Wrthi'n llwytho
Y penderfyniadau fel y mae cofnodion y cyngor yn eu cofnodi. Bydd crynodeb mewn iaith glir yn dilyn pan fydd wedi'i ysgrifennu.
AGREED that they had considered the content of the report and the remaining recommendations; the Committee did not propose any additional recommendations.
Nia Wyn Evans and Sian M Jones, Coopted Members, apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.
Councillors present in their role as School Governors on behalf of the Authority all declared a personal interest.
None
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED that they had considered the content of the report and the remaining recommendations; the Committee did not propose any additional recommendations.
Each Overview and Scrutiny Committee were asked to consider the draft 2026/27 Budget report presented to Cabinet on 13 January 2026. The Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 02.02.2026 at 1.30pm. Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council and Councillor Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement presented the draft budget report for 2026/2027 to the Committee providing an overview of the funding settlement, key budget pressures, the proposed Council Tax increase, the Capital Programme and the significant gap between aspirations and available funding, financial resilience and identified risks. The Leader of the Council stated that Welsh Government (WG) announced the 26/27 Local Government Provisional Settlement on 24/11/25, which initially gave Ceredigion a funding increase of 2.3%, via a funding floor. However, this was then superseded by the WG and Plaid Cymru Budget Agreement announced on 09/12/25. The updated position means that Ceredigion will now receive a 4.1% funding increase for 26/27 in total worth c£6m. The Leader stated that although he was pleased and grateful for the funding increase provided by Welsh Government, Ceredigion County Council are receiving the lowest settlement. This is considered to be due to the Welsh Government funding formula. He said he had written to the Minister expressing concerns listing the numerous challenges faced by the Authority and will continue to lobby as and when appropriate to do so. Members were also reminded of the Council’s legal obligation, a duty which falls on all Members, to set a Budget before 11th March of each year for the following year. It was also noted that communication was received on the Friday of last week, noting that Ceredigion County Council would receive a grant of £38k towards the cost of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service levy. This would result in a decrease of 0.05% to the overall Council Tax. It was also noted that demographic changes including an ageing population and declining pupil numbers were having a significant impact upon the primary schools in Ceredigion which would also impact secondary schools in due course. Duncan Hall, Executive Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement also confirmed the Welsh Government Final Settlement had resulted in a small change, with an additional £6k which would need to be reflected in the figures for the report to Cabinet on 10/02/26. Duncan Hall, also advised Committee Members that: · Employee Pay awards are always a key budget variable, not determined by the Authority. For 26/27 pay awards are assumed to fall back and are estimated to cost c£4.1m. Unions have submitted a pay claim for 26/27 of £3,000 or 10% for every spinal point, 2 hours reduction in working hours per week and 1 additional annual leave day per year. As this point in time no National Employers’ offer had been made. · The largest Budget Reduction / Saving of c£1.6m was due to a reduction in the Employers Contribution rate in relation to the Dyfed Pension Fund. He advised that the latest triennial valuation undertaken by an independent actuary showed that the Ceredigion share of the Pension Fund had assets of c£559m and liabilities of c£429m, thereby meaning there was a surplus of c£130m or 30%. This position meant the Employers Contribution rate could reduce from 14.6% to 12.5% for the next 3 year period. The Chair noted the various reports from Services that the Committee had previously received in relation to the work of the Budget Task & Finish Group. Councillor Wyn Thomas, Cabinet Member, took the opportunity to thank all Staff within the Schools, Lifelong Learning and Culture Service and congratulated them on their hard work and commitment during this financial year. Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions. The main points raised were as follows: • Members requested clarification upon the calculation of local inflation for Ceredigion County Council. Duncan Hall Executive Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement confirmed that the calculation was simply the Council’s estimated cost pressures for the forthcoming year taken as a proportion of the Council’s total budget value. He explained that in the same way that cost pressures vary from person to person (i.e. every person’s ‘basket’ of costs will be different), it will also vary from Authority to Authority based upon local circumstances and needs. • Members requested clarification in terms of the Capital Projects, specifically plans to build an extension at Aberaeron, Rhydypennau and Penparc Primary Schools. Officers noted that a 9-year Strategic Outline Plan (SOP) had been submitted to the Welsh Government, and that the proposals for Aberaeron, Rhydypennau and Penparc Primary Schools were included in the second of the 3-year terms. It was also noted that there were several strategic capital ambitions which would require match funding including a proposed Coast Protection scheme for Aberystwyth, future Education aspirations for the Agricultural vocational training provision in Lampeter and wider campus related plans. · Following a question regarding the Authority’s sickness insurance, Duncan Hall confirmed that individual Schools have the opportunity to buy in to the scheme should they wish to do so and that the new SSP changes coming in were not likely to have a significant impact due to the Council have a more generous Sick pay scheme than is generally the case in the private sector. • Members asked whether the revised allocation to schools of 4.1% would be sufficient to meet their cost pressures. Barry Rees, Executive Director noted that the schoolteachers’ pay settlement which accounts for circa 80% of the schools’ budget was currently unknown, as well as that of Teaching Assistants and other staff; therefore, at present all figures were based upon best estimates. Members also asked whether the energy framework agreement could be amended to coincide with the financial year. • Members requested clarification on the savings from the Dyfed Pension contributions. Duncan Hall Executive Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement confirmed that the scheme is reviewed every 3 years, and that the outcome for this period benefitted Ceredigion County Council as the Employers Contribution rate could be reduced due to the Ceredigion share of the Dyfed Pension being in surplus, however even with the reduction a prudence position was still being maintained. Barry Rees, Executive Director also confirmed that the cost reduction associated with the change in the Employers Contribution rate was £1.6m per annum, with this sum being reduced from the relevant Service budgets. • Members requested clarification as to where the saving from consideration to close primary schools in the North of the County in 2024/25 were shown in the budgets. Duncan Hall noted that the figures were indicative savings as opposed to actual budget figures and therefore were never included in the Council’s base budget. • Following a question from a member, it was advised that Teachers pay Award will not be confirmed until September 2026. • Members noted the existing recommendation approved by Cabinet that any additional funding arising from the final settlement from the Welsh Government is passported to the relevant service as appropriate. Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following recommendations: For the respective Services that are within the remit of this Overview and Scrutiny Committee: 1. To consider: a) the overall draft 26/27 Budget position. b) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Movements. c) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Cost Pressures. d) the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Reductions Proposals. e) the relevant elements of the Fees & Charges proposals. f) the relevant elements of the Multi-year Capital Programme. g) the Budget Engagement Feedback report. 2. To consider the proposal recommended by Cabinet on 13/01/26: a) A draft 26/27 Budget Requirement of £221.493m, resulting in a Council Tax increase (for the Ceredigion County Council component) of £7.47 per month for a Band D property (4.75%). (Noting that Ceredigion County Council would receive a grant of £38k towards the cost of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service levy. This would result in a decrease of 0.05% to the overall Council Tax, increase of £7.39 per month for a Band D property (4.7%). 3. To make recommendation(s) for Cabinet to consider on 10/02/26, as the Committee deems appropriate, in relation to the Budget. Committee’s recommendation: 1. Following discussion, Committee Members AGREED that they had considered the content of the report and the remaining recommendations; the Committee did not propose any additional recommendations.
It was AGREED to confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2025. Matters arising: Councillor Endaf Edwards had extended his apologies which were not recorded in the minutes.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
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Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.