Social Value Ideas for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

Unqualified audit opinion

Audit Wales reported it intends to issue an unqualified opinion on the 2024/25 financial statements. It also noted the council had corrected a number of misstatements, with one uncorrected misstatemen…

“The good news is that we intend to issue an unqualified opinion this year on the financial statements which is great news. That is outlined in appendi…”

2024/25 audited accounts approved

The committee considered the audited statement of accounts for 2024/25 and recommended them to full council for approval. The report highlighted net worth of £258 million, £33 million of earmarked res…

“Thank you chair. So as head of finance, I'm pleased to introduce item 8 on the 2425 audited statement of accounts. Uh so the main um recommendation fo…”

2024/25 accounts and reserve repurposing

The council’s audited 2024/25 accounts were presented for recommendation to full council. The report notes no change to the main statements, but highlights a decision to repurpose earmarked reserves i…

“So the main um recommendation for this uh is recommendation 2.1 which is the audited statement of accounts for 2425 which is the document in appendix …”

Accounts production improvement

Audit Wales said the council significantly improved the quality of draft accounts and working papers, but timeliness of producing draft accounts still needs work. The 2026/27 audit plan therefore buil…

“I'm really pleased to say that the council has moved on uh in this respect significantly. The work of James and Craig and the team um has been commend…”

Capital funding needed for delivery

The strategy estimates total implementation costs of between £53m and £88m, depending on the level of additional accommodation required. The committee heard that Welsh Government capital support may b…

“Here's the bad news. It's going to cost you. So again, these costs are estimates. they're the best that we can do based on the data on which we um we …”

Adult accommodation strategy transformation

The council is using the adult social care accommodation strategy to reshape provision over 2026-2040, with an emphasis on prevention, supported living, person-centred care, and better commissioning. …

“Okay. Thank you council minute and folks. Over to Martin or who now is it >> can you hear me now? >> We can't hear you. Yes. >> Brilliant. Thank you c…”

Prevention and supported living shift

The strategy formally shifts policy away from reactive, traditional residential placements towards prevention, telecare/telehealth, and supported living. This changes procurement priorities toward com…

“So, what is the proposed strategic model? You can see there we've got three pillars and then we've got some ideas about how you invest in what we call…”

Schools face structural funding pressure

Schools are under sustained financial pressure from falling pupil numbers, prior reductions embedded in budgets, and rising costs. Officers said schools improved their 2025-26 position through tight s…

“so this report um provides an update on the financial position of schools across North Table focusing on school balances, budgets and schools three-ye…”

Schools under sustained financial pressure

The cabinet member reported that schools remain under significant financial pressure, with budgets constrained by earlier reductions and the wider impact of falling pupil numbers. Even though 2025/26 …

“This report um provides an update on the financial position of schools across North Table focusing on school balances, budgets and schools three-year …”