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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: Members agreed to note the report. The minute records no decision on the application. The minute says the concerns raised were noted for the Inspector's consideration.
Decided: The decision was deferred, or put off, to the committee's next scheduled meeting on 22 October 2025. The operational traffic management plan, which sets out how traffic will be handled once the facility opens, will go to that meeting.
Decided: Council agreed the list of governing body appointments, reappointments, resignations and one disqualification.
Decided: The minute records no formal decision. Members said the grass cutting and collection procedure should be reviewed, so that pollinators can grow and recycling targets improve. Scrutiny Members felt site visits would be beneficial.
Decided: The Committee noted the update on the Havens Head and Lower Priory flood alleviation scheme.
Decided: The Committee endorsed the work of the Pembrokeshire Nature Partnership and the Council's role in hosting it, and recommended continued financial and management support at least at current levels.
Decided: Council deferred Notice of Motion 1 (WASPI women) to its next meeting. It agreed Notice of Motion 2, asking the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee to webcast its meetings. It agreed Notice of Motion 3, asking officers to plan the end of temporary accommodation use at the Church Street flats in Flint and to study continued general use, with an urgent member briefing. It agreed Notice of Motion 5 on developer misconduct, as amended, reaffirming its commitment to enforcing planning agreements and conditions. It agreed Notice of Motion 7 on flooding by referring the Climate Change Committee's report to the Environment & Economy Overview & Scrutiny Committee. Notices of Motion 4 (overdevelopment) and 6 (artificial intelligence) were voted down.
RESOLVED: To consider the funding issues and options set out in the attached briefing note and consider all options for funding the SDP as part of the budget setting process, including making further representations to the Welsh Government. DISCUSSION The report was submitted stating that it demonstrated how the plan could be delivered, its cost and to identify ways of meeting the financial shortfall. Over the next 5 years the cost was estimated to be in the region of £3.27m. It was noted that the CJC had set a budget to begin the work on the Strategic Development Plan in its budget, which was projected to be around £431,000 annually over the 5 years. It was noted that this would not fully meet the costs. It was emphasised that this report did not require additional funding but rather recognised that there was a budget deficit and the need to find a way to meet the deficit. It was expressed that Welsh Government had suggested that £400k could be made available in this financial year for all CJCs to continue working on the Delivery Agreements. It was noted that this would offer £100k if it was distributed equally, but it was understood that it was more likely to be offered to those CJCs who had already started work on their Delivery Agreements. It was explained that the £100k would be provided by the Government when the final Delivery Agreement would be submitted. It was asked why the Government was asking for a five-year budget but was not funding the plan in full. It was therefore asked what would happen in April if the money was not available and was there any money in reserves that could be used. It was noted that there was an underspend of £140k under the Strategic Planning heading. It was explained that it is not enough but that it could contribute to it. It was highlighted there was underspend in much of the GROWTH funding for the initial stages and therefore there was money in reserve. The need to keep the levy down in terms of the Councils and the Park was emphasised, especially in the current economic climate. It was noted that the need to complete this work was statutory and therefore pressure needed to be put on the Government to fund it fairly.
Decided: The minute does not record a final decision. Members were minded to refuse the application, contrary to the recommendation of the Director, Prosperity and Development, because of concerns about noise, highway access and loss of green space. The matter was deferred to the next suitable meeting for a report on the strengths and weaknesses of refusing against officer advice, and any possible planning reason for refusal.
Decided: The committee thanked the Lead Members and officers for the report. It agreed to recommend five changes to the Lead Member for Finance and Asset Management. The changes cover reports coming to scrutiny before Executive Board approval, clear marking of 'Green' ratings that slightly missed target, prosecutions as a streetscene measure, stronger dog fouling campaigns with community councils, and exploring how residents feel safe.
Decided: The Committee confirmed its forward work programme, subject to including the progress reports it had asked for during the meeting. Earlier in the meeting it had agreed that updates on ALN and the Climate and Nature Strategy should come back in 12 months.
Decided: The Committee acknowledged the 2024/25 performance indicators and the direction of travel towards the 2030 goals. It acknowledged the strategy's wider scope and supported the view that the Council's role in enabling and leading change is a positive move. It also asked for a further progress report in 12 months.
Decided: The Committee accepted the report, noting the points made in discussion. It also recommended that the Cabinet Member for the Environment revisit the Council's ambition to be net zero by 2030, and consider setting a realistic target for cutting carbon emissions.
Decided: The committee agreed to support the initial draft policy at this stage. It agreed that the coverage of contractors be explored further and reported back in the final version. It agreed that the Electric Vehicle Policy, reported as part of the Decarbonisation Plan, should include details of electric vehicles and their costs. It agreed that the pause in the testing process be reviewed so there is no ambiguity. It agreed that a further report come to the committee after consultation but before the policy is put in place.
RESOLVED: • To note the finalised Audit Wales Report issued to the Council and seek clarity and further information, as required, from Audit Wales on the content of the report; • To note the Council’s response to the recommendations reported by Audit Wales and seek clarity and further information, as required, from the Council; • To consider whether there are any matters of a governance, internal control or risk management nature that require further action or attention by the Governance and Audit Committee; and • To consider whether there are any matters of a performance nature that require referral to the Council’s Scrutiny Committees.
Resolved that following application of the public interest test, i) that some documentation were not for publication as they contain exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) and that due to this factor, the public interest in maintaining the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information at this stage. ii) that notwithstanding that the hearing should take place in public unless there was good reason to exclude the public (para 18.4.10.1 Hearings Procedure) and/or valid reasons for not doing so to promote public confidence in public life (para 1.24 PSOW Guidance),having taken into account of representations by the Member, and the Ombudsman’ representative, the remainder of the hearing (save for decisions) should take place in private session, in order to maintain the confidentiality of the sensitive information, without which there was a risk of sensitive information being disclosed that the hearing on 17 September 2025 should be held in private due to the confidential nature of information regarding witnesses and their personal data. and that two written statements should be taken as character witness statements and be considered at Stage 3 of the hearing if required.
RESOLVED – (1) THAT SLT’s consideration of the responses to the Governance and Audit Committee’s comments (Annex B to the report) be noted. (2) THAT the Quarter 1 position of corporate risks (April 2025-June 2025) outlined in the Risk Summary report (Annex A to the report) be noted. (3) THAT the following comments from the Committee be referred to Cabinet for their consideration and/or endorsement in terms of corporate risk: • Further clarification and consideration was required on the position of the delivery of major regeneration projects such as Barry Marina and its centrality to these in light of ABP withdrawing from the delivery of a marina as part of the Vale’s Levelling Up Programme and the acquisition of land (the Mole) earlier in the process and amend the other parts of the scheme including the park and Ocean Water Sports training facilities to compensate for the loss; • Further clarification and consideration was required on issues regarding the Cardiff Region City Deal and the impact of the legal settlement relating to Aberthaw Power Station; • That the national report on temporary accommodation, housing and homelessness be shared with Cabinet and the Governance and Audit Committee in due course, with the Council’s response to its recommendations, as well as outlining the potential legislative and financial impact / responsibilities of these for the Council; • The importance of adequately monitoring contract over runs and overspends for some projects where the costs had doubled from initial estimates, particularly in the context of those undertaken under Delegated Powers. Reasons for decisions (1&2) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting. (3) To ensure Cabinet receives the comments of the Governance and Audit Committee when considering corporate risk.