Wrthi'n llwytho
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RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 January 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Sian Grady be appointed as the representative from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to sit on the School Loan Application Panel.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Goronwy Edwards, Stephen Price, Andrew Wood and Katie Clubb (Head of Strategic Housing)
None.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 January 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 January 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 January 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That Councillor Sian Grady be appointed as the representative from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to sit on the School Loan Application Panel.
Nominations were sought for a representative from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to sit on the School Loan Application Panel. RESOLVED: That Councillor Sian Grady be appointed as the representative from the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee to sit on the School Loan Application Panel.
The Leader as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced the Revised Capital Programme 2024/2025 - Quarter Three Monitoring Report and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted key points from within the report. The total capital programme now stood at £106.458m, which was made up of the £102.194m, as set out in the November 2024 report, plus £1.581m relating to projects approved in the last quarter and further net amendments of £2.683m. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Whilst there was a degree of risk associated with the Ty Mawr Development, there was potential to yield significant capital receipts. • Grants had been confirmed in respect of the Watling Street Car Park project. The overall value of the scheme was unchanged. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET (a) That the amendments of £2.683m, which increase the total Capital Programme, be approved. (b) That the total Capital Programme of £106.458m and the third quarter capital outturn position for 2024/2025 be noted.
The Leader as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced the Revenue Budget 2024/2025 - Quarter Three Monitoring Report and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted key points from within the report. The following points were highlighted: • School redundancy costs had not been accounted for. • Applications for UK Shared Prosperity Funding were going through an approval process. If approved, this could result in approximately £500k of funding. • If any remaining shortfall was not contained, then reserves and balances would need to be used to address the shortfall. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Meetings were ongoing in respect of outstanding payments from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB). - BCUHB would be invited to attend an Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which would provide an opportunity for Members to raise any issues.. - Disputes over payments for health and social care was a national issue. - Concern that Council Tax income was being utilised to deliver essential services. • Whilst reablement had reduced individual care costs, the demand had increased meaning that an overall saving had not been achieved. • Proposed income generation from Llys Elian day services would be reviewed, as the layout of the building had made it difficult to deliver these services. • There was a duty to follow the Welsh Government (WG) continuing care guidance in respect of vulnerable children. • Approximately £2m would be required, in order to build up reserves to 5% of the Council’s overall budget, however there was a possibility that some reserves would be required to balance the budget. • Analysis was being carried out in respect of the national decrease in Council Tax collection rates. - A review of eligibility for the single person Council Tax discount had been carried out and additional second homes had been identified which had generated some additional income. - Council Tax relief for Foster Carers had been implemented. • Concern was expressed that school reserves had reduced significantly and it was suggested that clearer reporting of school budgets was required in order to better reflect their budgetary position. - School budget reporting had always included reserves. - The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources would enquire as to how other Local Authorities presented their school budget information. • Specific legislation was in place in respect of school redundancies. - School Governors had an input into budget decisions. - Falling pupil numbers could result in the need to make redundancies. • It was confirmed that the Shared Prosperity Fund would cease in 2026. - Details had not yet been received in respect of a replacement funding stream. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2024/25 be received and noted.
The Leader, as the portfolio holder for Finance and Finance Strategy introduced the Draft Revenue Budget and Council Tax increase report for 2025/2026, which set out the current information relating to the budgetary process and formed the basis of the indicative budget. The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted the following points: • Floor arrangements could result in approximately £400k of additional funding within the final settlement. • The budget for weed spraying had been reintroduced due to the negative consequences of stopping this service. • Budget Working Groups had been held, including a specific session on school finances. • There was no planned use of reserves and balances and whilst there was no recurring budget set aside to build balances, one off monies could be utilised for this purpose. • It was proposed that there was an overall uplift in Council Tax of 9.4% (8.72% for council services plus an additional 0.68% for the increase in the levy to the North Wales Fire and Rescue Authority (NWFRA)). • Risks associated with the indicative budget for 2025/2026 were set out within table 8 (Appendix 1 of the report). In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • It was confirmed that of 55,000 households in Conwy, around 22,000 people received a single person Council Tax discount and low income households also received support. - Conwy County Borough Council’s (CCBC) Council Tax was below the UK average. • It was suggested that a higher Council Tax increase should be considered in order to ensure financial resilience and to assist with service transformation. - The Leader advised that a balance was required as any increase in Council Tax negatively impacted on residents. • The NWFRA precept included their National Insurance obligations. - The Welsh Government (WG) had announced £109m for Local Authorities in respect of National Insurance contributions. - Approximately 3.6% of the CCBC Council Tax increase was due to National Insurance contributions. • Councils which were required to impose high levels of Council Tax increases, such as CCBC had received a low level of funding per capita from WG. - CCBC received 16% less per capita than Denbighshire County Council (DCC) despite being a 97% match according to data Wales. - CCBC had a higher level of elderly residents than DCC which resulted in higher costs. - Other Public Sector Bodies were facing similar difficulties. - Local Government was underfunded and undervalued. - WG had based CCBC’s settlement on a 10.25% Council Tax increase. • Whilst it was suggested that investment should be made in artificial intelligence (AI), it also suggested that it was too early to invest as evidence was required to ensure savings were realised. • The Conwy Valley cycle path scheme was grant funded and had been selected by the UK Government. • It was suggested that a more radical approach should be considered in respect of school amalgamations. • Details in respect of service related earmarked reserves which were to be returned to the corporate ‘pot’ would be outlined within the financial outturn report. - Whilst most services were impacted, the greatest impact was for Economy and Culture and Environment, Roads and Facilities. • Concern in respect of the impact of increases in allotment fees. • The reinstated funding for weed spraying and the increased funding for domiciliary care and nursing home fees was welcomed. • Consideration could be given to a future hardship relief fund for those that were no longer in receipt of the winter fuel allowance and did not qualify for pension credits. • The Leader confirmed that he would continue to lobby in respect of the disparity within the funding formula. - Additional funding was not provided for elderly residents who were under 85. - CCBC had a significant level of single pensioner households. - AI could be utilised in order to fund Council’s in fairer manner. - The Scottish funding formula was fairer. • In readiness for the Cabinet meeting, the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources would provide details of the proposed Council Tax increase had CCBC received the same level of funding as its neighbouring authorities. • Schools had been identified as the number one priority within the resident’s survey and the School’s Budget Working Group had provided Members with an insight into budgetary difficulties faced by head-teachers. - Whilst the proposal was to keep school budgets the same, there had been a desire from some members to provide an increase. - The majority of Members were School Governors. - Financial circumstances were different within each school. - CCBC provided the seventh highest level of funding for schools of the 22 Welsh authorities. - Schools were facing significant pressures due to increased Additonal Learning Needs (ALN). - An additional 1% in school funding would result in a Council Tax increase above 10%. - A significant amount of work had been carried out in order to reach a position of a 0% cut to schools. - The Strategic School Working Group would seek to address specific issues faced by Schools. - All Services were important. The monitoring Officer clarified that as per the constitution, Cabinet were required to put forward a proposed balanced budget to Council as opposed to a number of options. Members would have the opportunity to put forward alternative proposals at the Council meeting. • Whilst it was proposed that an alternative budget be provided to Council whereby schools were awarded a 1% increase, this proposal was not seconded. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET That a balanced budget be recommended for Council approval.
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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