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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.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Louise Minett-Vokes and Gareth Lewis. Councillors Jamie Scriven and Lee Davies noted early departure.
Councillors I Thomas and G Preston : Item 7 (Council Tax Base) – dispensation to speak and vote; Item 9 (Community Review) – interest as member of Community Council.
· The monitoring officer confirmed response will be provided next week regarding the public question from the previous meeting. · Minutes were approved as accurate.
Presented by Cllr A Williams-Price Decision: The report was approved as per the recommendations.
Presented by Cllr A Williams-Price Decision: The report was approved as per the recommendations.
Presented by Cllr A Williams-Price Decision: The report was approved as per the recommendations.
Presented by Cllr A Williams-Price Officers offered the following information in response to questions · The WLGA continue to lobby for council tax reform but the rebasing is delayed until April 2028. The Models are currently under review and officers can't yet confirm whether the rebasing will be fair to areas like Merthyr. · There is an expected increase of over 100 banded properties by next year. There will be changes to exemptions and discounts from April 2026. Decision: The report was approved as per the recommendations.
Presented by Cllr D Sammon Officers offered the following information in response to questions · The number of empty homes brought back into use is 43 (8%). · The youth cabinet is supported by the third sector. There are recruitment and retention issues despite funding. Clarification was provided post-meeting and is included on the final page. Decision: The report was approved as per the recommendations.
Presented by Cllr D Sammon Officers offered the following information in response to questions · Phase 2 questions will be simpler and presented face to face to aid understanding. If approved, scheduling will start immediately aiming for early December, both written and online responses will be accepted. · Councillor reduction will take effect as of the 2027 local elections. Decision: The report was approved as per the recommendations.
Presented by Cllr D Jones Officers offered the following information in response to questions · The indicated 24/25 recycling rate is slightly above 66.24%, official figures not yet received. · Fines will apply if the 70% target is missed, but intensive work with RAP Cymru and Welsh Government is underway. · Removing food waste and recyclables from black bins is critical. · There are no redundancies amongst bin-checking staff with a future total of 10 wardens Councillor C Jones offered a comment regarding exploring separate nappy/clinical waste collection—potential collaboration with RCT. Decision: The report was approved as per the recommendations.
Presented by Cllr D Sammon Officers offered the following information in response to questions · Delegation has existed since 2015; reaffirming aligns timelines with other LAs; Member updates assured. · An explicit report?back clause will be adopted. · The same process applies to all staff including non-union staff; Section 188 is statutory as redundancies may exceed 20. Decision: The report was approved as per the recommendations.
The content of the report was noted for information.
No other business was deemed urgent
The Mayor offered condolences and deepest sympathies to the family of former Councillor Paul Smithers, Councillor Gareth Lewis for the loss of his mother and Councillor Gillian Preston for the loss of her siblings. As the final meeting of the year, the Mayor wished everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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