Governance and Audit Committee

The Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) introduced the report on progress with the Climate Change Strategy which was adopted by Cabinet in February 2022. The accompanying action plan outlined progress in creating a net zero carbon Council by 2030 and was split into key themes. In addition to the appointment of an experienced officer, the establishment of the Climate Change Committee (from the former Climate Change Programme Board) would help to embed climate change across the organisation. The Committee was introduced to Alex Ellis, the Climate Change & Carbon Reduction Programme Manager, who gave a presentation covering: · Context · Achievements so far · Development of the Strategy - Baseline and Engagement · Action Plan to Net Zero Carbon · Current Staff Resource · Governance Structure · Timeline to 2030 · 2021/22 Progress Report · Recommendations · Priorities for 2023-24 In response to a question from Rev Brian Harvey, the Programme Manager spoke about increasing public awareness of the issues amongst younger people and plans to engage further. The Chief Officer referred to working with partners and previous Member workshops to promote positive change. Following a question from Allan Rainford on investment decisions, the Programme Manager referred to proactive work to identify funding opportunities including collaborative projects and Invest to Save options, to achieve medium to long-term benefits. The roll-out of carbon literacy training to elected Members and senior managers would help stakeholders to understand the benefits of those investments. As Vice-Chair of the Climate Change Committee, Councillor Allan Marshall referred to savings achieved by controlling heating temperatures in buildings. The Programme Manager referred to temperature management measures in non-domestic building stock and confirmed that Council domestic properties were not included in the scope of the carbon emission data. The Chief Officer (Governance) commented on actions to reduce carbon emissions from procurement activities which had increased during 2021/22. The Chair highlighted the need for more clarity on milestones in the action plan to achieve the aims within the strategy, which was noted by the Programme Manager. In response to concerns about the level of focus on procurement, reference was made to the methodology for reporting carbon emissions as set out by Welsh Government. On behalf of the Committee, the Chair thanked the officers for their attendance and detailed presentation. The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Linda Thomas. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the contents of the report; (b) That the Committee supports the improvement of internal communications to raise awareness of the Council’s positive progress in moving to achieve its climate change ambitions; (c) That the Committee supports the introduction of embedding carbon measures into procurement processes within a pilot portfolio of the Council; (d) That the Committee supports the case for an Invest to Save post and resources to introduce Building Management Systems within more of our building assets to improve the management of energy use; and (e) That the Committee supports the embedding of climate change principles throughout the Council, through delivery of Carbon Literacy training to Elected Members, Senior Managers and other key decision makers.

The Chief Officer (Governance) introduced the report to share the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSOW) Annual Letter which summarised the Council’s performance on complaints investigated during 2021-22. The Committee was introduced to Rebecca Jones, the Customer Contact Service Manager, who was also appointed as Chair of the All-Wales Complaints Group which aimed to share good practice and identify improvements on complaints handling. In summarising the main areas of the report, she explained that the increase in new complaints made against the Council during 2021/22 aligned with the national trend and was likely to be a result of suppressed complaints during the pandemic. The majority of those complaints had been closed due to being out of jurisdiction, premature or closed after initial consideration by the PSOW. A review of public information to increase awareness of the Council’s complaints procedure was helping to reduce the number of premature complaints and actions to keep complainants informed of progress would help to tackle the number of duplicated cases. Other improvements reported good progress with the mandatory training programme, the introduction of a new policy on managing customer contact and setting out house rules on expected behaviour for contact with the Council on social media. A summary of performance during the first half of 2022/23 indicated a slight increase in complaints received to date and improved complaint responses across portfolios. Matthew Harris, Head of the Complaints Standards Authority, was in attendance and welcomed the Council’s investment in training and its impact on referrals to the PSOW and intervention levels during the first half of 2022/23. He referred to the ongoing commitment to support the Council’s training programme and the statutory guidance within the All-Wales model which aimed to standardise complaints handling throughout Wales. Rev Brian Harvey asked how the procedure was used to improve customer services. Officers advised that sharing performance data with key officers helped to inform learning and analyse trends in order to target improvements, noting that the nature of some complaints were outside the control of the Council. Councillor Andrew Parkhurst welcomed the work being undertaken to improve complaints handling and publicise the Council’s complaints procedure. In response to a question on Members’ complaints communicated to officers, the Customer Contact Service Manager advised that performance data was based on complaints reported directly to the Corporate Complaints Team. In response to comments on comparison of performance across Wales, Matthew Harris provided context on the proportion of complaints referred to the PSOW and he welcomed the reduction in referrals in Flintshire for the first half of 2022/23 compared with the previous year. He agreed with the point raised by the Chief Officer (Planning, Environment & Economy) that public interest reports raised the public profile of the PSOW, which could be one of the factors contributing to the increase in premature complaints. The Chair suggested that the Committee may wish to request additional information for the next report to show how feedback had helped to identify changes to improve services. In response to a further suggestion, the Chief Officer (Governance) advised that demonstrating outcomes from community feedback already formed part of the corporate self-assessment. The recommendations, as amended, were moved and seconded by Councillor Bernie Attridge and Rev Brian Harvey. RESOLVED: (a) That the Committee notes the annual performance of the Council in respect of complaints made to the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales during 2021-22; (b) That the Committee notes the 2022-23 half year performance of the Council in respect of complaints made to services in line with its complaints procedure; (c) That the Committee supports the actions outlined in paragraph 1.15 to improve complaints handling across the Council; and (d) That the Committee requests additional information for the next report to demonstrate how community feedback helps to identify changes to improve service delivery.

The Strategic Finance Manager presented the draft Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 and associated documents for review and recommendation to Cabinet, along with a quarterly update on Treasury Management activities for 2022/23 for information. The officer reported no significant changes to the strategy and highlighted key areas on the economic context, the Council’s anticipated treasury position with focus on borrowing and a continuation of the investment strategy. The quarterly update for 2022/23 reported the position on investments at December 2022 along with long and short term borrowing portfolios. In response to a question from Allan Rainford, officers advised that whilst the Public Works Loans Board (PWLB) was the preferred borrowing option, the potential for issuing Bonds would be explored in conjunction with advice from Arlingclose. It was also clarified that no further changes were expected to the team structure set out in the Practice Schedules. Officers agreed to look into Rev Brian Harvey’s suggestion that reference to the Climate Change Strategy be included in section 1.03 of the Treasury Management Policy Statement, in addition to that already included in the Strategy. Following a query by Councillor Bernie Attridge on clause 3 of the Treasury Management Code referenced in the Practical Guide for Local Authorities’ Audit Committees, officers agreed to share a written response to clarify the roles of this Committee and Cabinet on treasury management reporting. The recommendations were moved and seconded by Allan Rainford and Councillor Bernie Attridge. RESOLVED: (a) That having reviewed the draft Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 and accompanying documents, the Committee has no specific issues to be reported to Cabinet on 23 February 2023; and (b) That the Treasury Management 2022/23 quarterly update be noted.

The Chief Executive introduced the report on the annual review of the Code of Corporate Governance prior to consideration by the Constitution & Democratic Services Committee in March. He highlighted key areas including the roles of the Corporate Governance Working Group and the seven principles of good practice applied to the Code. The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager advised of a minor change in the removal of reference to the emergency response from the pandemic. The recommendation was moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Linda Thomas. RESOLVED: That the updated Code of Corporate Governance be endorsed for adoption as part of the Council’s Constitution.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the regular update on progress against the Plan, final reports issued, action tracking, performance indicators and current investigations. Since the last report, no Red (limited assurance) reports had been issued and 35 of the 58 overdue actions were high or medium priority. As requested by the Chair, the officer provided an update on progress with overdue high priority actions including those older than six months from the original due date. Following the report on Maes Gwern contractual arrangements at the previous meeting, a detailed positive update was given on the current position including capital receipts received to date. On ‘O’ Licenses, due dates had been extended due to the impact of staffing issues in Streetscene & Transportation and would be progressed following the current recruitment exercise. In agreement with the Chief Officer, the Internal Audit team would be identifying ways of adding value to that service through a lean review in next year’s Audit Plan. It was agreed that an update on progress with actions from the Homelessness and Temporary Accommodation review would be shared once available, noting the current pressures within that service. In response to questions from Councillor Andrew Parkhurst, the officer explained that the deferment of the audit on Section 106 Agreements was due to a management review and would be scheduled in the 2023/24 Audit Plan. She detailed the process for encouraging and supporting key officers to update the system on overdue actions and provided clarification on the reasons behind some reviews involving extended revised due dates. On the use of consultants, she shared background on historic issues prior to the introduction of strengthened processes. The recommendation was moved and seconded by Rev Brian Harvey and Councillor Allan Marshall. RESOLVED: That the report be accepted.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented an update on actions arising from previous meetings. The recommendation was moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Andrew Parkhurst. RESOLVED: That the report be accepted.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager presented the current Forward Work Programme for consideration. The recommendations were moved and seconded by Councillor Bernie Attridge and Rev Brian Harvey. RESOLVED: (a) That the Forward Work Programme be accepted; and (b) That the Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager, in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Committee, be authorised to vary the Forward Work Programme between meetings, as the need arises.

Exclusion of the press and public was moved and seconded by Councillors Bernie Attridge and Andrew Parkhurst. RESOLVED: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting as the following item was considered to be exempt by virtue of paragraph 12 and 13 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

None.