Loading
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 20 October 2025 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 6 October 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: a) That the following reports be considered by Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs for inclusion within the forward work programme: (i) Mid-term report on reserves (ii) Council tax arrears (iii) School balances RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: b) That future revenue reports should provide greater clarity and consistency on school revenue spend, financial pressures and reserves so that information is presented on a level playing field with other services. c) That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2025/2026 be noted. d) That the virements set out in Appendix 1 be approved. e) That the movements in reserves detailed in Appendix 3 column 6 (set out in paragraph 3.18) resulting in a net transfer of £0.659m from earmarked reserves to general balances be approved. f) That Cabinet provide a view on whether the level and purpose of individual earmarked service and corporate reserves are appropriate (as set out in Appendix 3 column 7). g) That Cabinet consider whether the earmarked reserves set out in Appendix 3 column 7 are to remain for their intended purpose, or whether to re-prioritise some or all to further support the Council’s resilience by transferring to general balances or to other earmarked reserves to support resilience or transformation.
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 14 and 16, 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 Programme and Significant Project Summary Dashboard be noted.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Charlie McCoubrey, Amanda Hughes (Strategic Director – Finance and Resources) and Callum Morrisey (Youth Council Representative).
Interests were declared on behalf of all Cabinet Members in attendance for agenda item 9 (to consider a Call-in of a Cabinet decision (14/10/2025) - Disposal of Conwy Civic and nearby Council land - Minute 327) as they were present as Cabinet Members of when the decision was made by Cabinet. Councillors: Chris Cater, Sharon Doleman, Julie Fallon, Hannah Fleet, Stephen Price, Kay Redhead, Dilwyn Roberts, Mike Priestley and Aaron Wynne The committee confirmed the Cabinet Members should attend and participate in the debate.
Whilst not specified on the agenda, following a request, it was agreed that Members would be provided with an update regarding the Health and Safety Executive’s findings following a fatal incident involving a Council bin lorry.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 October 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 October 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 October 2025 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 6 October 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the Informal Meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs meeting held on 6 October 2025 were submitted. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Informal Meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 6 October 2025 be noted.
None.
The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Planning introduced the Revised Capital Programme 2025/2026 - Quarter Two Monitoring Report and the Head of Finance highlighted key points from within the report. The report provided information about the quarter two financial activity on the total capital programme for the Council for 2025/2026. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Currently, all schemes were within budget and considered affordable. • It was confirmed that two data officer positions were being advertised. • In respect of insulating schools, the Head of Education Services advised that whilst a programme of work was in place, the existing repairs and maintenance backlog would be prioritised. • The Head of Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) would provide information to local members in respect of Penmaenmawr coastal defence projects. • The Head of Strategic Housing would e-mail members an update concerning damp mitigation and contingency works at 7 Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the net addition of £6.956m to the total Capital Programme be approved. b) That the total Capital Programme of £113.163m and the second quarter capital outturn position for 2025/2026 be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the following reports be considered by Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs for inclusion within the forward work programme: (i) Mid-term report on reserves (ii) Council tax arrears (iii) School balances RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: b) That future revenue reports should provide greater clarity and consistency on school revenue spend, financial pressures and reserves so that information is presented on a level playing field with other services. c) That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2025/2026 be noted. d) That the virements set out in Appendix 1 be approved. e) That the movements in reserves detailed in Appendix 3 column 6 (set out in paragraph 3.18) resulting in a net transfer of £0.659m from earmarked reserves to general balances be approved. f) That Cabinet provide a view on whether the level and purpose of individual earmarked service and corporate reserves are appropriate (as set out in Appendix 3 column 7). g) That Cabinet consider whether the earmarked reserves set out in Appendix 3 column 7 are to remain for their intended purpose, or whether to re-prioritise some or all to further support the Council’s resilience by transferring to general balances or to other earmarked reserves to support resilience or transformation.
The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Planning introduced the Revenue Budget 2025/2026 - Quarter Two Monitoring Report and the Head of Finance 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: • Thanks were extended to Social Care Officers for their work on the ‘step down’ initiative, which focused on reducing the level of care required by individuals. • Concerns were raised that the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's practice of premature patient discharges might negatively impact residents' health. Consequently, the Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee would request a report on the matter. • Requests for reports on Council Tax arrears, information on school balances and in year use of reserves would be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs. • Council tax collection rates for Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) were 1.1% lower at the end of October than at the same point last year, primarily because of the increased Premium, but also due to avoidance identification work including single person discounts. - Work was underway with external specialists to help maximise revenue and ensure correct policy implementation. • The Head of Education Services advised that the revised home to school transport policy had been in place for 2 months, following a consultation. - There had been some challenges, especially in relation to the removal of post-16 transport. - Public transport difficulties facing those living in rural areas was acknowledged. - A review of the Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) transport processes had been carried out and recommendations implemented. - A web-based app would be utilised in order to better track routes and costs. - A business case had been submitted in respect of a travel trainer who would work with families to encourage independent travel. • It was confirmed that a falls response service was in place and that prevention measures were working as the average age of those requiring domiciliary care was 80. • A report had previously been presented in respect of the use of agency staff and associated costs. • It was confirmed that whilst many of the savings would be realised as a result of the Resilience Board over the next 12 months and beyond, some savings had already been delivered through the implementation of expenditure controls. - Some work streams would focus on streamlining services • It was confirmed that the planned use of school reserves was £2.9m. - Should school loans exceed collective school reserves, there will be a need to cash back through general reserves. - Other services did not have reserves to support their budgets, unless earmarked for a specific purpose. • The Head of Integrated Adult and Community Services advised that sufficient funding was not provided from the Health Board in respect of hospital discharges. - The Council received some additional, mandated funding specifically to address immediate delays in care packages; however, this funding did not cover the ongoing costs of providing that care. - The Council continued to have an unresolved financial dispute with the Health Board, and the issue had been escalated to the Welsh Government. • A triannual review of the Gwynedd pension fund had identified a 3% reduction in contributions for the Council which would realise a £2.8m saving annually from April 2026. • The Head of ERF advised that an overspend in waste services was due increased costs associated with transport contracts and employment. - The Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Infrastructure advised that the cost for running the Council waste service was the second lowest in Wales. - A review would be conducted to determine if the service had experienced a budget overspend or was underfunded. RESOLVED: a) That the following reports be considered by Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs for inclusion within the forward work programme: (i) Mid-term report on reserves (ii) Council tax arrears (iii) School balances RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: b) That future revenue reports should provide greater clarity and consistency on school revenue spend, financial pressures and reserves so that information is presented on a level playing field with other services. c) That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2025/2026 be noted. d) That the virements set out in Appendix 1 be approved. e) That the movements in reserves detailed in Appendix 3 column 6 (set out in paragraph 3.18) resulting in a net transfer of £0.659m from earmarked reserves to general balances be approved. f) That Cabinet provide a view on whether the level and purpose of individual earmarked service and corporate reserves are appropriate (as set out in Appendix 3 column 7). g) That Cabinet consider whether the earmarked reserves set out in Appendix 3 column 7 are to remain for their intended purpose, or whether to re-prioritise some or all to further support the Council’s resilience by transferring to general balances or to other earmarked reserves to support resilience or transformation.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 14 and 16, 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(4) of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 14 and 16, 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.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Programme and Significant Project Summary Dashboard be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Governance Services introduced the programmes and significant projects dashboard, and the Corporate Modernisation Manager highlighted key points from within the report. The report provided a summary of the progress made on four of the programmes and significant projects within the Council that had been omitted from the previous update. RESOLVED: That the Programme and Significant Project Summary Dashboard be noted.
Councillor Sian Grady presented a Call-in of a Cabinet decision (14/10/2025) - Disposal of Conwy Civic and nearby Council land - Minute 327 and the County Valuer and Asset Manager provided a response to the call-in. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the Conwy Civic Hall be put out to market excluding the outdoor space and car park. b) Should the above recommendation not be supported, an additional public consultation process should be initiated. Note: Interests were declared on behalf of all Cabinet Members in attendance as they were present as Cabinet Members when the decision was made by Cabinet. Councillors: Chris Cater, Sharon Doleman, Julie Fallon, Hannah Fleet, Stephen Price, Kay Redhead, Dilwyn Roberts, Mike Priestley and Aaron Wynne The committee confirmed the Cabinet Members should attend and participate in the debate.
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.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.