Full Council

The Council approved a revised housing allocations policy, a new grants policy, and temporary extra space for Greenfield Special School at the former St Mary's Primary School. It also approved the Youth Service's five-year plan for 2027 to 2032 and received the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board's annual report. Councillors also made a formal request that future reports on the Redhouse be public where possible.

1. Revised Allocations Policy for Community Housing

   Decided

   The meeting approved the revised policy and gave delegated authority, meaning power for officers to make decisions without a new vote of councillors, for future changes. That authority covers only minor amendments, such as legislative updates, procedural corrections or changes Welsh Government requires; substantive policy changes must return to Full Council. Officers saw no legal difficulty with the wording 'minor amendments', the Portfolio Member (the cabinet councillor for the service) agreed, and officers agreed that explanatory wording could be added to the guidance notes before publication.

   Why

   The 2023 policy did not fully anticipate pressures on children's placements, adapted housing and local lettings for new developments, so the review tightens criteria and governance. The report says demand remains high: 2,240 active applications on the Housing Register on 2 September 2026, about a third in priority need, and acute pressure for larger family homes. Thriving Scrutiny Committee, a group of councillors who check the Council's work, considered the policy on 22 September 2026 and suggested no changes, and the report cites a public consultation on a new Adapted Need Band that showed strong support.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1, Background paper 1, iia

2. Receiving and Awarding Grants Policy

   Decided

   The meeting approved the Receiving and Awarding Grants Policy, along with delegated authority (power for officers to act without a new councillor vote) for the Head of Regeneration, Investment and Housing to make future amendments, in consultation with the Portfolio Member. The minute records that grant decisions are not made by officers alone, that Member oversight has been maintained, and that this will continue.

   Why

   The Council receives and gives out many grants, and the report says failing to meet grant conditions can lead to repayment of funds (clawback), audit challenge and damage to the Council's reputation. The policy sets one framework for due diligence, risk checks, monitoring and audit trails, and it has been in use across the Council since 14 May 2026 after scrutiny by Thriving Scrutiny Committee in February 2026 and an all-Member workshop in April 2026. The report says the policy creates no new budget commitments.

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

3. Greenfield Special School interim satellite site at St Mary's

   Decided

   The meeting approved the use of the former St Mary's Primary School as temporary extra space for Greenfield Special School until the new special school opens in September 2029. It also approved the estimated extra revenue (running) costs from April 2027, for inclusion in budget setting and medium-term financial planning.

   Why

   Greenfield has 231 pupils on roll for 219 places, and projections show 264 by September 2029, with no space left on site for more temporary classrooms. It estimates a net extra revenue cost of £604,475 from April 2027 to August 2029, after allowing for lower mainstream support costs.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, Appendix 1

4. Youth Service five-year strategic plan, 2027 to 2032

   Decided

   The meeting approved the five-year plan, a statutory document the Council must produce for youth work, and agreed that it be submitted to Welsh Government. A councillor raised concern about future funding for employability programmes, including Jobs Growth Wales Plus, citing Welsh figures of about 55,000 young people not in education, employment or training (NEET); Councillor Carter said he would support writing to Welsh Government.

   Why

   Welsh Government published a new Statutory Framework for Youth Work in March 2026, which takes effect on 1 April 2027 and requires each council to produce a five-year youth work plan running to 31 March 2032. The plan follows consultation with 456 young people in July 2025, a partner event in June 2026 and staff workshops, and sets seven priorities, including early intervention and safe spaces. Because the timetable was late, Welsh Government let councils submit draft plans by 30 September 2026, and final approval from a Minister is expected by December 2026.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, iia

5. Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board annual report 2025-26

   Decided

   The meeting received the report for information. The minute records no decision.

   Why

   The Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board is a statutory partnership, set up under Part 7 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014, that protects children and adults at risk across Bridgend, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf. The report says the number of children looked after (in the council's care) in Merthyr Tydfil fell from 167 in April 2025 to 146 by the end of the year, and adult safeguarding reports in Merthyr Tydfil rose by 44%. The covering report highlights a 61% rise in Adult at Risk referrals over two years and the Board's regional Exploitation Strategy, launched in September 2025.

   Based on the minutes, Committee Report, iia

6. Decided

   The minute records that a formal request was made for future reports on the Redhouse to be public where possible. It does not record a vote or any other decision on the request.

   Why

   The item was held in private because the agenda said it would likely disclose exempt information (information the law allows councils to keep private) under Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The minute gives no reasons for the request.

   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

   Apologies from Cllr M symonds, Cllr J Thomas, Cllr K Gibbs & Cllr G Lewis

2. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   None received

3. 3

   Minutes of meeting Wednesday, 30 September 2026 of Full Council

   Minute

   Approved as accurate

   Papers: Minutes
4. 4

   Allocations Policy for Community Housing

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr J Scriven In response to members questions officers confirmed the following; · Officers confirmed explanatory wording could be added to the guidance notes before publication of the final document. · It was explained that delegated authority relates only to minor amendments, such as legislative updates, procedural corrections or changes required by Welsh Government. Any substantive policy changes would be brought back to Full Council for approval. · Officers advised there was no legal difficulty with making the change to the term "minor amendments" and the Portfolio Member confirmed agreement. · The Monitoring Officer advised that minor amendments would include grammatical corrections, factual updates or administrative changes that did not materially alter the policy. Any amendment requiring Member consideration or a substantive policy decision would be regarded as significant and brought before Council. · The Portfolio Member further confirmed that transparency would be maintained and scrutiny mechanisms remained available should Members have concerns. Resolved; That the recommendations as contained within the report be approved

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, Appendix 1, Background paper 1, Background paper 2, iia
5. 5

   MTCBC Receiving and Awarding Grants Policy

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr J Scriven In response to members questions officers confirmed the following; · There had been regular engagement between officers and elected Members regarding funding allocations. Decisions on grant funding were not being made solely by officers and Member oversight had been maintained. He confirmed that this approach would continue. Resolved; That the recommendations as contained within the report be approved

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

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

   Greenfield Special School - Satellite Provision

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr B Carter In response to members questions officers confirmed the following · Subject to completion of the relevant design stage, consultation was expected to commence around March to April 2027. This timetable remained consistent with the business case approved by Welsh Government. · Members were reminded that Full Council approved the project as part of the Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme in March 2023 and it had remained within the Council's approved programme since that date. · It was confirmed that existing LRBs were oversubscribed and had waiting lists. Additional Greenfield capacity would support both special school provision and mainstream schools by strengthening the wider Additional Learning Needs continuum and enabling more appropriate placements. Resolved; That the recommendations as contained within the report be approved.

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

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

   Youth Service Statutory 5-Year Strategic Plan 2027-32

   Minute

   Presented by Cllr B Carter Following questions from members officers confirmed the following; · Following a Councillor highlighting Welsh figures showing approximately 55,000 young people classed as NEET and expressed concern regarding future funding for employability programmes, including Jobs Growth Wales Plus Councillor Carter confirmed he would support writing to Welsh Government. Resolved; That the recommendations as contained within the report be approved

   Papers: Committee Report, iia
8. 8

   Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2025-26

   Minute

   Received for information

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: Committee Report, iia
9. 9

   To deal with any other urgent business or correspondence

   Minute

   The Leader informed Council of the passing of long-serving Council employee Elaine Warren, who had worked within the Revenues Department for approximately twenty years. Council's condolences were extended to her family, friends and colleagues. Members were advised that the funeral would take place on 6 November 2026.

10. 10

    To receive communications from Their Worship the Mayor

    Minute

    No communications were received

11. 11

    Exempt

    Minute

    A formal request was made for any future reports regarding the Redhouse to be made public where possible.

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.

• David Isaac, ChairLabourPresent
• Scott Thomas, Vice-ChairLabourPresent
• Andrew Barry, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Anna Williams- Price, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Bill Smith, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Brent Carter, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Claire Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Clive Jones, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Clive Tovey, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• David Jones, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Dean Barrett, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Declan Sammon, Committee MemberDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent
• Ernie Galsworthy, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Gareth Lewis, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Gareth Richards, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Geraint Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Gillian Preston, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Ian Thomas, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jamie Scriven, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• John Thomas, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Julia Jenkins, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Kevin Gibbs, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Lee Davies, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Lisa Mytton, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Louise Minett-Vokes, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Michelle Jones, Committee MemberIndependentPresent
• Michelle Symonds, Committee MemberIndependentSent apologies
• Paula Layton, Committee MemberDowlais and Pant Community IndependentsPresent

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