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RESOLVED to note the draft amended Corporate Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy. There were no recommendations proposed to Cabinet.
RESOLVED to note contents of report and recommend the revised Policy for approval by Cabinet.
RESOLVED to note contents of report and the levels of activity within the Local Authority.
RESOLVED to note the report.
RESOLVED to receive the Self-Assessment Report 2024/25 including the Annual Review of Performance and Well-being Objectives
RESOLVED to accept the draft minutes of the Ceredigion PSB meeting held on 15th September 2025.
RESOLVED to note the information contained within the report and the volume of work undertaken during 2024/25.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting. Councillor Caryl Roberts apologised for her inability to attend the meeting.
Councillor Wyn Evans declared a personal interest in relation to item 6 below. Councillor Rhodri Evans declared a personal interest in relation to item 9 below.
The Chair respectively requested that questions from Committee Members are kept short and precise as there were many agenda items for consideration at the meeting.
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RESOLVED to note the draft amended Corporate Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy. There were no recommendations proposed to Cabinet.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to the Committee noting that there had been no RIPA activity during the period between 29 February and 15 September 2025 and that no applications had been considered during this time. He noted that the RIPA Senior Responsible Officer had reviewed the RIPA Policy and made amendments in accordance with current legislation, codes and guidance, which are shown in the revised policy. Other changes include the addition of Russell Hughes-Pickering as an Authorising Officer, contact details and a section on Artificial Intelligence. He noted that the RIPA Social Media Policy will be presented to Cabinet on 04.11.2025 and gave an update on training provided. It was RESOLVED to note the draft amended Corporate Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy. There were no recommendations proposed to Cabinet.
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RESOLVED to note contents of report and recommend the revised Policy for approval by Cabinet.
Councillor Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the Whistleblowing update report to the Committee noting that minor updates included an update to role titles, contact details and formatting. He noted that since January 2024, 1,782 Officer had undertaken training, of which 1,112 were refresher training. He also noted that between January 2024 and August 2025, 5 whistleblowing disclosure referrals had been made to the Monitoring Officer, of which 1 did not submit evidence, 1 was withdrawn and 3 led to formal investigation. All 5 referrals had been concluded, 3 of which by means of a review of internal actions and practices, 1 by a review of policies and procedures, 1 by other investigative process and 1 required no further action. There were no training requirements identified, and none that were ongoing or subject to ongoing investigation. Members acknowledged that the content of the referrals were confidential, asking why further training had not been identified. Elin Prysor confirmed that that no issues had arisen which related to training. Members asked if the training had been developed by Ceredigion County Council or if it was a module that had been developed for the whole of Wales. It was confirmed that the module had been developed by Ceredigion County Council. Members also asked why bullying had not been included in the list of disclosure of information explaining ‘what is whistleblowing’ and it was confirmed that there is a separate process for dealing with bullying. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to note contents of report and recommend the revised Policy for approval by Cabinet.
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RESOLVED to note contents of report and the levels of activity within the Local Authority.
The Chair welcomed Elizabeth Upcott, Corporate Manager, Quality Assurance and Safeguarding to the meeting to present the report. Elizabeth Upcott noted that it is a multi-agency management report relating to safeguarding children and adults in Ceredigion during the period from 1st January to 31st March 2025, which provide management information on action taken under the Wales Safeguarding Procedures which include information provided by other agencies in relation to safeguarding the welfare of children and adults in Ceredigion. She highlighted the trends and issues across the Region which included the following: Ø In Quarter 4, there was an increase in the number of reports/referrals that led to consideration under Child Protection Procedures for a Strategy Discussion/Strategy Meeting, from 308 in Quarter 3, to 344. Ø There were 15 Initial Child Protection conferences (25 children) in this quarter, compared to 12 (20 children) in Quarter 3. Ø 24 children were placed on the register in this quarter. Ø There were 28 Review conferences held in this quarter, and 22 children were removed from the register. 21 remained on the register. Ø There were 1020 contacts and referrals about children in Q4, of these 33.7% went to a Strategy Discussion stage (this related to 420 children), 8.9% went to a S47 Enquiry and then 1.2% proceeded to an Initial Child Protection Conference. Ø There were 93 S47 enquiries undertaken, 72 were undertaken jointly with the Police and 21 as a single agency. Ø Physical abuse, sexual exploitation and neglect were the main categories of abuse which led to a S47 Enquiry. Ø The percentage of Initial Child Protection Conferences held within timescale was 52.0% which is a decrease since Q3 which was 57.9%. However, 91.7% of core groups were held in timescale and 100% of Review Conferences were held in timescale. Ø The main risk factors for the 53 children who were on the child protection register as at the end of the quarter, was domestic abuse, parental substance misuse and parental mental health difficulties and an adult offence of violence. Ø The main category of abuse that led to registration was, neglect followed by emotional/psychological abuse followed by physical abuse. Ø In this quarter there were 4 children who were re-registered in this quarter, within the year. Ø There were 11 children/young people who were subject to concerns that led to a strategy meeting processes in relation to child exploitation. ADULT SAFEGUARDING Ø There were 197 reports/referrals received in relation to 178 adults suspected to be at risk of abuse and/or neglect compared to Q3 where there 184 reports relating to 164 adults suspected to be at risk of abuse/neglect. Ø Provider agencies were the highest source of referrals (44) in this quarter, followed by the Local Health Board (29) and Police (29). Ø Neglect and Emotional;/psychological was the highest category of abuse that was reported followed by physical abuse, financial and then sexual abuse. Ø In an individual’s own home was where abuse occurred the most, followed by a care home setting, then in the community, then in a Health setting. Ø A relative/friend were reported to be the highest people responsible for abuse, followed by paid employers. Members asked if there were any trends or pattern of abuse over time. It was confirmed that domestic abuse had consistently been the highest reported concern with allegations of emotional, psychological and neglect by relatives and friends. Occasionally it related to carers, and the service is able to provide support to carers. She noted that coercive control has a higher profile now than previously and as such it is reported more, whereas years ago it used to be in relation to care homes and health care settings, which have now reduced. Financial abuse is also less prevalent now with figures now showing emotional and psychological abuse are higher than financial abuse. The chair and members thanked Elizabeth Upcott for presenting the informative report. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to note contents of report and the levels of activity within the Local Authority.
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RESOLVED to note the report.
Councillor Gareth Davies, Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement presented the report to the Committee, noting that a report on Council Tax collection rates will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Corporate Resources Committee on 11th November 2025. Duncan Hall, the Corporate Lead Officer for Finance and Procurement and Section 151 Officer provided an overview of the quarterly Controllable Revenue Financial Monitoring report and quarterly Capital Financial Monitoring report for Quarter 1 presented to Cabinet on the 2nd September 2025. He noted that there had been a very small overspend and that a broadly breakeven position was currently forecasted by the end of the year. He noted a reducing trend for agency staff and confirmed that the pay award of 3.2% for NJC Staff from April 2025 had been agreed and paid, which was marginally above the anticipated 3%, with a differential of 0.2%. The Teachers’ pay award of 4% from September 2025 had also been paid in this months’ salary, with a 1% differential which would be funded by the Welsh Government, and passported to delegated school budgets. The cost of out of county placements was static at present, with 2 in county placements now in place. He gave an overview of the Council Tax collection rates, premiums and dynamics, noting that a comprehensive report will be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Corporate Resources Committee later this year. Duncan Hall provided a brief overview of the overall position in terms of services which are proactively managed corporately, with a projected overspend by Through Age Wellbeing Services which is mainly due to agency staff costs, which is offset by un underspend in other services. He also noted that the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme was now fully complete and open to the public, and that on over 4,000 people walked along the breakwater during the first day, averaging over a 1,000 visits per day since it was opened. Members acknowledged that the services could not currently function without agency staff, asking whether posts were currently being advertised. It was confirmed that positions are advertised periodically, and that a recruitment campaign with video shorts were paying dividends. Members also asked about the overspend for the coastal defence scheme, and it was confirmed that that it would be reported once the final position was confirmed and various avenues pursued. Members asked whether the 12 month premium exception which applied to empty and second homes that were being marketed for sale also applied to properties that were being marketed for rent, and whether there was any evidence of owners providing superficial information in order to avoid paying the premium. It was confirmed that it did apply to properties being marketed for rent, and that premium avoidance would be investigated as a matter of fraud. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to note the report.
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RESOLVED to receive the Self-Assessment Report 2024/25 including the Annual Review of Performance and Well-being Objectives
Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Democratic Services, Policy, Performance and People and Organisation presented the report to the Committee noting the achievements of the Council over the past 12 months. He noted that the Governance and Audit Committee had commented on the length of the report, however as this is a statutory requirement it is important that all relevant information is include in order to maintain standards of reporting. He also noted positive reports by Estyn, CIW, Audit Wales and the Panel Performance Assessment along with the benchmarking assessments which place Ceredigion County Council in the top quartile in a number of categories compared to other Authorities in Wales. He also emphasised the ethos of ‘Team Ceredigion’, including staff, Councillors and volunteers which had received significant recognition. Members noted the need for consistency when reporting the number of employees employed by the Council and noted that further consideration was required in relation to the National Residents Survey for 2024. Councillor Bryan Davies confirmed that the purpose of this review was to take such matters into consideration, suggesting that Members may wish to include any items of concern on their forward work programme. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to receive the Self-Assessment Report 2024/25 including the Annual Review of Performance and Well-being Objectives
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RESOLVED to accept the draft minutes of the Ceredigion PSB meeting held on 15th September 2025.
Hazel Lloyd-Lubran, Chair of the Public Services Board and Chair of CAVO presented the draft minutes of the Public Services Board meeting held on 15th September 2025 to the Committee. Hazel Lloyd-Lubran noted that a workshop had been held during the morning prior to the meeting at Patrick Holden’s farm to discuss food security, and she made reference to a project that is currently focussing on the food chain in mid-Wales . She noted that the Board have adopted a Fair Work Charter, and that partner organisations were due to feed back on their individual sign-up to the charter at the next meeting. She noted that a discussion on regional working was currently being considered and that an options paper was presented by Officers during the meeting. In addition, different methods of engagement are also being researched. Members noted that local food supply is important to the resident of Ceredigion, with significant production of milk and red meat and asked whether National Organisations located in Ceredigion should be involved in the work of the Board. It was confirmed that a Ceredigion Food Summit would be held in March of next year, with invitations sent to all relevant stakeholders. Following a discussion, it was RESOLVED to accept the draft minutes of the Ceredigion PSB meeting held on 15th September 2025.
Matthew Vaux, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection presented the report to the Committee outlining the requirements of the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. He noted that the Act received Royal Assent on 3rd April 2025, and that it is expected that the implementation period will be at least 24 months. Whilst those that fall within scope of the Act may wish to begin considering the requirements, they should note that there will be no legal requirement to comply until the legislation comes into force. He noted that a lot of work has been undertaken on the wider corporate security management agenda with the development of the School Lockdown Policy, and lockdown training for staff from education and other council services. Diana Davies, Corporate Manager for Policy, Performance and Public Protection noted that further updates would be provided on receipt of the statutory guidelines for the Act. The Committee agreed to note the updated briefing on the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 – Martyn’s Law.
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RESOLVED to note the information contained within the report and the volume of work undertaken during 2024/25.
Dwynwen Jones, Scrutiny Officer presented the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report to the Committee, noting that the report highlights the key issues that have been considered by the five Overview and Scrutiny Committees during 2024/25. She noted the revised easy read style, which has a focus on outcomes and results, and the inclusion of a table which shows all the work carried out by the Committees. She noted that the report will be presented to Council in November prior to being published on the Council’s website. She thanked Lisa Evans who had supported the Committees during the period of the annual report and welcomed Emma Parry-Jones to her new role. Councillor Wyn Evans, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Coordinating Committee thanked the Officers for their support and for preparing the report. This was reiterated by Councillor Bryan Davies, who also thanked the Chairs and members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees for their excellent work. Councillor Marc Davies thanked Officers for supporting the Chairs and the Committees, noting the importance of representing residents in the scrutiny process. He also noted his disappointment that representatives from the Welsh Government had declined invitations to attend meetings. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to note the information contained within the report and the volume of work undertaken during 2024/25.
Duncan Hall, Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement and Section 151 Officer presented the report from the Budget Task and Finish group. He noted that a Task and Finish group was established to identify a range of service areas for consideration by each Committee to assist and to produce a clear achievable scope in relation to the scrutiny of Council Budgets. Each Thematic Scrutiny Committee would receive reports from the respective Service in advance of the 26/27 formal Budget Setting process. The Task and Finish group met 3 times and agreed upon circa 17 items for inclusion in the Forward Work Programmes, and an outline of the information required. He noted that the Task & Finish Group had achieved its original aim and that this work had now concluded. RECOMMENDATION (S): a) The report is for each Overview and Scrutiny Committee to be aware of the items that have been included in the individual Forward Work Plans. The Budget Task and Finish Group has achieved its original aim and therefore can be concluded. The Chair thanked Duncan Hall for his work during the Task and Finish Group meetings Dwynwen Jones, Overview and Scrutiny Officer also took the opportunity to thank Duncan for his support during the process. Committee Members agreed that the Budget Task and Finish Group has achieved its original aim and can now be concluded. It was noted that the items have been placed on all 5 Committee’s individual Forward Work Plans for consideration. It was agreed that this has been a worthwhile exercise.
Each Chair/vice Chair in turn gave an update on their respective Committee’s Forward Work Plans.
It was AGREED to confirm the minutes of the 2nd July 2025 Committee meeting as a true record. There were no matters arising from those minutes.
The Chair thanked everyone for attending the meeting. It was not possible to bring the Income Generation Across All Services. It was noted that the Income Generation report will be presented to the Committee at the special meeting arranged for the 4th December 2025.
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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