Agenda and minutes

To receive and consider the attached Schedule of Correspondence and any recommendations thereon (below).

There was no correspondence and no apologies for absence.  He welcomed Nick Selwyn and Charles Rigby from Audit Wales, and also Pam Hibbert, the Chair of the Standards Committee, who was in attendance for the public part of the meeting.

The Chair asked for a moment of reflection for the people of Ukraine.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members relating to items on the agenda.  Members’ attention is drawn to the sheet attached to the attendance sheet and the need to record their declarations verbally and in writing, specifying the nature of the interest.

If Members have declared an interest in an item please ensure that you inform the Chair when you are leaving the room, so that this can be recorded in the minutes.

There were no declarations of interest.

To give opportunity for members of the public to address the meeting in accordance with the Authority’s Public Speaking Scheme.

There were no requests to speak.

To consider the report received from Audit Wales.

Mr Selwyn presented the report and set out the reasons why Audit Wales were recommending that the Authority seek help from Welsh Government.  He acknowledged that this had been a challenging time for all concerned.

The Chief Executive advised that the report provided a way to move forward and be an excellent Authority with a passionate and committed team.

A number of members commented on the report.

RESOLVED: 

a)   To accept the recommendations from Audit Wales contained in paragraphs 37 to 39 of their report of March 2022.

b)   To ask the Chief Executive to urgently request the assistance of Welsh Ministers to address the significance governance problems faced by the Authority as identified in the Audit Wales Report of March 2022.

RECOMMENDATION: to exclude the press and public from the meeting during continued consideration of item 4 in accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RECOMMENDATION: to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 7 in accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

a)     To exclude the press and public from the meeting during continued consideration of item 4  in accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

b)      To exclude the press and public from the meeting during  consideration of item 7  in accordance with section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12, 13 and 14 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. 

The Chair advised that this concluded the public part of the meeting and thanked representatives from Audit Wales and the Chair of Standards Committee for attending.

The Chief Executive advised that while there would be a process for Welsh Government to appoint advisors to the Authority she would welcome any thoughts from members as to what they wished her to include in her letter to the Minister.

Given the difficult financial position the Authority is in, and the capacity issues highlighted in the report, Members asked the Chief Executive convey that the Authority should not have to finance any support itself. Members did not have any further comments apart from expressing the hope that any meetings could take place face to face.

RESOLVED: That the Chief Executive be asked to seek assistance from the Welsh Government.

RECOMMENDATION:  That the exempt part of the meeting be recorded (although not for public access).

RESOLVED:  That the exempt part of the meeting be recorded, although not for public access.

To consider the attached Notices of Motion received by the Chief Executive Officer on 4 March 2022.

Members considered Notice of Motion No 3 on the agenda in line with Standing Orders.

RESOLVED:  As per the confidential report on Motion No 3.

Members considered Notice of Motion No 4 on the agenda in line with Standing Orders.

RESOLVED:  As per the confidential report on Motion No 4.

The Chair advised whether the proposer and seconder of Motions 1 and 2 wished to withdraw their motions.

RESOLVED:  That Motions 1 and 2 on the agenda be withdrawn.

In line with the Authority’s Standing Orders (4.5.2) no further business other than that stated on the agenda will be considered.

There was no further business.