Cabinet

This meeting of Cabinet on 10 March 2026 was due to consider eight reports, including Connect to Work funding, draft planning guidance on school places, a revised social housing allocation policy and a food and drink business rates relief scheme. No minutes have been published for these items yet, so no decisions are recorded here.

1. Connect to Work employment programme

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   Connect to Work succeeds the Work and Health Programme, whose support for participants ends in July 2026. Bridgend's allocation is £4,055,200 for 2025/26 to 2029/30, to support 1,096 participants.

   Based on the minutes, Connect to work Cabinet March 2026

2. Draft planning guidance on school places and new homes

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Replacement Local Development Plan, adopted in March 2024, needs schools to cope with pupils from new homes. The report says the 2021 guidance is still largely relevant, but pupil yield rates and cost per pupil figures need updating because costs have risen. Councillors Hughes, Griffiths and Haines of the Development Control Committee helped prepare the draft.

   Based on the minutes, Cabinet Report - Draft Educational Facilities & Residential Development SPG 2026, Appendix 1 - Draft Educational Facilities & Residential Development SPG 2026

3. Partnership with health board for dementia training

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The report says the Council and the health board have run dementia training together since a 2021 agreement, which expired in March 2025 but has continued. A review found the arrangement gives value for money, and market checks found no other provider able to deliver the same model. The report warns that other providers could challenge the Council over the decision.

   Based on the minutes, BCBC CTMUHB Partnership Agreement Dementia Support

4. Treasury management report, third quarter 2025-26

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   Treasury management means managing the Council's borrowing, investments and cash flows. At 31 December 2025 the Council held £95.65 million of external borrowing and £56.95 million of investments. The report says the Council stayed within its approved limits and followed the CIPFA treasury code (the accountants' rules for treasury management) and Welsh Government guidance.

   Based on the minutes, Treasury Management Q3 Report 25-26, Appendix A - Treasury Management Quarter 3 Report 25-26

5. Revised social housing allocation policy

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   An independent consultant, HICO, found about 3,500 households on the register and long waits, especially for one- and four-bedroom homes. The draft was consulted on from 23 July to 22 October 2025, and 145 people took part in the online survey.

   Based on the minutes, SHAP Report Draft 3 FINAL CLEAN, Appendix 1 - BCBC SHAP JAN 2026 FINAL CLEAN 2

6. Temporary accommodation for homeless households

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   Temporary accommodation is housing used while a homeless household waits for a permanent home. The report says demand is rising, with 296 households in temporary accommodation as of January 2026, and that current agreements end in March 2026. It also says costs are projected to fall by 21% between 2023-24 and 2025-26 because of Council purchases and new supported accommodation, and that other providers could challenge the Council.

   Based on the minutes, Temporary Accommodation March 2026

7. Food and drink business rates relief for 2026-27

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Council uses its discretionary powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to grant the relief. Welsh Government estimates £329,452 for the relief and £13,003 for administration, and about 142 ratepayers could benefit. Each business can claim up to £110,000 across Wales, relief is given on application only, and the Revenues Manager will decide each claim.

   Based on the minutes, Report Food and Drink Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme 2026-27

8. Porthcawl Harbour annual report 2025-26

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The Porthcawl Harbour Board oversees the harbour, for which the Council is legally responsible as Harbour Authority under the Mid Glamorgan Act 1987. The report says 91% of marina berths were occupied during the year, with a waiting list of around 50 people.

   Based on the minutes, 1. Cabinet Information cover Report, Harbour annual report Cabinet March 2026 final, Porthcawl Harbour Annual Report 2025-26 FINAL v2

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 03/02/2026 Cabinet, Minutes , 17/02/2026 Cabinet
4. 4

   Connect to Work

   Papers: Connect to work Cabinet March 2026
5. 5

   Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG): Educational Facilities & Residential Development

   Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings

   Papers: Cabinet Report - Draft Educational Facilities & Residential Development SPG 2026, Appendix 1 - Draft Educational Facilities & Residential Development SPG 2026
6. 6

   Social Services and Wellbeing Partnership Arrangement for Dementia Training

   Papers: BCBC CTMUHB Partnership Agreement Dementia Support
7. 7

   Treasury Management Quarter 3 Report 2025-26

   Papers: Treasury Management Q3 Report 25-26, Appendix A - Treasury Management Quarter 3 Report 25-26
8. 8

   Bridgend Social Housing Allocation Policy

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: SHAP Report Draft 3 FINAL CLEAN, Appendix 1 - BCBC SHAP JAN 2026 FINAL CLEAN 2
9. 9

   Homelessness Temporary Accommodation

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Temporary Accommodation March 2026
10. 10

    Non-Domestic Rates: Discretionary Relief: Food and Drink Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme 2026-27

    Papers: Report Food and Drink Hospitality Rates Relief Scheme 2026-27
11. 11

    Information Report for Noting

    Papers: 1. Cabinet Information cover Report, Harbour annual report Cabinet March 2026 final, Porthcawl Harbour Annual Report 2025-26 FINAL v2
12. 12

    Urgent Items

13. 13

    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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