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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 were received from Cllr Jeff Beard.
R Thomson declared an interest in Item 5 due to involvement in Merthyr Tydfil Heritage Trust.
The minutes of the meeting held on 8th September 2025 were approved as an accurate record.
The Chair informed the committee there was 1 outstanding action: · The Chair and Cabinet Member to write Jointly to Welsh Government/WLGA to advocate for increased funding for pupils on the EHE Register.
Cabinet Member introduced the report and advised Members that there were two errors in the report: · 1.3 Assessment for Merthyr Tydfil Library Services 2024/25 (not 2024/54) · 2.2 Members to consider if there are any aspects of Libraries they wish to consider (not aspects of attendance) In response to questions from the committee, it was noted: · Assessment shows Improvement has been made in meeting the core. entitlements in 2024/25 when compared to 2023/24. · Non-fiction book stock will be reviewed. · Library Customers can request specific books are ordered in. · Family History section to be re-established through volunteering to begin in 2026 · Positive feedback was provided by Members on children’s events and displays throughout the year. · Staffing has been challenging. · A new Principal Librarian has been appointed this week. · Home Start Service has replaced the Mobile Library Van. · The Library Service Strategy was approved by Cabinet June 2025. · Going forward Scrutiny will monitor the Action Plan. · Treharris Library will reopen in January 2026. Members noted the report and requested that the Library Strategy continues to be embedded with emphasis on continuing to engage with schools on literacy initiatives and events.
The Chair referred to the latest version of the FWP. Members agreed/noted: · Quarterly Technical Meeting scheduled for 1 December 2025 to ensure the FWP aligns with Cabinet/Full Council FWPs. · Add the Library Strategy Action Plan to the meeting in April 2026. · Library Site Visit – April 2026 · MAT Task and Finish Group deferred until next cycle.
None received.
Chair referred to the Ty Dysgu Site Visit and commented that feedback would be considered in the Workshop, directly after the Scrutiny Meeting today.
The Chair informed members that: · The next meeting will be held on 5th January 2026 and will include an item on Safeguarding and Service Risks. · Heolgerrig Community Primary School will feature on the One Show tonight at 7pm
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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