Here is a briefing on the Neath Port Talbot Council Cabinet meeting held on 3 September 2025. The Cabinet approved an action plan for play opportunities in Neath Port Talbot, received updates on the 2024/25 capital and revenue budget outturns, and were briefed on a feasibility study for a new swimming pool in Pontardawe. The Cabinet also agreed to exclude the public from a discussion regarding the removal of a local authority governor representative.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

Play Sufficiency Assessment 2025-2028

The Cabinet approved the Play Sufficiency Assessment action plan to outline priorities for the delivery and development of play in Neath Port Talbot. This decision is call-in eligible¹. The council has a duty to assess and secure sufficient play opportunities for children and young people in the area. The assessment, supported by an independent consultant and funded by the Welsh Government, incorporated feedback from children, young people, parents, and other stakeholders. The assessment considered factors affecting children's play, and the action plan identifies achievable and measurable actions to improve play opportunities over the next three years. The nine key actions arising from the assessment are:

1. Continue to engage with children and young people from specific backgrounds and circumstances to understand their play needs and the barriers to accessing existing play spaces and clubs.
2. Review how they can further engage with families to most effectively continue to inform children & young people and families about play opportunities, clubs and activities.
3. Work with those responsible for and/or contribute to playgrounds and play spaces to establish a standard/good practice guide that strives for a balance between safety and challenge.
4. To ensure that the All Wales Play Opportunities Fund² capital grant is utilised to address priorities from the PSA in relation to playgrounds and play spaces.
5. Strengthen efforts to systematically and strategically promote the benefits of play to Neath Port Talbot primary, secondary and Welsh-medium schools.
6. Continue to work with the NPT Early Years Support Team and the Youth Service to address play themed gaps identified through both the Play and Childcare Sufficiency Assessment processes.
7. Work with existing forums and networks to provide and promote a comprehensive range of Continuing Professional Development opportunities for playworkers in the area.
8. To ensure that Holiday Playwork funding is utilised to address priorities from the PSA in relation to supervised play and population findings, particularly poverty, play in rural areas, and play for children with an ALN³.
9. To raise the profile of play at a strategic level through PSA Lead Officer attendance at NPT's Early Years, Children & Young People's Plan Priority Group 5 meeting, which includes children's play within its outcome.

Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2024/25

The Cabinet approved the Capital Programme outturn position for 2024/25 and commended it to Council. This decision is call-in eligible. The report set out the financial outturn position for the Capital Programme for 2024/25. The approved revised Capital Programme totalled £65.301m, with actual expenditure for the year reaching £62.229m, representing 95% delivery of the programme. Achievements in 2024/25 included:

• Progress with the regeneration programme, including redevelopment of the Former Youth Offending Team building.
• Completion of the Waste Fleet Relocation Works at Crymlyn Burrows.
• City Deal progression of the Homes as Power Stations and the Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth projects.
• Completion of the Shared Prosperity Fund Projects including, Valleys & Villages, Supporting Local Business, Community Facilities Improvement Fund and Local Business Priority Fund.
• Further investment of £3.380m into Disabled Facility Grants and investment of over £4.274m in Schools Capital Maintenance and Highways and Engineering Maintenance improvements.

Pontardawe Swimming Pool Feasibility Study

The Cabinet noted the feasibility study into a new pool in Pontardawe and that officers will continue to explore funding options as they become available. The study explored options for a replacement swimming pool to serve Pontardawe and the surrounding area, following the closure of the previous pool due to health and safety concerns. The preferred site identified is located to the north of the existing leisure centre, currently occupied by tennis courts and a small playpark. A 6-lane pool with a learner pool was selected based on user data and operational efficiencies. A traditional build method is recommended over a tensioned membrane type structure due to its longer design life and reduced risk profile. The total estimated build cost is £14.9 million. Efficiency savings could support £4 million through prudential borrowing, leaving a funding shortfall of £10.8 million.

Annual Treasury Management Outturn Report 2024/25

The Cabinet noted the 2024/25 treasury management function performance as set out in the Annual Treasury Management Outturn Report, including the actual 2024/25 prudential and treasury indicators. The report summarised:

• Capital activity during the year
• Impact of this activity on the Council's underlying indebtedness (the Capital Financing Requirement)
• Reporting of the required prudential and treasury indicators
• Overall treasury position identifying how the Council has borrowed in relation to this indebtedness, and the impact on investment balances
• Summary of interest rate movements in the year
• Detailed debt activity
• Detailed investment activity

During 2024/25, the Council complied with its legislative and regulatory requirements. The key actual prudential and treasury indicators detailing the impact of capital expenditure activities during the year, with comparators, are as follows:

Revenue outturn and reserves position statement 2024/25

The Cabinet noted the contents of the Revenue Outturn and Reserves Position Statement 2024/25. The Council's net revenue budget for 2024/25 was £376.599m. The actual net expenditure, resulted in a net underspend of £2.1m after accounting for ring-fenced reserves. This underspend is mainly due to unexpected additional grant income received from the Welsh Government. Following agreement between Corporate Directors and the Director of Finance, £382k of the underspend will be transferred to specific reserves to fund anticipated future costs. The remaining balance £1.74m, will be transferred to the contingency reserve. The reserves had an opening balance of £74.1m on 1 April 2024. £12.7m was spent in 2024/25, leaving a closing balance of £61.4m.

Removal of LA Governor Representative

The Cabinet approved recommendations regarding the removal of a local authority governor representative, following a private discussion.