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Cabinet met on 15 September 2026 to consider a set of reports on finance, planning, regeneration, social care and transport. Cabinet decided to demolish 166-168 Commercial Street, subject to funding, and approved a Green Heat Network Fund application for £850,000 of commercialisation funding for the Central Newport Heat Network. Cabinet also approved the sale and leaseback of the Newport Transport depot and changes to the board of Newport Transport Limited, and approved the Council joining a regional social care workforce team hosted by Caerphilly.
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Item 6: July Revenue Budget Monitor – Leader of the Council as Gaer Ward Member. Item 15: Newport Transport – Councillors M Spencer and L Lacey. Item 16: Exempt Item 1 – Councillor M Spencer.
The Minutes of 8 July 2026 were accepted as a true record. Moved by Councillor D Davies and seconded by Councillor Clarke.
The Leader, Councillor Batrouni, presented the report to Cabinet. Councillor D Davies proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Clarke. Decision: Cabinet agreed to the Cabinet Work Programme.
The Leader, Councillor Batrouni, presented the report to Cabinet, which monitored updates of the Council’s rolling 5 year programme. Throughout the financial year the Capital Programme was updated to reflect additions and amendments as they were received. Following previous years approaches, approval of slippage, and associated revisions to budgets, would only be sought as part of any reprofiling exercises when completed in-year, with final approval for slippage being sought at the end of the financial year when outturn was known. Councillor Hughes proposed the report, seconded by Councillor R Howells. Decision: Cabinet - Approved the additions to the Capital Programme requested in the report (Appendix A). Noted the predicted capital expenditure outturn position for 2026/27. Noted the available remaining capital resources (‘headroom’) and the earmarked usage of that resourcing. Noted the inclusion and position on the Treasury Management prudential indicators, included within the report. Asked for approval that any capital receipts received in relation to Disabled Facilities Grants were ringfenced to the Disabled Facilities Frant budget and added to the annual allocation.
The Leader declared an interest as was ward member for Gaer Ward. The Leader, Councillor Batrouni, presented the report to Cabinet, which highlighted the current forecast position on the Council’s revenue budget and the financial risks and opportunities that presented themselves within the July position. This was the first Cabinet update of the 2026/27 financial year. Councillor Lacey proposed the report, seconded by Councillor D Davies. Decision: Cabinet - Noted the overall budget forecast position outlined within this report Noted the current overall shortfall in the delivery of the 2026/27 revenue budget savings and service area mitigations. 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. Approved the recommendation to create and allocate funds to new earmarked reserves, as set out in 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5. Approved the budget virement requests within the Education service, as set out in 5.1 Noted the risks identified throughout the report and in the Head of Finance comments, such as in relation to demand issues being faced.
The Leader, Councillor Batrouni, presented the report to Cabinet. Cabinet were provided with an update on the Digital Strategy, which noted the significant progress made. It was also referenced in the Councils Panel Performance Assessment (PPA) this year. The continued development of automation tools and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support service delivery was especially significant and continued to be embraced. Councillor Adan proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Lacey. Decision: Cabinet endorsed the attached Annual Digital Report 2025-26 and proposed actions.
The Leader, Councillor Batrouni, presented the report to Cabinet, where colleagues were informed of the findings of the Panel Performance Assessment that took place in March 2026. Three recommendations were outlined, and in response, the Council prepared an action plan. Following approval of the PPA Report and action plan, these would be published on the Council’s website and shared back to Welsh Government and the regulatory bodies. Councillor Clarke proposed the report, seconded by Councillor D Davies. Decision: Cabinet agreed the report along with the Council’s Action Plan to implement the recommendations within the report.
The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business Growth, Councillor Clarke, presented the report to Cabinet, which included recommendations for the next steps, following the acquisition of 166-188 Commercial Street. Councillor Lacey proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Stowell-Corten. Decision: Cabinet considered the presented options and approved the recommendation that the building should be demolished and that preparations and plans for the demolition of the building and reinstatement of the land for use as public realm should be progressed, subject to the identification and securing of the funding required.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Councillor Adan, presented the report to Cabinet, which represented a full draft of the eventual RLDP, to be published for consultation. Progress had been delayed due to changes in Welsh Government guidance and policy as well as staff vacancies within the Planning Policy Team. Work however, had continued during that time with comments received as part of the Preferred Strategy consultation informing work preparing the next stage in the RLDP process, the RLDP Deposit Plan. Councillor Spencer proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Hughes. Decision: Cabinet was asked to recommend to Full Council that- The Deposit Plan (DP) consultation paper, provided in Appendix A of the report, be approved and publicised for formal public consultation. Full Council noted the comments on the Preferred Strategy (PS) and approved the responses provided in Appendix B of the report. The revised Delivery Agreement in Appendix C of the report be approved for submission to the Welsh Government for approval.
The Cabinet Member for Communities and Sport, Councillor Hughes, presented the report to Cabinet. This first annual report provided an overview of progress, performance and outcomes achieved during the initial year of implementation, demonstrating the Council’s commitment to delivering meaningful change through the strategy’s three core pillars: Prevention, Support and Pathways. Councillor Lacey proposed the report, seconded by Councillor D Davies. Decision: Cabinet to noted and accepted this first annual report against the Anti-Poverty Strategy.
The Cabinet Member for Social Services, Councillor Lacey, presented the report to Cabinet, which provided an overview of how well the Local Authority was meeting its safeguarding responsibilities for both children and adults at risk. The Policy outlined the safeguarding duties of every Council Service, ensuring practices were in place to protect individuals from harm, abuse, and neglect. The Council had been monitoring and confirming that these duties were being met effectively, what has gone well and what required improvement. Councillor Adan proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Hughes. Decision: Cabinet noted and accepted the content of the Annual Safeguarding Report accompanying this report.
The Leader, Councillor Batrouni, presented the report to Cabinet. The report outlined the strategic rationale, options considered, proposed service and governance model, financial and workforce implications. It also sought endorsement for Caerphilly County Borough Council to host a regional Social Care Workforce Development Team. Councillor Clarke proposed the report, seconded by Councillor D Davies. Decision: Cabinet approved that the existing Newport City Council Socal Care Workforce Development Team became a part of a Regional Social Care Workforce Development Team which would be hosted and managed by Caerphilly County Borough Council.
The Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Waste and Recycling, Councillor Forsey, presented the report to Cabinet. The Welsh Government rejoined the UK Government’s Green Heat Network Fund (GHNF) in April 2026. From Round 12 of the fund, Welsh projects were eligible to apply for up to £1 million in revenue grant funding to support commercialisation activities and up to 50% of eligible heat network construction costs, capped at £10 million. An application to Round 12 of the GHNF for £850,000 grant revenue funding to undertake the commercialisation stage of the Central Newport Heat Network was therefore requested to Cabinet. Councillor L Lacey proposed the report, seconded by Councillor M Spencer. Decision: Cabinet – Approved the submission by the Council of an application to Round 12 of the Green Heat Network Fund for up to £850,000 of commercialisation grant funding in respect of the Central Newport Heat Network. Approved the inclusion within that application of a linked request for up to £10 million of construction grant funding, noting that: o this was submitted on an indicative basis only; o it did not authorise construction of the heat network or any associated infrastructure; o it did not authorise borrowing; o it did not approve the establishment of a delivery vehicle; o it did not approve any particular ownership or delivery model; and o any decision to proceed to construction would be subject to a further report and separate Cabinet approval following completion of the commercialisation stage and consideration of the final business case. Approved the Council providing the assurances required in support of the GHNF application, as set out in the draft Finance Director/Section 151 Officer Letter of Support included in the Appendix. Authorised and directed the Head of Finance to sign the Letter of Support in the Appendix on behalf of the Council, subject to any amendments necessary to reflect the Council's position as set out in this report or as determined by the Cabinet. Authorised and directed senior officers to sign Letters of Support for the Council, both as a potential heat offtaker for the Network and to confirm that we would follow appropriate procurement procedures for the scheme Approved the signing of a Letter of Support from the Leader on behalf of Cabinet for the scheme.
Councillor M Spencer left the meeting prior to the discussion of and decision on this item. The Leader, Councillor Batrouni, presented the report to Cabinet. Transport for Wales was acquiring strategic depot assets in readiness for bus franchising in South-East Wales. The Company and Transport for Wales agreed terms for the sale of the depot at 160 Corporation Road for £3.25 million exclusive of VAT, with a leaseback to enable the Company to continue operating from the site. Cabinet was also asked, as a separate governance matter, to approve changes to the Board. Councillor D Davies proposed the report, seconded by Councillor Clarke. Decision: Cabinet – Approved, in the Council's capacity as sole shareholder of the Company, the Company entering into the agreed sale and leaseback transaction with Transport for Wales Limited for the Newport Transport Depot, 160 Corporation Road, Newport, for £3,250,000 exclusive of VAT, on the principal terms summarised in this report. Approved, in the Council's capacity as sole shareholder, the principal provisions of the agreed leaseback arrangement summarised in this report. Approved the removal of Councillors Mark Spencer, Kate Thomas, James Clarke, Malcolm Linton and Beverley Davies as directors of Newport Transport Limited and the appointment of Councillor Laura Lacey, Don Reed, Angharad Blayney, Silvia Gonzalez-Lopez and Tracy Mckim in their place, subject to the necessary company law formalities.
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.
Batrouni: Personal interest on Revenue Budget Monitor - July 2026
The Leader declared an interest as ward member for Gaer ward.
M Spencer: Personal and prejudicial interest on Newport Transport
Councillor Spencer is a director of Newport Transport Limited and left the meeting before discussion of this item. The minute records the declaration under item 15 without stating its nature.
L Lacey: Interest on Newport Transport
The minute lists Councillor Lacey under declarations of interest for item 15. The nature of the interest is not stated.
M Spencer: Interest
The minute lists Councillor Spencer under declarations of interest for exempt item 1. The nature of the interest is not stated.
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