We have identified 50 evidence-based social value themes for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council in Wales across 27 service areas. These insights are derived from the latest council meeting transcripts and can inform your social value strategy for bids and tenders.
Approve MTFP & Strategies
Moved by Councillor Anna Williams Price; 2.1 MTFP for 2627–2930, 2.2 Capital Strategy, and 2.3 Treasury & Annual Investment Strategy to be recommended to council for approval.
“I will move the recommendations of 2.1 the medium-term financial plan for 2627 to 2930 included appendix one be recommended to council for approval. 2…”
No extra cost due to abatement
The arrangement prevents double payment of salary and pension; no additional cost to the taxpayer during the retire-and-rejoin period.
“There is no additional cost to the taxpayer ... abate it is pension and I think what I mean by that is this is the mechanism to ensure that there's no…”
Council tax rise
Council tax proposed increase to 4.95% to support budget, delivering Band D £2,186.33 and reducing reliance on reserves.
“A council tax increase of 4.95% is proposed to support B's budget resulting in a band D charge of £2,186.33. This approach helps maintain core service…”
Budget Gap Highlight
MTFP 2627–2930 projects a cumulative budget deficit of 18.744 million over the remaining three years, highlighting the financial challenge ahead and the continued need for discipline planning, robust …
“cumulative budget deficit of 18.744 million over the remaining three years which highlights the financial challenge ahead and the continued need for d…”
Cabinet Vote Completed
Cabinet vote carried unanimously; recommendations to council for approval.
“So >> could all counselors in agreement with officers recommendation please raise their hands. Uh that's carried unanimously.”
Hospitality relief scheme adopted
Welsh government relief: non-domestic rates food and drink hospitality relief at 15% for 2026–27, administered via section 47 Local Government Finance Act 1988 with full reimbursement from Welsh Gove…
“"This relief would be administered through the council's discretionary powers under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 with full reim…”
Audit Wales Review
Accounts are being audited; any Audit Wales recommendations impacting these strategies will be reviewed and updated as necessary and reported to cabinet and council.
“for information, the 2425 statement of accounts are currently being audited and if audit Wales make any recommendations that impact upon these strateg…”
Funding uplift
The Welsh government's final local government settlement provides a 4.7% increase in funding for Mur Tidville, to be considered alongside demographic pressures and inflation.
“The first recommendation asks council to note and accept the implications of the Welsh government's final local government settlement which provides a…”
Infrastructure & Borrowing Principles
MTFP framework aims to invest in essential infrastructure, manage borrowing responsibly, and ensure cash, debt, and asset management remains prudent and sustainable.
“these documents set out how we will invest in essential infrastructure, manage borrowing responsib[ly] and continue to ensure that our approach to cas…”
Cost reductions
To offset rising pressures, members are asked to approve £3.58m of cost reductions through efficiencies, grant maximization, and use of service reserves. Notably, no new efficiency reductions supporti…
“approve 3.58 million pounds of cost reductions. And these savings will largely be achieved through efficiencies, grant maximization, and proven use of…”
Rising construction and borrowing costs
Capital strategy notes ongoing pressure from rising construction and borrowing costs.
“"Rising construction and borrowing costs continue to create pressure"”
PCC transition planning starts
A substantial part of the meeting covered the future governance transition after the PCC role ends in 2028, with uncertainty still around the final model and the expected bill. Officers said they are …
“we are looking to maintain business as usual, the delivery of the plan the best we can, but we will have to be fluid because once we know we're into t…”
Wales panel engagement planned
Members asked for an opportunity to feed views into the transition and to learn from other Welsh panels, and officers agreed to raise this with chief executives and explore an informal subgroup or cro…
“I think it's something we're going to have to keep coming back to you with. Um and we're also very conscious not to cause any concern to staff unneces…”
Transformation Governance
Better Tomorrow Board governs transformation, savings, and annual delivery; minutes are internal; discussion about board composition and terms of reference.
“the Better Tomorrow board is the board for our transformation plan”
Written Rationale Assurance
Panel discussed ensuring written rationale for hearings and that the Commissioner receives consistent information. Clarified that anonymity decisions rest with hearing chairs and that written rational…
“The OPCC has no authority to overturn a decision regarding anonymity... advisers and chairs have been reminded of their obligation to provide the writ…”
Inter-panel Engagement
Proposal to engage with other Welsh panels via WLGA to develop a collective voice on governance reform and delivery. Plan to outreach after May 7th and coordinate via Naomi at WLGA.
“We could write to the panels after May the 7th... mention it to Naomi... inter-panel meetings”
Governance Reform
Discussion on Wales governance reform and delivery model for policing; Welsh model not yet confirmed and needs discussions before any changes. Delivery plan to 2028 will be a key agenda item.
“The Welsh model is yet to be confirmed with the police reform paper requiring discussions on the model for Wales.”
Speed surveys to monitor changes
Speed surveys will be carried out at locations impacted by the 30 mph reviews to monitor compliance after changes.
“we will be carrying out speed surveys at these locations.”
Breen Road TRO cost
The Breen Road traffic regulation order would cost £5,000 and will be funded from the traffic management budget.
“The cost for this proposal is £5,000. I will be met from the traffic management budget.”
Enforcement reporting
Public instruction to report suspected overcharging to the licensing department and to document vehicle details to aid investigations.
“"If you get into a black cab and the meter isn't switched on or you believe you've been overcharged, please report it to the council's licensing depar…”
30 mph Review Policy
Welsh government guidance updated in 2024 allows reviews of roads where a 30 mph speed limit is more appropriate; four TROs are being reconsidered under this framework; public consultation results ind…
“The next four agenda items are those which have the same background in that they were all included in the Welsh government default 20 mph limit on res…”
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