The Cabinet of Carmarthenshire Council met on Monday 31 March 2025 to discuss the council's financial position, capital programme, and various policy reviews. Key decisions included the approval of the 2024/25 capital programme update, noting new projects and agreeing to fund them from current year capital charges. The council also received an update on the revenue budget monitoring report, acknowledging significant overspends and agreeing to critical reviews of options to address the ongoing impact. The Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator Report for April to December 2024 was approved, as was the Model Teachers' Pay Policy for 2024/25. A draft Supplementary Planning Guidance on Landscape Character Assessment was approved for public consultation, and the revised Gambling Policy was recommended for approval by the full Council.

Capital Programme 2024/25 Update

The Cabinet received an update on the 2024/25 capital programme, noting a forecasted net spend of £90,088k against a working net budget of £131,145k, resulting in a variance of -£35,057k. This variance was attributed to the original HRA and General Fund capital programmes, slippage from the previous year, and adjustments for actual grant allocations and new awards. The Cabinet resolved to receive the update report and noted and agreed new projects to be funded from current year capital charges.

Council's Revenue Budget Monitoring Report

A comprehensive review of the council's revenue budget for 2024/25, as of 31 December 2024, was presented. The report indicated a projected departmental overspend of £16.9m, including school budgets, leading to a forecast overspend on the authority's net revenue budget of £5.3m. A significant factor contributing to this was schools setting budgets above funding levels, resulting in a £10.3m overspend. Urgent action is being taken at the school level to align expenditure with budgets. The report also highlighted an additional £3.2m in grant funding received from Welsh Government, which has been allocated to departments and school budgets, providing a welcome offset to wider pressures. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) forecast showed an overspend of £1.6m, largely due to a high level of responsive repairs driven by tenant demand. An officer working group is reviewing how to manage this through a more planned programme. The Cabinet resolved to receive the budget monitoring report, note the budgetary position and corrective actions, and for Chief Officers and Heads of Service to critically review options to address ongoing impacts.

Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator Report 1st April 2024 to 31st December 2024

The Cabinet considered the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator Report, which provided an update on treasury management activities between 1 April and 31 December 2024. The report detailed investment and borrowing activities, noting that gross interest earned on investments amounted to £6.19m, while interest paid on loans was £9.19m. The authority did not breach any of its Prudential Indicators during this period. The Cabinet unanimously resolved to approve the report.

Model Teachers' Pay Policy 2024/25

A report detailing the updated Model Teachers' Pay Policy for 2024/25 was presented. The policy reflects the September 2024 pay award as per the School Teachers’ Pay and Conditions (Wales) Document 2024 and includes a stipulation that Teaching and Learning Responsibility (TLR3) allowances should not be awarded for longer than two years. The Regional (Partneriaeth) Model Teachers' Pay Policy has been replaced by a National Model Teachers' Pay Policy from the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA). The Cabinet unanimously resolved to endorse the policy prior to its circulation to schools for formal adoption by their Governing Bodies.

Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG): Landscape Character Assessment Revised Local Development Plan

The Cabinet received a report outlining a Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) in the form of a Landscape Character Assessment for the County, for public consultation. The SPG aims to support the interpretation and implementation of the Adopted and Revised Local Development Plan (LDP). It was noted that the draft SPG would undergo a six-week public consultation, with representations to be reported back before Council consideration and approval. The SPG relates to the emerging Revised LDP, anticipated for adoption in Autumn 2025. The Cabinet resolved to recommend to the Council that the Draft SPG be approved for formal public consultation and to delegate authority to officers for minor factual, typographical, or grammatical amendments.

Review of Gambling Policy

A report on the review of the Gambling Policy was presented, reflecting the outcomes of a consultation process and ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidance. The current policy, adopted in March 2022, was reviewed as required every three years. The consultation, which ran from 27 September to 10 November 2024, involved the Chief Officer of Police, gambling businesses, and representatives of residents and businesses. It was noted that, following advice from the Gambling Commission and consultation responses, no significant amendments were made to the policy document itself, beyond updating local data. The Cabinet resolved to recommend to the Council that the Gambling Policy be approved.

Cross Hands Joint Venture - Update and Proposed Time Extension

Following the exclusion of the public due to the potential impact on negotiations, the Cabinet received an update on the Cross Hands Joint Venture. It was unanimously resolved that the County Council would extend the existing Cross Hands Joint Venture (CHJV) Agreement to 31 March 2030, with an option for a further three-year extension by written agreement.