Agenda

This Council:

Notes that overspending in the schools' budget was reported last week by officers to be a 'major financial risk'. It is also a major education risk. The cumulative deficit was reported in June to have increased by £2.8million to £6.9million. Officers have advised that action is belatedly being taken to reduce this unprecedented level of overspend. 

Resolves that:

A report is brought back to Council in advance of the 2027/28 budget being set, in which the cabinet member explains how this overspend will be managed downwards without impacting school staffing levels which are critical for our schools.

This Council:

Notes that the legal maximum Fixed Penalty Notice a local authority can issue for littering or dog fouling was set at £150 in the Environmental Offences (Fixed Penalties) (Misc. Provisions) (Wales) Regulations 2007 and has not been increased.

Calls on the Cabinet Member to propose amendments to Monmouthshire’s enforcement policies to increase Fixed Penalty Notices for littering and dog fouling to the maximum currently permitted under the above regulations.

Resolves to write to the Welsh Government to offer support for proposals to increase fines for fly-tipping but request additional measures to increase the maximum fines for littering and dog fouling.

To ask the Cabinet Member what consideration is being given to improving pedestrian and active travel connections between Llanellen and Abergavenny.

To ask the Cabinet Member what progress has been made in utilising covert surveillance and enforcement measures to tackle littering and fly-tipping across Monmouthshire.

Why were parents informed of a change to the council's school attendance policy in July before that change has been discussed, consulted upon or formally approved by the council?

How many MCC Grounds staff are in training for or currently hold valid qualifications and certifications for the professional application of pesticides using hand held equipment and the safe handling of the whole process (via SA1 & SA6 courses)?

At the People Scrutiny meeting on 22nd September concern was raised about the way the Cabinet decision taken on the 16th of September re A Gwent Regional Workforce Development Team for Social care to move into a Gwent Regional Workforce Development Team.

The People Scrutiny meeting wanted to express their concerns about the timescale of this decision, which was only added to the Forward Work Plan on 12th August and agreed at Cabinet on 16th September. Not allowing time for the committee to have oversight of the report.

The scrutiny meeting also noted that other Gwent LAs had brought this decision to full council.

Whilst acknowledging that not all reports or decisions come directly to scrutiny. The committee has concerns that the short time of this proposal being added to the planner and the subsequent decision taken by Cabinet.

The question is will the cabinet member for social care and health explain

why the decision was taken in this way?