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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That Councillor Ted Palmer be permitted as a substitute for the meeting.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee is assured by the update provided in the report and position proposed by the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS Cymru); and (b) That a future update report be scheduled on the Forward Work Programme.
RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee is assured that the recommendations from the most recent Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office inspection have been implemented; and (b) That the Council’s Regulation of Investigatory Powers policy is approved.
RESOLVED: That the Committee supports the amended Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) and recommends the updated CPRs to Cabinet and full Council.
RESOLVED: That having reviewed the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 (forming part of the Statement of Accounts), the Committee recommends to the Council for adoption.
RESOLVED: (a) That Members have considered the report produced by Audit Wales “Review of Planning Services - Flintshire County Council” (Appendix 2); and (b) That Members endorse the Management Response (Appendix 1) and the progress being made against the Audit Wales Recommendations.
RESOLVED: That the Committee notes that the Audit Wales report has been considered and a formal response has been prepared and approved by the Council for submission. [1] In response to questions, Audit Wales confirmed after the meeting that the management response form had been received and corresponded to that included in the agenda pack. It was also clarified “that the Code of Audit Practice requires auditors to request a response from the audited bodies, and to assess whether we are satisfied that findings and recommendations have been properly considered and/or acted upon. If an audited body can show that it has considered the recommendation and formed a judgement that it does not need to take action, then there is no further action required by auditors. It will be for the audited body to set out their position to the relevant committee, and that is what is demonstrated in agenda item 11.”
RESOLVED: That the Audit Wales Detailed Audit Plan 2025 be endorsed.
RESOLVED: That the Committee is assured by the content and observations of the Auditor General for Wales’ Annual Audit Summary Report 2024.
RESOLVED: That the report and Internal Audit annual opinion be received.
RESOLVED: That the report be accepted.
RESOLVED: (a) That the Forward Work Programme be accepted; and (b) That the Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.
RESOLVED: (a) That the report and the assurances be accepted; and (b) That the concerns around highlighting the process for Off Matrix Agency recruitment be referred to the relevant Overview & Scrutiny committee.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That Councillor Ted Palmer be permitted as a substitute for the meeting.
In line with Constitutional requirements, the Committee agreed to allow Councillor Ted Palmer (who had undertaken the requisite training) to substitute for Councillor Chris Bithell. RESOLVED: That Councillor Ted Palmer be permitted as a substitute for the meeting.
RESOLVED: That Brian Harvey be appointed Chair of the Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year.
RESOLVED: That Allan Rainford be appointed Vice-Chair of the Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2025 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 2 April 2025 be approved as a correct record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee is assured by the update provided in the report and position proposed by the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS Cymru); and (b) That a future update report be scheduled on the Forward Work Programme.
The Senior Manager for Adult Services presented a report (agenda item 6) to provide an update on progress with actions following the Audit Wales report received by the Committee in November 2024. Following discussion, it was agreed that an update would be scheduled on the Forward Work Programme to review the impact on Flintshire. On that basis, the recommendation was supported. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee is assured by the update provided in the report and position proposed by the Association of Directors of Social Services Cymru (ADSS Cymru); and (b) That a future update report be scheduled on the Forward Work Programme.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee is assured that the recommendations from the most recent Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office inspection have been implemented; and (b) That the Council’s Regulation of Investigatory Powers policy is approved.
The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report (agenda item 7) to consider the results of the latest inspection on the Council’s use of surveillance powers and the Council’s policy. The recommendations were supported. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee is assured that the recommendations from the most recent Investigatory Powers Commissioner's Office inspection have been implemented; and (b) That the Council’s Regulation of Investigatory Powers policy is approved.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Committee supports the amended Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) and recommends the updated CPRs to Cabinet and full Council.
The Chief Officer (Governance) and the Revenues & Procurement Manager presented a report (agenda item 8) to consider amendments to the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) to ensure compliance with revised procurement regulations. Karen Bellis from Denbighshire County Council was in attendance to provide additional information. On being put to the vote, the recommendation was supported. Councillor Parkhurst asked that his vote against be recorded. RESOLVED: That the Committee supports the amended Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) and recommends the updated CPRs to Cabinet and full Council.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That having reviewed the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 (forming part of the Statement of Accounts), the Committee recommends to the Council for adoption.
The Chief Executive and Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the report (agenda item 9) on the Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25 which set out the Council’s compliance with its Code of Corporate Governance in securing good governance and risk management. The recommendation was supported. RESOLVED: That having reviewed the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25 (forming part of the Statement of Accounts), the Committee recommends to the Council for adoption.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That Members have considered the report produced by Audit Wales “Review of Planning Services - Flintshire County Council” (Appendix 2); and (b) That Members endorse the Management Response (Appendix 1) and the progress being made against the Audit Wales Recommendations.
The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) and Audit Wales colleagues presented a report (agenda item 10) to consider the proposed management response and actions to the Audit Wales review of the Council’s Planning Services. The recommendations were supported. RESOLVED: (a) That Members have considered the report produced by Audit Wales “Review of Planning Services - Flintshire County Council” (Appendix 2); and (b) That Members endorse the Management Response (Appendix 1) and the progress being made against the Audit Wales Recommendations.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Committee notes that the Audit Wales report has been considered and a formal response has been prepared and approved by the Council for submission. [1] In response to questions, Audit Wales confirmed after the meeting that the management response form had been received and corresponded to that included in the agenda pack. It was also clarified “that the Code of Audit Practice requires auditors to request a response from the audited bodies, and to assess whether we are satisfied that findings and recommendations have been properly considered and/or acted upon. If an audited body can show that it has considered the recommendation and formed a judgement that it does not need to take action, then there is no further action required by auditors. It will be for the audited body to set out their position to the relevant committee, and that is what is demonstrated in agenda item 11.”
The Service Manager - Enterprise and Regeneration presented a report (agenda item 11) to share the proposed Council’s response to the national review undertaken by Audit Wales. Following discussion[1], the recommendation was supported. RESOLVED: That the Committee notes that the Audit Wales report has been considered and a formal response has been prepared and approved by the Council for submission. [1] In response to questions, Audit Wales confirmed after the meeting that the management response form had been received and corresponded to that included in the agenda pack. It was also clarified “that the Code of Audit Practice requires auditors to request a response from the audited bodies, and to assess whether we are satisfied that findings and recommendations have been properly considered and/or acted upon. If an audited body can show that it has considered the recommendation and formed a judgement that it does not need to take action, then there is no further action required by auditors. It will be for the audited body to set out their position to the relevant committee, and that is what is demonstrated in agenda item 11.”
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Audit Wales Detailed Audit Plan 2025 be endorsed.
The Chief Executive and Audit Wales colleagues presented the report (agenda item 12) which set out the intended work of the Auditor General for Wales to address the audit risks identified and other key areas of focus during 2025. The recommendation was supported. RESOLVED: That the Audit Wales Detailed Audit Plan 2025 be endorsed.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the Committee is assured by the content and observations of the Auditor General for Wales’ Annual Audit Summary Report 2024.
The Chief Executive presented the report (agenda item 13) on audit and regulatory work completed by Audit Wales, since the last annual report. The recommendation was supported. RESOLVED: That the Committee is assured by the content and observations of the Auditor General for Wales’ Annual Audit Summary Report 2024.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the report and Internal Audit annual opinion be received.
The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the annual report (agenda item 14) summarising audit work carried out during 2024/25 with the annual Internal Audit opinion on the standard of internal control, risk management and governance. The recommendation was supported. RESOLVED: That the report and Internal Audit annual opinion be received.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the report be accepted.
The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the report (agenda item 15) on progress with actions from previous meetings. The recommendation was supported. RESOLVED: That the report be accepted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the Forward Work Programme be accepted; and (b) That the Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.
The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the current Forward Work Programme for consideration. The recommendations were supported. RESOLVED: (a) That the Forward Work Programme be accepted; and (b) That the Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: (a) That the report and the assurances be accepted; and (b) That the concerns around highlighting the process for Off Matrix Agency recruitment be referred to the relevant Overview & Scrutiny committee.
The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the report (agenda item 17) to update the Committee on progress against the Plan, final reports issued, action tracking, performance indicators and current investigations. The Corporate Manager, People and Organisational Development and Corporate Finance Manager provided further detail on the Red (Limited Assurance) reports on Off Matrix Agency Cost and Budget Cost Reductions. During discussion, it was agreed that the Committee would recommend to Overview & Scrutiny that the process relating to off matrix agency recruitment should be highlighted to Members and that this should be included on the relevant forward work programme. At this point, it was agreed that the press and public be excluded from the meeting to enable discussion on the third Red (Limited Assurance) report relating to Pest Control - Fees and Charges, which was included on the agenda as a confidential appendix. The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) and Community & Business Protection Manager provided an overview of the report and welcomed the actions identified during the audit. After returning to open session, the recommendations were amended to reflect the debate. RESOLVED: (a) That the report and the assurances be accepted; and (b) That the concerns around highlighting the process for Off Matrix Agency recruitment be referred to the relevant Overview & Scrutiny committee.
None.
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