3,726 items
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
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 – T H A T the position be noted having regard to the fact that no responses to the consultation had been received. Reason for decision To comply with the Non-Domestic Ratepayers (Consultation) Regulations 1992 (Statutory Instrument No. 3171).
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T it be noted that at its meeting on 19th December 2024, Cabinet (the Executive) calculated the following amounts for the year 2025/26 in accordance with regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:- (a) 63,970 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 21,434 Colwinston 385 Cowbridge with Llanblethian 3,017 Dinas Powys 4,054 Ewenny 455 Llancarfan 495 Llandough 979 Llandow 443 Llanfair 393 Llangan 470 Llanmaes 252 Llantwit Major 4,384 Michaelston 244 Penarth 11,840 Pendoylan 367 Penllyn 1,181 Peterston-Super-Ely 549 St. Athan 1,756 St. Brides Major 1,504 St. Donats 212 St. Georges and St. Brides-Super-Ely 241 St. Nicholas and Bonvilston 775 Sully and Lavernock 2,849 Welsh St. Donats 333 Wenvoe 1,563 Wick 553 Total Council Tax Base Town and Community Councils 60,728 Rhoose 3,242 Total Council Tax Base 63,970 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) T H A T the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2025/26 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 £461,536,101 items set out in Section 32 (2) (a) to (d) and (2A) of the Act (including Town / Community Council Precepts totaling £3,850,614) (b) Aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the £127,651,000 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 exceeds the £333,885,101 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 will be £224,157,740 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 (2)(d) above, all £1,715.29 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 Section £3,850,614 34(1) of the Act. (g) Amount at (2)(e) above less the result given by dividing the £1,655.10 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 1,718.44 Colwinston 1,708.74 Cowbridge with Llanblethian 1,772.61 Dinas Powys 1,692.96 Ewenny 1,707.85 Llancarfan 1,689.73 Llandough 1,729.66 Llandow 1,682.19 Llanfair 1,670.16 Llangan 1,680.17 Llanmaes 1,711.14 Llantwit Major 1,727.60 Michaelston 1,687.05 Penarth 1,745.34 Pendoylan 1,680.99 Penllyn 1,668.86 Peterston-Super-Ely 1,698.82 Rhoose 1,655.10 St. Athan 1,705.10 St. Brides Major 1,678.10 St. Donats 1,679.55 St. Georges and St. Brides-Super-Ely 1,686.22 St. Nicholas and Bonvilston 1,742.55 Sully and Lavernock 1,689.99 Welsh St. Donats 1,679.12 Wenvoe 1,682.82 Wick 1,671.37 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 1,145.63 1,336.56 1,527.50 1,718.44 2,100.32 2,482.19 2,864.07 3,436.88 4,009.69 Colwinston 1,139.16 1,329.02 1,518.88 1,708.74 2,088.46 2,468.18 2,847.90 3,417.48 3,987.06 Cowbridge with Llanblethian 1,181.74 1,378.70 1,575.65 1,772.61 2,166.52 2,560.44 2,954.35 3,545.22 4,136.09 Dinas Powys 1,128.64 1,316.75 1,504.85 1,692.96 2,069.17 2,445.39 2,821.60 3,385.92 3,950.24 Ewenny 1,138.57 1,328.33 1,518.09 1,707.85 2,087.37 2,466.89 2,846.42 3,415.70 3,984.98 Llancarfan 1,126.49 1,314.23 1,501.98 1,689.73 2,065.23 2,440.72 2,816.22 3,379.46 3,942.70 Llandough 1,153.11 1,345.29 1,537.48 1,729.66 2,114.03 2,498.40 2,882.77 3,459.32 4,035.87 Llandow 1,121.46 1,308.37 1,495.28 1,682.19 2,056.01 2,429.83 2,803.65 3,364.38 3,925.11 Llanfair 1,113.44 1,299.01 1,484.59 1,670.16 2,041.31 2,412.45 2,783.60 3,340.32 3,897.04 Llangan 1,120.11 1,306.80 1,493.48 1,680.17 2,053.54 2,426.91 2,800.28 3,360.34 3,920.40 Llanmaes 1,140.76 1,330.89 1,521.01 1,711.14 2,091.39 2,471.65 2,851.90 3,422.28 3,992.66 Llantwit Major 1,151.73 1,343.69 1,535.64 1,727.60 2,111.51 2,495.42 2,879.33 3,455.20 4,031.07 Michaelston 1,124.70 1,312.15 1,499.60 1,687.05 2,061.95 2,436.85 2,811.75 3,374.10 3,936.45 Penarth 1,163.56 1,357.49 1,551.41 1,745.34 2,133.19 2,521.05 2,908.90 3,490.68 4,072.46 Pendoylan 1,120.66 1,307.44 1,494.21 1,680.99 2,054.54 2,428.10 2,801.65 3,361.98 3,922.31 Penllyn 1,112.57 1,298.00 1,483.43 1,668.86 2,039.72 2,410.58 2,781.43 3,337.72 3,894.01 Peterston-Super-Ely 1,132.55 1,321.30 1,510.06 1,698.82 2,076.34 2,453.85 2,831.37 3,397.64 3,963.91 Rhoose 1,103.40 1,287.30 1,471.20 1,655.10 2,022.90 2,390.70 2,758.50 3,310.20 3,861.90 St.Athan 1,136.73 1,326.19 1,515.64 1,705.10 2,084.01 2,462.92 2,841.83 3,410.20 3,978.57 St.Brides Major 1,118.73 1,305.19 1,491.64 1,678.10 2,051.01 2,423.92 2,796.83 3,356.20 3,915.57 St.Donats 1,119.70 1,306.32 1,492.93 1,679.55 2,052.78 2,426.02 2,799.25 3,359.10 3,918.95 St.Georges & St.Brides-Super-Ely 1,124.15 1,311.50 1,498.86 1,686.22 2,060.94 2,435.65 2,810.37 3,372.44 3,934.51 St.Nicholas and Bonvilston 1,161.70 1,355.32 1,548.93 1,742.55 2,129.78 2,517.02 2,904.25 3,485.10 4,065.95 Sully and Lavernock 1,126.66 1,314.44 1,502.21 1,689.99 2,065.54 2,441.10 2,816.65 3,379.98 3,943.31 Welsh St.Donats 1,119.41 1,305.98 1,492.55 1,679.12 2,052.26 2,425.40 2,798.53 3,358.24 3,917.95 Wenvoe 1,121.88 1,308.86 1,495.84 1,682.82 2,056.78 2,430.74 2,804.70 3,365.64 3,926.58 Wick 1,114.25 1,299.95 1,485.66 1,671.37 2,042.79 2,414.20 2,785.62 3,342.74 3,899.86 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 2025/26 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 252.45 294.52 336.60 378.67 462.82 546.97 631.12 757.34 883.56 (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 2025/26. Part of the Council's Area £ Valuation Bands £ A B C D E F G H I Barry 1,398.08 1,631.08 1,864.10 2,097.11 2,563.14 3,029.16 3,495.19 4,194.22 4,893.25 Colwinston 1,391.61 1,623.54 1,855.48 2,087.41 2,551.28 3,015.15 3,479.02 4,174.82 4,870.62 Cowbridge with Llanblethian 1,434.19 1,673.22 1,912.25 2,151.28 2,629.34 3,107.41 3,585.47 4,302.56 5,019.65 Dinas Powys 1,381.09 1,611.27 1,841.45 2,071.63 2,531.99 2,992.36 3,452.72 4,143.26 4,833.80 Ewenny 1,391.02 1,622.85 1,854.69 2,086.52 2,550.19 3,013.86 3,477.54 4,173.04 4,868.54 Llancarfan 1,378.94 1,608.75 1,838.58 2,068.40 2,528.05 2,987.69 3,447.34 4,136.80 4,826.26 Llandough 1,405.56 1,639.81 1,874.08 2,108.33 2,576.85 3,045.37 3,513.89 4,216.66 4,919.43 Llandow 1,373.91 1,602.89 1,831.88 2,060.86 2,518.83 2,976.80 3,434.77 4,121.72 4,808.67 Llanfair 1,365.89 1,593.53 1,821.19 2,048.83 2,504.13 2,959.42 3,414.72 4,097.66 4,780.60 Llangan 1,372.56 1,601.32 1,830.08 2,058.84 2,516.36 2,973.88 3,431.40 4,117.68 4,803.96 Llanmaes 1,393.21 1,625.41 1,857.61 2,089.81 2,554.21 3,018.62 3,483.02 4,179.62 4,876.22 Llantwit Major 1,404.18 1,638.21 1,872.24 2,106.27 2,574.33 3,042.39 3,510.45 4,212.54 4,914.63 Michaelston 1,377.15 1,606.67 1,836.20 2,065.72 2,524.77 2,983.82 3,442.87 4,131.44 4,820.01 Penarth 1,416.01 1,652.01 1,888.01 2,124.01 2,596.01 3,068.02 3,540.02 4,248.02 4,956.02 Pendoylan 1,373.11 1,601.96 1,830.81 2,059.66 2,517.36 2,975.07 3,432.77 4,119.32 4,805.87 Penllyn 1,365.02 1,592.52 1,820.03 2,047.53 2,502.54 2,957.55 3,412.55 4,095.06 4,777.57 Peterston-Super-Ely 1,385.00 1,615.82 1,846.66 2,077.49 2,539.16 3,000.82 3,462.49 4,154.98 4,847.47 Rhoose 1,355.85 1,581.82 1,807.80 2,033.77 2,485.72 2,937.67 3,389.62 4,067.54 4,745.46 St.Athan 1,389.18 1,620.71 1,852.24 2,083.77 2,546.83 3,009.89 3,472.95 4,167.54 4,862.13 St.Brides Major 1,371.18 1,599.71 1,828.24 2,056.77 2,513.83 2,970.89 3,427.95 4,113.54 4,799.13 St.Donats 1,372.15 1,600.84 1,829.53 2,058.22 2,515.60 2,972.99 3,430.37 4,116.44 4,802.51 St.Georges & St.Brides-Super- Ely 1,376.60 1,606.02 1,835.46 2,064.89 2,523.76 2,982.62 3,441.49 4,129.78 4,818.07 St.Nicholas and Bonvilston 1,414.15 1,649.84 1,885.53 2,121.22 2,592.60 3,063.99 3,535.37 4,242.44 4,949.51 Sully and Lavernock 1,379.11 1,608.96 1,838.81 2,068.66 2,528.36 2,988.07 3,447.77 4,137.32 4,826.87 Welsh St.Donats 1,371.86 1,600.50 1,829.15 2,057.79 2,515.08 2,972.37 3,429.65 4,115.58 4,801.51 Wenvoe 1,374.33 1,603.38 1,832.44 2,061.49 2,519.60 2,977.71 3,435.82 4,122.98 4,810.14 Wick 1,366.70 1,594.47 1,822.26 2,050.04 2,505.61 2,961.17 3,416.74 4,100.08 4,783.42 (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 2025/26.
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 a letter be sent to the UK Prime Minister and Welsh Government First Minister to express the Council’s support for the devolution of the Crown Estate to the Welsh Government. Reason for decision Having regard to the debate and the decision at the meeting. N.B. Due to the voting facility for Councillors L. Burnett, G. John and M.R. Wilson not being able to function during the meeting, their votes were recorded verbally throughout the meeting when required.
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 a letter be sent to the Prime Minister to request that his government reconsiders the payment of compensation for affected women, and honours the report of the Ombudsman’s inquiry into this matter. Reason for decision Having regard to the debate and the decision at the meeting.
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.
RESOLVED to note the list of Local Authority School Governor Vacancies received.
RESOLVED that the public be excluded for the following items of business as they contain exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 12 and 21 of Parts 4 and 5 of the Local Government Act 1972.
RESOLVED – That the Council be recommended to approve the recommendations of the Panel to appoint the following persons to current Local Authority Governing Body vacancies as follows: School Name Ward Start of Vacancy Applicant Allensbank Primary School Gabalfa 21/09/2024 Birchgrove Primary School Heath 01/02/2025 Bryn Deri Primary School Radyr & Morganstown 01/10/2024 Cardiff West Community High School Caerau 31/12/2024 30/11/2024 Ely and Caerau Childrens Centre Ely 25/10/2024 Kitchener Primary School Riverside 31/01/2025 Lakeside Primary School Cyncoed 01/09/2021 Meadowlane Primary School Trowbridge 11/02/2025 Millbank Primary School Caerau 27/11/2024 Pentyrch Primary School Pentyrch & St Fagans 12/09/2023 23/10/2024 Severn Primary School Riverside 26/10/2024 St Mellons CW Primary School Llanrumney 21/09/2024 Lee Davies St Teilo's C.W High School Pentwyn 29/02/2023 Omer Rana Stacey Primary School Adamsdown 26/02/2025 Whitchurch High School Whitchurch & Tongwynlais 01/03/2024 Dan Walsh YsgolGlan Ceubal Llandaff North 13/09/2024 Bethan Wyn Jones YsgolGyfun Gymraeg Glantaf Llandaff North 18/09/2024 27/01/2025 YsgolGynradd Groes-Wen Primary School Pentyrch & St Fagans 31/01/2025 YsgolGymraeg Treganna Canton 28/01/2025 Huw Williams YsgolGynradd Gymraeg Hamadryad Butetown 06/10/2023 Christian Orelum YsgolPencae Llandaff 12/09/2024 The Committee received and considered applications to future vacancies against criteria, matching skills to vacancies. RESOLVED – That the Council be recommended to approve the recommendations of the Panel to appoint the following: School Ward Start of Vacancy Re-appointment New Applicant Albany Primary School Plasnewyd 01/05/2025 Kate Thomas Bryn Celyn Primary School Pentwyn 01/05/2025 Cardiff High School Cyncoed 01/05/2025 Cathays High School Gabalfa 18/05/2025 29/06/205 Jane Setchfield Cllr Chris Weaver CoedGlas Primary School Llanishen 01/05/2025 Corpus Christi R.C High School Lisvane & Thornhill 01/05/2025 Gabalfa Primary School Llandaff North 25/06/2025 Leslie Maxim Grangetown Primary School Grangetown 01/05/2025 30/06/2025 Miguela Gonzalez Cllr Ashley Lister Greenhill School Rhiwbina 25/05/2025 Cllr Jayne Cowan Hawthorn Primary School Llandaff North 01/05/2025 Cllr Dilwar Ali HywelDda Primary School Ely 30/06/2025 Kitchener Primary School Riverside 30/06/2025 Cllr Kanaya Singh LlanishenFach Primary School Rhiwbina 28/06/2025 Meadowlane Primary School Trowbridge 01/05/2025 Dawn Mitchell Mount Stuart Primary School Butetown 30/06/2025 Cllr Saeed Ebrahim Ninian Park Primary School Grangetown 01/05/2025 Cllr Waheeda Sattar Oakfield Primary School Trowbridge 30/06/2025 Cllr Joel Williams St Mellons C.I.W Primary School Llanrumney 25/06/2025 Clyde Darrell St Teilo's C.I.W High School Pentwyn 01/05/2025 Jenny Rathbone Trelai Primary School Caerau 24/03/2025 Whitchurch High School Whitchurch & Tongwynlais 01/05/2025 Andrew Davies Whitchurch Primary School Whitchurch & Tongwynlais 01/05/2025 30/06/2025 Jonathan Morgan YsgolGyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern Penylan 01/05/2025 01/05/2025 01/05/2025 24/06/2025 Elin Arfon YsgolGyfun Gymraeg Glantaf Llandaff North 01/05/2025 YsgolGynradd Gymraeg Hamadryad Butetown 01/05/2025 YsgolGymraeg Pwll Coch Canton 25/06/2025 30/06/2025 Rhodri Ab Owen Ysgol Y Wern Llanishen 19/05/2025 Mike Landers
RESOLVED: Council AGREED to: 1. Receive nominations and approve appointments and nominations, as required, to the outside bodies listed.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED to: 1. Approve the draft Corporate Plan 2025-28 (Appendix A); 2. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any minor amendments as necessary to the Corporate Plan 2025-28 following consideration by Council on 6th March 2025 and prior to publication by 1st April 2025.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED to: 1 Approve the Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Account budgets including all proposals and increasing the Council Tax by 4.95% as set out in this report and that the Council resolve the following terms. 2 Note that at its meeting on 12 December 2024 Cabinet calculated the following amounts for the year 2025/26 in accordance with the regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992: a) 153,582 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 3,200 Pentyrch 3,798 Radyr 4,169 St Fagans 2,037 Old St Mellons 2,692 Tongwynlais 835 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 2025/26 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 £612,155). £1,345,733,155 b) Aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for items set out in Section 32(3)(a) and (c): £433,578,000 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: £912,155,155 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: £674,886,000 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: £1,547.51 f) Aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1): £612,155 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: £1,543.52 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 1,569.93 Pentyrch 1,596.12 Radyr & Morganstown 1,587.13 St Fagans 1,570.77 St Mellons 1,565.52 Tongwynlais 1,581.06 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 1,046.62 1,221.06 1,395.50 1,569.93 1,918.80 2,267.68 2,616.55 3,139.86 3,663.17 Pentyrch 1,064.08 1,241.43 1,418.78 1,596.12 1,950.81 2,305.51 2,660.20 3,192.24 3,724.28 Radyr & Morganstown 1,058.08 1,234.44 1,410.78 1,587.13 1,939.82 2,292.52 2,645.21 3,174.26 3,703.31 St. Fagans 1,047.18 1,221.71 1,396.24 1,570.77 1,919.83 2,268.89 2,617.95 3,141.54 3,665.13 St. Mellons 1,043.68 1,217.63 1,391.58 1,565.52 1,913.41 2,261.31 2,609.20 3,131.04 3,652.88 Tongwynlais 1,054.04 1,229.72 1,405.39 1,581.06 1,932.40 2,283.75 2,635.10 3,162.12 3,689.14 All other parts of the Council’s Area 1,029.01 1,200.52 1,372.02 1,543.52 1,886.52 2,229.53 2,572.53 3,087.04 3,601.55 2.2 Note that for the year 2025/26, 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 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 252.45 294.52 336.60 378.67 462.82 546.97 631.12 757.34 883.56 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 2025/26 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 1,229.07 1,515.58 1,732.10 1,948.60 2,381.62 2,814.65 3,247.67 3,897.20 4,546.73 Pentyrch 1,316.53 1,535.95 1,755.38 1,974.79 2,413.63 2,852.48 3,291.32 3,949.58 4,607.84 Radyr & Morganstown 1,310.53 1,528.96 1,747.38 1,965.80 2,402.64 2,839.49 3,276.33 3,931.60 4,586.87 St. Fagans 1,299.63 1,516.23 1,732.84 1,949.44 2,382.65 2,815.86 3,249.07 3,898.88 4,548.69 St. Mellons 1,296.13 1,512.15 1,728.18 1,944.19 2,376.23 2,808.28 3,240.32 3,888.38 4,536.44 Tongwynlais 1,306.49 1,524.24 1,741.99 1,959.73 2,395.22 2,830.72 3,266.22 3,919.46 4,572.70 All other parts of the Council’s Area 1,281.46 1,495.04 1,708.62 1,922.19 2,349.34 2,776.50 3,203.65 3,844.38 4,485.11 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 2025 to March 2026 in respect of the precept levied by the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales in the sum of £58,156,896; 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 2025 to 31 March 2026, namely: County Council of the City and County of Cardiff £163,375 Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council £18,391 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; 3.0 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 2025/26. (b) Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 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 2025/26 – 2029/30 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 2025/26. 4.0 To approve the Budgetary Framework outlined in this report. 5.0 To maintain the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme as set out in this report.
RESOLVED – That the following matters be dealt with as indicated: (1) Application 1 was deferred in the absence of the witness. (2) Application 2 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that a complaint had been received stating that he displayed dangerous driving and aggressive behaviour including shouting and cursing at a pedestrian. The driver’s representative noted that the report suggested that his licence had been suspended by the Sub Committee for 10 days in 2016, and clarified that this was not the case as no suspension was awarded upon appeal. Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver explained that two people were trying to cross the road in front of the New Theatre and the light was amber so he stopped. He didn’t know what triggered it but one of them came to his car and used foul language towards him. He straightened up his car and then drove off when the light turned green. Members asked whether the driver had seen the CCTV video of the incident, which he had. Members viewed the video and suggested that it contradicted what he had said in his statement about his taxi being stationary until the light was green. His statement also suggested that the female pedestrian was not using any sort of support to cross the road, which the video showed she was. The driver reiterated that he stood by his statement, and added that all other pedestrians had crossed the road by the time his taxi reached the crossing. Addressing the Sub Committee, the witness explained that he and his wife were walking back to their car and approached the crossing as the light for it was green. As they crossed the road, the light turned flashing amber, so they continued as they had right of way, relatively slowly as his wife was using a crutch. The taxi came round the corner quickly and came close to him, which he found particularly worrying as he’d had two knee replacements. The driver used abusive language towards him regarding his age, but he did not recall using any bad language himself. The taxi drove off and he noted down the numberplate in order to make a complaint. The driver’s representative suggested that the crossing in front of the New Theatre often caused confusion between drivers and pedestrians as it lacked a crossing box. He acknowledged that the witness and the driver had different views about who had right of way, but disputed the suggestion that the driver was speeding round the corner. The driver’s representative added that the video seemed to show the pedestrian speaking to the driver first. The witness acknowledged that the video showed him going to speak to the driver, but suggested that this was only because the driver had wound down the window and shouted at him. Otherwise, he would have continued walking. RESOLVED – that the Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence be suspended for 7 days. (3) Application 3 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that a complaint had been received from South Wales Police stating that the driver committed a number of speeding offences and falsely completed the Notice of Intended Prosecution forms indicating that other persons had committed the offences. Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver stated that he had not been driving his vehicle on most of the occasions listed in the report. Friends of his had used the car for private use rather than as a taxi and received speeding tickets, and one of these friends who had committed three of the offences had left the country for family reasons so he was hard to contact. The driver didn’t want to lose his livelihood so he took responsibility for the offences, accepted nine points on his licence and paid a fine. After that, South Wales Police had made a complaint to the licensing authority. Members queried the details of specific offences provided in the report, where a number of different names were nominated as having been driving the vehicle at the time. The driver stated that one of the individuals was a friend of his, and another was the friend’s wife. Members noted that it had not been possible to trace either person and the police did not believe they existed. Members queried one of the offences where the driver had initially nominated his wife but then changed it to his own name and attended a speed awareness course. The driver apologised for making a mistake in this case. Members noted that the driver’s wife had nominated herself as the driver on one form, and asked if the driver understood that he was the only person insured to drive his taxi as it was a licensed vehicle. The driver suggested that a number of his friends borrowed his vehicle on occasion as it was a large van, and their insurance covered it. The Legal Officer clarified that this was not the case. Only the licensed taxi holder could use the vehicle, and it was not possible to get private insurance to drive someone else’s taxi. Representing South Wales Police, the witness stated that there were historic offences going back to 2020, and the police took responsibility for failing to flag them up until now. He had been unable to track down several of the individuals nominated and suspected that they did not exist, and were certainly not insured to drive the vehicle. Other offences had been blamed on family members who had accepted they were driving at the time, which meant they would also have been uninsured. The witness also suggested that the times of the offences, several of which had occurred after midnight, including on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, suggested that the vehicle was being used as a taxi at the time. He noted that the driver had admitted to three of the offences, taking three points and paying a fine, after being challenged. It was the police’s view that the driver had been driving the vehicle on all of the occasions listed, and had done everything possible to avoid being banned. RESOLVED – that the Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s License be revoked. (4) Application 4 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that a complaint had been received alleging that the driver committed three speeding offences and falsely completed the Notice of Intended Prosecution forms indicating that other persons had committed the offences. Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver explained that he had misread the date of the offence on the first letter and nominated his wife as the driver of the vehicle at the time. This was an honest mistake rather than an attempt to falsify the form. He believed that the second offence was a mistake on the part of the authorities as his Uber log showed he was driving elsewhere at the time. On the third occasion, he believed he was giving his cousin a driving lesson and allowing her to drive the vehicle, but now realised that he had been the driver at that time. Members asked how often his wife drove the taxi, and heard that he often took off the plates and allowed her to use it to go shopping. Members asked whether there had been L plates on the car when it was photographed speeding when he believed his cousin had been driving the car. The witness, representing South Wales Police, confirmed that there were not. Representing South Wales Police, the witness stated that it was an easy process to check who was driving the car at the time as he had access to logs through Uber. The driver was the only person insured to drive his licensed vehicle, and his wife and cousin were not. His cousin had taken the blame and attended a speed awareness course for an offence she had not committed. Regarding the driver’s suggestion that one of the offences was a mistake by the authority, the witness noted that the job records from the time and date in question showed that the vehicle had picked up a fare close to the camera several minutes before the offence was committed. The police’s view was that the driver had dishonestly attempted to avoid punishment for speeding offences on a number of occasions. RESOLVED – that the Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s License be revoked. (5) Application 5 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that the driver had nine penalty points on his licence in respect of three speeding offences. The Chair queried a pending driving offence from October 2024 referred to in the report. The driver responded that he had not received any information about this offence since then, and didn’t know why this was the case. The Chair suggested that the hearing be deferred to allow the pending offence to be resolved, so the Sub Committee could have the full information when considering the matter. RESOLVED – that the case be deferred to the next meeting of the Sub Committee. (6) Application 6 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that the driver had declared nine points on his driving licence. Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver stated that he had accumulated nine points from three offences, two of which had been on the same day when a speed limit on Western Avenue changed from 40mph to 30mph. He was doing less taxi work now and more school runs. Members asked whether the driver was aware of his responsibility to inform the licensing authority as soon as the offences were committed, rather than upon renewal more than a year later. The driver responded that he had not been aware of this and apologised for failing to do so. The driver’s representative emphasised that the driver had apologised for his mistake and accepted his punishment. He had been caught speeding twice in one day in an area where the limit had just changed, and on both occasions was going below the previous limit, so it was clearly an honest mistake. Members queried how many points the driver had in total, and heard that he had received three in April 2023, six more in June 2023 and had three pending as of January 2025. Members noted that if the pending offence resulted in three more points, he would have to come before the Sub Committee again. RESOLVED – that the driver receive a written warning. (7) Application 7 The Sub Committee was asked to determine if a driver remained a fit and proper person to continue to hold a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that the driver had six penalty points on his driving licence for failing to give information as to the identity of the driver (MS90). Addressing the Sub Committee, the driver explained that he had been convicted in January of this year, having unintentionally misidentified his wife as the driver of a vehicle he shared with her. He originally wrote her name down on the form but then realised he had been driving and took responsibility. He had received six points on his license as a result. Members queried the delay between the offence in May 2024 and declaring it to the licensing authority in January 2025. The driver explained that he had to wait until January for his court hearing, after which he had declared it to the authority. The driver also clarified that the offence took place before he became qualified as a taxi driver in Cardiff, having been licensed in Newport before. RESOLVED – that no further action be taken, (8) Application 8 The Sub Committee was asked to consider an application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence given that the applicant previously held a licence with the authority but was convicted for totting up points on his DVLA licence. The driver had been referred to the Sub Committee and subsequently had his licence revoked. The driver explained that he had been to the Sub Committee and been refused several times before. He didn’t have any additional evidence to prove his fitness but he had been a licensed driver for twelve years and never had any problems. He had tried to work in other jobs like security since losing his licence, but taxi driving was his passion. He was trying to support his family and getting his licence back would make a huge difference. Members noted that the Sub Committee had revoked his licence in 2022 in line with its guidance after he had received 15 points, and had suggested that he reapply after five years. The driver emphasised that his offences had all been only slightly above the 30mph limit, in a private car rather than his taxi, and had been committed nearly five years ago. RESOLVED – that the application for the grant of a Hackney Carriage / Private Hire Driver’s Licence be refused.
RESOLVED: that Cardiff’s refreshed Housing Support Programme Strategy 2022 – 2026 be approved.
RESOLVED: that • the draft Corporate Plan 2025-28 (Appendix A), subject to any amendments authorised under recommendation 3, be approved for consideration by Council on 6 March 2025; • the responses to any recommendations made by any of the Scrutiny Committees (Appendix C) in relation to the draft Corporate Plan 2025-28 be considered and agreed; • the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to make any minor consequential amendments to the draft Corporate Plan 2025-28 that are required to reflect the response to any Scrutiny Committee recommendations (agreed under recommendation 2), prior to consideration by Council on 6 March 2025; • Council be recommended to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any minor amendments as necessary to the Corporate Plan 2025-28 following consideration by Council on 6 March 2025 and prior to publication by 1 April 2025.
RESOLVED: that 1. the projected revenue financial outturn based on the projected position at Month 9 2024/25 be noted. 2. the capital spend and projected position at Month 9 2024/25 be noted.
RESOLVED: that The Cabinet, having taken account of the comments of the Section 151 Officer in respect of the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of the reserves as required under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, and having considered the responses to the Budget Consultation recommend that Council: 1.0 Approve the Revenue, Capital and Housing Revenue Account budgets including all proposals and increasing the Council Tax by 4.95% as set out in this report and that the Council resolve the following terms. 2.0 Note that at its meeting on 12 December 2024 Cabinet calculated the following amounts for the year 2025/26 in accordance with the regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992: a) 153,582 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 3,200 Pentyrch 3,798 Radyr 4,169 St. Fagans 2,037 Old St. Mellons 2,692 Tongwynlais 835 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 2025/26 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 £612,155). £1,345,733,155 b) Aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for items set out in Section 32(3)(a) and (c). £433,578,000 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. £912,155,155 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. £674,886,000 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. £1,547.51 f) Aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1). £612,155 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. £1,543.52 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 1,569.93 Pentyrch 1,596.12 Radyr & Morganstown 1,587.13 St Fagans 1,570.77 St Mellons 1,565.52 Tongwynlais 1,581.06 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 1,046.62 1,221.06 1,395.50 1,569.93 1,918.80 2,267.68 2,616.55 3,139.86 3,663.17 Pentyrch 1,064.08 1,241.43 1,418.78 1,596.12 1,950.81 2,305.51 2,660.20 3,192.24 3,724.28 Radyr & Morganstown 1,058.08 1,234.44 1,410.78 1,587.13 1,939.82 2,292.52 2,645.21 3,174.26 3,703.31 St Fagans 1,047.18 1,221.71 1,396.24 1,570.77 1,919.83 2,268.89 2,617.95 3,141.54 3,665.13 St Mellons 1,043.68 1,217.63 1,391.58 1,565.52 1,913.41 2,261.31 2,609.20 3,131.04 3,652.88 Tongwynlais 1,054.04 1,229.72 1,405.39 1,581.06 1,932.40 2,283.75 2,635.10 3,162.12 3,689.14 All other parts of the Council's area 1,029.01 1,200.52 1,372.02 1,543.52 1,886.52 2,229.53 2,572.53 3,087.04 3,601.55 2.2 Note that for the year 2025/26, 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 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 252.45 294.52 336.60 378.67 462.82 546.97 631.12 757.34 883.56 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 2025/26 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 £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Lisvane 1,299.07 1,515.58 1,732.10 1,948.60 2,381.62 2,814.65 3,247.67 3,897.20 4,546.73 Pentyrch 1,316.53 1,535.95 1,755.38 1,974.79 2,413.63 2,852.48 3,291.32 3,949.58 4,607.84 Radyr & Morganstown 1,310.53 1,528.96 1,747.38 1,965.80 2,402.64 2,839.49 3,276.33 3,931.60 4,586.87 St Fagans 1,299.63 1,516.23 1,732.84 1,949.44 2,382.65 2,815.86 3,249.07 3,898.88 4,548.69 St Mellons 1,296.13 1,512.15 1,728.18 1,944.19 2,376.23 2,808.28 3,240.32 3,888.38 4,536.44 Tongwynlais 1,306.49 1,524.24 1,741.99 1,959.73 2,395.22 2,830.72 3,266.22 3,919.46 4,572.70 All other parts of the Council's area 1,281.46 1,495.04 1,708.62 1,922.19 2,349.34 2,776.50 3,203.65 3,844.38 4,485.11 2.4Authorise 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 2025 to March 2026 in respect of the precept levied by the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales in the sum of £58,156,896 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 2025 to 31 March 2026 namely £ County Council of the City and County of Cardiff 163,375 Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council 18,391 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. 3.0 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 2025/26. (b) Approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 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 2025/26 – 2029/30 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 2025/26. 4.0 To approve the Budgetary Framework outlined in this report. 5.0 To maintain the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme as set out in this report. The Cabinet, having taken account of the comments of the Section 151 Officer in respect of the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of the reserves as required under Section 25 of the Local Government, Act and having considered the responses to the Budget Consultation 6.0 Approve the changes to fees and charges as set out in Appendix 5 (a) and 5 (b) to this report. 7.0 Delegate authority to the appropriate Director in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, the Section 151 Officer and the Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation & Performance, to amend or introduce new fees and charges during the year, subject if necessary (having regard to the proposed change), to an Equality Impact Assessment and public consultation being undertaken and the results thereof being duly considered before the delegated authority is exercised. 8.0 Recognise the financial challenges facing the Council as set out in the Medium-Term Financial Plan.
RESOLVED: that • the commencement of the procurement of the Neutral Vendor Managed Services Framework be approved in principle. • Authority be delegated to Corporate Director Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Performance and Modernisation, to carry out all aspects of the procurement, (including setting the evaluation methodology, levy percentage, commencing procurement and award of successful supplier to the framework) and thereafter to host and deal with the operation of the framework arrangements, including any ancillary matters relating thereto.
RESOLVED: that • the progress made on carbon reduction over the period of the One Planet Cardiff Strategy be noted. • the continuation of work on a “Green Growth Proposition” be approved focussing on building retrofit and renewable energy generation, to include a clear picture of challenges, goals, potential investment opportunities and delivery models associated with them.
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.
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: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward. Sections of the Corporate Plan and Budgetary Proposals relevant to Cllr Weaver’s portfolio Cllr Weaver made a brief statement outlining sections in the Draft Corporate Plan and Draft Budgetary Proposals relevant to his portfolio. Members were invited to ask questions and make comments and the discussion is summarised below: Members wished to know how the new KPI’s compared to the current performance figures, and were advised that this information could be provided to the Committee. Members enquired about the dropout rate among apprentices at the Council and whether the Council monitors the progress of apprentices going on into further employment. Members were advised that the dropout rate is very low, some apprentices and trainees go on to work for the Council and in some service areas apprentice and trainee placements are very helpful in securing employment outside the Council. However, it was acknowledged that not all data may be properly captured, given the difficulties in keeping in touch with those who dropout. RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward. Sections of the Corporate Plan and Budgetary Proposals relevant to the Culture, Sport and Parks portfolio The Chair welcomed to the meeting Cllr Jennifer Burke, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Parks; Neil Hanratty, Director of Economic Development; Donna Jones, Assistant Director for County Estates; Ruth Cayford, Operational Manager for Creative Industries and Culture; and Jon Maidment, Head of Parks and Cardiff Harbour Authority. Cllr Burke made a brief statement, following which Neil Hanratty gave a presentation outlining sections in the Draft Corporate Plan and Draft Budgetary Proposals relevant to Cllr Burke’s portfolio. Members were invited to ask questions and make comments, and the discussion is summarised below: Members were advised that filming charges in Bute Park Visitor Centre have been added to the fees and charges report and will continue to be included there in future years. Members sought an explanation for the decision not to increase fees at the riding school, and were advised that there is a need to invest in the school as the infrastructure is deteriorating, and there is concern that if fees are increased customers could transfer to commercial competitors. Members were advised that there have been instances when the outdoor school has had to be closed due to the roof leaking. Officers were confident that the expected £10,000 increase in income would be forthcoming. Members sought an update on the Cardiff Story museum and were advised that it was the Cabinet’s view that it should remain in its present location until a viable alternative could be found. Members questioned why the KPI for satisfaction rate of parks was set at 72.5% and were advised that while the budget is increasing there are still pressures and areas where investment is needed. Members were advised that the development of a new parks strategy includes consultation to understand what people want from parks, and to encourage people who might not ordinarily access parks to do so. Members sought an explanation for the changes in the plans for Pentwyn Leisure Centre since the previous plans were consulted on. The Cabinet Member advised that the type of equipment that is going into the centre is on a par with the International Pool and will be a decent piece of infrastructure that is safe for families. Members sought assurance that there would no further delay to the reopening of St David’s Hall beyond the 4th quarter of 2026/27. The Cabinet Member advised Members that in recent weeks nearly all relevant applications for work to progress have been submitted, and subject to regulatory approval work should commence in the summer. Announcement has been made that the Cardiff Singer of the World 2027 will take place at St David’s Hall and the hall will be open in time for that. Members wondered whether the reopening of St David’s Hall in 2026-27 would have a significant impact on the city’s tourism sector, and were advised that alongside Cardiff Castle, Principality Stadium and the city’s grassroots venues, and forthcoming Arena, it would mean that Cardiff would have a wide variety of venues that could host a range of different performers. Cardiff is increasingly seen as a destination for live events and it was important to the Council to ensure that St David’s Hall was not only maintained but enhanced in terms of what it offered people. Members asked whether there was a mechanism to ensure that monies from the Financial Resilience Mechanism available for the sport development grant translate to improved services, and were advised that there is a sustained demand for this support which enables sports teams and clubs across the city to take on assets and improve them, working in partnership with the council. Members sought information on how the Council could ensure there was involvement for female sports initiatives in this. The Cabinet Member advised that the FAW is reporting a significant increase in women’s and girls’ participation in football clubs. Llandaff Cricket has had a record participation of young girls, and girls’ participation in rugby is improving in the younger age groups; the administration remains committed to increasing participation of under-represented groups. Members asked how much of the £1.5 million FRM was currently allocated and were advised that not all of it was already committed. Members sought an update on the Whitewater Rafting Centre, and were advised that there had been some significant budget challenges in recent years but with efficiency savings it is getting closer to being operated within budget and is very close to breaking even. Members discussed how well the Whitewater Rafting Centre was promoted, and were advised that it is a niche facility and there has been some targeted marketing, but this could be reviewed to ensure it is reaching enough people. An offer was made for committee members to visit the Centre to see first-hand the range of services on offer and to discuss marketing and promotion with officers. RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward. Sections of the Corporate Plan and Budgetary Proposals relevant to the Leader’s portfolio The Chair welcomed to the meeting Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of the Council; Neil Hanratty, Director of Economic Development; and Jon Day, Operational Manager for Investment and Tourism. Cllr Thomas made a brief statement, following which Members were invited to ask questions and make comments, and the discussion is summarised below: Members discussed the lessons to be learned and any governance arrangements that might need to be addressed in relation to the contract for the demolition of Aberthaw power station, dealt with via the Cardiff Capital Region body. The Leader advised that he could not comment in detail as there are ongoing legal proceedings, but at the right time all local authorities involved will want an investigation into what occurred. Members discussed the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee which is responsible for reviewing and scrutinising decisions made by the CJC. The Leader reminded the Committee that there had been discussions about the appropriateness of the scrutiny arrangements for the City Deal, and expressed the view that this was something either CJC or Welsh Government would wish to look at in more detail. He could envision a system where if a project is being delivered by CCR within the area of a LA, it would be appropriate for the relevant committee to scrutinise the work of the CCR. Members wished to know about the prospects for a project emerging from the recommendations of the Western Gateway’s independent Severn Estuary Commission on the potential for renewable energy. The Leader advised that the Commission is due to report in mid-March. Briefings he has had indicate there is a potentially deliverable project that is technologically and financially feasible, but it will be necessary to have the right regulatory and governance environment to unlock the private sector investment. Members sought information on how returns on investment in the City Deal were measured in terms of job creation and other economic opportunities. The Leader advised that there is a 5-year gateway process of assessment done jointly by UK and Welsh Governments on a CCR level, the top level metrics being job creation, GVA uplift and leverage of private money to match public money invested. Members wished to know how the Council ensures that projects invested in through the City Deal align with environmental commitments made through One Planet Cardiff and the goal to reach Net Zero. The Leader advised that the KPI’s for the City Deal were set in 2016 and did not necessarily have green objectives in mind. The CJC has to have statutory policies around things such as biodiversity and the next deal will be more of a green deal. RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward. Sections of the Corporate Plan and Budgetary Proposals relevant to the Investment and Development portfolio The Chair welcomed to the meeting Cllr Huw Thomas, Leader of the Council; Neil Hanratty, Director of Economic Development; Donna Jones, Assistant Director for County Estates; and Jon Day, Operational Manager for Investment and Tourism. Cllr Thomas made a brief statement, following which Neil Hanratty gave a presentation outlining sections of the Budgetary Proposals relevant to the portfolio. Members were invited to ask questions and make comments, and the discussion is summarised below: Members sought clarification on the source of additional income of £27,000 and were advised that it was income from renting out workshop space. Members sought clarification on SPF funding for Cardiff Indoor Market and were advised that the funding was for the Financial Year 2024/25, had been agreed and was already in place. Members sought further details on how the Council is working with the hospitality and accommodation sectors to increase accommodation options for visitors during major events. The Leader advised that the amount of hotel accommodation in the city is relatively modest, and one of the reasons for pursuing the Indoor Arena is to provide a more regular stream of visitors into the city and encourage investment in hotel development. Members discussed whether proceeds from the visitor levy could be used to benefit district shopping centres away from the city centre. The Leader advised that as currently proposed it is envisaged that the proceeds of the visitor levy are spent within the visitor economy; however, the Council would want to develop a plan for how the levy could be deployed in partnership with stakeholders, including the BID as well as stakeholders more broadly. Members questioned whether investment in new infrastructure such as the Canal Quarter Regeneration Phase 2 was the right approach when existing infrastructure such as city centre paving was not being sufficiently maintained. The Leader advised that much of the paving repair work in the city centre was due to the heavy traffic of supply trucks along Queen Street and The Hayes. Turning to the canal, he reminded Members that the plans had been signed off in 2021 when there Covid restrictions and concerns about the viability of city centres. The Council would want to see further plans, with the development of the Indoor Arena, around the Utilita Arena, developed in a strategic manner with a master plan for the whole area, with green and blue space being a key component making it somewhere people will want to spend time. Members questioned whether pursuing a target of more Grade A office space was the most sustainable approach when there is other office space that is not being used. Officers advised that there is a lack of vacant Grade A office space in the city centre, and thus a risk that there is no property available for businesses that want to invest. The Leader added that last year saw the highest level of office take-up in 7 years. Members asked whether there is a strategy for bringing surplus non-Grade A office space up to standard for reuse, and were advised that there is a market for cheaper office space for start-up and growing businesses, while other surplus office space has been repurposed for residential use. Members wished to know whether there were concerns around CO2 emissions in relation to the creation of car parks in support of the Indoor Arena. The Leader advised that the current surface area car parks are being replaced by a single multi-storey car park with fewer parking spaces, while recognising there will be people who will drive to events at the Arena and want to park to access facilities in Cardiff Bay. Most of the area will be released to make it more attractive to people on foot and for leisure purposes. Members wondered whether there were plans for more festivals or other attractions to encourage visitors to make longer stays. The Leader referred to the Cardiff City of Music Festival as a homegrown event that the Council would like to invest in and grow for the long term. Officers added that the Cardiff Live development will provide a venue able to compete for smaller business tourism events, and this will hopefully encourage visitors to stay longer and enjoy other facilities. Members discussed how to promote other things for people to see or do in Cardiff besides the major events. The Leader advised that this was the sort of thing that the Council would want to be able to enhance through funds unlocked by the tourism levy. Members discussed whether the planned investment in Cardiff Indoor Market would interfere with the improvements already taking place in the market. Officers advised that the intention of the redevelopment is to improve the market as it is rather than change what it will be doing. Work will be done to make good the roof and stop it leaking, and to improve the stallholders’ stands. Members asked whether proposals for open space or street food facilities in the city centre were seen as competing with the Indoor Market. Officers advised that businesses are generally comfortable with investments that improve the overall offer and attract more people into the city centre. The Leader advised that it was indicative that businesses and investors see the city centre as being a place where people go to socialise, eat and spend leisure time rather than for shopping. RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward. Sections of the Corporate Plan and Budgetary Proposals relevant to the Tackling Poverty portfolio The Chair welcomed to the meeting Cllr Peter Bradbury, Cabinet Member for Tackling Poverty and Supporting Young People; and Helen Evans, Assistant Director for Housing and Communities. Cllr Bradbury made a brief statement outlining sections of the Budgetary Proposals relevant to his portfolio. Members were invited to ask questions and make comments, and the discussion is summarised below: The Chair expressed gratitude for the acceptance of the KPI recommendations from the Scrutiny Performance Panel into the Corporate Plan, particularly around the Race Equality Task Force and sustainable employment. Members wished to know how much of a challenge the rise in employers’ National Insurance contributions presented to the Council and what is the Council’s strategy for addressing it. The Cabinet Member advised that the Council adjusts its work according to Governments’ tax proposals, and added that he had not received many letters from employers complaining that the increase was causing problems in recruitment. Members asked whether there were KPIs around supporting people to stay in work. The Cabinet Member advised that the target for getting people into work had been raised, and that the team aims to get people into full-time and meaningful rather than temporary employment. Officers advised that most of the funding for Into Work services is grant funding and comes with a requirement that people stay and work for at least 6 months. Mentors work alongside the new employees to ensure they are sustained in that employment. Members discussed whether people pass through the Into Work service only to be seen again a few months later, and were advised that some people have multiple barriers into work. A new Connect to Work programme will be delivered next year looking at those complex barriers, helping people into work and then wrapping support around them. Members asked about the confidence levels at achieving the KPIs, and were advised that this is a key risk in 2026 as a significant amount of funding for Into Work services comes from the SPF. The Cabinet Member added that the team do remarkable work in the face of great challenges and difficulties, and it is important that funding for the next few years is secured to keep them in post. Members sought information on what contingency there was should the SPF be significantly reduced or withdrawn. Officers advised that Connect to Work would help in some respects but not in terms of overall funding. Currently posts that become vacant are not being backfilled. Should no alternative funding become available the Council would have to look to exit posts. The Cabinet Member added that he would be putting pressure on ministers to replace SPF or put in place grant funding, and he would encourage Members to do the same. RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward. Sections of the Corporate Plan and Budgetary Proposals relevant to the Housing and Communities portfolio The Chair welcomed to the meeting Cllr Lee Bridgeman, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities; Helen Evans, Assistant Director for Housing and Communities; and Rebecca Hooper, Operational Manager for Neighbourhood Regeneration. Cllr Bridgeman made a brief statement, after which Helen Evans and Rebecca Hooper gave a presentation outlining sections of the Budgetary Proposals relevant to the Housing and Communities portfolio. Members were invited to ask questions and make comments, and the discussion is summarised below: Members discussed the use of volunteers in hubs and libraries. The Cabinet Member advised that it was decided at an early stage not to adopt a full volunteer service. Hub and library staff are professional and qualified and cannot be replaced with volunteers. Officers added a balance had been struck between the number of volunteers in hubs and libraries and the remaining paid staff, and it is unlikely that paid staff could be reduced further. As part of an internal restructuring the Council is looking to create more specialist library roles. Volunteers receive good training and there are robust procedures in place. Members wished to know about the number of hubs that hub managers are managing and whether this was sustainable. Officers advised that this depends on the size of hub; Central Library has its own manager while for smaller hubs and libraries there may be a single manager across 3 or 4. The Council is creating more senior roles such as assistant managers and senior hub library assistants and there will be one of these in each hub or library. Members discussed the training of existing staff in specialisms and were advised that the Council is encouraging hub and library staff to enrol for a librarianship degree. Members wondered how the proposal to remove free parking periods from Council car parks would affect the viability of district and local centres. The Cabinet Member advised that car parking charges were not part of his portfolio. Officers advised that there is a coordinated approach with Transport and Highways relating to regeneration of shopping areas. Many district centres do not have free car parking and the focus is on ensuring there are good Active Travel opportunities to encourage people out of cars where possible. Members questioned why there was no reference in the Corporate Plan to 15-minute cities and sought reassurance that the Council still supports the concept. The Cabinet Member assured Members that the commitment was still there but the 15-minute city name had been dropped as there was too much toxicity around it. Members sought further information on the Roath-Adamsdown Business Corridor. Officers advised that the boundaries had not yet been defined and there have been discussions around alignment with other regeneration and Active Travel schemes. The size of the area will be part of the consultation. Members welcomed the focus on ensuring books in hubs and libraries reflect the diversity of language and sought information on how this diversity was assessed. Officer advised that this was through consultations, surveys, and conversations with library staff and customers. In addition, a new IT system being rolled out allows customer requests in specific languages to be logged. Members sought information on whether reduction of the book fund would have an impact on people who access books in community languages. Officers advised that they were confident that the Council would be able to continue to meet the requirements of community languages. Data on the percentage of purchased books are in community languages could be provided to the Committee. Members sought information on the venues used for the Learning for Life programme, and were advised that there are many such venues, including schools, churches and community halls, which are listed on the website, and in addition there continue to be some online courses available. Members were advised that adult literacy and numeracy comes under a separate programme for adult learning called Learning for Work. Members were advised that most Learning for Life participants are 50-plus retirees and that officers would be able to provide a demographic breakdown to committee if required. Members enquired about the priority for the Clifton Street area in the Roath-Adamsdown Business Corridor placemaking plan. Officers advised that the South Riverside Business Corridor placemaking plan is currently being concluded, and there is a significant project for Cowbridge Road East that officers are looking to secure funding for and take forward shortly. The target date for the Adamsdown-Roath Business Corridor to commence is June, and this includes Clifton Street. Officers are working close with colleagues to coordinate the work with plans for a Transport Corridor along Newport Road and Broadway. Members wished to know what the allocation of £1.5M for regeneration from the FRM was likely to be spent. Officers advised that ward councillors would be invited to put forward ideas that meet the criteria around regeneration. The key priority will be deliverability. The Cabinet Member urged Councillors to look out for the email from officers inviting ideas. RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.