The Corporate Performance & Resources Scrutiny Committee met on Wednesday 18 December 2024 to review the council's performance in several key areas. The committee discussed sickness absence, the transformation programme, budget monitoring, treasury management, and the minutes of the Carmarthenshire Public Services Board.

Corporate Performance & Resources Scrutiny Committee Q2 Cumulative Sickness Absence Performance Report 2024/25

The committee reviewed the Q2 2024/25 sickness absence performance report, noting that no department had met its target for the period. Short-term absence had increased by 24.1% compared to the previous year, with stress and mental health issues identified as the primary reasons for absence. The report highlighted that GP waiting times were leading some individuals to seek support through their employers' Occupational Health services. A managers' wellbeing week had been introduced due to an increase in managerial sickness absence. The committee was informed about the Schools' Staff Absence Scheme, which supports 86 primary schools by providing proactive advice and guidance, thereby eliminating the need for separate insurance premiums. A request was made to include pay increases in future reports to indicate yearly increases. The Cabinet Member for Organisation and Workforce confirmed that the Corporate Management Team would reintroduce the practice of inviting the responsible Head of Service to meetings where sickness rates are highest. The Employee Wellbeing Manager stated that a new visit to the Occupational Health centre would be scheduled for the upcoming year, following previous difficulties for some members in attending. The committee received the report and noted that an end-of-year update would also be provided. Councillor A. Evans declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item and left the meeting.

Transformation Programme Annual Report 2023/24 & 6 Monthly Progress Update 2024/25

The committee reviewed the annual report on the council's Transformation Programme for 2023/24 and the first six months of 2024/25. The report detailed progress made in implementing the eight thematic priorities of the council's Transformation Strategy: Customers and Digital, Income and Commercialisation, Service Design & Improvement, Workforce, Workplace, Efficiencies and Value for Money, Decarbonisation, and Schools. Members were informed that 220 users within the authority were piloting Microsoft Copilot, an AI personal assistant designed to enhance report writing and content creation. Carmarthenshire is reportedly the first Welsh authority to engage with AI in this manner, with a corporate decision on wider rollout to be made after a 10-month trial. The committee was also informed that a recruitment freeze was in place for all non-essential posts due to vacancies within the authority. Staff can access online training through the new, user-friendly Thinqui system, allowing for flexible training schedules. Information on uptake measurement and feedback on mandatory training will be provided outside of the meeting. The committee thanked officers for the informative report and received both the annual report and the six-month update.

Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2024/25

The committee considered the Authority's Corporate Budget Monitoring Report for 2024/25, as well as departmental reports from the Chief Executive and Corporate Services, as of 31 August 2024. The report forecasted an end-of-year overspend of £10.2 million on the net revenue budget, with departmental overspends totalling £19.5 million, including school budgets. The Cabinet Member for Resources described the financial position as very concerning and noted that it had worsened in recent months. Key contributors to the pressure include high demand and complexity in adult social care, further pressures in children's services due to increased high-cost residential placements and agency costs, and increased transport spending due to rising supplier costs and operational increases related to the school year.

Specific concerns were raised regarding school budgets being in deficit. The Head of Financial Services acknowledged this as a serious concern and confirmed that a letter had been sent to all schools urging them to review their forecasts. The Cabinet Member for Resources stated that officers were working with schools to address this issue, emphasizing the duty of schools to operate as efficiently as possible. The committee agreed to formally refer their concerns to the Education, Young People & The Welsh Language Scrutiny committee. Queries were also raised about vacancy factors, IT department vacancies, and school transport overspends, which were attributed to rising tender prices. The Head of Economic Development and Property addressed concerns about school meal overspends, noting that Welsh Government financial support was insufficient and that the authority was exploring alternative operational strategies and addressing staffing challenges. An update on Ty Elwyn was requested and will be provided outside of the meeting. Councillor A. Evans declared a personal interest in this item and remained in the meeting. The committee resolved to receive the report.

Mid-Year Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator Report 1st April 2024 to 30th September 2024

The committee reviewed the Mid-Year Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator Report, covering the period from 1 April 2024 to 30 September 2024. The report confirmed that treasury management activities were consistent with the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy for 2024-25. Gross interest earned on investments for the period amounted to £4.51 million, including £1.54 million on the average balance held for the Swansea Bay City Deal region. The total investment balance stood at £138.5 million at the end of September, with a turnover of £855.5 million. The authority's borrowing activity resulted in total loans outstanding of just over £400 million, with no new borrowing taken during the period and £8.27 million paid in interest. The Cabinet Member for Resources confirmed that Prudential Indicators remained within the limits set by the Budget 2024-2025 and the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy 2024-2025. The committee resolved to receive the report.

Carmarthenshire Public Services Board (PSB) Minutes - September 2024

The committee received the minutes from the Carmarthenshire Public Services Board (PSB) meeting held on 17 September 2024. As required by the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, the Corporate Performance & Resources Scrutiny Committee is designated to scrutinise the work of the PSB. Members noted that a request to monitor sickness absence would be forwarded to the PSB and expressed disappointment at the absence of health board members from the meeting. Challenges in finding suitable land for food production were highlighted, with members noting that Bwyd Sir Gar was actively exploring options for growing food within communities. The committee resolved to receive the minutes.

Scrutiny Actions Update

The committee received a report detailing the progress made on actions, requests, or referrals from previous meetings of the Corporate Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee during the 2024/25 municipal year. The committee noted the report.

Forthcoming Items

The committee reviewed a list of items scheduled for the next meeting on 31 January 2025. These included the Revenue Budget Strategy Consultation 2025/26 to 2027/28, the Five Year Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2029/30, the Revenue & Capital Budget Monitoring Report (April-October), the Treasury Management Policy & Strategy 2025/26, a TIC bi-monthly update, and the Q2 Performance Management report. The committee resolved to receive the list of forthcoming items.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 November 2024 were unanimously resolved to be signed as a correct record.