Loading
Cabinet met on 12 January 2026. It agreed draft 2026/27 budget proposals for public consultation, including a 4.9% council tax rise, and noted the November 2025 revenue and capital monitoring reports. It also appointed Mr Al Robinson as a director of its property services company, NCC Commercial Services Limited (trading as Cyson Cymru), and approved a revised anti-fraud policy.
None.
Item 8: Property Services – Appointment of Director. Councillor D Davies declared an interest as a Board Director of Cyson Cymru.
The Minutes from 17 December 2025 were accepted as a true record. Moved by Councillor D Davies and seconded by Councillor Hughes.
The Leader introduced the above report to Cabinet, which highlight the key issues affecting the development of the Council’s 2026/27 budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) and presented the draft budget proposals. Councillor Clarke proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Lacey. Decision: 1. Cabinet agreed the following draft proposals for public consultation: i) A council tax increase of 4.9%, a weekly increase of £1.00 - £1.34 for properties in Band A to C, the most common bands in Newport, as set out in paragraphs 3.7. ii) Proposed fees and charges in Appendix 4. iii) The budget investments shown in Appendix 2, including those for schools. 2. Cabinet approved: iv) The use of the Transformation Reserve to fund the implementation costs of the service area mitigations, as set out in paragraph 3.12 totalling £327,000. 3. Cabinet noted: i) The savings implemented under delegated authority in Appendix 3. ii) The position on developing a balanced budget for 2026/27, noting that the position would be subject to ongoing review and updates between now and the February Cabinet when the final budget was agreed.
Council’s revenue budget and the financial risks and opportunities that presented themselves within the November update. Councillor D Davies proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Hughes. 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 comments, such as in relation to demand issues being faced. · Approved the budget virement to transfer existing expenditure budgets to different cost centres within the infrastructure service area in accordance with the financial regulations and as set out in 2.7. · Approved the recommendation to allocate funds to a new earmarked reserve, as set out in 4.3 for 2025/26 and on-going, subject to no issues raised by the Head of Finance as regards Council finances.
The Leader introduced the third monitoring report of the year on capital activity and provided an overview of the updated capital programme, alongside the projected outturn position as at the end of November 2025. The report outlined the changes made to the programme following a further reprofiling of some schemes and provided an update on the level of available capital headroom. The report also detailed the additions to the programme identified. Councillor Lacey proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Clarke. Decision: That Cabinet - 1. Approved the additions to the Capital Programme requested in the report (Appendix A). 2. Noted the predicted capital expenditure outturn position for 2025/26. 3. Noted the available remaining capital resources (‘headroom’) and the earmarked usage of that resourcing. 4. Noted the inclusion of the Treasury Management prudential indicators, included within the report. 5. Noted the headroom as per the report.
The Leader provided a summary on the progress of services areas within the first six months of 2025/26 (1 April to 30 September 2025). The assessment showed that the eleven services areas were making good progress in the delivery of their objectives. Councillor Clarke proposed the report, seconded by Councillor D Davies. Decision: Cabinet noted the contents of this report.
The Leader presented the report to Cabinet. As set out in previous reports, the Council set up a local authority trading company and the company commenced trading as Cyson Cymru on 1 January 2026. Following recruitment of Mr Al Robinson as the interim Managing Director, this report requested Cabinet approval for his appointment to the Board of Directors. Councillor Clarke proposed the report, seconded by Councillor R Howells. Decision: Cabinet appointed Mr Al Robinson as a Director of NCC Commercial Services Limited, with immediate effect.
The Leader presented the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy to colleagues, which set out the Council’s commitment to countering Fraud, Bribery and Corruption. The Council adopted a zero tolerance approach to fraud, bribery and corruption and maintaining a current policy was essential for the Council to deter such activities both within the organisation and among partner entities. Councillor Clarke proposed the report, seconded by Councillor D Davies. Decision: Cabinet approved the Anti- Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy.
This was the regular monthly report on the Work Programme. Councillor D Davies proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Clake. 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.
D Davies: Interest on Property Services - Appointment of Director
Board Director of Cyson Cymru, the trading name of the Council's property services company. The minute does not say whether the interest was personal or prejudicial.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.