Wrthi'n llwytho
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RESOLVED That the updates in respect of actions arising from the 7 July 2026 meeting be noted.
RESOLVED (a) That the progress made in delivering the Transport Compliance Improvement Programme and the actions taken to address the findings arising from the independent compliance review of the Council's Heavy Goods Vehicle operations, be noted. (b) That the Terms of Reference for the Transport and Fleet Compliance Improvement Programme Board, be noted, and that any agreement on final terms are to be determined by the Chief Executive, be noted. (c) That it be noted that a report on the Passenger Carrying review would be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee in December 2026. (d) That it be noted that a further detailed update on progress against the Heavy Goods Vehicle improvement programme would be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee in December 2026, to provide assurance regarding the sustainability of the improvements delivered and evidence of continued compliance.
RESOLVED That the contents and assurance provided within the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Update for 2026-27 be noted.
RESOLVED (a) That the update provided on Business Risk Management and the contents of the Corporate Risk Register be noted. (b) That the Committee undertake deep dives into the two highest corporate risks, at the next meeting.
RESOLVED That the draft annual self-assessment report for 2025-26 be noted, and Committee comments be included, prior to approval by Council.
RESOLVED That the County Council Budget Quarter 1 Monitoring Report for 2026-27 be noted, with no areas of concern raised at this time. [Councillor Steve Alderman left the meeting at this juncture.]
RESOLVED That the updated Financial Procedure Rules be approved.
RESOLVED That the findings and recommendations contained within the Auditor General for Wales report, "How the Welsh Government Funds Councils" be noted and a request be made that the implications for the Council's financial sustainability, medium-term financial planning and reliance on specific grant funding continue to be considered. [Councillor Anji Tinley left the meeting at this juncture.]
RESOLVED That the public be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as Appendices A and B involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14, of Part 4, Schedule 12A to the Act; and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. The webcast was paused at this juncture. Having convened in private session Audit Wales presented the report, and Members were given the opportunity to raise questions, to which the Audit Wales representatives and Council officers responded to. The webcast was then resumed at this juncture. Moved by Mr John Evans; Seconded by Councillor Aled Thomas The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the findings of Audit Wales Report ‘Cyber Security and Resilience Arrangements - Pembrokeshire County Council’ and the Council’s response be noted.
RESOLVED That the Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable update, dated 30 June 2026, be noted.
RESOLVED (a) That the updated Forward Work Programme for 2026-27 be noted. (b) That a change to the meeting schedule be noted, with the 11 February 2027 meeting being rescheduled to the 18 January 2027 to enable the Committee to consider the 2027-28 budget at an earlier stage in the budget setting process, prior to Council consideration. (c) That an Extraordinary Committee meeting be arranged for October 2026 to consider Audit Wales ISA 260 for the statement of accounts 2024-25.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Joshua Beynon.
There were no requests received.
There were no declarations of interest received.
Moved by Dr Norma Barry; Seconded by Mr Chris Halford The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2026 be approved as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the updates in respect of actions arising from the 7 July 2026 meeting be noted.
The Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer introduced the item and provided the following updates: · Vehicle Maintenance Unit Audit: Further information had been sought regarding any correlation between missed refuse collections and vehicle downtime. It was reported that collections were generally covered by alternative vehicles or by returning vehicles to complete routes, meaning they were recorded as missed collections. Where service delays occur or collection days need to be changed, notification emails are issued to Members. Six notifications had been issued during the past year. · Lessons Learned Review and Terms of Reference: Work in relation to the associated insurance review had commenced and was progressing well. Members were reminded that feedback was still required on the draft Terms of Reference for the Manorbier School Lessons Learned exercise before the work could be finalised and progressed. It was noted that all other actions from the previous meeting had been updated or completed. The Chair took the opportunity to reiterate that the draft Terms of Reference for the Manorbier School Lessons Learned exercise, required approval. It was stated that very few responses had been received and Members were invited to submit any further comments by the close of play the following day. It was noted that subject to any additional feedback received, the comments would be incorporated into the final document, and the work would proceed accordingly. Moved by Dr Norma Barry; Seconded by Mr Chris Halford The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the updates in respect of actions arising from the 7 July 2026 meeting be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED (a) That the progress made in delivering the Transport Compliance Improvement Programme and the actions taken to address the findings arising from the independent compliance review of the Council's Heavy Goods Vehicle operations, be noted. (b) That the Terms of Reference for the Transport and Fleet Compliance Improvement Programme Board, be noted, and that any agreement on final terms are to be determined by the Chief Executive, be noted. (c) That it be noted that a report on the Passenger Carrying review would be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee in December 2026. (d) That it be noted that a further detailed update on progress against the Heavy Goods Vehicle improvement programme would be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee in December 2026, to provide assurance regarding the sustainability of the improvements delivered and evidence of continued compliance.
The Committee considered a report, which was circulated by way of a Supplementary Agenda, by the Head of Transport and Operations in relation to the Transport Compliance Improvement Programme. The Head of Transport and Operations presented the report and stated that significant progress had been made since the previous report to the Committee, including the completion of a further Public Service Vehicle (PSV) audit, strengthened governance and accountability arrangements, enhanced compliance monitoring, and the implementation of an interim management structure within the Fleet Service. Members were advised that all actions within the improvement plan had been progressed, with a number completed and the remainder progressing as planned. No actions were currently rated red risk. It was highlighted that the focus was now on embedding sustainable improvements and achieving long-term cultural change. It was noted that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Operator Risk Score had reduced significantly placing the service within the green category and demonstrating continued improvement in compliance standards. The Chair sought clarification regarding timelines for when the recommendations would be implemented, to which the Head of Transport and Operations advised the end of 2026, with the exception of the management information system which may take slightly longer to embed due to IT capacity and the procurement process. The Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer added that all Fleet Audit recommendations had been entered into the internal audit management system and were being monitored through monthly updates. It was stated that the recommendations would also be reviewed by the Improvement Board to ensure they were fully implemented. It was noted that progress would continue to be tracked through the Council's recommendation monitoring process, with any delays in implementation reported back to the Committee. Mr John Evans requested that, for the December meeting, a detailed action plan be provided showing the individual improvement actions, associated timescales, and progress against each action (AP). Mr John Evans also requested further information on the costs associated with the improvement programme and emphasised the importance of understanding the full financial impact of the improvement programme and the organisational failures that had necessitated it (AP). Following a request made by Councillor Jacob Williams, who was also the Cabinet representative for this matter, the Head of Transport and Operations advised that 13 operating centres which no longer met current standards had been removed from the Operator's Licence following a review of operational requirements. It was noted that driving licence verification processes had been strengthened and that tachograph monitoring was now embedded across the service, with any breaches promptly reviewed by the compliance team. It was reported that such measures had significantly improved compliance and operational practices within the Fleet Service, with a further update to be provided at the December meeting. In response to questions regarding costs, the Chief Executive stated that further information would be provided to a future meeting and advised that previous governance arrangements may not have provided sufficient oversight and that some corrective actions could require permanent organisational changes and additional ongoing resources. It was noted that the full financial implications of the improvement programme would therefore need to be monitored over time. Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Mr Chris Halford The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED (a) That the progress made in delivering the Transport Compliance Improvement Programme and the actions taken to address the findings arising from the independent compliance review of the Council's Heavy Goods Vehicle operations, be noted. (b) That the Terms of Reference for the Transport and Fleet Compliance Improvement Programme Board, be noted, and that any agreement on final terms are to be determined by the Chief Executive, be noted. (c) That it be noted that a report on the Passenger Carrying review would be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee in December 2026. (d) That it be noted that a further detailed update on progress against the Heavy Goods Vehicle improvement programme would be presented to the Governance and Audit Committee in December 2026, to provide assurance regarding the sustainability of the improvements delivered and evidence of continued compliance.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the contents and assurance provided within the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Update for 2026-27 be noted.
The Committee considered a report by the Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer in relation to the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Update for 2026-27. The Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer presented the report and stated that Audit work remained focused on key risk areas, and the approved audit plan was reported to be on track, with a detailed update to be presented in December. It was noted that, despite one vacancy and only one appointment being made to support the schools governance review programme, there had been no significant impact on delivery. It was reported that 32 counter fraud referrals had been received since April, primarily relating to council tax matters, Blue Badge misuse and policy non-compliance and that work was underway to strengthen proactive fraud prevention measures, including the development of an information-sharing arrangement with HMRC. The Committee was advised that no audits completed during the period had resulted in a limited assurance opinion and overall, positive assurance was provided regarding the Council's governance, risk management and control arrangements. It was, however, highlighted that the service was operating at full capacity and that any significant additional work could require reprioritisation of the audit plan. Following concern raised by the Chair regarding the workload and the staffing of the Audit team, the Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer expressed confidence that the plan would be completed by year-end. Members were advised that audit work was intentionally front-loaded to enable progress to be monitored throughout the year, with individual work plans allocated to each auditor and performance managed through regular review meetings. In response to points raised by Mr John Evans, the Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer advised that work on the review of the Council's overarching insurance arrangements was progressing well and was approximately one-third complete. In relation to the Manorbier School Lessons Learned review, it was noted that commencement was dependent upon Member feedback on the draft Terms of Reference. It was added that subject to agreement of the Terms of Reference, the review would proceed through the usual audit process and be reported back to the Committee in due course. Mr John Evans made reference to timely information flow and queried if it would be possible for a league table to be provided of departments that were missing their target dates. In response, the Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer advised that efforts were being made to improve the timeliness of finalising audit reports, with a target of completing audits within two weeks of fieldwork concluding. It was confirmed that any significant concerns would be reported back to the Committee. The Chair made reference to the increase in counter fraud referrals and investigations and sought further information. In response, the Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer advised that the introduction of a public referral form had led to an increase in counter fraud referrals, all of which required assessment and, where necessary, further investigation. It was noted that whilst some cases could be resolved quickly, others were more resource-intensive and had reduced the service's capacity to undertake proactive fraud prevention work. Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Mr Chris Halford The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the contents and assurance provided within the Internal Audit and Counter Fraud Update for 2026-27 be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED (a) That the update provided on Business Risk Management and the contents of the Corporate Risk Register be noted. (b) That the Committee undertake deep dives into the two highest corporate risks, at the next meeting.
The Committee considered a report by the Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer in relation to the Business Risk Management Update for August 2026. The Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer presented the report and stated that all risks had been reviewed to ensure mitigation measures remained effective and that ongoing horizon-scanning work was identifying emerging risks and opportunities. It was noted that three potential new risks were being considered for inclusion: contractor failure and project delivery, inflationary pressures, and organisational resilience. It was also reported that the Council's Risk Management Framework and training arrangements were being reviewed following recommendations from Audit Wales. The Chair expressed concerns regarding the presentation and content of the Corporate Risk Register, commenting that it was overly detailed and difficult to follow. Concern was also raised that a number of controls were recorded as completed one-off actions when they appeared to be ongoing controls, and that associated mitigating actions were not always clearly identified. It was felt that, in its current format, the register did not provide the level of assurance sought by the Committee. The Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer confirmed that the concerns raised would be reviewed as part of the ongoing development of the risk reporting arrangements. Councillor Anji Tinley made reference to the Nutrient Neutrality risk and sought further information on what had been reviewed. In response, the Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer advised that all risks within the Corporate Risk Register were reviewed on a monthly basis and that further detail on the specific mitigation measures and recent developments would be best provided by the Head of Planning (AP). It was highlighted that the Committee may wish to undertake focused "deep dives" into individual risks in future, enabling a more detailed consideration of the risk, existing controls, and planned mitigation actions, which was supported by Members. It was suggested that the Committee start with the two highest corporate risks, at the next meeting, and work their way down the list each meeting. The Chief Executive added that more detailed mitigation actions were often contained within service-level plans, such as the Nutrient Mitigation Strategy recently approved by Cabinet, and that there could be a timing gap between such decisions and updates being reflected in the Register. It was suggested that the Committee consider undertaking periodic detailed reviews of individual strategic risks and their mitigation plans, rather than seeking all operational detail within the Corporate Risk Register itself, to provide greater assurance while maintaining a manageable level of reporting, which was an approach supported by the Committee. Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Councillor Anji Tinley The vote, undertaken by way of a roll call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: For the Motion: Councillors Steve Alderman, Aled Thomas, Anji Tinley and Jacob Williams; and Dr Norma Barry, Mr John Evans and Mr Chris Halford [7] There were no votes against the motion or abstentions. RESOLVED (a) That the update provided on Business Risk Management and the contents of the Corporate Risk Register be noted. (b) That the Committee undertake deep dives into the two highest corporate risks, at the next meeting.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the draft annual self-assessment report for 2025-26 be noted, and Committee comments be included, prior to approval by Council.
The Committee considered a report by the Director of Resources in relation to the Draft Annual Self-Assessment Report for 2025-26. The Corporate Policy and Partnerships Manager presented the report and stated that the report evaluated the Council's performance and use of resources and governance arrangements during the previous financial year. It was stated that that the report presented a generally positive assessment of performance and noted that the recent Panel Performance Assessment had concluded that the Council was meeting its performance requirements. Key strengths were highlighted and included recycling, leisure services and planning performance, while challenges remained in relation to education outcomes, financial sustainability, workforce capacity and nutrient neutrality. It was highlighted that the report was being presented for the Committee's consideration prior to its submission to Cabinet and Full Council for approval. The Chair welcomed the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies and the Corporate Planning Manager to the meeting to assist with questions. Councillor Steve Alderman welcomed the positive progress being made through the Council's preventative approaches, particularly in relation to support for young people and mental health services. It was noted that these areas had historically placed significant demand on Council resources and finances, and the emerging positive outcomes were encouraging. Mr Chris Halford referred to recent PISA results, which indicated that Wales had performed less favourably than other UK nations, and sought clarification on how this aligned with the positive assessment of education performance contained within the Annual Self-Assessment Report. In response, the Corporate Policy and Partnerships Manager stated that this was a backwards looking report so such matters would be reported as part of next years report. The Corporate Planning Manager added that the sample size used for PISA assessments was not sufficient to provide reliable data at individual Local Authority level. It was acknowledged that educational attainment gaps remained a challenge, particularly in relation to literacy and school readiness in the early years and improving educational outcomes remained a key priority for the Council. The Chair commented that, while the report effectively addressed the statutory requirements, it was not always clear how the areas for improvement identified in the previous year's report had progressed. Concern was also raised that improvement actions, timescales and responsible officers were not clearly linked within the document, making it difficult for readers to understand how identified challenges and improvement areas were being addressed. In response, the Corporate Policy and Partnerships Manager agreed to review the report structure for future years to provide clearer links between identified improvement actions and the progress achieved against them (AP). The Director of Resources highlighted that the Annual Governance Statement and the Annual Self-Assessment Report should be read alongside one another to provide a fuller picture of the Council's governance, performance and improvement arrangements. In response to a question raised by Mr John Evans as to whether the draft self-assessment report was reviewed independently before it is presented for Committee consideration, the Corporate Policy and Partnerships Manager advised that the draft report was prepared using a range of performance and service information before being subject to internal review by the Senior Leadership Team, Heads of Service and Corporate Managers to ensure accuracy and completeness. It was then stated that the report was issued for public consultation and shared with trade unions to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to comment and that additional external assurance was provided through the Council's recent Panel Performance Assessment, which had independently concluded that the Council was meeting its performance requirements. Mr John Evans suggested that future draft reports be shared earlier to allow Members time to provide feedback before finalisation. Whilst acknowledging the report's positive content, concern was expressed that it lacked balance and did not clearly demonstrate how previous weaknesses and challenges had been addressed. It was suggested that future reports provide greater reference to areas for improvement and actions taken. In response, the Corporate Policy and Partnerships Manager agreed to consider strengthening future reports by providing a clearer link between improvement actions identified in one year's self-assessment and the progress reported in subsequent reports. It was also agreed, for future years, for a draft of the report to be circulated to Committee Members by email in advance of the formal meeting, allowing additional time for review and the submission of comments prior to consideration by the Committee (AP). Following points raised by Mr John Evans regarding the inclusion of private sector representation on future Panel Performance Assessment review panels, the Corporate Policy and Partnerships Manager agreed to raise the matter with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) (AP). The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies welcomed the positive findings of the report and the conclusions of the recent Panel Performance Assessment, which had found that the Council was performing well. Whilst acknowledging previous comments regarding the composition of the review panel, it was noted that those involved were experienced senior public sector professionals who had undertaken a thorough assessment. It was further commented that the Council and its officers should be commended for the positive outcomes reflected within the report. Moved by Councillor Steve Alderman; Seconded by Mr Chris Halford The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the draft annual self-assessment report for 2025-26 be noted, and Committee comments be included, prior to approval by Council.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the County Council Budget Quarter 1 Monitoring Report for 2026-27 be noted, with no areas of concern raised at this time. [Councillor Steve Alderman left the meeting at this juncture.]
The Committee considered a report by the Director of Resources, Head of Finance and Revenue Services and the Head of Resources and Procurement in relation to the County Council Budget Quarter 1 Monitoring Report for 2026-27. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies presented the report and noted a projected year-end overspend of £2.2m against the approved net revenue budget of £347.4m. It was highlighted that the main budget pressures related to Additional Learning Needs (ALN), increased transport fuel costs, pay award pressures and higher mileage rates. It was highlighted that Education Services were forecasting an overspend of £2.165m, while Social Care and Housing Services and Waste Services were forecasting underspends. Members were informed that the capital programme had been revised, reflecting rephased expenditure and new capital schemes. The Cabinet Member also highlighted current revenue collection figures, budget savings requirements of £10.1m, and a projected funding gap of £17.3m within the Medium Term Financial Plan, which could increase due to inflationary and other cost pressures. It was stated that benchmarking work was underway to review service costs and identify efficiencies. It was noted that Cabinet had implemented a moratorium on non-essential expenditure in response to the projected overspend. In response to a question raised by Councillor Anji Tinley, the Director of Resources addressed the delays in completing the Council's accounts and advised that an action plan had been developed to address lessons learned from the past year. It was explained that the 2024-25 accounts had been particularly challenging due to asset valuations and the implementation of IFRS 16 but that the 2024-25 audit was now substantially complete and, once Audit Wales had issued its final report, the asset management system could be rolled forward to enable completion of the 2025-26 Statement of Accounts. It was anticipated that the draft 2025-26 accounts would be completed by mid-November. The Chair sought an update on the use of external valuers and asked whether arrangements had improved since the issue had previously been discussed by the Committee. In response, the Director of Resources advised that the use of external valuers remained challenging as the Council was reliant on a third party to provide information required for the Statement of Accounts. However, members were advised that future procurement would be undertaken through a tender process to secure the most suitable provider, and the recent appointment of an in-house valuer would help the Council respond more quickly to valuation queries and reduce reliance on external consultants. In response to a question raised by Councillor Anji Tinley, the Director of Resources advised that the moratorium would remain in place until a balanced budget position was achieved. Moved by Councillor Anji Tinley; Seconded by Mr Chris Halford The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the County Council Budget Quarter 1 Monitoring Report for 2026-27 be noted, with no areas of concern raised at this time. [Councillor Steve Alderman left the meeting at this juncture.]
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the updated Financial Procedure Rules be approved.
The Committee considered a report by the Director of Resources in relation to the updated Financial Procedure Rules. The Director of Resources presented the report, and Members were advised that amendments approved by the Committee would be referred to Council for noting and incorporated into the Constitution. A number of proposed changes were highlighted, including updates to officer titles, amendments reflecting the introduction of Global Internal Audit Standards, revisions to the approach for reviewing fees and charges, clarification of arrangements relating to external funding, and the introduction of strengthened controls over grant schemes following an Internal Audit review. It was stated that the amendments were intended to improve clarity, governance and financial management arrangements. Moved by Councillor Aled Thomas; Seconded by Mr Chris Halford The vote, undertaken by way of a roll call, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors Aled Thomas, Anji Tinley and Jacob Williams; and Dr Norma Barry, Mr John Evans and Mr Chris Halford [6] There were no votes against the motion or abstentions. RESOLVED That the updated Financial Procedure Rules be approved.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the findings and recommendations contained within the Auditor General for Wales report, "How the Welsh Government Funds Councils" be noted and a request be made that the implications for the Council's financial sustainability, medium-term financial planning and reliance on specific grant funding continue to be considered. [Councillor Anji Tinley left the meeting at this juncture.]
The Committee considered a national report by Audit Wales in relation to how Welsh Government funds councils. Gareth Jones from Audit Wales presented the report and noted that it was not an assessment of the Council's financial management arrangements but highlighted concerns around the timing and certainty of funding settlements, grant administration, elements of the local government funding formula, and the funding of new legislative responsibilities. It was highlighted that the report concluded that current arrangements can hinder effective long-term financial planning and value for money. Members were advised that Audit Wales made five recommendations to Welsh Government aimed at improving funding certainty, transparency and support for councils facing financial pressures. Members noted the findings and their relevance to the Council's financial planning and budget-setting processes. Following clarification sought by the Chair, Members were advised that, on 28 September 2026, Welsh Government and Audit Wales representatives would appear before the Senedd Committee to present the report and Welsh Government's response to its recommendations. The Committee would then consider the findings and could undertake further inquiries, which may inform future arrangements for local government funding in Wales. Mr John Evans queried whether Governance and Audit Committee Members could be provided with a copy of the report and Welsh Government response being submitted to the Senedd Committee. In response Gareth confirmed that the papers would be publicly available and would also be circulated to Members via Democratic Services. Moved by Mr John Evans; Seconded by Councillor Jacob Williams The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the findings and recommendations contained within the Auditor General for Wales report, "How the Welsh Government Funds Councils" be noted and a request be made that the implications for the Council's financial sustainability, medium-term financial planning and reliance on specific grant funding continue to be considered. [Councillor Anji Tinley left the meeting at this juncture.]
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the public be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as Appendices A and B involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14, of Part 4, Schedule 12A to the Act; and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. The webcast was paused at this juncture. Having convened in private session Audit Wales presented the report, and Members were given the opportunity to raise questions, to which the Audit Wales representatives and Council officers responded to. The webcast was then resumed at this juncture. Moved by Mr John Evans; Seconded by Councillor Aled Thomas The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the findings of Audit Wales Report ‘Cyber Security and Resilience Arrangements - Pembrokeshire County Council’ and the Council’s response be noted.
Before consideration of the item, the Chair reminded Members that it was the view of both Audit Wales and the proper officer that Appendix A and B to the report should not be discussed in public session as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14, of Part 4, Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and it was deemed that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. The Committee considered a report by Audit Wales in relation to cyber security and resilience arrangements. The Head of ICT outlined the report and stated that the review examined the Council’s approach to cyber risk management, governance, staff training, incident response, business continuity and service resilience, and assessed whether effective arrangements were in place. The Committee was being asked to consider the Council’s response to the recommendations made. Dr Norma Barry Moved to exclude the public to discuss the restricted information in private session, in order to preserve confidentiality; Seconded by Mr John Evans. The vote was taken by way of a show of hands and carried. [Councillor Jacob Williams voted against the proposal to exclude the public.] RESOLVED That the public be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as Appendices A and B involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14, of Part 4, Schedule 12A to the Act; and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information. The webcast was paused at this juncture. Having convened in private session Audit Wales presented the report, and Members were given the opportunity to raise questions, to which the Audit Wales representatives and Council officers responded to. The webcast was then resumed at this juncture. Moved by Mr John Evans; Seconded by Councillor Aled Thomas The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the findings of Audit Wales Report ‘Cyber Security and Resilience Arrangements - Pembrokeshire County Council’ and the Council’s response be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable update, dated 30 June 2026, be noted.
The Committee considered the Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable for Pembrokeshire County Council. Gareth Jones from Audit Wales presented the report and noted that work on the 2024-25 Statement of Accounts was nearing completion and that audit work on the 2025-26 accounts would commence once draft accounts had been submitted. It was reported that all planned 2025-26 performance audit work had been completed and that Audit Wales had begun its 2026-27 programme. It was also highlighted that progress was being made on a number of national studies, including reviews relating to local government funding, social care reform, fly-tipping and the National Fraud Initiative. The Chair requested an update on Welsh Government's review of Corporate Joint Committees (CJCs). In response, Audit Wales advised that Welsh Government was currently undertaking a review and, as a result, Audit Wales had not progressed separate audit work in this area. It was agreed that further information on the review would be provided to Members in due course. The Cabinet Member with responsibility for Corporate Finance and Efficiencies added that the review appeared to form part of a wider consideration of regional governance arrangements, including the National Development Framework and the role of regional bodies, rather than a specific proposal to change the CJC model itself. Moved by Mr John Evans; Seconded by Councillor Aled Thomas The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable update, dated 30 June 2026, be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED (a) That the updated Forward Work Programme for 2026-27 be noted. (b) That a change to the meeting schedule be noted, with the 11 February 2027 meeting being rescheduled to the 18 January 2027 to enable the Committee to consider the 2027-28 budget at an earlier stage in the budget setting process, prior to Council consideration. (c) That an Extraordinary Committee meeting be arranged for October 2026 to consider Audit Wales ISA 260 for the statement of accounts 2024-25.
The Chief Audit, Risk and Information Officer outlined the forward work programme for 2026-27 and highlighted the reports scheduled for the next two meetings. Members were advised that the meeting originally scheduled for 11 February 2027 would be brought forward to 18 January 2027 to allow earlier consideration of the 2027-28 budget before it was submitted to Council. The Committee also noted that an Extraordinary Meeting of the Governance and Audit Committee would be arranged, provisionally on 6 October 2026, to consider the Audit Wales report on the 2024-25 Statement of Accounts. It was anticipated that the meeting would be held remotely. Moved by Mr John Evans; Seconded by Councillor Jacob Williams The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED (a) That the updated Forward Work Programme for 2026-27 be noted. (b) That a change to the meeting schedule be noted, with the 11 February 2027 meeting being rescheduled to the 18 January 2027 to enable the Committee to consider the 2027-28 budget at an earlier stage in the budget setting process, prior to Council consideration. (c) That an Extraordinary Committee meeting be arranged for October 2026 to consider Audit Wales ISA 260 for the statement of accounts 2024-25.
Rhaid i gynghorwyr ddweud pan fydd ganddyn nhw gysylltiad personol â rhywbeth sy'n cael ei drafod, fel swydd, eiddo neu aelod o'r teulu. Mae buddiant sy'n rhagfarnu yn ddigon cryf i'r cynghorydd adael yr ystafell fel arfer a pheidio â chymryd rhan.
Caiff datganiadau eu darllen o'r cofnodion unwaith y byddan nhw wedi'u cyhoeddi.
Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.