Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Cllr P Rogers Item 6(b) – Personal, Member of Neath Athletic RFC

Cllr P Rogers Item 6(b) – Personal, Member of Neath Athletic RFC

·        20 February 2025

The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th February 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th February 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record.

·         There are no Cabinet Forward Work Programme Items to be considered.

There were no items to consider from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

There were no items to consider from the Cabinet Forward Work Programme.

·        There are no items to consider from the Scrutiny Forward Work Programme

There were no items to consider from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

There were no items to consider from the Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme.

Members considered the performance monitoring items as outlined on the agenda.

Members considered the performance monitoring items as outlined on the agenda.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Members sought clarification on the reserves and overspend position in comparison to the original budget set. Officers advised that they can prepare and circulate a document which would outline the opening balance, where the current spend is in relation to the budget set and where the balance is projected at the end of the financial year.

Members queried the savings with regards to ENV11 and the savings attributed to the recycling boxes and breakages, The item is identified as amber within the report. It indicates that there is going to be an overspend, but that this will be recovered in other areas. Members sought some clarity on this item. Officers advised that waste collection is operating within budget, however the spend on kit remains over budget. The number of boxes will reduce, as the number of paper boxes decrease, as paper is combined with card in the sacks.

Whilst members acknowledged the information provided, it was recognised that in terms of the specific proposals the savings do not appear to have been met. Members advised that this would need to be considered further with the relevant officers.

Members asked officer for an update on Home to School Transport and progress that has been made with regards to this item. Officers advised that they would ask Andrew Thomas, Director or Education and Nicola Pearce, Director of Environment to circulate an update with regards to this item. Cabinet Members, Cllr Simon Knoyle, advised that there has been an update on this item and that information could be circulated on it.

Members asked for an update to the schools’ budget position and any information that is know about school that may be seeking redundancies. Officers confirmed that this item should be considered within the purview of the Education, Skills and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.

Members noted that there was a projected £3m overspend on the three middle school budgets. It was confirmed that middle schools are the three 3-16year old schools within the Borough.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Members queried if the funding in relation to Cwrt Herbert racetrack would be carried forward into the new financial year. Officers confirmed that it would be. Members noted that there was also money for the refurbishment of the bar facilities. Officers confirm that the bar is run by Celtic Leisure and that currently the bar breaks even, however following the refurbishment it is hoped that the bar will make a profit during the next financial year.

Members queried whether Welsh Government grants could be altered to assist with delivering items for which they were not specifically granted. Officers confirmed that specific grants are in place to deliver specific ministerial priorities. When they are agreed by Welsh Government, it is difficult to use the grant for anything other than the specific items to which it relates.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were no urgent items.

There were no urgent items.