Loading
The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 10 February 2026 be approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
RESOLVED to: 2.1 Scrutinise the Council’s financial and operational performance position as at 31st December 2025 (Quarter 3). 2.2 Consider whether they wish to scrutinise in greater depth any matters contained in the report in line with the Terms of Reference of the Committee.
In accordance with the code of conduct, the following declarations were made: Councillor J Edwards, personal interest “My Employer is named in the report”.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 10 February 2026 be approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 10 February 2026 be approved as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to: 2.1 Scrutinise the Council’s financial and operational performance position as at 31st December 2025 (Quarter 3). 2.2 Consider whether they wish to scrutinise in greater depth any matters contained in the report in line with the Terms of Reference of the Committee.
The Director - Financial Services and Transformation introduced the Quarter 3 Council Performance Report (to 31st December 2025) which summarised revenue and capital budget performance; Treasury Management prudential indicators; Organisational Health information including staff turnover, sickness and Strategic Risks; and the Council’s Corporate Plan well-being objective action plans (including performance indicators and investment). A Member asked how the Council is ensuring that preventative spend represents value for money and is delivering outcomes for residents. The Director explained that service areas undertake annual self-evaluations that consider preventative activities and their impacts. The Director went on to relay that alongside this; the Council’s Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) is working with specific services to undertake more detailed reviews into preventative activity and their impacts. The Director added that focussing on preventative activity will be an on-going programme of work and will be developed further as part of supporting the Council’s service and financial planning arrangements. A Member welcomed the reported reduction in the number of children looked after and the number of children on the child protection register and sought clarity on whether this was due to improved practice. The Director fed back that the positive direction of travel has been supported by developing workforce capacity, clear leadership and strategy and close working with schools and external partners. The Director added that robust governance arrangements are also in place to inform and challenge decisions and ensure that appropriate care and support is in place for vulnerable children. A Member highlighted that the tackling poverty risk rating had increased from its original amber rating to a red rating, and noted the work undertaken and recommendations made by the Child Poverty Working Group. The Member also queried how the Council is using findings from RISE research to ensure alignment with the scrutiny working group recommendations. The Director fed back that the current risk rating is reflective of the challenges presented within this area and confirmed that tackling poverty remains a key priority for the Council, as demonstrated by the comprehensive range of actions being progressed within the accompanying action plan. The Director went on to indicate key activity to help mitigate risk in this area, including maximising external grant funding opportunities to support service delivery and ensuring effective partnership arrangements are in place, and noted that external factors such as the national economic picture / cost of living pressures continued to pose challenges. The Service Director - Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communication added that the progress against the 18 recommendations from the scrutiny working group will be monitored through a quarterly tracker and reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee at appropriate intervals. A Member noted that the Safe Spaces Network was not on target and relayed how important this was to young people. The Director fed back that an updated position would be requested from the service area and provided to the Committee. A Member sought clarity on social value related information included within the report and whether existing opportunities are being fully utilised. The Director fed back that social value and its positive benefits, as part of the delivery of services, is a key focus for the Council with examples of impacts included within the performance report. The Director added that this area is subject to on-going review to ensure that the impacts from social value are maximised. A Member requested further information on leisure service user numbers and whether fees and charges levels are appropriate. The Director fed back that leisure service user numbers show sustained levels of well used facilities and noted the high-quality offer that is in place. In respect of fees and charges, the Director fed back that levels are considered as part of the budget setting process, that includes budget consultation with the public, to ensure prices are fair, support on-going usage of the Council’s facilities and provide an important source of funding that contributes to the delivery of sustainable services. Members sought clarity on the evaluation of Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and the impact on town centre activity. The Director fed back that the Council works closely with BID organisations and local businesses to support the local economy and town centre regeneration and indicated further information would be requested on the Council’s working arrangements with BIDs. Members highlighted revised timescales for the delivery of specific projects within the Capital Programme, including school modernisation, and requested clarity on the reasons for this. The Service Director – Finance Services fed back that revised timescales were primarily due to external factors such as adverse weather, with spend profiles being updated in line with the latest information. The Service Director went on to relay that robust project management arrangements are in place to deliver the Council’s Capital Programme, with these informing the updates that are included within quarterly performance reports. A Member welcomed the inclusion of British Sign Language (BSL) for specific workshops and suggested further improvements, including the captioning for meetings that are open to the public. The Service Director -Democratic Services, Welsh Language and Communication fed back that accessibility improvements are being considered as part of wider enhancements to the Council’s digital platforms and communications channels. A Member noted the progress of the RCT Cultural Hub, noting that the target relating to the development of an engagement plan had a deadline of December 2025 which had not been met. The Member sought clarification on the revised target date for completion. The Director indicated that further information would be requested from the service and an updated position provided to Members. Members highlighted the use of CCTV to address issues such as fly tipping and sought clarity on opportunities for further roll-out in known problematic areas. The Director confirmed that trials are underway, with CCTV used both as a deterrent and to support enforcement action and will help the Council to consider opportunities for coverage to be extended moving forward. Members drew attention to current performance in respect of school attendance, school exclusions and additional learning needs, particularly in Welsh-medium provision. Officers acknowledged the challenges within these areas and confirmed that a comprehensive programme of actions and interventions are in place with the aim of supporting continuous improvement. Members noted ongoing pressures within social services and requested further information on the key reasons. The Director fed back that demand and the complexity of care required to be delivered to meet service user needs is driving increased costs across Adult and Children’s Services. The Director added that with specific regard to Children’s Services, implementation of Welsh Government’s Eliminate Profit Policy is also contributing to higher levels of expenditure. The Director went on to relay that notwithstanding the challenging operating conditions, performance overall across social services is positive with service delivery supporting positive outcomes for residents. Following conclusion of the discussion it was RESOLVED to: 2.1 Scrutinise the Council’s financial and operational performance position as at 31st December 2025 (Quarter 3). 2.2 Consider whether they wish to scrutinise in greater depth any matters contained in the report in line with the Terms of Reference of the Committee.
None received
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.