The draft report was introduced by the Head of RIAS.

The Governance and Audit Committee is required to approve an Annual Report for presentation to Council.

The report demonstrated how the Committee had met its terms of reference as per the Council’s Constitution as set out in the Local Government Measure 2011 and the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021.

The Committee had achieved this by concentrating on its core responsibilities during 2022-23.

The outcome of the 2022-23 self-assessment process, consistent with previous years, demonstrated that the Council had sound arrangements in place in respect of its Governance and Audit Committee, noting that the level of knowledge and experience of members was good or satisfactory.

A member noted that there did not seem to be any strong improvements recommended as part of the report and wondered if there could be a section to do with how Members could do better next year.

The Chairperson proposed that members agree the report in principle, subject to any members of the committee wishing to make any comments they have on the draft report within 21 days. The final draft would be presented to the committee at its next meeting on 9 November.

RESOLVED:

Members approved in principle the Governance and Audit Committee’s Annual Report, subject to comments being sent to the Head of the Regional Internal Audit Service (RIAS) within 21 days. A final version will be submitted to the November meeting of the Governance and Audit Committee.