Sut mae'r cyngor yn codi ac yn gwario ei arian, gan gynnwys y dreth gyngor ac arbedion.
Beth mae cynghorau'n ei wneud
Mae pob cyngor yn pennu cyllideb bob blwyddyn: faint i'w wario ar bob gwasanaeth a faint o dreth gyngor i'w chodi. Mae'r dreth gyngor yn talu am tua thraean; daw'r rhan fwyaf o'r gweddill o grant gan Lywodraeth Cymru ac ardrethi busnes.
Pwy sy'n penderfynu
Mae'r Cabinet yn cynnig y gyllideb, fel arfer yn y gaeaf, ac mae'r Cyngor llawn yn ei chytuno ac yn pennu'r dreth gyngor erbyn dechrau mis Mawrth. Mae pwyllgorau craffu'n archwilio'r cynlluniau yn gyntaf.
Dweud eich dweud
Mae'r rhan fwyaf o gynghorau'n cynnal ymgynghoriad ar y gyllideb yn yr hydref neu ddechrau'r gaeaf. Mae eich cynghorwyr yn pleidleisio ar y gyllideb derfynol, felly dywedwch wrthyn nhw beth sy'n bwysig i chi.
Mewn rhifau
Treth gyngor a gasglwyd: 95% ar draws Cymru (2025-26).
Treth gyngor heb ei thalu ar ddiwedd y flwyddyn: £119 miliwn ar draws Cymru (2025-26).
Treth gyngor sy'n dal yn ddyledus o flynyddoedd cynt: £199.3 miliwn ar draws Cymru (2025-26).
Treth gyngor a ddilëwyd: £9 miliwn ar draws Cymru (2025-26).
RESOLVED: that
1. The budget principles, as set out in the report, on which the Budget Strategy will be based, and the approach to meeting the Budget Reduction Requirement both in 2025/26 and across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan, be agreed.
2. The directorates work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member(s), in consultation with the Corporate Director Resources and Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap of £49.726 million for 2025/26 and £147.784 million across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.
3. Authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, to implement any saving proposal in advance of 2025/26 where no policy recommendation is required or where a policy decision has already been taken.
4. It be noted that work will continue to update and refresh the Medium-Term Financial Plan and that this will be reported to Members as appropriate.
5. It be noted that an update on funding for Teachers Pensions will accompany the Month 4 monitoring report in September 2024.
6. It be proposed that Council agree that the Budget Timetable Framework, set out in Appendix 2, be adopted, and that the work outlined is progressed with a view to informing budget preparation.
7. Consultation on the 2025/26 budget proposals will take place when the detail of options is available in order to inform the preparation of the draft 2025/26 Budget.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED:
1.
To adopt the Budget Timetable Framework set out in Appendix 2, subject to a decision by Cabinet at its meeting on 18th July 2024 (set out in the Amendment Sheet); and that the work outlined is progressed with a view to informing budget preparation.
Caerdydd, Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee,
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the proposal of renewing the existing Public Space Protection Orders
for controlled alcohol zones be agreed.
(2) T H A T the contents of the public consultation results and the inclusion of
new restricted areas be noted.
(3) T H A T the proposed additional areas as part of the renewal process be
agreed and incorporated into the Orders.
(4) T H A T the resolutions of Cabinet as regards the report be noted and agreed.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To assist the Council to robustly manage alcohol related Anti-Social
Behaviour at its Resorts, Town centres and Public Open Spaces.
(2) To ensure the Council has considered the views of the public and other
stakeholders and the Orders reflected current issues.
(3) To ensure the Council and Police had the appropriate powers to protect the
quality of lives of those who lived, worked and visited restricted areas and to permit
the majority of the law-abiding citizens to use and enjoy public spaces, safe from
anti-social behaviour.
(4) The introduction and renewal of Public Space Protection Orders was a matter
for determination by Full Council and to ensure their prompt introduction.
No.
RENEWAL OF PUBLIC SPACE PROTECTION ORDERS – DOG CONTROLS (REF)
In presenting the report, the Leader advised that there were some very specific
issues in terms of dog control and the anti-social behaviour by their owners. She
noted that all highways and footways were covered in these Orders and referred to
the extra recommendation that had been agreed by Cabinet relating to Llantwit Major
Recreation Ground.
Councillor Franks enquired as to how the Orders were likely to be enforced and what
resources would be available and requested that the boundary of Murchfield be
clearly identified, together with Highgate Place play area. The Leader said that she
would request a copy of the boundaries for all Members and they would assist
enforcement going forward. She reiterated that Members had had a number of
opportunities to respond to consultation in respect of this report and that such
conversations should have been undertaken at that time.
Councillor Mahoney also commented on how enforcement would go forward, in
particular he said having regard to sports fields. The Leader commented that the
rules and procedures relating to sports fields was specific to those areas and where
they were gated it was noted that the level of dog fouling had increased. It was the
fact that dog owners were not controlling their dogs and it was noticeable that when
the nights closed in this was becoming far more of an issue.
Councillor Carroll welcomed the report, acknowledging that it was vital that
enforcement took place, suggesting that plain clothed enforcement officers be a
good idea.
Councillor Protheroe recorded her thanks for the inclusion of dogs to be on leads for
Ogmore and Southerndown and referred to the number of dog attacks on sheep that
had been happening on the Ogmore and Southerndown common. In her view the
Orders were terribly important, timely and vitally important to educate people and
suggested that further signs be placed on the common, it being noted that the
common was not a country park.
The Leader said it would have been useful if Members who had concerns or issues
had raised them earlier and had engaged in the consultation process, however, she
asked that if any Member had any further details that they wished to share that they
contact the relevant officers.
Councillor Dr. Johnson concurred with the Leader that there had been a significantly
long period of consultation on the matter. Councillor Morgan wished it to be noted in
the record that there were a number of responsible dog owners who behaved
appropriately and irresponsible dog owners, in his view, were few and far between.
Having considered the matter, it was subsequently
No.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the proposal of renewing the existing Public Space Protection Orders
for dog controls be endorsed.
(2) T H A T the contents of the public consultation results be noted.
(3) T H A T the proposed new additional areas as part of the renewal process be
agreed and incorporated into the Orders.
(4) T H A T the resolutions of Cabinet in respect of the report be noted and
agreed.
(5) T H A T subject to formal agreement with Llantwit Major Town Council,
Llantwit Major Recreation Ground be added to the proposals with enforcement
subject to the agreement of Llantwit Major Town Council who own the land.
Reasons for decisions
(1) In order that the Council had robust Orders in place for dog controls on
adopted highways, footpaths, resorts/beaches, town centres, sports pitches and
public open spaces.
(2) To ensure the views of the public and other stakeholders were considered
and the Orders reflected current issues.
(3) To ensure the Council had appropriate powers to protect the quality of lives of
those who lived, worked and visited the Vale.
(4) The renewal and introduction of Public Space Protection Orders were a
matter for determination by Full Council.
(5) To include Llantwit Major Recreation Ground to the proposals, with the
support of the local ward Members and in agreement with Llantwit Major Town
Council.
RESOLVED – That:
(1) the report be noted;
(2) the Section 151 Officer provide the Committee with a quantified breakdown of the 2023/24 budgeted activity that did not take place and was used to cover overspends.
RESOLVED: that
1. The report and actions taken in respect of the Council’s Revenue and Capital Outturn position for 2023/24 be noted; and
2. It be noted that this report will form an appendix to the Financial Statements report to be considered at a Council meeting in the Autumn of 2024.
RESOLVED – T H A T the dispensations as set out in the schedule below be
granted up to the date of the next Local Government Elections:
Member Requesting Paragraph(s) of Decision
Dispensation the Standards
Committee (Grant
of Dispensations)
(Wales)
Regulations
2001 Under Which
Dispensation is
Granted and as
applied for
Councillor (d), (e) and (f) To speak and vote when
C.E.A. Champion matters relating to the
review of Council
employment, employee
terms and conditions, in
view of a family member
being employed by the
Authority are to be
discussed at Vale of
Glamorgan Council
meetings.
Councillor J. Lynch- (d) and (f) To speak, vote and
Wilson remain in meetings when
Minutes - AR
matters relating to
Community Centres are to
be discussed at Vale of
Glamorgan Council
meetings.
Councillor I.R. Buckley (d), (e) and (f) To speak and vote when
matters relating to the
review of Council
employment, employee
terms and conditions, in
view of a family member
(daughter) being
employed by the Authority
are to be discussed at
Vale of Glamorgan
Council meetings.
Community Councillor (f) To speak only on matters
J. Cowpe related to Dinas Powys
Music Festival and Dinas
Powys Library Activity
Centre (DiPLAC) when
they are to be discussed
at Dinas Powys
Community Council
meetings.
Councillor C.P. Franks (d), (f), (h) and (i) To speak only on matters
relating to Seel Park,
Dinas Powys when they
are to be discussed at
both Vale of Glamorgan
Council meetings and
Dinas Powys Community
Council meetings.
Councillor S. Campbell (d), (e), (f) and (i) To speak, vote and
remain in meetings where
issues are raised at
meetings of the Council
(including budgets) in
respect of South Point
Primary and Ysgol
St Baruc.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the applications submitted and discussions held at the meeting.
Minutes - AR
RESOLVED: that
1. the progress being made to address the on-going Housing Emergency in Cardiff be noted
2. the acquisition of the properties and land identified in confidential appendices B & C be approved and authority be delegated to the Corporate Director – People and Communities in consultation with the S151 Officer, Legal services and the Cabinet members for Housing and Communities and Finance, Modernisation and Performance to authorise exchange of contracts and completion of those properties in accordance with the Heads of Terms annexed to this report subject to:
· Approval of appropriate grant funding being secured from Welsh Government
· Confirmation of a suitable financial viability assessment for each purchase
· Confirmation that the decision does not result in commitments outside the budget framework.
3. the extension of the use of specific hotel provision at the Copthorne hotel as family homeless accommodation be approved for a period of approximately 12 months.
4. the Cardiff Local Housing Needs Assessment (2022-2027) be approved.
RESOLVED: that
1) the funding approach be approved to enable the preparation of RIBA Stage 2 designs required to make an application for grant funding towards the Phase 2 works at City Hall as set out at Confidential Appendix 2.
2) the proposed approach to addressing the maintenance back-log at City Hall as set out in this report and at Confidential Appendix 3 be noted and the proposed procurement strategy for the Phase 2 works be approved with the appointment of contractors and it be noted that the approval of budgets will be considered at a future Cabinet meeting once a decision is taken on the Full Business Case for the Council’s core office strategy.
3) the final phase of spend to complete the Full Business Case on the core office strategy be approved as set out at Confidential Appendix 6.
4) the procurement of the Phase 2 works as set out at Confidential Appendix 3 be authorized subject to a successful grant application as set out at Confidential Appendix 2 with the appointment of the preferred bidder subject to a further Cabinet report.
RESOLVED – T H A T the comments of the Governance and Audit Committee be
referred to Cabinet alongside the comments from the Corporate Performance and
Resources Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 17th April, 2024. The key comments
of the Governance and Audit Committee being:
• Projects could be impacted, and costs increased if the Council did not have
adequate resources and capacity.
• Members of the public required greater accountability around the challenges
that the project faced, and greater Scrutiny should have been carried out.
• At the start of any project, the Council needed to ensure that it had the right
expertise in place from all relevant service areas, including Commissioning,
Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance and Legal.
• The proposed budget for the Oracle system at its inception appeared
insufficient as it did not include archiving, contingency etc.
• The Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee and the
Governance and Audit Committee should have been made aware of issues
sooner and provided assurance in respect of the control environment.
• The Lessons Learnt review document needed to the cascaded widely
throughout the organisation.
• A workshop for members should be arranged to understand how the 59
recommendations would be implemented.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C260, 29th February, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
CAPITAL STRATEGY 12024/25 AND FINAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROPOSALS 2024/25 TO 2028/29 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C261, 29th February, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2024/25 AND UPDATE 2023/24 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C262, 29th February, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
STRATEGIC EQUALITY PLAN 2024-25 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C292, 21st March, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
RESOLVED – T H A T pursuant to their powers under Section 249(5) of the Local
Government Act 1972, the Council confer upon the members of the Royal National
Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) in the Vale of Glamorgan the title of Honorary Freemen
and Freewomen of the County Borough in recognition of the distinguished service
history within the Vale of Glamorgan.
Reason for decision
Having considered the granting of Freemen and Freewomen status to members of
the RNLI in the Vale of Glamorgan in pursuance of Section 249(5) of the Local
Government Act 1972.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the Statement of Compliance with the Financial Management Code
and the contents of the review, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted.
(2) T H A T Cabinet be advised of the view of the Governance and Audit
Committee for the current financial position of the Council, as well as the possible
implications and future challenges facing the Council in achieving a balanced budget
for forthcoming years, be highlighted.
Reason for decisions
(1&2) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED to:
1.
Confirm that the decision to agree the Pay Policy Statement constitutes agreement to implement the cost of living pay increases determined by the relevant negotiating body effective from 1st April 2024, as accounted for in the Budget set and agreed by Council on 7th March 2024;
2.
Determine that any additional financial implications arising from the national pay agreements determined after this date that cannot be met within the Council’s Revenue Budget will be referred to Council for consideration and decision;
3.
Approve the attached Pay Policy Statement (2024/25) at Appendix 1.
RESOLVED – That:
(1) the Treasury Management Strategy for 2024/25 be noted;
(2) Officers to arrange a further Member Briefing Session on Treasury Management.
RESOLVED – T H A T in pursuance of the powers delegated to the Committee, the
following applications be determined as indicated and any other necessary action be
taken.
2020/01170/OUT Received on 14 October 2020
(P. 1)
APPLICANT: Welsh Government Land Division, Permanent Secretary's Group,
Cathays Park, Cardiff, CF10 3NQ
AGENT: Ms Catherine Blyth Unit 9, Oak Tree Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park,
Cardiff, CF23 8RS
Land at Upper Cosmeston Farm, Lavernock Road, Penarth
Outline application for residential development, a primary school, community space
and public open space with all matters reserved other than access.
A recorded vote was called for the Application, based on the recommendations
within the report, with the results as follows:
No.
Members For Against Abstain
G. Bruce
I.R. Buckley √
C.A. Cave
C.E.A. Champion √
C.M. Cowpe √
P. Drake √
A.M. Ernest √
W. Gilligan √
N.P. Hodges √
Dr. I.J. Johnson √
H.M. Payne √
S.D. Perkes √
I.A.N. Perry
C. Stallard √
N.C. Thomas √
E. Williams √
M.R. Wilson √
TOTAL 12 2
RESOLVED – T H A T subject to the applicant entering into a Section 106
agreement to provide for the following (based on 576 dwellings):
• Procure that 40% (up to 231) of the dwellings built on the site pursuant to the
planning permission are built and thereafter maintained as affordable housing
units in perpetuity.
• Pay a contribution of £1,324,800 towards sustainable transport improvements.
No.
• Pay a financial contribution towards education requirements arising from the
development of £6,476,088, in addition to the transfer of the 1ha school site to
the Council.
• Provision of suitable open space within the confines of the site (inclusive of 1
x NEAP, 3 x LEAPs and 4 x LAPs).
• Pay 1% of project budget towards public art.
• Cliff monitoring contribution of £59,150
• To provide community facilities of circa 0.1-0.2 hectares within the
development
APPROVED – Subject to the conditions as contained within the report.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the content of the report and discussions at the meeting.
2023/00032/FUL Received on 27 January 2023
(P. 79)
APPLICANT: Biomass UK No.2 Limited -, -,
AGENT: Mr Philip Murphy 21 Soho Square, London, W1D 3QP
Barry Biomass Renewable Energy Facility, David Davies Road, Barry
Retrospective full planning permission for development comprising a wood fired
renewable energy plant and associated structures without complying with Condition
5 (Drawings) attached to planning permission 2015/00031/OUT.
A recorded vote was called for the Application, based upon whether Members were
for or against Rejection of the Application, with the results as follows:
Members For Against Abstain
G. Bruce
I.R. Buckley √
C.A. Cave √
C.E.A. Champion √
C.M. Cowpe √
P. Drake √
A.M. Ernest
W. Gilligan √
No.
N.P. Hodges √
Dr. I.J. Johnson √
H.M. Payne √
S.D. Perkes √
I.A.N. Perry √
C. Stallard √
N.C. Thomas √
E. Williams √
M.R. Wilson √
TOTAL 13 2
REFUSED – Subject to the following reasons:
(1) The unauthorised addition of the ancillary structures, minor alterations, and
associated layout changes including:- a Lean-to Fuel Reception Building, lean-to
Compressor House, urea Silo, externally mounted discharge Incline conveyor,
screening tower and dust extraction plant, emergency diesel generator and fire
kiosk, fire water tank and pump house, amendment to stack width and an
enlargement to the noise attenuator located at the base of the chimney stack; have
detrimentally affected the appearance of the development over and above that
approved in 2015 and will harm the amenity of nearby residential properties in both
the Waterfront and Dock View Road. The Development is accordingly contrary to
policies MD 2 (Design of New Development) and MD5 (Development Within
Settlement Boundaries) of the adopted Vale of Glamorgan Local Development Plan.
(2) The applicant has failed to demonstrate that there will not be adverse
environmental impacts because the EIA fails to adequately and fully assess the
impacts regarding waste; particularly as there is no specific chapter dealing with this
key issue. The proposal is therefore contrary to policies MD 2 (Design of New
Developments), MD 7 (Environmental Protection) and MD 20 (Assessment of waste
Management Proposals) of the adopted Vale of Glamorgan Local Development Plan.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
No.
2023/00033/FUL Received on 24 January 2023
(P. 130)
APPLICANT: Biomass UK No. 2 Ltd., c/o Agent, -, -
AGENT: Mr Philip Murphy, 21, Soho Square, London, W1D 3QP
Land to the North of Barry Biomass Renewable Energy Facility, David Davies
Road, Barry
Retrospective planning permission for external storage, vehicle turning and vehicle
layover, and perimeter fencing for use in association with the adjacent renewable
energy plant.
A recorded vote was called for the Application, based upon whether Members were
for or against Rejection of the Application, with the results as follows:
Members For Against Abstain
G. Bruce √
I.R. Buckley √
C.A. Cave √
C.E.A. Champion √
C.M. Cowpe √
P. Drake √
A.M. Ernest
W. Gilligan √
N.P. Hodges √
Dr. I.J. Johnson √
H.M. Payne √
S.D. Perkes √
I.A.N. Perry √
C. Stallard √
N.C. Thomas √
No.
E. Williams
M.R. Wilson √
TOTAL 15
REFUSED – Subject to the following reasons:
1. The proposal comprises an integral and operational part of the wider
development which, by reason of the unauthorised ancillary structures, minor
alterations, and associated layout changes that include:- a Lean-to Fuel Reception
Building, lean-to Compressor House, urea Silo, externally mounted discharge Incline
conveyor, screening tower and dust extraction plant, emergency diesel generator
and fire kiosk, fire water tank and pump house, amendment to stack width and an
enlargement to the noise attenuator located at the base of the chimney stack; has
detrimentally affected the appearance of the development over and above that
approved in 2015 and will harm the amenity of nearby residential properties in both
the Waterfront and Dock View Road. The Development is accordingly contrary to
policies MD 2 (Design of New Development) and MD5 (Development Within
Settlement Boundaries) of the adopted Vale of Glamorgan Local Development Plan.
2. The proposal comprises an integral and operational part of the wider
development, which is not supported by adequate information to demonstrate that
there would not be adverse environmental impacts (due to the EIA failing to assess
fully the impacts regarding waste, particularly as there is no specific chapter dealing
with this key issue). The proposal is therefore contrary to policies MD 2 (Design of
New Developments), MD 7 (Environmental Protection) and MD 20 (Assessment of
waste Management Proposals) of the adopted Vale of Glamorgan Local
Development Plan.
Reason for decisions
Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
2023/00895/FUL Received on 17 January 2024
(P. 156)
APPLICANT: Mr Huw Llewellyn Great House Farm, Penllyn, Cowbridge, CF71 7RQ
AGENT: Ms Bethan Evans Unit 9, Oak Tree Court, Cardiff Gate Business Park,
Cardiff, CF23 8RS
Great House Farm, Penllyn
Proposed change of use from agricultural use to glamping visitor accommodation
comprising 3 yurts, separate kitchen units and conversion of the existing barn to a
shower block and farm storage.
A recorded vote was called for the Application, based on the recommendations
within the report, with the results as follows:
No.
Members For Against Abstain
G. Bruce √
I.R. Buckley √
C.A. Cave √
C.E.A. Champion √
C.M. Cowpe √
P. Drake √
A.M. Ernest
W. Gilligan √
N.P. Hodges √
Dr. I.J. Johnson
H.M. Payne √
S.D. Perkes √
I.A.N. Perry √
C. Stallard √
N.C. Thomas √
E. Williams
M.R. Wilson √
TOTAL 13 1
APPROVED – Subject to the conditions as contained within the report.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the content of the report and discussions at the meeting.
RESOLVED: that Council be recommended to
1. confirm that the decision to agree the Pay Policy Statement constitutes agreement to implement the cost of living pay increases determined by the relevant negotiating body effective from 1st April 2024, as accounted for in the Budget set and agreed by Council on 7th March 2024.
2. determine that any additional financial implications arising from the national pay agreements determined after this date that cannot be met within the Council’s Revenue Budget will be referred to Council for consideration and decision.
3. approve the attached Pay Policy Statement (2024/25) Appendix 1.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED to:
1
Approve the Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Account budgets including all associated proposals and assumptions as set out in this report and increasing the Council Tax by 6.0% and that the Council resolve the following terms;
2
Note that at its meeting on 14 December 2023 Cabinet calculated the following amounts for the year 2024/25 in accordance with the regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:
a)
151,372 being the amount calculated in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, as its Council Tax base for the year.
Lisvane
3,068
Pentyrch
3,709
Radyr
4,090
St Fagans
2,006
Old St Mellons
2,512
Tongwynlais
830
being the amounts calculated in accordance with Regulation 6 of the Regulations as the amounts of its Council Tax base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which special items relate.
2.1
Agree that the following amounts be now calculated by the County Council of the City and County of Cardiff for the year 2024/25 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-
a)
Aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2)(a) to (d) (including Community Council precepts totalling £568,735):
£1,326,949,735
b)
Aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for items set out in Section 32(3)(a) and (c):
£480,997,000
c)
Amount by which the aggregate at 2.1(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 2.1(b) above calculated in accordance with Section 32(4) as the budget requirement for the year:
£845,952,735
d)
Aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its Council Fund in respect of Revenue Support Grant, its council tax reduction scheme, redistributed Non-Domestic Rates:
£623,157,566
e)
The amount at 2.1(c) above less the amount at 2.1(d) (net of the amount for discretionary relief of £400,000), all divided by the amount at 2.0(a) above, calculated in accordance with Section 33(1) as the basic amount of Council Tax for the year:
£1,474.48
f)
Aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1):
£568,735
g)
Amount at 2.1(e) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 2.1(f) above by the amount at 2.0(a) above, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of the area to which no special items relate:
£1,470.72
h)
The amounts given by adding to the amount at 2.1(g) above the amounts of special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council's area mentioned below, divided in each case by the amount at 2.0(b) above, calculated in accordance with Section 34(3) as the basic amounts of Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of the area to which special items relate.
Lisvane
1,494.35
Pentyrch
1,523.32
Radyr & Morganstown
1,511.13
St Fagans
1,496.49
St Mellons
1,492.72
Tongwynlais
1,505.54
I)
The amounts given by multiplying the amounts at 2.1(g) and 2.1(h) above by the number which in the proportion set out in the Council Tax (Valuation Bands) (Wales) Order 2003 is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D calculated in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Area
Lisvane
996.23
1,162.27
1,328.31
1,494.35
1,826.43
2,158.50
2,490.58
2,988.70
3,486.82
Pentyrch
1,015.55
1,184.80
1,354.07
1,523.32
1,861.84
2,200.35
2,538.87
3,046.64
3,554.41
Radyr
1,007.42
1,175.32
1,343.23
1,511.13
1,846.94
2,182.74
2,518.55
3,022.26
3,525.97
St. Fagans
997.66
1,163.93
1,330.22
1,496.49
1,829.05
2,161.59
2,494.15
2,992.98
3,491.81
Old St. Mellons
995.15
1,161.00
1,326.87
1,492.72
1,824.44
2,156.15
2,487.87
2,985.44
3,483.01
Tongwynlais
1,003.69
1,170.97
1,338.26
1,505.54
1,840.11
2,174.67
2,509.23
3,011.08
3,512.93
All other parts of the Council’s Area
980.48
1,143.89
1,307.31
1,470.72
1,797.55
2,124.37
2,451.20
2,941.44
3,431.68
2.2
Note that for the year 2024/25, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each of the categories of dwelling shown below:-
VALUATION BANDS
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
235.11
274.30
313.48
352.67
431.04
509.41
587.78
705.34
822.90
2.3
Having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 2.1(i) and 2.2 above, the County Council of the City and County of Cardiff in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2024/25 for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:-
Part of Council’s Area
VALUATION BANDS
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
£
Area
Lisvane
1,231.34
1,436.57
1,641.79
1,847.02
2,257.47
2,667.91
3,078.36
3,694.04
4,309.72
Pentyrch
1,250.66
1,459.10
1,667.55
1,875.99
2,292.88
2,709.76
3,126.65
3,751.98
4,377.31
Radyr
1,242.53
1,449.62
1,656.71
1,863.80
2,277.98
2,692.15
3,106.33
3,727.60
4,348.87
St. Fagans
1,232.77
1,438.23
1,643.70
1,849.16
2,260.09
2,671.00
3,081.93
3,698.32
4,314.71
Old St. Mellons
1,230.26
1,435.30
1,640.35
1,845.39
2,255.48
2,665.56
3,075.65
3,690.78
4,305.91
Tongwynlais
1,238.80
1,445.27
1,651.74
1,858.21
2,271.15
2,684.08
3,097.01
3,716.42
4,335.83
All other parts of the Council’s
Area
1,215.59
1,418.19
1,620.79
1,823.39
2,228.59
2,633.78
3,038.98
3,646.78
4,254.58
2.4
Authorise the Corporate Director Resources to make payments under Section 38 of the Local Government (Wales) Act 1994 from the Council Fund by equal instalments on the last working day of each month from April 2024 to March 2025 in respect of the precept levied by the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales in the sum of £53,384,363;
2.5
Agree that the Common Seal be affixed to the said Council Tax;
2.6
Agree that the Common Seal be affixed to precepts for Port Health Expenses for the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, namely:
County Council of the City and County of Cardiff £155,460
Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council £17,620
2.7
Agree that notices of the making of the said Council Taxes signed by the Chief Executive be given by advertisement in the local press under Section 38(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992;
3
In accordance with the Local Government Act 2003, the Local Authority (Capital Finance and Accounting) (Wales) Regulations 2003 and subsequent amendments and the CIPFA Prudential Code and Treasury Management Codes of Practice:
(a)
Approve the Capital Strategy 2024/25
(b)
Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2024/25 and authorise the Section 151 Officer to raise such funds as may be required to finance capital expenditure by temporary or long-term borrowing
(c)
Approve the Prudential Indicators for 2024/25 – 2028/29 including the affordable borrowing limit
(d)
Delegate to the Section 151 Officer the ability to effect movement between the limits for borrowing and long-term liabilities, within the limit for any year, and to bring forward or delay schemes in the Capital Programme
(e)
Approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2024/25
4
To approve the Budgetary Framework outlined in this report;
5
To maintain the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme as set out in this report.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED to:
Increase the premium charge of 100% on long-term empty dwellings to 200% for dwellings that have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than 24 months, and to 300% for dwellings that have been unoccupied and substantially unfurnished for more than 36 months, with effect from 1st April 2024.
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C167, 30th November, 2023 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
NOMINATIONS FOR THE ROLES OF INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER REPRESENTING LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO THE CARDIFF AND VALE UNIVERSITY HEALTH BOARD AND THE NATIONAL JOINT COMMITTEE FOR THE NATIONAL ADOPTION SERVICE AND FOSTER WALES (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C170, 30th November, 2023 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
No.
FINAL HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT (HRA) BUDGET PROPOSALS 2024/25, RENT SETTING 2024/2025 AND HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT BUSINESS PLAN 2024/25 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C196, 11th January, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
INITIAL BUDGET 2024/25 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2024/25 TO 2028/29 PROPOSALS FOR CONSULTATION (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C206, 18th January, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
DRAFT CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROPOSALS 2024/25 TO 2028/29 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C207, 18th January, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
ACQUISITION OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES IN THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C222, 25th January, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
No.
VALE OF GLAMORGAN ENTERPRISE CENTRE (PART I) (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C224, 25th January, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
VALE OF GLAMORGAN ENTERPRISE CENTRE (PART II) (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C228, 25th January, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
DRAFT VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL ANNUAL DELIVERY PLAN 2024-25 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C248, 22nd February, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T it be noted that at its meeting on 14th December, 2023, Cabinet
(the Executive) calculated the following amounts for the year 2024/25 in
accordance with regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local
Government Finance Act 1992:-
(a) 63,397 being the amount calculated by Cabinet (the Executive) in
accordance with regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of
Council Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, as its
council tax base for the year.
(b) Part of the Council’s area
Barry 21,193
Colwinston 378
Cowbridge with Llanblethian 2,998
Dinas Powys 4,032
Ewenny 450
Llancarfan 489
Llandough 969
Llandow 447
Llanfair 388
Llangan 477
Llanmaes 259
Llantwit Major 4,367
Michaelston 252
Penarth 11,790
Pendoylan 353
Penllyn 1,085
Peterston-Super-Ely 559
St. Athan 1,699
St. Brides Major 1,480
St. Donats 217
St. Georges and St. Brides-Super-Ely 246
No.
St. Nicholas and Bonvilston 761
Sully and Lavernock 2,828
Welsh St. Donats 330
Wenvoe 1,571
Wick 541
Total Council Tax Base Town and Community
60,159
Councils
Rhoose 3,238
Total Council Tax Base 63,397
being the amounts calculated by Cabinet (the Executive), in
accordance with regulation 6 of the Regulations, as amended, as the
amounts of its council tax base for the year for dwellings in those parts
of its area to which one or more special items relate.
(2) That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year
2024/25 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government
Finance Act 1992:
(a) Aggregate of the amounts which the Council £441,782,790
estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (2) (a)
to (d) and (2A) of the Act (including Town /
Community Council Precepts totalling £3,652,477).
(b) Aggregate of the amounts which the Council £129,559,000
estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (3) (a),
(aa) and (c), and (3A) of the Act.
(c) Amount by which the aggregate at (2)(a) above £312,223,790
exceeds the aggregate at (2)(b) above, calculated
by the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of
the Act, as its budget requirement for the year.
(d) Aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates £209,491,342
will be payable for the year into its Council Fund in
respect of redistributed non-domestic rates,
revenue support grant, its council tax reduction
scheme, additional grant or special grant less
certain Discretionary Non-Domestic Rate Reliefs.
(e) The amount at (2)(c) above less the amount at £1,620.46
(2)(d) above, all divided by the amount at (1)(a)
above, calculated by the Council, in accordance
with Section 33(1) of the Act as the basic amount of
its council tax for the year.
(f) Aggregate amount of all special items referred to in £3,652,447
Section 34(1) of the Act.
No.
(g) Amount at (2)(e) above less the result given by £1,562.85
dividing the amount at (2)(f) above by the amount
at (1)(a) above, calculated by the Council, in
accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the
basic amount of its council tax for the year for
dwellings in those parts of its area to which no
special item relates.
(h) Part of the Council’s area £
Barry 1,624.05
Colwinston 1,615.39
Cowbridge with Llanblethian 1,674.76
Dinas Powys 1,598.23
Ewenny 1,613.96
Llancarfan 1,593.44
Llandough 1,628.85
Llandow 1,589.70
Llanfair 1,577.91
Llangan 1,587.07
Llanmaes 1,618.89
Llantwit Major 1,626.37
Michaelston 1,592.88
Penarth 1,650.37
Pendoylan 1,586.93
Penllyn 1,576.21
Peterston-Super-Ely 1,604.89
Rhoose 1,562.85
St. Athan 1,613.02
St. Brides Major 1,580.85
St. Donats 1,587.30
St. Georges and St. Brides-Super-Ely 1,591.19
St. Nicholas and Bonvilston 1,651.90
Sully and Lavernock 1,598.00
Welsh St. Donats 1,584.06
Wenvoe 1,588.87
Wick 1,579.49
being the amounts given by adding to the amount at (2)(g) above the
amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts
of the Council’s area mentioned above divided in each case by the
amount at (1)(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with
Section 34 (3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its council tax for the
year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more
special items relate.
No.
(i) Part of the Council's Area Valuation Bands
£ A B C D E F G H I
Barry 1,082.70 1,263.15 1,443.60 1,624.05 1,984.95 2,345.85 2,706.75 3,248.10 3,789.45
Colwinston 1,076.93 1,256.41 1,435.90 1,615.39 1,974.37 2,333.34 2,692.32 3,230.78 3,769.24
Cowbridge with Llanblethian 1,116.51 1,302.59 1,488.68 1,674.76 2,046.93 2,419.10 2,791.27 3,349.52 3,907.77
Dinas Powys 1,065.49 1,243.07 1,420.65 1,598.23 1,953.39 2,308.55 2,663.72 3,196.46 3,729.20
Ewenny 1,075.97 1,255.30 1,434.63 1,613.96 1,972.62 2,331.28 2,689.93 3,227.92 3,765.91
Llancarfan 1,062.29 1,239.34 1,416.39 1,593.44 1,947.54 2,301.64 2,655.73 3,186.88 3,718.03
Llandough 1,085.90 1,266.88 1,447.87 1,628.85 1,990.82 2,352.78 2,714.75 3,257.70 3,800.65
Llandow 1,059.80 1,236.43 1,413.07 1,589.70 1,942.97 2,296.23 2,649.50 3,179.40 3,709.30
Llanfair 1,051.94 1,227.26 1,402.59 1,577.91 1,928.56 2,279.20 2,629.85 3,155.82 3,681.79
Llangan 1,058.05 1,234.39 1,410.73 1,587.07 1,939.75 2,292.43 2,645.12 3,174.14 3,703.16
Llanmaes 1,079.26 1,259.14 1,439.01 1,618.89 1,978.64 2,338.40 2,698.15 3,237.78 3,777.41
Llantwit Major 1,084.25 1,264.95 1,445.66 1,626.37 1,987.79 2,349.20 2,710.62 3,252.74 3,794.86
Michaelston 1,061.92 1,238.91 1,415.89 1,592.88 1,946.85 2,300.83 2,654.80 3,185.76 3,716.72
Penarth 1,100.25 1,283.62 1,467.00 1,650.37 2,017.12 2,383.87 2,750.62 3,300.74 3,850.86
Pendoylan 1,057.95 1,234.28 1,410.60 1,586.93 1,939.58 2,292.23 2,644.88 3,173.86 3,702.84
Penllyn 1,050.81 1,225.94 1,401.08 1,576.21 1,926.48 2,276.75 2,627.02 3,152.42 3,677.82
Peterston-Super-Ely 1,069.93 1,248.25 1,426.57 1,604.89 1,961.53 2,318.17 2,674.82 3,209.78 3,744.74
Rhoose 1,041.90 1,215.55 1,389.20 1,562.85 1,910.15 2,257.45 2,604.75 3,125.70 3,646.65
St. Athan 1,075.35 1,254.57 1,433.80 1,613.02 1,971.47 2,329.92 2,688.37 3,226.04 3,763.71
St. Brides Major 1,053.90 1,229.55 1,405.20 1,580.85 1,932.15 2,283.45 2,634.75 3,161.70 3,688.65
St. Donats 1,058.20 1,234.57 1,410.93 1,587.30 1,940.03 2,292.77 2,645.50 3,174.60 3,703.70
St. Georges & St. Brides-Super-Ely 1,060.79 1,237.59 1,414.39 1,591.19 1,944.79 2,298.39 2,651.98 3,182.38 3,712.78
St. Nicholas and Bonvilston 1,101.27 1,284.81 1,468.36 1,651.90 2,018.99 2,386.08 2,753.17 3,303.80 3,854.43
Sully and Lavernock 1,065.33 1,242.89 1,420.44 1,598.00 1,953.11 2,308.22 2,663.33 3,196.00 3,728.67
Welsh St. Donats 1,056.04 1,232.05 1,408.05 1,584.06 1,936.07 2,288.09 2,640.10 3,168.12 3,696.14
Wenvoe 1,059.25 1,235.79 1,412.33 1,588.87 1,941.95 2,295.03 2,648.12 3,177.74 3,707.36
Wick 1,052.99 1,228.49 1,403.99 1,579.49 1,930.49 2,281.49 2,632.48 3,158.98 3,685.48
being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at (2)(g) and (2)(h) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5 (1/1A) of the
Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in
valuation band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36 (1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect
of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.
(3). That it be noted that for the year 2024/25 the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to
the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:-
No.
£ Valuation Bands
A B C D E F G H I
235.11 274.30 313.48 352.67 431.04 509.41 587.78 705.34 822.90
Part of the Council's Area £ Valuation Bands
£ A B C D E F G H I
Barry 1,317.81 1,537.45 1,757.08 1,976.72 2,415.99 2,855.26 3,294.53 3,953.44 4,612.35
Colwinston 1,312.04 1,530.71 1,749.38 1,968.06 2,405.41 2,842.75 3,280.10 3,936.12 4,592.14
Cowbridge with Llanblethian 1,351.62 1,576.89 1,802.16 2,027.43 2,477.97 2,928.51 3,379.05 4,054.86 4,730.67
Dinas Powys 1,300.60 1,517.37 1,734.13 1,950.90 2,384.43 2,817.96 3,251.50 3,901.80 4,552.10
Ewenny 1,311.08 1,529.60 1,748.11 1,966.63 2,403.66 2,840.69 3,277.71 3,933.26 4,588.81
Llancarfan 1,297.40 1,513.64 1,729.87 1,946.11 2,378.58 2,811.05 3,243.51 3,892.22 4,540.93
Llandough 1,321.01 1,541.18 1,761.35 1,981.52 2,421.86 2,862.19 3,302.53 3,963.04 4,623.55
Llandow 1,294.91 1,510.73 1,726.55 1,942.37 2,374.01 2,805.64 3,237.28 3,884.74 4,532.20
Llanfair 1,287.05 1,501.56 1,716.07 1,930.58 2,359.60 2,788.61 3,217.63 3,861.16 4,504.69
Llangan 1,293.16 1,508.69 1,724.21 1,939.74 2,370.79 2,801.84 3,232.90 3,879.48 4,526.06
Llanmaes 1,314.37 1,533.44 1,752.49 1,971.56 2,409.68 2,847.81 3,285.93 3,943.12 4,600.31
Llantwit Major 1,319.36 1,539.25 1,759.14 1,979.04 2,418.83 2,858.61 3,298.40 3,958.08 4,617.76
Michaelston 1,297.03 1,513.21 1,729.37 1,945.55 2,377.89 2,810.24 3,242.58 3,891.10 4,539.62
Penarth 1,335.36 1,557.92 1,780.48 2,003.04 2,448.16 2,893.28 3,338.40 4,006.08 4,673.76
Pendoylan 1,293.06 1,508.58 1,724.08 1,939.60 2,370.62 2,801.64 3,232.66 3,879.20 4,525.74
Penllyn 1,285.92 1,500.24 1,714.56 1,928.88 2,357.52 2,786.16 3,214.80 3,857.76 4,500.72
Peterston-Super-Ely 1,305.04 1,522.55 1,740.05 1,957.56 2,392.57 2,827.58 3,262.60 3,915.12 4,567.64
Rhoose 1,277.01 1,489.85 1,702.68 1,915.52 2,341.19 2,766.86 3,192.53 3,831.04 4,469.55
St. Athan 1,310.46 1,528.87 1,747.28 1,965.69 2,402.51 2,839.33 3,276.15 3,931.38 4,586.61
St. Brides Major 1,289.01 1,503.85 1,718.68 1,933.52 2,363.19 2,792.86 3,222.53 3,867.04 4,511.55
St. Donats 1,293.31 1,508.87 1,724.41 1,939.97 2,371.07 2,802.18 3,233.28 3,879.94 4,526.60
St. Georges & St. Brides-Super-
Ely 1,295.90 1,511.89 1,727.87 1,943.86 2,375.83 2,807.80 3,239.76 3,887.72 4,535.68
St. Nicholas and Bonvilston 1,336.38 1,559.11 1,781.84 2,004.57 2,450.03 2,895.49 3,340.95 4,009.14 4,677.33
Sully and Lavernock 1,300.44 1,517.19 1,733.92 1,950.67 2,384.15 2,817.63 3,251.11 3,901.34 4,551.57
Welsh St. Donats 1,291.15 1,506.35 1,721.53 1,936.73 2,367.11 2,797.50 3,227.88 3,873.46 4,519.04
Wenvoe 1,294.36 1,510.09 1,725.81 1,941.54 2,372.99 2,804.44 3,235.90 3,883.08 4,530.26
Wick 1,288.10 1,502.79 1,717.47 1,932.16 2,361.53 2,790.90 3,220.26 3,864.32 4,508.38
(4) That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at (2)(i) and (3) above , The Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council, in
accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the
year 2024/25.
No.
(5) T H A T discount for prompt payment of the Council Tax be not granted.
(6) T H A T the Common Seal be affixed to the said Council Tax.
(7) T H A T notices of the making of the said Council Taxes signed by the Chief
Executive be given by advertisement in the local press under Section 38 (2) of the
Local Government Finance Act 1992.
Reason for decisions
(1-7) In order to set the Council Tax for 2024/25.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the policy with regard to not granting any level of discount for
unoccupied dwellings that have remained so for 6 months agreed for 2023-24,
be agreed for 2024-25.
(2) T H A T the long term empty property premium of 100% be agreed for
the 2023-24 financial year and continue for such properties from 2024-25 that
remain so for the period up to (but not including) 24 months.
(3) T H A T from 1st April, 2024 a premium of 150% be introduced for long
term empty properties that have remained as such for a continuous period of
24 months or more.
(4) T H A T from 1st April, 2025 a premium of 200% be introduced for long
term empty properties that have remained as such for a continuous period of
36 months or more.
(5) T H A T the policy to introduce a premium of 100% on second homes
for the 2024-25 financial year be agreed and reaffirmed.
Reasons for decisions
(1) The Council was required to determine its policy on discounts in
relation to unoccupied dwellings as defined in classes A, B and C to the
Council Tax (Prescribed Class of Dwellings) (Wales) Regulations 1998 each
year.
(2&4) The Council was required to determine its policy regarding premiums in
respect of long-term empty properties as defined in Sections 12A and 12B of
the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as inserted by the Housing (Wales)
Act 2014.
No.
(3) Upon reviewing the implementation of the premium for long term empty
properties introduced from the start of 1st April 2023, it was felt that a straight
increase to the premium levels as previously proposed, may counteract the
intention of the policy, which was to bring long term empty properties back
into use, if the level of charges due hindered necessary works required to
make a dwelling habitable. As such it was felt that a stepped approach would
be more in keeping with the policy to ensure that persistent long term empty
properties were targeted.
(5) The Council was required to determine its policy regarding premiums in
respect of second homes as defined in Sections 12A and 12B of the Local
Government Finance Act1992 as inserted by the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.
CORPORATE FRAUD ENFORCEMENT POLICY (REF)
Cabinet had considered the report on 25th January, 2024 (Minute No. C220)
together with the reference from Governance and Audit Committee of
11th December, 2023 (Minute No. 636) and had referred the same to Council
for consideration and approval. Having regard to the contents of the report
and the previous discussions at the meeting earlier in the meeting in respect
of the report titled amendments to the Constitution, it was subsequently
RESOLVED – T H A T the report and the Officer Delegation Scheme and
relevant provisions within the current Constitution be updated to reflect the
changes referred to in the report and as considered earlier in the agenda
under the Amendments to the Constitution report.
Reason for decision
To update the Officer Delegation Scheme and relevant provisions within the
current Constitution to reflect the changes outlined within the report and as
considered under an earlier report in the agenda.
DRAFT VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL ANNUAL DELIVERY PLAN 2024-25 (REF)
Cabinet had considered the report on 22nd February, 2024 (Minute No. C248
refers) and had referred the same to Council for consideration and approval.
The Leader took the opportunity to remind Members that the initial draft had
been considered by Cabinet and the Scrutiny Committees with the amended
draft coming back to Cabinet and to the Corporate Performance and
Resources Scrutiny Committee. Members had stated that they had been
pleased with the way the report had been presented which demonstrated how
their feedback had been included, with Members also being able to easily see
where the changes had been made.
There being no further comments, it was
No.
RESOLVED – T H A T the draft Annual Delivery Plan 2024-25, as attached at
Appendix A to the report to Cabinet on 22nd February, 2024 (Minute No.
C248), be approved.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
DRAFT BUDGET 2024/25 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2024/25 TO 2028/29 (REF)
The Leader advised that the proposals had been published at the end of the
previous week, prior to the availability of Welsh Government ‘s settlement
figures. There had been no changes to the overall settlement following that
announcement but there was additional detail regarding the Standard
Spending Assessment that was subsequently detailed in the supplementary
information that had been distributed to all Members and published online
prior to the Cabinet meeting on 29th February, 2024.
The Council faced significant financial pressures in excess of £38m initially
and had undertaken significant work to mitigate those pressures. As a result,
it had not been possible to fund pay awards in full and there were limited
resources to meet the full demands of care providers to fully meet
demographic growth and the complexity of services required.
A 3.4% increase in the grant received by the Council from Welsh Government
alongside the proposed 6.7% increase in Council Tax fell short of meeting the
additional costs.
There would be a further UK budget announcement on the same day the
report would be considered by Full Council, and it remained to be seen if
there would be any further funding made available for Local Government, but
it was not expected there would be any further matters for Council to consider
on 6th March.
Consultation on how to allocate the available resources had taken place,
including a 4-week public budget consultation, consideration by the five
Council Scrutiny Committees and the ‘Life in the Vale’ survey where residents
were asked for their views on what they expected from the Council, where
residents were supportive of the ambition to target resources to social care,
affordable housing and schools and less supportive of any Council Tax
increase and increase in discretionary charges by the rate of inflation.
Council Tax levels in the Vale of Glamorgan were below the Welsh average
and below the level of expected rises for many Authorities across Wales, with
10% or more having been proposed by some.
No.
There had been in-depth discussions at Scrutiny but no alternatives put
forward prior to consideration at Full Council, where it was difficult to take
proposals on board at that point and achieve a balanced budget as was the
legal requirement for the Authority to do, but there would be a full debate at
Full Council on the day.
The proposal concerning charging for toilets at coastal areas had been
removed as Members felt that was not something they could support and the
£5k saving would be found elsewhere. The next year’s £7.7m savings
programme was mostly tactical and looked at how to provide and deliver
services more effectively, along with some transformational initiatives, as
having another multi-million pound savings programme next year would be
challenging.
The Leader further commented that the Cabinet and officers had been
working on the budget since June 2023. In July 2023 Cabinet had referred
the Financial Strategy to all Scrutiny Committees and November had brought
the refreshed Medium Term Financial Plan. Christmas had been cancelled
for a lot of the officers and a number of Cabinet Members. The things that it
had hoped to do were no longer possible until the funding gap could be
reduced to a reasonable level. In January 2024 the draft budget was
presented to all Scrutiny Committees which were attended by the Cabinet
Members who had listened to the discussions. There were some things she
said that were unpalatable, not liked and had reluctantly been accepted but
one recommendation had been made which had been accepted by Cabinet
that the proposed charges to Coastal toilets be removed.
The budget this evening, she said, proposed for a balanced budget, which
was required to be delivered by 11th March, considerations for which had
included the money that the Council would receive from Council Tax and as
the Council wanted to continue to support bus services and not make car
parking charges on streets etc., a 6.7% Council Tax was being proposed.
The budget was also she said based on supporting the Council’s most
vulnerable.
In referring to the recent Living in the Vale Survey she said the top priority for
residents had been easy accessibility to care and health care, the second
priority the ability to buy or rent a good quality home. The cost of living crisis
had also not gone away, in the feedback received 60% of respondents said
that they had chosen not to put the heating on at times, and 44% of them said
that they could not pay an unexpected bill of £850, so if their boiler went that
would be it.
There were a number of pressures for the Council, pressures in terms of
demography not just numbers of people but the complexity and scale of need,
people's lives and lived experience were hugely diverse in the Vale and as a
result the need was hugely diverse. Since the pandemic the Council was
aware that older residents had become more isolated, more frail and required
more care. Young people were struggling with anxiety and there were
behavioural issues across the Vale with the Council having to consider a
No.
range of ways to meet such needs. Service redesigns were being considered
and looking for ways to do things more effectively. Reviews of the street
cleansing service, litter etc, would be undertaken as well as transformational
change. The Leader referred to other areas of good work that had taken
place, which had included reshaping of the Library services, Big Fresh was
also delivering not only Universal Free School Meals to primary children, but
also delivering a surplus that can be reinvested into schools. Income
generation was being considered as well as generating income from fees and
charges for non-statutory services. However although the financial position
was difficult the Council, through its proposed budget, was still delivering
many services.
The Leader also referred to other aspects of Council provision such as each
week 105 recycling rounds were out in the communities with each vehicle
collecting from 550 properties a day. As a result over 850 articulated lorries
full of material that could be sold or reused with this year forecasting income
of between £1.2m and £1.4m from processing recycling at the new recycling
facility. With the support of residents the Council had managed to deliver over
a 70% recycling outcome being one of the top in Wales, one of the top in the
UK and actually one of the top in Europe.
The Council also managed 30 Feature Parks, 21 Recreation Grounds, 13
Conservation Parks, 88 Play Areas and 9 Skateboard areas and has 38
football pitches, 13 mini football pitches alongside rugby pitches, cricket, etc
which are all still supported. Over the past 3 years the Council had delivered
over 177,000 meters of active travel shared use being pedestrian and cycling
paths. The Council offered child pedestrian training, delivered cycle shelters
in schools and bought bikes for schools. 20 Car Parks were owned and
controlled by the Vale with only two of the town centre car parks with a
charge. The Leader further advised that 52,567 square meters of
carriageway resurfacing had been undertaken in the year, 3,261 square
meters of footway improvements and surface water gullies had been
cleansed. The Leader concluded by stating that she would be happy to
circulate some of the information recognising that the Council was still
providing services. With regard to queries of measuring productivity that she
had heard being said at meetings, she questioned how did you choose or
measure how productive a care worker was, how did you look at productivity
when you've had a child with severe learning needs. The Council would
measure where it was appropriate to do so and she ended by presenting the
budget to Council which was duly seconded by Councillor Brooks who
reserved her right to speak later in the debate.
Councillor Carroll commenced by saying the Labour Council was asking
residents to pay more for less. He said Labour had failed to show leadership
and manage budgets properly and was therefore imposing cuts to services
and charging for things like garden waste collections. He drew attention to
the multi-million pound bus station and enquired as to how much this Authority
spent on diversity and inclusion. At the Healthy Living and Social Care
Scrutiny Committee meeting Councillor Cave had made perfectly reasonable
comments about the funding of bus services in the rural Vale but instead of
No.
addressing Councillor Cave's concerns, the Leader ‘s comments many
residents had told him they considered to be a smear with Councillor Cave
being accused of using inflammatory language. Perhaps he said the Leader
could enlighten Council as to what aspect of Councillor Cave's remarks were
considered inflammatory. He also referred to a recent report where the
Leader had stated the 2% cut in National Insurance contributions announced
in November by the Conservative UK Government was disappointing and that
she had confirmed that this Council opposed tax cuts for millions of working
people with he said his only assumption from those comments was that the
Leader would oppose further tax cuts that had been announced that day.
The 6.7% rise proposed he said fitted with his view of the Administration’s
attitude that residents should pay more. The rise proposed significantly
exceeded inflation with CPI currently standing at 4%. He felt the rise was not
necessary as the Council had tens of millions of pounds in usable reserves
including £10,177mn sat in the bank in the Council Fund as a percentage of
the Authority's Revenue budget. If the Authority was to consider a real terms
freeze in Council Tax and increase it in line with inflation at 4% it would cost
£2,505m but given the amount held in Reserves it would be possible to go
further than that and to cut Council Tax in real terms, which is what he said
the Council should do. A 3% rise would cost £3.435m which he said would be
below the rate of inflation. This real terms cut stood in stark contrast to the
6.7% rise proposed by Labour and would ease the pressures on working
people across the Vale, so on behalf of the Conservative Group he proposed
an amendment to the revenue budget which would transfer £3.435m from the
Council's General Fund balances to support the base budget and he urged all
Members to support the amendment.
Councillor Charles, in seconding the amendment, said the additional income
required by the Council could well be taken from Reserves which the
taxpayers of the Vale of Glamorgan had already contributed to. She said she
believed this could be the fairest way of raising the revenue instead of
increasing the pressure on every household. The budget management of the
Council had, in her view, been mismanaged by Labour backed up Llantwit
Firsts and the people of the Vale of Glamorgan deserved better.
Councillor Dr. Johnson, speaking to the amendment by Councillor Carroll
whilst reserving his right to speak later on the proposed budget, asked after
listening to the Conservatives uncosted amendment taking money out of the
Reserves if £3.5m was taken out of the Reserves did the Conservative Group
have any idea how to return it as it would obviously be using the exact same
£3.5m next year and the year after and then the Council would be left with
nothing in the Reserves. This was not the way to run a Council, stating that
unfortunately the Conservatives had created the problems that were before
the Council. In 2010 Britain's debt was £1 trillion and now it's £2.7 trillion so
this was quite a shambles. What sort of ridiculous regime increased or cut
one country's budget based on the spending of a government in another
country. Taking a look at public spending in its entirety there was more spent
per head in London than anywhere else. A little bit higher than in Scotland
and Northern Ireland. The spending per head in London, Scotland and
No.
Northern Ireland was 500 times higher annually almost 4%, even if Wales only
received funding on an equal footing with these three it would be richer to the
tune of £1.5 billion and this was the type of money which could transform the
Vale’s local services and ensure that the Council did not need to increase
Council Tax as has been suggested, but the we don't and this was leading to
difficult decisions for all of us. Of course in Scotland the SNP Government
had used part of the additional funding to freeze Council Tax realising the
impact of the economic storm for families, but here with the challenging
budget across Wales the ordinary people must pay more a lot more to
maintain even basic services. Councillor Dr. Johnson ended by saying that
he did not accept the figures presented by the Conservative Group which had
not been costed in either a sensible or responsible manner which could be
sustained.
Councillor Wilson commented that he thought the amendment was pretty
interesting, in that we would be looking at a 3% Council Tax increase at least
where as in previous years the Conservatives had suggested no increase.
He said that in his view the Conservative Group did not have the right to talk
about financial mismanagement as Councillor Dr. Johnson had rightly said,
we have got huge issues with our debt at the moment. Referring to 2008
where he said Labour helped out the banks and stopped people running out
of money at cash points, which had happened in other places like Cyprus.
We do not need any lessons from the Conservatives about financial
management he said as in his view they didn’t have a clue how to manage the
budget.
Councillor Godfrey commented that if people were quoting facts then they
should be correct and encapsulate the whole picture including the impact of
the Ukraine war and BREXIT and he felt it quite wrong if people were not
doing that.
Councillor Hodges, in response to Councillor Godfrey’s comments, said yes
the Ukraine war and Covid had a dramatic effect on balances as did Brexit but
he felt that there was plenty of other mismanagement going on as well.
Councillor Goodjohn considered that the amendment didn’t appear to be a
very tactical solution to the Council’s issues and enquired of Councillor Carroll
as to exactly what mismanagement of the budget issues there were in the
Revenue proposals. He also asked the Conservative Leader to consider that
taking from Reserves would quite frankly cause cash flow issues in the
Council and what he would propose do in such situations as if there were
cash flow issues in the Council people would have delays in getting vital
services which would impact on their lives, being people's real lives here in
the real world rather than some abstract idea. He also took the opportunity to
remind Council of the current 10% inflation rate.
Councillor Hodges, in drawing attention to Social Care costs, said if they were
not funded what would happen going forward further, commenting that the
NHS was already struggling because of mismanagement from the
Conservative Government and its finances stating that he could not support
No.
the amendment as it had not been fully costed and would mean a cut in
schools provision and social care.
Councillor John said he could not believe what he was hearing from the
Conservative Group referring to the months of discussion on the budget that
had already taken place and that it was a good job the Council had reserves.
He mentioned other Councils, in particular Monmouth Council, who he said
did not have any Reserves to help them and their Council Tax had gone up to
7.5%.
Councillor Franks, listening with interest to Councillor Carroll’s and the
Conservative Members’ comments, said he felt that they were basically
saying that apart from them no one else could financially manage the Council
and referred to the catastrophic failures of Conservative Councils in England.
The Leader, in response, said that in her view the amendment was completely
preposterous in view of the financial position facing the Council and that she
would be voting against the amendment.
Councillor Perry said it was a shame that as Elected Members elected by the
communities that there was a lack of togetherness. He said he applauded
attempts to get rid of Council Tax or severely change it as, in his view, a land
value tax would be much fairer. He said he would not be supporting the
amendment because he believed that his residents would rather not spend
money on new tyres and suspensions on their vehicles that they would rather
if there were Reserves fix the roads and fix the other services and stop relying
on volunteers to run services and stop cheering the minority getting wealthier
and wealthier and have a more equitable society.
Following a vote on the amendment the amendment was lost it being noted
12 were in favour, 38 against and one abstention.
Councillor Dr. Johnson, speaking on the substantive Motion, said it had been
interesting to hear the conversations taking place and that some people might
almost be surprised to hear that he sympathised with the Leader of the
Council in respect of the challenge before her, but that was why Plaid did not
accept the propaganda about the Council being a great Council because the
average person did not feel this. We as a Council needed to provide on
demand services which were quickly rising as a result of lack of investment in
preventative services. We needed to consider the relationship between the
people that we served and the funding. Welsh Government added extra
funding at the last minute and that increased £25m between the provisional
and the final settlement £600,000 through to the Revenue Grant and around
£500,000 through the introduction of the K Grant where we're expecting a loss
and furthermore additional funding in the Housing Support Grant last week.
How much was still unclear but the Council intended to keep Council Tax at
the same level rather than considering a cut like last year when we received
last minute funding which the Council put in its Reserves. This year we
considered our energy savings to be too tight and so the money needed to go
to the coffers for that rather than reducing Council Tax. There was no
No.
scrutiny, and he had been to all of the meetings, there was no scrutiny which
would change the minds of those deciding Council Taxes and setting aside
funding elsewhere in the budget. He had mentioned in the past how the
Council looked after its bank balance before considering the public's needs
and of course this year the figures before us showed some spend of the
Reserves of £51m which was almost a half. Let's see if this was true because
the same types of figures which were provided to us in the past had been
incorrect. But he said there were challenges nonetheless. The public had
seen a huge cost of living rise over the last years from energy costs, everyday
shopping costs and housing costs, including 12.5% over the last two years for
people in our Council houses. He understood that the budget was tight but
said what was the purpose of Welsh Government providing extra funding for
Councils in the final settlement if it was only put into Reserves.
A number of things he said concerned him, he didn’t like the idea of the
administrative fee for residents in parking permanent zones. Of course he
stated the Council could provide any service if it forced people to pay for it.
There was not enough money for fundamental core services for residents
although he accepted that the situation was a difficult one, as was the case for
all Councils, and he expressed his concern that the mix of cuts for Council’s
consideration and the increase in Council Tax stating that between the both of
them this was not acceptable and that he would be voting against the Motion.
Councillor Brooks said the reality was that more and more Councils were
being pushed to the financial brink. More Councils had issued a Section 114
Notice in the previous year than in the previous 30 years combined which she
said was quite astounding. Welsh Government had quite rightly put the
protection of public services at the front and centre of their budget, however
the Council could not get away from the fact that their funding had been cut
for the last 14 years from the Westminster Government leaving them with no
alternative but to reduce their transfer funding for Local Authorities. The cost
of living crisis came out as a significant issue in the recent survey with 42% of
the population citing easily accessible care and health care closely followed
by the buying or renting of good quality homes. These were the issues that
really mattered to people and their priorities she said and she stood by the
commitment to protect services which supported the Council’s most
vulnerable residents. However, in conclusion she said difficult decisions had
to be made to deliver a balanced and fair budget and she was pleased that
the Council had been able to protect supported bus services as she felt many
residents in rural and deprived communities relied on the bus services.
Councillor Franks commented that the Council had heard about potholes
being filled, a bit of resurfacing, grass being cut, road gullies being emptied,
which was basically the standard work of all Councils. However, what did
surprise him a little bit was the quick reference to support for Education. He
was not sure if he had misheard but that's what he thought he heard, but our
support for education has led to a disastrous situation in our schools, we've
also heard a mention about people's priorities that was good to be reminded,
but he didn't think we heard mention of the consultation with the public which,
if his memory served him right, did not support the proposed level of increase.
No.
He wondered why we had that omission. Whereas other facts were
highlighted, he considered there to be an element of cherry-picking. In the
previous year’s budget debate almost a year to the day, the Cabinet proposed
a £2m plus cut in schools with Cabinet being warned at that time that this
would have had a terrible impact on school budgets. This was disregarded by
Labour Members who, in his view he said, cheerfully dismissed such
warnings. The result had been over 20 schools now facing a deficit budget, of
these 19 apparently indicated that there was no prospect of recovery within 3
years, however since then he understood that the situation had worsened,
both in terms of the numbers of schools and the size of the deficits. He
therefore asked how can we and the public have any faith in this year's
budget process now seeing that this year's allocation to schools would
basically be following last year's allocation. What was the situation going to
be in a year's time for our schools? What was going to be the size of the
deficits? How many schools were going to be facing at least 3 years in the
red and to add to their problems he understood that schools were going to be
asked to pay for school crossing patrols and for elements of grass cutting?
We really do need to know what the impact would be on schools in 2024/25.
What would be the accumulated overspend and what was the anticipated
overspend in the following year and he welcomed comments from the Cabinet
Member for Education on these points.
Councillor Birch, advising that she would be unable to answer all of the points
at the meeting that evening, said that all of the schools that had budget
deficits had been assisted by the finance teams with schools unable to
recover their deficits within 3 years being offered plans to restructure the debt
that they had so that they could eventually balance their budgets. Going
forward she could not say what the deficits would be like in three years’ time,
rather she hoped that they would be balanced. Furthermore, Councillor Birch
added that all that had been said during the debate had been about the
difficulties of various events in the last few years and the toll that that had
taken on budgets everywhere, so schools were not going to be immune from
that. It was obvious that balancing budgets was going to be more difficult for
some schools than others.
In conclusion, the Leader referred to the number of times the budget process
had been considered by Cabinet and Scrutiny however she was disappointed
with the questions at Council when a lot of the discussion could have been
held at the Scrutiny Committee meetings over the year with suggestions being
put forward for consideration. In referring to the issues of diversity and
inclusion that had been commented on during the debate, the Leader drew
attention to the budget for Corporate Resources being only 5% of the overall
total. Having regard to Reserves she said the detail was contained within the
report although they had been rationalised. In referring to the comments
relating to the 2% cut in National Insurance the Leader mentioned that if one
was of retirement age they wouldn’t receive this cut.
The Leader subsequently took the opportunity to repeat her earlier comments
that the proposed budget was a budget to protect the most vulnerable and
moved the recommendations within the report.
No.
The motion moved by the Leader and seconded by Councillor Brooks was
subsequently voted upon.
A recorded vote took place on the recommendations as contained within the
reference and the report, as follows:-
Members For Against Abstain
Anne Asbrey x
Julie Aviet x
Gareth Ball x
Rhiannon Birch x
Bronwen Brooks x
Gillian Bruce x
Ian Buckley x
Lis Burnett x
Samantha Campbell x
George Carroll x
Christine Cave x
Charles Champion x
Janice Charles x
Millie Collins x
Marianne Cowpe x
Pamela Drake x
Vincent Driscoll
Anthony Ernest x
Robert Fisher x
Christopher Franks x
No.
Wendy Gilligan x
Russell Godfrey x
Emma Goodjohn x
Ewan Goodjohn x
Stephen Haines x
Howard Hamilton x
Sally Hanks x
William Hennessy x
Nic Hodges x
Catherine Iannucci x
Gwyn John x
Dr. Ian Johnson x
Susan Lloyd-Selby x
Julie Lynch-Wilson x
Kevin Mahoney x
Naomi Marshallsea x
Michael Morgan x
Jayne Norman x
Helen Payne x
Elliot Penn x
Sandra Perkes x
Ian Perry x
Joanna Protheroe x
Ruba Sivagnanam x
Carys Stallard x
No.
Neil Thomas x
Rhys Thomas x
Steffan Wiliam x
Margaret Wilkinson x
Eddie Williams x
Mark Wilson x
Nicholas Wood x
TOTAL 30 21
The vote being carried, it was
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T a Council Tax increase of 6.7% be approved.
(2) T H A T the Revenue budget for 2024/25 and Medium Term Financial
Plan 24/25 to 28/29 be approved.
(3) T H A T the fees and charges presented for approval in January 2024,
which stood unchanged following review by Scrutiny, be noted.
(4) T H A T the information provided in the supplemental report to Cabinet
th
on 29 February 2024 regarding updated Standard Spending Assessment
figures be endorsed.
Reasons for decisions
(1) Setting the annual rate of Council Tax was a key policy decision for
Council.
(2) Setting a balanced budget was a statutory responsibility and decision
for Full Council.
(3) To confirm fees and charges for 2024/25.
(4) Having regard to the supplemental information which provided Full
Council with the most up to date figures as part of its final budget
deliberations.
No.
CAPITAL STRATEGY 2024/25 AND FINAL CAPITAL PROGRAMME PROPOSALS 2024/25 TO 2028/29 (REF)
Cabinet had considered the report on 29th February, 2024 (Minute No. C261)
and had referred the same to Council for consideration and approval.
Appendix 1 to the report provided the Council's Capital Strategy for 2024/25.
The Capital Strategy provided a framework which outlined how capital
expenditure, capital financing and treasury management activity contributed to
the provision of corporate objectives, along with an overview of how
associated risk was managed and the implications for future financial
sustainability.
The report set out the Council’s proposed Final Capital Programme for the
period 2024/25 to 2028/29 at Appendix 2.
The Council was facing significant pressures in relation to price inflation and
the cost-of-living crisis which had seen increases in the costs of materials and
labour. This had had an impact on the current schemes within the Capital
Programme and the funding available to fund new schemes within the Capital
Programme.
The total value of capital schemes over the next five years was £387.582m
which included £25.376m for the Band B Sustainable Communities for
Learning Programme (excluding the pipeline schemes) and £205.775m for the
Housing Improvement Programme.
Since the Draft Capital Programme proposals report in January, a number of
changes had been made including the reprofile and allocation of
decarbonisation schemes, City Deal reprofile, slippage from the 2023/24
Capital Programme into the 2024/25 Capital Programme and the Llanmaes
match funding was no longer being removed from the five year proposals.
The detail of these changes was covered later in the report.
The Leader subsequently moved the recommendations in the report, which
were seconded by Councillor Brooks, and there being no dissent it was
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the Capital Strategy 2024/25, as set out in Appendix 1 to the
report to Cabinet on 29th February, 2024 (Minute No. C261), be approved.
(2) T H A T the final Capital Programme for the years 2024/25 to 2028/29,
as set out in Appendix 2 to the report to Cabinet on 29th February, 2024
(Minute No. C261), be approved.
(3) T H A T the Chief Executive and the Head of Finance / Section 151
Officer, in consultation with the Executive Leader and Cabinet Member for
No.
Performance and Resources, be granted delegated authority to make
additions, deletions or transfers to or from the:
i. 2024/25 to 2028/29 Housing Improvement Programme as
appropriate.
ii. 2024/25 to 2028/29 Asset Renewal budgets as appropriate.
iii. S106 funded schemes subject to Member consultation as
required under the existing process.
iv. Energy Management Schemes
v. Building Strong Communities Fund schemes.
vi. Sustainable Communities for Learning Band B programme
(Previously 21st Century Schools schemes).
vii. Discretionary Adaption Grant Schemes.
viii. Vale Regeneration Schemes.
(4) T H A T the Chief Executive, Head of Finance / Section 151 Officer,
and Director of Learning and Skills in consultation with the Executive Leader
and Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources, be granted delegated
authority to increase the Capital Programme for the long term solution in
relation to the Successful Futures Centre at Pencoedtre High School when
the feasibility studies had been concluded. It being noted that £300k had
been ringfenced within reserves to carry out the scheme when feasibility
studies had been undertaken.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To approve the Capital Strategy for 2024/25.
(2) To set and approve future Capital Programmes to 2028/29.
(3) To enable the Housing Capital budget, Asset Renewal budgets, S106
schemes, Energy Management Schemes, Building Stronger Communities
Fund, Sustainable Communities for Learning Band B programme,
Discretionary Adaption Grant Schemes, and Vale Regeneration schemes to
be managed effectively.
(4) To enable the long term solution to the Successful Futures Centre at
Pencoedtre High School to proceed when the feasibility studies had been
concluded.
TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2024/25 AND UPDATE 2023/24 (REF)
Cabinet had considered the report on 29th February, 2024 (Minute No. C262)
and had referred the same to Council for consideration and approval.
The interim report outlined the proposed 2024/25 Treasury Management
Strategy detailed in Appendix 1 and provided an update on the Council’s
Treasury Management operations for the period 1st April to 31st December,
No.
2023. All activities were in accordance with the Council’s approved strategy
on Treasury Management.
Total external borrowing as of 31st December, 2023 was £145.479m at an
average rate of 4.37%. New external borrowing totalling £5.000m was
undertaken during the first 9 months of 2023/24 at a rate of 4.38% with
utilised the special project rate for Housing Revenue Account schemes.
The Council invested with the Debt Management Deposit Facility, Local
Authorities, Treasury Bills, Money Market Funds together with Lloyds Bank
Call Accounts. Total investments as of 31st December, 2023 stood at
£50.495m at an average rate of 4.53% over the nine-month period.
The Council had to ensure that the Prudential Code was complied with, which
had been developed by CIPFA as a professional code of practice, last
updated in December 2021. To demonstrate that the Council had fulfilled
these objectives, the Code set out a list of Prudential and Treasury indicators
that should be calculated together with other factors that had to be
considered. These were included in Appendix 1 to the report as part of the
Strategy.
The Council also had a legal requirement to comply with the Welsh
Government Guidance on Investments and had taken this guidance into
consideration when developing the Strategy.
New borrowing in the period to 2028/29 was expected to be £184.377m for
new Capital Expenditure and a further £14.000m of borrowing to replace
maturing loans and reflect the Council’s reducing ability to internally borrow
over the period.
Capital expenditure when financed by long term debt incurred two elements of
cost, interest and repayment of the principal sum borrowed. The resources
the Council must put aside in each year to repay the principal sum borrowed
was known as Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) and the Council's policy
for the calculation was detailed in the report.
The Treasury Management Policy Statement for 2024/25 was attached at
Appendix 2 to the report.
The Leader, in referring to the recent training provided to all Members, and
indeed training that was provided each year, on the subject, commented that
she had found the training to be a really constructive training session which
had also been recorded for Members to view it online.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the Treasury Management interim report for the period 1 st April
st
to 31 December, 2023 be approved.
No.
(2) T H A T the policy for making Minimum Revenue Provision in 2024/25
be approved.
(3) T H A T the proposed 2024/25 Treasury Management and Investment
Strategy be approved, including the following specific resolutions (as detailed
in Appendix 1 to the report to Cabinet on 29th February, 2024 [Minute No.
C262]):
• The Authorised Limit for External Debt be set at £240.969m for
2023/24, £271.200m for 2024/25, £303.939m for 2025/26 and
£336.893m for 2026/27.
• The Operational Boundary for External Debt be set at
£226.147m for 2023/24, £255.687 for 2024/25, £287.406m for
2025/26 and £320.338m for 2026/27.
• The Section 151 Officer be granted delegated authority within
the total Authorised Limit and Operational Boundary as
estimated for individual years to effect movement between the
separately agreed limits for borrowing and other long term
liabilities.
• An upper limit of £0m for 2023/24, £10m for 2024/25, £10m in
2025/26 and £10m in 2026/27 be set for total principal sums
invested for over 364 days.
• The amount of projected borrowing that was fixed rate maturing
in each period as a percentage of total projected borrowing that
was fixed rate for 2024/25 be set as:
Table 1 – Upper and lower Limits for fixed rate borrowing
Upper Lower
Limit Limit
Under 12 months 20% 0%
12 months and within 24 months 20% 0%
24 months and within 5 years 30% 0%
5 years and within 10 years 40% 0%
10 years and above 100% 0%
(4) T H A T Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix 1 to the report to
Cabinet on 29th February, 2024 (Minute No. C262) be approved.
(5) T H A T the Treasury Management Policy Statement set out in
Appendix 2 to the report to Cabinet on 29th February, 2024 (Minute No. C262)
be approved.
Reasons for decisions
(1) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the
meeting.
(2) To agree the basis of the Minimum Revenue Provision calculation for
2024/25.
No.
(3-5) In order for the Treasury Management and Annual Investment Strategy
as prepared be approved as required by the Local Government Act 2003.
PAY POLICY 2024/25 (REF)
The Council had a statutory requirement under the Localism Act 2011 to
prepare a pay policy statement for the new financial year 2024/25. The
statement needed to be approved and published by 31st March, 2024. The
document provided a framework for ensuring that employees were rewarded
fairly and objectively, in accordance with the service needs of the Council and
that there was openness and transparency in relation to the process. It being
a straightforward report the Leader moved the recommendations which were
seconded by Councillor Brooks.
Prior to putting the recommendations to Full Council the Mayor asked if there
were any points of clarification required by Members from the Head of Human
Resources. There being no clarifications required and no further comments, it
was subsequently
RESOLVED – T H A T the Council’s Pay Policy as attached at Appendix A to
the report to Cabinet on 8th February, 2024 (Minute No C234) be approved.
Reason for decision
To respond to the legal requirement under the Localism Act 2011 and to
provide openness and accountability in relation to how the Council rewards its
staff.
N.B.
All Chief Officers, save for the Head of Human Resources, left the meeting
when this item was considered. The Head of Human Resources remained in
the meeting, until the matter was to be voted upon, in order to provide any
clarification required by Elected Members.