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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
1.1 Mrs. Pegington was nominated as Chair and Mr. Kelleher was nominated as Deputy Chair. This motion was seconded and the Committee voted unanimously for. 1.2 It was noted that Mrs Pegington would leave the meeting at 11:00am for a personal matter, at which point Councillor Williams would assume the role of Chair.
2.1 Apologies were received from Councillor Davies and Mr. Kelleher.
The following declarations were made: • Councillor Ashley declared a personal interest as he was in receipt of a Pension from the Greater Gwent Pension Fund. • Councillor Jones declared a personal interest as he was a contributor to, and his wife was in receipt of, a pension from the Greater Gwent Pension Fund. • Mr. Rees declared a personal interest as he was in receipt of a small pension from the Greater Gwent Pension Fund. • Mrs. Pegington declared a personal interest as her husband was in receipt of a pension from the Greater Gwent Pension Fund. • Councillor Williams declared a personal interest as both himself and his wife were contributors to, and in receipt of, a pension from the Greater Gwent Pension Fund.
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 26 June 2025 were considered. It was agreed that the minutes be amended to include Councillor Ashley’s apology for absence due to holiday and otherwise approved as a correct record.
5.1 The Committee noted the action sheet.
6.1 The Business & Democratic Support Services Manager outlined the report and provided an update on the work undertaken by external regulators and the Council’s responses to their recommendations 6.2 The report provided a six-monthly update on progress with actions arising from external audit work, details of new external audit reports and recommendations, and an overview of scrutiny work reviewing progress on external recommendations. The report also outlined the next steps, including the development of the Council’s response to recommendations. 6.3 The Business & Democratic Support Services Manager highlighted that some recommendations had already been addressed and could be removed from future monitoring, subject to the committee’s agreement 6.4 Following questions from the Committee, the Business & Democratic Support Services Manager made the following points: • The committee’s role regarding the Panel Performance Assessment (PPA)was now to review the Council’s response to the final recommendations, and members had not missed any substantive involvement to date. • More in-depth briefings would be provided for the next PPA in the future to ensure all members are clear on their role. • Torfaen was in a strong position regarding homelessness, and many of the recommendations from national studies were generic and had already been addressed. • The scrutiny process was robust and the committee’s assurance role was being fulfilled. 6.5 Members of the Governance & Audit Committee: · Reviewed the progress made, as set out in the Action Plan (attached as Appendix 1) to ensure appropriate action is being taken to address recommendations previously accepted by the Council with regards to its governance arrangements · Noted new recommendations / proposals for improvement received and accepted by the Council since the last update report. · Noted the outcome of scrutiny work to review progress against External Audit recommendations.
7.1 Business & Democratic Support Services Manager outlined the report and provided an update on the annual complaints handling report, which detailed the authority’s performance in managing complaints during the 2024/25 financial year. 7.2 The Business & Democratic Support Services Manager explained that the report noted a total of 206 complaints received, a 17% decrease on the previous year, and a compliance rate for responses of 97.3%, above the 95% target. The percentage of complaints fully upheld had decreased from 55% to 42%, and 202 compliments were recorded, an increase on previous years. 7.3 There had been no investigations, interventions, or recommendations were made by the Ombudsman. The Business & Democratic Support Services Manager noted a caveat regarding a potential fault in the Ombudsman’s compliance reporting, but anticipated no significant impact on Torfaen’s data. 7.4 Following questions from the Committee, the Business & Democratic Support Services Manager and Chief Executive confirmed the following points: • Most complaints referred to the Ombudsman were not investigated due to jurisdictional or procedural issues. • Many issues are classed as service issues and resolved before reaching Stage 1, with over 1,000 service issues recorded. • The Council treats complaints as valuable feedback and maintains a culture of accessibility and transparency. • Statutory processes in social care can take longer, leading to late responses, but residents were kept informed. • All calls were logged and the process ensured effective resolution and ongoing improvement. 7.5 The Governance and Audit Committee: · noted the information presented in this report and are requested in doing so to review and assess the Authority’s ability to handle complaints effectively.
8.1 Mike Jones, Audit Wales outlined the report and provided an update on both both performance audit and audit of accounts. 8.2 Mike Jones highlighted key risks, including the implementation of accounting standard IFRS 16, and confirmed that the statutory deadline for the Auditor General’s opinion was the end of October 8.3 Following questions from the Committee, Mike Jones and The Head of Audit made the following points: • The statutory deadline for reporting was October and a special meeting would be arranged to meet this deadline. • The full Council was responsible for receiving the report and approving the accounts prior to their being signed. 8.4 Prior to the next item, Mrs. Pegington took her leave from the Committee and Councillor Williams continued as Chair.
9.1 Charlotte Owen, Audit Wales outlined the report and provided an update on the work programme. 9.2 Charlotte Owen gave a comprehensive review detailing the completion of the thematic review on commissioning, ongoing and upcoming reviews on leisure services, workforce pressures, digital strategy, and disabled facilities grants, and the move from quarterly to six-monthly updates.
10.1 This item was brought forward from item 11 to item 10 due to the need for officers to leave the Committee to join another meeting. David Leech, Deputy Chief Executive and Jason O’Brien, Strategic Director Children, Families and Education joined the meeting for this item. 10.2 The Chief Executive presented the annual self-assessment and well-being report, which fulfilled statutory requirements under the Local Government and Elections Act 2021 and the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015. The report detailed progress against the Council’s nine county plan priorities, incorporated Panel Performance Assessment findings, introduced the “Torfaen Deal” social contract, and focused on the Marmot principles and federated approach with Blaenau Gwent. The report was made more accessible, with a summary and infographic. 10.3 Following questions from the Committee, the Chief Executive made the following points: · The Apollo model was the Council’s approach to delivering the medium-term financial strategy. · The Pontypool town centre regeneration project was progressing, with delays due to design alterations and planning applications. A full response regarding it’s progress would be provided to all committee members. · Further information on the Marmot principles and the deal would be provided and a workshop or briefing would be considered. 10.4 The Governance and Audit Committee: · Reviewed and commented on the draft Annual Self- Assessment and Well-being Report 2024-25.
11.1 The Head of Audit outlined the report and provided the quarterly update the internal audit plan. 11.2 The Head of Audit reported 32% progress against the annual plan and 33% progress on the core plan. It was noted that follow-up audits showed improving system opinions and that a table of follow-up progress would be included in future reports. It was also highlighted there had been an issue regarding timeliness of assessments in home elective education, attributed to an increased volume since COVID. 11.3 Following questions from the Committee, the Head of Audit made the following points: • Most audit opinions had improved or remained the same, with no concerns. • A more detailed table of follow-up audits would be provided in future reports. • Any follow-ups with inadequate action would be brought to the committee’s attention. 11.4 The Governance and Audit Committee: · Reviewed and commented on the draft Annual Self- Assessment and Well-being Report 2024-25.
12.1 The Head of Audit explained this had been included for the Committee’s information.
13.1 The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 18/12/25, with an additional meeting to be arranged in October.
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.
Declarations are read from the minutes once they are published.
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