Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

At its meeting on 12 June 2025, the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee considered the draft Welsh Language Annual Monitoring Report 2024-25 and the draft Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25. It recommended adding a column on unknown Welsh language skills to a staff table, and making the scrutiny report's Getting Involved section more visually striking. It was content with both reports.

1. Welsh Language Annual Monitoring Report 2024-25

   Decided

   The Committee recommended adding a column to the Welsh competency table showing the percentage of unknown language skills. It highlighted the importance of using bilingual language across the Council. It was content with the report.

   Why

   The report is an annual legal requirement under the Welsh Language (Wales) Measure 2011. It reports on the council's progress against the Welsh Language Standards, which the Welsh Language Commissioner imposed through a Compliance Notice, and it includes required data such as complaints and staff Welsh levels. Highlights include a Cymraeg Gwaith course for staff with 72 learners and in-house translation that has saved time and money. Councillor Harris pledged to take the Committee's feedback on bilingual language to Llais.

   Based on the minutes, Item 4 - CR - WL Annual Report v1, Item 4.1 - Draft WL Annual Monitoring Report 2024-25

2. Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25

   Decided

   The Committee recommended improving the Getting Involved section to make it more visually striking and encourage public engagement. It was content to receive a written update on the timescales for the new training system. It was content with the report.

   Why

   Scrutiny is the non-political process of holding the Cabinet to account for its decisions. The constitution requires each scrutiny committee to submit an annual report to Council, reviewing how scrutiny has operated over the last 12 months. The Democratic and Electoral Services Manager introduced the report to the Committee.

   Based on the minutes, Item 5 - CR - Scrutiny Annual Report, Item 5.1 - Scrutiny Annual Report

Written by AI from the council's minutes and reports. Sentences with a number or name that can't be found in those papers are removed automatically, but mistakes are still possible. Councils publish no word-for-word record of meetings, so this says what was decided and why. Read the official papers to be sure.

1. 2

   Declarations of Interest

   Minute

   None.

2. 3

   Minutes of the Previous Meeting

   Minute

   The minutes of the previous meeting held 24th April 2025 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

   Papers: Item 3 - Draft Minutes
3. 4

   Welsh Language Annual Monitoring Report 2024-25

   Minute

   The Head of People, Policy and Transformation introduced the report and the Policy and Partnership Manager and Welsh Language Policy Officer gave an overview to the Committee. Members considered the report – to access a full recording of the discussion please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel: Overview and Management Scrutiny Committee - 12 June 2025 Comments and Recommendations: • The Committee recommended adding an additional column to the Welsh competency table to show the percentage of unknown language skills. • The Committee highlighted the importance of using bilingual language across the Council. Additionally, Cllr Harris pledged to take this feedback from the Committee to Llais too. • The Committee were content with the report.

   Papers: Item 4 - CR - WL Annual Report v1, Item 4.1 - Draft WL Annual Monitoring Report 2024-25
4. 5

   Scrutiny Annual Report 2024-25

   Minute

   The Democratic and Electoral Services Manager provided an overview of the report to the Committee. Members considered the report – to access a full recording of the discussion please refer to the Council’s YouTube channel: Overview and Management Scrutiny Committee - 12 June 2025. Comments and Recommendations: • The Committee recommended improving the Getting Involved section to make it more visually striking and encourage public engagement while reading the report. • The Committee were content to receive a written update on the timescales of the new training system implementation. • The Committee were content with the report.

   Papers: Item 5 - CR - Scrutiny Annual Report, Item 5.1 - Scrutiny Annual Report
5. 6

   Scrutiny Adviser Reports

   Minute

   The Scrutiny Advisor informed the Committee that the Forward Work Programme has been included for their consideration and advised that it can be amended as necessary. They informed the Committee that the next meeting is the 26th June 2025.

   Papers: Item 6 - Scrutiny Advisor Report, Item 6.1 - Draft FWP
6. 7

   Meeting Recording

   Minute

   Please click here to watch the meeting recording.

Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.

The minutes record no declarations of interest.

• Phil Hourahine, ChairLabourPresent
• Bev Davies, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies
• Debbie Jenkins, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• John Harris, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• John Reynolds, Committee MemberLabourPresent
• Lauren James, Committee MemberGreenPresent
• Malcolm Linton, Committee MemberLabourAbsent
• Matthew Evans MBE, Committee MemberConservativePresent
• Stephen Cocks, Committee MemberLabourSent apologies

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