Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.? 

Members are reminded of their personal responsibility to declare any personal and prejudicial interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government and Finance Act 1992 relating to Council Tax, the Local Government Act 2000, the Council’s Constitution and the Members Code of Conduct

Note:

(a)  Members are reminded that they must identify the item number and subject matter that their interest relates to and signify the nature of the personal interest and

(b)  Where Members withdraw from a Meeting as a consequence of the disclosure of a prejudicial interest they must notify the Chair when they leave

Councillor D Hughes?Declared his Interest in Item 14 – Special Guardianship Orders.? 

The Minutes of the Governance and Audit Committee held 15th?of January?2024 were accepted as a correct record.

The Chief Finance Officer referred to the Action Log and updated the Committee on any outstanding items.? 

To receive the report of the Audit Wales

The Chair welcomed Ian Phillips and Deborah Woods Audit Wales to the Meeting. 

Ian Phillips provided an update on the report. 

? 

To receive the report of the Audit Wales

The Chair welcomed Richard Evans to the Meeting.  

Richard Evans then led the Committee through the report and together with Audit Wales and the Chief Executive responded to the following questions:  

·         How often does the working group meet? 

·         Who will receive the updates? 

Resolved that:

Governance and Audit Committee note and debate the content of this report.

To receive the report of the Audit Wales

Ian Phillips led the Committee through the Audit Wales WorkProgramme and Timetable report and together with Deborah Woods responded to the following questions raised: 

·         Audit accounts – any information or updates on the timetable? 

·         Assurance and Risk Assessment – will there be a report published? 

To consider report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Finance Officerled the Committee through the ‘Revenue Budget 2024/25’ report.  

The Chair referred to the Budget Setting Workshops, and expressed how they provided useful information and insight into the budget setting process. 

Resolved that:

The content of this report be discussed and noted.

To consider the report of the Head of Regional Internal Audit Service

Lisa Cumpston led the Committee through the Governance and Audit Committee Forward Work Programme 2023/24 report. 

In reference to the Governance and Audit Committee Self-Assessment, the Chair reminded the Committee of the deadline to complete the questionnaire. 

The Chair requested that future Committee dates be shared with the Committee. 

To receive copies of published Internal Audit reports for Members information

Lisa Cumpston led the Committee through the Internal Audit Information Reports. 

The Chair referred to the positive results of the audits.? 

Resolved that:

Members determine any reports they wish to consider in more detail at a future meeting including receiving updates from appropriate officers on progress made in implementing recommendations.

To receive an update from the Chair

The Chair and the Committee reflected on the items that had been considered at the Meeting.

The Chief Finance Officer advised the Committee that the Authority’s contract with the Internal Audit Shared Service is due to expire and gave details on this.  

A Cabinet Report is being drafted and the Committee would be kept updated on the matter. 

? 

In order for the following to be considered in private, it is suggested that the public be excluded from the Meeting on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph/s 13,14,15 under Part 4 of Schedule 12A Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider report of the Chief Officer Social Services

Declaration of Interest 

Councillor D Hughes, having declared an interest in this item, left the meeting for the consideration of the item. 

Joanne Llewellyn led the Committee through the Special Guardianship Orders report and responded to the questions raised by the Committee.

Resolved that:

The recommendation detailed in Paragraph 2.1.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Finance Officer led the Committee through the Revenue Budget 2024/25 report and responded to the questions raised by the Committee.

Resolved that:

The recommendation detailed in Paragraph 2.1 of the report be approved.