Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so. A simultaneous translation service will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

Apologies for absence were received from:-

Councillor John P. Morgan

Head of Democratic Services, Governance & Partnerships

Chief Officer Commercial & Customer

To receive.

There were no declarations of interest and dispensation reported.

To receive the decisions of the Governance & Audit Committee held on 17^th July, 2024.

(Please note the decisions are submitted for points of accuracy only).

The decisions of the Governance & Audit Committee held on 17th July, 2024 were submitted.

On a point of accuracy it was noted that two names, Joanne Absalom and Councillor Tommy Smith, had been spelled incorrectly.

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the decisions be accepted as a true record of proceedings

To receive the Action Sheet arising from the meeting held on 17^th July, 2024.

The Action Sheet arising from the meeting held on 17th July, 2024 was submitted, whereupon:-

Item 7 – Request for Members Briefing

A session to be arranged to undertake a review of the effectiveness of the Committee; and

Item 13 - Action Plan – Progress Update

To review and reflect on how the Committee managed its role in the process of this particular case.

The Chief Officer Resources advised the Committee that a briefing session would be arranged in October 2024 to discuss both of these issues.

Item 8 - Code of Governance 2023/24

Consideration be given to the inclusion of the Chair & Vice-Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee to the Scrutiny Chairs & Vice-Chairs Meetings – The Data Protection & Governance Officer would seek clarification on the limited attendance of the Chair & Vice-Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee to the Scrutiny Chairs & Vice-Chairs meetings and would report back in due course.

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the Action sheet be noted.

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Resources.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the Committee note the current position with the Council’s 2022/23 Accounts and note the Committee would aim to consider the final accounts and Audit Wales report on these accounts at its next meeting on 9 October 2024, or at the earliest opportunity after that.

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Commercial and Customer.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the Committee considered the content of the Audit Wales review and findings of the Digital Strategy Review and provided specific comments in relation to the Management Response. (Option 2)

Consideration was given to report of the Data Protection and Governance Officer.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the Governance & Audit Committee considered the information contained in the report and provided specific comment. (Option 2)

The Chief Officer Resources left the meeting at this juncture.

Consideration was given to report of the Data Protection and Governance Officer.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the Governance & Audit Committee considered the information contained in the report, provided specific comment and agreed that the amended report be brought back to the Committee at a future date. (Option 2)

Consideration was given to report of the Audit & Risk Manager.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the suggested amendments be included in the Charter and thereafter the Internal Audit Charter be approved. (Option 2)

Consideration was given to report of the Chief Officer Resources.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the Committee reviewed the updates proposed to the Risk Management Strategy and recommended any changes to inform its further development.

Consideration was given to report of the Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted, and the information in the report which was given as assurance that appropriate oversight and monitoring was taking place be accepted. (Option 1)

Consideration was given to report of the Scrutiny & Democratic Officer, whereupon:-

An amendment to Appendix 1 was reported – the name against the Audit of Financial Statements should read Wales Audit Office.

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report be accepted and the Forward Work Programme for the Special meeting on 9th October, 2024 be approved.