Issue - meetings

To consider, offer comments and approve the report

DECISION:

To accept and approve the Annual Report

Note: To include the details of relevant training courses attended by Members

The annual report was submitted by the Committee Chair. It was highlighted that this was the first time for the report to be submitted and this in response to a strong recommendation by CIPFA which noted that the Committee should prepare an annual report that provided assurance to everyone who was responsible for governance that it achieved its purpose and could show impact. The purpose of the report was to encompass the work of the Committee over the 2022-23 year and to highlight how the Committee had achieved its statutory duties and added value to the governance arrangements of Cyngor Gwynedd.

The Chair welcomed observations from Members before submitting it for the Full Council's approval on 28-09-23. The Head of Finance Department was thanked for his work of preparing the report and also the Cabinet Member for Finance - Councillor Ioan Thomas for the special collaboration between him and the Committee. The Council Leader, Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn was also thanked for being part of the Committee's arrangements and his willingness to submit reports for observations.

The Head of Finance added that the report responded to the statutory requirements of Welsh Government and had been set out in accordance with the Committee's functions (some mandatory functions and others as functions appointed by the Cyngor Gwynedd Constitution). Attention was drawn to the effectiveness of the Committee and the intention of submitting a report to the next meeting regarding undertaking a self-evaluation of the Committee's work - this was perceived as good practice, an important step forward and of assistance to the Members.

During the ensuing discussion, the following observations were noted:

·         That training sessions on specific fields had been beneficial - a suggestion was made to include these details in the report.

·         Arlingclose training was appreciated - a suggestion was made that all Councillors should receive this training.

·         Welcomed the report and thanked the Chair for her work and guidance during the year.

In response to a question regarding the meaning of the statement 'that savings will not have an uneven impact across the County' (para 18), it was explained that the observation had been made by the Committee when discussing the impact of savings. The observation was added to the final report that was submitted to the Cabinet and the Council.

RESOLVED:

To accept and approve the Annual Report.

Note: To include the details of relevant training courses attended by Members.