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At its meeting on 12 August 2025 the Cabinet received the final financial outturn for 2024/25 and the first-quarter budget and capital reports for 2025/26.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Penny Andow, Cathy Augustine, Julie Fallon and Geoff Stewart.
Councillor Alan Hunter declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 5 (Feedback from Members on Outside Bodies – North Wales Police and Crime Panel (NWPCP)), as he is a Council representative on the NWPCP. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hunter was able to speak on the matter. Councillor Charlie McCoubrey declared a personal interest in agenda item 10 (i) (Proposed amalgamation of Ysgol Maes Owen and Ysgol y Foryd), as he is an LEA Governor for Ysgol Glan Gele. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor McCoubrey was able to speak and vote on the matter. Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in agenda item 10 (i) (Proposed amalgamation of Ysgol Maes Owen and Ysgol y Foryd) and agenda item 10 (ii) (Proposed amalgamation of Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol St Elfod), as his grandchildren attend one of the schools. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Smith left the meeting whilst the item was discussed.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 July 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 July 2025 were submitted for approval. RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 8 July 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.
Councillor Alan Hunter, one of the Council’s representatives on the North Wales Police and Crime Panel (NWPCP), provided feedback on the work of the Authority over the past six months on the following matters:- · Member Champion Roles, which included a Champion for Violence Against Women and Girls. · Effectiveness of the 20 mph speed limit. · Operation Ugain - launched to deliver roadside engagement across Wales, as an alternative to penalty points or fines. It was noted that Dawn Hughes, the NWPCP support officer, would be retiring shortly and the NWPCP had extended their gratitude for the support provided over the past 12 years. Members welcomed the work being undertaken in relation to violence against women and girls and acknowledged the challenging times for the police and expressed their support for North Wales Police. Note: Councillor Alan Hunter declared a personal interest in the above item, as he is a Council representative on the North Wales Police and Crime Panel. As the interest was not considered prejudicial, Councillor Hunter was able to speak on the matter.
The Leader announced the launch of the County Conversation Survey, which was a public consultation, with the feedback used to help shape the future of Conwy’s communities.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Cabinet Forward Work Programme be approved.
Members were presented with the Forward Work Programme for the Cabinet. RESOLVED- That the Cabinet Forward Work Programme be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That report reflecting the final revenue outturn position for 2024/2025 be noted. (b) That the General Fund balance as at 31 March 2025 of £7.076m and the overall level of reserves and balances (including the general fund) of £76.124m be noted. (c) That a review of the earmarked reserves, set out in Appendix 2, be undertaken to ascertain how long they have been earmarked reserves and whether there has been any financial activity in relation to these reserves and that a report be presented accordingly.
The Leader presented the Financial Outturn 2024/2025 and requested Members noted the position. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 11 August 2025 and supported the recommendations, with a request that a review of the earmarked reserves be undertaken and a report presented to democracy. The Leader thanked the Committee for their thorough scrutiny of the report and supported the request for a review of reserves. It was noted that some reserves were ring-fenced as they would be used to offset potential risks. Despite the increasing financial pressures, Members welcomed the increase to the reserves, which would support the resilience of the Council. Staff were thanked for continuing to review efficient ways to deliver essential services against a backdrop of decreasing funding. RESOLVED- (a) That report reflecting the final revenue outturn position for 2024/2025 be noted. (b) That the General Fund balance as at 31 March 2025 of £7.076m and the overall level of reserves and balances (including the general fund) of £76.124m be noted. (c) That a review of the earmarked reserves, set out in Appendix 2, be undertaken to ascertain how long they have been earmarked reserves and whether there has been any financial activity in relation to these reserves and that a report be presented accordingly.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That the net addition of £5.918m to the 2024/2025 Capital Programme be approved. (b) That the final capital outturn position for 2024/2025 of £39.828m be noted. (c) That that the figure of £68.957m be approved to be carried forward from the 2024/2025 Capital Programme and added to the 2025/2026 Capital Programme.
The Leader presented the Capital Programme 2024/2025 - Outturn Position and requested approval for a net addition of £5.918m to the 2024/2025 Capital Programme and to carry forward £68.957m to the 2025/2026 Capital Programme. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 11 August 2025 and supported the recommendations. RESOLVED- (a) That the net addition of £5.918m to the 2024/2025 Capital Programme be approved. (b) That the final capital outturn position for 2024/2025 of £39.828m be noted. (c) That that the figure of £68.957m be approved to be carried forward from the 2024/2025 Capital Programme and added to the 2025/2026 Capital Programme.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2025/2026 be received and noted. (b) That the virements, set out in Appendix 1, be approved.
The Leader presented the Revenue Budget 2025/26 - Quarter One Monitoring Report and requested approval for the virements, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 11 August 2025 and supported the recommendations. Discussion ensued as follows:- · The report highlighted the work being undertaken against a backdrop of funding pressures. · It was difficult to predict spend within demand-led services such as children’s and social services, all of which were working hard to deliver cost-effective services for vulnerable people. · Efforts were being made to address the overspend within housing before the end of quarter four. · There was a need to collaborate in areas such as waste management. · There was significant overspend within home-to-school transport and the pressures on the service were acknowledged. There were new policies being reviewed to deliver efficiency savings in the area, which could include improving transport infrastructure and exploring cost-effective options like bus passes for pupils. This highlighted the need for better funding for North Wales and the benefits of improved transport infrastructure. RESOLVED- (a) That the latest financial assessment of the estimated budgetary position for 2025/2026 be received and noted. (b) That the virements, set out in Appendix 1, be approved.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That the net addition of £18.180m to the total Capital Programme be approved. (b) That the total Capital Programme of £106.207m and the first quarter capital outturn position for 2025/2026 be approved.
The Leader presented the Revised Capital Programme 2025/26 - Quarter One Monitoring Report and requested approval for the first quarter capital outturn position for 2025/2026. The Finance and Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 11 August 2025 and supported the recommendations. RESOLVED- (a) That the net addition of £18.180m to the total Capital Programme be approved. (b) That the total Capital Programme of £106.207m and the first quarter capital outturn position for 2025/2026 be approved.
Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the amalgamation of Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod be approved. Note: Councillor Charlie McCoubrey declared a personal interest in, the above item, as he is an LEA Governor for Ysgol Glan Gele. As the interest was not considered prejudicial Councillor McCoubrey was able to speak and vote on the matter. Note: Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in the above item, as his grandchildren attend one of the schools. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Smith left the meeting whilst the item was discussed.
In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Education, the Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Service Change sought approval for the amalgamation of Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod. The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 15 July 2025 and supported the recommendation. RESOLVED- That the amalgamation of Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod be approved. Note: Councillor Charlie McCoubrey declared a personal interest in, the above item, as he is an LEA Governor for Ysgol Glan Gele. As the interest was not considered prejudicial Councillor McCoubrey was able to speak and vote on the matter. Note: Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in the above item, as his grandchildren attend one of the schools. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Smith left the meeting whilst the item was discussed.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the amalgamation of Ysgol y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen be approved. Note: Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in the above item, as his grandchildren attend one of the schools. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Smith left the meeting whilst the item was discussed.
In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Education, the Deputy Leader / Cabinet Member for Housing, Homelessness and Service Change sought approval for the amalgamation of Ysgol y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen. The Education and Skills Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered the report on 15 July 2025 and supported the recommendation. RESOLVED- That the amalgamation of Ysgol y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen be approved. Note: Councillor Nigel Smith declared a personal interest in the above item, as his grandchildren attend one of the schools. As the interest was considered prejudicial, Councillor Smith left the meeting whilst the item was discussed.
Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the revised Attendance Management Policy be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance sought approval of the revised Attendance Management Policy. Members welcomed the Policy as it supported the Council’s biggest asset, its employees. RESOLVED- That the revised Attendance Management Policy be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Annual Governance Statement for 2024 to 2025 and the accompanying Local Code of Governance and Governance Framework be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance sought approval of the Annual Governance Statement 2024 to 2025 and the accompanying Local Code of Governance and Governance Framework The Governance and Audit Committee considered the report on 30 June 2025 and supported the recommendation. RESOLVED- That the Annual Governance Statement for 2024 to 2025 and the accompanying Local Code of Governance and Governance Framework be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- (a) That the changes made to the Corporate Risk Register be endorsed. (b) That the Corporate Risk Register be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Audit, Policy and Performance sought approval of the revised Corporate Risk Register - Spring Review. The Governance and Audit Committee considered the report on 30 June 2025 and supported the recommendation. The Chief Executive thanked the team for the work undertaken to produce a more workable Corporate Risk Register and that risks needed to be the focus moving forward. RESOLVED- (a) That the changes made to the Corporate Risk Register be endorsed. (b) That the Corporate Risk Register be approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the debt, in the sum of £51,186.67, including VAT be written-off.
The Cabinet Member for Culture, Governance and IT sought approval for a write-off for a debt for room hire, kitchen hire and bar concession provided to Orchard Live Limited between the dates 21 to 23 July 2023 for the sum of £51,186.67, including VAT. Discussion ensued as follows:- · Unfortunately, businesses did go into liquidation, and due diligence had been undertaken in the past. · Further to the above, financial regulations had been amended to require invoices to be raised within 14 days of an event. · There was no financial loss in terms of the purchase of the alcohol for the bar concessions, only the income. · The events that had been organised at Parc Eirias, Colwyn Bay had brought in significant economic benefits. The importance of continuing to organise events for the benefit of the local economy and community was emphasised and it was noted that future possibilities with interested parties were being explored. · Leisure Services had absorb the cost of the debt and had presented a balanced budget with some savings. RESOLVED- That the debt, in the sum of £51,186.67, including VAT be written-off.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
RESOLVED- That the Public and Press be excluded from the meeting under the provisions of Section 100A of the above Act during consideration of the following items as it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that in all the relevant circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
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.
Alan Hunter: Personal interest on Feedback from Members on Outside Bodies - North Wales Police and Crime Panel
Council representative on the North Wales Police and Crime Panel. Not considered prejudicial, so he was able to speak on the matter.
Charlie McCoubrey: Personal interest on Final determination on the amalgamation of Ysgol y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen
LEA Governor for Ysgol Glan Gele, recorded under the Ysgol y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen item. Not considered prejudicial, so he was able to speak and vote.
Charlie McCoubrey: Personal interest on Final determination on the amalgamation of Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod
LEA Governor for Ysgol Glan Gele. Not considered prejudicial, so he was able to speak and vote.
Nigel Smith: Personal and prejudicial interest on Final determination on the amalgamation of Ysgol y Foryd and Ysgol Maes Owen
His grandchildren attend one of the schools. Considered prejudicial, so he left the meeting while the item was discussed.
Nigel Smith: Personal and prejudicial interest on Final determination on the amalgamation of Ysgol Glan Gele and Ysgol Sant Elfod
His grandchildren attend one of the schools. Considered prejudicial, so he left the meeting while the item was discussed.
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