Combined Governance & Audit Committee / Joint Scrutiny Committee

This joint committee checks the council's work (scrutiny). It considered three finance and performance reports: £354,000 of in-year savings for 2025/26, the quarter 2 performance, risk and finance report, and an update on the 2026/27 budget and medium-term financial plan. The minutes record officers' answers to members' questions but no decisions, and each report asks members to note or review the information.

1. Finding £354,000 of in-year savings through budget changes

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The council's 2025/26 budget, set in March 2025, requires £354,000 of savings to be found during the year. Officers said housing pressures remain, and the report warns demand may rise because of the Homelessness and Social Housing Allocations Bill.

   Based on the minutes, Report, Appendix 1

2. Quarter 2 performance, risk and finance report

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The report brings performance, corporate risk and finance together for April to September 2025 and asks members to challenge it. It projects a net revenue deficit (spending above income) of £556,000, but the finance appendix gives £492,000 and the minute does not explain the difference. Officers told members the bus station overspend arises from savings not being achieved, that roof repairs were deferred because of staff capacity, and that the quarter 3 report will come in the new year.

   Based on the minutes, Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 5

3. Budget 2026/27 and medium-term financial plan update

   Decided

   The minutes record no decision on this item.

   Why

   The report updates the council's budget assumptions for 2026/27 and the Medium Term Financial Plan (a multi-year forecast of spending and income) for inflation, pay and economic change. It says the Welsh Government's final budget is due on 20 January 2026, and that Cabinet must put forward a balanced budget before 11 March 2026. Officers said the WLGA is lobbying for a 4% average uplift in funding, that a 0.8% uplift would be worth £1.5 million, and that rising borrowing costs are being built into the plan but may require budget reductions.

   Based on the minutes, Report

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

   Apologies received from Cllr C jones, Cllr M Symonds, Cllr M Jones & Cllr G Lewis

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   None declared

3. 3

   Revenue Budget 2025/26 - Transformation Programme Report

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr A Williams-Price Officers offered the following information in response to questions · The reduction in temporary accommodation budget reflects post-COVID drop in temporary accommodation demand; housing pressures remain but TA demand has normalized.

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: Report, Appendix 1
4. 4

   2025/26 Quarter 2 Performance, Risk and Finance Report

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr D Sammon Officers offered the following information in response to questions · We are working with Cooke & Arkwright on marketing strategy to attract tenants to the empty units in St Tydfils; interest expected with new market opening soon. · The bus station overspend was due to efficiency savings not being achieved; a new security contract was awarded; overspend will persist this year. · There has been a drop in lifeline users due to the transition from analogue to digital; marketing is ongoing to boost uptake. · The estimated deficit is accurate as of Q2. Non-essential spending is challenged and monitoring continues. · The opening of the new market is imminent; some stalls are already occupied, others expected in new year. Toilet facilities are planned for the premises. · No immediate plans for the redevelopment of the old market; structural issues require major investment. · Energy Officers are involved and will provide update on current position regarding electricity overspend at the shopping centre. · The repair budget was limited due to the asset having poor maintenance historically; major fixes only possible via redevelopment. · The Education PRU extension cost doubled due to a structural wall collapse and listed building complications. · The Capital programme is increasing due to reprofiling and additional grant funding. · The pontsticill road repairs will be grant-funded with status to be confirmed · There was an increase in the housing corporate budget as a result of additional grants and rollover budgets. · The roof repairs have been deferred due to staff capacity issues in property services. · The increase in pengarnddu waste disposal cost was casued by delays and permitting issues; tonnage estimates revised; verified independently. · The increase in pengarnddu waste disposal cost was casued by delays and permitting issues; tonnage estimates revised; verified independently. · The Q3 report will be available in the new year.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Report, Appendix 1, Appendix 2, Appendix 3, Appendix 4, Appendix 5, Appendix 6
5. 5

   Budget 2026/27 and Medium Term Financial Plan Update Report

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr A Williams-Price Officers offered the following information in response to questions · The WLGA are lobbying for a 4% average uplift; final budget due January, a 0.8% uplift would equal £1.5m. · Rising borrowing costs are being managed by being factored into a medium-term plan; but may require budget reductions

   Part of an issue followed across 5 meetings

   Papers: Report
6. 6

   Any Other Business deemed urgent by the Chair

   Minute

   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.

• Bill Smith, Vice-ChairLabourPresent
• Clive Jones, ChairLabourPresent
• Andrew Barry, Committee MemberIndependentAbsent
• Anna Williams- Price, Cabinet MemberLabourIn attendance
• Claire Jones, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Clive Tovey, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• David Isaac, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• Declan Sammon, Committee MemberDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent
• Gareth Richards, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Geraint Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Gillian Preston, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Ian Thomas, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jeremy Davies, Committee MemberIndependentAbsent
• John Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Julia Jenkins, Committee MemberIndependentAbsent
• Lee Davies, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Lisa Mytton, Committee MemberIndependentAbsent
• Michelle Jones, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Michelle Symonds, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Paula Layton, Committee MemberDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent
• Scott Thomas, Committee MemberLabourAbsent

Lists the council's current councillors only. Co-opted members, officers and former councillors aren't shown.