Cabinet

At its meeting on 12 November 2025, Merthyr Tydfil's Cabinet considered three substantive reports. It noted revised assumptions for the 2026/27 budget and recommended the budget timetable to Council, after a request for delegated powers (permission for officers to act without a further Cabinet decision) was removed. It approved a change to the 2025/26 playground programme, replacing Cyfarthfa Park with Glebelands, and received an update on the Empty Property Strategy for information.

1. Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan update

   Decided

   Cabinet noted the revised assumptions used to build the medium-term financial plan. It noted that Corporate Management Team will continue to work with Cabinet members to find savings to close the budget gap. It recommended the budget timetable in Appendix 1 to Council for approval. It approved the report going to the Joint Scrutiny Committee for scrutiny and feedback. The funding gap was corrected to £5.619 million following a verbal update, and a request for delegated powers was removed.

   Why

   The report says the economy has changed since the plan was last set, with consumer price inflation at 3.8% in September 2025, though general inflation is still assumed at 2%. Pay awards for staff and teachers were above the 3% budgeted, the Welsh Government will provide £1.920 million towards extra National Insurance costs, and a reduction in pension contributions is expected but not yet confirmed. The Welsh Government's final budget is due on 20 January 2026, so the figures may change.

   Based on the minutes, Updated Report, Report, Appendix

2. Children's play areas programme change

   Decided

   Cabinet approved the change to the 2025/26 programme, replacing the Cyfarthfa Park playground with one at Glebelands.

   Why

   The report says the Cyfarthfa Park equipment is in good condition and does not need replacing now. Glebelands, the former bus station, had its public realm works completed in late 2024, and a playground there would make fuller use of the site. Officers told Cabinet there were no current delays, and £518,000 of capital funding has been set aside for the programme this year.

   Based on the minutes, Report, IIA

3. Update on the Empty Property Strategy 2022-2026

   Decided

   The report was received for information.

   Why

   Scrutiny Committee asked in April 2025 for details of where empty properties are, how long they have been empty, and what action was taken on six high-risk properties. The report counts 899 empty properties on 1 April 2025, and in 2024-25, 43 long-term empty homes (8%) were brought back into use. The strategy's target is 200 homes; the report says 123 have returned to use in its first three years through council action, so the target may be met if this continues.

   Based on the minutes, Report, Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D, Appendix E, Appendix F

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 received.

3. 3

   Minutes of meeting Wednesday, 8 October 2025 of Cabinet

   Minute

   The minutes of the previous meeting held on 8 October 2025 were accepted as a true and accurate record.

   Papers: Minutes
4. 4

   Budget 2026/27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan Update Report

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED that · The revised assumptions to support the development of the MTFP, due to the changing environment in which plans are being developed, be noted. · Corporate Management Team continue to work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member(s) to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan, be noted. · The Budget Timetable set out in Appendix 1 be recommended to Council for approval. · This report is presented to Joint Scrutiny Committee for their scrutiny and feedback, be approved.

   Minute

   Presented by Councillor Anna Williams-Price A historic version of the report had been published so a verbal update was provided to the last sentence at section 3.19.3 - 100 Band D equivalent properties for 2026/27 should read 60 Band D equivalent properties. As a result, the funding gap, which is referenced throughout the report, should be amended to read £5.619 million. The details of the changes and the correct figures will be published as part of a supplementary item to the agenda. Recommendation 2.3 and the requirement for delegated authority was removed; but would be considered for future reports. RESOLVED that · The revised assumptions to support the development of the MTFP, due to the changing environment in which plans are being developed, be noted. · Corporate Management Team continue to work with the relevant Portfolio Cabinet Member(s) to identify potential savings to assist in addressing the indicative budget gap across the period of the Medium-Term Financial Plan, be noted. · The Budget Timetable set out in Appendix 1 be recommended to Council for approval. · This report is presented to Joint Scrutiny Committee for their scrutiny and feedback, be approved.

   Part of an issue followed across 5 meetings

   Papers: Appendix, IIA, Updated Report, Report
5. 5

   Children’s Play Areas / Playgrounds

   Decision as recorded

   RESOLVED that The revision to the 2025/26 programme, replacing Cyfarthfa Park with Glebelands, is approved.

   Minute

   Presented by Councillor David Jones In response to questions, Cabinet were advised: · The works for playgrounds referred to were scheduled to be completed this year and finalised designs would be brought to Ward Councillors. · There were no current delays. · In regard to the Pentrebach playground: - the recent installation of barrier had not had an impact on the delivery - no plans to install new fencing at the playing fields had been advised, but enquiries would be made for confirmation - the original design for an extended playground hadn’t changed - the community could use the football pitch when it wasn’t in use by the Red Lion. RESOLVED that The revision to the 2025/26 programme, replacing Cyfarthfa Park with Glebelands, is approved.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Report, IIA
6. 6

   Update on Empty Property Strategy 2022-2026

   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 5 meetings

   Papers: Report, Appendix A, Appendix B, Appendix C, Appendix D, Appendix E, Appendix F
7. 7

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

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