Issue - meetings

Following scrutiny, members noted the report and the suggestions and views put forward by the committee.

The Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning advised members that Directors, Heads of Service and accountable managers were working to achieve the required savings proposals across the local authority. The guiding principles were, where possible, to increase income, cover core costs against grants, protect public services and jobs. The consultation period has not yet commenced, and the proposals presented to members were part of a pre-consultation engagement exercise for members comments and ideas. Proposals have been based on currently known information and the assumption that grants and funding levels will continue. Some detail is still unavailable, however, if the proposals do form part of the official consultation proposals, more detail will be available.

Officers provided an overview of the budget proposals reference ELL-A – ELL-G as contained within the agenda pack. The savings for Margam Country Park are part of a three-year plan and a report will be presented to members in January, containing the new business plan and parking review. New events have been introduced at the park. In relation to staffing, there has been some staff progression, and one staff member has expressed an interest in retirement. There is a slight delay to the cinema project at Pontardawe Arts Centre, but it was hoped that this will be open for trading in March 2025. Savings have been realised from the closure of Pontardawe Swimming Pool. A new catering facility has been introduced at the Aqua Splash in Aberavon, which is operated by Celtic Leisure. Some schools are reviewing the service level agreement they have for the Education Learning Resource Service (ELRS). The savings in the ELRS area relate to the change of the use of technologies.

Members raised concern regarding potential staff redundancies and unfilled vacancies. Members commented that Margam Country Park was currently not making savings and questioned how savings will be achieved in the next financial year. Members commented that indoor leisure trading improvements were based on staff morale and considering Celtic Leisure was not being brought back in house next year, whether staff morale would enable these savings to be delivered.

The Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning acknowledged that any prediction of increased income could be affected by factors such as poor weather. The target across the suite of services was broadly achievable, with the ability to over achieve in some areas, such as the new cinema and catering facility at Pontardawe Arts Centre. In relation to Margam Country Park, predicted income is not static during the year and is dependent on weather and organised events. The Director was not aware of any predicted budget pressures in Margam Park. The Director acknowledged that there are risks for the ELRS; schools are looking to save money on non-statutory areas, due to budget pressures.

Members referred to budget proposal reference ELLL-D and requested a further breakdown.

The Director of Education, Leisure and Lifelong Learning confirmed that part of the management fee provided to Celtic Leisure was to run Pontardawe Swimming Pool and due  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4