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Budget, Cabinet - Thursday, 26th February, 2026 2.00 pm
February 26, 2026 at 2:00 pm Cabinet View on council website Watch video of meeting Read transcript (Professional subscription required)Summary
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Cardiff Council's Cabinet met on Thursday, 26 February 2026, to discuss the draft Corporate Plan for 2026-29, the annual review of the One Planet Cardiff Strategy and Green Growth Proposition, and the month nine budget monitoring report. Key decisions included recommending the Corporate Plan to the full Council for approval, approving the Green Growth Proposition, and noting the improved budget monitoring position.
Corporate Plan 2026-29
The Cabinet considered the draft Corporate Plan for 2026-29, which sets out the Council's strategic policy and performance priorities. The plan aligns with the 'Stronger, Fairer, Greener' agenda and outlines seven well-being objectives, including Cardiff is a great place to grow up
and One Planet Cardiff.
The plan has been developed in tandem with the budget process and informed by citizen consultation, acknowledging significant financial pressures. The Cabinet resolved to recommend the draft Corporate Plan to the Council for approval, authorising the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make any minor consequential amendments required before its publication.
One Planet Cardiff Annual Review 2025 and Green Growth Proposition
The Cabinet received an update on the progress of the One Planet Cardiff Strategy, noting a 16% reduction in the Council's direct operational emissions (excluding procurement) since the 2019-20 baseline. Despite a slight increase in emissions between 2023/24 and 2024/25 due to increased spending on major projects and factors like colder weather, overall city-wide emissions have decreased by 14.7% per capita since 2019. The Cabinet approved the Green Growth Proposition, which focuses on accelerating actions in local renewable energy generation and domestic energy retrofit. Authority was delegated to the Director of Planning, Transport and Environment to undertake procurement activities for energy projects and to engage with Welsh Government on a domestic energy retrofit pilot scheme.
Budget Monitoring - Month 9 Report
The month nine budget monitoring report indicated an improved financial position, projecting an overspend of just over £200,000, a positive development compared to the month six position. However, overspends were noted within several directorates, particularly in Children's Services (£3.917 million) and Education (£1.330 million), largely due to external placements and high-cost specialist provision. Planning, Transport & Environment also reported pressures, with reduced income from renewable energy and digital advertising, alongside operational overspends. Mitigating actions are being implemented across directorates, and the report noted the use of £1.125 million from the Children's Services Contingency budget. The Capital Programme showed a projected underspend of £77.678 million against the General Fund element, mainly due to slippage on schemes. The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) projected a balanced position, despite overspends in responsive repairs and disrepair work, offset by underspends in void property repairs and other areas.
Budget Report 2026/27
Councillor Chris Weaver, Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation & Performance, presented the budget proposals for 2026/27, highlighting a projected budget gap of £22.7 million. This gap is to be closed through a combination of efficiency savings (£14.782 million), service change proposals (£4.892 million), a timing adjustment for savings (£1.400 million), and a proposed 3.9% Council Tax increase, which is noted as being one of the lowest in Wales. The budget prioritises investment in schools (£14 million extra for delegated budgets and £4 million for central education services), children's services, and adult services. The report also detailed the ambitious £1.4 billion capital programme, with half allocated to the housing programme, and significant investment in the school estate, highways, and the core office strategy. The Cabinet resolved to recommend the Revenue, Capital, and Housing Revenue Account budgets, including the Council Tax increase, to the Council for approval. They also agreed to approve the Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy, and Prudential Indicators for 2026/27 to 2030/31.
Other Items
The Cabinet noted that there were no urgent items or items exempt from publication. The minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting on 22 January 2026 were also approved, subject to call-in.
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Budget Report 2026/27
Recommmend Forward to Council...approved the Revenue, Capital, and Housing Revenue Account budgets for 2026/27, including a 3.90% Council Tax increase, and recommended these proposals to Council for approval.
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Budget Monitoring - Month 9 Report
Recommendations Approved...the projected revenue financial outturn and the capital spend and projected position for the financial year 2025/26 were noted.
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Declarations of Interest
Recommendations Approved -
Apologies for Absence
Recommendations Approved -
Corporate Plan 2026-29
Recommmend Forward to Council...the draft Corporate Plan 2026-29 was recommended to Council for approval, with authority delegated to the Chief Executive to make minor consequential amendments prior to its consideration and publication.
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One Planet Cardiff Annual Review 2025 and Green Growth Proposition
Recommendations Approved...noted the progress made on carbon reduction and approved a Green Growth Proposition focusing on local renewable energy generation and domestic energy retrofit, with delegated authority to proceed with procurement and due diligence for Local Climate Bonds and engagement with Welsh Government for a domestic energy retrofit pilot scheme.
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Items Exempt from Publication
Recommendations Approved -
Any Items that the Chair has Decided are Urgent
Recommendations Approved -
Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting of 22 January 2026
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet of Cardiff Council approved the Migrant Care Workers Charter on 22 January 2026. This charter aims to prevent exploitation and embed fair employment practices in commissioned adult social care services. The decision includes strengthening monitoring and enforcement through enhanced contract oversight, spot checks, and clear escalation routes for non-compliance.
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