Combined Governance & Audit Committee / Joint Scrutiny Committee

There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.

1. 1

   Apologies for absence

   Minute

   Apologies received from Cllr C Tovey, Cllr C Jones, Cllr J Jenkins and G Thomas.

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   No declarations of interest were received

3. 3

   Revenue Budget 2025/2026

   Minute

   Presented by the Director of Finance C Flynn. In response to questions asked by elected members; · All budget proposals were considered and there is a commitment to protect schools and a reasonable council tax increase, without significant cut to services reserves will need to be drawn upon. · All opportunities for transformation will be considered. · The grants referenced are not hypothecated and form part of the RSG and are allocated to certain services i.e teachers pensions. · The 3.5% contribution refers to our policy regarding reserves and contributions will continue into the future. · The Corporate Communications team is made up of 6 officers and will be acquiring a new apprentice. · The efficiency savings will be reported regarding 2025/2026. All local authorities are exploring how to reduce dependency on external funding and the importance of grant timing. · We are innovative with our use of grants. Comments were made regarding future plans to contribute to financial sustainability and transformation.

   Papers: Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3, Appendix 4a, Appendix 4b, Appendix 4c, Appendix 4d, Appendix 4e, Appendix 4f, Appendix 4g, Appendix 5a, Appendix 5b, Appendix 5c, Appendix 5d, Appendix 5e, Committee Report
4. 4

   Any Other Business deemed urgent by the Chair

   Minute

   No other business was deemed urgent by the Chair

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Bill Smith, Vice-ChairLabourAbsent
• Clive Jones, ChairLabourPresent
• Andrew Barry, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Anna Williams- Price, Cabinet MemberLabourIn attendance
• Brent Carter, Cabinet MemberLabourIn attendance
• Claire Jones, Committee MemberIndependentAbsent
• Clive Tovey, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Darren Roberts, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• David Isaac, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• David Jones, Cabinet MemberLabourIn attendance
• Declan Sammon, Committee MemberDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent
• Ernie Galsworthy, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• Gareth Lewis, Cabinet MemberLabourIn attendance
• Gareth Richards, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Geraint Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Gillian Preston, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Ian Thomas, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jamie Scriven, Committee MemberIndependentAbsent
• John Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Julia Jenkins, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Lee Davies, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Lisa Mytton, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Michelle Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Paula Layton, Committee MemberDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent

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