Cardiff Council's Cabinet is scheduled to convene on Thursday, 17 September 2026, with a packed agenda covering a wide range of critical council services. Key discussions are expected to include the annual wellbeing report, updates on major infrastructure projects like the Coastal Risk Management Programme, and significant policy reviews concerning provision for children with additional learning needs and the Home to School Transport Policy. The Cabinet will also address financial matters, including the 2027/28 Budget Strategy and Medium-Term Financial Plan, alongside housing and community initiatives such as the Pengam Green Masterplan and the recommissioning of care home placements for older people.

Annual Wellbeing Report 2025/26

The Cabinet is set to receive the council's Annual Wellbeing Report for 2025/26. This report provides an assessment of progress made in delivering the administration's priorities as outlined in the Corporate Plan 2025-28. It also fulfils statutory obligations under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 and the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015. The report includes a strategic self-assessment of the Council's performance against its seven Wellbeing Objectives, such as Cardiff is a Great Place to Grow Up and One Planet Cardiff, alongside detailed updates on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The report highlights areas of progress, such as improved educational attainment and the ending of leased hotel accommodation for homeless individuals, but also identifies corporate improvement priorities for the year ahead, including ensuring continued service and financial resilience, and improving performance in key services.

Coastal Risk Management Programme - Construction Update

Councillor Dan De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, will present an update on the Cardiff Coastal Protection Scheme. This major infrastructure project aims to address long-term coastal erosion and flood risk along Cardiff's coastline, protecting over 1,100 residential and 72 non-residential properties. The report details programme progress, key delivery challenges, the financial position, and projected outturn, noting that approximately 70% of construction works are complete. It will seek approval for a contract programme extension to August 2027 due to delays in environmental approvals and changes to construction methodology, as well as approval for sectional completion of the completed rock armour area.

Provision for Children and Young People with Additional Learning Needs (ALN): Phase 1 - Determination

Councillor Sarah Merry, Cabinet Member for Education, will present a report on proposals to extend and realign additional learning needs (ALN) provision. These proposals represent a significant investment in specialist education, aiming to provide an additional 334 specialist places in Autumn 2026, with further places planned by 2032. The report will inform Cabinet of any objections received to the published statutory notices and consider a recommendation to authorise officers to implement the proposals. This includes establishing new Specialist Resource Bases (SRBs) for Autism/Social Communication Needs, Complex Learning Needs, and Emotional Health and Wellbeing Needs across various primary and secondary schools, as well as increasing capacity at Meadowbank Special School, Tŷ Gwyn Special School, and Woodlands High School. The report also addresses the positive impact on Welsh-medium education and outlines financial implications, noting that the affordability of the programme is dependent on Welsh Government business case approval.

Home to School Transport Policy

Councillor Sarah Merry will also present a refreshed Home to School Transport Policy for approval. This refresh aims to align the policy more clearly with current legislation, guidance, and operational practice, and to improve accessibility of information. Crucially, no changes to eligibility, entitlement, or the level of transport provision are proposed. The draft 2026 policy represents a shift towards a more detailed learner travel framework with stronger governance, safeguarding, inclusion, and accountability requirements, modernising coverage to reflect ALN legislation and strengthening sustainability objectives.

Re-Procurement of the Collaborative South East Technical and Professional Services Framework 2 (SEWTAPS2)

Councillor Leonora Thomson, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation & Performance, will present a report on the re-procurement of the South East Wales Technical and Professional Services (SEWTAPS) Framework. This national framework, established in 2021 and expiring in April 2027, provides access to a wide range of technical and professional consultancy services for public sector organisations across the UK. The report proposes a new framework structure and management approach to ensure it continues to meet evolving needs, building on its success and reputation. The current framework has supported over 100 public sector bodies and generated around £250 million in spend. The proposed procedure will utilise a two-stage Competitive Flexible Procedure under the Procurement Act 2023, with a Pre-Selection Questionnaire (PSQ) followed by an Invitation to Tender (ITT).

Budget Strategy 2027/28 and the Medium Term

Councillor Leonora Thomson will also present an update on the budget preparation for 2027/28, including the latest estimate of the budget gap, which is projected to be £45.0 million for 2027/28 and £163.7 million over the period 2027/28 to 2030/31. The report outlines the budget timetable for presenting the 2027/28 Budget to Council in March 2027 and provides an updated assessment of the Council's financial resilience. Key factors affecting the budget include price inflation, workforce costs, demand for services, and uncertainty around Welsh Government funding settlements. The report models the potential savings requirement and proposes a budget strategy that combines Council Tax increases with significant savings, alongside a review of the capital programme.

Pengam Green Masterplan Phase 1 - Gypsy Traveller Provision

Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities, and Councillor Dan De'Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, will jointly present a report on the Pengam Green Masterplan, focusing on Gypsy and Traveller provision. The report updates on progress in developing the masterplan and seeks agreement to amendments to current proposals for Gypsy and Traveller provision to ensure compliance with the Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) inspectors' comments. The inspectors found that the current proposals do not sufficiently meet the accommodation requirements identified in the Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA). The report proposes that the new site at Pengam Green be designated as permanent, that the existing Rover Way site be identified as additional permanent provision, and that a city-wide site assessment process be commenced to identify further opportunities.

Recommissioning of Care Home Placements for Older People

Councillor Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member for Social Services (Adult Services and Public Health), will present a report seeking Cabinet approval for a redesigned model for commissioning care home placements for older people. This proposal moves away from the current Dynamic Approved Provider List (DAPL) to a new Light Touch Services Framework model. The new approach aims to improve service user outcomes, strengthen market sustainability, and enable more effective financial management by introducing a framework-first approach, fixed pricing, and enhanced quality assurance. The report details the proposed framework structure, lotting, pricing model, and placement arrangements, acknowledging an anticipated cost increase of approximately £2.8 million per annum in the initial years, with potential for long-term cost reductions.

Any Items that the Chair has decided are Urgent

There are no items listed as urgent for this meeting.

Items Exempt from Publication

There are no items exempt from publication for this meeting.