of the scheme and the Second Homes Premium and following its conclusion, feedback would be presented to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee. It was noted that similar schemes existed in other areas, and data suggested Ceredigion’s uptake was broadly in line with others. · It was suggested that financial support to convert old schools into homes could be explored under the Community Housing Scheme. An officer explained that a discussion would be needed on how to utilise funding from the commuted sum in lieu of affordable housing, which currently stood at around £500k. · Concerns were raised that Ceredigion continued to rely on agency staff particularly in social care. It was clarified that the local authority had introduced several initiatives, such as market supplements, marketing campaigns and ‘Grow Your Own Social Worker’ scheme in recent years. It was AGREED to note the reports for Quarter 4 25/26 and Quarter 1 26/27.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to recommend that Cabinet approve the Ceredigion County Council Seasonal & Festive Lighting & Decorations Policy 2026-2031, subject to the following: 1. That Officers 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? 2. There is an expectation that all Town and Community Councils adhere to the health and safety requirements, however there will be no fee for seeking a licence for December 2026. 3. To provide an estimate of the cost of a licence in order that it may be included in the precept.
Councillor Shelley Childs (Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services) presented the draft policy, and explained that the local authority recognised the pleasure, enjoyment and benefits that seasonal decorations could bring to communities, and that the requirements being placed on those wishing to make such provision could seem overly bureaucratic. Unfortunately, such installations were generally considered to be high risk, utilising overhead decorations and electrical equipment therefore compliance with the Policy should help protect the interests of the Applicant, the Authority, and most importantly the public. He explained that the Highway Authority required licences for festive lighting and decorations to ensure public safety and prevent damage to highway infrastructure. A licence would provide assurance that installations were erected/installed to a professional standard by a qualified electrician, safely maintained and removed within agreed timescales. The licence would also require the applicant to hold adequate public liability insurance (minimum £10 million) to cover any claims for loss, injury, or damage that could arise from the installation. At present, Officers provided support and guidance on an ad hoc basis, and no town or community council that installed/erected festive decorations or Christmas lights was currently ‘licenced’ to do so. In the past, there had been incidents such as overhead decorations being pulled down by a high-sided vehicle and applicants often suggested that street lighting columns be used to support festive lighting/ decoration, although their structural integrity did not allow for additional loading. The local authority remained committed to supporting local communities and to ensure that any work carried out on public assets and in public spaces, including highways assets complied with safety and regulatory standards. Phil Jones, Corporate Manager: Highways, Assets & Infrastructure provided a presentation to the Committee outlining the following: · Why do we need the policy? Legal requirements, S178 Highways Act 1980, Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Public Safety and Public Liability · Do things go wrong? Common causes of failures (weather damage, overloaded circuits, vandalism or impact and setup rushes) and examples Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Officers and Councillor Shelley Childs. The main points raised were as follows: · Clarification of the demarcation between trunk roads and council-maintained roads. Officers noted that there were 2 trunk roads within Ceredigion which were managed by NWMTRA on behalf of Welsh Government Ministers, namely the A487 running South to North Ceredigion and the A44 from Aberystwyth towards Eisteddfa Gurig. It was noted that the trunk roads’ jurisdiction extended a certain distance beyond the relevant junctions to include structures such as signs and street lighting, and that if there was any doubt, Members should contact the Highways and Environmental Services in Ceredigion or the NWMTRA network manager. · Clarification as to whether the policy would apply during 2026. Officers noted that the policy would not apply in its entirety for December 2026 as there was less than 100 days until Christmas. Nonetheless, Town and Community Councils were required to adhere to relevant legislation relating to health and safety. In 2027, submissions should be presented no later than June / July to allow sufficient time to review all applications in detail. · Licence fee. Members asked whether a fee had been proposed for the licence, noting that this information would be required prior to setting the precept for 2027-28. It was noted that there would not be a fee for December 2026, and that the fee would be gauged based upon the level of resources required to deliver the 2026 exercise. This would be subject to whether external structural engineer services would be required, or whether they could be provided in-house. · NWMTRA advice. Members noted that NWMTRA already provided guidance to Town and Community Councils along the A44, and Officers recommended that they take advantage of this. It was also noted that submissions to NWMTRA were required at least 3 months in advance. · Correspondence with Town and Community Councils. Members recommended that Officers write to all Town and Community Councils to ask whether they intended to erect lighting and decorations on council-maintained roads, what arrangements they had to ensure the safety of lighting and decorations and whether they had liability insurance and if so, how much. Members also noted that community groups such as Carnival Committees may not have liability insurance. It was AGREED to recommend that Cabinet approve the Ceredigion County Council Seasonal & Festive Lighting & Decorations Policy 2026-2031, subject to the following: 1. That Officers 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? 2. There is an expectation that all Town and Community Councils adhere to the health and safety requirements, however there will be no fee for seeking a licence for December 2026. 3. To provide an estimate of the cost of a licence in order that it may be included in the precept.
Decision as recorded
AGREED to note the contents of the Forward Work Programme presented subject to the following: · Local Flood Risk Strategy, Highways Asset Management Plan - Annual Asset Status and Options Report & ULEV Policy to be presented at an additional meeting in October/ November · Update on the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme – December · Report on the income generated in Ceredigion Council-owned carparks for 24-25 and 25-26, to include Aberystwyth Promenade – December · A visit to Food Centre Wales, Horeb to be arranged in due cours
It was AGREED to note the contents of the Forward Work Programme presented subject to the following: · Local Flood Risk Strategy, Highways Asset Management Plan - Annual Asset Status and Options Report & ULEV Policy to be presented at an additional meeting in October/ November · Update on the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme – December · Report on the income generated in Ceredigion Council-owned carparks for 24-25 and 25-26, to include Aberystwyth Promenade – December · A visit to Food Centre Wales, Horeb to be arranged in due cours
It was AGREED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 June 2026, subject to correcting the surname of Keith Daniels. Matters arising: · In relation to item 4, Members requested that if a letter had not yet been sent to BT highlighting the concerns raised during discussion, that this be done following the meeting. · It was noted that a Task and Finish Group to discuss a possible Parking Strategy had not yet commenced. · In relation to the possibility of establishing a Coast & Seaside Towns Forum suggested on 13.03.26, Members were requested to submit further details on this matter to Officers.
· It was noted that the report on the income generated in Ceredigion Council-owned carparks for 24-25 and 25-26 due to be presented in December 2026 should be considered with caution in relation to Cardigan, given that the National Eisteddfod was held nearby in August. · Councillor Maldwyn Lewis raised a concern regarding the pavement near Food Centre Wales, Horeb. The Chair suggested that a query be submitted via Clic.
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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