Agenda and minutes

Councillor Ann Bowen Morgan apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

Each Overview & Scrutiny Committee were asked to consider the draft 25/26 Budget report presented to Cabinet on 21 January 2025 and the associated impact on the respective Services within its remit. The Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on the 7th of February 2025 at 9am.  Cabinet had considered and agreed 9 recommendations in relation to the draft 25/26 Budget report.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bryan Davies, presented the report on the draft budget for 2025/2026.  The Cabinet Member for Finance and Procurement, Councillor Gareth Davies, presented the remaining information. Duncan Hall, Corporate Lead Officer, Finance and Procurement, then provided a brief verbal update on the latest Budget situation.

The Leader of the Council raised an issue relating to the fire levy and the recent Independent Cultural Review of the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service. It was stated that the Council as a constituent Authority would want to scrutinise the situation and to ask questions of the Mid and West Wales Fire Authority.

There was an opportunity for questions and input from Cabinet Members and officers regarding the relevant service areas.

The main points raised during discussion were:

-        A Councillor questioned why gold and platinum had been given as an option at the budget meetings when the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee had previously recommended the platinum option to Cabinet.  The Leader explained that as it would affect the Council tax % they wanted to consider both options.

- A review of the harbours within the County should be undertaken in order to re-launch the harbours.  This was suggested as an item to be included on the forward work programme.

- Questions were raised in relation to car parks.  Some members expressed there may be local interest to take over the running of car parks in certain areas.  Members were asked to contact officers with further information.  

- Options to work with other Authorities should be explored in order to make savings.

- Are jobs reviewed when they become vacant.  Officers responded that the recruitment process is kept under review, there are mechanisms in place.

- is general maintenance and repair kept in house or does the authority have to go through procurement.  This should be kept under to review to keep costs down.  It was suggested that this be added to the forward work programme.

- Options relating to the workforce - are there options to reduce the workforce without removing a service, opportunities for shared posts, opportunities for AI.

Following discussion, Committee Members were asked to consider the following recommendations.

Recommendations: For the respective Services that are within the remit of this Overview and Scrutiny Committee:

1.    To consider:

a)    the overall draft 25/26 Budget position.

b)    the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Movements.

c)    the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Cost Pressures.

d)    the relevant elements of the Revenue Budget Reductions Proposals.

e)    the relevant elements of the Fees & Charges proposals.

f)      the relevant elements of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

It was AGREED to confirm the minutes of the Committee meeting as a true record, There were no matters arising from those minutes.