Cabinet

At its meeting on 14 October 2026, Newport City Council's Cabinet was due to consider five reports. No minutes had been published when this summary was prepared, so no decisions are recorded here. The reports propose noting social value results, agreeing two annual reports for Full Council, moving out of the Civic Centre, and offering two hours' free parking in city centre car parks over Christmas.

1. Social value delivered through council contracts, 2025-26

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet note the social value outcomes delivered between April 2025 and March 2026, where social value measures were part of tenders or contracts. Social value here means extra benefits, such as local jobs and training, that suppliers commit to provide. The report puts the total at £7,481,707.

   Why

   The Council uses a national framework, the Welsh TOMs, to record the social benefits that suppliers commit to. Cabinet first approved the Council's core list in March 2023, and this is the fourth report on results. The report says most of the value comes from large contracts, including the new kerbside recycling contract, and that some colleagues find the framework hard to use while Welsh Government reviews it.

   Based on the minutes, 04 Cabinet Report NCC TOMs Results April 2025 to Mar 2026 v1

2. Annual Corporate Plan self-assessment for 2025/26

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet agree the draft self-assessment for 2025/26 and present it to Full Council in November. A self-assessment is the Council's own review of how well it performed in the year. It covers progress on the Council's four well-being objectives and how well its governance works.

   Why

   The Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 requires councils to self-assess each year. The report concludes that good progress continues on the four objectives, although demand for services is rising and finances are under pressure. The Governance and Audit Committee and the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee both considered the draft, and their feedback was used to finalise it.

   Based on the minutes, 05 Cabinet Report - CP Self-assessment Report 25-26 v1, 05 DRAFT - Annual SA Report 25-26 v0.5 (Cabinet)

3. Strategic Equality Plan annual report, 2025-26

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet agree the annual report on the Strategic Equality Plan for 2025-26 and recommend it to Full Council. The Strategic Equality Plan sets six equality objectives for 2024 to 2028. The annual report shows progress against each objective.

   Why

   The Equality Act 2010 requires councils in Wales to publish an annual equality report by 31 March each year, including workforce data. The Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee considered the report on 3 September 2026 and was content that it reflected progress. It asked for clearer disability and neurodivergence options in the equalities survey, more outcome-focused data, and links to school education data.

   Based on the minutes, 06 Cabinet Report SEP AR 25 -26 v0.2, 06 Draft SEP Annual Report v0.7

4. Future of the Civic Centre and council offices

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet agree in principle to move the Council's main offices out of the Civic Centre, and say the building is no longer suitable as its main office. The report also asks Cabinet to choose which of five broad options to pursue, and to consider the future of the Civic Centre building separately later.

   Why

   The Civic Centre is a Grade II* listed building, which means it is of particular historic importance. An independent review by Gleeds found that about 270 people use it on an average day, in roughly 24,000 square metres, and that much of it is under-used. The review estimates that restoring the parts still in use to a suitable standard would cost over £102 million, while the alternative options range from about £26 million to £81 million.

   Based on the minutes, 07 Cabinet Report Civic Centre v0.3 for submission

5. Two hours' free parking in city centre car parks at Christmas

   Proposed

   The report recommends that Cabinet offer the first two hours free in seven council car parks in the city centre, from 2 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Visitors would still pay for stays longer than two hours, and penalty charges would still apply for other breaches.

   Why

   The report builds on free parking in earlier years, and it says the cost may need to be met from reserves. The Chief Financial Officer also noted that a smaller scheme at Christmas 2025, costing £40,000, was not evaluated, so the case for this wider scheme remains unclear.

   Based on the minutes, 08 20260928 Christmas City Centre 2-Hours Free Parking - Cabinet Report For Publication

Written by AI from the reports on the agenda, before the minutes are published. Reports say what council officers recommend; the meeting can decide differently. Once the minutes are out, this becomes a summary of what was decided.

1. 2

   Declarations of Interest

2. 3

   Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   Papers: Minutes , 15/09/2026 Cabinet
3. 4

   NCC Social Values Outcomes in Procurement Report

   Papers: 04 Cabinet Report NCC TOMs Results April 2025 to Mar 2026 v1
4. 5

   Annual Corporate Plan Self-Assessment Report 2025/26

   Part of an issue followed across 6 meetings

   Papers: 05 Cabinet Report - CP Self-assessment Report 25-26 v1, 05 DRAFT - Annual SA Report 25-26 v0.5 (Cabinet)
5. 6

   Strategic Equality Plan Annual Report 2025-26

   Part of an issue followed across 3 meetings

   Papers: 06 Cabinet Report SEP AR 25 -26 v0.2, 06 Draft SEP Annual Report v0.7
6. 7

   Civic Centre – Future Options

   Papers: 07 Cabinet Report Civic Centre v0.3 for submission
7. 8

   Christmas City Centre 2-Hours Free Parking

   Part of an issue followed across 2 meetings

   Papers: 08 20260928 Christmas City Centre 2-Hours Free Parking - Cabinet Report For Publication
8. 9

   Work Programme

   Papers: 00 CovRep Work Programme, 2026-27 CABINET WORK PROGRAMME v15

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.

Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.

• Dimitri Batrouni, ChairLabourPresent
• Deb Davies, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Emma Stowell-Corten, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• James Clarke, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Jason Hughes, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Laura Lacey, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Mark Spencer, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Rhian Howells, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Saeed Adan, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Yvonne Forsey, Committee MemberLabourPresent

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