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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 meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 January 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
An apology for absence was received from Councillor Andrew Wood.
None.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 January 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 January 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 6 January 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme 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. Members were advised that Officers were drafting a revised disposal policy, which would form part of the new Asset Management Plan (AMP). It was likely that the AMP would be presented to the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee early in the new financial year. The Chief Executive confirmed that a date for consideration of the AMP would be included within the FWP. RESOLVED: That the Forward Plan for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined forward work programme be approved.
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy, introduced the Corporate Plan 2025 to 2027 and the Chief Executive highlighted key points from within the report. The Corporate Plan had been revised to better address the financial challenges faced by the Council and focused on maintaining financial stability, which was essential for the continuation of the delivery of services. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The reduction in goals from 9 to 5 was welcomed. • The Corporate Plan was intended to be considered alongside other documents, such as the Asset Management Plan and the Medium Term Financial Plan which would address financial pressures. • It was acknowledged that whilst some grant funding was available, achieving net zero would be challenging due to difficult financial circumstances. • Challenges associated with the demography of the County. - It was noted that work was being done to promote career opportunities within the County. • Whilst it was suggested that Welsh language requirements for some job roles was a barrier for some residents, it was also felt that it was important that public facing employees spoke Welsh. - The Welsh language strategy was aimed at all areas of the Community. - Some job applicants underestimated their Welsh language ability. • The need to improve Welsh in schools. - The Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP) provided an opportunity for all Conwy County school pupils to learn Welsh. - The Welsh language provision was increasing. - Parents were entitled to choose a Welsh medium provision for their child. - Welsh medium schools were located across the County. • It was confirmed that the term ‘progressive County’ referred to growth, development and future aspirations. • Whilst there was a need to invest in and transform services, consideration was also given to the financial struggles of Conwy residents. - The Corporate Plan referenced the Council’s financial difficulties and the level of funding provided by Welsh Government. • The need to build more houses within the County. - Whilst there had been some issues, 650 houses across the County were at varying stages of development. - A significant amount of grant funding had been achieved in respect of housing. - The Housing Service had been transformed and a significant amount of work was taking place. • The importance of diversity, equality and inclusion was noted. • In response to concerns raised regarding school funding, it was confirmed the resilience of schools and the support received through the funding formula was included as a priority within the Corporate Plan. An amendment to Long-Term Goal 3 People in Conwy live in a County that is prosperous, has less poverty, and supports learning and skills was put forward as follows: 3.1 – Access to Education: That Conwy will deliver a fairly resourced and fully inclusive education system, where all learners are given the opportunity to succeed; where they have access to an education that meets their needs; and which enables them to participate in, benefit from, and enjoy learning Following the vote, the amendment to the proposal was lost and it was: RECOMMENDED TO CABINET That the Corporate Plan 2025 to 2027 be recommended to Council for approval.
The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance introduced the Performance Self-Assessment from April to September 2024 and the Head of People and Performance highlighted key points from within the report. The report provided a mid-year analysis of progress and challenges, with key performance objectives and governance areas. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The vast amount of positive work carried out by Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) was recognised, despite difficult financial circumstances. • In respect of foster carers, it was confirmed that as part of the updated Placement Commissioning Strategy, a plan had been outlined for increasing the number of in-house foster carers. - Discretionary council tax relief for foster carers had been implemented. - It was intended to undertake analysis on future growth in conjunction with Foster Wales. - CCBC foster carers were trained to a high standard. • An update on housing and homelessness would be presented to the Economy and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 26 February, 2025. • Members would be provided with information on borrowing costs related to active travel routes. • CCBC was part of a Local Government Association network for transformation. - Whilst artificial intelligence (AI) was being trialled, it was important to exercise caution in making premature commitments as the technology was developing rapidly. - AI would assist with capacity but may not realise significant savings. - The use of AI would form part of the resilience strategy. - AI had been utilised for ash dieback monitoring and was being trialled for detecting road surface defects. • A suggestion that performance management should be reviewed due to some areas of poor performance. - The Leader advised that on the whole, the report was positive with only a few areas that required addressing. - CCBC had received a positive Estyn report. • Future reports would include an explanation for any decline in performance and plans to address the decline. • Information was awaited in respect of grants for Sustainable Communities for Learning Projects. • The excellent work carried out in assisting residents to apply for pension credit in light of the removal of the winter fuel allowance was acknowledged. • Reassurance was provided that a new performance framework would be introduced which had a focus on measures. - It was suggested that measures such as school attendance, turnover of the workforce and income generation could assist with the resilience target. • Regional benchmarking of measures could be raised with Audit Wales. • The report would be amended to reflect that funding for works to paddling pools had been received from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as opposed to Welsh Government. • Whilst reference to contractors within the report highlighted the use of local contractors inclusion of individual contractor details would be reviewed prior to future reports. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That the Performance Self-Assessment for April to September 2024 be approved.
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