Agenda, decisions and minutes

That Councillor Allan Marshall be permitted as a substitute for the meeting.

In line with Constitutional requirements, the Committee agreed to allow Councillor Allan Marshall (who had undertaken the requisite training) to substitute for Councillor Andy Hughes.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Allan Marshall be permitted as a substitute for the meeting.

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

On minute no. 37 (School Reserves), a personal interest was declared by the Chair and Councillors Teresa Carberry, Allan Marshall and Linda Thew as school governors.  Sally Ellis declared a personal interest on the same item due to her son being employed by a school in Flintshire.

On minute no. 37 (School Reserves), a personal interest was declared by the Chair and Councillors Teresa Carberry, Allan Marshall and Linda Thew as school governors.  Sally Ellis declared a personal interest on the same item due to her son being employed by a school in Flintshire.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2024.

That subject to the amendment on minute 23, the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2024 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the amendment on minute 23, the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2024 be approved as a correct record.

(a)       That the Committee is assured of the findings of the Corporate Self-Assessment 2023/24;

(b)       That the Committee is assured of the opportunities for improvement identified in the Corporate Self-assessment 2023/24; and

(c)       That Members forward any areas for review to the Internal Audit Manager by 11 October 2024 to enable a further report to be brought in November.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report on the findings of the Corporate Self-Assessment 2023/24 and opportunities identified for improvement.

During the debate, concerns were raised that some of the responses may require a ‘sense check’, for example on question B15.  Members of the Committee agreed to raise any other areas of concern with officers by 11 October so that an updated report could be brought to the next meeting.

On that basis, the recommendations were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee is assured of the findings of the Corporate Self-Assessment 2023/24;

(b)       That the Committee is assured of the opportunities for improvement identified in the Corporate Self-assessment 2023/24; and

(c)       That Members forward any areas for review to the Internal Audit Manager by 11 October 2024 to enable a further report to be brought in November.

That the Committee is assured of the recommendations for improvement.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented the reportto review the Council’s response to the four recommendations for improvement advised by Audit Wales, following consideration by the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet.

The recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee is assured of the recommendations for improvement.

(a)       That the Committee nominates Councillor Andrew Parkhurst to serve on the Governance & Audit Committee of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee and Councillor Ted Palmer to serve as a substitute;

(b)       That the Committee does not wish to nominate a Lay Member to the Governance & Audit Committee of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee; and

(c)       That the Chief Officer (Governance) ascertain whether there is a mandatory training requirement for nominations to the Corporate Joint Committee Governance & Audit Committee.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report to nominate Members to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee’s own Governance and Audit Committee.  He agreed to establish whether there was a mandatory training requirement for those serving on the joint committee.

The nominations put forward by the Committee were accepted by those two Members.  The Chair advised that a discussion prior to the meeting had found that none of the co-optees wished to be nominated for the joint committee.  On that basis, the recommendations were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee nominates Councillor Andrew Parkhurst to serve on the Governance & Audit Committee of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee and Councillor Ted Palmer to serve as a substitute;

(b)       That the Committee does not wish to nominate a Lay Member to the Governance & Audit Committee of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee; and

(c)       That the Chief Officer (Governance) ascertain whether there is a mandatory training requirement for nominations to the Corporate Joint Committee Governance & Audit Committee.

(a)       That the report be accepted; and

(b)       That a report be requested from the Chief Executive, summarising his perspective of the main reasons for delayed actions, aside from the lack of resources, and proposals for improving the timeliness and accuracy of fulfilling action plans within the next six months.  In addition, that the responsible senior officer and Cabinet Member attend the Committee to provide explanation where there are insufficient reasons for delays with high priority overdue actions.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the report to update the Committee on progress against the Audit Plan, final reports issued, actions, performance indicators and current investigations.

On responses to client questionnaires, the Internal Audit Manager agreed to review the questions to try to improve response rates.

An additional motion was supported in response to concerns about the number of overdue actions, in particular those identified as high priority in areas such as Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation.

On that basis, the recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be accepted; and

(b)       That a report be requested from the Chief Executive, summarising his perspective of the main reasons for delayed actions, aside from the lack of resources, and proposals for improving the timeliness and accuracy of fulfilling action plans within the next six months.  In addition, that the responsible senior officer and Cabinet Member attend the Committee to provide explanation where there are insufficient reasons for delays with high priority overdue actions.

That the Committee accepts the report.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the report on progress with actions from previous meetings of the Committee.  She agreed to liaise with the Democratic Services Manager to follow up the request for meetings between the Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee and Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny committees.

The recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee accepts the report.

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be accepted, as amended; and

(b)       That the Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the current Forward Work Programme for consideration.  Due to the number of items scheduled for the November meeting, she agreed to liaise with officers to consider whether some could be deferred.

The following items were agreed for the November meeting:

·         Update report on the Corporate Self-Assessment.

·         Report on action tracking from the Chief Executive.

On that basis, the recommendations were supported.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Forward Work Programme be accepted, as amended; and

(b)       That the Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

That the Committee notes the report, level of school reserves as at 31 March 2024 and overview of schools’ current financial position.

The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) and Strategic Finance Manager (Schools) presented the annual report on reserves held by Flintshire schools together with the risks and internal processes associated with schools in deficit.  The report had been shared with all Headteachers and had been considered by the Schools Budget Forum and the Education, Youth & Culture Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The recommendation was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee notes the report, level of school reserves as at 31 March 2024 and overview of schools’ current financial position.

None.