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.
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 July, 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the informal meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 30 June, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 30 June, 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED- That the Forward Plan for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
RESOLVED: That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the contents of the report. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That the report reflecting the final revenue outturn position for 2024/2025 be noted. (b) That that the General Fund balance as at 31 March 2025 of £7.076m and the overall level of reserves and balances (including the general fund) of £76.124m be noted. (c) That a review of the earmarked reserves, set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be undertaken to ascertain how long they have been earmarked reserves and whether there has been any financial activity in relation to these reserves and that a report be presented accordingly.
RESOLVED: That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the contents of the report. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That the net addition of £5.918m to the 2024/2025 Capital Programme be approved. (b) That the final capital outturn position for 2024/2025 of £39.828m be noted. (c) That the figure of £68.957m be carried forward from the 2024/2025 Capital Programme and added to the 2025/2026 Capital Programme.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Frank Bradfield and Abdul Khan.
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 7 July, 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 July, 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7 July, 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the informal meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 30 June, 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the informal meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs meeting held on 30 June, 2025 were submitted. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the informal meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs held on 30 June, 2025 be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 30 June, 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee meeting held on 30 June, 2025 were submitted. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee held on 30 June, 2025 be noted.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED- That the Forward Plan for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
The Scrutiny and Committee Services Officer presented Members with the individual Forward Work Programme (FWP) for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, together with the combined FWP. The Scrutiny and Committees Services Officer advised that as a result of the annual forward wok programme planning meeting, the FWP had been updated to reflect the reports that would come forward during the year.. The Chair advised that a report on Mochdre Commerce Park would be presented to Members on 1 September 2025. RESOLVED- That the Forward Plan for the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the contents of the report. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That the report reflecting the final revenue outturn position for 2024/2025 be noted. (b) That that the General Fund balance as at 31 March 2025 of £7.076m and the overall level of reserves and balances (including the general fund) of £76.124m be noted. (c) That a review of the earmarked reserves, set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be undertaken to ascertain how long they have been earmarked reserves and whether there has been any financial activity in relation to these reserves and that a report be presented accordingly.
The Leader introduced the Financial Outturn 2024/2025 report and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted the key points. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: · The allocation of additional funds from council tax premiums on second homes and empty properties during the 2024-2025 financial year. To date the additional income from premiums had predominantly been used to support costs relating to emergency temporary housing, such as bed and breakfasts (B&Bs). In addition, the differing costs between B&Bs and caravans was queried. The Cabinet Member advised that the intention was to phase out the use of B&Bs and caravans and increase affordable housing through grant, buybacks and empty home initiatives. Members were assured that more settled and cost-effective options for families and individuals in need were a priority for the Authority. · The rising costs of home-to-school transport was of concern and that whilst half the budget was statutory, the other covered discretionary transport services such as post-16 provision, Welsh medium education and support for vulnerable groups. The Authority had recently conducted a public consultation on discretionary transport, with changes due to be implemented in September 2025, including reductions in post-16 transport and stricter evidence requirements for certain provisions. In addition, there was ongoing scrutiny regarding the cost effectiveness of private taxis for school transport, taking on board the Council’s environmental commitment. The promotion of active travel and collaborative efforts with transport authorities to improve value for money and reduce costs was also being considered. · The challenge of managing overspends given the increasing demand and limited scope for cuts in essential services. Schools had contributed to budget shortfalls by using 40% of their reserves, partly due to factors like the decline in pupil numbers and the impact of Covid-19. A data driven review by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) was being undertaken to analyse school funding and inform future budget discussions, with findings expected to be complete by the end of September 2025, followed by submission to the Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee in the autumn. The management and transparency of earmarked reserves was raised, and it was proposed that a review of these reserves be undertaken to establish how long they had been earmarked and whether there had been any financial activity and that a subsequent report been presented to democracy accordingly.. Members were supportive of the recommendations, subject to the above amendment. RESOLVED: That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the contents of the report. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That the report reflecting the final revenue outturn position for 2024/2025 be noted. (b) That that the General Fund balance as at 31 March 2025 of £7.076m and the overall level of reserves and balances (including the general fund) of £76.124m be noted. (c) That a review of the earmarked reserves, set out in Appendix 2 of the report, be undertaken to ascertain how long they have been earmarked reserves and whether there has been any financial activity in relation to these reserves and that a report be presented accordingly.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the contents of the report. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That the net addition of £5.918m to the 2024/2025 Capital Programme be approved. (b) That the final capital outturn position for 2024/2025 of £39.828m be noted. (c) That the figure of £68.957m be carried forward from the 2024/2025 Capital Programme and added to the 2025/2026 Capital Programme.
The Leader introduced the Capital Programme 2024/2025 – Outturn Position and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted the key points. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Clarity was sought in terms of the variations in relation to the school private finance initiative (PFI) life cycle cost. Whilst the variations in terms of the PFI cycle cost was a year end accounting adjustment, given the increase in borrowing costs, the Strategic Director advised that the approach would be re-considered as part of the accounting closure for 2025/2026. • The on-going costs and funding in relation to the rennovation of 7 Abergele Road, Colwyn Bay was queried. Members were advised that grant funding was being used for the project, but it was being shown as borrowing, as the grant funding had been previously displaced. The Strategic Director advised that she would seek further detail in relation to the project from the relevant Head of Service and provide a response to Members. RESOLVED: That the Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the contents of the report. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That the net addition of £5.918m to the 2024/2025 Capital Programme be approved. (b) That the final capital outturn position for 2024/2025 of £39.828m be noted. (c) That the figure of £68.957m be carried forward from the 2024/2025 Capital Programme and added to the 2025/2026 Capital Programme.
The Leader introduced the Revenue Budget 2025/2026 - quarter one monitoring report and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted the key points. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The funding pressures in relation to the Welsh Government (WG) eliminate profit agenda and the National Insurance contribution shortfall of £129,000. • In relation to overspend in specific areas of Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF), the recently appointed Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Transport and Facilities advised that he would be meeting with officers in ERF to discuss the overspends and would report back accordingly. The Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Service Change stated that efforts were being made to address the overspend within the service before the end of quarter four. • Reference was made to the significant overspend within home-to-school transport and the need to further review the delivery of the service in order to manage the rising demands and funding constraints. In relation to the above, Members were advised that it was a priority, and options and policies were continually being explored in order to deliver efficiency savings. A Transport Officer Working Group involving Education and Social Services met monthly and whilst some Members favoured a Task and Finish Group, waiting for implementation of the new policy and reviewing progress in 12 months was advised. In addition, the need for improved transport infrastructure across the region and a fundamental review of how Local Authorities were funded was considered necessary. The Chief Executive advised that a Resilience Strategy, which was soon to be presented to democracy, would include workstreams addressing home-to-school transport and other services, which would further enable discussion and scrutiny in the future. • Clarity was sought in terms of the role of the business support and transformation function and the importance of maintaining focus on vulnerable people. • Preventative work through family centres was recognised as vital, together with the ambition to reduce the number of children looked after. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2025/2026 be noted. (b) That the virements set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved.
The Leader introduced the revised Capital Programme 2025/2026 - quarter one monitoring report and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted the key points. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Interest rate risk management in relation to the highways grant of £5 million and the need to protect against fluctuations. Members were advised the Welsh Government (WG) guaranteed a fixed interest rate for the borrowing, linked to the grant. It was further noted that that the £5 million was supplementary and did not replace, or release, existing allocated funds within highways. • Assurance was sought that the project scheduling and summer closure of the Coastal Risk Management Programme (CRMP) works in Kinmel Bay would not incur additional costs. Members were advised that contractor activities continued off-site, freeing up the area for the summer activities and visitors. • The overall financial outlook in relation to capital projects and whether the budgets were sufficient to deliver the projects. The Strategic Director advised that there were no known significant pressures expected to exceed the capital programme’s budget constraints. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: (a) That the net addition of £18.180m to the total Capital Programme be approved. (b) That the total Capital Programme of £106.207m and the first quarter capital outturn position for 2025/2026 be noted.
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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