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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
AGREED – (i) That the topic selection form regarding Q2 and Q4 Performance against the Council Plan, as attached to the report COGC/103/22 be accepted onto the work programme. (ii) That the work programme as attached to the report COGC/103/22 be agreed subject to the aforementioned amendments.
AGREED – (i) That a breakdown of assets (excluding Council houses) and their value be provided to Members of the Committee; (ii) To recommend to Governance & Audit Committee that Ø The Self-Assessment Report include a clearer definition of the origin of the asset figures contained within it. Ø A glossary be included, for the acronyms used in the development actions attached at Appendix B to the report. (iii) That the Self-Assessment be included as an annual item on the work programme of the Committee.
AGREED - (i) That the Committee welcomes the reduction in the number of complaints in respect of compliance with the Welsh Language. (ii) That training opportunities be offered to all Council Members to learn Welsh. (iii) (iii) That future reports be submitted only if there is a deterioration in (iv) compliance with the Welsh Language Standards, e.g., if the (v) number of complaints increased to more than 10.
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Pete Howell and Paul Rogers.
AGREED – To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 October 2022.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That the topic selection form regarding Q2 and Q4 Performance against the Council Plan, as attached to the report COGC/103/22 be accepted onto the work programme. (ii) That the work programme as attached to the report COGC/103/22 be agreed subject to the aforementioned amendments.
The Chief Officer Governance and Customer submitted a report COGC/103/22 allowing Members to consider the Scrutiny Topic Selections Form which had been submitted and the work programme of the Customers, Performance, Resources & Governance Scrutiny Committee (attached at Appendices 1 & 2 to the report). During discussion the following proposals were put forward – · Quarter 2 and Quarter 4 Performance Reports – The Topic Selection Form as attached at appendix 1 to the report be agreed and to be scheduled as regular items on the work programme in December/January (Q2) and July/September (Q4). · Wrexham Public Service Board - the response from PSB and the Minister for Finance & Local Government to recommendations of the Committee to be considered at the meeting on 15th December 2022. The views of Town and Community Councils that meet the financial threshold to comply with the requirements of the FGA and involvement in the work of the PSB to be sought for inclusion in the report on the draft PSB Well-being Plan scheduled for the same meeting. AGREED – (i) That the topic selection form regarding Q2 and Q4 Performance against the Council Plan, as attached to the report COGC/103/22 be accepted onto the work programme. (ii) That the work programme as attached to the report COGC/103/22 be agreed subject to the aforementioned amendments.
Decision as recorded
AGREED – (i) That a breakdown of assets (excluding Council houses) and their value be provided to Members of the Committee; (ii) To recommend to Governance & Audit Committee that Ø The Self-Assessment Report include a clearer definition of the origin of the asset figures contained within it. Ø A glossary be included, for the acronyms used in the development actions attached at Appendix B to the report. (iii) That the Self-Assessment be included as an annual item on the work programme of the Committee.
The Lead Member for Finance and Performance submitted a report (CE/58/22) presenting Wrexham Council’s first draft Self-Assessment Report as required by the Local Government & Elections (Wales) Act 2021. The report provided the opportunity for Members to consider and comment on the draft prior to its consideration at the Governance & Audit Committee. The Lead Member introduced the report and responded to questions accordingly thereafter, with input from the Head of Service, Performance, Improvement and Partnerships. During the debate a number of issues were discussed and the following points were highlighted, in particular: · Suggestion that the process for reviewing assets should include a greater level of opportunity for challenge and scrutiny. · The need to better reflect in the self assessment the challenges made throughout the process. · Confirmation that each area of development within the self assessment had a corresponding action. · Whilst the annual performance report was recognised as one indicator, the Head of Service, Performance, Improvement and Partnerships confirmed that the self assessment took a broad range of information into consideration in determining its conclusions. · It was suggested that a greater level of detail be provided to explain the context of the financial information relating to assets included in the assessment. · Further advice was sought in terms of the links between the self assessment plan and staff PRCD process. AGREED – (i) That a breakdown of assets (excluding Council houses) and their value be provided to Members of the Committee; (ii) To recommend to Governance & Audit Committee that Ø The Self-Assessment Report include a clearer definition of the origin of the asset figures contained within it. Ø A glossary be included, for the acronyms used in the development actions attached at Appendix B to the report. (iii) That the Self-Assessment be included as an annual item on the work programme of the Committee.
Decision as recorded
AGREED - (i) That the Committee welcomes the reduction in the number of complaints in respect of compliance with the Welsh Language. (ii) That training opportunities be offered to all Council Members to learn Welsh. (iii) (iii) That future reports be submitted only if there is a deterioration in (iv) compliance with the Welsh Language Standards, e.g., if the (v) number of complaints increased to more than 10.
The Welsh Language Champion (Lead Member for Environment) submitted a report (COGC/109/22s) which allowed Members to review the Council’s compliance with the Welsh language Standards and included reference to the number of reports of non-compliance under investigation by the Welsh Language Commissioner. The report also included an update on the HR & OD priorities and plans for the next 12 months in view of the internal audit review of compliance in relation to workforce planning and recruitment. The Lead Member introduced his report and responded to questions accordingly thereafter with input from both the Welsh Language Officer and Human Resources Manager. During the debate, the following issues were highlighted, in particular: · Acknowledgment that the number of complaints relating to welsh language had decreased significantly. · It was noted that helpline services within the Council should now be appropriately staffed to support those individuals wishing to access Council Services through the medium of welsh. · The need to continue to actively recruit more welsh speakers. It was important to ensure that advertisements were clear in terms of the level of welsh that was required. The Council did not want to deter welsh speakers who may have lost their confidence but want to develop it again. · Recognition that training should be provided to existing members of staff thus allowing them to respond to simple enquiries. · Disappointment at the poor attendance for the recent Welsh Language Awareness Member training session and suggestion that this training should be mandatory in the future. · Work was taking place within primary schools and Coleg Cambria to promote the benefits of using welsh language in the future. AGREED - (i) That the Committee welcomes the reduction in the number of complaints in respect of compliance with the Welsh Language. (ii) That training opportunities be offered to all Council Members to learn Welsh. (iii) (iii) That future reports be submitted only if there is a deterioration in (iv) compliance with the Welsh Language Standards, e.g., if the (v) number of complaints increased to more than 10.
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