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: that
1. the readoption of the current Cardiff Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education attached at Appendix 1be supported and agreed.
2. the new Cardiff Agreed Syllabus for Religion, Values and Ethics attached at Appendix 2 be supported and agreed
3. the revised Terms of Reference (Revised Constitution of SACRE/SAC for RVE, October 2022) attached at Appendix 3 be agreed
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the approach to mitigating the corporate information security risk be
noted.
(2) T H A T an action plan be developed in order to respond to questions and
challenges posed in exhibits 2 to 8 of the Audit Wales National Study: Learning from
Cyber-Attacks report.
(3) T H A T the Audit Wales National Study be referred to Cabinet for its
consideration as a Part II item.
Reason for decisions
(1-3) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
Vale of Glamorgan, Governance and Audit Committee,
RESOLVED – T H A T the self-assessment questionnaire feedback information be
noted and the learning and development areas be raised by Committee members
when needed.
Reason for decision
To support the ongoing development and effectiveness of the Governance and Audit
Committee in line with its terms of reference.
No.
Vale of Glamorgan, Governance and Audit Committee,
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the Forward Work Programme be noted.
(2) T H A T the schedule of items for the next meeting, 27th February 2023, be
endorsed.
Reason for decisions
(1&2) To ensure the Governance and Audit Committee is aware and informed of
progress on the proposed Work Programme.
No.
Vale of Glamorgan, Governance and Audit Committee,
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the contents of the Vale of Glamorgan Council Assurance and Risk
Assessment Review 2021/22 be noted, and the report referred Corporate
Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee with any recommendations /
comments of that Scrutiny Committee referred to Cabinet thereafter.
(2) T H A T the contents of the appended Public Sector Readiness for Net Zero
Carbon by 2030 National Report and the Council’s response be noted, and the
report referred to the Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee and
Corporate Performance and Resources Scrutiny Committee with any
recommendations / comments referred to Cabinet thereafter for their consideration
and endorsement of the proposed actions to address the recommendation and the
National Study.
No.
Reason for decisions
(1&2) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
Vale of Glamorgan, Governance and Audit Committee,
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the contents of the report be noted.
(2) T H A T the Governance and Audit Committee continue to receive annual
reports in relation to promotion of the Policy, whistleblowing incidents reported and
the outcome of the planned 2023/24 Survey.
(3) T H A T the proposed areas for revision of the existing Policy as detailed in
paragraph 2.22 of the report be noted and endorsed and the same referred to
Cabinet for consideration as part of the annual review of the Policy.
(4) T H A T the Chief Executive be requested to ensure that whistleblowing is
placed on all Directorate agenda meetings, Head of Service meetings and Team
meetings.
No.
Reasons for decisions
(1&2) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
(3) For consideration as part of the annual review of the Policy undertaken by the
Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development.
(4) To maintain and increase awareness of the Council’s Whistleblowing Policy.
Vale of Glamorgan, Governance and Audit Committee,
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the Quarter 2 position of corporate risks (April 2022-September 2022)
as outlined in the Risk Summary Report (Annex A) be noted.
(2) T H A T it be recommend to Cabinet that the reframing of the Reshaping risk
to a financial fragility risk on the Register be agreed.
(3) T H A T any other comments be referred to Cabinet for their consideration
and endorsement at the meeting for Cabinet to consider the Corporate Risk Register
for Quarter 2.
(4) T H A T for future Risk Register reports, the Governance and Audit
Committee receives a shortened update based on the summary at Annex A, with
Annex B available to Members via the Council’s website.
Reasons for decisions
(1&2) Having regard to the contents of the report and discussions at the meeting.
(3) To ensure Cabinet receives the comments of the Governance and Audit
Committee to consider the Quarter 2 risk position.
(4) So that the Committee receives a summary update based on exceptional
reporting.
No.
Vale of Glamorgan, Governance and Audit Committee,
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the report be noted and the final interviews be undertaken under
Part II of the agenda.
(2) T H A T following the interviews residual appointment details, as
appropriate, be delegated to the Director of Social Services, in consultation with
the Chief Executive and Leader, should a suitable applicant be confirmed by
Members.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To ensure an appointment to the post is conducted in accordance with the
Council’s Constitution.
(2) To ensure that all Council functions are met within this area.
Minutes - KB
No.
Vale of Glamorgan, Senior Management Appointment Committee,
RESOLVED –
(1) T H A T the report be noted and the final interview be undertaken under
Part II of the agenda.
(2) T H A T following the interview residual appointment details, as appropriate,
be delegated to the Director of Social Services, in consultation with the Chief
Executive and Leader, should the applicant be considered suitable applicant by
Members.
Reasons for decisions
(1) To ensure an appointment to the post is conducted in accordance with the
Council’s Constitution.
(2) To ensure that all Council functions are met within this area.
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C63, 8th September, 2022 (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.
AMENDED SCHOOL AND COLLEGE TRANSPORT POLICY (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C76, 29th September, 2022 (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.
PROPOSAL TO ADD ST RICHARD GWYN TO THE CAPITAL PROGRAMME (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C77, 29th September, 2022 (as set out in Section 15.14.2(ii) of the Council’s
Constitution) be noted.
No.
Reason for decision
The reporting of the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure is a requirement of the
Council’s Constitution.
CAPITAL MONITORING FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL TO 31ST AUGUST 2022 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C90, 6th October, 2022 (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.
DWR CYMRU WELSH WATER CONSULTATION ON THE DRAINAGE AND WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT PLAN (DWMP) (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C95, 6th October, 2022 (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.
FINAL DRAFT VALE OF GLAMORGAN COUNCIL ANNUAL SELF
ASSESSMENT REPORT 2021/22 (REF) –
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C104, 20th October, 2022 (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.
No.
CAPITAL MONITORING FOR THE PERIOD 1ST APRIL TO 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2022 (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C119, 3rd November, 2022 (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.
CONSULTATION OF PROPOSALS FOR PRIMARY LEGISLATION IN RELATION TO CHILDREN’S SOCIAL CARE, CONTINUING HEALTH CARE, MANDATORY REPORTING AND REGULATION AND INSPECTION (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C123, 3rd November, 2022 (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.
COUNCIL TAX REDUCTION SCHEME (REF)
RESOLVED – T H A T the use of the Urgent Decision Procedure (Cabinet Minute
No. C159, 1st December, 2022 (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 Committee’s comments on the Draft Strategic Plan as below, be
forwarded by the Monitoring Officer to the Public Services Ombudsman:
- reference to be made in the Strategic Plan to the timeliness of dealing
with complaints;
and
- in view of the likelihood that caseloads may increase, consideration to
be referenced in the Plan to the implications for resources for both the
Ombudsman’s Office and Local Authorities.
(2) T H A T the response outlined in Resolution (1) above be approved by the
Chair, prior to despatch and the letter be presented to the next meeting of the
Standards Committee for information.
Reasons for decisions
(1) Having regard to the contents of the report and to advise the Public Services
Ombudsman for Wales of the Committee’s comments.
(2) To seek the Chair’s approval prior to despatch of the letter and to inform the
Committee accordingly.
RESOLVED – T H A T the contents of the report and the letter attached as an
Appendix to the report, be noted and that the same be forwarded to all Vale of
Glamorgan Councillors and Clerks to Town and Community Councils for information.
Reason for decision
Having regard to the contents of the reports and discussions at the meeting.