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Summary when the minutes are published, usually a few weeks after the meeting.
The Committee looked at the Council's financial monitoring for quarter 4 of 2025/26 and quarter 1 of 2026/27 and agreed to note both reports. It also recommended that Cabinet approve a new Seasonal and Festive Lighting and Decorations Policy, subject to conditions. Members noted the Committee's forward work programme, with some items moved to new dates.
It agreed to send BT a letter about its concerns and to report feedback to Cabinet. It also noted the completed Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme and its forward work programme, which includes a report on car park income.
The Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which checks the council's work, met on 19 March 2026. No declarations of interest were recorded.
It noted the third-quarter budget report, which forecast a small underspend, and recommended that Cabinet review the Public Toilet Strategy and explore using council tax premium income to support public toilets. It also agreed additions to its work programme.
The Committee considered the draft 2026/27 budget, which Cabinet proposed on 13 January 2026, and the related budget papers. It agreed that it had considered the recommendations, and it made no further recommendations for Cabinet to consider on 10 February 2026.
The Committee considered reports on highways, sewage treatment works, in-year finances, electric vehicle charging and waste services. It noted each report. On the forward work programme, it agreed five additions, including an invitation to Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water and a report on the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme.
At its meeting on 24 September 2025, the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the annual planning update, a review of household waste sites, and the in-year financial position. On waste sites, members agreed to recommend to Cabinet that all four sites stay open, with Rhydeinon funded for now by a grant. Members also agreed to support the proposed examples of how any planning fee increase would improve services, and they noted changes to the forward work programme.
The committee received two update reports, one on Ash Dieback and one on climate change risk, and agreed to note both. Both reports were for information only, so neither asked for a new decision. One councillor declared a personal interest under the climate change item.
The Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 19 March 2025. It agreed to recommend the Highways Asset Management Plan 2025-2030 to Cabinet for approval. It also noted updates on phosphates and the Economic Strategy, and the in-year budget position, which projected a balanced budget for 2024/25.
The committee met on 7 February 2025 to consider the draft 2025/26 budget for the services it scrutinises. It agreed to recommend that Cabinet (the councillors who lead the council) choose Option (b): a budget of £209.234m and a 9.9% Council Tax rise for a Band D home (the reference band used to set bills).
The committee considered planning enforcement resources, parking charges in Ceredigion car parks and on Aberystwyth promenade, the in-year budget, and a visit to the Aberaeron coastal defence scheme. It agreed to recommend to Cabinet extra funding for the planning enforcement service at the top 'Platinum' level. It noted the other reports.
On 23 October 2024 the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered updates on planning, the Local Access Forum, on-street electric vehicle (EV) charging and the council's spending this year. For each report the committee agreed to note the information, and it agreed to note its forward work programme subject to five new topics. Members questioned officers on phosphate limits on new development, the cost of a regional planning plan and planning enforcement.
The Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee received an update on the Aberaeron Coastal Defence Scheme from Councillor Keith Henson, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environmental Services. The Committee agreed to note the scheme's governance arrangements and progress so that Members are kept informed.
The committee considered three items on 11 July 2024: charges in off-street pay and display car parks, on-street parking charges on Aberystwyth Promenade, and the winter gritting service. It agreed to recommend a car park package to Cabinet, subject to three conditions. It did not support the Promenade parking charges, and it agreed to recommend a revised winter service assessment matrix to Cabinet.
The Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 21 March 2024 to elect its chair and vice-chair for the 2024/25 council year.
The committee reviewed progress on the waste collection service, which faced disruption over winter 2022-23, and agreed to note the report. It also heard about grants for businesses and organisations in Ceredigion and agreed to note that report. Two councillors declared an interest in the grants item and left the meeting for it.
The committee scrutinised the draft 2024/25 Council budget as it affects the services in its remit, before Cabinet makes its final decisions. It agreed to recommend three points to Cabinet, including that impact assessments are carried out on the savings proposals. The council faces a budget shortfall of £14.6m, and the Council Tax rise proposed for a Band D home is £4.15 a week.
The Committee considered four reports: a review of the Ceredigion Harbours Management Policy, grass cutting, the Local Access Forum annual report, and feedback from its visit to Food Centre Wales. It agreed to recommend that Cabinet approve the latest draft harbours policy, with an added point on selling boats with their moorings. The other three items were noted for information.
The committee considered two parking proposals and a report on Food Centre Wales, and reviewed its forward work programme. It recommended that Cabinet, the councillors who make most council decisions, review charging for parking on the Aberystwyth Promenade and introduce free parking before 10am in all council car parks. It agreed to note the Food Centre Wales report and to visit the site.
The committee heard from Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water about phosphate pollution in the River Teifi and how it affects planning, and noted the position. It agreed that officers should carry out a full review of the winter gritting service before the 2024/25 season. It agreed to recommend to Cabinet two points on offering free parking in Council car parks.
The Committee noted progress on flood and coastal defence schemes and on climate change risks. It agreed to create a Waste Services Working Group with five members to help develop a new waste strategy. It also noted an update on planning and enforcement caseloads and its forward work programme.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
Summary when the minutes are published, usually a few weeks after the meeting.