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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 Council held on 25 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy (as set out in paragraph 3.5 of Appendix A of the report), which included the following be approved: I. Right of Use Assets (formerly Finance and Operating Leases) – MRP charge is equal to the element of the rent charge that goes to write down the Balance Sheet Liability (except for high value long life right of use assets). II. All other Assets (including Private Finance Initiative Assets and high value long life right of use assets) - adoption of Option 3 - Asset Life Method. III. MRP will commence in the year following the one in which the asset becomes operational. Investment properties will be regarded as becoming operational when they begin to generate revenues, as will industrial units and plots for economic regeneration categorised as property, plant and equipment but with similar characteristics to investment properties.
RESOLVED: That the following strategies be approved: i) The Capital Strategy. ii) Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators. iii) The Investment Strategy.
RESOLVED: a) That it be noted that the full-proposed Capital Programme, including the element already approved by Council, now stands at £15.793 as the £14.218m has been increased to reflect the grant of £1.575m. b) That the 2024/2025 Capital Programme of £11.582m, requiring Council funding of £9.5m be approved.
RESOLVED: a) That the revenue estimates for 2024/2025, as submitted to and agreed by the Cabinet at its meeting on 20 February 2024, be approved and that all of the expenditure be classified as Council Fund expenditure and, therefore, there is no category of special items expenditure as defined in Section 35, Local Government Finance Act 1992. b) That it be noted that the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy confirmed under delegated authority on 22 November 2023 the calculation made in accordance with Regulations made under Section 33 (5), Local Government Finance Act 1992 that:- - The amount of 52,442.55 as being the Council Tax base for the financial year 2024/2025 and that this amount comprises the aggregate of the amounts stated in the table in (b) below:- Community/Town Council Tax Base 2024/2025 Band D Equivalent Abergele 5,100.26 Bay of Colwyn 11,966.63 Betws-y-Coed 249.65 Betws-yn-Rhos 514.86 Bro Garmon 330.31 Bro Machno 345.61 Caerhun 680.26 Capel Curig 104.72 Cerrigydrudion 309.53 Conwy 7,635.04 Dolgarrog 167.04 Dolwyddelan 250.71 Eglwysbach 468.43 Henryd 406.96 Llanddoged and Maenan 291.30 Llanddulas and Rhyd-y-Foel 796.97 Llandudno 9,468.70 Llanfairfechan 1,516.75 Llanfairtalhaiarn 472.46 Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr 97.03 Llangernyw 500.05 Llangwm 221.68 Llannefydd 261.67 Llanrwst 1,269.16 Llansanffraid Glan Conwy 1,128.97 Llansannan 596.97 Llysfaen 908.14 Mochdre 680.54 Penmaenmawr 1,860.36 Pentrefoelas 147.89 Towyn/Kinmel Bay 3,218.44 Trefriw 387.83 Ysbyty Ifan 87.62 TOTAL 52,442.55 c) That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2024/2025 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36, Local Government Finance Act 1992:- i £397,990,302 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2) (a) to (d) of the Act. ii £101,303,393 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(3) (a) and (c) of the Act. iii £296,686,909 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget required for the year. iv £203,013,403 being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its Council Fund in respect of redistributed Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, reduced by the amount calculated in accordance with Section 33 (3B) of the Act. v £1,786.21 being the amount at 3 (c) above, less the amount at 3(d) above – all divided by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council for the year. vi £2,771,163 being the aggregate amounts of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act. vii £1,733.37 being the amount at 3(e) above, less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(f) above by the amount at 2(a) above calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates. (viii) PART OF COUNCIL’S AREA BAND D COUNCILTAX £ Abergele 1,801.66 Bay of Colwyn 1,777.71 Betws-y-Coed 1,733.37 Betws-yn-Rhos 1,758.62 Bro Garmon 1,747.66 Bro Machno 1,766.44 Caerhun 1,748.07 Capel Curig 1,766.79 Cerrigydrudion 1,765.68 Conwy 1,777.36 Dolgarrog 1,750.87 Dolwyddelan 1,813.14 Eglwysbach 1,751.18 Henryd 1,745.47 Llanddoged and Maenan 1,757.74 Llanddulas and Rhyd-y-Foel 1,769.16 Llandudno 1,791.30 Llanfairfechan 1,828.97 Llanfairtalhaiarn 1,760.67 Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr 1,805.51 Llangernyw 1,753.82 Llangwm 1,753.26 Llannefydd 1,767.76 Llanrwst 1,835.69 Llansanffraid Glan Conwy 1,759.94 Llansannan 1,766.87 Llysfaen 1,762.56 Mochdre 1,762.21 Penmaenmawr 1,830.51 Pentrefoelas 1,769.41 Towyn/Kinmel Bay 1,812.15 Trefriw 1,797.79 Ysbyty Ifan 1,783.59 Being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(g) the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the amount of 2(b) calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act at the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. (ix) See Appendix A(i) for County and Town/Community Council valuation bandings. Being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at 3(g) and 3(h) by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in Valuation Band D calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands. d) That it be noted for the year 2024/2025, the major precepting authority has stated the following amount in precepts issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40, of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:- VALUATION BANDS A £.p B £.p C £.p D £.p E £.p F £.p G £.p H £.p I £.p Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales 233.10 271.95 310.80 349.65 427.35 505.05 582.75 699.3 815.85 e) That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(i) and 4 above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2), Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2024/2025 for each of the categories of dwellings shown in Appendix A(ii). (A recorded vote was requisitioned in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 20.5) THOSE VOTING IN FAVOUR OF THE ABOVE PROPOSITIONS: Councillors Penny Andow, Cathy Augustine, Carol Beard, Frank Bradfield, Chris Brockley, Chris Cater, Simon Croft, Sharon Doleman, Goronwy Edwards, Gwennol Ellis, Julie Fallon, Hannah Fleet, Sian Grady, Mandy Hawkins, Chris Hughes, Alan Hunter, Dave Jones, Gail Jones, Abdul Khan, Trystan Lewis, Ifor Lloyd, Paul Luckock, Charlie McCoubrey, Emily Owen, Nia Owen, Stephen Price, Mike Priestley, Kay Redhead, Austin Roberts, Dilwyn Roberts, John Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Susan Shotter, Michael Smith, Nigel Smith, Geoff Stewart, Trevor Stott, Andrew Wood and Aaron Wynne. THOSE VOTING AGAINST THE ABOVE PROPOSITIONS: Councillors Antony Bertola, Cheryl Carlisle, David Carr, Samantha Cotton, Louise Emery, Gareth Jones, Anne McCaffrey, Bernice McLoughlin, Thomas Montgomery, Jo Nuttall, Harry Saville and Jacob Williams
RESOLVED: That the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/2025 and appendices including the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Discretionary Pension Statement be approved. Note: In the interest of transparency, the Chief Executive, Strategic Directors and Chief Officers declared a personal interest in the above item as the policy related to their pay and left the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Neil Coverley, Keith Eeles, Ros Griffiths-Williams and Angie O’Grady.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25 January 2024 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 25 January 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The Chair made the following announcements:- • Thanks were extended to officers and Members for their hard work in respect of the budget setting process. • On 28 January, 2024, the Chair had attended an event at St George’s Hotel, Llandudno as part of Holocaust Memorial Day. • The Chair had also attended Citizenship Services at Llandudno Town Hall. • On 4 May 2024, the Chair, along with the Leader, would take on the North Wales Zip World Challenge in aid of their chosen charities Mind Conwy and Cardiac Risk in the Young. The Cabinet Member for Education extended her thanks to officers who had delivered a successful jobs exposition at Parc Eirias on 22 February 2024. The Chief Executive welcomed Katie Clubb, the newly appointed Head of Strategic Housing.
None.
The Chair presented an e-petition in relation to stopping cuts to Conwy schools for the financial year 2024-2025 which had been submitted by Lead Petitioner, Helen Wilson. The petition closed on 28 January, 2024 and had received 1396 signatures. A written response would be provided to the Lead Petitioner within 15 working days.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy (as set out in paragraph 3.5 of Appendix A of the report), which included the following be approved: I. Right of Use Assets (formerly Finance and Operating Leases) – MRP charge is equal to the element of the rent charge that goes to write down the Balance Sheet Liability (except for high value long life right of use assets). II. All other Assets (including Private Finance Initiative Assets and high value long life right of use assets) - adoption of Option 3 - Asset Life Method. III. MRP will commence in the year following the one in which the asset becomes operational. Investment properties will be regarded as becoming operational when they begin to generate revenues, as will industrial units and plots for economic regeneration categorised as property, plant and equipment but with similar characteristics to investment properties.
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy, presented a report seeking approval of the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy for 2024/2025. RESOLVED: That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy (as set out in paragraph 3.5 of Appendix A of the report), which included the following be approved: I. Right of Use Assets (formerly Finance and Operating Leases) – MRP charge is equal to the element of the rent charge that goes to write down the Balance Sheet Liability (except for high value long life right of use assets). II. All other Assets (including Private Finance Initiative Assets and high value long life right of use assets) - adoption of Option 3 - Asset Life Method. III. MRP will commence in the year following the one in which the asset becomes operational. Investment properties will be regarded as becoming operational when they begin to generate revenues, as will industrial units and plots for economic regeneration categorised as property, plant and equipment but with similar characteristics to investment properties.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the following strategies be approved: i) The Capital Strategy. ii) Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators. iii) The Investment Strategy.
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy sought approval for Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators and the Investment Strategy 2024/2025. RESOLVED: That the following strategies be approved: i) The Capital Strategy. ii) Treasury Management Strategy and Prudential Indicators. iii) The Investment Strategy.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That it be noted that the full-proposed Capital Programme, including the element already approved by Council, now stands at £15.793 as the £14.218m has been increased to reflect the grant of £1.575m. b) That the 2024/2025 Capital Programme of £11.582m, requiring Council funding of £9.5m be approved.
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy sought approval for the recommended Capital Programme for 2024/2025. Appendix 1 of the report provided details of the draft Capital Programme for 2024/2025, following the announcement of the Local Government Provisional Settlement on 20 December 2023. On 25 January 2024 Council approved one element of the Capital Programme, being a sum of £2.636m for vehicle replacement, in order to secure grant funding of £1.575m. The remaining capital programme of £11.582m was now recommended for approval. The following was discussed: · Whilst it was acknowledged that collaborative working should be explored and that Corporate Joint Committees could reduce procurement costs, some projects such as waste transfer and bulking stations were essential and could not be delayed. · In respect of concerns raised that money allocated for housing adaptations could be utilised to subsidise work carried out by Registered Social Landlords, the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources confirmed that the business case related to privately owned properties only. · With regard to the above, it was noted that the - Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure, along with the Head of Strategic Housing would meet with Councillor Montgomery, who had raised concerns in respect of the housing adaptations policy. · In respect of concerns raised that funding had not been allocated to playground maintenance, the Leader advised that due to financial constraints not all business cases could be supported. However, Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) applications had been submitted. · It was confirmed that the SPF had a clear criteria and that every decision had been unanimous. Funding was required to be spent by December, 2024 and a report would be presented to democracy in May, 2024. · Concern was raised in respect of possible unplanned expenditure. · It was confirmed that discussions were ongoing with Llanrwst Town Council in respect of costs associated with Watling Street Car Park and that loan arrangements would be amended accordingly if necessary. RESOLVED: a) That it be noted that the full-proposed Capital Programme, including the element already approved by Council, now stands at £15.793 as the £14.218m has been increased to reflect the grant of £1.575m. b) That the 2024/2025 Capital Programme of £11.582m, requiring Council funding of £9.5m be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: a) That the revenue estimates for 2024/2025, as submitted to and agreed by the Cabinet at its meeting on 20 February 2024, be approved and that all of the expenditure be classified as Council Fund expenditure and, therefore, there is no category of special items expenditure as defined in Section 35, Local Government Finance Act 1992. b) That it be noted that the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy confirmed under delegated authority on 22 November 2023 the calculation made in accordance with Regulations made under Section 33 (5), Local Government Finance Act 1992 that:- - The amount of 52,442.55 as being the Council Tax base for the financial year 2024/2025 and that this amount comprises the aggregate of the amounts stated in the table in (b) below:- Community/Town Council Tax Base 2024/2025 Band D Equivalent Abergele 5,100.26 Bay of Colwyn 11,966.63 Betws-y-Coed 249.65 Betws-yn-Rhos 514.86 Bro Garmon 330.31 Bro Machno 345.61 Caerhun 680.26 Capel Curig 104.72 Cerrigydrudion 309.53 Conwy 7,635.04 Dolgarrog 167.04 Dolwyddelan 250.71 Eglwysbach 468.43 Henryd 406.96 Llanddoged and Maenan 291.30 Llanddulas and Rhyd-y-Foel 796.97 Llandudno 9,468.70 Llanfairfechan 1,516.75 Llanfairtalhaiarn 472.46 Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr 97.03 Llangernyw 500.05 Llangwm 221.68 Llannefydd 261.67 Llanrwst 1,269.16 Llansanffraid Glan Conwy 1,128.97 Llansannan 596.97 Llysfaen 908.14 Mochdre 680.54 Penmaenmawr 1,860.36 Pentrefoelas 147.89 Towyn/Kinmel Bay 3,218.44 Trefriw 387.83 Ysbyty Ifan 87.62 TOTAL 52,442.55 c) That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2024/2025 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36, Local Government Finance Act 1992:- i £397,990,302 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2) (a) to (d) of the Act. ii £101,303,393 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(3) (a) and (c) of the Act. iii £296,686,909 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget required for the year. iv £203,013,403 being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its Council Fund in respect of redistributed Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, reduced by the amount calculated in accordance with Section 33 (3B) of the Act. v £1,786.21 being the amount at 3 (c) above, less the amount at 3(d) above – all divided by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council for the year. vi £2,771,163 being the aggregate amounts of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act. vii £1,733.37 being the amount at 3(e) above, less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(f) above by the amount at 2(a) above calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates. (viii) PART OF COUNCIL’S AREA BAND D COUNCILTAX £ Abergele 1,801.66 Bay of Colwyn 1,777.71 Betws-y-Coed 1,733.37 Betws-yn-Rhos 1,758.62 Bro Garmon 1,747.66 Bro Machno 1,766.44 Caerhun 1,748.07 Capel Curig 1,766.79 Cerrigydrudion 1,765.68 Conwy 1,777.36 Dolgarrog 1,750.87 Dolwyddelan 1,813.14 Eglwysbach 1,751.18 Henryd 1,745.47 Llanddoged and Maenan 1,757.74 Llanddulas and Rhyd-y-Foel 1,769.16 Llandudno 1,791.30 Llanfairfechan 1,828.97 Llanfairtalhaiarn 1,760.67 Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr 1,805.51 Llangernyw 1,753.82 Llangwm 1,753.26 Llannefydd 1,767.76 Llanrwst 1,835.69 Llansanffraid Glan Conwy 1,759.94 Llansannan 1,766.87 Llysfaen 1,762.56 Mochdre 1,762.21 Penmaenmawr 1,830.51 Pentrefoelas 1,769.41 Towyn/Kinmel Bay 1,812.15 Trefriw 1,797.79 Ysbyty Ifan 1,783.59 Being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(g) the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the amount of 2(b) calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act at the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. (ix) See Appendix A(i) for County and Town/Community Council valuation bandings. Being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at 3(g) and 3(h) by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in Valuation Band D calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands. d) That it be noted for the year 2024/2025, the major precepting authority has stated the following amount in precepts issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40, of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:- VALUATION BANDS A £.p B £.p C £.p D £.p E £.p F £.p G £.p H £.p I £.p Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales 233.10 271.95 310.80 349.65 427.35 505.05 582.75 699.3 815.85 e) That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(i) and 4 above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2), Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2024/2025 for each of the categories of dwellings shown in Appendix A(ii). (A recorded vote was requisitioned in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 20.5) THOSE VOTING IN FAVOUR OF THE ABOVE PROPOSITIONS: Councillors Penny Andow, Cathy Augustine, Carol Beard, Frank Bradfield, Chris Brockley, Chris Cater, Simon Croft, Sharon Doleman, Goronwy Edwards, Gwennol Ellis, Julie Fallon, Hannah Fleet, Sian Grady, Mandy Hawkins, Chris Hughes, Alan Hunter, Dave Jones, Gail Jones, Abdul Khan, Trystan Lewis, Ifor Lloyd, Paul Luckock, Charlie McCoubrey, Emily Owen, Nia Owen, Stephen Price, Mike Priestley, Kay Redhead, Austin Roberts, Dilwyn Roberts, John Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Susan Shotter, Michael Smith, Nigel Smith, Geoff Stewart, Trevor Stott, Andrew Wood and Aaron Wynne. THOSE VOTING AGAINST THE ABOVE PROPOSITIONS: Councillors Antony Bertola, Cheryl Carlisle, David Carr, Samantha Cotton, Louise Emery, Gareth Jones, Anne McCaffrey, Bernice McLoughlin, Thomas Montgomery, Jo Nuttall, Harry Saville and Jacob Williams
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy sought approval of the recommendations outlined in Appendix A of the report in relation to the recommended Budget 2024/2025 and Council Tax. The following points were highlighted: · Table 2 (Appendix 1 of the report) set out a resource shortfall of £22.648m. · The level of both pay and price inflation, as well as service pressures, continued to be significant and far in excess of the additional funding from Government. · Table 4 (Appendix 1 of the report) set out the impact of budget recommendations on the individual school budgets. · Based on the resource shortfall of £23.648m, less the identified reductions and funding of £15.633m, there was a remaining shortfall of £8.015m. · It was proposed that there was an overall uplift in Council Tax of 9.67% (8.9% to cover Council services and 0.77% to cover the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority levy). · A revised Medium Term Financial Plan was attached at Appendix 10 of the report. · Risks associated with the indicative budget for 2024/2025 were set out within Table 10 (Appendix 1 of the report). The following was discussed: · It was suggested that central Government were not providing adequate funding to Local Authorities and that the only option was to cut services and increase Council Tax. · In respect of a suggestion that Conwy County Borough Council (CCBC) should commit to capping budget cuts for schools, the Cabinet Member for Education advised that she would meet with the Head of Education Services and Strategic Director for Finance and Resources to discuss, however, a forward commitment would be difficult due to not having details of next year’s budget. Other Local Authorities were better placed to support school budgets due to their higher levels of reserves. · It was advised that school redundancy costs would be met from central balances and capital receipts. The costs, which were currently estimated at £0.5m were a concern but would ultimately yield savings. · Concern in respect of 5.5% cuts to schools, which would result in some of them utilising 59% of reserves. It was suggested that schools had been treated less favourably than other services due to a lack of consultation. · The Leader made reference to the 2019/2020 budget, which had resulted in a 4% cut to schools during a time when the Authority was not facing as many pressures. Other Local Authorities had the ability to utilise reserves to protect schools. · The Cabinet Member for Education advised that there was regular engagement with schools and that 47 Councillors were School Governors. A School Budget Forum met regularly and a Budget Working Group had specifically focused on education and school budgets. Further information was provided as follows:- - The Cabinet Member and accountancy officers met with schools as and when required. - Proposed budget cuts to schools had reduced from 10% to 5.5%. - Lobbying was ongoing for additional funding from Welsh Government and Central Government for schools. · CCBC had the second best Estyn profile in Wales and schools were funded above the national average. · The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that the school loans process was for exceptional circumstances. As schools were due to set a balanced budget by June 2024 loan applications would be made in April 2024. · Concern that the Council Tax increase was higher than inflation. · The Chief Executive advised that a vacancy control process was in place and that all job vacancies were considered by the Chief Executive and Strategic Director – Finance and Resources. It was also confirmed that many roles being advertised were grant funded. · In response to concerns raised regarding spend on consultants, the Chief Executive advised that the use of consultants was necessary for expertise, such as engineers or barristers and that recruiting to these positions would be costly. · A consultation was taking place in respect of non-statutory elements of home to school transport. · In response to a suggestion that reserves be utilised in order to reduce the Council Tax increase, it was advised that CCBC’s reserves were low and that it would be a one-off spend that would need to be found again in subsequent years. · Reference was made to a call-in following Cabinet on 23 January, which had resulted in positive changes to the budget, including not proceeding with 4 weekly nappy collections, adequately funding social care safeguarding posts and a reduction in the proposed Council Tax increase. · Concern was raised that unmet savings proposals would need to be met from reserves along with school redundancy and loan costs. · It was suggested that a strategy was required in respect of building reserves along with a vision for service transformation. · In response to concerns raised regarding money spent on a 4G pitch at Parc Eirias, Members were reminded that this was a spend to save initiative. · Reference was made to Welsh Government spending on initiatives, such as the introduction of 20mph speed limits and additional Senedd Members. · It was suggested that grants provided for electric vehicles could have been better used elsewhere. · It was advised that some data utilised within the funding formula was not up-to-date and would be looked at prior to next year’s budget. · It was suggested that the Barnett Formula did not take account of an ageing population. · Welsh Government had inadequate funding from Central Government. · Council tax increases in England were limited to 5%. RESOLVED: a) That the revenue estimates for 2024/2025, as submitted to and agreed by the Cabinet at its meeting on 20 February 2024, be approved and that all of the expenditure be classified as Council Fund expenditure and, therefore, there is no category of special items expenditure as defined in Section 35, Local Government Finance Act 1992. b) That it be noted that the Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy confirmed under delegated authority on 22 November 2023 the calculation made in accordance with Regulations made under Section 33 (5), Local Government Finance Act 1992 that:- - The amount of 52,442.55 as being the Council Tax base for the financial year 2024/2025 and that this amount comprises the aggregate of the amounts stated in the table in (b) below:- Community/Town Council Tax Base 2024/2025 Band D Equivalent Abergele 5,100.26 Bay of Colwyn 11,966.63 Betws-y-Coed 249.65 Betws-yn-Rhos 514.86 Bro Garmon 330.31 Bro Machno 345.61 Caerhun 680.26 Capel Curig 104.72 Cerrigydrudion 309.53 Conwy 7,635.04 Dolgarrog 167.04 Dolwyddelan 250.71 Eglwysbach 468.43 Henryd 406.96 Llanddoged and Maenan 291.30 Llanddulas and Rhyd-y-Foel 796.97 Llandudno 9,468.70 Llanfairfechan 1,516.75 Llanfairtalhaiarn 472.46 Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr 97.03 Llangernyw 500.05 Llangwm 221.68 Llannefydd 261.67 Llanrwst 1,269.16 Llansanffraid Glan Conwy 1,128.97 Llansannan 596.97 Llysfaen 908.14 Mochdre 680.54 Penmaenmawr 1,860.36 Pentrefoelas 147.89 Towyn/Kinmel Bay 3,218.44 Trefriw 387.83 Ysbyty Ifan 87.62 TOTAL 52,442.55 c) That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the financial year 2024/2025 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36, Local Government Finance Act 1992:- i £397,990,302 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2) (a) to (d) of the Act. ii £101,303,393 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(3) (a) and (c) of the Act. iii £296,686,909 being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its budget required for the year. iv £203,013,403 being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its Council Fund in respect of redistributed Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant, reduced by the amount calculated in accordance with Section 33 (3B) of the Act. v £1,786.21 being the amount at 3 (c) above, less the amount at 3(d) above – all divided by the amount at 2(a) above, calculated by the Council for the year. vi £2,771,163 being the aggregate amounts of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act. vii £1,733.37 being the amount at 3(e) above, less the result given by dividing the amount at 3(f) above by the amount at 2(a) above calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates. (viii) PART OF COUNCIL’S AREA BAND D COUNCILTAX £ Abergele 1,801.66 Bay of Colwyn 1,777.71 Betws-y-Coed 1,733.37 Betws-yn-Rhos 1,758.62 Bro Garmon 1,747.66 Bro Machno 1,766.44 Caerhun 1,748.07 Capel Curig 1,766.79 Cerrigydrudion 1,765.68 Conwy 1,777.36 Dolgarrog 1,750.87 Dolwyddelan 1,813.14 Eglwysbach 1,751.18 Henryd 1,745.47 Llanddoged and Maenan 1,757.74 Llanddulas and Rhyd-y-Foel 1,769.16 Llandudno 1,791.30 Llanfairfechan 1,828.97 Llanfairtalhaiarn 1,760.67 Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr 1,805.51 Llangernyw 1,753.82 Llangwm 1,753.26 Llannefydd 1,767.76 Llanrwst 1,835.69 Llansanffraid Glan Conwy 1,759.94 Llansannan 1,766.87 Llysfaen 1,762.56 Mochdre 1,762.21 Penmaenmawr 1,830.51 Pentrefoelas 1,769.41 Towyn/Kinmel Bay 1,812.15 Trefriw 1,797.79 Ysbyty Ifan 1,783.59 Being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 3(g) the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the amount of 2(b) calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act at the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate. (ix) See Appendix A(i) for County and Town/Community Council valuation bandings. Being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at 3(g) and 3(h) by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in Valuation Band D calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands. d) That it be noted for the year 2024/2025, the major precepting authority has stated the following amount in precepts issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40, of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:- VALUATION BANDS A £.p B £.p C £.p D £.p E £.p F £.p G £.p H £.p I £.p Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales 233.10 271.95 310.80 349.65 427.35 505.05 582.75 699.3 815.85 e) That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3(i) and 4 above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2), Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2024/2025 for each of the categories of dwellings shown in Appendix A(ii). (A recorded vote was requisitioned in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 20.5) THOSE VOTING IN FAVOUR OF THE ABOVE PROPOSITIONS: Councillors Penny Andow, Cathy Augustine, Carol Beard, Frank Bradfield, Chris Brockley, Chris Cater, Simon Croft, Sharon Doleman, Goronwy Edwards, Gwennol Ellis, Julie Fallon, Hannah Fleet, Sian Grady, Mandy Hawkins, Chris Hughes, Alan Hunter, Dave Jones, Gail Jones, Abdul Khan, Trystan Lewis, Ifor Lloyd, Paul Luckock, Charlie McCoubrey, Emily Owen, Nia Owen, Stephen Price, Mike Priestley, Kay Redhead, Austin Roberts, Dilwyn Roberts, John Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Susan Shotter, Michael Smith, Nigel Smith, Geoff Stewart, Trevor Stott, Andrew Wood and Aaron Wynne. THOSE VOTING AGAINST THE ABOVE PROPOSITIONS: Councillors Antony Bertola, Cheryl Carlisle, David Carr, Samantha Cotton, Louise Emery, Gareth Jones, Anne McCaffrey, Bernice McLoughlin, Thomas Montgomery, Jo Nuttall, Harry Saville and Jacob Williams
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/2025 and appendices including the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Discretionary Pension Statement be approved. Note: In the interest of transparency, the Chief Executive, Strategic Directors and Chief Officers declared a personal interest in the above item as the policy related to their pay and left the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
The Cabinet Member for Democracy and Governance sought approval for the Local Pay Policy Statement for 2024/2025, in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011. Pay Policy statements must be prepared and approved by the Council for each financial year and published on the relevant website by 31 March 2024. It was confirmed that the Pay Policy did not relate to Councillors’ pay, which was set by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales. RESOLVED: That the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/2025 and appendices including the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Discretionary Pension Statement be approved. Note: In the interest of transparency, the Chief Executive, Strategic Directors and Chief Officers declared a personal interest in the above item as the policy related to their pay and left the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
In the interest of transparency, the Chief Executive declared a personal interest on behalf of all Chief Officers for agenda item 8 (Pay Accountability in Local Government: Pay Policy 2024/2025 including Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) Discretionary Pension Statement), as the report related to their pay and, together with all Chief Officers, left the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
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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