Issue - meetings

A timetable was agreed to undertake a Panel Performance Assessment during the week of 9 March 2026.

The report was submitted by Cllr Dewi Jones

DECISION

A timetable was agreed to undertake a Panel Performance Assessment during the week of 9 March 2026.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted explaining that the panel performance assessment planned for November 2024 had been postponed and, as a result, the Cabinet needed to agree a new timetable for carrying out the assessment. It was explained that the report went on to discuss the scope of the assessment and the membership of the Panel.

The Council's Business Support Manager added that this was a statutory requirement under the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021. It was explained that the panel assessment would examine the extent to which the Council effectively implemented its functions and used its resources prudently and efficiently.

It was explained that the scoping document had been created during the Summer of 2024 but that the document would now be out of date as the assessment had been postponed. A second visit to the scope document was suggested at the end of the 2025 calendar year. Attention was drawn to page 22 of the report highlighting the areas suggested for the panel to focus on previously. In addition, the Cabinet was reminded that the panel's membership had been agreed back in September 2024 and it was believed that it would be wise to wait until the end of the calendar year to confirm the membership in order to ensure the suitability of the panel members.

It was explained that the panel would visit for a one-week period and conduct workshops and interviews; it was noted that Cabinet Members would be required to be involved in the discussions. It was confirmed that there would be a presentation to Cabinet Members at the end of the week on the main findings of the survey before reporting the findings to the Governance and Audit Committee before submission to the Full Council.

Observations arising from the discussion:

•           It was questioned whether there was value to this assessment and whether it appeared to be an additional layer of supervision. It was enquired where the recommendations would be submitted.

-           In response, it was noted that there was little choice to reject the assessment hoping that it would have value. It was suggested that there may be an opportunity in the future for Gwynedd to examine other Councils and receive opportunities to learn.