Agenda and decisions

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To seek Cabinet approval for the Council’s participation in, and contribution towards, a phased programme of foundational investment in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Modernisation through the Shared Resource Service (SRS) partnership.

The proposals look to enhance the Council’s ability to deliver better outcomes for residents, improve productivity and service resilience, support staff, and enable more informed and timely decision-making across the Council.

The report brings together two linked investment proposals:

·        a three-year partnership-wide AI programme to create a secure, governed shared AI foundation, including an AI Management Hub, staff productivity tools and a Digital Front Door capability; and

·        Phase 1 of the Data Modernisation Programme, including completion of the core data platform and delivery of the Single View of Child (SVoC) as the first operational use case for joined-up insight and predictive analytics.

The purpose of the report is not to introduce technology for its own sake. It is to ensure that the Council has the right foundations, safeguards, skills and partnership arrangements in place so that the Council can use AI and data analytics in a proportionate, ethical and practical way that reflects public service values and maintains public trust.

The report sets out why investment is required now, the benefits expected for residents, staff and councillors, the safeguards and governance arrangements that will apply, the options considered, the financial and workforce implications, and how success will be evaluated.

Author: Peter Davies, Deputy Chief Executive & Strategic Director for Resources

Contact Details: peterdavies@monmouthshire.gov.uk

To approve Monmouthshire County Council’s participation in the three-year SRS partnership AI programme, based on the preferred delivery route outlined in the report.

That Cabinet approves the Council’s share of the investment, funded by a one-off contribution from earmarked revenue reserves (specifically the Invest to Redesign Reserve), as set out in the report and summarised as follows:

a)     A combined three-year contribution arising from the AI programme and Data Modernisation Phase 1 of £596,654, profiled as £462,654 in Year 1, £66,000 in Year 2 and £68,000 in Year 3;

b)     A contribution of £20,500 in year 1 for Microsoft Fabric, with the cost for subsequent years incorporated into the MTFP from 2027/28.

c)     A contribution of £34,000 in year 1 for transactional AI usage costs for the Digital Front Door, with the cost for subsequent years incorporated into the MTFP from 2027/28.

d)     An initial budget provision of £200,000 to support services to implement AI and Data projects to the extent that existing capacity and capability does not allow.

The total one-off contribution from earmarked reserves will be £851,154.

To approve Monmouthshire County Council’s participation in Phase 1 of the SRS Data Modernisation Programme, including delivery of the Single View of Child and completion of the key components of the unified data platform.

To endorse a phased, gated approach to implementation, including formal stage gates for AI use cases and investment progression; and a pause-and-review point for the Data Modernisation Programme before any Phase 2 proposals are brought forward.

To endorse the principle that AI and predictive analytics will be used to support professional judgement and service improvement, and not to replace human accountability for decision-making.

To delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Officer Resources, in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, to finalise implementation arrangements and release funding in line with the approved profile, subject to the governance arrangements and decision gateways set out in the report.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To provide Cabinet with an overview of the current strategic risks facing the authority.        

Authors: Richard Jones, Performance and Data Insight Manager

Hannah Carter, Performance Officer

Contact Details: richardjones@monmouthshire.gov.uk  

hannahcarter@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet members review the strategic risk assessment and assess whether it provides a realistic and evidenced appraisal of the strategic risks facing the authority over the next three years.

Division/Wards Affected: Caldicot and Portskewett

Purpose: To seek Cabinet approval for the allocation of Section 106 offsite recreation funding received from the Crick Road development in Portskewett, towards projects identified as named beneficiaries within the Section 106 Agreement.

Author: Mike Moran, Community Infrastructure Coordinator

Contact Details: mikemoran@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That capital budget of £133,000 be created in 2026/27 to fund improvements to the toilets at the Portskewett Recreation Hall, to include an externally accessible toilet unit for use in connection with the Cornfield Site and the Caldicot MUR (multi-user route).

That a capital budget of £100,000 be created in 2026/27 to contribute towards the cost of the replacement Caldicot skatepark.

That the above capital budgets are funded by corresponding contributions of £133,000 and £100,000 respectively from the S106 balances held by the Council from the Section 106 Agreement in relation to the Crick Road development site in Portskewett (Planning Ref: DM/2018/00696).

Division/Wards Affected: Llanfoist and Abergavenny

Purpose: The purpose of this report is to update Cabinet on the progress of the Llanfoist to Abergavenny Active Travel Bridge and to seek approval to sign the formal construction contract between Balfour Beatty and Monmouthshire County Council now final pricing has been agreed.

Authors: Madeleine Boase, Active Travel Officer

Nicholas Tulp, Head of Transport

Contact Details: madeleineboase@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet approves the full Stage 2 (construction) schedule of costs under SCAPE contract and agrees for officers to exchange the contract.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: The proposal responds to a clearly identified insufficiency in local Additional Learning Provision (ALP), particularly for learners with complex autism and Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs who cannot be supported within current school or SRB models and seeks Cabinet’s approval to establish a new Specialist Resource Base (SRB) with a therapeutic environment for learners with complex SEMH needs at the former Ysgol Y Fenni site, and to approve the associated capital and revenue costs.

Authors: Dr Morwenna Wagstaff, Head of Service: Inclusion

Will McLean, Strategic Director CLSE

Contact Details: MorwennaWagstaff@monmouthshire.gov.uk

WillMcLean@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet supports the strategic direction to expand local specialist provision and reduce reliance on costly out-of-county placements.

That Cabinet approves the establishment of a SEMH Specialist Resource Base at the Ysgol Y Fenni site from September 2026.

That Cabinet approves the capital costs required to adapt the site as set out in section 7.

That Cabinet agrees to set aside the disposal of the Ysgol Y Fenni site for a period of 5 years to enable the development of the site as base for this pilot SRB provision, which will enable a determination of the suitability and feasibility of the site for this provision in the longer term.

That Cabinet notes the staffing and ongoing revenue implications associated with the provision.