Cabinet

The Cabinet was due to meet on 3 February 2026 to consider a range of reports on the council's budget, school places and admissions, planning guidance for houses in multiple occupation, and a proposed consultation on the Shared Lives scheme, which arranges for adults to be cared for in carers' homes. The minutes have not yet been published, so this summary shows what was proposed, not what was decided.

1. Scrutiny call to review the 2030 net zero target

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Communities, Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee made the recommendation at its meeting on 3 November 2025. It was concerned that the 2030 target was unlikely to be met, given the estimated cost of about £109.65 million to deliver the Net Zero Strategy. The report says any change to the commitment could have wider climate, nature and financial effects.

   Based on the minutes, Scrutiny Recommendation from CEH OS Cttee report to Cabinet on 3 Feb - Approved

2. Budget scrutiny recommendations on the Medium Term Financial Strategy

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) is the council's plan for spending and income over the next four years. Scrutiny is the work of councillors who check Cabinet decisions. The committee raised concern about the above-inflation Council Tax increase and the pressure this puts on household budgets. It also asked for a fuller picture of the county's changing age profile and a review of the school funding formula.

   Based on the minutes, COSC Report to Cabinet 3 Feb 26 - MTFS COSC Scrutiny Recs, Appendix A - Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Recommendations 2026-27

3. Consultation on a banded payment system for Shared Lives carers

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   Shared Lives arranges for adults to be cared for in carers' homes, and the Vale of Glamorgan Council runs the service in partnership with Bridgend. The report says the current fixed rate of £616.77 a week for Bridgend carers is unfair, because it does not reflect the level of care. Personal contributions towards accommodation have stayed at £27.05 a week since at least 2015, and the report says they have not kept pace with inflation. Band 1 carers would lose £135.15 a week, so officers are considering a 'no detriment' option to limit that loss.

   Based on the minutes, Shared Lives Service Cabinet Report v0.17

4. Houses in multiple occupation: planning guidance for adoption

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   A house in multiple occupation (HMO) is a home shared by three or more unrelated people, forming more than two households. The guidance explains how Policy COM7 in the adopted Replacement Local Development Plan applies to HMO planning applications. The six-week consultation ran from 6 October to 16 November 2025, and the council received four representations on relatively minor points. The report says these led to three changes, including a new section on security and a note on hotels used for temporary accommodation.

   Based on the minutes, Appendix 1 - HMO SPG_English version, Appendix 2 - HMO SPG Consultation Report, Appendix 3 - A Guide to Planning Licensing and Building Regulations for Houses in Multiple Occupation, Cabinet Report_HMO SPG

5. Pride in Place Impact Fund: £3 million spending plan for Bridgend

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The UK Government's Pride in Place Impact Fund gives Bridgend County Borough Council £3 million, to be spent in 2025-26 and 2026-27. The grant is a capital grant, so it can only pay for buildings and assets, and it aims to improve high streets, community spaces and public spaces. The report proposes Strategic Investment in town centre property, and a Community Infrastructure Fund with small grants of up to £25,000. Any funding not committed by 31 March 2027 must be repaid.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet Report 030226 - PIPIF

6. School admissions policy 2027-2028 and co-ordinated arrangements 2028-2029

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   Admissions are a statutory duty, and the council must follow the Welsh Government's School Admissions Code. Co-ordinated arrangements mean each family gets one offer of a school place through the council. The consultation ran from 27 October to 28 November 2025 and received no responses. The report says the policy has a neutral impact on the Welsh language.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet School Admissions Policy 2027-2028 v1.0, Appendix A - School Admissions Policy 2027-2028 v1.1, Appendix B - Co-ordinated School Admissions Arrangements 2028-2029 v1.0, Appendix C -Welsh Language Impact Assessment v0.1 - School Admissions Policy 2027-2028

7. Porthcawl Welsh-medium seedling school and childcare: invitation to tender

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The council has a statutory duty to provide enough school places. The seedling school is a starter class with 30 full-time-equivalent nursery places and 30 reception places. The school element is estimated at £5,442,918, and the childcare element at £951,970, both to be funded by Welsh Government. The planning application was made on 12 September 2025, and the report projects an opening in January 2027 if funding is confirmed as planned.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet Porthcawl Seedling School Tender v1.0

8. Budget monitoring: quarter 3 revenue forecast for 2025-26

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The council forecasts a net underspend of £9.256 million (2.4%) against its £383.226 million budget for 2025-26. Most of this comes from council-wide budgets, including extra interest on investments and lower Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) charges, the money set aside to repay debt. Directorate budgets are under pressure in Inclusion Services, Children's Services and the Chief Executive's directorate, and budget savings are projected to fall short by £973,000.

   Based on the minutes, Budget Monitoring 2025-26 - Quarter 3 Revenue Forecast, Appendix 1 - Prior Year Budget Reductions Monitoring, Appendix 2 - 2025-26 MTFS Budget Reductions Risk Tracker December 2025, Appendix 3 Revenue Budget Monitoring end December 2025

9. Capital programme: quarter 3 update for 2025-26

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The capital programme is the council's plan for major spending on buildings, roads and other assets. The revised programme for 2025-26 totals £76.743 million, with £37.406 million from external sources such as grants. The report says the Porthcawl Grand Pavilion scheme needs £3.392 million moved to 2026-27, as its work now runs to autumn 2028. Officers report no projected over or underspends on individual schemes at year end.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet Capital Report Q3 2025-26, Appendix A Q3 25-26, Appendix B Q3 25-26, Appendix C Q3 25-26

10. Forward work programmes for Cabinet, Council and scrutiny committees

    Decided

    The minutes record no decision on this item.

    Why

    A forward work programme lists the reports that bodies are due to consider in the coming months. The report says the period is now six months, rather than four, after a recommendation from Audit Wales. This aims to give more time for scrutiny before decisions are made and to make the process clearer to the public.

    Based on the minutes, FWP Report, Cabinet Forward Work Programme.docx App1 Cabinet

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 of Previous Meeting
4. 4

   Scrutiny Recommendation from Communities, Environment and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Scrutiny Recommendation from CEH OS Cttee report to Cabinet on 3 Feb - Approved
5. 5

   Medium Term Financial Strategy 2026-27 to 2029-30 and Draft Budget Consultation Process

   Part of an issue followed across 6 meetings

   Papers: COSC Report to Cabinet 3 Feb 26 - MTFS COSC Scrutiny Recs, Appendix A - Cabinet Response to Scrutiny Recommendations 2026-27
6. 6

   Shared Lives Scheme

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Shared Lives Service Cabinet Report v0.17
7. 7

   Houses in Multiple Occupation - Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Appendix 1 - HMO SPG_English version, Appendix 2 - HMO SPG Consultation Report, Appendix 3 - A Guide to Planning Licensing and Building Regulations for Houses in Multiple Occupation, Cabinet Report_HMO SPG
8. 8

   Update on the UK Government's Pride In Place Impact Fund Allocation for Bridgend County Borough

   Papers: Cabinet Report 030226 - PIPIF
9. 9

   School Admissions Policy 2027-2028 and Co-ordinated Admissions Arrangements 2028-2029

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Cabinet School Admissions Policy 2027-2028 v1.0, Appendix A - School Admissions Policy 2027-2028 v1.1, Appendix B - Co-ordinated School Admissions Arrangements 2028-2029 v1.0, Appendix C -Welsh Language Impact Assessment v0.1 - School Admissions Policy 2027-2028
10. 10

    School Modernisation Programme: Porthcawl Welsh Medium Seedling School and Childcare

    Papers: Cabinet Porthcawl Seedling School Tender v1.0
11. 11

    Budget Monitoring 2025-2026 - Quarter 3 Revenue Forecast

    Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings

    Papers: Budget Monitoring 2025-26 - Quarter 3 Revenue Forecast, Appendix 1 - Prior Year Budget Reductions Monitoring, Appendix 2 - 2025-26 MTFS Budget Reductions Risk Tracker December 2025, Appendix 3 Revenue Budget Monitoring end December 2025
12. 12

    Capital Programme Quarter 3 Update 2025-26

    Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings

    Papers: Cabinet Capital Report Q3 2025-26, Appendix A Q3 25-26, Appendix B Q3 25-26, Appendix C Q3 25-26
13. 13

    Forward Work Programmes - Cabinet, Council and Overview and Scrutiny Committees

    Papers: FWP Report, Cabinet Forward Work Programme.docx App1 Cabinet, Cabinet Forward Work Programme.docx App 2 Council, Cabinet Forward Work Programme App 3 O&SC
14. 14

    Urgent Items

15. 15

    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.

• Eugene Caparros, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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