Agenda and draft minutes

i.       Councillor Marc Davies, Chair of the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee apologised that he would leave the meeting early.

ii.      James Starbuck, Corporate Director apologised for his inability to attend the meeting.

Condolences were extended to the family of Professor Geraint Jenkins who recently passed away.

i.       Councillor Clive Davies declared a personal and prejudicial interest in relation to item 146 and withdrew from the meeting whilst the matter was being discussed.

ii.      Councillor Wyn Evans declared a personal interest in relation to item 147.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Cabinet held on 7 January 2025.

Matters arising: There were no matters arising from the minutes.

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DECISION:

1.     To note that the Mid & West Wales Fire Authority’s proposed budget increase will create a £301k cost pressure on the Council’s 25/26 Budget (which is the equivalent of a c0.6% Council Tax increase for Ceredigion residents).

2.     To recommend that the Budget & Overview Scrutiny Committees consider the following options for the draft 25/26 Budget Requirement and resulting provisional Council Tax increase for 25/26 for County Council purposes:

a)    A draft 25/26 Budget Requirement of £209.109m, resulting in a Council Tax increase (for the Ceredigion County Council component) of £13.94 per month for a Band D property (9.7%), which would include provision for a £230k investment in the Planning Enforcement Service and a £481k investment in the Waste Collection Service.

b)    A draft 25/26 Budget Requirement of £209.234m, resulting in a Council Tax increase (for the Ceredigion County Council component) of £14.24 per month for a Band D property (9.9%), which would include provision for a £346k investment in the Planning Enforcement Service and a £481k investment in the Waste Collection Service.

3.     To recommend that when the 25/26 WG Final settlement is issued:

a)    The value of any further specific grants transferred into RSG will be passported through to the relevant Service’s budget, where appropriate.

b)    Any other specific changes should be directly targeted to the affected Service(s), as and where appropriate.

c)     Any benefit from a Funding Floor in the Final Settlement would be used to reduce the indicative Council Tax increase.

d)    Any other change(s) to the AEF will be dealt with by an adjustment to the Leadership Group budget.

4.     To note that the Medium Term Financial Strategy will be updated after the Chancellor’s next Fiscal Statement (expected on 26/03/25).

5.     To note the proposed schedule of draft Fees & Charges as set out in Appendix 8, and that these will be formally considered by Cabinet on 18/02/25.

6.     To note the Multi-Year Capital Programme as set out in Appendix 10.

7.     To note the Capital Strategy as set out in Appendix 11.

8.     To note that any new or alternative options for the draft 25/26 Budget should be considered during the Budget Scrutiny meetings and that the Section 151 officer would need sufficient time in advance to fully model any potential impact(s) and to provide an opinion on the robustness of any proposal(s).

9.     To refer this Cabinet report for the views of the Budget Overview and Scrutiny Committees, so that their formal feedback can be considered by Cabinet on 18/02/25, in order for Cabinet to then make their final recommendations on the 25/26 Budget Requirement and the level of Council Tax increase for 25/26 to Full Council on 03/03/25.

10. To note the feedback from the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to Planning Enforcement.

Reason for the decision:

To enable the 2025/26 Budget preparation to proceed.

DECISION:

1)    To note the suggested responses to objectors (amended in line with any decisions made by Cabinet).

2)    To approve the implementation of the proposed Off Street Charging Structure as outlined within the report.

3)    To approve the making of the necessary Traffic Regulation Order, with the exception of the definition that Gloster Row / Red Lion Car Park should remain as a Pay and Display Car Park as it is currently.

4)    To approve the publication of a subsequent Notice of Making in the press to this effect.

5)    To note that Off Street Charging Structure will then take effect as soon as practically possible thereafter.

6)    To note the feedback from the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for the decision:

To simplify and rationalise current charges and arrangements and to help ensure that the Council meets its duty to prepare a balanced budget in line with the income expectation agreed by Council as part of the Budget Setting process for 24/25 is realised.

DECISION:

1)    To note the suggested responses to objectors (amended in line with any decisions made by Cabinet).

2)    To approve the implementation of the proposed Parking Charging model for Aberystwyth Promenade as outlined within the report.

3)    To approve the making of the necessary Traffic Regulation Order.

4)    To approve the publication of a subsequent Notice of Making in the press to this effect.

5)    To note that Parking Charging will then take effect as soon as practically possible thereafter.

6)    To note the feedback from the Thriving Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for the decision:

To introduce parking charges along the section of Aberystwyth Promenade from Castle Point to Constitution Hill, to provide greater availability of vehicle parking on the seafront by increasing parking turn-over.

DECISION:

To authorise officers to make good/complete the estate road at Nant Seilo.

Reason for the decision:

•        To improve Road Safety and resident wellbeing.

•        To enable adoption by the Local Highway Authority using the Private Streetworks Code.

DECISION:

1.     To approve the amendments to the Whistleblowing Policy as shown in Appendix 1.

2.     To note the feedback from the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinating Committee.

Reason for the decision:

To ensure that the Whistleblowing Policy is up to date and remains fit for purpose.

DECISION:

To approve that the Council progress with a Competitive Dialogue procurement process for the Cylch Caron scheme instead of an open tender.

Reason for the decision

To facilitate the Council’s decision to proceed with the Cylch Caron project.

DECISION:

To confirm the nomination outlined in the report as LA representative on the Governing Body of the relevant School.

Reason for the decision:

To nominate representatives of the LA on Governing Bodies.

Cabinet noted the positive report and the Panel’s headline conclusion that “considering the current high service demands and very challenging financial pressures, Ceredigion County Council is a well-run local authority”.

Cabinet noted the report and the feedback from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

None.