The Place, Sustainability & Climate Change Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, to review the council's financial performance, highway asset management, and progress on climate change initiatives. Key decisions included the approval of the 2024/25 Revenue Budget Outturn Report, the 2025/26 Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring reports, and the 2025/26 End of Quarter 1 Performance Report. The committee also discussed draft reports on climate change and EV infrastructure, and received an update on the trueCall© call blocking initiative.

Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2025/26

The committee reviewed the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring reports for the Place & Infrastructure and Public Protection Services for the 2025/26 financial year, as presented by the Cabinet Member for Resources. The reports detailed the budgetary position as at 30th June 2025. The committee resolved to approve the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring report for 2025/26.

Revenue Budget Outturn Report 2024/25

The committee considered the Revenue Budget Outturn Report for 2024/25 concerning the Place & Infrastructure and Public Protection Services. It was noted that these services collectively reported an overall overspend of £1,243,000. The committee raised concerns regarding vacant posts in Environmental Enforcement due to recruitment freezes and flexi-retirement, and the potential impact on statutory functions. The Head of Environmental Infrastructure clarified that these posts had since been filled. Concerns were also raised about the escalating numbers of rodents, with the Head of Leisure and Public Protection stating that additional funding was being sought and multi-agency work was underway. The committee also discussed projected savings related to waste management, with assurances that savings had been realised and a click-and-collect system for blue bags was under consideration. The committee resolved to approve the Revenue Budget Outturn report for 2024/25.

Highways Asset Management Plan – Annual Statement Report 2025

The committee received the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) Annual Statement Report for 2025, which detailed the condition and performance of the highway network. The report highlighted a significant highway surface maintenance backlog exceeding £77 million, with an estimated annual requirement of £8 million to maintain current conditions. Despite planned capital investment and additional funding from the Local Government Borrowing Initiative and the Welsh Government Resilient Roads Fund, the total investment over two years was still £6.5 million below the estimated requirement. The report noted a 400% increase in recorded potholes compared to 2021, with figures expected to be significantly higher than in 2024. The committee also heard about the condition of bridges and structures, with 38 structures classified as sub-standard under current loading limits, and a backlog of £13.2 million for maintenance and strengthening. The report detailed achievements in winter service efficiencies, the use of recycled materials in road surfacing, and the replacement of sub-standard bridges. The committee was also updated on the progress of the Tywi Valley Path project. The committee resolved to accept the non-submission report regarding the Condition of Rural Roads and agreed to include the Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP), including information on potholes and road edging, onto the Committee's Forward Work Plan for consideration at the meeting on 19th November 2025.

Climate Change and Nature Emergency Advisory Panel Draft Report to Cabinet on Transport and EV Infrastructure

The committee reviewed the draft report from the Climate Change and Nature Emergency Advisory Panel concerning transport decarbonisation and EV infrastructure. The report highlighted that transport emissions accounted for 23% of the council's overall carbon equivalent emissions. It outlined Welsh Government objectives for ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) and the national transport delivery plan. The report detailed Carmarthenshire's baseline position, noting a stalled transition to EV and missed grant funding opportunities. However, since 2023, progress has been made with an increase in the EV fleet and the installation of new EV charging points. A new operational fleet policy of ULEV by default was implemented in October 2023, requiring a TEEP analysis for any deviation. The committee was presented with eight recommendations from the panel, including formalising TEEP analysis, developing a council EV infrastructure policy, and enhancing EV provision. The report also discussed staff engagement, public utilisation of pool vehicles, and the development of an EV maintenance strategy. The committee was informed about the establishment of the EV Infrastructure Group to coordinate efforts.

TrueCall© Update and Progress Report

An update was provided on the trueCall© call blocking initiative, part of the Financial Exploitation Safeguarding Scheme (FESS). Since 2014, over 230,000 nuisance calls have been blocked, resulting in estimated cost savings of £1,359,348 for residents and £805,040 for public services. The report detailed the development of the Seraphimbeta monitoring system, which aids proactive interventions. Since 2022, Carmarthenshire devices have blocked 155,469 nuisance calls, including 33,901 known scam numbers, generating estimated cost savings of £926,073 for residents and £548,442 for public services. A case study illustrated the positive impact of the trueCall© device on a vulnerable resident. The committee was informed of academic research conducted by a Trading Standards Officer on the programme's outcomes. The report concluded that the trueCall© programme, supported by Seraphimbeta, effectively protects vulnerable residents from telephone fraud.

Explanation for Non-Submission of Scrutiny Report

The committee noted the absence of the scrutiny report regarding the Condition of Rural Roads. The explanation provided indicated that the report was still in draft form and would be presented at the next meeting. The committee agreed to add the Highways Asset Management Plan (HAMP), including information on potholes and road edging, to its Forward Work Plan. The committee resolved to accept the non-submission report.

Forthcoming Items

The committee reviewed the list of forthcoming items for the next meeting scheduled for 19th November 2025. These included the Q2 Performance Report, Budget Monitoring reports, the Carmarthenshire County Council Environment Act Forward Plan (January 2026 - December 2028), and a report on the Carmarthenshire Community Transport Strategy. The committee also noted reports circulated via email, including the 2024/25 End of Year Performance Report. The committee unanimously resolved to agree the list of forthcoming items, note the comments received on circulated reports, and include the Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) on its Forward Work Plan.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 15th July 2025 were signed as a correct record.