Climate change, planning and transport budget proposals
Decided: The Committee agreed that the Chairperson, on its behalf, would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations on the way forward.
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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 Committee agreed that the Chairperson, on its behalf, would write to the Cabinet Member with its observations and recommendations on the way forward.
Decided: The Cabinet approved the adoption of the Code of Practice for the Inspection of Trees as an operational document.
Decided: The Cabinet noted the work of the portfolio on grass cutting and acknowledged preparations for the 2026 season. It supported a public consultation on biodiversity and grassland management, and supported developing a weed control policy after that consultation, following a recommendation from the Environment and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Decided: The Cabinet approved the proposed revised pay and display charges at specified car parks for 2026-2027, noting the traffic regulation orders and extra costs that would follow. It supported the proposed charges and a digital parking permit system, and supported the Environment and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee's proposal for an extra intermediate tariff at the Theatr Clwyd multistorey and the tiered car park at County Hall, to match the four-hour charge at Talacre. It also agreed a review of all Council-owned station car parks with a view to including them in these proposals.
Decided: Cabinet noted the progress made to date. It agreed that the Economic Development & Environmental Management Scrutiny Committee would monitor the three actions still outstanding, as that committee had recommended at its meeting on 10 February 2026.
Decided: Members noted the update on the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.
Decided: The Committee endorsed its observations on the quarter 3 report and made several requests of officers. These included correcting KPI (key performance indicator) dashboard errors, giving more detail on economic outcomes and carbon literacy training, breaking down mandatory training by service, and assessing income generation proposals in a joined-up way.
Decided: The Committee approved the application in line with the officers' recommendation. It did so with two changes: condition 5 now requires a parking layout to be submitted and approved, and a new condition requires a construction management plan.
Decided: The Committee approved the application in line with the officers' recommendation.
Decided: The committee agreed that the local impact report be submitted to Planning and Environment Decisions Wales (PEDW) to help the appointed Inspector consider the application.
Decided: The committee granted W/36561, a residential development on land to the rear of Heol y Meinciau, Pontyates, subject to the conditions in the report and addendum. It granted PL/10262, at Glynrhos, Cross Hands, against the officers' recommendation to refuse it. The committee deferred one application because it was not quorate; the minute does not name it.
Decided: Members resolved to be minded to grant conditional planning permission. The Development and Building Control Manager was authorised to decide the application under delegated powers.
Decided: Members resolved to be minded to grant conditional listed building consent, following notification to Cadw. The Development and Building Control Manager was authorised to decide the application under delegated powers.
Decided: Members resolved to be minded to grant conditional planning permission, subject to a condition requiring a hedgerow along the eastern boundary. The Development and Building Control Manager was authorised to decide the application under delegated powers.
Decided: The committee endorsed the public scrutiny approach and the principle of embedding climate work in all services, and it requested further work on engagement, funding, the 2035 and 2040 dates, and monitoring. The committee remained unconvinced that the route map timeline was realistic or that sufficient progress had been made since 2020, and it expressed concern about the volume of papers, effects on local suppliers, and engagement with town and community councils.
Decided: The committee agreed not to go into confidential session, so it scrutinised the main report and draft route map in public. The confidential appendices were excluded.
Decided: The committee refused the application by 10 votes to 7, against officer recommendations, because of great concerns about flooding of nearby properties and drainage from the site.
Decided: The Committee approved the proposed revisions to the scrutiny work programmes. It noted the revisions arise from unforeseen and time critical circumstances. It agreed that the revised programmes be published and the relevant Cabinet Members and officers be told.
Decided: The committee approved application P2025/0273, subject to the conditions in the report.
Decided: The Board agreed to recommend to full Council a 2026/27 revenue budget of £368,792,041, including a fire levy of £10,729,392. It agreed to recommend raising £100,766,012 through Council Tax, which is £1,835.55 at Band D. It agreed to recommend the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2026/27 to 2029/30 (a multi-year spending plan). It also agreed to recommend the 2026/27 Capital, Treasury Management and Investment Strategies, and that any extra funding after the final settlement be used as prescribed or to reduce risks.
Decided: The Cabinet agreed that the Parking Service should go ahead with two savings plans: extending short-stay car park enforcement to 09:00-17:00, and changing the Band 2 long-stay fee structure. A new off-street parking order incorporating these changes was approved.
Decided: The Cabinet supported Cyngor Gwynedd leading a North Wales Growth Deal bid for the Trawsfynydd Science Park and an Innovation, Skills and Business Centre. It supported committing £1m of the Council's capital funding, targeting £1m more from other sources, and using up to £545,000 for the next phases. It also supported negotiating land use with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority.