Policy & Pre-decision Committee

The role of the Policy and Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee is to review and scrutinise policies, plans and strategies prior to decision by Cabinet.

The Committee will undertake pre-decision scrutiny or order to contribute to the quality and robustness of Cabinet decision-making. A further function of the Committee is to ensure that Cabinet decision making is compliant with the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and takes account of the ‘sustainable development' principle and 5 ways of working (long term, preventative, involving, collaborative and integrated) as well as other statutory requirements as appropriate (e.g. Equality Act 2010). It will also ensure non-executive Member involvement in the Council’s budget policy and planning framework through a standing Finance Panel.

The remit and scope of the Committee is as follows:

Cabinet forward work programme
Proposals for service changes, transformation and / or efficiencies
Integrated Impact Assessments
Strategies and plans, as appropriate
Development of and planning for annual budget and Council Tax proposals through the Finance Panel

The Committee has 13 members and will meet at least five times per year. Details of Committee members and future meetings, along with the Committee Work Programme can be found via the links below.

Policy & Pre-decision Overview and Scrutiny Committee Forward Work Programme

Policy and Pre decision overview and scrutiny committee

10 June 2025

Item: Draft School Transport Policy 2026-2027
Purpose: The draft policy for the new year before its approval by Cabinet

Item: Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report
Purpose: The Annual OSC Report covering 2024-25

Item: Enforced sales procedure and protocol for dealing with long term problematic empty properties
Purpose: A report on the enforced sales procedure and protocol for dealing with long term problematic empty properties

15 September 2025

Item: Public service protection order review
Purpose: Following a referral from Full Council in December 2024, the Committee will look at the order and determine whether it should be renewed

Item: Rights of Way Improvement Plan
Purpose: The annual update of the plan

Item: Leisure and Library Strategy update
Purpose: An update on the leisure and library strategy

Item: Poverty Strategy
Purpose: Update on the Poverty Strategy and the working group

18 November 2025

Item: Low Carbon and Affordable Energy Strategy
Purpose: A review into the Council’s policies and the climate impacts they have. This would also look at what the Council could deliver in terms on properties e.g. solar panels (direct Council impact). This will include a look into how many Council houses relied on oil heating in houses.
This will look into the housing stock.

Item: Annual Rent Setting Policy
Purpose: The annual rent setting policy for 2026 to 2027

Item: Street Lighting Policy
Purpose: Following a referral from Full Council to consider the member concerns which have been raised on this issue, the OSC will review the criteria and wider issues associated with street lighting including budgets and energy costs and savings

January 2026

Local Toilet Strategy Update
An update on the working carried out

Policy Review
A review into all the overarching policies before they are submitted to review

Outline draft MTFP 26-27 to 29-30 (including alternative budget proposals)
The MTFP proposals ahead of its approval by Full Council from a Policy OSC perspective