The Communities, Homes and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee met on Monday 20 January 2025 to discuss the council's revenue budget strategy and its business plans for 2025/26. The committee reviewed the proposed budget reductions and service delivery impacts, and endorsed charging digests for several services. They also reviewed the business plans for Economic Development & Property, Leisure, Housing Property & Strategic Projects, and Housing, providing recommendations for their adoption.

Revenue Budget Strategy Consultation 2025/26 to 2027/28

The committee considered the council's revenue budget strategy for the upcoming three financial years. They were informed that the provisional settlement from the Welsh Government offered an uplift of 4.1% for Carmarthenshire, translating to an increase of over £25 million in cash terms when grant transfers were included. Despite this, significant cost pressures, including those in social care, teacher pay awards, inflation, and the employers' National Insurance increase, meant that substantial savings were still required. Departmental budget reductions of £8.6 million were identified for 2025/26, with a further £6 million anticipated over the subsequent two years.

Mitigation measures discussed included an uplift in the housing support grant and savings in energy provision. The committee raised concerns about unrealised efficiency savings from previous years, with assurances that these are reviewed as part of budget construction and monitored beyond their assigned financial year. The council's general reserves were noted to be at 2.9% of the overall budget, slightly below the recommended 3%, but a £2 million buffer was included in the budget for unforeseen costs. Staff wellbeing during this period of pressure was also discussed, with initiatives in place to support staff, and a report that sickness levels had not worsened and were improving in some areas. The public budget consultation responses were due to be published on 11 February.

The committee resolved to recommend to the Cabinet/Council that the Revenue Budget Strategy Consultation for 2025/26 to 2027/28 be received, and that the Charging Digests for Regeneration, Leisure, Place and Sustainability, and Non-HRA Housing Services be endorsed.

2025/26 Business Plans

The committee reviewed the 2025/26 Business Plans for Economic Development & Property, Leisure, Housing Property & Strategic Projects, and Housing. These plans outline the strategic actions and measures intended to achieve the council's wellbeing aims and maintain service delivery.

Key points raised during the discussion included:

• Economic Development & Property: It was noted that 31% of respondents to the divisional consultation expressed dissatisfaction, with particularly low scores for the Llanelli area, indicating a poor resident perception of the town centre. Further information was promised regarding a floor lighting display in Llanelli town centre and its value for money.
• Leisure: The committee was informed that community promotion and engagement to improve health and reduce inequalities falls under the Public Protection service, which has recently been integrated into the Leisure department. This move is expected to foster more collaborative work. A 24/7 health and fitness offer in Carmarthen town centre will be provided through a new gym and studio space in the former Debenhams building. Risks to the Leisure service's revenue from inclement weather were highlighted, and mitigation strategies discussed included exploring potential for more all-weather pitches, with a view to seeking external grants as no budget was currently allocated. The absence of a sauna or steam room at the Pentre Awel leisure centre development was noted, with the explanation that this was considered unnecessary due to private provision elsewhere.
• Housing Property & Strategic Projects and Housing: The committee was advised on the ongoing work to address housing pressures, including the delivery of affordable homes, management of voids, and the implementation of new policies.

The committee resolved to recommend to the Cabinet/Council that the Business Plans for Economic Development & Property, Leisure, Housing Property & Strategic Projects, and Housing be adopted.

Forthcoming Items

The committee received a list of items scheduled for consideration at their next meeting on 4 March 2025. These included a quarterly budget monitoring report for the Community and Environment Departments, an update on the Emergency Social Housing Allocations Policy, and a report on Pentre Awel. The committee approved this list of forthcoming items.