Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J. Morgan, J.P., D. Rowberry and the Corporate Director of Education.

To consider any declarations of interest and dispensations made.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Corporate Services.

Members considered the report of the Corporate Director of Corporate Services.

It was unanimously,

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely:

-        The register of Fees & Charges for 2025/2026 be approved together with the following discretionary fees & charges:

·       a fee uplift of 3% in line with the assumption for inflation within the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS); and

·       the alternative fees proposed as detailed in paragraphs 5.1.5 to 5.1.14 of the report.

-        Delegated power and responsibility be granted to the Interim Director of Social Services for setting the fees and charges for 2025/2026 relating to the provision of external social care and Cwrt Mytton as detailed in paragraph 5.1.7 of the report.

-        The core price increases relating to Aneurin Leisure Trust attached at Appendix 2 be approved.

To consider the report of the Corporate Director of Corporate Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Corporate Services.

Councillor P. Baldwin joined the meeting at this juncture.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Leader of the Council proposed that Option 1 be endorsed (paragraphs 3.2.1 – 3.2.7) including a Council Tax increase of 4.95%.  This proposal was seconded.

The Leader of the Independent Group proposed the following amendment:

Amended Proposal:

-        Additional funding provided to the Trust was supported  but to be funded by Council Reserves, resulting in a proposed Council Tax increase of 3.95%. The amended proposal was seconded.

Councillor J. Gardner left the meeting at this juncture.

A recorded vote was, thereupon, requested.

In Favour of the amended proposal including an  increase in Council Tax by 3.95% – Councillors D. Davies, G. A. Davies, M. Day, J. Hill, W. Hodgins, J. Holt, J. Millard, J. P. Morgan, L. Parsons, G. Thomas, J. Wilkins.

Against the amended proposal including an increase Council Tax by 3.95% – Councillors P. Baldwin, S. Behr, D. Bevan, K. Chaplin, M. Cross, H. Cunningham, S. Edmunds, G. Humphreys, R. Leadbeater, J. C. Morgan, C. Smith, T. Smith, S. Thomas, H. Trollope, D. Wilkshire, L. Winnett.

The vote on the amendment was not carried.

A further verbal vote was not required in respect of the original proposal to increase Council Tax by 4.95% but Members agreed that the result from the initial vote taken be reversed  and included in the decisions for the record.

In Favour of the proposal to increase Council Tax by 4.95% – Councillors P. Baldwin, S. Behr, D. Bevan, K. Chaplin, M. Cross, H. Cunningham, S. Edmunds, G. Humphreys, R. Leadbeater, J. C. Morgan, C. Smith, T. Smith, S. Thomas, H. Trollope, D. Wilkshire, L. Winnett.

Against the proposal to increase Council Tax by 4.95% – Councillors D. Davies, G. A. Davies, M. Day, J. Hill, W. Hodgins, J. Holt, J. Millard, J. P. Morgan, L. Parsons, G. Thomas, J. Wilkins.

FURTHER RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and Option 1 be endorsed, namely:

Ø The assumptions applied in developing the 2025/2026 Draft Estimates (paragraphs 5.1.4 to 5.1.10) be approved.

Ø The cost pressures identified in paragraphs 5.1.11 to 5.1.17 and shown in table 2 at 5.1.8 be approved relating to:

-        the Council - £2.3m

-        Schools - £2.4m

-        Aneurin Leisure Trust - £0.4m

Ø Grants transferring into the Settlement for 2025/2026 be passported to the relevant services as detailed in paragraph 2.8 and included in table 2 at 5.1.16.

Ø The Bridging the Gap budget cuts / efficiencies totalling £1.93m identified in paragraphs 5.1.18 to 5.1.23 be approved.

Ø A Council Tax increase of 4.95% for 2025/2026 be approved.

Ø The updated MTFS for 2025/2026 to 2029/2030 attached at Appendix 2 be approved.

To consider the attached Motion.

Consideration was given to the above-named Motion.

It was unanimously,

RESOLVED that Council:

-        Welcomed the resignation of the partnership of the G.P.’s from all surgeries in Blaenau Gwent for which they held contracts.

-        Believed that questions remain about the award and management of these contracts, especially in relation to concerns raised by patients, practice staff, medical professionals and elected representatives.

-        Called for an independent inquiry into these events.

-        Urged Health Minister Jeremy Miles to commission an urgent review into the GP Contract in Wales.