To consider the report and agree
on a recommendation as to
the future size of the Committee.
Decision:
DECISION:
·
To approve the progress
in the Work Programme and seek an update for the February meeting
·
To recommend to the Full
Council a composite membership of 18 members for the Audit and Governance
Committee - 12 Co-opted Members and 6 Lay Members. To be operational from 5 May
2022
·
To accept the proposed
changes to the Constitution - statutory changes to be made by the Monitoring
Officer in accordance with his rights under the Constitution.
Minutes:
Submitted – the report of the Monitoring Officer updating the Committee on progress
with the draft work programme in response to Legislation that introduced a number of changes and powers
in relation to the governance of Local Government in Wales. Members were reminded
that the Committee had adopted a work programme (May 2021) that responded to the provision and requirements of the Act, and addressed the steps in a timely
and appropriate manner.
Attention was drawn to specific
statutory changes to the functions and constitution
of the Audit and Governance Committee within the Act, referring to the appendix that outlined
the main amendments to the Constitution. It was reported, as
one third of the membership were lay members, that
an advertisement for members had been published, and that arrangements
and an appointment
panel was in place to make a recommendation to the Full Council that
would approve the appointments in accordance with the arrangements established in May 2017.
Thanks were expressed for the report.
During the ensuing discussion, the following questions and responses
were received:
·
Would it
be possible for a retiring Councillor to submit their name as a Lay Member?
There
would have to be a gap of 12 months between retirement and submitting
an application
·
Would
the Chair receive remuneration for the post of Chair?
The
Chair would receive a co-opted member's allowance that has been set by the
Independent Remuneration Panel for Wales
·
Had
there been any response to the advertisement?
The
closing date was 25 November - information had been shared with the Members in
order to encourage suitable applicants
·
Who
would appoint the Lay Members?
In accordance
with the arrangements established in May 2017, the panel would include the
Chair of the Council, the Chair of the Audit and Governance Committee and the
Cabinet Member for Finance, advised by the Statutory Finance Officer and the
Monitoring Officer. Applications would be considered and a recommendation would
be submitted to the Full Council.
·
Would
neighbouring Councils also be seeking the same Members, and could one person
serve as a member on two committees?
It would
be acceptable for Members to be Committee members in more than one County
·
If it is
not possible to make an appointment, will a 'vacant seat' be noted?
Although
appointing may be challenging, if not all seats are filled, a vacant seat must
be noted
·
Do Lay
Members have to be Gwynedd residents?
Members
do not have to be from Gwynedd, but they must have a link to the County
·
Who will
monitor quality? Will political balance be considered?
Lay
members have an independent opinion - any interest would have to be recorded,
to include registration details with a political party.
·
Would it
be possible to consider holding an informal meeting for everybody to get to
know each other before commencing the new procedures?
This had
not been discussed officially. It was noted that in addition to lay members,
there would potentially be new members on the Committee, and therefore it was
decided to accept the suggestion to hold a preliminary conversation noting the
aspirations of the role, possibly prior to appointing a Chair.
·
Given
that a Lay Member would be appointed as the Committee Chair, it was suggested
that the panel should ask the applicants if they considered themselves to be
suitable to be the Committee chair.
It would
be possible to ask whether the applicant was 'interested' in being the
Chair. It was reiterated that the
advertisement also noted this
·
If four
lay members were appointed, would it be acceptable to have two vacant seats if
it was decided to continue with 18 members?
If it
was decided to continue with 18 members, this would be the composition of the
membership of the Committee - efforts should continue to fill the vacant seats.
·
It was
accepted that there were significant changes to this Committee - a number of
experienced members would be lost
RESOLVED
·
To
accept the report
·
To
approve the progress of the Work Programme and seek an update for the February
meeting
·
To
recommend to the Full Council a composite membership of 18 members for the
Audit and Governance Committee - 12 Co-opted Members and 6 Lay Members. To be operational
from 5 May 2022
·
To
accept the proposed changes to the Constitution – statutory changes to be
achieved by the Monitoring Officer in accordance with its rights under the
Constitution.
In concluding the meeting, the Chair noted that
this was Mr Dafydd Edwards' (Head
of Finance Department) last
meeting - he was thanked for his work, his support to the Committee and his professional attitude towards ensuring that the Council was in good hands. He was wished a happy flexible retirement.
Supporting documents: