Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence.

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

To note any items which are urgent business in the opinion of the Chairman so they may be considered.

The Chairman shall propose that the minutes of the meeting of this committee, held on the 21^st May 2026, be signed as a true record.

·        To consider the contents of the action schedule above and offer comments

·        To agree to remove from the schedule those items identified as suitable for deletion

DECISION:

To accept the contents of the report.

Note: Capital bids (the plan to extend Ysgol y Faenol car park) – full information to be submitted at the September 2026 meeting.

To consider and approve the statement so that it can be signed by the Council Leader and the Chief Executive

DECISION:

·       To accept an adjustment to an increase in the probability score (from 3 to 4) in the Engagement risk.

·       To accept the (draft) Annual Governance Statement.

·       To approve the Statement and recommend that the Council Leader and Chief Executive sign it.

Note:

·       Include in the work programme that the Chair of the Governance and Audit Committee be invited to attend the Governance Arrangements Assessment Group where relevant.

·       Consider re-scoring the Lawfulness area following a recent court case. A need to add a clause on the Article 4 case in the statement

·       Consider dividing the Finance area risks into two separate categories, 'Overspending due to underfunding or lack of financial control' to 'a) Overspending due to underfunding b) lack of financial control'

·       Reference to an internal review to improve Council Tax collection arrangements – a request was made for an update to the Committee.

·       Apprenticeship Scheme – a request for a report that would include information on the success of the scheme. Assurance is needed that the scheme contributes to future workforce plans.

·       Request for the Monitoring Officer to attend the meetings.

To consider the issues presented for 2025/26 and offer any comments and recommendations along with any additional matters that should be included.

DECISION:

To accept a draft report of the 2025/26 CYNGOR GWYNEDD SELF-ASSESSMENT

Observations:

·        That the content of the self-assessment is good, but there is room for improvement.

·        A need to insert a reference to legal challenges to which the Council is exposed.

·        Education Transport Policy 'being developed': a risk that the delay will have an impact on pupil attendance along with the practical shortcomings of school bus route problems.

·        The reference to the Visitor Levy highlights that the decision has been made despite the consultation period not having ended.

·        Those statements that are outdated need to be verified, e.g. the Language Policy has been approved and is not 'out for consultation'.

·        It needs to be highlighted that funding for the Pupil Immersion Units is challenging – lobbying is needed to ensure that the Units are fully funded by the Government.

·        Infrastructure in the rural areas of Dwyfor and Meirionnydd - note the challenge of trying to attract funding to improve the infrastructure.

·        Introducing a council tax premium – note the challenge of coping with the extra work of collecting and implementing the premium.

·        Improving Council Tax collection arrangements – note the challenge to improve performance compared to other Councils.

·        A need to evaluate educational achievements in literacy and numeracy. What is the challenge that has been set to achieve this?

·        Apprenticeship Scheme - assurance was needed that the scheme contributes to future workforce plans.

To receive the statutory statement of accounts (subject to audit draft) for information.

DECISION:

·        To accept and note the Council's Statement of Accounts (subject to audit).

To submit:

·        GwE Revenue Income and Expenditure Account for 2025/26 (in the form of an out-turn report)

·        GwE Statement of Accounts 2025/26 (subject to audit)

·        GwE Annual Governance Statement 2025/26

DECISION:

·       To note and accept the GwE Revenue Income and Expenditure Account 2025/26 in the form of an out-turn report for the period of two months to 31 May 2025.

·       To note and accept the GwE Statement of Accounts 2025/26 (subject to audit) for the two months to 31 May 2025.

·       To approve to extend the period of the Annual Governance statement for 2024/25 to cover the first two months of 2025/26 to 31 May 2025, in order to comply with statutory requirements.

To receive the report for information.

CIPFA’s Code of Practice requires that a report on the results of the Council’s actual treasury management is produced.

DECISION:

·        To accept the report and note the information.

To consider and accept the report

DECISION:

·        To accept the report and note the information.

·        To welcome that the improvements are going in the right direction.

Note:

That the Committee receives an update on the work of the Our Bravery Brought Justice response plan; to include updates on disciplinary matters and the additional impact on staff as a result of the uncertainty surrounding this issue.

To consider the report and ensure correct governance within the Council by having an overview of how it will respond to improvement proposals made in external audit reports.

DECISION:

To accept the report and note the information.

To consider the report

To nominate one Lay Member to the Governance & Audit Sub Committee of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

DECISION:

To nominate Dewi Lewis as a Lay Member for the Governance and Audit Sub-committee of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

Note:

Request that the Corporate Joint Committee consider a delegation arrangement for Lay Members as has been arranged for Elected Members.

To consider and accept the work programme

DECISION:

·        To accept the Work Programme for July 2026 - July 2027.