Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D Roberts. 

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

No Declarations of Interest were made. 

The minutes of the meeting on 3 June 2024 were noted for information, alongside changes to the list of attendees.

Helen Harbord referred to the Action Log and together with the Chief Executive Ellis Cooper and Andrew Wathan updated the Committee on any outstanding items. 

To receive the report of Audit Wales

Alice King and Sara-Jane Byrne led the Committee through the ‘Audit Wales – Annual Plan’ report.  

The Chief Executive Ellis Cooperalso updated the Committee in relation to the Council.

The following questions were then raised by the Committee and were responded to by Audit Wales: 

·         Planning work – has it been completed or is it an ongoing process? 

·         Regarding the remaining Audit risks that have been identified, are they standard across all organisationsor have they been specifically flagged? 

·         What will the following years audit look like? 

·         Fee rates – could there be more efficiencies?

The Chair then thanked Audit Wales and the Officers for the update to the Committee.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive Ellis Cooper led the Committee through the ‘Quarterly Update on Corporate Risks QTR 4’ report and responded to the following questions raised: 

·         Has anything emerged since the last review? 

·         Leisure services - will a Scrutiny committee cover this? 

The Chair then thanked the Chief Executive for the update to the Committee.

To consider report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive Ellis Cooper led the Committee through the ‘External Audit Recommendations’ report and responded to the following questions raised: 

·         Digital strategy – is there potential to collaborate and reduce costs? 

·         AI – security concerns were raised. 

The Chair then thanked the Chief Executive for the update to the Committee.

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

Joan Davies led the Committee through the ‘Annual Corporate Fraud Report’ and together with Officers responded to the following questions raised: 

·         Recovery of money – can more data matches be made? 

·         Is this going to be developed as a new action plan? 

·         How isSingle PersonDiscount fraud reduced? 

The Chair then thanked the Officers for the update to the Committee.

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

Helen Harbordled the Committee through the ‘Governance and Audit Committee Forward Work Programme 2024/25’ report.

The Chair requested a written update on the accounts. 

Cllr J Scriven left the meeting. 

Resolved that: 

Members approve the Forward Work Programme for 2024/25. 

To receive copies of published Internal Audit reports for Members information

Helen Harbord led the Committee through the Internal Audit Information Reports. 

The Chair referred to Table 1 andwhether recommendations had been implemented and was responded to by Helen Harbord. 

To receive an update from the Chair

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

The Chair advised that there was no other business deemed urgent.

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 13 under Part 4 of Schedule 12A Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved that: 

The public be excluded from the meeting on the grounds that it involves thelikely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 13 under Part 4 of Schedule 12A Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972. 

To receive an update from Officers

Resolved that: 

The recommendations as outlined in Paragraph 2.1 be approved.