The Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, 23 October 2025, to discuss a range of topics including emergency preparedness, budget monitoring, and performance reports. The committee, chaired by Councillor Carl Jordan, with Councillor Bob Woolford as vice chair, will primarily be reviewing items that have already been presented to the cabinet.

Here's a breakdown of the key items on the agenda:

Emergency Preparedness

The committee will look at the implementation of a new Emergency Preparedness Policy and its three supporting strategies. These strategies are:

• Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Strategy
• Protective Security and Preparedness Strategy
• Business Continuity Strategy

The council has a number of legal duties relating to emergency preparedness and response, primarily under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025. The report pack includes a cabinet report from a meeting on 21 May 2025, which includes summaries of the proposed documents. The Emergency Preparedness Policy aims to ensure that Neath Port Talbot Council:

Has a corporate process in place that encompasses anticipation, assessment, prevention, preparation and recovery so we are prepared to deal with rapidly increased demands for services caused by emergencies and linked to the corporate risk management procedures.

The Emergency Preparedness and Resilience Strategy aims to improve incident management across the council, assigning accountability and aligning with strategic objectives. The Protective Security and Preparedness Strategy aims to make the council a more security-minded organisation, reviewing readiness for the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 and delivering training programmes. The Business Continuity Strategy aims to align the council's approach to business continuity with national standards.

Budget Monitoring

The committee will also discuss capital and revenue budget monitoring reports for the 2025/26 financial year. This includes a review of expenditure as of the end of June 2025, as well as any changes to the approved budget. The report pack includes a Capital Budget Monitoring Report 2025/26, which details planned capital expenditure totalling £67.701m for the financial year. The updated capital programme now totals £98.136m, with changes due to projects and funding carried forward from 2024/25, grant approvals received, and budget updates for projects like YGG Rhosafan and the City Deal: SWITCH Building at Harbourside. The Revenue Budget Monitoring Report 2025/26 outlines the council's projected end-of-year budget position, with a net revenue budget of £405.334m. The report also notes that the council required £8.6m in service savings and efficiencies, and the end-of-year budget forecast indicates a £3.642m overspend.

Treasury Management

The committee will also discuss the Annual Treasury Management Quarterly Monitoring Report 25/26. The Treasury Management Monitoring Q1 report sets out treasury management action and information for 2025/26. It includes details of interest rates, the General Fund Treasury Management Budget, borrowing, and investments. As of 30 June 2025, investments included £5,000,000 in South Ayrshire Council, £5,000,000 in Medway Council, and £5,000,000 in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole Council.

Corporate Self-Assessment

The committee will scrutinise the Corporate Self-Assessment 2024/2025, which is a requirement for all local authorities in Wales under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. The assessment evaluates how effectively the council is exercising its functions, using resources, and ensuring effective governance. The Cabinet Covering Report 29.10.2025 - Corporate Self-Assessment 2024-2025 states that the process has evolved to include broader participation, with feedback from Corporate Directors and all Heads of Service. The overall council rating continues to be 'mature moving into leading' for 2024/2025.

Third Sector Compact

The committee will also discuss the Draft Neath Port Talbot and Third Sector Compact. The 4f DRAFT NPT Third Sector Compact 2025 V7 is a partnership agreement between Neath Port Talbot Council and the Third Sector in Neath Port Talbot. It supports relationships and provides a framework within which the sectors can understand what to expect from each other in enhancing their collective contribution across local communities. The report pack states that representatives from both the council and the Third Sector, including Neath Port Talbot Community Voluntary Service, have worked together to review and update the Compact.

Performance Monitoring

The committee will review the Heads of Service Business Plans Performance Monitoring for Quarter 1 of 2025/26. This includes updates against actions and performance measures for Digital Services, Finance, Legal and Democratic Services, and People and Organisational Development. The 6a Appendix 1 - HoS Business Plans - Qtr 1 Perf. Mont details the progress of the council's 'Enabling Programme', which includes Digital Services, Finance, Legal and Democratic Services and People and Organisational Development. The committee will also discuss the Corporate Plan 2024/2027 Annual Report 2024/2025. The Cabinet Cover Report 29.10.2025 - Corporate Plan Annual Report 2024-2025 Updated states that the report provides an update on the council's progress in delivering its strategic priorities and well-being objectives. The report demonstrates a strong performance, with 90% of strategic priorities assessed as on-track and significant achievements across all four well-being objectives. The committee will also discuss the Corporate Compliments and Complaints Annual Report 2024/2025. The Cabinet Report 29.10.2025 - Corporate Compliments Complaints Annual Report 2024-2025 notes a notable increase in both compliments and complaints received, which it says underlines a positive shift towards greater transparency, improved recording, and a culture of accountability. Finally, the committee will discuss the Public Service Ombudsman Annual Report 2024/2025. The Public Service Ombudsman for Wales (the Ombudsman ) has two specific roles:

• (a) To consider complaints about public service providers in Wales; and
• (b) To consider complaints that members of local authorities or town and community councils have breached their Code of Conduct.

Other Business

The committee will also select items for future scrutiny and discuss any urgent items. Note that the agenda also includes an item to exclude the public for consideration of a private item relating to the Annual Update on Digital Data and Technology Strategy.