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RESOLVED – That the variation of order was agreed.
RESOLVED:- (i) That the Governance and Audit Committee considered the information within the report and determined that the Council’s complaint management processes were compliant and effective. (ii) That customer service standards be reissued to all officers and that the Committee receive future feedback on actions taken by Chief Officers and any resulting service changes.
RESOLVED:- (i) That the Governance and Audit Committee reviewed the draft Self‑Assessment Report. (ii) That the Committee considered whether to agree recommendations relating to the report’s conclusions and the actions the Council intends to take.
RESOLVED: - (i) That the Committee reviewed the council’s updated response to the PPA report (Appendix A) and made recommendations for any further changes as it deems appropriate. (ii) That the Committee reviewed the proposal at Appendix B for a sector-led improvement.
RESOLVED:- That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the Audit Wales review at Appendix A and the council’s response at Appendix B.
RESOLVED:- That the Audit Wales Audit Plan 2023-24 be noted.
RESOLVED: That the National Fraud Initiative 2023-24 be noted.
RESOLVED:- That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the report and obtained satisfactory explanations regarding any areas of concern.
RESOLVED:- That the Terms of Reference be noted.
RESOLVED:- That the Governance and Audit Work Programme be noted.
RESOLVED:- That the Governance and Audit Development Programme be noted.
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor William Baldwin, Councillor Corin Jarvis and independent Lay Member Carys Edwards.
The following was discussed: · A member noted that reports on the Change Programme had previously been identified as required within the Governance and Audit work programme but were not reflected in the minutes or included in the forward work plan. · Officers responded that a verbal update had been provided at the last meeting. They explained that a further update would be more meaningful in the new year, when additional information on supporting projects would be available, as an update at this meeting would have largely repeated previous information. · A member requested that the timing of the update be clearly shown on the work programme. Officers confirmed that this would be added going forward. RESOLVED:- Agreed that the minutes of the minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 2025 be signed as a correct record.
Members were reminded of their responsibility, under Paragraph 11 of the Members’ Code of Conduct, to declare any interests in relation to any of the business to be transacted at this meeting. The following declarations were made: Agenda Item 5 Public Ombudsman Councillor Dana Davies – Personal and non‑prejudicial declaration of interest in relation to Item 7 (page 43). The Rural Community Council was referenced, and the interest was deemed personal and non‑prejudicial as the complaint pre‑dated her appointment as Clerk. The Councillor remained in the meeting and took part in the discussion and voting on these items.
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RESOLVED – That the variation of order was agreed.
The Chair varied the order of business, and the Committee agreed that Items 7 to 13 of the original agenda be brought forward and taken at this point in the meeting. RESOLVED – That the variation of order was agreed.
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RESOLVED:- (i) That the Governance and Audit Committee considered the information within the report and determined that the Council’s complaint management processes were compliant and effective. (ii) That customer service standards be reissued to all officers and that the Committee receive future feedback on actions taken by Chief Officers and any resulting service changes.
The Chief Officer for Governance and Customer submitted a report (COGC/85/25) that provided the Governance and Audit Committee with an overview of the Council’s complaints processes and reporting arrangements. The Committee also received the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales’ Annual Letter for 2024–25. The Lead Member for Governance and Customer presented the report, noting that 76 complaints had been received, with only seven requiring intervention, which was below the national average, and that the Council’s compliance rate had risen to 75%. Overall, the Ombudsman’s findings showed ongoing improvement in the Council’s approach to handling complaints. The Committee discussed the following:- · Officers confirmed that learning from complaints was shared across services and explained that many cases recorded as “complaints handling” reflected situations where residents simply disagreed with the outcome. · It was highlighted that the low intervention rate demonstrated robust procedures. · It was clarified that many code of conduct cases were closed due to insufficient information for the Ombudsman to progress. · Members asked for future reports to show how complaints had led to service changes and raised concerns about recurring delays. Officers confirmed they monitored these issues, worked with services to improve response times, and were introducing measures such as automatic acknowledgements to strengthen communication. Any emerging trends would be addressed with relevant teams, and members requested future updates on investigations into delays. · Members raised concerns about public reports of slow responses from departments and suggested that customer service standards be reinforced across the Council. · The committee was reminded that its role was to assess whether complaint‑handling processes were compliant and effective. · Members noted that many Code of Conduct complaints related to town and community councils, prompting discussion about training needs. Officers advised that training for those councils was not the County Borough Council’s responsibility, though support was available through One Voice Wales and via the Town and Community Council Forum. · Members agreed that clerks played an important role in ensuring councillors accessed training and that a reminder could be added to a future forum agenda. · Members agreed an additional recommendation to reissue customer service standards to all officers and to receive future feedback on actions taken by Chief Officers and any resulting service changes. RESOLVED:- (i) That the Governance and Audit Committee considered the information within the report and determined that the Council’s complaint management processes were compliant and effective. (ii) That customer service standards be reissued to all officers and that the Committee receive future feedback on actions taken by Chief Officers and any resulting service changes.
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RESOLVED:- (i) That the Governance and Audit Committee reviewed the draft Self‑Assessment Report. (ii) That the Committee considered whether to agree recommendations relating to the report’s conclusions and the actions the Council intends to take.
The Chief Executive submitted a report (CE/14/25) which informed members that it presented Wrexham Council’s draft Self‑Assessment Report for 2024–25, as required under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. The report fulfilled the Act’s requirement for the Governance and Audit Committee to review the draft Self‑Assessment before it was finalised and published. The Self‑Assessment Report was scheduled to be agreed by Council in December. The Lead Member for Finance & Performance presented the draft report, outlining the key findings from the authority’s fourth annual self‑assessment, which followed the nine Welsh Government themes to ensure consistency with previous years. Officers completed the initial evaluation, with the findings then strengthened through feedback from senior officers, members, trade unions and all‑member workshops. The following was discussed:- · It was confirmed that the ratings within the Self-assessment report was balanced, benchmarked against other authorities, and that existing scorecard arrangements were already embedded within the Council Plan and service performance processes. · Members raised concerns about transparency and how improvement proposals were handled, whilst officers and senior leaders stressed that the self‑assessment met statutory requirements, used impartial ratings, and incorporated feedback from workshops, unions and senior officers. · It was acknowledged that the self-assessment process was complex and required significant cross‑council input, but overall the self-assessment was considered a fair reflection of the Council’s position at the time. · A member questioned why the leadership and organisational culture rating remained amber for a third year, citing issues highlighted in audit work. The Chair noted that the rating reflected the organisation as a whole, not individuals. · The Lead Member for Finance and Performance explained that circumstances had improved, including new senior appointments, better member engagement in training, and progress on previous challenges such as planning and the Local Development Plan. · The importance of maintaining momentum and continuing to strengthen the organisation’s direction was emphasised. · Members discussed past issues linked to the Local Development Plan, with differing views on whether these concerns remained relevant. · It was acknowledged that the LDP had contributed to earlier challenges, though significant progress had since been made. · The Chief Executive noted that the leadership and culture rating reflected ongoing but improving governance and relationship issues. · Members also stressed the importance of accuracy and careful wording to avoid misrepresenting responsibility for past difficulties. · Members emphasised that the self‑assessment should reflect the position as at 31 March 2025 and not include later improvements. · The Chief Executive noted that, whilst challenges existed, the Council had been functioning effectively at that time and an amber rating was appropriate. · It was also recognised that some issues raised were political, whereas the officer assessment focused solely on organisational performance. · A member asked for certain “no carry forward” items, particularly those relating to the change programme, to be reconsidered. Officers agreed to review these and to ensure all members had access to the balanced scorecards. RESOLVED:- (i) That the Governance and Audit Committee reviewed the draft Self‑Assessment Report. (ii) That the Committee considered whether to agree recommendations relating to the report’s conclusions and the actions the Council intends to take.
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RESOLVED: - (i) That the Committee reviewed the council’s updated response to the PPA report (Appendix A) and made recommendations for any further changes as it deems appropriate. (ii) That the Committee reviewed the proposal at Appendix B for a sector-led improvement.
The Chief Executive submitted report CE/26/25, which set out the revised draft response statements to the Panel Performance Assessment (PPA) report. The revisions incorporated Member feedback from the All‑Member Self‑Assessment Workshop held on 23 September 2025 and were provided in line with the Governance and Audit Committee’s request for an updated submission in December 2025. The report enabled the Committee to discharge its duties under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021, namely to receive the report and to review the Council’s response to the PPA findings and recommend any further changes it considered appropriate. The Chief Executive presented the report, outlining the updated response to the PPA recommendation for an externally commissioned Corporate Governance Review and the proposed peer‑support model. Officers noted that the report reflected the April Panel Performance Assessment and that any recommendation not adopted by the Council would need to be justified in the final response. The Lead Member for Finance and Performance confirmed that the recommendations had been accepted. Officers explained that discussions with the Welsh Local Government Agency (WLGA) had led to a sector‑led improvement approach, involving a small peer team supported by a WLGA grant, focusing on leadership, values, roles, responsibilities, and core procedures. A draft action plan and timetable was included in the report, and officers confirmed this was the preferred approach subject to Council approval. During discussion, Members raised the following points: · The Chair reported that several members had expressed concerns during the pre‑meeting about the limited detail available on the proposed sector‑led review, noting in particular that Appendix B was very brief. · Members questioned whether a peer‑led model could address deeper cultural issues or past regulatory findings, expressing concern about its independence and influence. · Officers explained that the review would be undertaken by an independent WLGA‑commissioned peer team, made up of experienced senior local government professionals and funded through a WLGA grant. · The improvement approach was designed to support progress, and officers noted that while challenging messages might emerge, a supportive, relationship‑focused model was considered the most effective way to strengthen governance. · A member questioned the limited involvement of wider councillors, whilst officers noted that recommendations were informed by consultation feedback and members’ own judgement. · The Lead Member for Finance and Performance agreed that future reports could more clearly show how consultation shaped decisions. · A member noted that additional detail was required to properly assess the sector‑led improvement proposal and sought clarity on how the peer team would be selected and what experience would be expected. · Officers advised that, subject to agreement in principle, further information would be developed with the WLGA and brought back to the committee. · If appropriate, the appointment of an elected member peer could be determined by full Council to ensure transparency. · Officers explained that statutory requirements and upcoming elections limited the ability to set firm timescales within the report, making some delays likely. · The committee agreed that members should be kept informed of any changes to the report timetable. They also requested clearer explanations in future reports on how consultation feedback had been used and asked officers to reflect their comments in Appendix B. · Members approved an amendment requiring the detailed structure of the sector‑led improvement approach to be brought back to a future meeting once finalised. RESOLVED: - (i) That the Committee reviewed the council’s updated response to the PPA report (Appendix A) and made recommendations for any further changes as it deems appropriate. (ii) That the Committee reviewed the proposal at Appendix B for a sector-led improvement.
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RESOLVED:- That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the Audit Wales review at Appendix A and the council’s response at Appendix B.
The Chief Executive submitted report (CE/26/25), presenting the Audit Wales Values and Behaviours follow‑up review in accordance with the committee’s Terms of Reference. The Chief Executive explained that the review built on planning audit work undertaken several years earlier and highlighted that the latest findings required specific actions, including some linked to the Panel Performance Assessment Report (PPA). A discussion pursued and the main points were raised:- · The Chief Officer for Governance and Audit reported strong uptake of Code of Conduct training, with 52 of 56 councillors attending. · A councillor clarified that the point in section 2.2 related to ensuring the existing communication protocol was followed, not changed. · It was confirmed that Audit Wales had worked with officers on the council’s responses to the report and were satisfied that those responses reflected their recommendations. · Members supported taking a structured approach to updating policies and procedures, with progress monitored through recommendation trackers and risk assessments. · It was noted that many councils used action trackers, and it was confirmed that Audit Wales representatives would attend future meetings when progress updates were scheduled. · Members noted that the issues raised pointed to wider organisational culture, and a councillor emphasised the need for clear and robust arrangements for managing member behaviour. · Members emphasised the need for mandatory training and a PRD process for councillors, and officers confirmed that implementation work was underway with group leader training planned from April. · The Lead Member for Finance and Performance emphasised the importance of collaboration, respect for democratic decisions and clear communication, and highlighted the need to recognise the distinct roles of officers and members whilst encouraging the council to focus on moving forward. · Members questioned aspects of the report and its consultation, including its severity, whilst stressing that constructive challenge should remain acceptable. The Chief Executive acknowledged these issues at the time and urged a focus on moving forward. · Officers confirmed that Ombudsman complaints had not increased, and members were reminded that audit findings were intended to support improvement. · Reference was made to the new group leader duties under the Elections Act, noting that the report provided a baseline for improvement and that all group leaders had completed the required training. · The need for full commitment to change was emphasised, along with a suggestion for closer working between the Audit and Standards Committees. It was also highlighted that momentum had improved since September, particularly around training and development. · The committee noted the recommendation to review Appendix A and the council’s response. Members agreed to introduce action tracking, with officers setting the reporting interval, and accepted six‑monthly updates. RESOLVED:- That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the Audit Wales review at Appendix A and the council’s response at Appendix B.
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RESOLVED:- That the Audit Wales Audit Plan 2023-24 be noted.
The Audit Wales Performance Audit Manager introduced the report explaining that: a) Delays in certifying the 2022–23 accounts had pushed back the 2023–24 audit and prevented a full forward‑looking plan from being issued on time. b) The audit was being delivered to a materiality level of £5.5 million, with lower thresholds for sensitive areas. c) Key risks included management override, weaknesses in historical cost records, and unresolved social care income linked to Betsi Cadwaladr University. d) Other areas of focus included asset valuations, pension fund valuations and senior officer disclosures. Some work had already commenced, and findings were expected in January following certification of the 2022–23 accounts. e) Performance audit responsibilities were outlined, with several pieces of work already underway. f) The estimated audit fee was £360,000, and the audit team remained largely unchanged. The following was discussed:- · Officers confirmed that the accounts had made provision for several possible outcomes relating to the Betsi Cadwaladr University invoice, with a fuller update due in March. · Officers confirmed that work to align standardised reporting with the Well‑being of Future Generations Act was underway and being incorporated into the unified impact assessment, with formal confirmation to follow. · Wrexham Council was included in national thematic work on recruitment and retention and would receive a local report. · Additional performance audit work would examine data use in financial planning and undertake a cyber‑security review. · It was confirmed that audit fees already reflected efficiencies and that travel costs had historically been absorbed within overheads rather than charged separately. · Officers explained that although specific Well‑being of Future Generations audits were undertaken periodically, most local audit work applied the Act’s principles rather than relying on dedicated self‑assessment tools. · Officers confirmed that issues raised through a scrutiny topic request form would receive a response once submitted, with advice provided on next steps. · The Audit Wales team worked across multiple public bodies, operated through a hybrid model, attended sites when beneficial, and used a core engagement team supplemented by additional staff to maintain continuity and bring wider expertise. · The £360,000 audit fee was based solely on cost recovery, with rates consulted on annually, approved by the Senedd, and benchmarked favourably against fees elsewhere in the UK. · Digital tools, including AI, were being explored cautiously as part of a wider modernisation programme, with any future use intended to support efficiency while audit judgments remained with staff. No specific implementation had yet been adopted. RESOLVED:- That the Audit Wales Audit Plan 2023-24 be noted.
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RESOLVED: That the National Fraud Initiative 2023-24 be noted.
The Audit Wales Performance Audit Manager had introduced the report and noted that a new two‑year cycle of the National Fraud Initiative had begun. The briefing provided a national update, local match figures for Wrexham, and outlined forthcoming assessments of governance and follow‑up arrangements. Members were advised that NFI specialists would work with council officers over the coming months, with a full report expected in autumn 2026, and that the purpose of the paper at this stage had been to raise awareness within the committee. The discussion covered the following matters: · Officers noted that a dedicated briefing and training session for Governance and Audit Committee members had taken place the previous week and had been well received. · A member thanked Audit Wales for the session, describing it as eye‑opening and interactive, and asked that thanks be passed on to the training team. · Officers confirmed that Wrexham council was developing the self‑appraisal checklist arising from the training and that a workshop would be held with the committee to work through it. · The training slides contained sensitive information and would remain confidential. · A member sought clarification on the procurement data in the report, particularly the high number of data matches. · The auditor explained that data matches did not indicate a problem but highlighted transactions that might warrant further checking, many of which had legitimate explanations. · A member commented that the NFI was an efficient way of identifying areas requiring further investigation. · Officers confirmed that the self‑assessment checklist was for Governance and Audit Committee oversight. As this was the council’s first time completing it, a workshop would be held and the final checklist would be appended to the next NFI report for visibility. RESOLVED: That the National Fraud Initiative 2023-24 be noted.
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RESOLVED:- That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the report and obtained satisfactory explanations regarding any areas of concern.
The Chief Officer for Finance and ICT submitted a report (COFI/39/25) asking members to consider the Head of Service Audit & Technical’s Interim Report for April to October 2025. The Head of Service for Audit and Technical provided an update on internal audit activity for the period April to October. During this time, 11 planned audits and one unplanned audit had been completed, with a further 21 in progress. No amber or red reports had been issued. Two audits were proposed for cancellation to avoid duplication with Audit Wales work and to redirect resources to higher‑priority areas. The service expected to complete around 90% of the audit plan, with any significant developments to be reported back to the committee. The following was discussed:- · Members were advised that the high‑priority follow‑up audit on looked‑after children related to processes and commissioning arrangements rather than safeguarding, and that the combined work streams had reached final discussions with senior officers. · Staffing details were set out in the annual plan, the audit plan had been based on existing resources, a retirement the previous December had not required changes, and additional resource had been allocated for NFI work. · Service‑level continuity plans were in place within a wider council framework and was held on the national Resilience Direct portal. · Officers agreed to clarify the role of elected members in emergency situations and noted that further training could be arranged. · The unplanned “special” audit had arisen from referrals or whistleblowing and required initial scoping before determining next steps, with only significant matters reported to the committee. · Concerns about the number of audits still due for completion were addressed. · Officers confirmed that of the 16 audits due by March, three had been issued and ten were in draft, meaning most were effectively complete, and several previously “not started” audits had since progressed. · The short six‑week reporting window between the cut‑off date and the meeting was also noted. · Members acknowledged the positive follow‑up audit on trading standards and recorded their assurance that the internal audit programme remained on track. RESOLVED:- That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the report and obtained satisfactory explanations regarding any areas of concern.
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RESOLVED:- That the Terms of Reference be noted.
RESOLVED:- That the Terms of Reference be noted.
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RESOLVED:- That the Governance and Audit Work Programme be noted.
The Head of Service for Audit and Technical introduced the Audit Work Programme, noting that the schedule from March onwards remained in draft form. In light of earlier comments, it was agreed that the change programme would be added to a future agenda. The programme would continue to be updated as new reports were completed. The committee went on to discuss the following: · A member asked when the 2024–25 statement of accounts was expected to be scheduled, given the delays to the 2023–24 timetable. · Officers explained that the timetable would be confirmed once there was greater certainty, but noted that they aimed to complete the 2024–25 accounts by September and return to the normal cycle in collaboration with Audit Wales. RESOLVED:- That the Governance and Audit Work Programme be noted.
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RESOLVED:- That the Governance and Audit Development Programme be noted.
The Head of Service for Audit and Technical provided an update on the development programme. Members were reminded that National Fraud Initiative training had taken place on 2 December, and that a virtual CIPFA‑led session on the roles, responsibilities and effectiveness of the Audit Committee was scheduled for 2 February. The chair noted that the session would be valuable for all members. A Teams invitation was to be issued, and members were encouraged to consider any additional training needs for the period after April. A member requested training on the council’s committee structure and assurance flows, noting it would support new lay members, and it was also suggested that this learning be incorporated into future induction programmes. RESOLVED:- That the Governance and Audit Development Programme be noted.
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