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The committee considered the Torfaen Deal's approach to communication and engagement with residents, and the 2026/27 delivery plan for the County Plan. The minutes record no decision on the Deal, but the committee made two recommendations on the delivery plan. Members also asked for seminars on place-making, housing and the use of AI in services.
The Cross-Cutting Resources and Business Overview & Scrutiny Committee considered the financial planning update for 2026/27 and questioned officers on pay, grants, reserves and new investments. The minute records discussion only, with no decisions taken on the update.
The committee scrutinised the council's initial revenue estimates for 2026/27, the draft budget before final approval. Officers said the gap between spending pressures and funding stood at £2.847 million after funding assumptions, with savings and other measures under consideration. The committee recommended two steps asking that all members be told in good time about rising risks or budget pressures.
It made six recommendations, including more precise data in future reports, and asked for a written update on heritage trails and green energy work.
The committee scrutinised the council's proposed Deal with the community, which sets out its communications and engagement strategy. The Leader and senior officers answered members' questions. The committee offered six recommendations, including seeking the views of schools and early years settings, reviewing how the Deal is governed and measured, and testing the wording of its five missions.
The Committee was satisfied with the budget and commended officers for their work on the reports. It recommended that specific County Plan actions be referred to other scrutiny committees for closer consideration.
The committee made five recommendations for the Council to consider, on a dedicated contact for young people, training, and two-way feedback.
The committee scrutinised, or examined in detail, the council's initial revenue budget estimates for 2025/26. These are early figures, made before the Welsh Government funding settlement is known, and the committee made two recommendations and noted further commitments on financial information and service plans.
Officers answered members' questions, and the committee agreed 11 recommendations and comments for consideration. The minute does not record any formal decision on the report itself.
The committee scrutinised a report on workforce data and trends and questioned officers on succession planning, sickness absence, recruitment and staff wellbeing. It offered four recommendations for future reporting and recruitment work, and commended officers for their work. Members still expressed concern that staff workloads should be monitored closely, despite a much smaller workforce over the last 15 years.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The committee scrutinised the draft Strategic Equality Plan 2024-2028 with officers and a Cabinet Member. Scrutiny means members checking and questioning a proposal before a decision is made. The committee agreed a set of recommendations and comments to pass on.
The committee looked at the first draft of the council's spending and income plan for 2024/25, known as the Initial Revenue Estimates, and questioned officers on it. Members raised concerns about the Council Tax increase and savings in Adult Services, and the committee was satisfied with the estimates and made no recommendations.
The committee scrutinised Torfaen's climate change and nature emergency work with council officers. Councillors then made eleven recommendations and comments for the council to consider, covering electric vehicle charging, active travel, tree data, food, energy support and training.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.
The minutes are published. No summary has been written yet.