Full Council

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 T Jones, Cllr D Jones and Cllr K Gibbs

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   Cllr. G Thomas – Agenda Item 4 - Son owns a pub. Will withdraw for the vote. Cllr. M Symonds – Agenda Item 4 – Sister is a pub owner/manager. Will withdraw for the vote. Cllr C Jones - Agenda Item 4 – Son owns a cafe. Will withdraw for the vote.

3. 3

   Medium-Term Financial Plan 2026-27 to 2029-30

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr A Williams-Price In response to questions officers confirmed the following; · The word unprecedented was inappropriate for 3% inflation but noted the need to reflect current global uncertainty, including conflict in the Middle East, which could still influence future inflation. · Table in section 7.7 excludes the Ffos?y?Fran reserve because it is not under full Council control (managed by an external board). · The MTFP assumes 1% growth based on the current funding allocation—not added on top of the previous 4.7%/4.9% settlement. This modest assumption is used because the pay award and cost pressures remain uncertain and a cautious approach allows contingency for rising costs. · Pay award for 2026/27 (effective 1 April) is still under negotiation between unions and employers, the Council has budgeted 2.5% as a prudent estimate. · 5% is used for modelling purposes only to understand the future funding gap and feasibility of balancing the budget. The actual decision lies with full Council, not officers. · On the request to pursue council tax reform it was acknowledged that council tax reform is critically important and it was confirmed that a letter would be written to Welsh Government to advocate for council tax reform. The recommendations as contained within the report were approved.

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3, iia
4. 4

   Non-Domestic Rates - Food & Drink Hospitality Rates Relief 2026-27

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr A Wlliams-Price No questions or comments were raised. The recommendations as contained within the report were approved.

   Papers: Committee Report, iia
5. 5

   To deal with any other urgent business or correspondence

   Minute

   No other business was deemed urgent

6. 6

   To receive communications from Their Worship the Mayor

   Minute

   None received

7. 7

   Exempt

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.

• David Isaac, Vice-ChairLabourPresent
• Paula Layton, ChairDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent
• Andrew Barry, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Anna Williams- Price, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Bill Smith, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Brent Carter, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Claire Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Clive Jones, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Clive Tovey, Committee MemberIndependentAbsent
• Darren Roberts, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• David Jones, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Declan Sammon, Committee MemberDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent
• Ernie Galsworthy, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Gareth Lewis, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Gareth Richards, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Geraint Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Gillian Preston, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Ian Thomas, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jamie Scriven, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Jeremy Davies, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• John Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Julia Jenkins, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Kevin Gibbs, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Lee Davies, Committee MemberIndependentAbsent
• Lisa Mytton, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Louise Minett-Vokes, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Michelle Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Michelle Symonds, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Scott Thomas, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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