Wrthi'n llwytho
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RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Governance and Audit Committee held on 8 December 2025 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the Local Government Budget Report 2026/2027 be noted.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Julie Fallon (Leader) and Abdul Khan.
In the interest of transparency, Councillor Mike Priestely declared a personal interest in agenda item 7a (UK Government - Pride in Place Impact Fund) as he is a trustee for Community and Voluntary Support Conwy. As the declaration was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Priestley remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
None.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Governance and Audit Committee held on 8 December 2025 be noted.
The minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee held on 8 December 2025 were submitted. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Governance and Audit Committee held on 8 December 2025 be noted.
None.
The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Planning introduced the proposed capital programme for 2026/2027 and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted key points from within the report. The report provided details of the draft capital programme for 2026/2027 following the announcement of the Local Government Provisional Settlement. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Concerns were raised that increased borrowing levels would increase pressure on future revenue budgets. • Finance officers had been working with Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) on developing a rolling programme for vehicle replacement. • It was confirmed that repairs and maintenance work to schools was essential in order to provide a safe environment for learners. - Whilst a nine‑year rolling programme was in place, demographic changes were taken into account. - Essential work was required at Ysgol Eirias due to asbestos and an extension to Ysgol y Gogarth would replace temporary classrooms and provide a longer‑term solution. - It was suggested that Ysgol y Gogarth was no longer fit for purpose as numbers continued to increase and there was a waiting list. - Staffing and resource constraints affected the ability to deliver projects at pace. • While grants were used to insulate schools, some buildings were too dilapidated to be insulated. • It was confirmed that although match‑funding investment for the Llanrwst and Colwyn Bay swimming pools would generate modest savings, its primary benefit would be a reduction in carbon emissions. - The issue of affordability in meeting carbon reduction targets was raised. • Whilst a temporary solution was in place in respect of the retaining wall to the rear of the Empire Hotel, Llandudno, it was confirmed that alternative solutions could be explored and discussed with local members. • The Head of Strategic Housing confirmed that the decision not to allocate £1.6m in transitional accommodation match funding did not affect the ambition to deliver affordable homes. - A social housing grant programme was in place, which included Transitional Accommodation Capital Programme (TACP) funding and by working with Registered Social Landlords (RSLs), the grant claim had been maximised. - Work continued to focus on bringing empty properties back into use, supporting the private rented sector and expanding leasing portfolios. • It was confirmed that the delivery of new schools within the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) would receive funding from housing developments. • The Chief Executive advised that whilst there was a resilience strategy in place, it was in its infancy. - Capacity issues within services could not always be addressed due to financial constraints. - Work was ongoing on digital solutions and artificial intelligence to free up staff capacity. • It was suggested that additional funding was required for highways due to the maintenance backlog and the need to ensure residents could travel within the County. • In response to concerns that no funding had been allocated for coastal defence asset maintenance, the Head of Environment, Roads and Facilities (ERF) confirmed that funding would need to be sought in the event of future storms. • The need to allocate £1m for depot refurbishment was questioned due to potential future projects to relocate some of the depots. - The Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Infrastructure advised that working conditions were extremely poor. - As some grant monies may be available, the full allocation of £1m may not be required. - There were no plans to relocate two of the depots and relocation of the others would be a lengthy process. Staff required suitable working conditions. It was proposed and seconded that additional information be provided to Cabinet in respect of the proposed refurbishment programme of four operational depots. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That additional information be provided to Cabinet in respect of the proposed refurbishment programme of four operational depots. That the 2026/2027 capital programme of £22.408m (net of specific grant funding) be recommended to Council for approval.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the Local Government Budget Report 2026/2027 be noted.
The Cabinet Member for Finance and Strategic Planning introduced the Local Government Budget 2026/2027 and the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources highlighted key points from within the report. The provisional settlement included an increase in Conwy’s Aggregate External Finance (AEF) of 4.1% with an average increase of 4.5% across Wales. It was noted that Conwy’s estimated funding shortfall, after allowing for the provisional settlement and other adjustments, for 2026/2027 was £8.777m In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • The Head of Strategic Housing advised that reduced costs in temporary accommodation had resulted from other investments and outcomes of the rapid rehousing approach. - Officer caseloads had reduced following a reconfiguration of the service. - Service user feedback was welcomed to support ongoing service improvements. • The Head of Education Services advised that the distribution of funding to schools was being reviewed. - The school footprint was being reviewed in line with the School Organisation Code. - It was expected that some schools would request loans and that there would be some redundancies. • In respect of forecasting the Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that past trends and demography had been considered, especially in relation to Social Care demand. - Assurance was provided, that work had been carried out to determine reasonable estimates in respect of a balanced budget. - In respect of Children Looked After, efforts were being made to provide local placements, alongside ongoing promotion of foster carers. - Whilst some unregulated settings were utilised, the settings were reviewed and monitored regularly and alternative provision sought. - It was suggested that a report on the governance, control and finance of the Children Looked After service be presented to Overview and Scrutiny. · The potential of a reduction in the school’s budget was discussed but it was noted that: - The only savings that could be made within schools was staffing costs. - A good education offer was required in order to attract families to the County. - It was confirmed that the school formula allocated funding to schools based on their pupil numbers. - Schools were utilising grants to cover some costs. - School pressures, as a result of reducing pupil numbers, prior use of balances and loss of grants, had not been quantified. • Concerns were raised that spend on home to school transport continued to increase and it was suggested that establishing area schools in rural areas could further escalate spending due to increased travel requirements. • The Strategic Director – Finance and Resources advised that the current scope of the Capital Programme reflected historical commitments. • Concerns were raised regarding the proposal to introduce on-street parking charges for Blue Badge holders in standard bays. - It was confirmed that the suggestion originated from a budget working group, highlighting the need to review Blue Badge usage, particularly regarding all-day parking. · It was confirmed that, following recommendation from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), work to consider service statutory minimum has been undertaken on a service by service basis. - Work to define the statutory minimum would continue and would be discussed at future budget working groups. - Representations had been made to the Welsh Government regarding the lack of funding associated with new statutory obligations. • The Chief Executive acknowledged the importance of a talent scheme and succession planning. - Details on how the Council benefitted from the apprenticeship levy would be clarified. RESOLVED: That the Local Government Budget Report 2026/2027 be noted.
The Cabinet Member for a Sustainable Economy and Communications introduced a report on the UK Government - Pride in Place Impact Fund and the Funding Development and Governance Manager provided Members with a presentation highlighting key points. In scrutinising the report, Members discussed the following: • Whilst it was acknowledged that a significant portion of UK Shared Prosperity Fund monies had not been directed toward community groups or the voluntary sector, it was noted that the membership of the Partnership Panel had changed and it was hoped that the new members would better reflect the needs of the community. • It was confirmed that priority areas were considered in respect of all funding. • Governance processes were in place in order to safeguard the funding. • Support was offered to community groups to assist them in completing the required forms. • Although UK Shared Prosperity funding had been available to community groups, some may not have submitted applications. • Alternative funding sources were available to support community groups and the voluntary sector. RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: a) That the use of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) Conwy Community Regeneration and Supporting Local Business Key Fund delivery models as the mechanism for managing the Pride in Place Impact Fund projects, in accordance with the approvals and delegations agreed by Cabinet on 22 August 2023 be approved. b) That the existing Conwy UKSPF Local Partnership Panel be repurposed into a new Pride in Place Impact Fund Panel. c) That the indicative allocation of the £1.5 million capital grant across the following themes be approved: · £500,000 for Community Spaces · £500,000 for Public Spaces · £500,000 for High Street and town centre revitalisation Note: In the interest of transparency, Councillor Mike Priestely declared a personal interest in the above item, as he is a trustee for Community and Voluntary Support Conwy. As the declaration was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Priestley remained in the meeting whilst the item was discussed and voted upon.
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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