Cabinet

Cabinet met on 8 January 2025 and noted the council's revised 2025/26 budget gap of £5.983 million after the provisional Welsh Government settlement. It approved the 2023/24 corporate risk report and the risk register, and recommended the corporate self-assessment to full Council for approval. It also noted and debated the Ombudsman's annual letter, received reports on the local development plan and youth services, and held a private session with no minute published.

1. 2025/26 Local Government Settlement and budget deficit

   Decided

   The meeting noted the implications of the provisional settlement for 2025/26. It also noted the revised budget deficit of £5.983 million for 2025/26.

   Why

   The provisional settlement is the Welsh Government's annual funding figure for councils, announced on 11 December 2024. It gives Merthyr Tydfil a 5.1% increase, worth £6.427 million, but after pay awards and extra service demands the budget gap still stands at £5.983 million. The figures assume a 5% Council Tax rise, and each 1% change alters the gap by about £300,000.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report

2. Corporate risk management and risk register

   Decided

   The meeting approved the annual corporate risk report for 2023/24. It approved progress on managing corporate risks and the Corporate Risk Register. It noted the Risk Management Policy and Strategy, debated it and supported it going to Council for approval.

   Why

   The corporate risk register lists the main risks that could stop the council delivering its priorities, and the report says officers have revised it in line with internal audit recommendations. The report also says the council is strengthening its climate change risk after recent weather events, and that the Governance and Audit Committee backed the approach on 9 December 2024. Four new risks are proposed, covering business continuity, building security, school improvement functions and external funding.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3

3. Corporate self-assessment 2023-24

   Decided

   The meeting noted the Corporate Self-Assessment Report 2023-24 and recommended it to the full Council for approval.

   Why

   The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 requires councils to review their own performance and governance each year and publish the results, which is called self-assessment. The report says the council is using its limited resources to meet residents' needs, and it lists next steps including stronger governance and risk management. The Governance and Audit Committee considered the report on 9 December 2024, and its feedback is included.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1

4. Ombudsman annual letter 2023-24

   Decided

   The meeting noted and debated the content of the Ombudsman's annual letter for 2023-24.

   Why

   The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales is the independent body that investigates complaints about public services and councillors' conduct. It received 12 complaints about the council in 2023-24, down from 17, while the council itself received 718 complaints, its highest number. The Ombudsman intervened in three cases, and 56% of the nine recommendations due that year were complied with on time.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1

5. Local Development Plan annual monitoring report 2024

   Decided

   The meeting received the report for information.

   Why

   The Local Development Plan (LDP) is the council's plan for land use to 2031, and councils must monitor and review it each year. The 2024 monitoring report says most aspects of the plan are working well, but housing completions are more than 30% below the level needed at this stage. Employment land and job targets have also not been met, and further research will start immediately.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1

6. Youth Service performance 2023-24

   Decided

   The meeting received the report for information.

   Why

   The Youth Service is the council's statutory service for young people, under section 123 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000, and this report covers 2023-24. Contacts with young people rose by 30%, from 22,077 to 28,873, and the service gained the Welsh Government's Silver Quality Mark for Youth Work. The report warns that a cut in the Shared Prosperity Fund for 2025/26 is a significant risk to support for vulnerable pupils.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, IIA

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

   No apologies for absence were received.

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   No Declarations of Interest were made.

3. 3

   Local Government Settlement 2025-26

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: 2.1 The implications of the Provisional Local Government Settlement for 2025/26 outlined in Section 4 and Appendices 1 and 2 be noted. 2.2 The revised budget deficit of £5.983 million for 2025/26 be noted.

   Minute

   Resolved that: 2.1 The implications of the Provisional Local Government Settlement for 2025/26 outlined in Section 4 and Appendices 1 and 2 be noted. 2.2 The revised budget deficit of £5.983 million for 2025/26 be noted.

   Part of an issue followed across 4 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, IIA
4. 4

   Corporate Risk Management

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: 2.1 The annual corporate risk report 2023/24 be approved. 2.2 Progress on the management of the Council’s Corporate Risks and the Corporate Risk Register be approved. 2.3 The Risk Management Policy and Strategy be noted, debated and supported to progress to Council for approval.

   Minute

   Resolved that: 2.1 The annual corporate risk report 2023/24 be approved. 2.2 Progress on the management of the Council’s Corporate Risks and the Corporate Risk Register be approved. 2.3 The Risk Management Policy and Strategy be noted, debated and supported to progress to Council for approval.

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3, IIA
5. 5

   Corporate Self-Assessment 2023-24

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: The Corporate Self-Assessment Report 2023-24 be noted and recommended to Council for approval.

   Minute

   Resolved that: The Corporate Self-Assessment Report 2023-24 be noted and recommended to Council for approval.

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, IIA
6. 6

   Ombudsman Annual Letter for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council - 2023-24

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: The content of the Ombudsman’s Annual letter be noted and debated.

   Minute

   Resolved that: The content of the Ombudsman’s Annual letter be noted and debated.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, IIA
7. 7

   Merthyr Tydfil Replacement Local Development Plan 2016-2031 - Annual Monitoring Report 2024

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: The report for Information be received.

   Minute

   Resolved that: The report for Information be received.

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, IIA, Appendix 1
8. 8

   Youth Service Performance 2023-24

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: The report for Information be received.

   Minute

   Resolved that: The report for Information be received.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, IIA
9. 9

   Any Other Business Deemed Urgent by the Chair

   Minute

   No other business was deemed urgent by the Chair.

10. 10

    Exempt

    Minute

    In order for the following to be considered in private, it is suggested that the public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined under Part 4 of Schedule 12A of Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

11. Closed Session

    Part of an issue followed across 9 meetings

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.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

• Brent Carter, ChairLabourPresent
• David Jones, Vice-ChairLabourPresent
• Andrew Barry, OthermbrsIndependentRecorded
• Anna Williams- Price, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Gareth Lewis, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Geraint Thomas, OthermbrsIndependentRecorded
• Jamie Scriven, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Louise Minett-Vokes, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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