Merthyr Tydfil Council's full council meeting on 10 September 2025 saw councillors request a briefing on policing strategy from the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales, approve terms of reference for a community review, and note the Transformation Programme Phase 1 and Annual Delivery Plan. Councillors also received annual reports from the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board and the Annual Equality Report.

Policing in Merthyr Tydfil

Following a notice of motion presented by Councillor Lisa Mytton, Deputy Leader of the Opposition / Chair of Aspirational Merthyr Tydfil Scrutiny on behalf of the Independent Group, the council voted to invite the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales to a future meeting. The invitation requests a comprehensive briefing on the current policing strategy for the County Borough of Merthyr Tydfil.

The briefing should address:

• The scope and frequency of police patrols and visibility across the borough.
• The recent escalation in violent crime, and the measures being taken to address this trend.
• The persistent issues of anti-social behaviour and speeding vehicles, particularly in residential and commercial zones.
• The borough-wide approach to drug related offences and prevention strategies.

Councillor Andrew Barry declared a conflict of interest as his company contracts with the Merthyr Tydfil Together Initiative and abstained from the vote. All other councillors present voted in favour of the motion.

Community Review

The council approved the terms of reference and timetable to undertake a Community Review under Sections 25 and 31 of the Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013. Councillor Declan Sammon presented the report.

The Local Government (Democracy) (Wales) Act 2013 requires principal councils to monitor the communities in their areas and the electoral arrangements of those communities.

For the purposes of this review, a 'community' is a local government body below county or county borough level. Merthyr Tydfil has one elected community council serving Bedlinog and Trelewis with two electoral wards.

The review will consider:

• Whether to recommend community boundary changes.
• Whether the community should be divided into wards for community council elections.
• The number of councillors for the community.
• Ward boundaries and the number of community councillors for each ward.

Councillor Ian Thomas and Councillor Gillian Preston declared an interest as members of the Bedlinog and Trelewis Community Council but were able to speak and vote.

Transformation Programme and Annual Delivery Plan

Councillor Sammon also presented the report on the Transformation Programme (Phase 1) and Annual Delivery Plan 2025/2026, which the council noted. He advised of an amendment on page 71 of the agenda: the number of children on the Child Protection Register is 66, and the number of children Looked After is 156. He also advised that feedback provided by elected members at the workshop in July would be circulated to all councillors after this meeting.

The Transformation Programme has six workstreams:

• Digital and Customer
• Culture and Workforce
• Financial Resilience
• Good Governance
• Data
• Partnerships and Collaboration

The Annual Delivery Plan has five improvement themes:

• Communication
• Workforce / Training & Development
• Digital
• Governance
• Performance and Data

In response to questions, it was noted that trade unions have been involved in the process throughout and will continue to be included moving forward. The customer operating model defines the how behind what the council does, and a workshop is scheduled for October where the model will be expanded on to increase members' understanding. The report has been submitted for noting rather than for information because the Portfolio Member wanted every phase to be brought to Full Council for clarity and transparency.

Annual Equality Report

The council received the Annual Equality Report 2024-2025.

The report details the council's progress against its four Equality Objectives:

• Inclusive Engagement and Participation
• Accessible Services
• Inclusive and Diverse Workforce
• Equity of pay

The report notes that Merthyr Tydfil held its second Pride Event in August, and that the Progress flag was raised outside the Civic Centre to celebrate LGBT+ History month in February and in June for Pride month. The council has also achieved Level 2 status of being a Disability Confident Employer.

The council has developed a Welsh Language Programme structured using the 'Leading a Bilingual Country' model for change, focused on a key communication narrative that – Together - We are able to - Take small steps .

Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board Annual Report and Plan

The council received the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board Annual Report 2024 - 2025 and the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board Annual Plan 2025 – 2026.

The Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Board (CTMSB) is a statutory partnership made up of the agencies that are responsible for safeguarding children and adults at risk in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend. The aim of the Board is to ensure that people of all ages are protected from abuse, neglect or other kinds of harm.

The report notes that during 2024/25, all safeguarding training within Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council was provided via an interactive application, and that the council has been successful in the recruitment of a new Adult Team Manager.

Foster Carer Offer

The council approved the recommendations within the report on the Foster Carer Offer. Councillor David Hughes declared an interest as his family are foster carers and left the meeting during this item.