The Ceredigion County Council Cabinet is scheduled to meet to discuss a range of issues, including the Medium Term Financial Strategy, household waste sites, and HR policies. The cabinet will also hear feedback from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on a number of these topics. A decision is expected on the proposed sale of assets.

Here's a closer look at the topics the Cabinet will be considering:

Medium Term Financial Strategy

The Cabinet will be asked to consider an updated Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) Report- Medium Term Financial Strategy.pdf for 2026/27 to 2030/31, prior to consideration by the Full Council. The MTFS provides an overview of the approach the council will take to achieve its priorities, considering the external environment and projected spending and funding.

Key points in the MTFS include:

• The link between the MTFS and the Corporate Strategy 2022-2027 and its associated Corporate Wellbeing Objectives.
• Indicative budget cost pressures.
• Budget gap scenarios based on different levels of council tax and Welsh Government funding.
• Sensitivity analysis of different budget variables and a summary of key assumptions.

The MTFS includes a projected budget shortfall of £3.5m over the next five years, even after factoring in annual budget reductions. The report notes that the closer pay awards align with Welsh Government funding settlements, the more manageable budget shortfalls become. The MTFS assumes a council tax increase of 7.5% and a Welsh Government funding increase of 2.0% in 2026/27 and 1.6% thereafter.

The Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee has already considered the MTFS and their feedback will be presented Scrutiny feedback- Corporate Estates Asset Programme.pdf.

Review of Household Waste Sites

The Cabinet will consider a report Report- Review of Household Waste Sites within Ceredigion.pdf on the review of household waste sites within Ceredigion, including feedback from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

A 12-week public consultation was carried out, seeking views on a proposal to suspend use of the Rhydeinon Household Waste Site until a longer-term review of waste services is complete.

The consultation received 1250 responses. Of those:

• 50% stated that they used the Rhydeinon HWS most often
• 56% stated that suspension of the use of Rhydeinon HWS would have a direct impact on them or their family, citing increased travel distance, impact on recycling, and risk of fly-tipping.

The Thriving Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee has recommended that the Cabinet reverse the decision to realise a budget revenue saving of £100k, and instead maintain all four sites with current opening hours, temporarily funding the continuation of provision at Rhydeinon through utilisation of a grant funding opportunity.

New HR Policies

The Cabinet will be asked to review and recommend two schools' policies Report- New HR Policies.pdf:

• Reviewing Professional Development Policy
• Schools Managing Organisational Change Policy

The Reviewing Professional Development Policy is a new policy developed to set out the council's recommended approach for schools to secure effective teaching and leadership. The Schools Managing Organisational Change Policy sets out the council's recommended policy for schools to effect organisational change which may require contractual changes for employees, or the requirement to make posts redundant.

The Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee have already discussed the policies Scrutiny feedback- Corporate Estates Asset Programme.pdf.

Proposed Sale of Assets

The Cabinet will consider a report Report- Proposed Sale of Assets.pdf seeking approval to sell two council assets:

• Former Primary School and land, Felinfach
• Former Primary School, Dihewyd

Assessments are on-going on a range of assets, and these assets have been assessed by the Asset Development Panel and Development Group recommending their disposal.

The recommendation is that the sites are put on the open market following a comprehensive promotional exercise. The site in Felinfach has been externally valued at £200,000 for the school and playground, and between £75,000 and £100,000 for the field across the road. The site in Dihewyd has been externally valued at £250,000. These figures include hope value (for future development opportunity) in line with planning officer advice.

The Corporate Lead Officer and Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration would be given delegated authority to accept or reject offers that fall below the external valuation.

Counter Fraud Strategy & Counter Fraud Protocol

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the Counter Fraud Strategy & Counter Fraud Protocol Report- Counter Fraud Strategy Counter Fraud Protocol.pdf. The Counter Fraud Strategy and Protocol replaces the existing Strategy on Countering Fraud, Corruption & Bribery (to include Anti-Money Laundering).

The Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee have already discussed the strategy and protocol Scrutiny feedback- Corporate Estates Asset Programme.pdf.

Sport Wales Capital Grant Award for Hamdden Caron Leisure

The Cabinet will consider a report Report- Sport Wales Capital Grant Award for Hamdden Caron Leisure.pdf to agree that Ceredigion County Council acts in an intermediary role relating to Sports Wales capital funding for Hamdden Caron Leisure.

Sport Wales have offered a grant of £83,700 towards an estimated expenditure of £93,000 for the energy efficiency elements of the programme namely:

• New Heating System
• Low Energy Lighting
• Insulation of existing facility external walls

The role of the local authority is to act as the initial grant recipient from Sport Wales and then make a parallel grant offer to Hamdden Caron Leisure.

Revised Coroner Pay Arrangements for 2025/26

The Cabinet will consider a report Report- Revised Coroner Pay Arrangements for 2025-26.pdf to approve revised Coroner and Assistant Coroner Pay arrangements for 2025/26.

The Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Coroners has been withdrawn, and the Local Government Association issued Circular 71 in the form of advice to Local Authority Chief Executives. The circular recommends that local authorities give consideration to a 3.20 per cent uplift in pay for coroners for 2025/26.

LA Representative on Governing Bodies

The Cabinet will consider a report Report- LA Representative on Governing Bodies.pdf to confirm the nomination of a LA Representative on Governing Bodies.

The report seeks to re-nominate Danny Frisby as LA Governor at Comins Coch Primary School.

Independent Reviewing Service Performance Management Report Quarter 4 2024 - 2025

The Cabinet will note the Independent Reviewing Service Performance Management Report Quarter 4 2024 - 2025 Report- Independent Reviewing Service Performance Mgmt Report Q4 24-25.pdf.

The report monitors the progress of Looked After Children through Independent Safeguarding Reviewing Officers scrutiny of their plans and placements during the fourth quarter of 2024/2025.

The Healthier Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee have already noted the report Scrutiny feedback- Corporate Estates Asset Programme.pdf.

Annual Report of Compliments, Complaints and Freedom of Information (2024-2025)

The Cabinet will note the Annual Report of Compliments, Complaints and Freedom of Information (2024-2025) Report- Annual Report of Compliments Complaints and FOI 24-25.pdf. The report provides an overview of the Compliments, Complaints and Freedom of Information (FOI) activity received by the Authority during 2024 - 2025, and includes the Ombudsman's Annual Letter.

The Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee have already discussed the report Scrutiny feedback- Corporate Estates Asset Programme.pdf.

Councillor Elaine Evans, Chair of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee, thanked Marie-Neige Hadfield and her team for their hard work.