Councillor Matthew Woolfall Jones, together with Mr Jason Blewitt, Eleanor Ansell and Clare James of Audit Wales, apologised for their inability to attend the meeting.

The Committee welcomed Councillor Lloyd Edwards back to the Council following a period of illness.

Condolences were expressed to the family of the former Councillor Will Edwards on his passing.

A letter from Care Inspectorate Wales (‘CIW’) was received by the Corporate Lead Officer – Porth Cynnal/Statutory Director of Social Services on 2nd July 2021. A detailed report on the content of the letter was provided

It was AGREED to note the content of the letter received and to congratulate the service on an excellent report.

7                    It was reported that In November 2020, Estyn held a virtual meeting with the Schools and Culture Department’s officers, to evaluate our work in supporting schools during the Covid pandemic.  Estyn subsequently outlined its findings in a letter, which was presented to this committee, Cabinet and the Learning Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  Estyn also compiled a national report, which contained specific recommendations. 

In May 2021, Estyn held a second meeting with every Local Authority and focussed on our work in response to the national report’s recommendations.  Estyn sent a letter to the Chief Executive on 16 July 2021, outlining our work in those areas.

It was AGREED to note the report for information. Members wished to congratulate the service on the excellent report.

7              At the Governance and Audit Committee meeting of 14th September 2017 it was agreed that the Governance and Audit Committee would publish an Annual Report providing an assessment on the effectiveness of the Governance and Audit Committee and to provide assurance that issues have been addressed and progressed.

8               

9              The Governance and Audit Committee Annual Report was used to:

10           a) Highlight the work carried out by the Governance and Audit Committee during the year;

11           b) Show how the Governance and Audit Committee has made a difference;

12           c) Set out the forward work programme for the year ahead; and

13           d) Provide Self-assessment and assurance.

14            

15           Consideration was given to the draft Committee’s Annual Report 2020/21. It was reported that it would be presented to Council by the 2020/21 Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee, and would also be subsequently published on the Council’s website.

16            

17           Following questions from the floor, it was AGREED to approve the draft Annual Report of the Chair, 2020-21 prior to presentation to Council; subject to including reference that the Committee had been preparing during 2020-21 to address the new responsibilities of the Committee in relation to governance; in addition to a proactive role in improving the services provided by the Council where necessary.

7              A detailed background to the Report was provided to Members, to include an update on the 2021-22 Annual Governance Statement Progress and he progress on actions set out in the 2020-21 Annual Governance Statement  for 2021-22.

8               

9              It was confirmed that a review of the Annual Governance Framework 2021/2022 is in progress and a workshop with Governance and Audit Committee Members and appropriate Officers shall be held in November/December to prepare a draft statement for approval at the January 2022 Governance and Audit Committee Meeting.

It was noted that Councillor Keith Evans would write to the Monitoring Officer with reasons of his request for the Committee/Council to view the declarations of interest of Chief Officers as discussed at the meeting.

It was AGREED to accept the progress report on actions set out in the 2020-2021 AGS Action Plan for 2021/2022.

7              The Forward Work Programme was presented to the Committee. It was confirmed that the Capital Expenditure Report has been removed from the Committee’s Forward Work Programme, as agreed by the Chair; and that the Audit Wales Financial Sustainability Report would also be presented at the Committee’s January Meeting.

8               

9              It was AGREED to note the content of the Forward Work Programme as presented.

10            

7              It was AGREED to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the  Committee held on 03 June 2021.

Matters arising

It was reported that the response from the CLO – Customer Service had not been sought from Customer Services regarding the £150,000 spent on smartphones. This information would be obtained and circulated to Members on email by the end of September; and reported back to the next meeting accordingly.

7              EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

8              Coroner's Service - Funeral Director Fees -The appendices relating to item 15 are not for publication as they contain exempt information as defined in paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007.  If, following the application of the Public Interest Test, the Council resolves to consider this item in private, the public will be excluded from the meeting during such consideration, in accordance with Section 100B(2) of the Act.

DECISION

It was AGREED to exclude the Public and Press

7              The Chair reported that she and several officers had attended on Monday 6^th September 2021 the Governance and Audit Committee Chairs’ Network meeting arranged by the Wales Chief Auditor Group, which was a very helpful Meeting. She stated that it was positive that many Councils had also indicated they intended to have 9 Members on their Governance and Audit Committees, although some had indicated they had up to 19 Members on their current committees; however, many had reported that they would be reducing their membership from May 2022 due to the new legislation. It was also pleasing to note that Ceredigion was ahead of others in the lay member recruitment process.