Cabinet

The Cabinet met on 13 January 2026 to consider four reports: a capital budget for a children's residential home, the 2024/25 corporate safeguarding report, a later opening date for the replacement Heronsbridge School, and the draft Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2026-27 to 2029-30. The minutes for this meeting have not been published, so no decisions are recorded here. The summary below sets out what each report proposes.

1. Capital budget for a children's residential home

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The report says the Health and Social Care (Wales) Act 2025 will end profit from children's care, so the council needs more in-house beds. Costs are expected to be paid from the Welsh Government Housing with Care Fund, but that approval is not yet in place, and the council would pay in full if it is refused. To keep to the timetable, the council would buy the property before planning permission for its new use is granted.

   Based on the minutes, Report - Childrens Residential Home

2. Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report 2024/25

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The report sets out the council's safeguarding work for 2024-25, including the number of referrals for adults and children. Referrals stayed high, but the council says it managed this demand within its targets.

   Based on the minutes, Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report cabinet Dec 25 v13, Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report appendix 24 25 v13

3. Replacement Heronsbridge School: later opening date

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   Opening was planned for spring 2026 in 2022, but cost rises and the time needed to appoint a contractor and finish the design have caused delays. The report lists further steps still needed, including ground investigation, drainage and planning approvals, Welsh Government approval and the pre-election period before the 2026 Senedd elections. The headteacher and chair of governors have no objection to the new date, and Welsh Government officials confirmed it meets the School Organisation Code 2018.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet Heronsbridge School - Modification v1.0

4. Draft Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-27 to 2029-30

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The council expects a 2.8% rise in Welsh Government funding for Bridgend in the provisional settlement, but says pressures in social care, homelessness and additional learning needs are rising faster. The draft includes £9.194 million of service pressures and £2.416 million of budget reductions, and the most likely savings target over four years is £32.771 million. Welsh Government has agreed a budget deal that should raise the final settlement, so the final figures may change.

   Based on the minutes, 1. Draft MTFS Cabinet 2026-2030 Cabinet Final Version, Appendix A Budget Pressures Provisional Settlement, Appendix B Budget Reduction Proposals 2026-2030 Provisional Settlement, Appendix C WBFGA Template 2026-30, Appendix D Glossary of Financial Terms MTFS

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 1

   Apologies for Absence

   Minute

   Apologies for absence were received from xxxxxxxxxx

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

3. 3

   Approval of Minutes

   Papers: $$Minutes Cabinet 251216
4. 4

   Children's Residential Home

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Report - Childrens Residential Home
5. 5

   Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report 2024/2025

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report cabinet Dec 25 v13, Annual Corporate Safeguarding Report appendix 24 25 v13
6. 6

   School Modernisation Programme Replacement Heronsbridge School - Modification to school opening

   Papers: Cabinet Heronsbridge School - Modification v1.0
7. 7

   Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-27 to 2029-30

   Part of an issue followed across 6 meetings

   Papers: 1. Draft MTFS Cabinet 2026-2030 Cabinet Final Version, Appendix A Budget Pressures Provisional Settlement, Appendix B Budget Reduction Proposals 2026-2030 Provisional Settlement, Appendix C WBFGA Template 2026-30, Appendix D Glossary of Financial Terms MTFS
8. 8

   Urgent Items

9. 9

   Exclusion of the Public

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.

• John Spanswick, ChairpersonLabourPresent
• Eugene Caparros, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Gary Haines, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Hywel Williams, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jane Gebbie, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Martyn Jones, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Melanie Jayne Evans, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Neelo Farr, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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