The Cabinet meeting on Thursday 22 January 2026 saw the approval of a charter to protect migrant care workers from exploitation, and a decision to proceed with engagement on potential sustainable growth for Welsh-medium secondary provision. The Cabinet also approved the purchase of additional land for council housing and the commissioning of a new collaborative framework for the maintenance of the council's non-domestic property estate.

Migrant Care Workers Charter Approved

The Cabinet agreed to approve the Migrant Care Workers Charter, demonstrating the council's commitment to safeguarding vulnerable migrant workers and promoting ethical care commissioning. The charter, developed in partnership with Unison, sets out 11 key commitments to protect migrant care workers from exploitation, including ethical recruitment, fair pay, pay transparency, and protection against illegal fees and unfair repayment clauses. Councillor Leonora Thomson, Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Public Health & Equality, highlighted the vital role of migrant workers in the care sector and the need to address issues of unfair working practices. Councillor Rodney Berman, while welcoming the charter, raised concerns about the resourcing of compliance monitoring and the sanctions available against contractors found in breach of the charter. Councillor Thomson assured that robust monitoring would be in place, with contract oversight strengthened and employee feedback used to ensure provider compliance.

Engagement to Explore Sustainable Growth of Welsh-Medium Secondary Provision

The Cabinet agreed to authorise officers to undertake an engagement exercise to inform the planning of temporary measures for Welsh-medium secondary education for the 2027/28 intake, review catchment areas, and plan for long-term strategic changes. Councillor Sarah Merry, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, acknowledged the short-term challenge of Welsh-medium secondary school places alongside falling pupil numbers. She emphasised that the engagement is the start of a conversation to address competing pressures and ensure geographical spread and sustainability. Councillor Rodney Berman expressed support for expanding Welsh-medium education but urged the removal of Option 2, which proposed relocating Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Edern, arguing it would create division and simply move the problem elsewhere. Councillor Merry assured that all options would be considered with pros and cons laid out, and that the engagement was about recognising the impact of new schools on existing ones.

Approval to Purchase Additional Land for Council Housing

The Cabinet approved the acquisition of building plots within Central Quay, off Penarth Road, to support the council's house-building programme. Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing & Communities, stated that this acquisition represents an exciting opportunity to deliver high-quality, mixed-tenure housing on a prominent city centre site. The land at Central Quay presents a major opportunity to maintain and increase the delivery of new homes, with initial massing options indicating the potential for between 460 and 730 apartments. Councillor Peter Bradbury raised concerns about ensuring that a large concentration of social housing in one area does not lead to future decline, but Councillor Thorne reassured that the development would be mixed-tenure and not solely social housing.

Commissioning of a New Collaborative Framework for Non-Domestic Property Maintenance

The Cabinet approved the procurement proposals for a new collaborative framework for the non-domestic building construction and maintenance of the council's property estate. Councillor Russell Goodway, Cabinet Member for Investment and Development, introduced the report, highlighting that the framework will also be available to the Vale of Glamorgan Council. The anticipated spend over the four-year period is £80 million. Key improvements include a dedicated emergency call-out lot, a move away from reliance on a single contractor for statutory maintenance, bringing all gas inspection and maintenance work in-house, and supporting greater participation from local SMEs.

Shared Regulatory Services Annual Report 2024-25 Noted

The Cabinet noted the Shared Regulatory Services (SRS) Annual Report for 2024-25. Councillor Norma Mackie, Cabinet Member for Waste, Street Scene & Environmental Services, thanked the SRS team for their excellent work, highlighting key achievements such as 100% completion of high-risk food hygiene inspections, successful prosecutions against those who flouted the law, and returning 162 empty properties to use. Councillor Rodney Berman raised concerns about the percentage of food establishments not achieving a three-star rating or above, but Councillor Mackie explained that lower ratings can sometimes be due to paperwork issues rather than significant risks to public health. Councillor John Lancaster inquired about plans to address the increasing legislative burden on SRS, and Councillor Mackie confirmed that the allocated budget for the year had been agreed and that SRS was exploring other funding avenues.

Place-Based Economic Interventions Inquiry Report Received

The Cabinet agreed to receive the report from the Economy & Culture Scrutiny Committee on place-based economic interventions, also known as investment zones, and to provide a response within the usual timescales. Councillor Dan De’Ath, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Strategic Planning & Transport, acknowledged the report's comprehensive summary and the opportunity to engage with the Cardiff Capital Region to ensure the findings are considered contemporaneously with the Gateway process.

Annual Report on Investment in the Education Estate Noted

The Cabinet noted the Annual Report on Investment in the Education Estate. Councillor Sarah Merry, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education, provided an update on progress across the school organisational programme and the wider education investment strategy. Significant achievements include an increase in the number of condition A and B buildings, the replacement of the last remaining condition D building, Willows High School, in 2026, and the completion of the first net-zero carbon school buildings at Fairwater Campus. Councillor Rodney Berman raised concerns about the lack of capacity in local catchment high schools in some parts of the city, including his ward of Penylan. Councillor Merry acknowledged the pressure on secondary school places and the need for a review of catchment areas, but clarified that catchment area membership cannot guarantee a school place. Councillor John Lancaster declared a personal interest as Governor of Llanishen High School and raised concerns about ignored requests for fire exit doors, which Councillor Merry stated she would investigate.

Annual Education Performance Report 2024/25 Noted

The Cabinet noted the Annual Education Performance Report for 2024/25. Councillor Sarah Merry highlighted the positive educational outcomes for Cardiff learners, with attainment exceeding Wales averages at Key Stage 4 and 5, improving attendance, and falling exclusions in secondary schools. She also noted challenges such as the rising complexity of pupil needs, financial sustainability of schools, and an unexpected decline in girls' Key Stage 4 attendance and performance. Councillor Rodney Berman raised concerns about school deficit budgets and the adequacy of resource allocation for Additional Learning Needs (ALN) provision. Councillor Merry responded by explaining the pressures on schools and the measures being taken to address ALN provision and school numbers. Councillor Catherine Lancaster inquired about the sharp increase in children educated other than at school, and Councillor Merry clarified the distinction between this and elective home education, outlining the reasons and the work being done to improve standards.

Governance of Collaborative Arrangements for Welsh Adoption and Fostering Services Approved

The Cabinet agreed to reduce the quorum of the National Joint Committee for the National Adoption Service for Wales and Foster Wales from 60% to 40%, with at least three regional areas represented. Councillor Ash Lister, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Tackling Poverty & Supporting Young People, explained that this change is necessary to ensure future meetings can proceed, as past meetings have struggled to meet the required quorum levels. Councillor John Lancaster questioned whether reducing the quorum risked poorer decision-making, but Councillor Lister assured that support still exists and that the change is about ensuring meetings can function effectively. Councillor Jennifer Burke expressed sadness at lowering the bar, but Councillor Lister reiterated that standards are not being lowered, only the quorum requirement to ensure functionality.

Any Items that the Chair has decided are Urgent and Items Exempt from Publication Noted

The Cabinet noted that there were no urgent items or items exempt from publication to be discussed.