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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the 24th March 2025 as a true and accurate record of the meeting
RESOLVED to: • Provide feedback, as the Committee considers appropriate, as part of the Council’s 2026-27 Budget Consultation.
RESOLVED: To note the information contained within the report
RESOLVED: To note the revised Management Structure of the Council that took effect from the 1st November 2025.
RESOLVED: To note the verbal update
RESOLVED: Members noted the update
In accordance with the code of conduct no declarations were made pertaining to the agenda
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the 24th March 2025 as a true and accurate record of the meeting
RESOLVED: To approve the minutes of the 24th March 2025 as a true and accurate record of the meeting
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: • Provide feedback, as the Committee considers appropriate, as part of the Council’s 2026-27 Budget Consultation.
The Service Director - Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communications introduced the report for Members of the Joint Consultative Committee to be consulted and to formally respond to the first phase of the Council’s 2026/27 Budget Consultation. Members were advised that the Committee’s feedback will be incorporated into a Budget Consultation report, alongside all other feedback received from stakeholders, for consideration by Cabinet as part of developing a draft Revenue Budget Strategy for 2026/27. The Director - Financial Services and Transformation then provided Members with a PowerPoint presentation on the phase 1 Budget Consultation, covering the key strategic building blocks that will inform the construction of the draft 2026/27 Revenue Budget Strategy, and invited feedback from the Committee. Members considered the Council’s overall financial position and fed back that the currently anticipated two percent local government settlement uplift from Welsh Government for 2026/27 would present significant challenges for the Council in the context of addressing a forecasted budget gap of £22million for next year. Members also fed back that the current settlement position would present significant challenges for all local authorities across Wales and stressed the need for the Council to lobby Welsh Government to set out the case to secure an improved funding allocation, noting that any uplift over the proposed two percent would make a positive difference to local authority budgets. The Chair reassured Members that lobbying is taking place, with the Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council playing a key role in the process as Leader of the WLGA. Members highlighted the importance for the budget strategy to protect staff, ensure statutory responsibilities are discharged and that the most vulnerable within communities are safeguarded. A Member noted the pressure already on household budgets and acknowledged that difficult decisions may be unavoidable for the Council if the current local government settlement level via Welsh Government is not improved. Schools Members supported the Council’s approach of treating schools as a priority area within the Council’s budget over a number of years, acknowledging that schools have experienced year-on year pressures, particularly around staffing, supply costs and additional learning needs. A Member fed back that the prioritisation of the schools budget has enabled the sector to maintain provision and noted that on-going prioritisation will be increasingly challenging to achieve in light of the financial outlook facing the Council. Another Member noted the challenges with teacher workload, increasing class sizes, wellbeing concerns, and long-term sickness absence driven in part by increased workload pressures. Members discussed that given the scale of the Council’s forecasted budget gap, the level of budget savings required may now need to be shared more evenly across all service areas. Another Member emphasised that cuts to education ultimately impact on children’s outcomes and should be approached cautiously and informed by an assessment of the implications on staff and learners. Social Care Members highlighted the importance of both Adult and Children’s social care, and the essential role these services play in supporting the most vulnerable from childhood to older age. Members noted the significant cost pressures across adult and children’s services and felt the Council has a track record of prioritising social care, with substantial increases to the budget in recent years. Members fed back support to maintain social care as a high priority for continued investment and noted that the delivery of further savings from social care may be unavoidable due to the wider financial pressures facing the Council. Members also noted that social care staff already operate within a challenging environment and further savings could lead to increased sickness absence and recruitment and retention difficulties. Fees and Charges Members discussed the Council’s approach to fees and charges and considered that applying a blanket approach to reviewing fees and charges was not favoured and suggested a targeted approach. Members expressed broad support for increasing fines and penalties, particularly for fly-tipping, above inflationary levels to act as a deterrent. Members were not supportive of increasing the price of school meals, indicating that this would place additional pressure on families, especially those with more than one child of secondary school age. Members considered that an increase to parking charges should be carefully considered to ensure affordability for residents and staff, and competition with private parking operators. Members stressed that fees and charges need to remain affordable and competitive, particularly where private sector alternatives are in operation, for example, leisure services providers. Service Levels Members discussed the on-going programme of work in place to restructure services and other possible savings options such as reducing operating hours at quieter times for specific services and further rationalising of council buildings. Members noted that further service reductions to opening hours may compromise the Council’s ability to effectively deliver core services and that some services have already adjusted hours and were operating at minimal levels. A Member commented that whilst digitalisation of services supports modernisation of service delivery, it was stressed that alternative service provision for residents who cannot access services digitally must continue to be easily available to the public. Another Member highlighted the importance of maintaining the ability for residents to contact the Council by telephone, given the rise in scams and the need for caution around unknown callers. Council Tax Members discussed the important considerations that need to be taken into account in respect of council tax levels and noted that cost-of-living pressures continue to adversely impact on household budgets and wage increases have generally not kept up with inflation. Members indicated that a Council Tax increase of between 3 and 5 percent, as referenced in the presentation, would result in additional cost pressures for already stretched families and also noted that consideration needs to be given to increasing the level of council tax to help protect essential council services and safeguarding jobs. A Member noted public feedback around reductions to services at the same time as council tax increases, and stressed the need for clear messaging in respect of what council tax funds. The Chair acknowledged this point and stated that council tax currently funds around 21% of the Council’s budget, with the Council committed to continue to provide clear communication to residents on the range of services provided and how they are funded. Members added that some level of increase to council tax is unavoidable to protect the Council’s vital services and in turn residents, and fed back that the increase should be the lowest level possible to enable a balanced budget to be set. Efficiencies Members recognised the extensive savings already delivered by the Council over the past 10 years and noted that opportunities for further efficiencies are becoming increasingly hard to find without impacting on service quality and staff wellbeing. Members agreed that services should continue to explore saving opportunities, noting the importance of a realistic approach given the scale of savings delivered to date. Council Reserves Members were supportive of the Council’s prudent and responsible approach to the management of its reserves and noted they provide financial resilience in responding to emergencies such as recent flooding events. Members were reassured that the Council’s reserve levels and utilisation are reviewed regularly and publicly reported to elected Councillors and form a key part of the Council’s financial management arrangements. Council Tax Reduction Scheme No objections were raised in respect of the current Scheme in place, with Members noting its importance to support low-income households. Following conclusion of the discussions it was RESOLVED to: • Provide feedback, as the Committee considers appropriate, as part of the Council’s 2026-27 Budget Consultation.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To note the information contained within the report
The Director Human Resources presented the report which provided a summary of the employee incident/accident statistics for the financial year 2024/2025. The statistical performance information provides Senior Management of the Council with an overview of employee incidents/accidents. The Chair thanked the officer for the report and advised Members that she regularly meets with the Director to review information and statistics during scheduled one to one meeting. A Member commented the Health and Safety Team for their support and timely responses to incidents stating that officers act promptly when concerns have been raised previously. Members discussed the increase in violence at work and noted that while physical violence was rare, verbal and challenging behaviour were noted as concerns, particularly in schools. Members recognised the value of accurate reporting to give a clearer picture of pressures faced by staff. Concerns were also raised regarding rising mental health related sickness. The Director confirmed that sickness coding is regularly reviewed and the Council continues to strengthen its well being initiatives and support for staff. Another Member highlighted ongoing work in another local authority to refine school incident reporting and offered to share best practice. The Director welcomed this noting that more data could risk identifying individuals but committed to exploring improvements RESOLVED: To note the information contained within the report
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To note the revised Management Structure of the Council that took effect from the 1st November 2025.
The Director Human Resources presented the report of the Director of which provided details of the new management structure chart following recent changes endorsed by Council in October 2025 Members were advised that the Appointments Committee met on the 13th October 2025 to formally consider the Joint Report of the Chief Executive and Director of Human Resources and the recommendations of the Appointments Committee were provided to Council at its meeting on the 22nd October, where Members ratified the decision of the Committee. The Director explained that the new structure for the Senior Management took effect from the 1st November and was attached to the report for Members information The Chair who also Chairs the Appointments Panel noted that all appointments were agreed unanimously and praised the quality of officers within the authority. RESOLVED: To note the revised Management Structure of the Council that took effect from the 1st November 2025.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: To note the verbal update
The Service Director Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communications provided a verbal update to Members on the recently completed Panel Performance Assessment undertaken. Members were reminded that although the inspection exercise was undertaken with a wide range of engagement involving staff, Members and trade unions. The Service Director Highlighted the following key points: • The panel has given the Council strong and positive support of its governance arrangements, use of resources and organisational leadership. • The panel highlighted the maturity of both political and officer leadership and recognised a well-established culture of collaboration across the council. It also found the Council’s planning and financial frameworks to be robust and commended the Council’s approaches and long term investment strategy • The assessment gave credit to the Council’s commitment to its workforce noting the focus on developing internal staff, supporting leadership capability and its strong emphasis to equality and inclusion. • The panel also considered the Council’s work on community resilience and empowerment although this work is still being developed the feedback was constructive. • The panel encouraged the Council to continue to strengthen its approach to community involvement, to build the digital and workforce infrastructure, and to thoroughly test new models before implementation across the wider council. • Three recommendations were made which focused on improving readiness for the next phase of the programme and these were consistent with existing internal priorities. The Service Director confirmed that the full report will be considered by the Governance and Audit Committee before being presented to Council in January. The Chair welcomed the positive outcome and noted the panels recognition of the Councils strong engagement with the voluntary sector and the working relationship with Trade Unions. RESOLVED: To note the verbal update
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: Members noted the update
The Service Director Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communications invited opportunities from Trade Union Members to engage in the Council’s scrutiny function and highlighted the recent review of the Community Meals on wheels facility following a request from trade Union Members. He reminded colleagues that they were able to continue to identify areas where scrutiny could support improvement or address workforce priorities. A Member raised concerns regarding recruitment and retention pressures in key service areas including social care and school catering. The Service Director confirmed that these are already recognised as strategic risks and will be the subject of further scrutiny work with outcomes fed back to the JCC RESOLVED: Members noted the update
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