How the council raises and spends its money, including council tax and savings.
What councils do
Each council sets a budget every year: how much to spend on each service and how much council tax to charge. Council tax pays for about a third; most of the rest is a grant from the Welsh Government and business rates.
Who decides
The Cabinet proposes the budget, usually in the winter, and the full Council agrees it and sets council tax by early March. Scrutiny committees examine the plans first.
Having a say
Most councils run a budget consultation in the autumn or early winter. Your councillors vote on the final budget, so tell them what matters to you.
In numbers
Council tax collected: 95% across Wales (2025-26).
Business rates collected: 96% across Wales (2025-26).
RESOLVED: To note the current position of the General Reserve balance and the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan; and to note that a potential annual or in year increase to Local Authority contributions may be required moving forward upon approval from S151 Officers.
RESOLVED: Pursuant to this Committee’s delegated powers the following development management applications be determined in accordance with the recommendation set out in the reports of the Director of Planning, Transport and Environment, subject to any further amendments as detailed below and notification be given of the decisions in accordance with Section 70 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 or Section 74 of the Planning (Listed Building & Conservation) Act 1990.
APPLICATIONS GRANTED:
5a. 25/02085/VAR – RHIWBINA
6-8 Beulah Road, Rhiwbina, Cardiff, CF14 6LX
Removal of Condition 2 of planning permission 07/02357/W to allow the mixed shop/restaurant/gallery use (sui generis) to extend throughout the ground floor of 6-8 Beulah Road.
Variation of conditions 3 and 4 of planning permission 07/02357/W:
Condition 3 – to extend the opening hours from 7:30 am to 11pm Monday to Saturday (to be closed on Sundays).
Condition 4 – to allow outside dining within the area to the rear of Beulah Road shown on drawing no a-p-s001. (09/00363/W - Approved 19 October 2009 as modified by 10/01583/DCO -Approved 19 November 2010):
Section 73 application to vary Conditions 3 (Operating Hours), 4 (External Dining Area) and 16 (External Dining Area Doors) of 09/00363W as modified by 10/01583/DCO to amend the approved scheme as follows: 1) Vary the operating hours to allow the premises to operate on a Sunday between 07:30am – 09:00pm.
5b. 25/02406/FUL - BUTETOWN
Former Ibis Budget, Tyndall Street, Cardiff
Change of Use from 157 bedroom hotel (Class C1) to a Hostel (Sui Generis Use Class) providing supported accommodation for homeless persons (98 bedrooms with communal kitchen, dining and lounge facilities) for a period of up to three years.
(Cllr Gunter left her seat as a member of the Committee during this item in accordance with her prejudicial interest).
RESOLVED:
a. To note the 2025/26 projected outturn forecast including the projected year-end balance for the Joint Committee Reserve Account.
b. To recommend the 2026/27 budget, including the proposed drawdown and closing balance of the Reserve Account, to the Partnering Councils for approval as part of their respective budget planning frameworks for 2026/27.
c. To ask the Partnering Councils to note the indicative budgets, and associated partner contributions, outlined for the financial years 2027/28 to 2029/30.
RESOLVED – That the report be noted.
• Corporate Director Resources to provide Members with a calculation of the actual 6.7% increase in Real Living Wage compared to the 4% increase budgeted.
RESOLVED; that the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report 2025-26 (Appendix 1) be noted, prior to its submission to Governance and Audit Committee and Full Council in November 2025.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED:
1.
That the Budget Timetable Framework set out in Appendix 2 be adopted, and that the work outlined be progressed with a view to informing budget preparation.
RESOLVED: that
1. the budget principles as set out in the report, on which the Budget Strategy will be based and the approach to meeting the Budget Reduction Requirement both in 2026/27 and across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan be agreed.
2. directorates work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member(s), in consultation with the Corporate Director Resources and Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap of £38.4 million for 2026/27 and £126.9 million across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan.
3. authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, to implement any saving proposal in advance of 2026/27 where no policy recommendation is required or where a policy decision has already been taken.
4. it be noted that work will continue to update and refresh the Medium-Term Financial Plan and that this will be reported to Members as appropriate.
5. it be proposed that Council agree that the Budget Timetable Framework set out in Appendix 2 be adopted, and that the work outlined is progressed with a view to informing budget preparation.
6. it be agreed that consultation on the 2026/27 budget proposals will take place when the detail of options is available in order to inform the preparation of the draft 2026/27 Budget.
RESOLVED: that
1. It be noted that the projected revenue financial outturn based on the projected position at Month 4 2025/26.
2. the capital spend and projected position at Month 4 2025/26 be noted.
RESOLVED: that
• the update on project progress as detailed in paragraphs 15-17 of the report be noted.
• It be noted that the procurement process to appoint a replacement main contractor to complete the works at Fairwater Community Campus, as set out in the report, has ceased.
• It be note and agreed that the current arrangements continue with the existing contractor, as set out in the report, to minimise disruption and provide increased capacity for both mainstream and ALN pupils.
• an uplifted budget for project risk allowance in line with the Confidential Appendix 1 be agreed and it be noted that Welsh Government will support any risk allowance spend in line with existing intervention rates retrospectively in line with its processes and procedures.
• the Single Impact Assessment and Child’s Rights Impact Assessment outlined in Appendices 7 and 8 be noted.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED:
i.
To note the WPP Fit for the Future Business Case (Appendix 3, Appendix 4 and paragraphs 26 to 37);
ii.
To approve the formation of a corporate entity wholly owned by the WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) to be the WPP Investment Management Company (IM Co.) and all other actions necessary to submit an application to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for the authorisation of the IM Co. including but not limited to the selection and recruitment of Senior Management Function (SMF) roles as required by the FCA and the preparation and submission of the application to the FCA. (paragraphs 38 to 41);
iii.
To approve the revised WPP Business Plan & budget 25/26 which includes design/enabling costs for Project Snowdon (Appendix 5 and paragraphs 42 and 43);
iv.
To delegate the S151 Officer in consultation with The Pension Committee Chair to progress Project Snowdon alongside WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) in line with the Government timetable within the approved budget;
v.
To delegate the final approval of the final formal documentation required for IM Co. to be operational, described as “Go Live Work” as outlined in paragraph 44, to the Pension Committee to give effect to The WPP Fit for the Future Business Case.
RESOLVED: that
1. the introduction of a car parking charging regime at the ISV site based on Option 4 of the report attached at Appendix 3 be approved subject to securing the required budgets as outlined at Confidential Appendix 9.
2. the Evaluation Criteria set out in Confidential Appendix 2 be agreed and the implementation of a procurement process to deliver the Energy Strategy set out in the report and at Confidential Appendix 2 and Confidential Appendix 7 be approvedand authority be delegated to the Director of Economic Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to deal with all elements of the procurement process with the final negotiated terms, reported back to a future meeting of Cabinet for approval.
3. the HOTs to enable the delivery of a primary sub-station at the ISV site as set out at Confidential Appendix 10 be approved and authority be delegated to the Director of Economic Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to deal with all associated legal and financial matters.
RESOLVED: that
1. the updated programme of essential works at City Hall be noted.
2. £6.7m of allocated Council capital as set-out at Confidential Appendix 1 to complete the phases 4-7 works be approved.
3. Authority be delegated to the Director of Economic Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, the Section 151 Officer, and the Monitoring Officer, to progress all matters relating to the procurement and delivery of phases 4-7 of the essential works at City Hall, in line with approved budgets set out at Confidential Appendix 1.
RESOLVED:
i.
To note the WPP Fit for the Future Business Case (Appendix 3, Appendix 4 and paragraphs 26 to 37);
ii.
To approve the formation of a corporate entity wholly owned by the WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) to be the WPP Investment Management Company (IM Co.) and all other actions necessary to submit an application to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for the authorisation of the IM Co. including but not limited to the selection and recruitment of Senior Management Function (SMF) roles as required by the FCA and the preparation and submission of the application to the FCA. (paragraphs 38 to 41);
iii.
To approve the revised WPP Business Plan & budget 25/26 which includes design/enabling costs for Project Snowdon (Appendix 5 and paragraphs 42 and 43);
iv.
To delegate the S151 Officer in consultation with The Pension Committee Chair to progress Project Snowdon alongside WPP Administering Authorities (AAs) in line with the Government timetable within the approved budget;
v.
To delegate the final approval of the final formal documentation required for IM Co. to be operational, described as “Go Live Work” as outlined in paragraph 44, to the Pension Committee to give effect to The WPP Fit for the Future Business Case.
RESOLVED: that
1. the report and actions taken in respect of the Council’s Revenue and Capital Outturn position for 2024/25 be noted.
2. It be noted that this report will form an appendix to the Financial Statements report to be considered at a Council meeting in the Autumn of 2025.
RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting at this point during consideration of this item as the Committee discussed exempt information of the description contained in paragraph 14 and 16 of Part 4 and paragraph 21 of Part 5 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Action 1972. The public may be excluded from the meeting by resolution of the Committee pursuant to Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 during discussion of this item.
AGREED: that the Chairperson, on behalf of the Committee, writes to the Cabinet Member conveying the observations and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED: That the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Member on behalf of the Committee expressing their comments and observations captured during the way forward.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED:
1.
To confirm that the decision to agree the Pay Policy Statement constitutes agreement to implement the cost of living pay increases determined by the relevant negotiating body effective from 1st April 2025, as accounted for in the Budget set and agreed by Council on 6th March 2025;
2.
To determine that any additional financial implications arising from the national pay agreements determined after this date that cannot be met within the Council’s Revenue Budget will be referred to Council for consideration and decision;
3.
To approve the attached Pay Policy Statement (2025/26) at Appendix 1.
RESOLVED: that Council be recommended to
1. confirm that the decision to agree the Pay Policy Statement constitutes agreement to implement the cost of living pay increases determined by the relevant negotiating body effective from 1st April 2025, as accounted for in the Budget set and agreed by Council on 6th March 2025.
2. determine that any additional financial implications arising from the national pay agreements determined after this date that cannot be met within the Council’s Revenue Budget will be referred to Council for consideration and decision.
3. approve the attached Pay Policy Statement (2025/26) Appendix 1.
RESOLVED: that
1. the extension of the existing Passenger Transport Dynamic Procurement Process from 31st August 2025 to 31st March 2028 be approved to enable contracts to be awarded via the DPS until 31st March 2028.
2. subject to the future budget allocation an increase of the value of contracts to be allocated via the DPS from £138.8 million to a total value of £170.8 million. This revised amount will cover the value of all new contracts allocated from 1st September 2018 until the expiry date of the contracts up to 31st August 2032.
3. Authority be delegated to the Director of Planning Transport and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Members and Directorate budget holders for Education, Children’s and Adult Services, to procure and deliver contracts subject to budget being available.
4. It be noted that if the budget requirement exceeds the current allocation available having considered the availability of external funding or in year efficiencies then this will need to be brought back to Cabinet for approval as part of the budget setting process.