Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Sonia Williams, the Vice-Chair, Councillor Arfon Wyn was elected to serve as Vice-Chair for this meeting of the committee.

Councillor R. Llewelyn Jones noted with regret the death of the Rev. Jesse Jackson which was announced yesterday. Councillor Jones paid tribute to the Rev. Jackson’s lifelong work for civil rights, equality and social justice. Members and Officers stood in silence as a mark of respect.

To receive any declaration of interest by any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

No declaration of interest was received.

To present the minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 21 January 2026.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee held on 21 January 2026 were presented and were confirmed as correct.

To present the report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Democracy was presented for the Committee’s consideration. The report outlined the context to the 2026/27 Budget setting process and highlighted the key issues and questions for Scrutiny in formulating a formal response to the Executive’s final draft revenue budget proposals. The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer, summarising the Executive’s final draft budget proposals together with the updated medium term outlook was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Councillor Gary Pritchard, Leader and Portfolio Member for Economic Development  presented the report and noted that the Corporate Scrutiny Committee is being asked to review the final draft revenue budget proposals for 2026/27 and provide a formal response to the Executive before the budget goes to the Full Council on 5 March 2026. The initial draft budget proposals were discussed in detail at this committee’s 21 January meeting including the significant financial pressures and challenges faced by the Council. The final proposals remain unchanged i.e. a total budget of £207.029m, a proposed 5.1% Council Tax increase and the use of £1.685m of reserves to balance the budget. In setting the proposed budget the Executive has recognised the need to protect frontline services and to increase funding for adult and children’s services to meet rising demand while ensuring that schools receive the funding required to meet inflationary pressures.

The Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer confirmed that no matters have arisen since the issuing of the initial budget proposal which requires amendment to the net expenditure budget which remains at £207.029m. He advised the committee of his statutory duty to report on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s financial reserves. He explained that the 2026/27 budget is based on an assessment of the costs and income expected in the coming financial year with assumptions applied and risks identified. The main risks are highlighted in section 5 of the report and having considered all the risks and the mitigating actions, he concluded that in his view, the budget is robust and deliverable and the Council’s current level of healthy general balances and earmarked provides sufficient mitigation against the risks identified. With regard to the medium term outlook he noted that based on the latest information, significant savings will still be required in 2027/28 and 2028/29 although inflation, pay awards and demand for services remain major uncertainties.

Councillor Geraint Bebb, Chair of the Resources Scrutiny Panel reported on the outcome of the Panel’s meeting on 12 February 2026 at which the final draft revenue budget proposals for 2026/27 were considered. Having reviewed the documentation presented by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer and having noted that the final draft budget proposals were unchanged from the initial proposals, the Panel had resolved to support  the final draft revenue budget proposals for 2026/27 as presented and to recommend them to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

In responding to the committee’s questions on the final draft revenue budget proposals for 2026/27, Officers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To present the report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Head of Democracy was presented for the Committee’s consideration. The report outlined the context to the 2026/27 Capital Budget setting process along with the key issues and questions for Scrutiny in evaluating the Executive’s final draft capital budget proposals. The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer summarising the final capital spending proposals for 2026/27 was attached at Appendix 1.

Councillor Gary Pritchard, Leader and Portfolio Member for Economic Development presented the report noting that the capital budget remains tight which limits the Council’s ability to progress new projects. Borrowing is an option, but it carries financial risk and ongoing costs to the revenue budget.

The Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer explained that the capital budget is guided by the Capital Strategy 2026-2031 which prioritises protecting and maintaining current assets, maximising external funding, meeting statutory responsibilities and continuing to support the Communities for Learning Programme. Although the General Capital Funding allocation from Welsh Government for 2026/27 is £155k (3.15%) higher than in 2025/26, it does not make up for the erosion in value  caused by inflation. The Council may borrow to fund capital spending but borrowing generates revenue costs because loans must be repaid. Treasury Management rules set limits on borrowing to ensure that councils borrow responsibly.

While the Welsh Government’s Capital Grant is largely absorbed by the need to maintain existing assets, the capital programme and budget also include other key projects -  improvements to Menai Bridge Pier and Pontoons (£225k); Phase 2 of the Plas Arthur Leisure Centre refurbishment (£1.65m), and upgrades to Penhesgyn and Gwalchmai recycling centres (£3.806m) funded largely through the eEPR scheme funding. In addition, the Council has received £1.5m from the UK Government’s Pride in Place Fund to deliver community led improvement initiatives.

The proposed Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme for 2026/27 totals £31.572m and is focused on continued investment in existing housing stock to maintain compliance with WHQS (£15.71m); a new extra care and residential facility in Menai Bridge (£14.001m); new housing developments (£1.498m but with the potential for further additions during the year); and replacement vehicles for the Housing Maintenance Unit (£363k). HRA funding is ring-fenced meaning that both revenue and capital resources must be used for housing purposes only. When combined with the General Fund capital budget, the total proposed capital budget for 2026/27 is £54.084m.

Councillor Geraint Bebb, Chair of the Resources Scrutiny Panel reported on the outcome of the Panel’s meeting on 12 February 2026 at which the final  draft capital budget proposals for 2026/27 were considered. In reviewing the proposed capital programme and budget the panel had noted that General Fund capital expenditure prioritises existing assets including Council buildings, schools, vehicles, IT infrastructure, highways and Disabled Facilities Grants. Having reviewed  the documentation presented by the Director of Function (Resources)/ Section 151 Officer, the Panel had resolved to support the final draft capital budget proposals for 2026/27 as presented and to recommend them to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Gary Pritchard, Leader  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To present the report of the Chair of the Panel.

It was noted that feedback from the Resources Scrutiny Panel meeting on 12 February 2026 had been provided by the Chair of the Panel under items 3 and 4 above.

To present the report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property.

The report of the Head of Highways, Waste and Property incorporating the Smallholdings Management Strategic Plan 2026-2031 was presented for the committee’s consideration.

Councillor Gary Pritchard, Leader and Portfolio Member for Economic Development presented the report noting that the new Smallholdings Strategic Plan replaces the previous 15 year old policy and sets out a five year framework to ensure  a strategic, holistic and co-ordinated approach to managing the smallholdings estate in alignment with the Council Plan. He explained that a multi-party smallholdings steering group has been established and that the strategic plan has been driven by the work and output of that group’s meetings.

The committee in scrutinising the Smallholdings Management Strategic Plan, raised the following points  -

·      The committee sought clarification of the proposed monitoring and governance arrangements and requested that an annual progress report be provided.

·      How the Council’s smallholdings estate demonstrates value for money

·      Whether more regular engagement with tenants would be advantageous, while  recognising that the priority should be to implement the proposed programme of improvements before considering additional engagement activity.

The committee was advised that consideration will be given to how progress against the strategic plan is reported as part of a broader review of how all the Council’s strategic plans are integrated into the wider performance reporting framework to ensure progress is monitored. It was emphasised the purpose of the smallholdings strategic plan is to ensure that the estate is managed sustainably  so that it delivers appropriate financial, environmental and social returns thereby providing value for money. The estate also has an economic role by creating opportunities for new farmers, supporting local employment and contributing to local food production. The smallholdings steering group has reviewed the estate and the Executive has redirected some underspend to the Property Service to strengthen capacity to implement the required improvements and ensure that farm buildings are fit for purpose.

Following discussion and having regard to the matters raised and responses provided, it was resolved to recommend the Smallholdings Management Strategic Plan 2026-2031 to the Executive for approval.

To present the report of the Head of Democracy.

The report of the Head of Democracy incorporating the committee’s forward work programme for 2025/26 was presented for consideration and review.

It was resolved –

·      To agree the current version of the Forward Work Programme for 2025/26.

·      To note progress thus far in implementing the forward work programme.