Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T. Davies, D. Cundy, D. Harries and D. Jones.

There were no declarations of personal interests.

No public questions had been received. 

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting of the Carmarthenshire Public Services Board [PSB] held on the 28^th November, 2023. The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 required that a designated local government scrutiny committee was appointed to scrutinise the work of the PSB. In Carmarthenshire, the Council’s Corporate Performance & Resources Scrutiny Committee had been designated as the relevant scrutiny committee.

The Leader informed the Committee that the structures for PSB’s were complex and each board had different strategies to follow. It was noted that Welsh Government were reviewing the regional structures.

One of the key steps for 2023/24 was to strengthen the relationship between the PSB and RPB on areas of common interest including prevention, as this would avoid duplicating work.

The Committee were informed that Task and Finish Groups were in the process of being formed to scrutinise the following:-

Tackling poverty and its impacts;

Increase collaboration on electric vehicle charging infrastructure at public sector venues; and

Ensuring a sustainable economy and fair employment.  

The Corporate Policy and Partnership Manager agreed to ascertain financial information on funding for the RPB and PSB.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the PSB meeting held on the 28^th November, 2023 be received.

The Committee considered the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator Report 1^st April 2023 to 31^st December 2023 update.

The Treasury report listed the treasury management activities which had occurred during the period 1^st April, 2023 to 1^st December, 2023 in line with the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy 2023 -2024 adopted by Council on 1^st March 2023.

The Committee noted that the Authority had not breached any of its Prudential Indicators during the period.

The following issues and queries were raised on the report:-

·       In response to a query on new borrowing, the Committee were informed that a new loan of £10M had been taken out at an interest rate of 4.41% for a period of 49.5years.  There had been an increase in market rates over the short term and a margin of interest is being achieved on what had been borrowed.

RESOLVED that the report be received. 

RESOLVED that the list of forthcoming items to be considered at the next scheduled meeting be received.

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 31 January, 2024 be signed as a correct record.