Issue - meetings

(a)       That the briefing report be received;

(b)       That the Committee notes the constitutional and other implications of the Act, and supports internal plans for their implementation as necessary; and

(c)       That officers liaise with the Chairman to write to Welsh Government to express the Committee’s concerns on the requirement to appoint lay members as both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee.

NB After the meeting the Chief Officer (Governance) confirmed that the Vice-Chair of the Committee could be an elected member.  The Committee therefore agreed that resolution (c) did not need to be actioned.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report on the Local Government (Wales) Bill to reform local government elections, democracy, performance and governance.  Since publication of the report, the Bill had become an Act, having recently been given Royal Assent.

The Chief Officer summarised the changes directly affecting the Audit Committee; namely the revised terms of reference which would come into effect this year and changes to the membership to be implemented from 2022.  The proposals had been approved by the Council on 26 January.

The Chief Executive said that the Council’s offer to take part in the pilot self-assessment with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) reflected its strong performance evidenced on regulatory reports.

In response to Sally Ellis highlighting the importance of training to enable the Committee to undertake its new responsibilities, the Chief Officer gave assurance of engagement with the Committee throughout the introduction of the changes.

Councillor Johnson raised concerns about elected Member representation on the new Governance & Audit Committee.  His concerns were shared by Councillor Roberts and also by Councillor Dunbobbin who proposed that a letter be sent to Welsh Government to express concerns about the requirement for the new Governance & Audit Committee to appoint lay members as both its Chair and Vice-Chair.  This was seconded by Councillor Heesom.

During the debate, the Chairman and Members recognised the valuable contributions of current lay members on the Committee but expressed concerns about the role of elected Members.  The Chief Officer advised that whilst the Committee could make representations, the Act would remain unchanged and that the resolution reflected the legal requirement to comply with the new regulations despite any concerns (as resolved when the item was considered at County Council).

On that basis, the revised recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Dunbobbin and Johnson.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the briefing report be received;

(b)       That the Committee notes the constitutional and other implications of the Act, and supports internal plans for their implementation as necessary; and

(c)       That officers liaise with the Chairman to write to Welsh Government to express the Committee’s concerns on the requirement to appoint lay members as both Chair and Vice-Chair of the Governance & Audit Committee.

NB After the meeting the Chief Officer (Governance) confirmed that the Vice-Chair of the Committee could be an elected member.  The Committee therefore agreed that resolution (c) did not need to be actioned.