Cabinet will soon consider a proposed capital programme for the Council over the next three years. In addition, Members will consider a targeted, one-off investment of £19.38 million for priority areas that has been identified for 2026/27, which would go over and above the normal capital programme.
This extra funding would further invest in priorities like highways, unadopted roads, structures, flood alleviation, parks and green spaces, leisure centres, school infrastructure and installing defibrillators at school settings – along with a further allocation to develop the Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor.
This investment is being proposed alongside the Council’s budget strategy for 2026/27, which contains no cuts to services, one of the lowest council tax rises in Wales, and puts forward extra funding for schools and an increase in the level of the Council’s local Non Domestic Rate relief for businesses.
An officer report to Cabinet on Monday, February 23, sets out the details of the proposed three-year capital programme, that represents funding of more than £190 million across Council services between 2026/27 and 2028/29. This includes a fully-funded core capital programme of £47.1 million over the next three years. Cabinet Members could recommend that Elected Members agree the programme at the upcoming meeting of Full Council on March 4.
The report also notes a further one-off investment opportunity for 2026/27, totalling £19.38 million, which could be invested in the following priority areas:
- Highways Maintenance – £5.5m.
- Unadopted Roads – £200,000.
- Highways Structures – £4m.
- Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor – £2m.
- Making Better Use / Traffic Developments – £100,000
- Flood Alleviation – £750,000.
- Salt Barn – £150,000.
- Parks Structures Improvements – £250,000.
- Parks and Green Spaces – £2m.
- Skate Parks – £350,000.
- Play Areas – £500,000.
- Multi Use Games Areas – £230,000.
- Leisure Centres – £1m.
- War Memorials – £50,000.
- School Infrastructure Improvements – £2m.
- Defibrillators at School Sites – £100,000.
- Capital Programme Pipeline Development – £200,000.
This extra investment would be delivered by primarily using available funding from an Investment/Infrastructure reserve, earmarked to maintain and enhance infrastructure across the County Borough.
Further details about the proposed three-year capital programme and the extra funding for priority areas is available in Monday’s Cabinet report.
Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Investment, said: “The rolling three-year capital programme sets the framework to bring forward regular and significant investment for our key services across the County Borough. Our programme is around five times bigger than the position 10 years ago, with the latest three-year proposals worth around £190 million up to 2028/29 – made up of our core capital budget and supported by specific grants.
“We’ve again identified additional investment beyond our capital programme, with officers proposing a £19.38 million allocation for Council priority areas in 2026/27. This time last year we brought forward a £16 million investment, followed by an extra £11.5 million that was delivered from September 2025. Should the latest proposals be agreed by Cabinet Members on Monday, our overall investment of this kind will total around £235 million since 2015.
“The new proposals would allocate £5.5 million to maintain local roads, as we continue our accelerated approach that has seen a continued decrease in the percentage of locations in need of repair. Over the past five years we’ve also improved and adopted 35 privately-owned roads left in an unacceptable condition, and an extra £200,000 is proposed to develop new schemes. The £4 million allocation for structures would help the continued maintenance and repair of infrastructure like bridges and walls that support our road network.
“Funding proposed for the Llanharan Sustainable Transport Corridor would continue to develop this major scheme, to create a new transport corridor and active travel route. It follows autumn’s public consultation that will inform our upcoming planning submission. Officers have also proposed that an extra £750,000 is earmarked for flood alleviation. This will complement Welsh Government’s major funding in this area, to develop more flood alleviation schemes and infrastructure upgrades in response to climate change.
“Important investment of £2 million is also proposed for our parks and green spaces, along with more than £2 million across skate parks, play areas, Multi Use Games Areas and our leisure centres. A further £2 million is proposed for school infrastructure improvements, as we ensure our school estate remains safe, watertight and warm with a programme of works usually carried out through the summer holiday. Finally, funding of £100,000 is proposed towards our commitment to install a public-access defibrillator at every one of our 113 school sites, available for the community on a 24/7 basis where possible.”
Posted on 19/02/2026