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 and recommendations of the Committee when discussing the way forward.
RESOLVED – T H A T the Treasury Management Annual Report for the period
2024/25 be approved
Reason for decision
To update Council surrounding the Council’s approach to Treasury Management.
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C62, 17th July, 2025 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
CONTRACT FOR THE PROVISION OF A SUPPORTED DAY CARE SERVICE FOR OLDER PEOPLE AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA IN THE WESTERN VALE (PART II) (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C69, 17th July, 2025 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
PROCUREMENT POLICY AND STRATEGY REVIEW (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C84, 4th September, 2025 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
FINAL DRAFT VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL ANNUAL SELF
ASSESSMENT 2024/25 (REF) –
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C86, 4th September, 2025 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
QUARTER 1 TREASURY MANAGEMENT MONITORING 2025/26 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C89, 4th September, 2025 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
RESOLVED – T H A T Section 18.12.1 (c) in the Constitution be amended to require
Social Value to be a tender requirement at £0.250m for works and above Threshold
for Services.
Reason for decision
The current thresholds were too low and a greater focus on social value was
required.
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.
RESOLVED – T H A T the contents of the Quarter 1 Monitoring report and reference
for Treasury Management 2025/26 be noted.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the report, reference and discussions at the
meeting.
Cardiff, Community & Adult Services Scrutiny Committee,
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.
Cardiff, Policy Review and Performance Scrutiny Committee,
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.
Swansea, Scrutiny Performance Panel - Service Improvement, Regeneration and Finance,
RESOLVED – T H A T the Annual Report on Treasury Management 2024/25 be
noted and the report be referred to Full Council for approval.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.