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RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on the 28th January 2026 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
RESOLVED to adopt the Notice of Motion. ********************************************************************************************* To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion which has been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.1 and received by the Proper Officer, standing in the names of County Borough Councillors: S. Bradwick, V. Dunn, L. Addiscott, M. D. Ashford, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, J. Bonetto, J. Brencher, G. Caple, J. Cook, A. Crimmings, S. J. Davies, R. Davis, A. J. Dennis, J. Edwards, J. A. Elliott, L. Ellis, S. Emanuel, R. Evans, Sheryl Evans, A. S. Fox, B. Harris, S. Hickman, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, G. W. Hughes, W. Hughes, G. Jones, G. O. Jones, R. R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, M. Maohoub, C. Middle, A. Morgan, N. H. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Parkin, S. Powderhill, C. Preedy, S. Rees, A. Roberts, G. Stacey, L. A. Tomkinson, W. Treeby, J. Turner, G. L. Warren, E. L. Watts, K. Webb, M. Webber, D. Williams, G. E. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams and R. Yeo. The announcement by Lloyds Banking Group that it will close its Aberdare town centre branch is a bitter blow for the community. If this proposal proceeds, it will result in the loss of the last dedicated bank branch in the town centre. This decision shows disregard for the banking needs of residents across the Cynon Valley, particularly small business owners and vulnerable members of the community. Our towns have faced a steady erosion of banking services over the last decade, driven by financial institutions intent on pushing customers towards online banking. This is despite the loyalty those same customers have shown for generations. While digital banking continues to grow, a significant proportion of the population still relies on face?to?face services, including older people, disabled residents, those on low incomes and those without reliable internet access. Removing physical banking provision only deepens the digital divide. This closure is equally being proposed at a time of record-breaking profits for the banking sector. Lloyds Banking Group reported pre?tax profits of £6.7 billion in 2025 which represents a 12% increase. Whilst the UK’s “Big Four” banks collectively recorded profits exceeding £45 billion in 2024. These enormous profits stand in stark contrast to the withdrawal of essential services from the very communities that helped sustain these institutions, including during the 2008 financial crisis. Every town in Rhondda Cynon Taf has been affected by bank closures in recent years, leaving many residents facing long and difficult journeysjust to access basic financial services. Should this closure proceed, it will have a damaging impact on the local economy. The Council and local businesses have worked tirelessly to ensure Aberdare remains a thriving town centre capable of meeting modern challenges. This Council notes: · The inadequacy of “Post Office alternatives,” which cannot provide the full range of financial services, business support or security offered by a dedicated bank branch. · The deep sense of betrayal felt by residents who supported these institutions through difficult times, only to see them withdraw from our communities. This Council therefore resolves to: · Condemn the decision by Lloyds Banking Group to close its Aberdare branch, prioritising profit over its social responsibility to customers and communities. · Request that the Council Leader writes to Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Members of Parliament, urging them to join the Council’s campaign and use their positions to press the UK Government for stronger protections for communities facing the loss of essential banking services. · Request that the Council Leader writes directly to Lloyds Banking Group, demanding that they reconsider this decision and use a fraction of their recent profits to maintain a meaningful physical presence in towns like Aberdare, rather than rewarding shareholders at the expense of local people. · Request that the Council Leader writes to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, formally registering the Council’s opposition and asks what further actions can be taken to ensure that residents receive the banking facilities they require. It was RESOLVED to adopt the Notice of Motion.
Resolved: Process for consideration & determination of the Council’s Budget for 2026/27 The Service Director Democratic Services, Welsh Language & Communications presented his report which set out the process for the consideration and determination of the Council’s Revenue Budget for 2026/27 in accordance with the Council’s Budget Policy Framework. The Service Director commented that it is the responsibility of Full Council to set and adopt the annual budget for the local authority. He explained that the Cabinet’s draft budget strategy is informed by the public engagement process and the detailed officer advice and recommendations of the Council’s senior leadership team. The Service Director explained that, as set out in section 8, Council is now requested to consider the proposals of Cabinet which will be presented by the Section 151 Officer followed by the Council Leader. Council may determine to adopt them or refer them back to the Cabinet for further consideration and as set out in the budget policy framework he confirmed that no alternative budget proposals are being tabled today. In conclusion, the Service Director advised that the scrutiny considerations, which include all members of Council is also set out in the report. It was RESOLVED: • To note the process for considering and debating the Cabinet’s Budget Strategy. The Council’s 2026/27 Revenue Budget Strategy The Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director for Corporate Resources presented the report which reflects the Cabinet’s proposed revenue budget strategy for the forthcoming financial year 2026/2027. He added that it has been developed in the context of a projected budget gap of £22.5M for next year as set out in the latest update of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan. In line with the Constitution it is for the Cabinet to consider and recommend the Budget Strategy to Council, having conducted an appropriate Budget consultation process. The Group Director for Corporate Resources advised on the Council’s overall financial standing, the Council’s latest audited accounts included general fund reserves of £9.240M, this after allocating £1M toward the recovery following Storm Bert, and there is £1M included in the current year base budget to replenish this level. The minimum level of reserves has been set at £10M since financial year 2003/2004 when the Council’s annual revenue budget was set at £320M. In the intervening period, the Council has released and replenished reserves a number of times to deal with significant events, which wholly aligns with the purpose for which they are held. With the annual budget now at over £700M, the Group Director advised that it is his view that this £1M base budget, which is currently in place, should be retained for the duration of the current medium term financial plan, that is up to and including the financial year 2028/29. This will enable the Council to proportionally step up the level of its general fund reserves and seek to retain or maintain an restated minimal level going forward of £12.5M. The Group Director advised that in addition to general reserves the Council also holds earmark reserves, set aside for specific purposes and a comprehensive update on these was provided by the Group Director at the Council meeting in October 2025. This demonstrated that a significant proportion of the Council’s reserves are already committed to fund decisions which have previously been made which include capital projects such as Schools, Residential Care facilities, which are already in progress and contractually committed to. Within these reserves the Council does hold a minimum, medium term financial planning and service transformational reserve which is used to support the Council’s annual budget setting processes, smoothing the delivery of saving requirements across years whilst allowing a balanced budget to be delivered. The value of this reserve is currently £4.745M. The Group Director referred to the latest view from Audit Wales and the Panel Performance Assessment which identified the Council’s strong financial management and continuous budgetary planning arrangements as an example of practice worthy of note. The Group Director advised that the provisional local government settlement was received on the 24th November 2025 and followed the intent of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Welsh Language for a single year business as usual budget uplifted by inflation only. This would have provided an uplift of 2.9% for this Council. On the 9th December the Welsh Government announced that a budget agreement had been reached which would allow the budget for next year to be pass through the Senedd. This included additional funding for local government which would provide an updated increase for this Council of 4.5%, which is in line with the average all Wales uplift. This position was affirmed in the final settlement which the Council received on the 20th January 2026. There were a number of transfers into the settlement in relation to public sector pay and national insurance contribution increases and the Council’s capital funding for next year has increased by £463K. The Group Director explained that the implications of the settlement, as set out in paragraph 4 of the report, with additional resources of £17M as compared to the assumptions at the Council’s medium term financial plan. With a remaining budget gap of £6.428M, as set out in Table 1 of the report, it is against this position that the Cabinet Budget Strategy has been developed. The Group Director referred to the components of the budget strategy set out at from paragraph 7. Firstly Council Tax, the Council’s medium term financial plan was modelled on a 4% Council Tax increase for next year. As a reminder, each 1% increase in council tax would generate additional resource, net of council tax reduction scheme costs, of £1.151M. In light of the budget agreement reached and the more favourable level of funding it was proposed to hold the level of council tax increase at the model level of 4% for next year. This proposed increase equates to £0.91 per week for a person living in a Band A property and £1.36 per week for a person living in a Band D property (noting that 42% of properties in Rhondda Cynon Taf are at Band A). With regards to schools, the Group Director advised that for a sustained period the Council has continued to support its Schools Budget (ISB) providing funding at levels above that provided to other Council services, a 45% increase over the last decade compared to 32% for other Council services. The level of school balances increased substantially during the post pandemic period and whilst having reduced to £6M at the 31st March 2025, this is three times the level at which school reserves were in 2020. The strategy now proposed will see schools allocated funding next year to cover in full all of their pay and non-pay and they will be fully funded. In addition, a further £1M has been included to enhance capacity across our ALN and special school provision. It was RESOLVED to: • Note the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government (Jayne Bryant AS/MS) and the table on the 2026/27 Final local government settlement, reproduced at Appendix 1 and 1a; • Note the implications for the Council and the remaining budget gap as set out at section 5; • Agree a Council Tax increase for 2026/27 of 4.00%; • Agree the uplift to the aggregate Schools Budget as detailed at section 8; • Agree the budget strategy proposals as set out at section 12; • Agree the use of the ‘Medium Term Financial Planning & Service Transformation Reserve’ as transition funding, totalling £0.911M for 2026/27; • Approve Tables 4 and 5 in Section 15 of the report as the basis of allocating resources to the Individual Schools Budget (ISB), to other Council Services and to meet its corporate financing requirements; and • Agree the Council’s overall budget for 2026/27 at £709.635M, in orderto pass the necessary statutory resolutions to set the Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year by the statutory deadline of the 11th March 2026.
RESOLVED to: 1. Note the level of the precept from the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Wales; 2. Note the level of the Community / Town Council Precepts, as detailed in Appendix 1; 3. Pass the formal Council Tax resolutions for the financial year ending 31st March 2027, as contained in Appendix 2; and 4. Note the comments of the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director Corporate Resources upon robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves as detailed at paragraph 9.2.
RESOLVED to: 1. Note the detail of the final 2026/27 local government settlement for capital expenditure, reproduced at Appendix 1; 2. Agree to the proposed reallocation of existing resources, and allocation of new resources as detailed in paragraph 5; 3. Agree to allocate the funding identified in the report to the investment priorities as detailed in paragraph 6.2; 4. Agree the proposed ‘core’ three-year programme detailed at Appendix 2; 5. Agree the proposed total three-year Capital Programme, detailed at Appendices 3 (a) to (g), which includes the following non-core capital funding: · Prudential borrowing to support Sustainable Communities for Learning Schemes (formerly 21st Century Schools); · Local Government Borrowing Initiative funding to support Highways investment; · Capital grants for specific schemes; · Third party contributions; and · The investment priorities detailed in paragraph 6.2.
RESOLVED to: 1. Approve the Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy, Treasury Indicators and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy statement as set out in the report. 2. Agree the funding proposals for the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme as set out in section 18.
RESOLVED to: • Approve the Capital Strategy report incorporating the Prudential Indicators.
RESOLVED to note and approve the updates to the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA).
RESOLVED to Approve the Pay Policy Statement at Appendix A of the report, with the deletion of section 11 and references to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRP) in the document, following the repeal of powers relating to Chief Executive remuneration. Noting also the extant powers of the IRP have transferred to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.
RESOLVED that Council: 1. Agrees to advertise the vacant role of Independent (lay) Member on the Council’s Standards Committee, based on the established criteria set out in the report; 2. Subject to 2.1 above, establishes an Appointments Panel to consider applications for the appointment of an Independent Member of the Standards Committee for a term of six years; 3. Nominates three County Borough Councillors (2 from the ruling group and 1 from the largest opposition group) and the incumbent Chair of the Standards Committee to be members of the Appointments Panel and that the current Community Councillor on the Committee be appointed as the Community Councillor representative on the Panel; and 4. Subject to the above, agrees to receive a further report and consider any recommendations emanating from the Appointments Panel to be convened to interview any applicants who apply for the vacant role.
RESOLVED to: 1. Note that County Borough Councillor G. Warren is to be nominated in place of County Borough Councillor J. Elliott on the Education & Inclusion Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year.
The Presiding Officer welcomed Members and Officers to the hybrid Council meeting in Llys Cadwyn, Pontypridd.
In accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, the following declarations were made pertaining to the order of the agenda: ITEM 5- Public Presentation, ITEM 12 - Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) -Revised Inter-Authority Agreement and ITEM 16 - Notice of Motion The Director of Legal & Democratic Services: “We will record a blanket personal declaration for those Members and Officers present who are in receipt of the Local Government Pension Scheme as well as family members and close personal associates ” Councillor J Brencher – “I am in receipt of a Teacher’s Pension” Councillor S Bradwick – “I am in receipt of a pension from RCT CBC” Councillor W Jones – I am in receipt of a pension from RCT CBC and a Teacher’s Pension” ITEM 6 – Members’ Questions Councillor G O Jones –“My employer is referenced in the Cabinet Member response” Councillor G Hughes –“ My employer is referenced in the Cabinet Member response” ITEM 7 -Revenue Budget Strategy 2026/27 and ITEM 8 - Council Tax Resolution The Director of Legal & Democratic Services: “We will record a blanket personal declaration for those present who are members of a Town or Community Council and Councillor L Addiscott and Councillor B Harris who are members of the South Wales Police & Crime Panel” ITEM 13. The Council's Pay Policy Statement 2026/2027 The Director of Legal & Democratic Services: “The Pay Policy statement for the Council has no effect on existing terms and conditions applying to individual employees and simply sets out the Council’s approach to previously adopted policies, therefore Officers will remain in the meeting whilst the item is presented by the Director of Human Resources and during subsequent discussion” Other Individual Declarations ITEM 5 – PUBLIC PRESENTATION Councillor W Lewis – “I know the public speaker, Mr Draper” ITEM 7 - REVENUE BUDGET STRATEGY 2026/2027 Councillor M Maohoub – “I am a Governor at Aberdare Community School” Councillor Sera Evans- “I am the Vice Chair of Governors at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda” Councillor S Emanuel – “My son attends Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhondda” ITEM 9 -CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2026/2027 - 2028/2029 Councillor J Smith – “I am an LEA Governor at YGG Llyn-y-Forwyn” Councillor S Morgans – “I am an LEA Governor at YGG Llyn-y-Forwyn” Councillor J Brencher – “I am a Governor at Ysgol Bro Taf” Councillor H Gronow – “I am a Governor at Ysgol Bro Taf” Councillor M Powell – “I am a Governor at Ysgol Bro Taf & Coedpenmaen Primary School” ITEM 11 – CAPITAL STRATEGY REPORT 2026-2027 Councillor J Smith – “My partner is a member of the South Wales Fire & Rescue pension” ITEM 12 - WALES PENSION PARTNERSHIP (WPP) LOCAL GOVERNMENT PENSION SCHEME (LGPS) -REVISED INTER-AUTHORITY AGREEMENT Mr B Davies, Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director Corporate Resources – “I am a Director on the Transitionary Board of the Wales Pension Partnership Investment Management Company which is referenced at item 12” ITEM 16 – NOTICE OF MOTION Councillor S Hickman – “I am a member of the RCT Palestine Solidarity Campaign” Councillor J Brencher – “I am a member of the RCT Palestine Solidarity Campaign Councillor W Lewis - I’ve been a member of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, which is mentioned in the report, since 2009” Councillor S Trask – “I am a customer of Lloyd’s Bank” Councillor J Brencher – “I am a customer of Lloyd’s Bank”
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RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on the 28th January 2026 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
The Council RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on the 28th January 2026 as an accurate reflection of the meeting.
The following announcements were made: Ø Councillor J Brencher announced that to celebrate International Women's Day an event is being held at Pontypridd Museum on Saturday,7th March with the Mayor of RCT in attendance; Ø Councillor R Yeo wished to pay tribute to former Plaid Cymru Member for the old Pontyclun ward, Councillor M Rea. He spoke highly of his true friendship with Merfyn Rea and his family. Former Councillor Merfyn Rea was elected in 2004 until 2017 when he lost his seat. He was committed to his family and community and very loyal to his friends. Ø Councillor C Lisles wished to announce a happy birthday to Hawthorn Leisure Centre as its celebrating its 50th anniversary. Councillor Lisles wished to thank the efforts of the staff who worked tirelessly to decorate the centre for the milestone and to the Manager Tracy Nicholls for spearheading the celebrations and the excellent programme of events.
The following statements were made: The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor G Caple made the following statement in respect of significant concern amongst the local communities around the future of Ward 6 at Ysbyty Cwm Cynon in Mountain Ash. He added that the Leader has previously written to Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board to seek clarity and assurances over the issue and Councillor Caple explained that it was his understanding that end of life care will be continuing at the facility, with the concerns being around complex end of life care. He advised that undoubtedly, there is understandably significant concern in the community and there is a question whether this has been driven by a lack of information being provided or whether the changes are actually more profound than is being explained. Further, one thing that is not disputed is that the quality of care provided at the hospital is absolutely first class, and the service is deeply valued within the Cynon Valley. Councillor Caple advised that he was aware that there is a meeting in Aberdare with the Health Board tomorrow and which the local Members in the Cynon Valley are doing their best to attend. The Cabinet Member for Social Care, Councillor S Rees made the following statement that it is now the second week of industrial action being taken by Health Visitors within Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, it is clear that this situation is causing real strain for both the staff and the families who rely on their vital work. Councillor Rees was sure that Members would join her in acknowledging that Health Visitors play an essential role in supporting new parents and safeguarding children, and it is important that their skills and qualifications are recognised appropriately. Councillor Rees advised that while the Council fully respects Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board’s internal processes, it was hoped that all concerned parties can return to constructive dialogue as soon as possible. A swift and fair resolution is in everyone’s interest, ensuring that Health Visitors feel valued and that families across our communities continue to receive the support they need.
The Service Director – Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communications confirmed that one request from the public was received to the Council Business Unit from RCT resident, Mr Andrew Draper, within the specified period in accordance with the Council’s Open Government Council Meeting Procedure Rules (section 4) and the Council’s Public Participation Strategy. The Service Director added that the Cabinet Member for Resources, Councillor C Leyshon would reply to Mr Draper following his presentation as set out on the agenda as follows: “I want to make a case for why RCT Council should divest pensions from companies alleged to be complicit in the oppression of Palestinians”. Councillor Leyshon responded by referring to the update which was provided at the Council meeting in September 2024 regarding the work the Council has been undertaking in respect of its pension funds through the Wales Pension Partnership. Councillor Leyshon added that the intention was to develop an exclusions policy with regard to pension fund investments. Councillor Leyshon was pleased to confirm that this work has since been completed, and is being considered by the Joint Governance Committee at its meeting next week on the 10th March. By way of context, the updated WPP Responsible Investment Policy now includes the approach to be taken to exclusions, and Councillor Leyshon welcomed the policy being brought forward by the WPP and this Council, through the Pension Fund Committee and Chair. In conclusion, Councillor Leyshon referred to the Notice of Motion which would discuss this topic at greater length and she thanked Mr Draper for his presentation to Full Council.
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RESOLVED to adopt the Notice of Motion. ********************************************************************************************* To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion which has been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.1 and received by the Proper Officer, standing in the names of County Borough Councillors: S. Bradwick, V. Dunn, L. Addiscott, M. D. Ashford, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, J. Bonetto, J. Brencher, G. Caple, J. Cook, A. Crimmings, S. J. Davies, R. Davis, A. J. Dennis, J. Edwards, J. A. Elliott, L. Ellis, S. Emanuel, R. Evans, Sheryl Evans, A. S. Fox, B. Harris, S. Hickman, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, G. W. Hughes, W. Hughes, G. Jones, G. O. Jones, R. R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, M. Maohoub, C. Middle, A. Morgan, N. H. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Parkin, S. Powderhill, C. Preedy, S. Rees, A. Roberts, G. Stacey, L. A. Tomkinson, W. Treeby, J. Turner, G. L. Warren, E. L. Watts, K. Webb, M. Webber, D. Williams, G. E. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams and R. Yeo. The announcement by Lloyds Banking Group that it will close its Aberdare town centre branch is a bitter blow for the community. If this proposal proceeds, it will result in the loss of the last dedicated bank branch in the town centre. This decision shows disregard for the banking needs of residents across the Cynon Valley, particularly small business owners and vulnerable members of the community. Our towns have faced a steady erosion of banking services over the last decade, driven by financial institutions intent on pushing customers towards online banking. This is despite the loyalty those same customers have shown for generations. While digital banking continues to grow, a significant proportion of the population still relies on face?to?face services, including older people, disabled residents, those on low incomes and those without reliable internet access. Removing physical banking provision only deepens the digital divide. This closure is equally being proposed at a time of record-breaking profits for the banking sector. Lloyds Banking Group reported pre?tax profits of £6.7 billion in 2025 which represents a 12% increase. Whilst the UK’s “Big Four” banks collectively recorded profits exceeding £45 billion in 2024. These enormous profits stand in stark contrast to the withdrawal of essential services from the very communities that helped sustain these institutions, including during the 2008 financial crisis. Every town in Rhondda Cynon Taf has been affected by bank closures in recent years, leaving many residents facing long and difficult journeysjust to access basic financial services. Should this closure proceed, it will have a damaging impact on the local economy. The Council and local businesses have worked tirelessly to ensure Aberdare remains a thriving town centre capable of meeting modern challenges. This Council notes: · The inadequacy of “Post Office alternatives,” which cannot provide the full range of financial services, business support or security offered by a dedicated bank branch. · The deep sense of betrayal felt by residents who supported these institutions through difficult times, only to see them withdraw from our communities. This Council therefore resolves to: · Condemn the decision by Lloyds Banking Group to close its Aberdare branch, prioritising profit over its social responsibility to customers and communities. · Request that the Council Leader writes to Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Members of Parliament, urging them to join the Council’s campaign and use their positions to press the UK Government for stronger protections for communities facing the loss of essential banking services. · Request that the Council Leader writes directly to Lloyds Banking Group, demanding that they reconsider this decision and use a fraction of their recent profits to maintain a meaningful physical presence in towns like Aberdare, rather than rewarding shareholders at the expense of local people. · Request that the Council Leader writes to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, formally registering the Council’s opposition and asks what further actions can be taken to ensure that residents receive the banking facilities they require. It was RESOLVED to adopt the Notice of Motion.
The Service Director, Democratic Services, Welsh Language & Communications explained that following the public presentation and with the agreement of the Presiding Officer, the Notices of Motion, set out at Agenda Item 16 would be brought forward for consideration at this point in the proceedings. The consideration of the agenda out of sequence would enable the members of the public present to remain in the meeting for the item to listen to the debate particularly as the first notice of motion being relative to the content of the public presentation. To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion which has been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.1 and received by the Proper Officer, standing in the names of County Borough Councillors: D. Grehan, Sera Evans, H Gronow, K. Morgan,A. O. Rogers, A. Ellis and P. Evans. This Council notes: · The ongoing, deeply concerning, and harrowing conflict in Gaza has resulted in significant loss of innocent life, and that in September 2024, RCTCBC debated the crisis and resolved to support calls for an immediate ceasefire, for all remaining hostages on both sides to be released and returned, and for the implementation of an immediate and large-scale humanitarian aid programme. · There have been flagrant breaches of the most recent so-called ceasefire agreement, with hundreds of Palestinians killed by Israel and aid still being blocked from entering Gaza. This Council further notes: · Data from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) references its opinion that Rhondda Cynon Taf Pension Fund holds investments in companies alleged to be complicit totalling £233,172,118. Its public database contains details of their research on complicit companies. · On 1 September 2025, Palestine Solidarity Campaign announced it had issued a legal notice to every council in England and Wales administering a Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) fund, outlining that they must take steps to divest from companies enabling and profiting from Israel’s genocide, military occupation and apartheid against Palestinians. · The notice requests local administering authorities to ensure their investment strategies give effect to the prevention and non-assistance duties. This notice states that they must refrain from making new investments in involved companies and take reasonable steps towards divesting from such companies. It requests such action, they must do so irrespective of whether the Secretary of State issues guidance to the contrary. Companies with the closest connection to Israel’s breaches of international law should be divested from as a matter of priority. · Local authorities such as Waltham Forest, Oxford City, and North Somerset Council have passed policies opposing investment in arms companies complicit in the conflict. Welsh councils have begun voting to divest from pension assets complicit in the oppression of Palestinians: Cardiff (17 July 2025), Carmarthenshire (10 September 2025), Monmouthshire (18 September 2025), Newport (23 September 2025), Powys (9 October 2025), Ceredigion (23 October 2025), Swansea (6 November 2025), Caerphilly (11 November 2025), Bridgend (19 November 2025) and Neath Port Talbot (17 December 2025). By continuing to invest in complicit companies, the RCT pension fund is placing itself at risk of reputational harm. This Council is of the opinion that: · Public sector pension fund investments in RCT and across Wales should not fund war crimes, human rights violations, or the potential breaking of international law regardless of how profitable they are. · That the devastating humanitarian crisis in Gaza requires an immediate bilateral ceasefire, the provision of food and medicine to the civilian population, and a lasting political and diplomatic solution. · Although the Council’s Pensions Committee makes decisions independently of the political structures of RCTCBC, full Council is within its rights to express a view on the matter. This Council Resolves: • To reiterate the beliefs and values passed in the ceasefire motion in September 2024. • To express in strong terms its view that it does not wish to be associated with companies complicit in war crimes. • To write to the Wales Pension Partnership to make these views clear and calling on them to quickly complete the formulation and implementation of an exclusion policy, review their investments, and to consider whether any holdings should be divested, within the context of their fiduciary responsibilities, Environmental, Social and Governance risk and its Responsible Investment Strategy. • To request the Wales Pension Partnership to regularly review their ethical/responsible investment policies to ensure there are strong checks prior to investment as to whether any companies are complicit in war crimes. • To request this Council’s Pensions Committee and the Wales Pension Partnership regularly review and report divestment progress. • RCTCBC Pension Fund should always aspire to be a model for responsible and ethical investment and behaviour It was RESOLVED to adopt the Notice of Motion. ********************************************************************************************* To consider the under-mentioned Notice of Motion which has been submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10.1 and received by the Proper Officer, standing in the names of County Borough Councillors: S. Bradwick, V. Dunn, L. Addiscott, M. D. Ashford, J. Barton, D. R. Bevan, J. Bonetto, J. Brencher, G. Caple, J. Cook, A. Crimmings, S. J. Davies, R. Davis, A. J. Dennis, J. Edwards, J. A. Elliott, L. Ellis, S. Emanuel, R. Evans, Sheryl Evans, A. S. Fox, B. Harris, S. Hickman, G. Holmes, G. Hopkins, G. W. Hughes, W. Hughes, G. Jones, G. O. Jones, R. R. Lewis, C. Leyshon, M. Maohoub, C. Middle, A. Morgan, N. H. Morgan, S. Morgans, M. A. Norris, D. Parkin, S. Powderhill, C. Preedy, S. Rees, A. Roberts, G. Stacey, L. A. Tomkinson, W. Treeby, J. Turner, G. L. Warren, E. L. Watts, K. Webb, M. Webber, D. Williams, G. E. Williams, R. Williams, T. Williams and R. Yeo. The announcement by Lloyds Banking Group that it will close its Aberdare town centre branch is a bitter blow for the community. If this proposal proceeds, it will result in the loss of the last dedicated bank branch in the town centre. This decision shows disregard for the banking needs of residents across the Cynon Valley, particularly small business owners and vulnerable members of the community. Our towns have faced a steady erosion of banking services over the last decade, driven by financial institutions intent on pushing customers towards online banking. This is despite the loyalty those same customers have shown for generations. While digital banking continues to grow, a significant proportion of the population still relies on face?to?face services, including older people, disabled residents, those on low incomes and those without reliable internet access. Removing physical banking provision only deepens the digital divide. This closure is equally being proposed at a time of record-breaking profits for the banking sector. Lloyds Banking Group reported pre?tax profits of £6.7 billion in 2025 which represents a 12% increase. Whilst the UK’s “Big Four” banks collectively recorded profits exceeding £45 billion in 2024. These enormous profits stand in stark contrast to the withdrawal of essential services from the very communities that helped sustain these institutions, including during the 2008 financial crisis. Every town in Rhondda Cynon Taf has been affected by bank closures in recent years, leaving many residents facing long and difficult journeysjust to access basic financial services. Should this closure proceed, it will have a damaging impact on the local economy. The Council and local businesses have worked tirelessly to ensure Aberdare remains a thriving town centre capable of meeting modern challenges. This Council notes: · The inadequacy of “Post Office alternatives,” which cannot provide the full range of financial services, business support or security offered by a dedicated bank branch. · The deep sense of betrayal felt by residents who supported these institutions through difficult times, only to see them withdraw from our communities. This Council therefore resolves to: · Condemn the decision by Lloyds Banking Group to close its Aberdare branch, prioritising profit over its social responsibility to customers and communities. · Request that the Council Leader writes to Rhondda Cynon Taf’s Members of Parliament, urging them to join the Council’s campaign and use their positions to press the UK Government for stronger protections for communities facing the loss of essential banking services. · Request that the Council Leader writes directly to Lloyds Banking Group, demanding that they reconsider this decision and use a fraction of their recent profits to maintain a meaningful physical presence in towns like Aberdare, rather than rewarding shareholders at the expense of local people. · Request that the Council Leader writes to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, formally registering the Council’s opposition and asks what further actions can be taken to ensure that residents receive the banking facilities they require. It was RESOLVED to adopt the Notice of Motion.
• Question from County Borough Councillor N. Morgan to the Cabinet Member for Communities, County Borough Councillor S. Emanuel: “Will the Cabinet Member please outline how the Council is supporting heritage-led projects and tourism across the county borough?” Response of Councillor Emanuel: Councillor Emanuel advised that the Council supports heritage-led projects and tourism through a combination of focused investment, officer engagement and partnership working. The Cabinet Member added that the Council invests in key attractions and outdoor sites, manages and protects historic assets and collections, and provides consistent business support, funding advice, research, education and engagement activity to key local, regional and national partners. This includes the National Museum of Wales, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Royal Mint Experience, Zip World, Visit Wales and Southern Wales Tourism, as well as local community organisations. Councillor Emanuel explained that activity includes improving visitor sites, supporting tourism businesses to strengthen their offer, and delivering coordinated destination marketing under the Visit Rhondda Cynon Taf brand to local, national and international audiences. This approach aims to enhance the visitor experience, grow the sector sustainably and maximise the economic and community benefits of tourism across the County Borough. Councillor Emanuel advised that the work is guided by the 2025–2030 Heritage Strategy, which places heritage at the centre of the County Borough’s identity and future, focuses on celebrating Rhondda Cynon Taf’s remarkable history, its historical buildings, treasured collections, and diverse physical assets, as well as its communities and stories that have shaped and continue to shape local identity, ensuring these narratives are preserved and celebrated for generations to come. In conclusion, he outlined that support is provided through a knowledgeable team of officers across Council services, particularly across the new Leisure, Culture and Visitor Experiences Department in the Community Services Directorate who I have been fortunate enough to work alongside since becoming a Cabinet Member. There was no supplementary question. • The Presiding Officer confirmed that as the Cabinet Member for Education & the Welsh Language, Councillor R Lewis was not present in the meeting, a response would be provided to Councillor Sheryl Evans via email to question 2. • The Presiding Officer confirmed that question 3 would fall due to apologies having been offered by Councillor Powderhill for the meeting. • Question from County Borough Councillor J. Edwards to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE: “Can the Leader provide more information on the timeline for the Pride in Place programme in the Rhonda Fach?” Response of Councillor A Morgan OBE: Councillor Morgan OBE advised that the UK Government’s Pride in Place Programme is aimed at empowering local people to shape the future of their own neighbourhood with selected areas, the Rhondda Fach, will receive up to £2million per year, for a period of 10 years. The Council will be the Accountable Body for the Pride in Place programme in the Rhondda Fach, however, a Neighbourhood Board, made up of local people, will oversee delivery of the programme and decide how to invest this funding. Councillor Morgan OBE explained that working with the local MP and local authority, the Board will be responsible for working with the wider community to produce a Pride in Place Plan for the area, setting out a 10-year vision and detailing how funding will be spent. The immediate priority is to appoint an independent Chair and, in line with the programme requirements, the Council and the local MP for the Rhondda & Ogmore constituency will facilitate a recruitment process over the coming weeks. Councillor Morgan added that the Chair will subsequently lead the process of recruiting and convening the Neighbourhood Board with membership finalised by mid-July. Following this, the Board will co-develop a plan with the community for submission to UK Government by the 30th November 2026 and subject to approval, projects and delivery will commence from Spring 2027. Supplementary question from Councillor Edwards: “Can the Leader explain how the community can formally express an interest for the Neighbourhood Boards?” Response of Councillor Morgan OBE: Councillor Morgan OBE responded that officers will set out the details and the process for the Independent Chair which will in turn to the wider community members. He emphasised the importance of the conversations with the local members in the Rhondda Fach to share the information. Councillor Morgan stressed the importance of securing the right people for the positions on the Board, that bring with them relevant experience from areas such as the third sector, the voluntary sector and local businesses. • Question from County Borough Councillor C. Preedy to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE: “Can the Leader please make a statement on the Council’s approach to using reserves to manage budget gaps?” Councillor Morgan OBE expressed frustration that this is a question that is raised often online and discussed with misinformation. He added that the Council takes a responsible and pragmatic approach to using reserves as part of managing its budget and ensure there is sufficient funding set aside for the Council’s Capital Investment Programme and other major infrastructure programmes. He reminded Members that the Council’s earmarked reserves are set aside for specific purposes, many of which are contractually committed to fund schemes and projects already underway such as new schools, residential care facilities and wider infrastructure improvements. Councillor Morgan OBE used Storm Dennis and Storm Bert as examples of when reserves have been used as part of an emergency response but added that once reserves have been used - they cannot be used again unless they are replenished. It is not sustainable to use one-off funding at a level beyond which can be considered and balanced on a permanent basis as part of the following year’s budget strategy. Councillor Morgan explained that the way this authority uses reserves is very positive, a view shared by Audit Wales who consider the authority to be low risk, one that manages its finances sustainability. Councillor Morgan explained that using one-off funding does not solve or balance an underlying budget gap, it is a short-term one-year only fix, and the underlying budget gap is rolled over to the following financial year and that every opportunity is taken to be as transparent as possible and explain to the public why the Council hold reserves, what purpose they have and how the council can release small elements from time to time to invest in key infrastructure and key projects. There was no supplementary question. 6.Question from County Borough Councillor D. Parkin to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE: “Can the Leader make a statement on capital investment in roads and highways across Rhondda Cynon Taf over the course of this council term?” Response of Councillor Morgan OBE: Councill Morgan OBE responded that the Council has made significant investment in its roads and highways over the course of this Council term, carrying on the programme of improvements delivered in previous Council terms. He added that this includes making targeted interventions through additional funding from the Welsh Government and this year through the Regional CJC Body, there are a number of investments and highways maintenance projects with close to £10M being spent on resurfacing roads, footways and surface treatments. Councillor Morgan OBE referred to the full range of improvements across the Council’s transportation network, including highways, structures, street lighting, drainage improvements and traffic management to include the major scheme to dual a section of the A4119 between the South Wales Fire Service HQ Roundabout and Coedely Roundabout (within the Local Member’s ward). There was no supplementary question. 7.Question from County Borough Councillor J. Barton to the Leader of the Council, County Borough Councillor A. Morgan OBE: “What work is the Council doing to attract further major events to the County Borough to ensure RCT remains on the map and builds on the success of the National Eisteddfod for Wales?” Response of Councillor Morgan OBE: Councillor A Morgan OBE acknowledged that the RCT National Eisteddfod in 2024 is regarded as one of the most successful Eisteddfods ever staged and is still very much talked about today for promoting the Welsh Language and culture on both a local level and national level. He added that the Eisteddfod was an opportunity to place Pontypridd on the map Rhondda Cynon Taf as a town with an increase in footfall and one of the few towns bringing in new business and well below the National average for empty properties. Councillor Morgan OBE referred to the Council’s internal events department who are responsible for the upcoming 2026 events calendar, including the 90’s Summer Party. In 2025, RCT events welcomed over 100,000 visitors and residents and this includes 31,000 people attending the Big Welsh Bite, which is held every August; and this also includes smaller more community based events such as the Christmas town centre events, the Aberdare Festival, Rhondda Arts Festival, the world-renowned Nos Galan Road Races. Councillor Morgan referred to the RCT 90’s Summer Party which will represent an opportunity to showcase local bands and local Welsh language bands as well as the bigger, well known artists. He added that RCT welcomes proposals from event organisers and to support and encourage organisers. Councillor Morgan explained that the Council also offers support to event organisers through its (ESAG) Events Safety Advisory Group which consists of a broad range of organisations to ensure that events take place within the Borough and are safe and well organised. Supplementary question from Councillor Barton: “What benefits will the Tour De France bring to the whole of RCT when it comes?” Response of Councillor Morgan OBE: Councillor Morgan commented that hosting the leg of the Tour De France next year will be a fantastic opportunity to showcase the landscape and mountains of the county borough to both the visitors who will attend in person and to those who will watch it live (around 1billion viewers) and those who will stream the event in the months after the event.
The Service Director Democratic Services, Welsh Language & Communications commented that there were no changes to the published Council Forward Work Programme. He advised that a review of the remaining Council business would be undertaken in due course which could result in the date of the AGM being brought forward. However, he assured Members that advance notice would be provided if this is the case.
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Resolved: Process for consideration & determination of the Council’s Budget for 2026/27 The Service Director Democratic Services, Welsh Language & Communications presented his report which set out the process for the consideration and determination of the Council’s Revenue Budget for 2026/27 in accordance with the Council’s Budget Policy Framework. The Service Director commented that it is the responsibility of Full Council to set and adopt the annual budget for the local authority. He explained that the Cabinet’s draft budget strategy is informed by the public engagement process and the detailed officer advice and recommendations of the Council’s senior leadership team. The Service Director explained that, as set out in section 8, Council is now requested to consider the proposals of Cabinet which will be presented by the Section 151 Officer followed by the Council Leader. Council may determine to adopt them or refer them back to the Cabinet for further consideration and as set out in the budget policy framework he confirmed that no alternative budget proposals are being tabled today. In conclusion, the Service Director advised that the scrutiny considerations, which include all members of Council is also set out in the report. It was RESOLVED: • To note the process for considering and debating the Cabinet’s Budget Strategy. The Council’s 2026/27 Revenue Budget Strategy The Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director for Corporate Resources presented the report which reflects the Cabinet’s proposed revenue budget strategy for the forthcoming financial year 2026/2027. He added that it has been developed in the context of a projected budget gap of £22.5M for next year as set out in the latest update of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan. In line with the Constitution it is for the Cabinet to consider and recommend the Budget Strategy to Council, having conducted an appropriate Budget consultation process. The Group Director for Corporate Resources advised on the Council’s overall financial standing, the Council’s latest audited accounts included general fund reserves of £9.240M, this after allocating £1M toward the recovery following Storm Bert, and there is £1M included in the current year base budget to replenish this level. The minimum level of reserves has been set at £10M since financial year 2003/2004 when the Council’s annual revenue budget was set at £320M. In the intervening period, the Council has released and replenished reserves a number of times to deal with significant events, which wholly aligns with the purpose for which they are held. With the annual budget now at over £700M, the Group Director advised that it is his view that this £1M base budget, which is currently in place, should be retained for the duration of the current medium term financial plan, that is up to and including the financial year 2028/29. This will enable the Council to proportionally step up the level of its general fund reserves and seek to retain or maintain an restated minimal level going forward of £12.5M. The Group Director advised that in addition to general reserves the Council also holds earmark reserves, set aside for specific purposes and a comprehensive update on these was provided by the Group Director at the Council meeting in October 2025. This demonstrated that a significant proportion of the Council’s reserves are already committed to fund decisions which have previously been made which include capital projects such as Schools, Residential Care facilities, which are already in progress and contractually committed to. Within these reserves the Council does hold a minimum, medium term financial planning and service transformational reserve which is used to support the Council’s annual budget setting processes, smoothing the delivery of saving requirements across years whilst allowing a balanced budget to be delivered. The value of this reserve is currently £4.745M. The Group Director referred to the latest view from Audit Wales and the Panel Performance Assessment which identified the Council’s strong financial management and continuous budgetary planning arrangements as an example of practice worthy of note. The Group Director advised that the provisional local government settlement was received on the 24th November 2025 and followed the intent of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Welsh Language for a single year business as usual budget uplifted by inflation only. This would have provided an uplift of 2.9% for this Council. On the 9th December the Welsh Government announced that a budget agreement had been reached which would allow the budget for next year to be pass through the Senedd. This included additional funding for local government which would provide an updated increase for this Council of 4.5%, which is in line with the average all Wales uplift. This position was affirmed in the final settlement which the Council received on the 20th January 2026. There were a number of transfers into the settlement in relation to public sector pay and national insurance contribution increases and the Council’s capital funding for next year has increased by £463K. The Group Director explained that the implications of the settlement, as set out in paragraph 4 of the report, with additional resources of £17M as compared to the assumptions at the Council’s medium term financial plan. With a remaining budget gap of £6.428M, as set out in Table 1 of the report, it is against this position that the Cabinet Budget Strategy has been developed. The Group Director referred to the components of the budget strategy set out at from paragraph 7. Firstly Council Tax, the Council’s medium term financial plan was modelled on a 4% Council Tax increase for next year. As a reminder, each 1% increase in council tax would generate additional resource, net of council tax reduction scheme costs, of £1.151M. In light of the budget agreement reached and the more favourable level of funding it was proposed to hold the level of council tax increase at the model level of 4% for next year. This proposed increase equates to £0.91 per week for a person living in a Band A property and £1.36 per week for a person living in a Band D property (noting that 42% of properties in Rhondda Cynon Taf are at Band A). With regards to schools, the Group Director advised that for a sustained period the Council has continued to support its Schools Budget (ISB) providing funding at levels above that provided to other Council services, a 45% increase over the last decade compared to 32% for other Council services. The level of school balances increased substantially during the post pandemic period and whilst having reduced to £6M at the 31st March 2025, this is three times the level at which school reserves were in 2020. The strategy now proposed will see schools allocated funding next year to cover in full all of their pay and non-pay and they will be fully funded. In addition, a further £1M has been included to enhance capacity across our ALN and special school provision. It was RESOLVED to: • Note the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government (Jayne Bryant AS/MS) and the table on the 2026/27 Final local government settlement, reproduced at Appendix 1 and 1a; • Note the implications for the Council and the remaining budget gap as set out at section 5; • Agree a Council Tax increase for 2026/27 of 4.00%; • Agree the uplift to the aggregate Schools Budget as detailed at section 8; • Agree the budget strategy proposals as set out at section 12; • Agree the use of the ‘Medium Term Financial Planning & Service Transformation Reserve’ as transition funding, totalling £0.911M for 2026/27; • Approve Tables 4 and 5 in Section 15 of the report as the basis of allocating resources to the Individual Schools Budget (ISB), to other Council Services and to meet its corporate financing requirements; and • Agree the Council’s overall budget for 2026/27 at £709.635M, in orderto pass the necessary statutory resolutions to set the Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year by the statutory deadline of the 11th March 2026.
Resolved: Process for consideration & determination of the Council’s Budget for 2026/27 The Service Director Democratic Services, Welsh Language & Communications presented his report which set out the process for the consideration and determination of the Council’s Revenue Budget for 2026/27 in accordance with the Council’s Budget Policy Framework. The Service Director commented that it is the responsibility of Full Council to set and adopt the annual budget for the local authority. He explained that the Cabinet’s draft budget strategy is informed by the public engagement process and the detailed officer advice and recommendations of the Council’s senior leadership team. The Service Director explained that, as set out in section 8, Council is now requested to consider the proposals of Cabinet which will be presented by the Section 151 Officer followed by the Council Leader. Council may determine to adopt them or refer them back to the Cabinet for further consideration and as set out in the budget policy framework he confirmed that no alternative budget proposals are being tabled today. In conclusion, the Service Director advised that the scrutiny considerations, which include all members of Council is also set out in the report. It was RESOLVED: • To note the process for considering and debating the Cabinet’s Budget Strategy. The Council’s 2026/27 Revenue Budget Strategy The Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director for Corporate Resources presented the report which reflects the Cabinet’s proposed revenue budget strategy for the forthcoming financial year 2026/2027. He added that it has been developed in the context of a projected budget gap of £22.5M for next year as set out in the latest update of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan. In line with the Constitution it is for the Cabinet to consider and recommend the Budget Strategy to Council, having conducted an appropriate Budget consultation process. The Group Director for Corporate Resources advised on the Council’s overall financial standing, the Council’s latest audited accounts included general fund reserves of £9.240M, this after allocating £1M toward the recovery following Storm Bert, and there is £1M included in the current year base budget to replenish this level. The minimum level of reserves has been set at £10M since financial year 2003/2004 when the Council’s annual revenue budget was set at £320M. In the intervening period, the Council has released and replenished reserves a number of times to deal with significant events, which wholly aligns with the purpose for which they are held. With the annual budget now at over £700M, the Group Director advised that it is his view that this £1M base budget, which is currently in place, should be retained for the duration of the current medium term financial plan, that is up to and including the financial year 2028/29. This will enable the Council to proportionally step up the level of its general fund reserves and seek to retain or maintain an restated minimal level going forward of £12.5M. The Group Director advised that in addition to general reserves the Council also holds earmark reserves, set aside for specific purposes and a comprehensive update on these was provided by the Group Director at the Council meeting in October 2025. This demonstrated that a significant proportion of the Council’s reserves are already committed to fund decisions which have previously been made which include capital projects such as Schools, Residential Care facilities, which are already in progress and contractually committed to. Within these reserves the Council does hold a minimum, medium term financial planning and service transformational reserve which is used to support the Council’s annual budget setting processes, smoothing the delivery of saving requirements across years whilst allowing a balanced budget to be delivered. The value of this reserve is currently £4.745M. The Group Director referred to the latest view from Audit Wales and the Panel Performance Assessment which identified the Council’s strong financial management and continuous budgetary planning arrangements as an example of practice worthy of note. The Group Director advised that the provisional local government settlement was received on the 24th November 2025 and followed the intent of the Cabinet Secretary for Finance & Welsh Language for a single year business as usual budget uplifted by inflation only. This would have provided an uplift of 2.9% for this Council. On the 9th December the Welsh Government announced that a budget agreement had been reached which would allow the budget for next year to be pass through the Senedd. This included additional funding for local government which would provide an updated increase for this Council of 4.5%, which is in line with the average all Wales uplift. This position was affirmed in the final settlement which the Council received on the 20th January 2026. There were a number of transfers into the settlement in relation to public sector pay and national insurance contribution increases and the Council’s capital funding for next year has increased by £463K. The Group Director explained that the implications of the settlement, as set out in paragraph 4 of the report, with additional resources of £17M as compared to the assumptions at the Council’s medium term financial plan. With a remaining budget gap of £6.428M, as set out in Table 1 of the report, it is against this position that the Cabinet Budget Strategy has been developed. The Group Director referred to the components of the budget strategy set out at from paragraph 7. Firstly Council Tax, the Council’s medium term financial plan was modelled on a 4% Council Tax increase for next year. As a reminder, each 1% increase in council tax would generate additional resource, net of council tax reduction scheme costs, of £1.151M. In light of the budget agreement reached and the more favourable level of funding it was proposed to hold the level of council tax increase at the model level of 4% for next year. This proposed increase equates to £0.91 per week for a person living in a Band A property and £1.36 per week for a person living in a Band D property (noting that 42% of properties in Rhondda Cynon Taf are at Band A). With regards to schools, the Group Director advised that for a sustained period the Council has continued to support its Schools Budget (ISB) providing funding at levels above that provided to other Council services, a 45% increase over the last decade compared to 32% for other Council services. The level of school balances increased substantially during the post pandemic period and whilst having reduced to £6M at the 31st March 2025, this is three times the level at which school reserves were in 2020. The strategy now proposed will see schools allocated funding next year to cover in full all of their pay and non-pay and they will be fully funded. In addition, a further £1M has been included to enhance capacity across our ALN and special school provision. It was RESOLVED to: • Note the letter from the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government (Jayne Bryant AS/MS) and the table on the 2026/27 Final local government settlement, reproduced at Appendix 1 and 1a; • Note the implications for the Council and the remaining budget gap as set out at section 5; • Agree a Council Tax increase for 2026/27 of 4.00%; • Agree the uplift to the aggregate Schools Budget as detailed at section 8; • Agree the budget strategy proposals as set out at section 12; • Agree the use of the ‘Medium Term Financial Planning & Service Transformation Reserve’ as transition funding, totalling £0.911M for 2026/27; • Approve Tables 4 and 5 in Section 15 of the report as the basis of allocating resources to the Individual Schools Budget (ISB), to other Council Services and to meet its corporate financing requirements; and • Agree the Council’s overall budget for 2026/27 at £709.635M, in orderto pass the necessary statutory resolutions to set the Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year by the statutory deadline of the 11th March 2026.
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RESOLVED to: 1. Note the level of the precept from the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Wales; 2. Note the level of the Community / Town Council Precepts, as detailed in Appendix 1; 3. Pass the formal Council Tax resolutions for the financial year ending 31st March 2027, as contained in Appendix 2; and 4. Note the comments of the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director Corporate Resources upon robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves as detailed at paragraph 9.2.
The Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director – Corporate Resources advised that the report satisfies the statutory requirement for Council to pass the necessary resolutions consequential to the agreement of the Budget for next year and the level of council tax for next year. The Group Director explained that it includes the implications of the precept required by the Police & Crime Commissioner and those of the Community and Town Councils in those relevant areas. He added that the Council’s increase of 4% sits alongside the Police’s increase of 6.99% bringing the aggregate or composite Band D increase to 4.53% (this excludes the Community Councils which are set out at Appendix 1). In conclusion, the Group Director advised that he has a duty to report to Council on the robustness of estimates contained within the budget and the adequacy of reserves which is included, and the table at section 4 of Appendix 2 sets out the overall council tax levels across all the Council’s community areas and at all band levels. Following discussion, it was RESOLVED to: 1. Note the level of the precept from the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Wales; 2. Note the level of the Community / Town Council Precepts, as detailed in Appendix 1; 3. Pass the formal Council Tax resolutions for the financial year ending 31st March 2027, as contained in Appendix 2; and 4. Note the comments of the Deputy Chief Executive and Group Director Corporate Resources upon robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves as detailed at paragraph 9.2.
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RESOLVED to: 1. Note the detail of the final 2026/27 local government settlement for capital expenditure, reproduced at Appendix 1; 2. Agree to the proposed reallocation of existing resources, and allocation of new resources as detailed in paragraph 5; 3. Agree to allocate the funding identified in the report to the investment priorities as detailed in paragraph 6.2; 4. Agree the proposed ‘core’ three-year programme detailed at Appendix 2; 5. Agree the proposed total three-year Capital Programme, detailed at Appendices 3 (a) to (g), which includes the following non-core capital funding: · Prudential borrowing to support Sustainable Communities for Learning Schemes (formerly 21st Century Schools); · Local Government Borrowing Initiative funding to support Highways investment; · Capital grants for specific schemes; · Third party contributions; and · The investment priorities detailed in paragraph 6.2.
The Group Director Corporate Resources presented the report which set out the Cabinet’s proposed three-year Capital Programme for 2026/27 to 2028/29 for Council’s consideration which amounts to a total of £119M and includes a core funded programme of £15.7M per year, which is £47M across the three years with specific grant funding of £60M and £49M released revenue funding. The Group Director commented that section 6 of the report includes further proposed investment amounting to £19.380M in the following items, highways maintenance, unadopted roads, highways structures, Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor, traffic developments, flood alleviation, salt barn, park structures, parks and green spaces, skate parks, play areas, multi-use games areas, investment in the Council’s leisure centres, war memorials, school infrastructure improvements, defibrillators at school sites and further pipeline capacity funding. The Group Director added that the overall programme includes an investment of £4.5M in the Council’s Culture, Leisure & Visitor attractions, £45M across Schools, £75M across Environmental Services including Highways, Tips, Transport infrastructure and Parks, £33M across Housing Services including Disabled Facilities Grants and Empty Homes Grants, £14M in Regeneration activity and £ The Group Director set out the proposed new three year programme of £225M follows capital spend of £170M last year 2023/24 and currently projected spend of £194M for this financial year and brings the Council’s capital spend to over £1bn since 2019/20. The Group Director concluded by reminding Members that this report deals with the strategic prioritisation and allocation of resources across the Council’s capital programme and details of individual schemes and projects will be developed and presented to Cabinet during March. Following a discussion whereby the Group Leaders contributed to the discussion, it was RESOLVED to: 1. Note the detail of the final 2026/27 local government settlement for capital expenditure, reproduced at Appendix 1; 2. Agree to the proposed reallocation of existing resources, and allocation of new resources as detailed in paragraph 5; 3. Agree to allocate the funding identified in the report to the investment priorities as detailed in paragraph 6.2; 4. Agree the proposed ‘core’ three-year programme detailed at Appendix 2; 5. Agree the proposed total three-year Capital Programme, detailed at Appendices 3 (a) to (g), which includes the following non-core capital funding: · Prudential borrowing to support Sustainable Communities for Learning Schemes (formerly 21st Century Schools); · Local Government Borrowing Initiative funding to support Highways investment; · Capital grants for specific schemes; · Third party contributions; and · The investment priorities detailed in paragraph 6.2.
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RESOLVED to: 1. Approve the Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy, Treasury Indicators and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy statement as set out in the report. 2. Agree the funding proposals for the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme as set out in section 18.
The Group Director – Corporate Resources presented the annual report advising that the Council’s Treasury Management, borrowing and investment activities are highly regulated and carried out in line with the relevant professional Codes of Practice. He added that agreeing a Treasury Management strategy before the beginning of the financial year is a specific requirement as is a formal mid-year review and a year-end backward review of the council’s activities in this area. The Council’s formal reports are also considered by the Governance & Audit Committee with quarterly information contained within the Council’s performance reports. The Group Director advised that, as set out in the report, the Council has £276.4M of borrowing at an average interest rate of 3.29% with a borrowing requirement for next year of £12.5M to fund the previously agreed capital programme and will supplement this by fixing in longer term debt if the economic environment and interest rate projections dictate. This is in line with the Council’s under borrowing position, which the Council has continued to hold for a number of years and from which the Council continues to be rewarded with lower net capital financing costs. The Group Director advised that in terms of the Council’s investment strategy, the Council continues to lend to public sector and Government backed organisations only recognising the key and fundamental priority afforded to firstly security, secondly liquidity and thirdly yield. The Group Director referred Members to paragraph 16 for the Council’s Treasury Management indicators and limits and the Minimum Revenue Policy (MRP Policy) set out at section 17 which continues to write off the Council’s supported borrowing on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The Group Director explained that Section 18 sets out the funding requirements for projects funded by the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme. The new rolling programme, as approved in principle by Welsh Government, amounts to £414M, with tranche 1 amounting to £280.8M. Welsh Government funding will be provided at £196M to this with the Council having to fund £84.8M of which £56.1M will need to be borrowed. The remaining £28.7M of funding has already been identified or secured and includes CIL money for example. This is the overall funding envelope and actual costs will be refined as schemes progress through Welsh Government business case approval and procurement processes and the revenue implications will be built in the future updates of MTFP from 2029/2030 when the revenue implications will begin to impact. It was RESOLVED to: 1. Approve the Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy, Treasury Indicators and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy statement as set out in the report. 2. Agree the funding proposals for the Sustainable Communities for Learning programme as set out in section 18.
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RESOLVED to: • Approve the Capital Strategy report incorporating the Prudential Indicators.
The Deputy Chief Executive & Group Director of Corporate Resources presented the annual statutory Capital Strategy Report 2026/2027 incorporating the Councils prudential indicators. The Group Director advised that the Council’s agreed capital expenditure and how it is financed is set out at section 6 of the report which includes the Council’s capital financing requirements (CFR) which is the underlying need to borrow to fund the Council’s historic and current capital spending plans. As referenced previously, the Group Director advised that this shows a significantly under borrowed position, a strategy which the Council has adopted over a number of years in line with advice from the Councils’ treasury advisors. This is shown clearly at indicator 4. The Group Director commented that the Council’s limits to borrowing activities, including the Council’s authorised limit are also set out along with the general approach towards commercialisation and asset management and disposal. The Group Director advised that both the Treasury Management Strategy and the Capital Strategy statement will be presented to the Governance & Audit Committee to review and scrutinise in line with the specific requirement laid down in the relevant codes of practice. It was RESOLVED to: • Approve the Capital Strategy report incorporating the Prudential Indicators.
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RESOLVED to note and approve the updates to the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA).
The Group Director, Corporate Services advised that as Members are aware the RCT Pension Fund is part of the Wales Pension Partnership (WPP) collaboration of the eight Pension Funds in Wales. In June of last year, this Council agreed to its proposed response to the Government’s ‘Fit for the Future’ consultation, which required, amongst other things, the creation of an FSA Financial Conduct Authority approved investment management company. As part of the transition to this new arrangement, a number of new legal documents have been created, including a Shareholder Agreement and a Client Services Agreement which were considered and approved by the Pension Committee last week. The Group Director explained that an opportunity has also been taken to review the existing inter authority agreement between the eight pension funds, to ensure it reflected the new and ongoing operational requirements. The agreement was also considered by the Pension Fund Committee last week who are now recommending final approval to Full Council. The Group Director referred Members to the key updates to the document which are set out at section 4.2 which have been drafted by Burges Salmon on the Council’s behalf as its Legal Advisors and has been reviewed by Hymans Robertson, the WPP’s oversight advisors, with input by section 151 Officers and the Monitoring Officers of all administering authorities. The Group Director advised that the agreement will be reviewed in 12-18 months’ time to ensure it remains fit for purpose within the new operating environment in which it has been created. Following consideration of the report, it was RESOLVED to note and approve the updates to the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA).
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RESOLVED to Approve the Pay Policy Statement at Appendix A of the report, with the deletion of section 11 and references to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRP) in the document, following the repeal of powers relating to Chief Executive remuneration. Noting also the extant powers of the IRP have transferred to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.
In accordance with Section 38(1) of the Localism Act, 2011, the Director, Human Resources provided Members with information in respect of the Council’s 2026/2027 Pay Policy Statement. The Director referred Members to paragraphs 3.1 to 3.2 which set out the legal context for the need for the pay policy and paragraphs 4.1-4.10 which references the background to the pay policy statement, the need for Full Council approval. In conclusion, the Director referred to the Pay Policy Statement set out at Appendix A to the report. Following consideration of the report it was RESOLVED to Approve the Pay Policy Statement at Appendix A of the report, with the deletion of section 11 and references to the Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales (IRP) in the document, following the repeal of powers relating to Chief Executive remuneration. Noting also the extant powers of the IRP have transferred to the Democracy and Boundary Commission Cymru.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED that Council: 1. Agrees to advertise the vacant role of Independent (lay) Member on the Council’s Standards Committee, based on the established criteria set out in the report; 2. Subject to 2.1 above, establishes an Appointments Panel to consider applications for the appointment of an Independent Member of the Standards Committee for a term of six years; 3. Nominates three County Borough Councillors (2 from the ruling group and 1 from the largest opposition group) and the incumbent Chair of the Standards Committee to be members of the Appointments Panel and that the current Community Councillor on the Committee be appointed as the Community Councillor representative on the Panel; and 4. Subject to the above, agrees to receive a further report and consider any recommendations emanating from the Appointments Panel to be convened to interview any applicants who apply for the vacant role.
The Director of Legal & Democratic Services presented his report which sets out the proposed process to be undertaken to fill a vacancy that has arisen on the Council’s Standards Committee, specifically an Independent Member. The Director also added that the report also seeks Members’ approval to advertise the role of Independent Member in accordance with the established criteria for the post and to seek approval to establish an appointments panel to consider any applications made for the vacancy Which is to be constituted as proposed in the report. The Director advised that subject to this way forward being agreed, Council will receive a further report to consider any recommendations emanating from the Appointments Panel as to the vacant role. RESOLVED that Council: 1. Agrees to advertise the vacant role of Independent (lay) Member on the Council’s Standards Committee, based on the established criteria set out in the report; 2. Subject to 2.1 above, establishes an Appointments Panel to consider applications for the appointment of an Independent Member of the Standards Committee for a term of six years; 3. Nominates three County Borough Councillors (2 from the ruling group and 1 from the largest opposition group) and the incumbent Chair of the Standards Committee to be members of the Appointments Panel and that the current Community Councillor on the Committee be appointed as the Community Councillor representative on the Panel; and 4. Subject to the above, agrees to receive a further report and consider any recommendations emanating from the Appointments Panel to be convened to interview any applicants who apply for the vacant role.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED to: 1. Note that County Borough Councillor G. Warren is to be nominated in place of County Borough Councillor J. Elliott on the Education & Inclusion Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year.
The Service Director Democratic Services, Welsh Language & Communications advised Members of the change to the Labour Group’s representation in that Councillor G Warren is to be nominated in place of Councillor J Elliott on the Education & Inclusion Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the 2025/2026 Municipal Year. It was RESOLVED to: 1. Note that County Borough Councillor G. Warren is to be nominated in place of County Borough Councillor J. Elliott on the Education & Inclusion Scrutiny Committee for the remainder of the 2025/26 Municipal Year.
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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Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.