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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.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
There were no declarations of interest received.
The minutes of the meetings held on 11 June 2025 and 30 June 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record.
Members considered the items were from Cabinet Forward Work Programme.
Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. Members queried if there was a breakdown available with regards to the capital funds and how much are neath Port Talbot’s own funds and how much is from other sources? Officers confirmed that there is a breakdown available which has not been included within the report. This information will be circulated following the meeting. Members asked for comments to be included where there are variances, to ensure that a breakdown or reasons are given for this. Officers advised that comments are provided where there are significant variances, however should members require further details on any items, officers can provide this information upon request. Members queried what the unforeseen site works were on Pontardawe Arts Centre Cinema. Officers confirmed that there were unforeseen service diversions which presented additional complications. There was also some specialist equipment required in the new centre which was in the original schedule and some minor amendments to the existing building. Officers confirmed all additional costs were met by Welsh Government funding. Members referred to the open call for the Share Prosperity Fund and the Open Call Research and Development outlined on page 30. It was acknowledged that the comment indicates that there was no overall underspend. Members queried if there were any applications received and what are the implications of this given that a programme was put out. Members were advised that there were no officers from Environment present, therefore an answer would be circulated following the meeting, once the information had been obtained. Members referred to the comments in relation to YGG Ystalyfera Bro Dur and queried what the change in brief refers to and whether the overall budget was affected by this change? Further, it was noted that the overall spend on a project is sometimes difficult to determine as the financial information relates to one financial year. Officers noted the point in relation to projects that span more than one year and advised that they would consider a way to present this information. In relation to the Bro Dur project, the change in brief was due to a new immersive room which required specialist equipment and a change to the physical design. No additional funding was required for the project. The underspend during the year was down to the delay in project spend due to the changes in design. Members referred to the overspend in the creche in Cwmavon. Officers advised that they did not have the details in relation to this project, but information would be circulated following the meeting. Following scrutiny, the report was noted.
Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. There were no questions on this item. The report was noted.
Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. Officers advised that the report outlined the end of year report for the revenue budget, which resulted in a net underspend of £2.1million, which was mainly due to late funding received from Welsh Government towards the cost of the pay awards, which had already been budgeted for. Members sought confirmation if the additional funding from Welsh Government was additional income over and above the original allocated RDP? Officers confirmed it was an additional one-off specific grant. Members referred to the school budget deficit which was £2.55m. It was noted that this was 150 times more than the pervious year. Officers noted that the original deficit was projected to be £7.6m. A grant was received from Welsh Government around £2.5m which was used entirely towards school budgets. There was also a further grant to assist with the cost of teacher salaries. Officers advised that the £7.6m was a projection at the early part of the year. School bursars tend to exercise caution when predicting year-end budgets and they also would not have been able to pre-empt the additional funding that was received at the year end. There is also continued work with schools around the recovery plans, and every school in a deficit must have a plan in place. School deficits and budgets are one of the major considerations for next year, and it is something that will be looking to be addressed as part of the delegated budget settlement. Members raised home to school transport and the requirement for a £350k expected saving, however at the year end there was a £495k overspend. Officers confirmed that the £495k overspend taking into account the £350k that was not achieved plus an additional £150k overspend. Members expressed their thanks to officers on this, as the projected overspend has been significantly more. Members expressed their concern that they still have not seen any edited out terms in the scrutiny committee. Officers advised that there was no update on this item, however any updates would go before the Education Scrutiny Committee. With reference to the overspend in reserves, members queried if the actual overspend was more or less than the projection. Officers confirmed that the authority drew down £8m less than projected from reserves. Officers advised that they will circulate information following the meeting outlining where reserves started, where they ended and the movements reported to Cabinet during the year. Within the report there is a line which refers to highways maintenance reactive budget overspending of £193k. The overspend refers to storm Darragh, and the landslip in Cwmavon. Whilst members noted their exceptional occurrence, it was also acknowledged that these events are becoming more frequent. From a budgetary perspective, members queried if there is a standing reserve to deal with these items or if they are being dealt with at the end of the year with the overspend. Members referred to the building maintenance overspend of £424k, which includes the additional demand for emergency repairs and increased cost of contracts. Members queried what future considerations are being given to this budget. Officers confirmed that there is a specific reserve for winter maintenance which could be used for storm damage. In terms of building maintenance, officers acknowledged the inflated costs and that this has been higher than has been budgeted for in the Environment Directorate. Officers within the directorate are currently considering if an overall service review is required, however the inflated costs will definitely be taken into consideration when the budget it considered. Members referred to the overspend in car parking due to the reduction in income. A detailed breakdown of the income from Council owned car parks was requested, including how much car parking fees are for each site. Officers advised this information would be circulated following the meeting. The Leader highlighted the forthcoming budget setting process and the need for members to consider supporting and bringing forward productive cost saving measures and income generation ideas. Following scrutiny, the report was noted.
There were no items to consider from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.
There were no Performance Monitoring items.
The performance monitoring reports were added to the Forward Work Programme. The outstanding items from the Forward Work Programme session are in the process of being scheduled into the Forward Work Programme. Members noted the Forward Work Programme.
There were no urgent items.
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