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 any apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was received from the Interim Corporate Director of Social Services.

To receive any declarations of interest or dispensations.

No declarations of interest or dispensations were reported.

To consider report of the Corporate Director Corporate Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director of Corporate Services and Service Manager Accountancy.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and recommended Option 1 to the Council, as follows:-

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

·       The cost pressures identified in paragraphs 5.1.11 to 5.1.17 and shown in table 2 at 5.1.8 relating to:-

-        the Council - £2.3m

-        Schools - £2.4m

-        Aneurin Leisure Trust - £0.4m

·       The 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.

·       The Bridging the Gap budget cuts/efficiencies in paragraphs 5.1.18 to 5.1.23.

·       A Council Tax increase of 4.95% for 2025/2026.

·       The updated MTFS for 2025/2026 to 2029/2030 attached at Appendix 2.

To consider report of the Corporate Director Corporate Services.

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

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and agreed Option 1, as follows:-

1.    Cabinet recommended to Council the register of Fees & Charges for 2025/2026 attached at Appendix 1, and for discretionary fees & charges approved a fee uplift of 3% in line with the assumption for inflation within the MTFS the alternative fee proposed as detailed in paragraphs 5.1.5 to 5.1.14; 

2.    recommended to Council to approve delegated power and responsibility to the Interim Corporate 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; and

3.    recommended to Council to approve the core price increases relating to Aneurin Leisure Trust attached at Appendix 2.