3,726 items
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 13th August 2026 (2:50p.m.) be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 13th August 2026 (3:00p.m.) be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on the 13th August 2026 (3:10p.m.) be signed as a correct record.
Decided: Following a vote, the committee agreed to hold a site visit on Application P2026/0371, for change of use of Salem Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Brynawel, Crynant, to a residential care home (Use Class C2).
Decided: The committee approved Application P2026/0345 to convert the dwelling at 47 Lewis Road, Neath, into two self-contained two-bedroom flats. Approval is subject to the conditions in the circulated report.
Decided: The committee withdrew Application P2026/0371, for change of use of the chapel to a residential care home (Use Class C2), from consideration at this meeting. It will not be considered until a site visit has taken place.
Decided: The committee noted the report.
Decided: The committee noted the report.
Decided: The Panel considered the work plan and noted the items for its next meeting.
Decided: No formal decision is recorded. The minute records one action: officers will explore bringing a report on Common Land Issues to the Panel, possibly at its 10 November 2026 meeting.
Decided: No formal decision is recorded. Officers will provide further information on nitrate issues affecting the Burry Inlet, on work to separate surface water from foul sewers, and on recent Welsh Water investment and improvement works.
RESOLVED pursuant to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2007 that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as the reports contained exempt information as defined in paragraph 12 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act namely information relating to applicants to become an employee of the Authority.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee “A” held on 7th July 2026 be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee “A” held on 26th August 2026 be signed as a correct record.
RESOLVED TO ELECT MR DEWI LEWIS AS CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE FOR 2026-2027
RESOLVED TO ELECT MRS CARYS EDWARDS AS VICE-CHAIR OF THIS COMMITTEE FOR 2026-2027
RESOLVED · To accept the contents of the report. Note: · Improving Council Tax Collection Arrangements – need to schedule an update on the matter in the Committee's forward programme for 2026/2027 · Capital Bids – Scheme to Extend Ysgol y Faenol Car Park. A request from the Local Member for the costs associated with the slippage
RESOLVED – T H A T the contents of the report and the progress made against the 2026-27 Internal Audit Risk Based Plan be noted. Reason for decision To keep Governance and Audit Committee informed, to consider the progress and determine whether further assurance or corrective action is required.
RESOLVED – T H A T the Governance and Audit Committee Annual Report 2025- 26 be approved, and referred to Full Council for endorsement. Reason for decision To ensure effective monitoring of the Governance and Audit Committee in relation to its agreed terms of reference and in line with the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.
RESOLVED – T H A T the item be deferred to the next meeting of the Governance and Audit Committee scheduled for Monday, 12th October, 2026. Reason for decision To allow the Governance and Audit Committee to fully consider any outstanding queries associated with the Statement of Accounts.
RESOLVED – T H A T Cabinet be advised of the recommendations of the Governance and Audit Committee, those being: • Consideration to be given as to how the self-assessment adds value for the public, including how findings and outcomes are communicated. • For a review into how and when the Governance and Audit Committee is involved in future self-assessment exercises, with consideration given to earlier involvement. • The Council to continue to strengthen the use of independent evidence/ validation to support the accuracy of the self-assessment. • Consideration of whether performance issues currently attributed to C1V/ Contact Centre performance should also be reflected against the Directorates contributing to that performance. • Provide further information on current homelessness performance, including wider issues raised by Members. • Consider how the Council addresses misinformation/disinformation, particularly where this affects public perception of Council performance. Reason for decision Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the Quarter 1 position of corporate risks outlined in the Risk Summary Report (Annex A) be noted. (2) T H A T the Strategic Leadership Team’s consideration of the responses to the Governance and Audit Committee’s comments for Quarter 4 2025/26 be noted. (3) T H A T the following comments be referred to Cabinet for endorsement: • Consideration to be given about the involvement of the Governance and Audit Committee in the future review of Directorate-level risks, potentially before the annual review is finalised. • In due course to review the Climate Change risk, taking account of forthcoming government information/guidance and giving specific consideration to climate adaptation alongside mitigation. • To provide the Governance and Audit Committee with a future update showing how the Corporate Risk Register has changed over time. • To add further information on how risk appetite is being applied within the organisation and used to inform priorities and resource decisions. • Provide an update on the Committee's previous request concerning reputational risk and whether that should feature on the Corporate Risk Register. Reasons for decisions (1&2) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting. (3) To advise Cabinet of the comments of the Governance and Audit Committee.
RESOLVED – T H A T the schedule of items for the next meeting on 12th October 2026 be endorsed, including the deferred item regarding the Audited Statement of Accounts for 2025/26. Reason for decision Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
RESOLVED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 20th July 2026 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the contents of the report be noted. (2) T H A T it be noted that the Committee Chair has the ability to call responsible officers to the December meeting where significant outstanding recommendations have not been implemented. (3) T H AT a clear written history/update for longstanding recommendations be provided, particularly high-priority recommendations outstanding for more than a year, to assist continuity for Committee members following the 2027 election. Reasons for decisions (1) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting. (2) To note the ability of the Chair to request officer attendance at Committee to provide reassurance. (3) To assist continuity and understanding for Committee members following the elections in May 2027.
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the contents of the report be noted. (2) T H A T the Vice-Chair discuss with the Chair what further steps are available following the refusal by the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee to provide the unredacted independent review relating to the Aberthaw Power Station procurement / tendering matter. (3) T H A T member training and development, particularly training appropriate to the Governance and Audit Committee's responsibilities be actioned, by the Head of Democratic Services in conjunction with the Head of the Regional Internal Audit Service. Reasons for decisions (1) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting. (2 ) To query and the clarify the decision by the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee. (3) To progress member training and development.
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T the contents of the report be noted. (2) T H A T Cabinet be advised to endorse the removal of completed actions from the Insight Tracker. (3) T H A T Cabinet endorse the following recommendations by the Governance and Audit Committee: • For the Council to explore giving Governance and Audit Committee members earlier access to the Power BI dashboard, enabling them to see updated information before the formal quarterly report is presented. • For the Council to continue monitoring the distinction between completion of actions and delivery of the intended outcomes, with outcomes subsequently reflected through the annual self-assessment process. Reasons for decisions (1) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting. (2&3) To ensure the Council responds appropriately and implements areas of improvement as identified by Audit Wales.
RESOLVED – T H A T under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 4 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act, the relevant paragraphs of the Schedule being referred to in brackets after the minute heading.
RESOLVED – T H A T the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd July 2026 be approved as a correct record.
RESOLVED – (1) T H A T a discretionary redundancy payment be approved on or before 31st October 2026 on the basis of Scheme E of the Council’s Early Retirement/ Redundancy Scheme, subject to Recommendation (2) and B complying with the avoiding redundancy procedure. (2) T H A T, should alternative employment be found for B, the notice will be extended to cover any trial period and Recommendation (1) would be revoked (together with any redundancy payment) if the trial period proved to be successful. Reasons for decisions (1) To ensure that B received the appropriate redundancy remuneration on the basis of Scheme E of the Council’s Early Retirement/Redundancy Scheme. (2) To maintain compliance with the Council's agreed Human Resource policies such as Avoiding Redundancy and Redeployment as appropriate.