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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
Resolved that: 2.1 The revised assumptions to support the development of the MTFP, due to the changing environment in which plans are being developed, be noted. 2.2 Corporate Management Team continue to work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member(s) to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan, be noted. 2.3 Delegation to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, Assets & Commercial, the authority to implement any saving proposal in advance of 2026/27 where no policy recommendation, be approved. 2.4 Agree that the Budget Timetable set out in Appendix 1 be adopted. 2.5 This report is presented to Joint Scrutiny Committee for their scrutiny and feedback, be noted.
Resolved that: The item deferred to Full Council on 3 December 2025 following a Members’ workshop to resolve wording and fee-related concerns.
Resolved that: The report for information be received.
Apologies were received from Councillor Jeremy Davies.
Members declared personal interests in relation to Agenda Item 6 – Events Policy, due to involvement in organising community events or membership of local committees. Declarations included: • Cllr Michelle Symonds – involvement with community organisation at Taff Bargoed. • Cllr Lisa Mytton – organiser of Christmas tree events in Vaynor Ward. • Cllr Gareth Richards – chair of organisation involved in community events. • Cllr Clive Tovey – organiser of Christmas tree events in Vaynor Ward. • Cllr David Hughes – organiser of local events at the Engine House. • Cllr Julia Jenkins – organiser of community events; also noted Cllr John Thomas and Cllr Andrew Barry involved. • Cllr Louise Minett-Vokes – committee member for Merthyr Pride. • Cllr David Jones – Involved in the organisation of Merthyr Pride. All members confirmed interests were personal and not prejudicial.
The Chair read the question from the member of the public. The Monitoring Officer responded to the question and stated that he would take the matter forward and would decide whether there is any action to be taken.
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as an accurate record.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: 2.1 The revised assumptions to support the development of the MTFP, due to the changing environment in which plans are being developed, be noted. 2.2 Corporate Management Team continue to work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member(s) to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan, be noted. 2.3 Delegation to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, Assets & Commercial, the authority to implement any saving proposal in advance of 2026/27 where no policy recommendation, be approved. 2.4 Agree that the Budget Timetable set out in Appendix 1 be adopted. 2.5 This report is presented to Joint Scrutiny Committee for their scrutiny and feedback, be noted.
Councillor Anna Williams-Price introduce the report. In response to questions raised, it was noted that: · Welsh Government published outline draft budget on 14 October 2025; detailed draft budget followed on 3 November 2025. · Further information expected on 24 November with provisional settlement for local government. · Data on council tax base will also be collected provisionally at that time, informing the funding formula. · Ongoing discussions in the Senedd; changes may occur, but further details will follow after 24 November. · Current financing costs depend on timing of borrowing; costs for increased borrowing will be factored into 2026/27. · Overspend of £4m is not included in the £43m backlog maintenance figure. · Funding split for overspend: 65% Welsh Government grant / 35% Council contribution. · Backlog maintenance borrowing illustrated in report assumes immediate works, but actual delivery will be phased over five years. · Schools also have responsibility for some maintenance costs, supported by annual capital funding allocations. · Details of specific works were not available at meeting; officers confirmed transition to new asset management system to provide more accurate data. · Future reports will include clearer breakdown of capital and maintenance costs per asset. · Officers acknowledged correlation between asset rationalisation and agile working policy. · Transformation programme is reviewing estate rationalisation as part of mitigating actions. · Risk of capital financing backlog escalated to corporate risk register; updates will be reported in December. · The Leader of the Council confirmed daily discussions with Welsh Government and WLGA; and stated that all authorities are facing similar pressures. He stated that he was hopeful for improved settlement but outcome uncertain. · The Chief Executive added that officers are also engaging with Welsh Government departments on service-level funding needs. Resolved that: 2.1 The revised assumptions to support the development of the MTFP, due to the changing environment in which plans are being developed, be noted. 2.2 Corporate Management Team continue to work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member(s) to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan, be noted. 2.3 Delegation to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Financial Sustainability, Assets & Commercial, the authority to implement any saving proposal in advance of 2026/27 where no policy recommendation, be approved. 2.4 Agree that the Budget Timetable set out in Appendix 1 be adopted. 2.5 This report is presented to Joint Scrutiny Committee for their scrutiny and feedback, be noted.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The item deferred to Full Council on 3 December 2025 following a Members’ workshop to resolve wording and fee-related concerns.
Councillor Jamie Scriven introduced the report. Councillors raised concerns regarding changes to the policy being introduced during the meeting without prior circulation to members, it was proposed that the item be deferred due to concerns raised about deposits and fees within the report, lack of wider consultation and lack of clarity on the implementation timeline. Resolved that: The item deferred to Full Council on 3 December 2025 following a Members’ workshop to resolve wording and fee-related concerns.
Decision as recorded
Resolved that: The report for information be received.
Resolved that: The report for information be received.
The Mayor advised that there was no other urgent business or correspondence.
No communications were received from their worship the Mayor.
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.
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