The Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar presented a report, the purpose of which being, to inform the Joint Committee of a recent Internal Audit of Coychurch Crematorium in respect of financial year 2022-23.

By way of some background information, she confirmed that an Internal Audit review of the Crematorium was undertaken as part of Bridgend County Borough Council’s 2022-23 Internal Audit Plan. The objective of the Audit, was to provide assurance to the Joint Committee on the adequacy and effectiveness of the internal control, governance and risk management arrangements in respect of Coychurch Crematorium. The audit objectives were detailed in paragraph 2.2 of the report.

The Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar advised, that the audit identified a number of strengths and areas of good practice for each audit objective. No key issues were identified during the audit, with two low priority recommendations being raised and the management action plan had since been updated with associated management comments.

She stated that the Audit opinion concluded that there was substantial assurance that a sound system of governance, risk management and control exists, with internal controls operating effectively and being consistently applied to support the achievement of objectives in the area audited. Therefore, there were no further actions required.

A copy of the Internal Audit Report was attached at Appendix A to the report.

In response to a Members question regarding the Rhondda Cynon Taf and Vale of Glamorgan Council’s having a link to BCBC’s web pages relating to the Crematoria, the Bereavement Services Manager and Registrar advised that this was not possible, as BCBC were the lead Authority and therefore the only one of the through Participating Council’s that had ownership and updating rights to this part of the web.

RESOLVED:                            That the Joint Committee noted the Internal Audit report.