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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.
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Minutes of the meeting held on 18th November 2025 were approved as accurate.
The Chair referred to the Action Log: Page 10 - noted that the Corporate Risk agenda item, would be considered later this week at the chairs and vice meeting. The outcome would be feedback at the next scrutiny meeting. .
Cllr Anna Wiliams-Price, Cabinet Member introduced the report. In response to questions from the committee members, offices confirmed · Members noted the improved Welsh Government settlement of 4.7%. · Cabinet Member highlighted an amendment to section 1.1 of the report – above the Wales average increase of 3.1, which should read 2.7. · Despite the improved settlement, significant unavoidable cost pressures remain. · Noted the identified savings and cost reductions identified to date. · A residual budget gap of £509k remains at this stage. · Corporate management team, and service managers in collaboration with the cabinet will now work on delivering a balanced budget which will be presented to full council on 23rd February 2026. · Members requested that the report has clarity on the use if reserves/ear-marked reserves. · The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) will end March 2026 and transition to the UK Local Growth Fund. · Members expressed concern about late notification of SPF decisions and the impact on workforce morale and retention. · School balances are reducing but no schools are currently considered to be in a critical position. · Members welcomed confirmation that schools will not be required to reduce budgets in this financial year. · Members requested that political party reference throughout the report is removed from future reports. · Members requested updates when grant funding is confirmed for, Waste, SPF and the Local Growth Fund, including the impact that reduced funding will have on staffing and services. · Members noted that 1% pay increase = £750,000 per 1% (teachers - part?year effect).
Ryan James, Officer introduced the report. In response to questions from the committee members, offices confirmed: · Members requested that timescales are added to 7.1 of the report. · It was agreed to add how/when actions will be monitored and reviewed to 7.1 of the report. · Members requested the number disciplinaries in relation to breach of the policy. · It was noted that the policy will be reviewed on a 3?year cycle, or sooner if there is a need/change to guidance. · Members noted that after risk assessment, staff are provided with an ‘approved list’ of AI tools that can be accessed. · It was noted that training from the WLGA has been circulated. · AI staff workshops are currently being held, and feedback will be provided to full council. · Replace the word ‘members’ with ‘councillors’ for clarity.
Members noted the latest version of the FWP.
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Members noted that there is a Chairs/Vice Chairs meeting scheduled for Wednesday 21st January 2026.
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Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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