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 to approve the minutes of the 20th December 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
RESOLVED: 1. To provide feedback on the draft 2024/25 Revenue Budget Strategy as part of phase 2 of the Council’s 2024-25 Budget Consultation
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, there were no decalrations of interest pertaining to the agenda.
An apology for absence was received from County Borough Councillor G Caple.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 20th December 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the 20th December 2023 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: 1. To provide feedback on the draft 2024/25 Revenue Budget Strategy as part of phase 2 of the Council’s 2024-25 Budget Consultation
The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications presented the report to Members to be consulted on and for the Committee to formally respond to the second phase of the Council’s 2024-25 Budget Consultation. The Service Director advised that the Joint Consultative Committee is requested to comment on the draft 2024/25 Revenue Budget Strategy, as part of the second phase of the 2024-25 Budget Consultation process. The Service Director Finance and Improvement Services then gave a presentation to Members of the Committee and covered the following areas: Introduction – 2024/25 Draft Revenue Budget Strategy; The Council’s Current Financial Position (2023/24); Phase 1 Budget Consultation – Headlines; Provisional Local Government Settlement 2024/25 – Headlines/Implications for Rhondda Cynon Taf. Before continuing his presentation in respect of the Cabinet Proposed Budget Strategy 2024/25; and Next steps and key dates the Chair took the opportunity to comment on headlines and implications for the Council, commenting on difficulties of creating efficiency savings and the stark times that all Authorities were experiencing due to the budget pressures. The Chair noted that 75.6% of respondents to the consultation accepted a reasonable increase to Council Tax to protect service provision. The Leader of the Council commented upon the Councils proposed Council Tax level that had been consulted upon, advising that the proposed 4.9% was at the lower end of the spectrum in comparison to other proposed levels across other Welsh Authorities. The Leader commented on the importance of setting a Council Tax level that remained affordable to residents against the need to protect service provision and delivery. The Leader continued by referencing the efficiency savings and the ‘cuts’ that were unfortunately needed to be made due to the budget pressures, however provided examples of the opportunities to review and reverse the service delivery for some of the proposals in the future if more affluent opportunities allowed. The Service Director continued his presentation by outlining the detail of the proposed Budget strategy and welcomed feedback and comments from members of the Committee. The importance of communication was highlighted with Members commenting on the potential of providing useful information explaining how Council Tax is utilised by the Council within future Council Tax notices and it was agreed that such correspondence would be shared in advance with Trade Union colleagues. The Chair provided comment on a number of areas identified within the proposed budget strategy and spoke of the Councils successful Apprenticeship and graduate scheme and the continued funding in place to support this important scheme. In respect of the booking charge in respect of the Lido, the Chair commented on the rationale for the fee, adding that this still remained competitive for users. Mr P Crews (Unison) commented on the impact of the cut to the social care workforce grant commenting on the need to advise Welsh Government of the impact the withdrawal of the grant would have on the Council. In addition the Member took the opportunity to query the future funding of the Graduate and Apprenticeship scheme, referring to the funding by the specific service areas and queried what monitoring would be put in place to ensure the continued success and momentum of this scheme. The Leader of the Council spoke of the monitoring already in place by himself as Leader and the Deputy Leader, as well as the Senior Leadership Team. The Leader highlighted the continued importance of the Council ‘growing its own talent’ through the scheme and the base budget provided to support this scheme. The Service Director confirmed the base budget of £391k provided for the scheme and gave assurances of the close working arrangements in place with service areas in respect of budget monitoring arrangements and work force planning. In respect of the social care workforce grant it was confirmed that the draft budget strategy does take into account the cut to the work force funding and the Service Director confirmed that other measures were in place so that no impact would be witnessed. The Service Director commented on the Council’s disappointment regarding the timing of the announcement regarding the withdrawal of the grant and advised that the Council had lobbied Welsh Government. Mr C Jones (GMB) welcomed the news regarding the protection of the apprenticeship and graduate scheme and continued to highlight concerns in respect of the proposed uplift to car parking charges and the potential financial hardship this would place on some staff. The Leader discussed the availability of staff season tickets and the Leader asked that any specific cases be brought to his attention. Mr Jones also took the opportunity to query the Day Centre proposals and spoke of concerns of the impact of the proposals on the most vulnerable and out of reach residents of the County Borough. Ms L Davies (Unite) focussed on the proposals in relation to Meals on Wheels, referencing the previous changes taken forward for this service and queried whether data was available to ascertain whether there had been a decline in the service since such changes had been in place. Ms Davies commented on the vulnerability of service users and the financial and social impact the proposed increase may have on service users. The Deputy Leader reiterated the importance of the service and the increased cost in food which also lent itself to the proposed increases, commenting on the high quality of food that was provide and would continue to be provided. The Service Director noted the important service provided and the links with other services within the Council. Members were provided with detail of the subsidies provided by the Council for the service and the Service Director commented on the comparative of charges for meals on wheels against other Local Authorities, advising that the proposals remained at the lower end of the spectrum. The Service Director gave assurance that any increase would be to a minimum. Mr McCarthy (Unite) queried the reference within the presentation to the investment in respect of solar farm and income generation. The Service Director advised that this related to Royal Glamorgan Hospital and one off funded that would be provided by the Council and spoke of the opportunity of building in this income into future years. Members of the Trade Unions highlighted the importance of good communication links between the Council and Trade Unions, commenting on the efficiency savings and the finer details relating to the implementation of the proposals if agreed by the Council. The Director, Human Resources spoke of the systems in place to ensure such open dialogue was taken forward. Mr McCarthy posed the question to the Committee in respect of the ethical treatment of agency labour and the Director of Human Resources commented upon the commitment previously made by the Council and the phased approach being taken. The Chair thanked all Members for their contributions to the meeting and following discussions it was RESOLVED: 1. To provide feedback on the draft 2024/25 Revenue Budget Strategy as part of phase 2 of the Council’s 2024-25 Budget Consultation
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.