Cabinet

Cabinet met on 11 June 2025. It approved a Welsh language policy for internal use, a library strategy for 2025 to 2030, the annual corporate risk report for 2024/25 and the Food Service Plan for 2025/26. It also approved or noted plans for forward work programmes and resident consultation, and recommended the outline Transformation Programme to Council for approval.

1. Policy for the internal use of the Welsh language

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the policy. The policy sets out how the council will promote and use Welsh internally among staff and members.

   Why

   The council must meet Welsh Language Standards set under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. The policy covers meetings, recruitment, training and language choice. The report says translation costs for documents and meetings will need to be covered.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1

2. Library Strategy 2025 to 2030

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the Merthyr Tydfil Library Strategy 2025 to 2030. The strategy sets nine themes, including reading, digital inclusion and the Welsh language.

   Why

   The council has a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service. The report says the strategy aligns with the Corporate Well-being Plan and the Welsh Public Library Standards. It says there are no financial implications.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1, IIA

3. Annual corporate risk report 2024/25

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the annual corporate risk report for 2024/25. The report covers the corporate risk register, which lists the main risks to the council's priorities.

   Why

   The report says three risks fell in score between the first and last quarter. It also reports recommendations from internal audit and a 'reasonable' assurance rating for risk management. The Governance and Audit Committee saw the report on 2 June 2025.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1, IIA

4. Outline Transformation Programme and Annual Delivery Plan

   Decided

   Cabinet recommended the outline Transformation Programme and outline Annual Delivery Plan to Council for approval. Full Council will now consider them.

   Why

   The council reviewed its finances, audit findings and service self-evaluations. The report says the council faces a deficit of £9 million in 2026/27 and £11 million in 2027/28. Six workstreams will be developed through June workshops with staff and Trade Unions.

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

5. Forward plans, resident survey and Citizen's Panel

   Decided

   Cabinet noted the annual Council forward plan and the Communications and Engagement forward plan. It approved the annual Cabinet forward plan, the resident survey and the rebranding of the Citizen's Panel.

   Why

   A forward plan lists the reports due in future, so councillors and the public can plan ahead. The report says scrutiny committees will use the plans to plan their own work. In discussion, Cabinet was advised that an engagement plan sits in the Participation Strategy, and members commented on how residents are kept informed.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3, Appendix 4, IIA

6. Food Service Plan 2025/26

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the Food Service Plan for 2025/26. The plan is a statutory document setting out how the council enforces food safety and standards law.

   Why

   The Food Standards Agency requires councils to publish this plan each year. The report says the plan aims to prevent food poisoning and illness carried by food and water. It notes that 96.77% of businesses were broadly compliant on 1 April 2025, and the service is in the final year of its recovery plan.

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

7. Appointment of local authority school governors

   Decided

   The minute says the report was received for information. No decision was recorded.

   Why

   No report is included in the documents for this item, so no reasons are given.

   Based on the minutes

8. Young people not in education, employment or training

   Decided

   The minute says the report was received for information. No decision was recorded.

   Why

   No report is included in the documents for this item, so no reasons are given.

   Based on the minutes

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

   Policy for the Internal Use of the Welsh Language

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: 2.1 The policy for The Internal Use of Welsh Language be approved.

   Minute

   Resolved that: 2.1 The policy for The Internal Use of Welsh Language be approved.

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Adroddiad Pwyllgor, Atodiad 1, IIA
4. 4

   Library Strategy 2025 - 2030

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: 2.1 The Merthyr Tydfil Library Strategy 2025 – 2030 be approved.

   Minute

   Resolved that: 2.1 The Merthyr Tydfil Library Strategy 2025 – 2030 be approved.

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

   Annual Corporate Risk Report 2024/25

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: 2.1 the annual corporate risk report 2024/25, be approved.

   Minute

   Resolved that: 2.1 the annual corporate risk report 2024/25, be approved.

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

   Outline Transformation Programme and Outline Annual Delivery Plan

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: 2.1 The outline Transformation Programme and outline Annual Delivery Plan, be recommended to Council for approval.

   Minute

   Resolved that: 2.1 The outline Transformation Programme and outline Annual Delivery Plan, be recommended to Council for approval.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, IIA
7. 7

   Forward Plans: Council, Cabinet, and Communication and Engagement

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: 2.1 The implementation of an annual Council Forward Plan and respective quarterly updates be published on the Council’s website be noted. 2.2 The implementation of an annual Communications and Engagement Forward Plan be noted. 2.3 The implementation of an annual Cabinet Forward Plan and respective quarterly updates be published on the Council’s website be approved. 2.4 The implementation of the WLGA National Resident’s Survey to consult with residents in Merthyr Tydfil be approved. 2.5 The rebranding and redevelopment of the Citizen’s Panel be approved.

   Minute

   In response to a question, Cabinet was advised that there is an engagement plan, and it’s in the Participation Strategy. Comments were made in relation to the report and how it ensures residents are informed about the work being carried out. Resolved that: 2.1 The implementation of an annual Council Forward Plan and respective quarterly updates be published on the Council’s website be noted. 2.2 The implementation of an annual Communications and Engagement Forward Plan be noted. 2.3 The implementation of an annual Cabinet Forward Plan and respective quarterly updates be published on the Council’s website be approved. 2.4 The implementation of the WLGA National Resident’s Survey to consult with residents in Merthyr Tydfil be approved. 2.5 The rebranding and redevelopment of the Citizen’s Panel be approved.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3, Appendix 4, IIA
8. 8

   Food Service Plan 2025/26

   Decision as recorded

   Resolved that: 2.1 The Food Service Plan for 2025-26 be approved.

   Minute

   Resolved that: 2.1 The Food Service Plan for 2025-26 be approved.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, IIA
9. 9

   Appointment of Local Authority Governors

   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 4 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report
10. 10

    Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) - Prevention and Performance

    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
11. 11

    Any Other Business Deemed Urgent by the Chair

    Minute

    The Chair advised that there was no other business deemed urgent.

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
• Declan Sammon, Committee MemberDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent
• Gareth Lewis, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Geraint Thomas, OthermbrsIndependentRecorded
• Jamie Scriven, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Louise Minett-Vokes, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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