Issue - meetings

For Committee Members to scrutinise performance matters within the Department.

DECISION

•           To accept the report and note the observations.

•           To ask to include the following in the next performance report that will be brought before the Committee:

•           more detailed data had been categorised in relation to long-term debts and tax collection.

•           number of legal cases relating to long-term debts.

•           information about the department's recruitment arrangements.

The Cabinet Member for Finance presented the report which provided the Committee with an update on what had been achieved in the field, including an update on the Council Plan and the Department's day-to-day work up to the end of March 2026. It was explained that the Information Technology Service had been transferred to the management of the Corporate Services Department since 1 April 2026, but as the 2025/26 performance was being considered, the digital services had been included in the report. It was noted that the transition had been smooth, but that the recruitment of an Assistant Head for the Information Technology Service remained a challenge.

It was reported that all matters under the responsibility of the Cabinet Member had been discussed and scrutinised at Performance Challenge and Support meetings, and satisfaction was expressed with the Department's overall performance. It was noted that the Finance Department had taken the lead on two priorities in the Council Plan during 2025/26, namely Managing the Impact of National Budgetary Cuts and the Digital Plan. It was emphasised that the need to achieve financial savings across the Council remained a priority to achieve budgetary balance in the medium term and to seek to keep any increase in Council Tax within reasonable limits. It was noted that the work of the Finance Department in the field was robust and effective, but ensuring that savings were successfully realised in all services remained a challenge.

It was noted that the performance measures showed a robust performance overall, with a few areas still receiving attention. Reference was made to high levels of compliance with mandatory training, along with the robust performance of the Finance and Accountancy, Payroll and Pensions services. It was noted that the level of long-term debt managed by the Income Service remained a matter of concern and that this was the only red category measure in the Department. It was noted that there were signs of improvement and that plans were in place to reduce risk and improve debt recovery. It was reported that the rate of Council Tax collection had improved, although it remained below historical levels. It was noted that there was an intention to introduce additional digital support to support the service.

In terms of Information Technology, it was noted that significant improvements had been made to strengthen the digital provision, including the modernisation of devices, the upgrading of systems, the expansion of digital ways of working and the rationalisation of the infrastructure. It was explained that the work had contributed to achieving financial savings. It was noted that cyber incidents and service outages had highlighted the need to continue to strengthen the resilience and security of the infrastructure, and it was noted that these issues were regularly monitored through the Performance Challenge and Support arrangements.

Attention was drawn to two reports received from external auditors during the year. It was noted that the report by Audit Wales on Strategic Management of Balances and Reserves had been published in September 2025,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4