Issue - meetings

To accept and approve the Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25

DECISION:

To accept and approve the 2024/25 Annual Governance Statement.

The Governance Statement was presented by Euros Davies (GwE Head of Service - School Improvement). It was reported that the Accounts and Audit (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 set fixed requirements on public bodies that operated partnership management arrangements through formal Joint Committees. It was added that Section 5 of those Regulations required the Joint Committee to review and approve a Statement of Internal Control with the Annual Governance Statement provided to align with that requirement.

For the purposes of demonstrating good governance, it was explained that GwE must show compliance with the core principles in the 'Framework for Delivering Good Governance in Local Government (CIPFA/Solace, 2016)'. The statement had been prepared in accordance with those principles.

It was noted that the last year had been very different for the School Improvement Service in North Wales in light of national changes and the middle tier review. Therefore, the Statement elaborated on arrangements that had been operational for the 2024/2025 financial year in the context of the relevant changes and responsibilities.

It was reported that, following the assessment, no significant governance matters had been identified in 2024/25 and the opinion that the governance arrangements provided strong certainty that GwE governance arrangements were working well was noted.  

The GwE Head of Service - School Improvement, appreciated the good joint working that had existed with Cyngor Gwynedd's Finance Department and for their willing support to provide individual reports as required.

It was proposed and seconded to accept the Statement

         RESOLVED:

         To accept and approve the 2024/25 Annual Governance Statement.