CEREDIGION is a “well run” council but has had “ineffective communication across the authority particularly with partners and residents,” which it is “actively working to improve” despite what it says is “significant negative local press,” senior councillors heard.
A recent report, in late January, by an independent panel of assessors commissioned by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) concluded: “Considering the current high service demands and very challenging financial pressures, Ceredigion County Council is a well-run local authority.”
The assessment, following the council’s own in-house report, was presented to the January meeting of its Cabinet, with, under legislation, the council required to prepare a ‘Response to the Panel Performance Assessment Report,’ members of the May Cabinet meeting heard.
While the report was positive, it included eight areas for improvement, saying: “Opportunities for improvement have been identified, which will enhance the arrangements in place, to support effective communication, relationship management and collective ownership of current and future challenges.”
The eight areas and their responses were included in the May report for Cabinet members.
“The council will need to consider how best to consult on potential budget cuts given the narrow timetable for consultation due to the statutory budget setting deadlines.”
- Actively consider undertaking an overall corporate consultation prior to the approval of the 2026/27 budget.
One area which was a particular bone of contention was: “The council should consider how to address a recurring theme of ineffective communication across the authority particularly with partners and residents and the effectiveness of ‘Clic’ [software]”.
As well as action points, a lengthy response included: “We recognise these challenges considering significant negative local press and have been actively working to improve external communication.
“A corporate e-newsletter and an engagement e- newsletter have been distributed to citizens that have registered to receive them. The number registered to receive both the corporate e-newsletter and the engagement e-newsletter are increasing every quarter.”
It said there were historic issues with the Clic software, with the issue “greatly improved”.
- Develop a Customer Services Strategy which will target improved communication and alternative channels for communication.
- Undertake regular analysis of interaction of social media posts, videos and corporate e-newsletters and use the information to inform future strategies.
Other issues raised, and responded to in action points, were:
“There is an urgent need for the council to revisit whether their current strategy for social work recruitment is effective and to explore alternatives.”
“A disconnect between backbench members and the executive/senior leadership teams which need to be addressed”.
“The relationships between scrutiny function and the executive needs to be further developed”.
“The performance management system is comprehensive but there needs to be more of a focus on outcomes”.
“Council has, to date, been able to provide significant additional funding for the provision of social care, and it will need to consider how sustainable this is going forward given the financial pressures.”
“The council should consider the opportunities for further partnership working.”
Members agreed to that Cabinet approves the response to the Panel Performance Assessment, along with amendments from the Governance and Audit Committee, the final response to be published on the council’s website, along with a response to the statutory recipients.
At the May meeting, Leader Cllr Bryan Davies said: “We have to take every opportunity to sing our own praises really, we accept the report and comments,” adding: “Ceredigion County Council is a council that is run well.”
He conceded there were areas of improvement, including a need for better contact with the public.
Chief Executive Eifion Evans thanked members for “an opportunity to sing the praises” of the authority, adding: “We have had quite a challenging year-and-a-half; we are one of the first authorities that has been through this process, it’s testament to how we work as a team in Ceredigion, if there’s any way we can improve we will do our best to do that.”
