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).
Council tax unpaid at the end of the year: £119 million across Wales (2025-26).
Council tax still owed from earlier years: £199.3 million across Wales (2025-26).
Council tax written off: £9 million across Wales (2025-26).
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.
RESOLVED: that
(1) the updated Budget Position for 2023/24 at Provisional Settlement Stage be noted
(2) the proposed approach to Budget Consultation for 2023/24 be agreed and it be noted that the formal budget consultation will commence on the 23rd December 2022 and run until 29th January 2023. The results of the consultation process will then be considered by Cabinet in preparing their final 2023/24 budget proposal
RESOLVED: to
a) Note the projected full year outturn position for 2022/23 as detailed in this report.
b) Recommend the draft budget proposals for 2023/24 be agreed, as presented in paragraphs 28 to 56 of this report.
RESOLVED: that
(1) the calculation of the Council’s tax base for the year 2023/24 be approved.
(2) that pursuant to this report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, the amount calculated by Cardiff Council as its Council Tax Base for the year 2023/24 shall be 150,482.
(3) that pursuant to this report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) (Wales) Regulations 1995, as amended, the amounts calculated by the Council as the Council Tax Base for the year 2022/23 in the community areas subject to a precept shall be as follows:
Lisvane
2,866
Pentyrch
3,605
Radyr
4,057
St. Fagans
1,941
Old St. Mellons
2,485
Tongwynlais
826
(4) that the arrangements for the payment of precepts in 2023/24 to the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales be by equal instalments on the last working day of each month from April 2023 to March 2024; and to the Community Councils, be by one payment on 1 April 2023, reflecting the same basis as that used in 2022/23; and the precepting authorities be advised accordingly.
RESOLVED: that
1. the Outline Business Case attached at Confidential Appendix 4 be noted
2. Approval, in principle be given to the offer from AMG (set out as Option 2 in this report) and further described in the Outline Business Case at Confidential Appendix 4, the draft Heads of Terms at Confidential Appendix 5 and authority be delegated to the Director of Economic Development in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, the Section 151 Officer and the Legal Officer to progress negotiations with AMG and for Legal Services to prepare proposed contractual documentation.
3. It be noted that consultation will be undertaken as follows:
• Public consultation as part of the Council’s budget setting process, and;
• Consultation with affected staff in relation to a potential transfer to AMG under the Transfer of Undertaking (Protection of Employment Regulations 2006 (“TUPE”).
4. It be noted that the findings of the consultation, together with an assessment of best value of the AMG offer will be brought back to Cabinet for consideration as part of a final decision on whether to proceed with the offer from AMG.
RESOLVED: that
(1) the information in respect of the discretionary powers relating to Council Tax Premiums as outlined in this report be noted
(2) approval be given to the undertaking of a consultation exercise on the application of a Council Tax Premium for periodically occupied dwellings and increasing the level of premium for long term empty dwellings.
(3) It be noted that the results of the consultation exercise will inform a final decision to be taken at Council early in 2023.
RESOLVED To:
a. Note the 2022/23 projected outturn forecast including the projected year-end balance for the Joint Committee ReserveAccount.
b. Recommend the 2023/24 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 for2023/24.
Ask the Partnering Councils to note the indicative budgets, and associated partner contributions, outlined for the financial years 2024/25 to 2026/27.
RESOLVED:
a) To note the information set out in the report.
b) To prioritise the planned member development topics for delivery as is: Dementia Friendly Cardiff; Age Friendly Cardiff Awareness; Rights of a Child in Practice; and Fast Track Cities.
c) To reserve the proposed possible future member development topics for consideration for scheduling unless other topics arise and take priority
d) To approve the presentation of a comparative diversity survey report at its next meeting on 23 January 23
To note that budget savings may impact on services and identify any potential budget saving opportunities for Democratic Services.
RESOLVED: that
1. the projected revenue financial outturn based on the projected position at Month 6 2022/23 be noted
2. the capital spend and projected position at Month 6 2022/23 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 of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED: that
1. the updated budget reduction requirement of £53 million for 2023/24 be noted
2. directorates continue to 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 £53 million for 2023/24.
3. It be noted that the Chief Executive as Head of Paid Service will be issuing all necessary statutory and non-statutory employment consultation in respect of the staffing implications of budget preparation.
4. It be noted that work will continue to update and refresh the budget gap and that this will be reported to Members as appropriate.
5. consultation on the 2023/24 budget proposals will take place when the detail of options is available in order to inform the preparation of the draft 2023/24 Budget.
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.
RESOLVED – That the following matters be dealt with as indicated:
(1)
Case 1
The Sub Committee was asked to consider whether a driver was a fit and proper person to hold a licence. It was revealed on renewal of his licence that he had failed previously to disclose a conviction which occurred while he was licensed.
On renewal of his licence the driver declared a conviction under the Fraud Act. A Disclosure Barring Service check revealed a conviction dated 11 November 2021 relating to a failure to declare a change of circumstances for Council Tax purposes.
The driver was asked to explain the circumstances. The driver’s representative stated that the driver had a friend who had recently become homeless. He came to stay temporarily with the driver, then the stay was extended to become a longer one intermittently between trips to Somalia.
The driver was not aware at the time that the arrangement was becoming a permanent one. When he became aware that he was in breach of Council Tax rules he pleaded guilty. He is currently repaying the Council Tax owed and relies on his job to pay.
As soon as he became aware that he should have notified the Local Authority of his conviction the driver sent an email detailing his guilty plea. This was confirmed by the Authority.
When questioned by members of the Sub Committee the driver explained that the homeless person he had accommodated was a single person, a taxi driver, and he stayed with the driver for around 10 months intermittently.
RESOLVED – That no further action be taken.
Councillor Driscoll declared an interest in the following item as a person was known to him. Cllr Driscoll withdrew from the meeting and took no part in the decision.
(2)
Case 2
The Sub Committee was asked to consider whether a driver was a fit and proper person to hold a licence after a complaint was received that he entered and travelled in the wrong direction down a one-way street and gestured at a Cardiff Council Road Safety Officer using his middle finger. The incident was observed by a member of the public, the head teacher of a primary school who was welcoming children being delivered to the school by parents.
The Sub Committee received representations from the complainant. The complainant described how he was cycling to his work as a Road Safety Officer when he saw the driver in his taxi approaching the wrong way down a one-way street. He dismounted and captured a video image of the taxi turning round and returning back up the lane. As he passed him the driver made a rude gesture with his middle finger and told him to ‘Get a life’. The member of the public had come over to where the Officer was and witnessed these events.
The driver was asked to present his account of the incident. He claimed that at the time of the incident in March there were no ‘No Entry’ signs at the beginning of the lane. As he drove down the lane he realised something was not right, so he drove slowly past the Road Safety Officer. A member of the public informed him he was travelling the wrong way down a one-way street. He carried out a 3-point turn in the road and returned in the opposite direction. As the weather was hot he wound down his window. The Road Safety Officer was running along beside his car. He could see the Officer had something in his hands but could not see it was a mobile phone. He thought he was under attack.
The driver stated that he was not dropping off a passenger but was passing through the area. He knew the area and had used the route before over the previous 12 years. He had recently come off a contract with Bad Wolf studios and had carried celebrities and High Court judges.
The driver denied having been sent emails and stated that they had been sent to the wrong address.
RESOLVED – That the driver be issued with a written warning regarding his conduct and reminded of his duties as a driver.
(3)
Case 3
The Sub Committee was asked to consider whether a driver was a fit and proper person to hold a licence. On renewal of his licence the driver declared a motoring conviction for driving without due care and attention. The offence occurred in 2020, however the driver did not notify the Authority at the time instead waiting for renewal.
The driver was asked to explain the circumstances. The driver’s representative stated that on the day of the offence the driver was approaching Coryton interchange at 1.30am in heavy rain. There were roadworks and the driver accidentally drove the wrong way into a diversion. Realising his mistake, he attempted to turn around and return the way he had come but was stopped by Police. The offence was uncontested, he paid a fine and had 5 points placed on his licence.
The driver admitted that he had not declared the conviction at the time it occurred but had declared it on renewal of his licence. He stated that he was now aware of what was required of him in terms of notification of convictions but had not been aware at the time. He had held a licence for 30 years and not previously been convicted of any motoring offences. He had been a licenced driver for 6 years and had not appeared before the Committee previously.
RESOLVED – To issue the driver with a written warning regarding his conduct.
(4)
Case 4
The Sub Committee was asked to consider whether a driver was a fit and proper person to hold a licence. On renewal of his licence it became apparent that a conviction was present for driving or allowing someone to use a vehicle uninsured for third party risk.
The driver was asked to explain the circumstances. The driver stated that he had not been driving a taxi or private hire vehicle at the time of the offence. He was working as a driver for a food delivery service and had previously been named on the company’s insurance as a driver of the vehicle. The ownership of the company had changed and the new owner had stopped the insurance for the van. The driver was unaware of this and only discovered it when he was stopped.
It was revealed in the course of questioning that there was an error in the papers before the Sub Committee and that the correct date of the offence was 9 May 2022.
RESOLVED – To issue the driver with a written warning.
(5)
Application 5
The Sub Committee was asked to consider an application in principle for the grant of private hire operator’s licence. The driver had previously held a licence which had subsequently been revoked.
The Sub Committee was presented with a report summarising the driver’s previous appearances before it and the circumstances surrounding them. These included a 6-month ban for ‘totting up’, a conviction for fraud against Cardiff City Council for claiming for transport services that were never carried out, and a conviction for plying for hire without a licence or insurance. They also included repeated refusals of applications for a Hackney carriage/private hire driver’s licence. The driver accepted that the facts contained in the report were accurate.
The driver was asked to explain the circumstances. The driver stated that he had made several applications for a licence but they had all been refused. He had waited patiently for the necessary period to elapse before applying again. He had studied and was fully cognisant with all the necessary information especially the law. He accepted in full his responsibility for his previous non-compliance. His offences were his fault and he offered no excuses for them. He assured the Sub Committee they would not be repeated
The driver stated that since losing his licence he had never been in trouble and had not been involved in any legal problems. He had been of good character for the past 7 years.
The driver stated that he had completed the necessary training for understanding and knowledge. The incident had been a lesson for him and had not been repeated. He was a better-informed person and posed no danger to the public. He had learnt a lot over the past 7 years.
The driver was questioned by members of the Sub Committee. He stated that at the time of his offences he was doing his job and did not focus. He had never had any such problems and never had any complaints from customers. He had already been punished for his offences.
The driver stated that at the time of his conviction for fraud he knew many drivers who did the same. He took responsibility for his actions.
The driver explained the circumstances behind his conviction for working without insurance. He had rented a car whose owner did not know the insurance had expired. He himself did not know the car was not insured.
The driver explained the circumstances behind his conviction for fraud. He had been contracted by the Council to transport children to and from school. He had given the job to one of his drivers and was unaware that they were not carrying out the work. When he was apprised of the situation he took responsibility.
The driver was challenged that the alleged job did not exist and that he had defrauded the Council out of a substantial sum. He had also hired a car without a licence. It was put to the driver that this demonstrated a wilful disregard for the law.
The driver responded that he was now aware of the law. It was put to him that he ought to have known the law from the start and that he had been twice caught acting as a taxi driver without a licence.
In response to further questions the driver confirmed that he had been running a taxi firm at the time of the fraud and stated that he had given the school jobs to other drivers employed by the firm. He confirmed that he had been disqualified for 6 months for speeding as a taxi driver. He stated that his licence had now been clean for 7 years.
RESOLVED – That the application for a private hire operator’s licence be refused.
RESOLVED: that
1. the projected revenue financial outturn based on the projected position at Month 4 2022/23 be noted
2. the capital spend and projected position at Month 4 2022/23 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.
RESOLVED: Council AGREED 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.
RESOLVED: that
1. agreement be given to the budget principles on which the Budget Strategy Report will be based and the approach to meeting the Budget Reduction Requirement both in 2023/24 and across the period of the Medium Term Financial Plan.
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 £29 million for 2023/24 and £91 million across the period of the Medium Term Financial Plan.
3. the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, be delegated the authority to implement any saving proposal in advance of 2023/24 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 MTFP 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. consultation on the 2023/24 budget proposals take place when the detail of options is available in order to inform the preparation of the draft 2023/24 Budget.
RESOLVED: that
1. the urgent need for the provision of additional family housing for temporary accommodation to help alleviate current housing pressures be noted
2. approval be given to the purchase of a range of void properties detailed in Appendix 2, comprising of 25 number 1, 2 and 3 bed apartments and 1x4 bed house for temporary accommodation subject to legal due diligence to be carried out by Legal Services.
3. Authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for People and Communities to agree terms for the acquisition of any additional properties required for the purposes set out in this report subject to obtaining valuation advice and in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, Corporate Director Resources and Monitoring Officer. This to enable the Council to act more swiftly on suitable properties purchases in the future subject to finance being available within the existing budget framework and is in accordance with approved thresholds for viability assessment
4. authority be delegated to the Corporate Director for People and Communities to consider and agree terms for a proposal to best deliver a meanwhile use of a brownfield site for temporary accommodation for families using modular housing through the Cardiff Living programme and using the existing terms of the Development Agreement subject to obtaining detailed financial and legal advice.
RESOLVED: The Committee AGREED that the Chairperson writes to the Cabinet Members on behalf of the Committee to convey their comments and observations.
RESOLVED: that
1. the report and the actions taken in respect of the Council’s accounts for 2021/22 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 2022.