Wrthi'n llwytho
Does dim crynodeb o'r cyfarfod hwn eto. Caiff un ei ysgrifennu pan fydd y cyngor yn cyhoeddi'r cofnodion. Mae'r agenda a'r papurau isod.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interests were declared: - Councillor P M Black declared a personal interest in Minute No.42 - Pests & Animal Control.
Resolved that the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) of the Governance & Audit Committee be approved as a correct record, subject to the following amendments: - Minute No. 29 – Annual Report of School Audits 2024/25 – paragraph 8 – amend ‘sort confirming’ to ‘sought confirmation’. Minute No. 32 - Fraud Function Annual Plan 25/26 – add the following action to the Minute and the Work Plan: - ‘The Committee requested an update in respect of proactive work, given Internal Audit's consistent findings on non-compliance with procurement rules / guidance. A response would be provided to the Committee.’
Tom Price, Divisional Environmental Health Officer, Adrian Johnson, Team Leader - Pollution Control & Public Health and Carol Morgan, Head of Housing & Public Health presented a report which provided an update on the Pest & Animal Control Audit 2024-2025. It was outlined that as a result of an Internal Audit on the Pest and Animal Control function carried out for 2024 - 2025, an assurance level of Moderate was given. The report addressed the 1 x High Risk (HR) and 8 x Medium Risk (MR) within the Final Internal Audit Report. It was added that all other reported risks were either Low Risk (LR) or Good Practice (GP). Appendix A provided the 2025/26 Action Plan, which specifically addressed the response to the HR and MR recommendations. The Committee discussed the following: - · Completion of Action Plan actions. · Operational backlogs and staffing. · Procurement and contract management. · Prepayment and contract duration. · Data Management and training. · Procedures relating to drivers who had received penalty points on their licence. · Stray dog management, micro-chipping and the overall position regarding numbers. · Public communication and data handling. The Chair thanked the officers for attending the meeting and for providing assurance regarding the actions already taken to address the issues raised in the Moderate report.
Tracey McNulty, Head of Cultural Services, Parks & Cleansing, Sue Reed, CPD Development Manager and Peter Beynon, Destination Development Co-ordinator presented a ‘for information’ report which provided an update on the Destination Lettings audit report. It was explained that an assurance level of Moderate was given on the Internal Audit report of Destination Lettings. It was highlighted that while the previous Audit rating from 2021 was also moderate, it should be noted that the one key issue from the previous report was resolved and not carried forward to this current Audit. The report addressed the 1 x High Risk (HR) and 5 x Medium Risk (MR) within the Final Internal Audit Report. All other reported risks were Low Risk (LR). Appendix A provided the 2025/26 Action Plan, which had been developed, specifically addressing the response to the HR and MR recommendations for Mumbles Caravan Park. It was added that all other areas tested, including Langland Bay Huts, were satisfactory. The Committee discussed the following: - · Licensing process reforms. · Waiting list and licence holder changes, particularly multiple names on licences. · Payment terms and debt recovery, which would streamline transitions and improve financial management. · Audit and root cause analysis – It was confirmed that confirmed that root cause analysis is now part of auditor training and will be incorporated into future audit programs. The Chair thanked the officers for attending the meeting and for providing assurance regarding the actions already taken to address the issues raised in the Moderate report.
Chris Williams, Head of Commercial Services presented a ‘for information’ report which responded to the Committee’s request for further information on the management controls associated with the spend of public funds at Swansea, particularly procurement and purchasing controls. It was outlined that following a review of the waivers audit (which related to the spend of public funds with third parties, e.g. the suppliers of goods, services and works to the Council), the Governance and Audit Committee requested further detail and information on the following and the extent to which the ‘‘compliance element is rigorous and robust by way of management control and requested an update on this matter”. The report explained the management controls in place in terms of: - i. The Council’s procurement controls – the process of identifying a supplier and putting in place an agreed contract agreement for goods and services and works. ii. The purchasing systems – the process of spending Council funds against an agreed Council contract. The Committee discussed the following: - · Procurement process and legislation. · Supplier evaluation and cyber security. · Spend monitoring and risk management. · Impact of UK Procurement Act. · Contract register and contract bonds process. · Purchase to pay system.
Councillor Peter Black, Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee presented ‘for information’ the Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25 and Scrutiny Work Programme. It was outlined that the report recognised the relationship between Scrutiny and Governance and Audit Committee, its ongoing importance and the actions already taken as part of this process. The Committee discussed the following: - · Scrutiny activities and outcomes. · Member participation and training. · Access to information and research. · Cabinet response to recommendations. It was agreed that AI training be added to the Committee training plan. The Chair thanked the Chair of the Scrutiny Programme Committee for a comprehensive report.
Sarah Lackenby, Head of Digital and Customer Services presented a ‘for information’ report which provided the Annual Complaints and Compliments Report for 2024-25. It was outlined that the report provided assurance on the complaints handling process for 2024-25 and highlight compliments received from the public. It was explained that following the Scrutiny Programme Committee’s review of the 2023–24 report, several changes were incorporated into this year’s process and report including: - · Ensuring that the Annual Report was both widely promoted across the Council and brought to the attention of those services subject of particular mention from the data / trend analysis. · That future reports included a sample of departmental complaints, in addition to examples of compliments that were already shown in each report. · A review of the format of the Annual Report to address any such discrepancies between Council reporting and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) reporting, so it was clearer which services these related to. The complaints report mirrored the statutory quarterly submissions to the Ombudsman. These were slightly different to the annual letter therefore further discussions would be undertaken with the Ombudsman to ensure consistency. It was added that the annual letter from the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) had been received and would be presented separately, as discussions regarding one of the new performance measures around the speed of compliance were ongoing with the Ombudsman’s office. The report provided details on corporate complaints and compliments, Social Services complaints and compliments, stakeholder participation and risks / issues. The Committee discussed the following: - · Complaints trends and service areas. · Social Services complaints and financial redress. · Learning and service improvement. · The procurement of external investigators for Social Services complaints. It was explained that investigators were selected for their niche expertise, often sourced from a small pool across Wales and further details would be provided at a future meeting. · The role of the Committee in monitoring complaints. It was suggested that future reports from Heads of Service should include information on actions taken to minimize complaints, such as monitoring service requests to prevent escalation. · Additional information explaining whether complaints received were justified. The Chair stated that she was scheduled to meet Ness Young, Director of Corporate Services to discuss the Audit Wales report on Risk Management and would outline the way forward to the Committee regarding departmental risks. She thanked the officer for her report and added that the Committee had assurance from the evidence of lesson learning within the report following complaints received.
Ness Young, Director of Corporate Services presented a ‘for information’ report which provided an overview of the governance and assurance arrangements of Swansea Council’s strategic partnerships during 2024/25. The report highlighted developments in oversight, performance management, financial management, stakeholder engagement and risk mitigation across each partnership. The report was presented to Cabinet on 16 October 2025. The Committee discussed the following: - · Governance of strategic partnerships. · Governance and assurance developments. · Audit arrangements and internal reviews. · Risk management and the Council’s role. The Chair requested additional information in respect of West Glamorgan Regional Partnership Board, particularly the Regional Integration Fund which was scheduled to expire in March 2027.
The Director of Corporate Services provided a report which presented the Council’s proposed response to its first Panel Performance Assessment (PPA) under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. It was added that the Council proactively scoped the review to focus on digital transformation, workforce sustainability, and programme delivery. The PPA provides a high level of external assurance that Swansea was a well-led, collaborative and forward-looking authority. The assessment findings and recommendations were outlined. The panel, facilitated by the WLGA, found Swansea Council to be well-led and effective, with no statutory recommendations. Thirteen improvement recommendations were accepted, focusing on digital transformation, workforce development, and programme delivery. The Committee discussed the following: - · Action plan governance and resources, particularly workforce related actions. · Monitoring and timelines. · Recruitment and apprenticeship initiatives, particularly the increased focus upon apprenticeships, trainee programs, and partnerships with universities to address anticipated workforce retirements. The Committee recognised the positive feedback contained in the report and welcomed the action plan. The Committee made no specific comments on the draft action plan but requested that six monthly progress updates on its implementation be provided to the Committee.
Gareth Jones, Audit Wales presented the Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable – Swansea Council – 30 June 2025. The report detailed the quarterly update and listed the following: - · Annual Audit Summary · Financial Audit Work · Performance Audit Work · Local Government National Studies Planned / In Progress · Estyn · Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) · Audit Wales National Reports and Other Outputs Published in the last year · Audit Wales National Reports and Other Outputs (work in progress / planned) · Good Practice Exchange Events and Resources The Committee requested access to Audit Wales online training. The Audit Wales representative would clarify the position with colleagues.
Rhan o fater a ddilynwyd ar draws 3 cyfarfod
The Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring - 1st Quarter 2025/26 report was presented ‘for information’.
The Quarter 4 and End of Year 2024-25 Performance Monitoring Reports were reported ‘for information’.
The Quarter 1 2025-26 Performance Monitoring Report was reported ‘for information’.
The Governance & Audit Committee Action Tracker was reported ‘for information’.
The Governance & Audit Committee Work Plan was reported ‘for information’.
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.
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Yn rhestru cynghorwyr presennol y cyngor yn unig. Nid yw aelodau cyfetholedig, swyddogion a chyn-gynghorwyr yn cael eu dangos.