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Cabinet met on 12 November 2025. It noted the September revenue budget forecast, which shows an underspend of £341k overall, and approved three uses of reserves and budget. It approved a new Empty Homes Strategy for 2025-2030, delegated the appointment of an independent panel for a Panel Performance Assessment to the Chief Executive, noted the Gwent Well-being Plan annual report, and noted the Estyn inspection outcomes for Newport schools.
None.
Councillor Adan Item 5, LEA Governor of Pillgwenlly Primary School. Councillor Hughes Item 5, LEA Governor of Caerleon Comprehensive and Caerleon Lodge Hill Primary School.
The Minutes from 15 October 2025 were accepted as a true record. Moved by Councillor D Davies and seconded by Councillor Lacey.
The Leader presented the above report, which forecasted an underspend of £341k, after accounting for the contingency budget. Service areas, excluding schools, were collectively forecasted to overspend by £5.1m. Underspends in non-service areas resulted in a broadly balanced revenue budget at this stage. Social Services and Housing and Communities were respectively driven by demand. Schools were projected to overspend by £4.5m, this would be covered by their own reserves. The overspend included both one-off and recurring costs. There was a risk that ongoing overspending could push some schools into deficit and so close financial monitoring was therefore required for the rest of the year. Councillor Lacey proposed the report, seconded by Councillor D Davies. Decision: That Cabinet: · Noted the overall budget forecast position outlined within this report. · Noted the current overall shortfall in the delivery of the 2025/26 revenue budget savings. · Noted the overall position in relation to schools, acknowledging the risk that further individual deficit positions could emerge by the end of the financial year. · Noted the forecast movements in reserves. · Noted the risks identified throughout the report and in the Head of Finance (HoF) comments, such as in relation to demand issues being faced. · Approved the recommendation to allocate funds from the prior year underspend reserve, as set out in 4.4. · Approved the use of the Transformation reserve to fund Care Cubed as set out in 4.5. · Approved the budget virement for use on to the delivery of low carbon heat within the estate, as set out in 2.7.
The Cabinet Member for Education and Early Years presented the above report to Cabinet colleagues. The report provided the outcomes on the schools that were inspected under the new arrangements that came into effect from September 2024, together with the follow up category and recommendations. Cabinet would be provided with updates on the profile inspection outcomes, based on the new inspection framework going forward. Councillor R Howells proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Clarke. Decision: Cabinet noted the report and provided their comments.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning presented the new Empty Homes strategy (2025-2030). This would replace the last strategy, published in 2019. The aim of the strategy was to reduce the number of homes in Newport which were left unoccupied. The policy set out how the Council intended to achieve that aim, by encouraging owners to keep properties occupied and, when appropriate, taking enforcement action to bring homes back into use. Councillor D Davies proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Clarke. Decision: Cabinet approved the Newport Empty Homes Strategy for 2025-2030.
The Leader presented the above report, explaining to colleagues that the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 required local authorities to undertake a Panel Performance Assessment (PPA) once per electoral term. As part of the Council’s preparations, an independent Panel of Members was required to be appointed, who would be conducting the Assessment. It was at the discretion of each Local Authority to determine how the Panel was appointed. The report therefore requested that Cabinet approved the appointment of the Panel to be delegated to the Council’s Chief Executive. Councillor Lacey proposed the report, seconded by Councillor R Howells. Decision: Cabinet approved the appointment of the Panel to be delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with Leader of the Council. Cabinet also noted the update of the Council’s preparation for the Panel Performance Assessment.
This was the annual monitoring report presented by the Leader. The report set out the progress of the Gwent Public Services Board against its Well-being Plan in accordance with statutory responsibilities under the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The Annual Report also detailed the progress on the Gwent Well-being Plan during 2024-25. Councillor Adan proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Spencer. Decision: Cabinet noted the contents of the enclosed annual report.
This was the regular monthly report on the Work Programme. Decision: Cabinet agreed the Work Programme.
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.
Adan: Interest on Summary Of Estyn Inspection Outcomes In Newport Schools- September 2024 to July 2025
LEA Governor (a governor appointed by the local education authority) of Pillgwenlly Primary School.
Hughes: Interest on Summary Of Estyn Inspection Outcomes In Newport Schools- September 2024 to July 2025
LEA Governor (a governor appointed by the local education authority) of Caerleon Comprehensive and Caerleon Lodge Hill Primary School.
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