The Carmarthenshire Council Cabinet met on Monday 30 September 2024, addressing the Adaptations Policy, the Council's revenue budget, and the capital programme. Key decisions included the re-introduction of means testing for medium-scale disabled facilities grants, noting a significant projected overspend in the revenue budget, and approving updates to the capital programme.

Adaptations Policy

The Cabinet considered the findings and recommendations of the Communities, Homes and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee's Task and Finish Group regarding the Council's Adaptations Policy. The policy, which assists individuals in adapting their homes under the Housing Grant Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 and the Children's Act 1989, was amended.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

• Re-introduce means testing for medium-scale disabled facilities grants. Councillor Linda Evans, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Homes, proposed an amendment to point 3 of the recommendations, stating that where circumstances are deemed exceptional, the matter would be referred to the Head of Service (Housing and Finance service) for consideration, though this referral does not guarantee approval.
• Adopt the amended Draft Adaptations Policy, incorporating the suggested amendments.
• Approve Grant Repayment Conditions for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) over £5,000, requiring repayment if the property is sold within 10 years of completion, with exemptions for financial hardship, moving for employment, or moving into residential care.
• Approve that adaptations for foster children placed in Carmarthenshire by another Local Authority will only be considered if the criteria within the policy are met.
• Agree that staffing levels will be reviewed to ensure adequate resources are available to manage the high demand for the service.

Council's Revenue Budget Monitoring Report

The Cabinet reviewed the revenue budget monitoring report as of 30 June 2024. The report indicated a projected overspend of £17.9 million at the departmental level, including school budgets, and a forecast overspend of £9.6 million on the Authority's net revenue budget. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was also projected to overspend by £1.742 million for 2024/25.

The Cabinet noted that formal confirmation of funding for Teachers and Firefighters pensions, budgeted at £4.1 million, had not yet been received.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

• Receive the budget monitoring report and note the budgetary position and the need for appropriate corrective action.
• Require Chief Officers and Heads of Service to critically review available options to address the ongoing impact of significant overspends in specific budget areas.

Capital Programme 2024/25 Update

A report was presented detailing the latest budgetary position for the 2024/25 capital programme as of 30 June 2024, along with new projects for noting and approval. The report indicated a forecasted net spend of £112,741,000 against a working net budget of £142,607,000, resulting in a variance of -£29,866,000. This net budget included original HRA and General Fund capital programmes and slippage from the previous financial year.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

• Receive the 2024/25 capital programme update report.
• Note and agree the new projects detailed within the report.

Appointment of a Senior Coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire Jurisdiction

The Cabinet considered a report proposing the recruitment of a Senior Coroner for the Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire area. It was noted that the Coroner's Office had confirmed that this jurisdiction would not be affected by potential mergers, allowing for the appointment of a permanent Senior Coroner. The Council, along with Pembrokeshire County Council, has a statutory obligation under the Coroner and Justice Act 2009 to ensure effective and adequately resourced coroner service arrangements.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to:

• Support Pembrokeshire County Council in preparing the job description, contractual terms, and appointment process for the Senior Coroner role, and to arrange suitable advertising.
• Support Pembrokeshire County Council in taking all necessary steps to progress the appointment.
• Consult with Pembrokeshire County Council and the Chief Coroner's officer to establish a panel for shortlisting, interviewing, and appointing the successful candidate.

Petition - Ysgol Heol Goffa

The Cabinet reviewed a report responding to a petition presented to the Council on 10 July 2024, concerning the decision to halt plans for a new specialist school, Ysgol Heol Goffa. The Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language had previously stated that the project could not proceed due to tender costs.

The Cabinet noted that an independent review of Additional Learning Needs (ALN) specialist provision in Llanelli had been commissioned, led by David Davies, former Head of ALN and Wellbeing for Vale of Glamorgan Council. This review would incorporate the views of learners, parents, staff, governors, and stakeholders. The review process had begun in September 2024, with initial visits and meetings taking place. Any future proposals arising from this review would be subject to full public consultation.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to accept the petition and note the contents of the report.

Notice of Motion - Heart of Wales Line

The Cabinet considered a report responding to a notice of motion referred from the County Council on 10 July 2024. The motion highlighted concerns about underinvestment in the Heart of Wales line, leading to unreliable services, and noted Transport for Wales' (TfW) plans to reduce services. The motion also expressed concern about the perceived inequitable level of investment in rail services in Carmarthenshire compared to Southeast Wales.

The Cabinet noted that TfW had revealed plans to reduce services on the Heart of Wales line from five to four per day, with the removal of two late evening services to Llandovery and Llandrindod proposed from December 2024. The motion argued that this reduction, coupled with a decade of underinvestment, could jeopardise the line's future.

It was noted that a letter had been sent from the Cabinet Member for Transport, Waste and Infrastructure Services to the Welsh Government, conveying the views expressed in the Notice of Motion.

The Cabinet unanimously resolved to note the contents of the report.