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Councils reported on climate and nature plans this month, including net zero reports in Carmarthenshire and Powys and nature plans in Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly and Bridgend. Planning committees also dealt with carbon capture, flood-related and biodiversity matters.[4][14][2][12][5][1]
Written in November 2026 from council records since 20 September 2026, open consultations and official sources. Written automatically, then checked: every point names its sources and every figure appears in them. Follow the links to check anything before relying on it.
Every Welsh council has declared or responded to the climate emergency and has plans to cut its own emissions, from buildings, vehicles and the things it buys. Councils also manage flood risk on local rivers and streams.
The Cabinet agrees climate plans; scrutiny committees check progress.
Ask your councillors how the council is doing against its own targets, and respond to its consultations on plans.
| Council | Items | With a decision |
|---|---|---|
| Vale of Glamorgan | 138 | 16 |
| Rhondda Cynon Taf | 55 | 52 |
| Gwynedd | 55 | 52 |
| Pembrokeshire | 43 | 36 |
| Carmarthenshire | 41 | 39 |
| Swansea | 40 | 31 |
| Powys | 40 | 29 |
| Monmouthshire | 38 | 9 |
| Wrexham | 27 | 27 |
| Cardiff | 27 | 24 |
| Conwy | 27 | 24 |
| Denbighshire | 22 | 17 |
| Flintshire | 21 | 11 |
| Newport | 21 | 10 |
| Blaenau Gwent | 17 | 17 |
| Neath Port Talbot | 16 | 9 |
| Caerphilly | 16 | 0 |
| Ceredigion | 9 | 8 |
| Merthyr Tydfil | 8 | 7 |
| Torfaen | 7 | 6 |
| Bridgend | 5 | 0 |
Decided: The Council unanimously appointed chairs and vice-chairs for its five scrutiny committees and its other committees for 2026/27. Giles Morgan will chair the Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee, and Tyssul Evans will chair the Planning Committee.
Decided: The committee approved the application in line with the officer's recommendation, subject to the conditions in the report and the late observations. It also added a condition: before the new plant is installed or runs, a revised scheme for the boundary fencing and acoustic enclosures must be approved in writing by the council, and the approved work must be kept in working order.
Decided: Cabinet approved and adopted the Routemap to Net Zero as the council's approach to cutting its emissions. It noted that net zero by 2030 is not feasible on current resources and national funding. It kept 2030 as the official target, while recognising that the Routemap sets out net zero by 2035 if external capital support is available from 2030 to 2035. It asked the Climate and Nature Steering Group to work with portfolio holders towards net zero by 2035.
Decided: Council appointed Councillor Dimitri Batrouni as Leader, on a nomination by Councillor Clarke, seconded by Councillor Lacey. The Leader then named his Cabinet: Deb Davies (Deputy Leader, Education and Early Years); Laura Lacey (Social Services); James Clarke (Regeneration and Business Growth); Saeed Adan (Housing and Planning); Emma Stowell-Corten (Communications and Culture); Yvonne Forsey (Climate Change, Waste and Recycling); Rhian Howells (Assets and Infrastructure); and Jason Hughes and Mark Spencer (Communities and Sport).
Decided: The Committee noted the report and the progress made in the past year to engage schools and learners on climate action.
Decided: The committee delegated the right to approve the application with conditions, subject to a positive response from the Highways Unit on the farm entrance from the A487. The conditions cover a five-year time limit, approved plans, footpaths, public protection, biodiversity, trunk roads, Heneb and the Welsh language.
Decided: The committee delegated powers to the Head of Environment Department to approve the application with conditions. Working must stop by 31 December 2030, with restoration finished by 31 December 2031, and output is capped at 100,000 tonnes a year at an average of 14 lorry loads a day. Only material from the extraction at Llecheiddior, including material taken to Bryncir Quarry, may be used for restoration, and no waste from outside sources may be brought in.
Decided: The committee approved the application with conditions, including a five-year time limit, approval of final materials and colours, and a Welsh name for the school. Other conditions cover transport, archaeology, landscaping, biodiversity, external lighting, public protection, Welsh Water, Natural Resources Wales, construction working hours and Welsh-language signs.
Decided: The Committee agreed to recommend to the two Lead Members that future reports allow pre-decision scrutiny of options appraisals for the next phases. Pre-decision scrutiny means the Committee examines options before a decision is taken. It also agreed to recommend that future reports include feedback from the Customer Access Survey, due to run for eight weeks from 8 June 2026, and more detail on the key actions and milestones for each phase, with targets and completion dates. The Committee also agreed that an open day be held for its Members on customer contact trends and call volumes, and that case studies of new online systems and service user feedback be circulated to them.
Decided: The Council set the share of committee seats for each political group and appointed members to committees as the groups had nominated. It also appointed councillors to outside bodies: the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority, the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) and its Executive Board, SACRE (the standing advisory council on religious education), and the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Authority. Where more councillors were nominated than there were seats, a ballot decided the appointment.
Decided: The Cabinet approved giving public notice of its plan to make a Traffic Regulation Order (a legal order that sets traffic rules) to raise the speed limit on Aberdare Road from 20mph to 30mph. The stretch runs from its junction with Ynysfach Road to the Cyfarthfa Retail Park roundabout. If no objections are received, the order would be made; if objections are received, a report would go to the appropriate committee.
Decided: The Cabinet approved giving public notice of its plan to make permanent Traffic Regulation Orders (legal orders that set traffic rules) for the restrictions in Appendix A, subject to consultation with road users. If no objections are received, the orders would be made. If objections are received, a report would go to the appropriate committee.
Decided: The petition was noted and referred to the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Net Zero Working Group for further consideration. The vote was carried with 51 votes for and none against or abstaining.
RESOLVED That the petition be noted and referred to Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Net Zero Working Group for further consideration.
RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:- I want to express deep and passionate concern about the current Ordnance Survey (OS) policy, which is leading to the deletion, undermining and ignoring of Welsh place names that have been part of our landscape for centuries. Ordnance Survey maps currently: · Replace historical Welsh names with English forms that have no basis or tradition, e.g. The Mushroom Garden for Coed Cerrig y Frân, Heather Terrace Path for Llwybr Gwregys. · Place English names alongside Welsh names, creating the impression that the Welsh names are optional or secondary, e.g. Cwm Cneifion / Nameless Cwm, Bala Lake / Llyn Tegid. ’Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa (despite the fact that Eryri National Park Authority no longer uses the name Snowdon.)' This Council criticises these practices, as they contribute directly to the loss of Welsh names, and therefore undermine our language, history and national identity. When the Ordnance Survey adopts an English name, it appears on websites, signs, publications, and media and as a result, the Welsh name is pushed aside. This happens even among young Welsh speakers, who are often led to believe that the English name is the "standard". This is how language is weakened, not in a single strike, but in a thousand small steps. Welsh place names are part of our cultural DNA. They tell the story of the land, the people, the legends, the work, the life. No one has the right to delete or replace them. Therefore, I want to propose to this Council today that we: 1. Write to the Ordnance Survey to call on them to put an end to the current harmful policy, and to adopt a clear and simple principle and to use only Welsh language landscape place names on maps in Wales. 2. Call on the Welsh Government to intervene formally and to ensure that the Ordnance Survey respects and protects historic Welsh names. 3. Call on the other Welsh Authorities to follow this proposal. This is not just a matter of maps. It is a matter of identity, respect and cultural justice. (B) Submitted – the following notice of motion by the Council Leader under Section 4.19 of the Constitution, and it was seconded. No observations were received. RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:- The Council marks the murder of Member of Parliament, Jo Cox on 16/06/2016, ten years ago this year. (David Amess MP was also murdered on 15/10/2021). In a world that is increasingly violent and aggressive, it is sad that elected members, of all parties and at all levels of government, are increasingly exposed to insults and abuse. Recent research shows that 72% of Councillors have experienced some form of threat – whether verbal or worse – in the last 12 months. This Council believes that threatening or violent behaviour has no place in politics. Cyngor Gwynedd Councillors are committed to modelling the highest standards of respect and courtesy when dealing with each other and with the public, and we want the same respect to be shown towards us. We call on members of this Council and members of Community and Town Councils throughout Gwynedd to support the One Voice Wales, NALC and SLCC "Pledge of Respect and Courtesy" campaign.
Decided: Members were appointed to special and ad hoc bodies, including the Gwent Public Service Board, the consultation with trade unions and the education forums.
Decided: Councillors were appointed as the Council's representatives on a long list of outside bodies, from the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board to the South Wales Fire Authority.
Decided: The Committee granted planning permission, with its conditions, in line with the officer recommendation. The vote was 17 for and none against.
Decided: The Committee granted permission in line with the officer recommendation. The vote was 17 for and none against.
Decided: The Sub-Committee granted a new premises licence, as modified, subject to 17 conditions and the mandatory conditions under the Licensing Act 2003. The licence allows live music on Friday and Saturday from 19:00 to 23:00, recorded music every day from 09:00 to 23:30, and the sale of alcohol every day from 11:00 to 23:30. Off-sales are not permitted. Bottles may not be moved or placed outside between 09:00 and 18:00, and the premises must keep a log of refused sales. The conditions also cover CCTV, a proof of age scheme, safeguarding, fire safety and noise control.
Decided: The committee agreed to ask for a further report on moving Cunliffe Centre services to Acton Community Resource Centre, due at its September 2026 meeting or sooner. The report must cover whether a decision was made, the audit trail of any delegation, meeting records, how the decision was communicated, and whether consultation and equality duties were met. The committee also agreed to support the pause on the move until that report has been through scrutiny.
Decided: The Board noted the update on the new provision, which is due to open from September 2026. It recognised the appropriation, or transfer between council departments, of the car park at the former Opportunities Centre from Economy & Planning to Education, on terms still to be negotiated. It asked the Chief Officer Governance & Customer to formally record the appropriation.