34,873 items
Decided: Cabinet noted the report.
Decided: The committee noted the valuation report and the final Funding Strategy Statement, as confirmed by the Fund Actuary. It also noted the next cost management process, as at 31 March 2024.
Decided: The committee approved the resourcing and budget additions in paragraph 37 of the report. It gave delegated powers to the Deputy Section 151 Officer to put them in place.
Decided: The committee approved and noted the 2026/27 annual business plan, the 2026/27 risk register, the asset allocation and the 2026/27 budget.
Decided: The committee noted the new regulations arising from the Pensions Bill 2025. It will receive proposals later on how the fund will comply with them.
Decided: The Committee agreed to note the update on Friday waste collections and to schedule the waste collection and recycling report for September. It agreed to schedule the Local Housing Strategy for July. It agreed a future report on housing voids performance, a workshop on the Accommodation Project, and an update at the next meeting on scheduling the Housing Call Centre report.
Decided: The Committee thanked the Lead Member, officers and staff for the report and the work it outlined. It asked for a future report on the number of evictees rehoused and on enforcement action broken down by ward. It also asked for a future report on the garage site review.
Decided: Cabinet agreed the Work Programme.
Decided: Cabinet endorsed Newport's exit from the Section 33 Agreement. This is a legal agreement that pools health and social care budgets for frailty services with Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the Gwent councils.
Decided: Cabinet noted the feedback from the consultation on the Playing Pitch and Sports Facilities Review. It adopted the Playing Pitch Strategy 2026-2036 and agreed to publish it.
Decided: Cabinet approved the draft Local Growth Fund Local Investment Plan 2026-27 and the projects in it. It authorised sending the plan to Rhondda Cynon Taf council, the regional lead, so a Memorandum of Understanding can be developed with the Welsh Government. It delegated authority to the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development, with the LGF Board and the relevant Cabinet Member, to approve specific projects and change funding allocations.
Decided: Cabinet approved the freehold purchase of 166-168 Commercial Street for £455,750 plus VAT, and delegated the purchase terms to the Head of Regeneration and Economic Development. It noted the holding costs and authorised paying them, up to set limits, from the Economic Development Reserve. It noted the proposal to demolish the building and directed an options appraisal of future uses, ensuring there was no better alternative to demolition, with a report back to the next Cabinet meeting.
RESOLVED that subject to the above, the minutes of the meeting held on the 21 January 2026 be received and approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.
RESOLVED: that subject to the above, the Governance and Audit Committee Forward Work Programme be noted.
RESOLVED that the Committee approve the Internal Audit Charter, the Internal Audit Strategy 2026-27 and the Quality Assurance Improvement Programme.
RESOLVED that the Committee noted the contents of the report and requested that a further report be presented to the June Governance and Audit Committee meeting setting out the available options and associated risks to support a detailed recovery plan for approval of the Statement of Accounts.
Decided: Cabinet agreed to give notice to leave the Section 33 agreement, a formal deal that lets councils and health bodies pool budgets and run services together. The notice period is 12 months. Cabinet also agreed to work towards a local replacement agreement, to be defined by Directors and the Executive Team within that time.
Decided: The Committee noted the forward work programme. It gave the Facilitator authority, in consultation with the Chair, to vary the programme between meetings as needed. It also noted progress on outstanding actions.
RESOLVED That the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
Decided: The Committee noted the update.
AGREED that the notes of the meeting held on 21st October, 2025 be accepted as presented.
AGREED, subject to the foregoing that the decisions be recorded as a true record of proceedings.
Decided: The committee accepted the report on progress with Best Start in Life (BSIL), one of the Public Services Board's areas of focus. The board noted the progress and supported a whole-system approach to BSIL, and talks with other strategic partnerships in Gwent. The board also stressed the commitment needed from nominated local authority directors to take part in the BSIL Leadership Group. Two actions were agreed: a joint meeting of the board and the Regional Partnership Board, and BSIL to be a regular agenda item for every local authority scrutiny committee in Gwent.
Decided: The committee accepted the report on the Gwent Climate Change Risk Assessment (CCRA) and noted the key findings in the Interim Progress Briefing. It gave comments for the Public Services Board to consider. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) is to contact utility companies, such as power providers and Welsh Water, for more detailed local data and vulnerability analysis. NRW is also to set timelines and monitoring for the response, and young people are to be engaged early in the climate risk work. An update report will come to the committee in six months.
AGREED to note the updated content of the Governance and Audit Committee Meetings Action Log as presented. Members reviewed each outstanding action, noting progress made by officers and confirming where actions had been completed. Questions were raised regarding the status of several ongoing items, and additional clarification on anticipated timelines was provided. It was AGREED to note the updated content of the Actions Log as presented.
AGREED to note the current position and that the Chair and Vice Chair would receive a copy of the regular briefings on the current situation due to the impact on the Middle East.
AGREED to approve the principle of establishing a Governance Group within the AGS process.
AGREED to note the draft Annual Governance Statement and the updated Action Plan.
AGREED (i) to note the report and the current position of the Internal Audit Service; and (ii) that Internal Audit participated in the meetings relating to the Lampeter Campus a project in Lampeter as soon as possible, in order to provide input on audit standards, including foresight and early involvement to advise on emerging risks and appropriate controls. Committee requested that this was passed on to the Leadership Group accordingly. It was noted, however, that the project was already included within the Internal Audit Plan for 2026/27.
AGREED to approve the Internal Audit Charter 2026/2027.