Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED That the suspension of the Budget Setting Procedure Rule as set out in Section 16.3.5 of the Constitution, be enacted, as follows: Any alternative Budget proposals must be developed in accordance with the timetable published by the Section 151 Officer. No alternative budget or amendment to the draft budget will be accepted after the date set in the timetable, which shall be not more than 20 clear working days before the Budget meeting. The vote to defer consideration of the budget reports until 6 March 2025, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Josh Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, John Davies, Pat Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Mike John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Viv Stoddart, Vanessa Thomas, Aled Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Michael Williams, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Alun Wills, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [55] Against the Motion: Councillors Alistair Cameron, Alec Cormack and Mike Stoddart [3] There were no abstentions. RESOLVED That consideration of the budget reports be deferred to 6 March 2025.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Terry Davies and Jordan Ryan.
In welcoming everyone to the meeting, the Presiding Member extended congratulations to the newly elected Councillor, Alan Wills, who had been elected to represent the Prendergast Ward.
The following declarations of interest were made: Agenda Item No. 3 - Pembrokeshire County Council Budget 2025-26 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2025-26 – 2028-29 Councillor Mike Stoddart declared a personal interest by virtue of having two close relatives employed as teachers in schools. Councillor Viv Stoddart declared a personal interest by virtue of having close relatives employed as teachers in schools. Councillor Tessa Hodgson declared a personal interest by virtue of having two close relatives employed as teachers in schools. Councillor Michelle Wiggins declared a personal interest by virtue of having a close relative employed at a school. Councillor Michelle Bateman declared a personal interest by virtue of having a close relative employed at a school. Councillor Nick Neumann declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Parent Governor at Roch Community School. Councillor Steve Alderman declared a personal interest by virtue of having a close relative employed as a teacher at a school. Councillor Chris Williams declared a personal interest by virtue of having two close relatives employed as teachers at a school. Councillor Shon Rees declared a personal interest by virtue of having a close relative employed as a teacher in a school. Councillor Maureen Bowen declared a personal interest by virtue of her partner being employed as a teacher in a school. Councillor Tony Wilcox declared a personal interest by virtue of having a close relative employed by the Education Service. Councillor Thomas Tudor declared a personal interest by virtue of having a close relative employed by Pembrokeshire College. Councillor Simon Wright declared a personal interest by virtue of having a close relative employed at Ysgol Caer Elen and by virtue of him being the Chairman of two charities which pay rent to the Authority. Councillor Bethan Price declared a personal interest by virtue of having a close relative employed at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi and a close relative employed by Pembrokeshire College. Councillor Alistair Cameron declared a personal interest by virtue of being a Community Governor at Stepaside Community Primary School. Councillor Huw Murphy declared a personal interest by virtue of having a relative employed by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. Councillor Phil Kidney declared a personal interest by virtue of having a relative employed by Pembrokeshire College. Councillor Iwan Ward declared a personal interest by virtue of being employed by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the suspension of the Budget Setting Procedure Rule as set out in Section 16.3.5 of the Constitution, be enacted, as follows: Any alternative Budget proposals must be developed in accordance with the timetable published by the Section 151 Officer. No alternative budget or amendment to the draft budget will be accepted after the date set in the timetable, which shall be not more than 20 clear working days before the Budget meeting. The vote to defer consideration of the budget reports until 6 March 2025, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Josh Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, John Davies, Pat Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Mike John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Viv Stoddart, Vanessa Thomas, Aled Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Michael Williams, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Alun Wills, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [55] Against the Motion: Councillors Alistair Cameron, Alec Cormack and Mike Stoddart [3] There were no abstentions. RESOLVED That consideration of the budget reports be deferred to 6 March 2025.
Council considered a report by Cabinet regarding the Pembrokeshire County Council Budget for 2025-26 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2025-26 to 2028-29. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies, introduced the items and provided a high-level overview. To summarise, the original funding gap of £34.1 million was outlined, and following an improved settlement being received from Welsh Government, it was stated that the gap currently sat at £27.4 million. Social Care demand was reiterated to be the largest financial demand being experienced by the Authority, which had surpassed Education, for the first time ever. Additional pressures in relation to pay and pension costs were also highlighted. The importance of investment in the prevention agenda was expressed and it was stated that the Authority had written to Welsh Government to highlight acute pressures being experienced due to the rurality of the County. Reference was made to the 9.85% Council Tax increase being proposed by Cabinet, which had been recommended in balance with a range of service cuts and use of reserves. It was stated that the proposals being recommended had been considered to ensure financial responsibility across the Authority along with a sustainable footing for the future. Councillor Jamie Adams expressed that there was a plethora of outstanding financial contributors which would affect the budget, and he did not feel Council could objectively consider or make a decision in relation to budget matters, without finalisation of those details. The matters which were still unknown were outlined to be highways funding, additional funding for Adult Social Care, Education Grants and the final Aggregate External Finance (AEF) settlement figure, which was due this afternoon. Councillor Jamie Adams moved that the meeting be adjourned, until such time that all financial information had been received and considered; Seconded by Councillor Elwyn Morse. The Chief Executive confirmed that information had been received that a marginal increase to the proposed AEF settlement may be received later in the day and provided information as to why the date of the meeting was agreed, back in 2024, following consideration of the process by the Constitutional Review Committee. It was highlighted that in the report from the Executive, reference had been made to a possible AEF increase and how that would be allocated, if received. Discussion was had in relation to when the meeting should be adjourned to, if agreed, with a range of suggestions being made which included, to later in the day, the following week, or in two weeks’ time, on the 6 March 2025, where a Council meeting had already been scheduled to take place. The Chief Executive outlined the Council’s legal obligation to set a balanced budget by the 11 March 2025 and highlighted that the standing orders, as outlined within the Constitution, did not allow the presentation of alternative budgets, with the exception of those included within the current report. Councillor Aled Thomas stated that despite asking for further information twice in relation to the amount that the Empty Property Premiums HRA account pays the revenue budget, he had still not received the information and felt that the specifics of that matter needed to be known before a decision could be made in relation to setting the budget. [The meeting was paused at 10:45am to allow Members time to consider the options available and resumed and 11:13am.] Following the discussion and the time to consider the possible options, Councillor Jamie Adams withdrew his motion to adjourn the meeting, in agreement with Councillor Elwyn Morse who had seconded the motion. Councillor Paul Miller then Moved the following: (a) to suspend Standing Order 16.3.5, to enable alternative budget proposals to be brought forward as outlined within the Council’s Constitution; (b) that the meeting be adjourned until 6 March 2025. Seconded by Councillor Jon Harvey. The Chief Executive provided information in relation to the timescales that would need to be adhered to with regards to the submission of alternative budget proposals, stating that any proposals would need to be received by 25 February 2025. The vote to suspend Standing Order 16.3.5, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Josh Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Alistair Cameron, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, Alec Cormack, John Davies, Pat Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Mike John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Viv Stoddart, Vanessa Thomas, Aled Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Michael Williams, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Alun Wills, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [57] Against the Motion: Councillor Mike Stoddart [1] There were no abstentions. RESOLVED That the suspension of the Budget Setting Procedure Rule as set out in Section 16.3.5 of the Constitution, be enacted, as follows: Any alternative Budget proposals must be developed in accordance with the timetable published by the Section 151 Officer. No alternative budget or amendment to the draft budget will be accepted after the date set in the timetable, which shall be not more than 20 clear working days before the Budget meeting. The vote to defer consideration of the budget reports until 6 March 2025, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Jamie Adams, Steve Alderman, Michelle Bateman, Josh Beynon, Maureen Bowen, David Bryan, Aaron Carey, Mark Carter, Di Clements, John Cole, John Davies, Pat Davies, Alan Dennison, Tim Evans, Claire George, Jonathan Grimes, Nicola Gwynn, Brian Hall, Simon Hancock, Delme Harries, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, David Howlett, Mike James, Mike John, Rhys Jordan, Phil Kidney, Paul Miller, Elwyn Morse, Huw Murphy, Nick Neumann, Mel Phillips, Bethan Price, Neil Prior, Shon Rees, David Simpson, Rhys Sinnett, Sam Skyrme-Blackhall, Viv Stoddart, Vanessa Thomas, Aled Thomas, Marc Tierney, Anji Tinley, Thomas Tudor, Iwan Ward, Michele Wiggins, Tony Wilcox, Michael Williams, Chris Williams, Jacob Williams, Alun Wills, Guy Woodham, Simon Wright, Steve Yelland and Danny Young [55] Against the Motion: Councillors Alistair Cameron, Alec Cormack and Mike Stoddart [3] There were no abstentions. RESOLVED That consideration of the budget reports be deferred to 6 March 2025.
This item of business was deferred until the 6 March 2025 Council meeting.
This item of business was deferred until the 6 March 2025 Council meeting.
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.
Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.