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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 October 2024 and 25 October 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the informal meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 7 October 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 25 October 2024 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
RESOLVED: a) That the update on the outcomes and outputs of the projects under the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund be noted. b) That a final outputs and outcomes report be presented to the Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee. Councillors Cheryl Carlisle, Louise Emery, Hannah Fleet, Chris Hughes,,Anne McCaffrey, Paul Luckock, Charlie McCoubrey, Nia Owen and Andrew Wood declared an interest in the above Agenda Item as they are involved with organisations that have received funding. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter.
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14, Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
None.
Whilst not declared at this point in the meeting, Councillors Cheryl Carlisle, Louise Emery, Hannah Fleet, Chris Hughes, Paul Luckock, Anne McCaffrey, Charlie McCoubrey, Nia Owen and Andrew Wood declared an interest in Agenda Item 9i (an update on the outcomes and outputs of the projects under the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)) as they are involved with organisations that have received funding. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 October 2024 and 25 October 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 October 2024 and 25 October 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 October 2024 and 25 October 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the informal meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 7 October 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the informal meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs meeting held on 7 October 2024 were submitted. The Chair advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice Chairs would write to the Safeguarding Board to request an update following the child practice review, which would be undertaken following the court case involving the Gwynedd Head Teacher. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the informal meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 7 October 2024 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 25 October 2024 be noted.
The minutes of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 25 October 2024 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Conwy Opportunities Board held on 25 October 2024 be noted.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented Members with the individual Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP. The Audit Wales Financial Resilience Action Plan had been deferred to the new year, as the report had not yet been issued. RESOLVED: That the Forward Work Programme for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the update on the outcomes and outputs of the projects under the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund be noted. b) That a final outputs and outcomes report be presented to the Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee. Councillors Cheryl Carlisle, Louise Emery, Hannah Fleet, Chris Hughes,,Anne McCaffrey, Paul Luckock, Charlie McCoubrey, Nia Owen and Andrew Wood declared an interest in the above Agenda Item as they are involved with organisations that have received funding. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter.
The Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy introduced an update on the outcomes and outputs of the projects under the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and the Funding Development and Governance Manager provided Members with a presentation, which highlighted key points from within the report. The UK Government UKSPF was delivering £2.6bn of investment until March 2025 across the UK. The aim of the programme was to build pride in place and increase life chances. The following was discussed: • Thanks were extended to the Economic Development team for their excellent work in supporting organisations/community groups to secure funding. • Concerns that no detail was available in respect of funding that would replace the UKSPF. - Whilst funding had been allocated to the Welsh Government (WG) it was unknown as to how this would be allocated. - Meetings were taking place regarding future funding and Members would be kept informed. • The UKSPF had been beneficial, with a good geographical spread. • It was requested that more detail be included in respect of work with the Conwy Voluntary Services Council (CVSC) within the next UKSPF update report. - It was noted that the Chair of the CVSC would provide a presentation to a future meeting of the Member Development and Information Forum. • In respect of marketing the success of UKSPF funding within Conwy, project case studies could be utilised along with evaluation results. Several Members gave examples of projects within their wards. • It was suggested that consideration be given as to whether resources and capacity was sufficient within the Economic Development team. - The Head of Economy and Culture advised that the team focus was on USKPF funding and further capacity would enable the team to explore other funding opportunities. • Concern that some job roles were fully or partly funded by the UKSPF and that uncertainty could lead to a loss of experienced employees. • It was confirmed that funding was fully committed, however scalable projects had been identified should additional funding be made available. • It was confirmed that part of the MENCAP Changing Places grant had been used for a consultation, however, it did not appear that a facility could be identified and delivered within timescales. RESOLVED: a) That the update on the outcomes and outputs of the projects under the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund be noted. b) That a final outputs and outcomes report be presented to the Finance and Resources Scrutiny Committee. Councillors Cheryl Carlisle, Louise Emery, Hannah Fleet, Chris Hughes,,Anne McCaffrey, Paul Luckock, Charlie McCoubrey, Nia Owen and Andrew Wood declared an interest in the above Agenda Item as they are involved with organisations that have received funding. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, they were able to speak and vote on the matter.
The Leader, as Portfolio Holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced the Revised Capital Programme 2024/2025 - Quarter Two Monitoring Report and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted key points from within the report. The report provided details of of the quarter two financial activity on the total capital programme for the Council for 2024/25. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: · The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) would not hold under 20’s rugby matches at Parc Eirias currently, due to their finances. It was hoped that matches would return in future. · In respect of Ash Dieback, it was confirmed that only infected trees were being removed and therefore it was not possible to sell the wood. · Concern in respect of additional borrowing for highway asset improvements at Rhos on Sea Promenade and ongoing maintenance costs. - The Head of Environment, Roads and Facilities advised that maintenance costs would have been incurred for previous assets. · It was confirmed that there was no current instruction to reduce spend on agreed projects. · In response to a query regarding the projected timescale of spend for the 2024/2025 Captial Programme, it was estimated that around half of the £102.194m would be spent during this year. · In respect of Venue Cymru LED lights, it was clarified that funding had been received from the Arts Council of Wales (75%) and a theatre levy (25%) had been utilised for match funding. · It was positive that Leisure Services had been able to fund the purchase of a digital scheme as a result of increased income. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the net addition of £0.551m to the total Capital Programme be approved. b) That the total Capital Programme of £102.194m and the second quarter capital outturn position for 2024/2025 be noted.
The Leader, as Portfolio Holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced the Revenue Budget 2024/2025 - Quarter Two Monitoring Report and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted key points from within the report. The report provided details of the revenue activity for the second quarter of the financial year, a forecast to the year-end, as well as other relevant information available at this time. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The impact of the increase in employer National Insurance contributions, including possible assistance for care providers would be outlined in the Budget report for 2025/2026. - Lobbying was underway in respect of these pressures. - An estimate of costs had been shared with the Welsh Local Government Association. - It was hoped that public bodies would be refunded for some additional National Insurance Costs. • Whilst increasing costs in respect of children looked after was a concern, the Council had undertaken significant work in order to bring this service ‘in house’ which would improve care and reduce costs. - Reference to the implications of the Welsh Government’s commitment to eliminating profit, whilst Central Government had made a commitment to limit profit. • All job roles being advertised were either frontline roles or provided support to frontline roles. - A review process was in place for all job roles being advertised. • Work was taking place with individual services in order to ensure budget forecasting was as accurate as possible and to reduce variances. • The Chief Executive made reference to the unprecedented budget reductions over the last two years. - The Council was working with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and spending controls had been put in place. - The new finance system would assist with more accurate forecasting. - Staff pressures were significant. • A new Synergy system had been jointly procured across the 6 North Wales Local Authorities which would allow more robust monitoring of Home to School Transport. - As was the case in other Local Authorities, Home to School Transport was managed by both the Education Service and Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF). - Work was taking place in order to streamline processes. • Concern in respect of monies owed by the Health Board. It was confirmed that the Health Board had paid any outstanding monies, the issue was agreeing packages of care. • A significant amount of Levelling Up Funding had been secured in respect of infrastructure associated with active travel routes. - Concerns were raised in respect of borrowing costs and the impact on future generations. - Whilst the Council would have preferred to deliver alternative projects, the Levelling Up Funding was earmarked for specific projects. - There would be benefits in respect of tourism and health and wellbeing. - At least 50% of the additional funding required was likely to be provided by other partners and would be reflected within the revenue budget once confirmed. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2024/2025 be noted. b) That budget holders be instructed to pause and slow expenditure that can be deferred (for the time being) without impacting unduly on the services that we provide.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14, Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14, Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
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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