The constitution, councillors' conduct, audit, performance and complaints.
What councils do
How the council itself is run: its constitution, staff, buildings, IT, complaints, and how councillors behave.
Who decides
The full Council agrees the constitution. A standards committee deals with councillors' conduct; the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales investigates complaints.
Having a say
Complain to the council first; if you're not satisfied, you can go to the Ombudsman. Council meetings are public, and many are broadcast.
In numbers
Welsh councils plan to spend £67 per person on this in 2026-27.
It ranges from -£4 in Monmouthshire to £167 in Blaenau Gwent.
Council tax collected: 95% across Wales (2025-26).
Council tax unpaid at the end of the year: £119 million across Wales (2025-26).
Council tax still owed from earlier years: £199.3 million across Wales (2025-26).
Council tax written off: £9 million across Wales (2025-26).
RESOLVED – T H A T the contents of the report be noted and the actions taken by
the Internal Audit Team following the further work undertaken be agreed.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
AGREED – T H A T the report be noted and a further update on progress being
made be brought to the April 2025 meeting of the Committee.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the content of the report, the presentation and to provide
Committee with an update on progress.
October 14 Minutes and DN (KB)
No.
AGREED - T H A T both the Cabinet reference and appended report be
commended.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of both the reference and appended report on the
findings and recommendations produced by the programme of engagement with
Cwmpas and oversight of the development of the body of work.
Minutes - AR
No.
AGREED - T H A T both the verbal reference and appended Cabinet report be
noted.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of both the verbal reference and appended report to
provide Committee with the opportunity to consider the draft Corporate Plan and
provide feedback as part of the programme of consultation prior to Cabinet
considering a final draft in due course.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T interviews in relation to the post of Head of Neighbourhood Services
be conducted and a final determination to appoint a suitable candidate made.
(2) T H A T residual appointment details be delegated, as appropriate, to the
Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Environment and Housing, if a
suitable applicant was confirmed by Elected Members of the Committee.
October 01 Minutes and DN (KB)
No.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To ensure an appointment to the post was conducted in accordance with the
Council's Constitution.
(2) To ensure that all Council functions were met within this area.
RESOLVED – T H A T the Scrutiny Committees’ Annual Report for the Municipal
Year 2023/24 be received.
Reason for decision
To receive the Scrutiny Committees’ Annual Report as required under the Council’s
Constitution.
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C111, 5th September, 2024 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the amendments to the Multi-Location Meetings Policy as set out in
paragraphs 2.1 and 2.2 of the report be included in the Council’s Constitution.
(2) T H A T Section 18 of the Constitution Contract Procedure Rules be replaced
with a revised Section 18 (revised Appendix A) to the report as set out in paragraph
2.5 of the report.
(3) T H A T amendments to Sections 14.10 Functions not to be the responsibility
of an Authority’s Cabinet / Executive, 14.16 (f) Terms of Reference of the Public
Protection Licensing Committee and Section 26 Officer Delegations – Director of
Environment and Housing and Head of Shared Regulatory Services be, approved for
inclusion in the Council’s Constitution as contained within paragraphs 2.7 to 2.11 of
the report.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To update the Multi-Location Meetings Policy within the current Constitution
as agreed by Cabinet on 18th July, 2024.
(2) Having regard to the latest legislation.
(3) To update the relevant sections having regard to the implementation of some
regulations by the end of November 2024 within the Public Health (Wales) Act 2017.
No.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the aspects within the Annual Report of the Public Services
Ombudsman for Wales referring to Code of Conduct matters within the remit of the
Standards Committee be noted.
(2) T H A T the link to the report be forwarded to all Members of the Vale of
Glamorgan Council for their information and the report be brought to the attention
of all Clerks of the Vale of Glamorgan at the Monitoring Officer’s next meeting with
Clerks.
Reason for decisions
(1&2) Having considered the report and having regard to discussions at the
meeting.
RESOLVED – T H A T the position statement on Internal Audit recommendations
made, implemented and outstanding as at 31st July, 2024 be noted.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the contents of the report and the progress made against the Internal
Audit Risk Based Plan 2024/25 be noted.
(2) T H A T the relevant Head of Service / Director to be invited to attend the next
meeting to provide the necessary assurances that improvements would be made in
respect of the follow up audit which resulted in a second limited assurance opinion
audit report.
Reasons for decisions
(1) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
(2) To gain assurance that improvements were being made.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the draft Vale of Glamorgan Council Annual Self-Assessment
2023/24 be noted.
(2) T H A T the comments of the Governance and Audit Committee be referred to
Cabinet for its consideration and for Cabinet to advise whether or not it accepts the
individual recommendations raised by Governance and Audit Committee, those
being:
For 2023/24 report:
• More narrative in relation to the Council’s engagement activity
judgement;
• More narrative in relation to the Council’s procurement judgement;
• The actual number of people who had responded to social media polls;
• Increased narrative in relation to the issues around Oracle Fusion;
• For the commentary in relation to Levelling Up and transforming towns
fund to be double checked for accuracy;
• For the definitions for each rating to be incorporated into the report
itself and not through a hyperlink;
• Where percentages are used as a figure, for the actual number to also
be provided; and
• The importance of a public summary and infographics to aid
understanding and communication.
For 2024/25 report:
• More content around the work of Champions in terms of their
engagement work;
• Streamlining of the amount of performance information / data within the
report;
• More reflection and narrative in relation to areas of development;
• Where actions had not been delivered or achieved for there to be
increased narrative around the reasons why; and
• The inclusion of a list of objectives that had not been delivered.
Reasons for decisions
(1) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
(2) To advise Cabinet of the views of the Governance and Audit Committee.
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the self-assessment questionnaire feedback information and areas of
learning and development be noted.
(2) T H A T a draft training programme be developed to reflect the views of the
Governance and Audit Committee.
Reason for decisions
(1&2) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.