Agenda and minutes

Technical Issues were experienced by some Committee Members.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr R Williams Lay Member.

Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 relating to Council Tax, the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct

Note:

(a)  Members are reminded that they must identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest and

(b)  Where Members withdraw from a Meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chair when they leave

No Declarations of Interest were made.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

Steve Jones led the Committee in detail through the ‘Revenue Budget 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Plan Update’ report and together with the Officers responded in detail to the following questions raised by the Committee:

·         Request that information be presented to Members giving details of the effect of different percentages when consideration is being given to determining the Council Tax

·         Governance – Why is this Meeting being held so late in the process

·         Paragraph 1.4 – The quality of Services – Costs

·         Appendix 1 - Explanation requested on why Merthyr Tydfil is in this position in the Table

·         Is there consultation with other 151 Officers  - Could Members be advised of the outcomes of these discussions

·         Reserves – If the figure includes reserves to be used in the next twelve months what figure has been factored in

·         Inflation forecast

·         What is the figure left when all monies have been allocated

·         Explanation of monies carried forward or are these monies allocated

·         Can different percentage Council Tax figures be agreed for this year, next year and the year after – e.g – 0% increase this year but then 3% and 4% in subsequent years - The need for all possible options to be put before Members

·         Appendix 4

·         Reference 1 – Commercial Income – Update requested on the acquisition of St Tydfil’s Shopping Centre

·         Reference 6 – Details requested on income generated – Is there an investment analysis for this – Has anyone been recruited to this post

·         Reference 12 - Marsh House - Update requested on this project

·         Reference 13 – Llysfaen – Questions raised in relation to the pressures on Bed and Breakfast accommodation and the release of beds for tourism

After further comments and debate by Members it was

Resolved that: 

The content of the report be noted.

The Chair advised that there was no business deemed urgent.