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RESOLVED:- That the Terms of Reference be noted.
RESOLVED: - That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the Care Inspectorate Wales review of the North Wales Adoption Service (NWAS) at Appendix A and the NWAS response at Appendix B.
RESOLVED: That the Committee reviewed progress with the actions to address the Council’s Panel Performance Assessment recommendations at Appendix A.
RESOLVED: - That the Committee considered the Audit Wales review (Appendix 1) and the Organisational Response Form (Appendix 2) to assure itself that the Council had provided an effective response to the recommendations, in accordance with its Terms of Reference (33).
RESOLVED: - That the Committee noted the Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable – Wrexham Council – 31 December 2025, confirming it had reviewed the update in line with its responsibilities.
RESOLVED: - That the Governance and Audit Development Programme be noted.
RESOLVED: - That the Governance and Audit Work Programme be noted.
The Chair noted that Councillor Becca Martin was no longer able to attend meetings of the Committee following her election as a Member of the Senedd. The Committee recorded its congratulations to Councillors Becca Martin, Carrie Harper, and Marc Jones on their election to the Senedd, all of whom had previously served on this Committee.
The following was discussed: · Queries about the May update on the Risk and Control Register were raised, and officers explained the reporting cycle. · The Forward Work Programme was confirmed as Item 10 on the agenda. · The minutes of the previous meeting were approved subject to minor amendments. RESOLVED: - Agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2026 be signed as a correct record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED:- That the Terms of Reference be noted.
RESOLVED:- That the Terms of Reference be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: - That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the Care Inspectorate Wales review of the North Wales Adoption Service (NWAS) at Appendix A and the NWAS response at Appendix B.
The Chief Officer for Social Care presented report (COSC/25/26), which informed the Governance and Audit Committee of the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) inspection of the North Wales Adoption Service (NWAS) and outlined the service’s response and improvement plan. The Chief Officer for Social Care introduced the report, noting that Wrexham Council was the host authority for NWAS on behalf of the six North Wales councils. Although Wrexham Council was the inspected authority, the improvement plan and CIW requirements were shared responsibilities across the regional partnership and its board. Members queried the absence of named officers within the CIW requirements, and the Chief Officer for Social Care confirmed that accountability rested collectively with the service and the regional board. The Service Manager was invited to describe operational leadership arrangements. The Representative from Care Inspectorate Wales confirmed their role as the registered manager and employee of Wrexham Council, responsible for day‑to‑day operations alongside NWAS managers, including adopter recruitment, assessment, training and the adoption panel process. They advised that the host authority had led on the improvement plan, which the regional board had approved. The Chief Officer for Social Care confirmed that the improvement plan was progressing, with most actions underway, and that CIW would expect an update within 18–24 months. An independent review commissioned by Directors across the six authorities and undertaken by Oxford Brookes University was nearing completion. Key Discussion Points: • The independent review examined the effectiveness of the delivery model and internal systems, and reviewers had received the CIW report. • CIW had recently inspected all regional adoption services as part of a national thematic review, with future inspection frequency to be determined by the regulator. • Best practice learning was supported through the National Adoption Service, which facilitated practice‑sharing networks across Wales. • Members raised concerns about the absence of a structured quality assurance framework. The Service Manager confirmed that NWAS was embedding the National Adoption Service Quality Assurance Framework and participating in national practice groups on recruitment, marketing and performance. • Questions were raised about adoption breakdowns, documentation gaps, delays and safeguarding oversight. The Service Manager confirmed that the action plan had been submitted to CIW in March and work was ongoing. The Chief Officer for Social Care highlighted additional investment to strengthen adoption support, including therapeutic support workers and a marketing officer. • Safeguarding systems had been strengthened, with most actions completed and joint supervision arrangements close to finalisation. • A Member queried whether inspection findings should be routinely reported to scrutiny. The Chief Officer for Social Care noted this could be considered within forward work programmes across the six authorities. • A Member proposed two recommendations for the regional board: a) Include clear month‑end target dates and milestones within the action plan. b) Provide a briefing note to the council’s representative on the regional board summarising key discussion points. • The Chief Officer for Social Care confirmed both recommendations were appropriate and noted that the council’s lead member on the regional board was the relevant Cabinet Member. RESOLVED: - That the Governance & Audit Committee considered the Care Inspectorate Wales review of the North Wales Adoption Service (NWAS) at Appendix A and the NWAS response at Appendix B.
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RESOLVED: That the Committee reviewed progress with the actions to address the Council’s Panel Performance Assessment recommendations at Appendix A.
The Chief Executive submitted report (CE/09/26), providing the Governance and Audit Committee (GAC) with an update on progress to 31 March 2026 in implementing the agreed actions arising from the 2025 Panel Performance Assessment (PPA), and offering further information on the sector‑led improvement approach linked to PPA Recommendation 4. The Leader of the Council reported positive progress since the April 2025 external assessment, noting that eight recommendations had been agreed in December 2025. The update would inform the 2025–26 self‑assessment and governance statement. Further detail was requested on Recommendation 4, relating to the sector‑led corporate governance review. Support from the WLGA continued, with Lyndon Puddy attending alongside the Chief Executive to provide an update. The Leader reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to delivering all recommendations. The Chief Executive confirmed steady progress across governance, placemaking, consultation and engagement, with some actions ongoing by design. Work to progress the corporate governance review was scheduled for the summer through to September. The following was discussed: - • Appendix A timescales were queried, with Members noting several revised April 2026 deadlines marked “in progress.” Officers agreed to review and update timescales where required. • The Leader of the Council acknowledged that some deadlines had been ambitious but emphasised the need for thorough completion rather than speed. • Members noted that one action marked “complete” (annual budget consultation) was in fact ongoing. • Concerns were raised about multiple actions carrying revised July 2026 deadlines. Officers agreed to reassess the feasibility of these dates. • Members highlighted the need for clearer and broader member involvement across recommendations, noting limited visibility beyond senior elected members. • Officers explained that engagement occurred in different areas depending on the recommendation, though not through a single structure. A summary of existing engagement routes would be provided. • Several Members stressed the importance of involving all 56 elected members, not only lead members, particularly for recommendations relating to communication, behaviours and values. • The Leader of the Council and Members supported the introduction of all‑member workshops as a practical way to increase engagement without creating new formal structures. • A Member raised concerns under Recommendation 3 about the consultation process, noting recent issues and suggesting the action points were too narrow. Officers agreed that wider learning could be incorporated into future work. • Members requested that future reports reflect any broader consultation improvements for assurance. • An update was requested on the sector‑led review. The WLGA confirmed that work was underway to identify independent peers, agree terms of reference and finalise a timetable, with the review expected to begin in early autumn. • Assurance was given that the process would be open, transparent and inclusive of all members, including lay members, whose involvement was encouraged due to the unique perspective they bring. • The Leader of the Council reiterated that whilst progress was important, timescales should not be rushed and could be extended to ensure quality and full engagement. • Members requested clearer assurance in future updates on engagement with all members, officers and staff. RESOLVED: That the Committee reviewed progress with the actions to address the Council’s Panel Performance Assessment recommendations at Appendix A.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: - That the Committee considered the Audit Wales review (Appendix 1) and the Organisational Response Form (Appendix 2) to assure itself that the Council had provided an effective response to the recommendations, in accordance with its Terms of Reference (33).
The Chief Officer for Housing submitted report COH/10/26, presenting the Audit Wales review Temporary Accommodation: Long‑Term Crisis in line with the Committee’s Terms of Reference. The Lead Member for Housing and Climate Change introduced the report, thanked Audit Wales for the review, and highlighted the wider national housing crisis in Wales. He noted the requirement to develop a temporary accommodation strategy and emphasised challenges relating to property availability, phosphate restrictions and budget pressures. He commended officers for their work on homelessness and confirmed ongoing efforts to increase suitable accommodation. Officers clarified that the Audit Wales report was a national review, not specific to Wrexham, and that the Council’s management response had been submitted in August 2025. Key points raised included: • Members sought assurance on Wrexham’s position, noting the national report did not identify Wrexham as best practice or an area of concern. • Questions were raised about the management response form, particularly actions marked for completion by March 2026, and whether a more detailed local action plan existed. • Audit Wales explained the report was a national study under section 41 of the Public Audit Wales Act 2004, with findings intended for all councils and the Senedd. Councils were expected to respond to each recommendation and track progress through their audit processes. • Audit Wales emphasised the importance of linking spend to outcomes, not simply securing low‑cost provision. • Members requested clearer visibility of Wrexham’s local actions and performance in future reporting. • A Member stressed that the Committee required assurance on Wrexham’s own compliance, not just the national recommendations, and suggested scheduling a follow‑up report. • Officers explained that the management response table contained a mix of completed and ongoing actions, though the format might not make this obvious. Verbal updates were offered. • Officers confirmed that homelessness and temporary accommodation work was continuous, with actions extending beyond March 2026. • Temporary accommodation spend had reduced for the second consecutive year, and 100 additional council units had been secured to reduce reliance on temporary placements. • Demand was expected to rise due to new homelessness legislation introduced on 1 April, with implementation guidance awaited from the new Senedd administration. • Wrexham had one of the highest homelessness prevention rates in Wales, recognised by Welsh Government. • Members requested clearer benchmarking and alignment of progress, performance and the emerging strategy to understand Wrexham’s position relative to national findings. • Officers confirmed that a draft temporary accommodation strategy had been started but required updated legislative guidance. The intention was for scrutiny in summer 2026, with further development in autumn. • The strategy would include an action plan, a performance framework, and short‑, medium‑ and long‑term actions over a five‑year period, reviewed annually. • Performance and homelessness data were already monitored through the homelessness steering group, which included third‑sector partners. • Members raised concerns about the impact of new legislation on private landlords and the level of support from Welsh and UK Governments. Officers confirmed homelessness was a devolved responsibility and demand remained unpredictable. • Wrexham currently had 317 households in temporary accommodation, with numbers fluctuating. Demand was expected to increase as priority need groups were removed under the new Act. • Officers outlined prevention work, including early intervention, rapid rehousing, joint visits with RSLs, and outreach in schools and colleges. • Prevention officers had been recruited through the Housing Support Grant, though funding was limited. • Members noted the interconnected nature of temporary accommodation, voids, allocations and waiting lists. Officers confirmed ongoing work to improve void turnaround times. • A Member queried the increase in temporary accommodation expenditure shown in the national report; officers clarified these were all‑Wales totals, not Wrexham figures. • Members confirmed that assurance on Wrexham’s compliance would sit within the forthcoming temporary accommodation strategy. • The Committee agreed to recommend that the Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee consider Audit Wales Recommendations 1 and 2 when scrutinising the strategy and report back to GAC. • The Chair supported notifying lay members when the scrutiny item was scheduled to avoid duplication. • The Committee confirmed satisfaction with the Council’s handling of the matter and noted progress on the reports and recommendations. RESOLVED: - That the Committee considered the Audit Wales review (Appendix 1) and the Organisational Response Form (Appendix 2) to assure itself that the Council had provided an effective response to the recommendations, in accordance with its Terms of Reference (33).
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RESOLVED: - That the Committee noted the Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable – Wrexham Council – 31 December 2025, confirming it had reviewed the update in line with its responsibilities.
The Chair introduced the Audit Wales Work Programme update and invited questions for the Audit Wales Manager. A discussion pursued and the following was raised: - • A Member asked about the forthcoming thematic review on recruitment and retention, noting its significance given workforce pressures in local government. Audit Wales confirmed that each council, including Wrexham, would receive an individual report. A draft had been issued to officers that morning for factual accuracy checks, indicating the work was nearing completion. • A Member also queried the review on the use of data in budget setting for demand‑led services. Audit Wales confirmed that fieldwork had been completed and draft reports were expected by the end of June, with Wrexham slightly ahead of schedule. • Audit Wales explained that the review examined adult residential care as a detailed case study, with the intention of identifying lessons applicable across other demand‑led services. They also hoped to include high‑level benchmarking across North Wales councils, subject to timely data returns. • Concerns were raised about the timing of two further pieces of work local government funding arrangements and the Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) follow‑up given the change in Welsh Government and potential policy shifts. • The Audit Wales representative confirmed that the national CJC work had been paused, pending the outcome of Welsh Government’s own review, to avoid duplication. The work would resume only if gaps remained after the government’s findings were published. • The report on local government funding arrangements was still expected before the summer recess, as it focused on the mechanics of funding rather than political decisions. • A Member emphasised the importance of the CJC review due to the scale of regional funding accessed through the structure and the potential financial risk if CJCs were discontinued. • The Audit Wales representative reiterated that the work had not been cancelled, only paused, and would proceed if required to provide public assurance. RESOLVED: - That the Committee noted the Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable – Wrexham Council – 31 December 2025, confirming it had reviewed the update in line with its responsibilities.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: - That the Governance and Audit Development Programme be noted.
The Head of Internal Audit and Technical confirmed that: a) A workshop on the National Fraud Initiative self‑assessment had taken place since the previous committee meeting, and that the outcomes would be included in the annual report to the next committee. b) A further workshop on local authority governance structures, led by the Chief Officer for Governance and Customer, was scheduled for 16 July at 9:30am. c) No additional workshop topics had yet been planned beyond July. The Chair requested that Members be contacted by email to suggest future workshop topics rather than identifying them during the meeting. It was agreed that suggestions would be gathered and considered for the forward programme. RESOLVED: - That the Governance and Audit Development Programme be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: - That the Governance and Audit Work Programme be noted.
The Head of Service for Internal Audit and Technical introduced the Governance and Audit Work Programme and reminded Members that the 16 July meeting would begin at 9:30am to allow time for governance structure training. The following was discussed: - • A Member requested that the training session be added to electronic calendars as a separate entry. • Members also asked whether an update on the Change Programme could be added to the work programme. • Officers confirmed that additional information had already been circulated and that a fuller update was expected in the autumn for Scrutiny, the Executive Board, and this Committee. • Members asked for a clear timetable for future updates. RESOLVED: - That the Governance and Audit Work Programme be noted.
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