Y cyfansoddiad, ymddygiad cynghorwyr, archwilio, perfformiad a chwynion.
Beth mae cynghorau'n ei wneud
Sut mae'r cyngor ei hun yn cael ei redeg: ei gyfansoddiad, staff, adeiladau, TG, cwynion, a sut mae cynghorwyr yn ymddwyn.
Pwy sy'n penderfynu
Mae'r Cyngor llawn yn cytuno ar y cyfansoddiad. Mae pwyllgor safonau'n delio ag ymddygiad cynghorwyr; mae Ombwdsmon Gwasanaethau Cyhoeddus Cymru yn ymchwilio i gwynion.
Dweud eich dweud
Cwynwch i'r cyngor yn gyntaf; os nad ydych yn fodlon, gallwch fynd at yr Ombwdsmon. Mae cyfarfodydd y cyngor yn gyhoeddus, ac mae llawer yn cael eu darlledu.
Mewn rhifau
Mae cynghorau Cymru yn bwriadu gwario £67 y pen ar hyn yn 2026-27.
Mae'n amrywio o -£4 yn Sir Fynwy i £167 yn Blaenau Gwent.
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 –
(1) T H A T the amendments to Section 18 titled Contract Procedure Rules of the
Council Constitution, as outlined in Appendix 1 and paragraphs 2.1 to 2.8 of the
covering report be approved and the Council’s Constitution amended accordingly.
(2) T H A T the officer delegations as outlined in paragraph 2.9 of the covering
report be approved and the Council’s Constitution amended accordingly.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To reflect legislative changes introduced from 24th February, 2025.
(2) Having regard to legislation and in the interests of good governance.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the report and appendices, together with the views of the Governance
and Audit Committee, be noted.
(2) T H A T the Council’s response to the Panel Performance Assessment be
approved.
Reasons for decisions
(1) Having regard to the contents of the report, the views of the Governance and
Audit Committee and the discussions held at the meeting.
(2) To comply with the requirement for the Council to publish its response and
action upon recommendations arising from the Panel Performance Assessment.
VALE 2030 – DRAFT VALE OF GLAMORGAN CORPORATE PLAN 2025-30 (REF)
The Leader presented the draft Corporate Plan which had been shared with all
Scrutiny Committees and subject to significant consultation. They outlined there
were five well-being objectives which would help both the residents, Council and
partners to improve well-being in the Vale of Glamorgan. The Leader drew attention
to two key elements of the report, the first being what had changed as a result of
consultation, and secondly, how the Council would work with partners in the future.
Councillor Carroll did not feel that the Corporate Plan would improve performance,
as there was not an emphasis on providing the best service for the best price, a
concern that he had previously raised at Corporate Performance and Resources
Scrutiny Committee. He stated that the Plan’s focus should be on improving
productivity and ensuring value for money, and referenced that equality, diversity,
and inclusion were mentioned a significant amount of times.
Councillor Haynes indicated that he found the document disturbing. He stated that
what was happening in St. Athan, such as building on land, was against this
strategy, and believed placemaking should be the priority.
Councillor Hooper reflected that there was a huge value in diversity, which the
Council should be supporting. He felt blanket statements around equalities and
productivity were false and could not be applied to public sector. He also
emphasised the need to reshape services and the need to do the same things more
efficiently.
Councillor Wilson stated that he felt the Plan reflected the values of the Council, and
there were lots of references to operational services such as recycling, waste and
green spaces. He shared that he was proud of the Corporate Plan which was
ambitious to residents.
Councillor Dr. Johnson acknowledged that there had been a number of iterations of
the Plan, which was better for it. He felt the Plan was ambitious in achieving its aims
and objectives, and that the challenge would be in delivering this Plan. He stated
that there needed to be clear financial resources to achieve its aims, and hopefully in
five years the Council would be able to say it had achieved the objectives of the
Plan. He also stated that there needed to be alignment between the Corporate Plan
objectives and scrutiny structure. Councillor Dr. Johnson also reflected on previous
comments surrounding equalities and suggested that this incorrect information may
be due to a misarticulation of the Equality Impact Assessment information and
advised that better analysis should be undertaken before presenting as fact.
Councillor Sivagnanam was very proud to support an ambitious Plan with how the
Council supported residents, believed this would help to create a more equal Vale of
Glamorgan, what was the focus on helping the most disadvantaged. She also
reflected upon some of the Council's work on improvement equality such as its Age
Friendly status and Her Voice Wales project.
Councillor John was delighted to support the Plan and urged people to read it as it
contains a lot of information. He also offered thanks to officers.
Councillor Cave shared that they did not feel things in the in the Council were even
more equal. For example, the building on green sites despite opposition and the
inability to replace the village hall roof. They also reflected upon the need to use
technology to improve services.
Councillor Hodges stated that a Corporate Plan required funding, and was
concerned that the economy was not improving to support. He felt that tourism tax
and devolving the Crown Estate were opportunities to increase funding.
Councillor Perry highlighted the limited investment in the future such as green
technology and active travel. He also identified rural poverty, which existed in the
Vale. He felt the Town and Community Councils could be doing more and taking on
additional responsibilities. Councillor Perry also questioned if the Plan was adding
value or if this would be delivered anyway. He also emphasised the need for more
diversity and increased opinions, including communicating cross party, as there were
talented people who could influence policy.
The Leader responded that there were a range of unique services delivered by the
Council, which would cost significant sums to deliver, so they were not able to be
outsourced. They also shared a Place Making Toolkit which could be used by all
Members to support placemaking within communities. The Leader also
acknowledge that not all Members’ talents were being utilised and considered this a
key part of scrutiny proposals, and emphasised that the Plan and all Members
needed to be ambitious for the residents of the Vale of Glamorgan.
A recorded vote took place on the recommendations as contained within the report,
as follows:
Members For Against Abstain
Anne Asbrey √
Julie Aviet √
Gareth Ball √
Rhiannon Birch √
Bronwen Brooks √
Gillian Bruce √
Ian Buckley √
Lis Burnett √
Samantha Campbell √
George Carroll √
Christine Cave √
Charles Champion
Janice Charles √
Millie Collins √
Marianne Cowpe √
Pamela Drake √
Vincent Driscoll √
Anthony Ernest √
Christopher Franks √
Wendy Gilligan √
Russell Godfrey √
Emma Goodjohn √
Ewan Goodjohn √
Stephen Haines √
Sally Hanks √
William Hennessy √
Nic Hodges √
Mark Hooper √
Catherine Iannucci-Williams √
Gwyn John √
Dr. Ian Johnson √
Susan Lloyd-Selby √
Belinda Loveluck-Edwards √
Julie Lynch-Wilson √
Kevin Mahoney √
Naomi Marshallsea √
Michael Morgan √
Jayne Norman √
Helen Payne √
Sandra Perkes √
Ian Perry √
Joanna Protheroe √
Ruba Sivagnanam √
Carys Stallard √
Neil Thomas √
Rhys Thomas √
Steffan Wiliam √
Margaret Wilkinson √
Eddie Williams √
Mark Wilson √
Nicholas Wood √
TOTAL 37 13
The vote being carried, it was
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the Vale 2030 draft Corporate Plan (Appendix A to the report) be
approved.
(2) T H A T delegated authority be granted to the Director of Corporate
Resources, in consultation with the Executive Leader and Cabinet Member for
Performance and Resources, to make any factual updates to the content of the Plan
prior to publication (for example, information relating to budgetary information).
Reasons for decisions
(1) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions held at the
meeting.
(2) To ensure the Corporate Plan, ‘Vale 2030’ when published, contained the
most up to date information available (for example information regarding the budget
for 2025-26).
N.B. Councillor Champion was not present for the vote.
CAPITAL STRATEGY AND INVESTMENT PROGRAMME 2025/26 TO 2029/30 (REF)
The Leader outlined the proposed strategy for the Capital Programme which had
been developed on the basis of varying factors such as annual settlements, capital
receipts and the impact of the wider labour market. They outlined that the proposal
was a mixture of grant and borrowing, and an increase from previous years, which
was expected to be £434m in the coming years, of which a significant proportion
related to schools and housing.
Councillor Dr. Johnson indicated support for the Capital Strategy with the majority
belonging to building Council housing or schools, which Plaid Cymru supported. He
reflected upon the challenge of year-on-year confirmation from Welsh Government
surrounding funding making it a challenge to plan for the future.
Councillor Perkes welcomed the Strategy as housing was key, and there had been
significant achievements, such as the building of 82 new homes, and the upcoming
partnership with Cardiff Council, which offered the opportunity to build more for less.
They shared that they felt a decent life was the first step to success in life.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the Capital Strategy 2025/26, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report,
be approved.
(2) T H A T the final Capital Programme for the years 2025/26 to 2029/30, as set
out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved.
(3) T H A T Officers be granted delegated authority to vire £10k or below between
schemes that were already approved within the five year Capital Programme.
(4) 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 Performance and
Resources, be granted delegated authority to make additions, deletions or transfers
to or from the:
i. 2025/26 to 2029/30 Housing Improvement Programme as appropriate.
ii. 2025/26 to 2029/30 Asset Renewal budgets as appropriate.
iii. S106 funded schemes subject to Member consultation as required
under the existing process.
iv. Decarbonisation Schemes.
v. Building Strong Communities Fund schemes.
vi. Sustainable Communities for Learning programme.
vii. Discretionary Adaption Grant Schemes.
viii. Vale Regeneration Schemes.
ix. Shared Prosperity Fund.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To approve the Capital Strategy for 2025/26.
(2) To set and approve future Capital Programmes to 2029/30.
(3) To enable officers to progress schemes more quickly where low value
virements below £10k were required.
(4) To enable the Housing Improvement Programme budget, Asset Renewal
budgets, S106 schemes, Decarbonisation Schemes, Building Stronger Communities
Fund, Sustainable Communities for Learning programme, Discretionary Adaption
Grant Schemes, Vale Regeneration schemes and Shared Prosperity Fund to be
managed effectively.
TREASURY MANAGEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2025/26 AND UPDATE FOR 2024/25 (REF)
The Leader presented an overview of treasury management as the need to
demonstrate financial sustainability was important, and that Members should have
recently undertaking training surrounding this area. They shared around revised
estimates in expenditure, and wider prudential indicators, and outlined the Council’s
borrowing position and wider investments.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the revised policy for making Minimum Revenue Provision from
2024/25 onwards be approved.
(2) T H A T the proposed 2025/26 Treasury Management and Investment
Strategy be approved, including the following specific resolutions (detailed in
Appendix 2 to the report):
• The Authorised Limit for External Debt be set at £265.394m for
2024/25, £296.207m for 2025/26, £331.078m for 2026/27 and
£381.753m for 2027/28.
• The Operational Boundary for External Debt be set at £244.170m for
2024/25, £263.914m for 2025/26, £297.677m for 2026/27 and
£347.407m for 2027/28.
• The Head of Finance/Section 151 Officer be given 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 2024/25, £10m in 2025/26, £10m in 2026/27
and £10m in 2027/28 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
be set as shown below (and further detailed in Appendix 1 to the
report).
Table 1 – Upper and lower Limits for fixed rate borrowing
Upper Limit Lower Limit
Under 12 months 20% 0%
12 months and within 24 months 40% 0%
24 months and within 5 years 40% 0%
5 years and within 10 years 40% 0%
10 years and above 100% 0%
• Any breaches of the Prudential Indicators would be reported through to the
next meeting of Cabinet, with the exception of the Authorised Limit for
External Debt which would require prior Full Council approval.
(3) T H A T the Treasury Management Policy Statement set out in Appendix 3 to
the report be approved.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To agree the basis of the Minimum Revenue Provision calculation for 2024/25
onwards.
(2) In order for the Treasury Management and Annual Investment Strategy as
prepared be approved as required by the Local Government Act 2003.
(3) In order for the Treasury Management Policy Statement to be approved.
DRAFT BUDGET 2025/26 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2025/26 TO 2029/30 (REF)
The Leader presented an overview of the proposed budget for 2025/26, and shared
that this was based on the settlement received from Welsh Government, which is the
second lowest per head in Wales. They outlined that the proposed increase in
Council Tax was 5.9%, which is generally lower than the Welsh average for the
upcoming year, and a percentage point less than consulted upon due to late
changes in the settlement from Welsh Government. They outlined how Schools and
Social Care are still allocated the majority (71%) of the budget, but that these areas
need to be supported and align the Corporate Plan’s well-being objectives of “Best
Start in Life” and “Supporting the Most Vulnerable”. They also reflected that there is
still a budget gap, which will need to be supported by transformational activity (via
Reshaping programme) and a series of savings, which are supported by equality
impact assessments, that reserves continue to be held in accordance with legislation
and that they will continue to work with Welsh Government surrounding future multi-
year settlements to support longer term planning.
Councillor Dr. Johnson thanked staff for work on supporting a complex budget and to
WLGA in their lobbying role. They also highlighted how the budget proposed
spending increases and cuts to non-statutory services, emphasising that they felt
austerity was not over. They indicated that the future reorganisation of Scrutiny was
essential in monitoring resources and financial proposals moving forward and
indicated that the settlement for the Fire and Rescue Service should be undertaken
separately as they were responsible for their own budgets, in a similar means to
Town and Community Council currently set their budgets.
Councillor Carroll indicated that they felt the budget was a reflection of
mismanagement, with residents paying “more for less”, such as car parking and
waste collection. They also felt that the Council were focusing upon the wrong things
such as bureaucratic work and diversity, equality and inclusion, and not its core
purpose. They also believed that the proposed budget would have a negative impact
to residents, and that the increase proposed was above CPI. They further explained
that they felt the issue of productivity was not being taken seriously, and that
efficiencies need to be identified as the Council has lost control of its finances, needs
a change in administration and should use its reserves to keep the Council Tax rate
low.
Councillor Franks felt that there has been a failure from the Administration in
lobbying for an increase settlement, and more needed to be done to influence
government as to how the Council could have the required budget to meet its needs.
They queried if savings had been properly costed and impact assessed, as he felt
this budget had failed to convince the public surrounding its robustness and value.
They also questioned the longer-term sustainability of the budget and cited the
proposed reduction in the education as a concern.
Councillor Goodjohn shared that the budget in theory was a real terms increase in
Council spend, and that it was necessary for the Council to fund changes impacted
by an aging population and additional learning needs, as there needed to be a
significant improvement in public services.
Councillor Hooper queried how car parking charges proposals were reflected within
the budget, as it was still in a consultative stage, and emphasised the impact to local
businesses and communities. They indicated how they believed this was an austerity
budget reflective of wider Welsh Government and UK Government positions. They
also reflected upon the importance of Council’s role in supporting diversity, equality
and inclusion.
Councillor Hodges highlighted the potential 700,000 disabled people who may go
into poverty due to welfare reform, and how the Council would need to support these
people. They raised the issue of a lack of A&E facility within the County, impacting
upon people’s health, and expressed how Welsh Government were struggling to
come to terms with issues as highlighted through the budget. They also expressed
limited faith in opposition leadership, as he felt comments to be disingenuous.
Councillor Perry indicated that they felt we were still living in austerity and seeing
rises in poverty. They expressed that recent reductions to overseas aid budgets
highlighted how it was easy to pick on vulnerable people. They raised that they felt
Council Tax to be regressive and impacted less well-off people more. They also
stated that there needed to be more planning for the future and consideration of the
new ideas and technologies.
Councillor Wilson indicated that the Council was productive, reflecting upon class
size ratios and social care workloads, and indicated that the Council was not a
sweatshop environment with bizarre productivity targets. They shared that removing
bins did not have a catastrophic impact and it only affected a small number of bins
(approximately 160) where they were looking at recycling bins, whereas changes to
care might have a more significant impact and emphasised that Cabinet were trying
to transform the Council to be as effective and efficient as possible.
The Leader responded that any changes to how the process for the Fire and Rescue
Service worked would be minimal and have no material impact to residents, whilst
sharing around the lobbying work undertaken at National level, such as appearing at
Committees. They agreed that future Scrutiny arrangements would help with some of
the queries raised, as the review was focused upon outcomes. The Leader finally
reflected that working with the local MP in partnership had helped raised awareness
of reporting mechanisms for pot holes.
A recorded vote took place on the recommendations as contained within the report
as follows:
Members For Against Abstain
Anne Asbrey √
Julie Aviet √
Gareth Ball √
Rhiannon Birch √
Bronwen Brooks √
Gillian Bruce √
Ian Buckley √
Lis Burnett √
Samantha Campbell √
George Carroll √
Christine Cave √
Janice Charles √
Millie Collins √
Marianne Cowpe √
Pamela Drake √
Vincent Driscoll √
Anthony Ernest √
Christopher Franks √
Wendy Gilligan √
Russell Godfrey √
Emma Goodjohn √
Ewan Goodjohn √
Stephen Haines √
Sally Hanks √
William Hennessy √
Nic Hodges √
Mark Hooper √
Catherine Iannucci-Williams √
Gwyn John √
Dr. Ian Johnson √
Susan Lloyd-Selby √
Belinda Loveluck-Edwards √
Julie Lynch-Wilson √
Kevin Mahoney √
Naomi Marshallsea √
Michael Morgan √
Jayne Norman √
Helen Payne √
Sandra Perkes √
Ian Perry √
Joanna Protheroe √
Ruba Sivagnanam √
Carys Stallard √
Neil Thomas √
Rhys Thomas √
Steffan Wiliam √
Margaret Wilkinson √
Eddie Williams √
Mark Wilson √
Nicholas Wood √
TOTAL 28 22
The vote being carried, it was
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T a Council Tax increase of 5.9% be approved.
(2) T H A T the budget for 2025/26, as set out in the report, be approved.
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.
PAY POLICY 2025/26 (REF)
The Leader presented the Pay Policy, which outlined how employees should be fairly
rewarded for duties, which had changed incrementally based on wider changes.
They also acknowledged the reduction of the gender pay gap, and the multiple
between lowest and highest paid was encouraging.
RESOLVED – T H A T the Council’s Pay Policy, as attached at Appendix A to the
report to Cabinet on 6th February 2025 (Minute No. C247), be approved.
Reason for decision
To respond to the legal requirements under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders)
(Wales) Amendment Regulations 2014, the Local Government (Wales) Act 2015 and
related advice from the Welsh Government as well as provide openness and
accountability in relation to how the Council rewards its staff.
N.B. All Chief Officers, save for two Democratic and Scrutiny Services Officers
servicing the meeting and the Head of Human Resources and Organisational
Development, left the meeting when this item was considered. The Head of
Human Resources and Organisational Development remained in the meeting,
until the matter was to be voted upon, in order to provide any clarification
required by Elected Members.
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C180, 28th November 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.
HOUSING PAS2035 RETROFIT SCHEME 2024/25 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C186, 28th November 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.
HOUSING PAS2035 RETROFIT SCHEME 2024/25 (PART II) (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C190, 28th November 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.
APPROPRIATION OF TWO PROPERTIES FROM HOUSING STOCK TO THE SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTORATE (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C209, 19th December 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.
CARDIFF AND VALE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C215, 19th December 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.
CARDIFF AND VALE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP (PART II) (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C219, 19th December 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.
CAR PARKING (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C228, 9th January 2025), 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 2025/26 AND MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2024/25 TO 2029/30 PROPOSALS FOR CONSULTATION (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C234, 16th January 2025), 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 2025/26 TO 2029/30 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C235, 16th January 2025), (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 the proposed amendments to the Minimum Revenue
Provision Policy for 2024/25 for supported borrowing be approved.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.