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 to the proposed update to the Contract Procedure Rules.
AGREED to note the content of the report in advance of its presentation to the Cabinet meeting on the 07 October 2025.
AGREED to the content of the Engagement and Participation Policy Annual Report 2024-2025 and recommended that Cabinet consider and agree the report contents.
AGREED to (ii) receive the Gender Pay Report 2025; and (ii) receive the Workforce Equality Report 2025
AGREED to note the Forward Work Programme subject:- •to a report on the non collection of Council Tax to include an anonymised reasons for non payment by residents be presented at the November meeting in preparation of budget consideration; and •that a verbal update on the Task and Finish Group of County Farms be presented to the Committee at the September meeting by the Chair of that group, Councillor Rhodri Evans
Councillor Raymond Evans and Ann Bowen Morgan apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.
None.
None.
Mr Duncan Hall, Corporate Lead Officer Finance & Procurement provided Members with an Oversight of in year Financial Matters. He reported the latest quarterly financial position, which was the Q4 final outturn position for 24/25 as reported to Cabinet on 01/07/25 (which included the latest BRAG status position on the 24/25 Budget Reductions). This included both Revenue and Capital Financial Monitoring reports. This information enabled the Committee to scrutinise the financial matters pertinent to the areas of Service falling within its remit. At any point during the year, the Committee may choose to explore any area of the Budget within its remit via the Forward Work programme.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to the proposed update to the Contract Procedure Rules.
Consideration was given to the Review of Contract Procedure Rules 2025 to comply with Procurement. Members were informed of the changes in procurement legislation and practice which necessitated a review of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules. Following questions from the floor, Members AGREED to the proposed update to the Contract Procedure Rules.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to note the content of the report in advance of its presentation to the Cabinet meeting on the 07 October 2025.
Co Connsideration was given to the Annual Report of Compliments, Complaints, and Freedom of Information (2024-2025). The report had been presented in order to provide a comprehensive overview of the Compliments, Complaints and Freedom of Information (FOI) activity (including Environmental Information Regulations - EIR) received by the Authority during 2024 - 2025. The report also provided information about complaints referred to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales during this reporting period. The report provided information relating to the Council’s Compliments, Complaints and Freedom of Information activity between 1st April 2025 and 31st March 2025. The report was broken down into the following sections: • Introduction – an outline of the work of the Complaints and FOI Team and the Council’s obligations under each of the policies covered by this report. • Compliments – details of all compliments passed to the Complaints and FOI Team during this reporting period. • Complaints – data regarding the number and type of complaints received, the outcomes of the investigations undertaken, the Council’s performance against prescribed timescales and information relating to lessons learned. Examples of some of the lessons learned are included at the end of the report. • Ombudsman Activity – details of all Ombudsman referrals and their outcomes. Information surrounding the Early Resolution and/or Voluntary Settlements that were agreed by the Council during 2024-2025 are summarised at the end of this report. • Freedom of Information (FOI) and Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) – the number of information requests received by the Council during the reporting period, details of the Council’s performance with the statutory timescales and comparative data from previous reports. During discussions, the following points were noted: • The number of Ombudsman referrals had increased in comparison with the two previous years, and the number of Early Resolution/Voluntary Settlement agreements had also risen. This was reported as a cause for concern but could be attributed, in part, to the staffing problems experienced by the Complaints and FOI Team during this year. • As seen previously, challenges remain with regards to managing the complexity of some complaints, while still seeking to observe statutory timescales and although FOI and EIR activity was on par with the previous year, it is noted that performance with compliance had declined. Again, this was linked with the unplanned absences in the Complaints and FOI Team, which offers very little resilience in terms of business continuity. • Due to the difficulties identified within earlier reports about complaints handling and the management of information requests under FOI and EIR, Leadership Group agreed an Action Plan that was focused on strengthening the Council’s ability to effectively deal with these matters in a robust and resilient way. Work was ongoing to complete the objectives contained within this Action Plan and this is being monitored and reviewed on a routine basis. Following discussion, it was AGREED to note the content of the report in advance of its presentation to the Cabinet meeting on the 07 October 2025.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the Coroner update Report 2025. He firstly outlined the background to the report and then provide the Committee would an update on the current position as follows:- 1)Ceredigion Coroner Statistical Return 2023 The Ceredigion Statistical Return for 2023 was yet to be published As at date of writing, the return had not been forthcoming for 2023, and remains unpublished 2)Ceredigion Coroner Statistical Return 2024 As of the date of writing, the 2024 return had not yet been received and remains unpublished. However, some data had been shared. At the end of 2024, there were 31 outstanding cases over 12 months old, and 10 such cases were concluded during the year. 3) Ministry of Justice Annual Coroners National Statistics 2024 The Ministry of Justice Annual Coroners Statistics 2024 report had been published. This publication presented statistics of deaths reported to Coroners in England and Wales in 2024.Information was provided on the number of deaths reported to coroners, post-mortem examinations and inquests held, and conclusions recorded at inquests. 5)Local Authority Coroners Report 2023 & 2024 As at the date of writing, the return had not been forthcoming. Several reminder emails were sent to the Coroner. 6) Inquests During the period 6.01.2025 – 13.6.2025: • 11 Inquests had been opened. • 14 inquests had been held, of which: • 10 Inquests in writing had been held/concluded • 3 Inquests had been concluded 7) Appointment of additional Assistant Coroner On 22/1/25, Gareth Lewis (Senior Coroner Pembrokeshire & Carmarthenshire) was appointed as an additional Assistant Coroner by the Chief Coroner. 8) Corporate Service support A Corporate Support Officer to support the Coroner had been in post since 6/5/25.IT equipment had also been supplied to the Coroner, the Coroner's office and the Assistant Coroner 9) Ceredigion Coroners Service Charter Work on updating the Ceredigion Coroners Service Charter was now complete. The updated Charter was awaiting publication. 10)Coroners/Assistant Coroners Pay Coroners pay for 24/25 and 25/26 was set by Cabinet on 18/2/25: The Coroners Society had since withdrawn from the JNC pay arrangements. This meant that the local authorities would need to negotiate directly with Coroners/Assistant Coroners in respect of their future pay arrangements (backdated to 1/4/25), subject to any collective action intervention/negotiation. Judicial Fees 24/25 and pay awards 25/26 has been published by the Lord Chancellor & Secretary of State for Justice, in respect of all judicial office holders within scope of responsibility. Clarification was awaited as to status of Coroners as judicial office holders within the remit group. Chief Executive/Chief Officer pay awards negotiation resolutions were also awaited. Members welcomed that progress had been made in relation to the service and agreed to note the report for information.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to the content of the Engagement and Participation Policy Annual Report 2024-2025 and recommended that Cabinet consider and agree the report contents.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report upon Ceredigion Engagement and Participation Policy 'Talking, Listening and Working Together' Annual Report. He reported that the Ceredigion Engagement and Participation Policy ‘Talking, Listening and Working Together’ was approved by Cabinet on 04/10/2022 and published on 18/10/2022. The policy outlined the ambition of the Council to engage effectively with the people of Ceredigion to inform effective decision making. This ambition was underpinned by a range of legislation that the Council must adhere to, or the Council could risk a possible judicial review if not done correctly. This was the third annual report that outlines the progress in delivering the policy. Following discussion, it was AGREED to the content of the Engagement and Participation Policy Annual Report 2024-2025 and recommended that Cabinet consider and agree the report contents.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to (ii) receive the Gender Pay Report 2025; and (ii) receive the Workforce Equality Report 2025
Consideration was given to the Gender Pay Report and Workforce Equality Report 2025. The report had been presented to ensure that the Authority was meeting its requirements in relation to the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty 2011 to publish employment information annually and to ensure that the report was fit for purpose. Following discussion and questions from the floor, it was AGREED to (ii) receive the Gender Pay Report 2025; and (ii) receive the Workforce Equality Report 2025
Consideration was given to the changes to library opening hours. It was reported as part of budget savings introduced in 2024 difficult decisions were agreed requiring savings to be found in Library Services from a reduction of posts, vehicles, relocation of services and a review of library opening hours. Whilst a review of library opening hours had been completed, long term sickness and retirement issues made it difficult to predict exact rota outcomes to have absolute clarity on costs. The review found that there were a range of opening hours based on historical staffing requirements which no longer benefitted the service provision, especially since the cash offices have been removed and customer services face to face provision is part of the library offering. A new set of opening hours which allow the combined teams to work better together, provide improved cover and where possible allow staff rotas to cover opening hours with single shifts. This must also meet the previous full council decision to review opening hours and reduce costs. Following questions from the floor, it was agreed to recommend that Cabinet to support the changes to hours for cabinet decision
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
AGREED to note the Forward Work Programme subject:- •to a report on the non collection of Council Tax to include an anonymised reasons for non payment by residents be presented at the November meeting in preparation of budget consideration; and •that a verbal update on the Task and Finish Group of County Farms be presented to the Committee at the September meeting by the Chair of that group, Councillor Rhodri Evans
It was AGREED to note the Forward Work Programme subject:- •to a report on the non collection of Council Tax to include an anonymised reasons for non payment by residents be presented at the November meeting in preparation of budget consideration; and •that a verbal update on the Task and Finish Group of County Farms be presented to the Committee at the September meeting by the Chair of that group, Councillor Rhodri Evans
It was RESOLVED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the previous meeting.
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.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.