Venue: By Zoom. View directions
Contact: Wyn Richards 01597 826375
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Apologies To receive apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from: County Councillor Chris Walsh Independent / Lay Member Gareth Hall Officers: Lynette Lovell & Dr. Caroline Turner
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Disclosures of Interest To receive any disclosures of interest by Members relating to items to be considered at the meeting. Minutes: There were no Declarations of Interest from Members relating to items to be considered on the agenda.
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Minutes and Action Log |
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To authorise the Chair to sign the minutes of the previous meetings held as follows: 20-01-2022 09-02-2023 Additional documents: Minutes: Documents Considered: 20-01-23 – Agreed by all present as a true and accurate reflection of the meeting and ratified accordingly by the Chair. Proposed Cllr G Breeze, seconded by J Brautigam
09-02-23 – Agreed by all present as a true and accurate reflection of the meeting and ratified accordingly by the Chair. Proposed Cllr G Breeze, seconded by J Brautigam
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Action Log To discuss the Committee’s Action Log which will be presented at the meeting. Minutes: Action log trackers presented by the Scrutiny Manager and Head of Democratic Services, informal tracker developed by DS team, Committee members have been forwarded links to view trackers.
Outcomes: The Committee agreed to proceed with the Action log/ tracker.
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Corporate Fraud and Error - Quarter 4 Report PDF 67 KB To receive and consider the report of the Head of Finance. Additional documents: Minutes: Documents Considered: · Quarter 4 report
Issues Discussed: · Overpayment and Rebill Figures (these are recoverable) have improved further since report issued, £409k to add. · Income gains/saved and/or additional revenue for the Council have increased since report was issued by an additional £203k. · Net Consent – BI asked to establish which of the 650 employees, who have not accepted policies, are still working for Council and which services they belong to and are working on this still. · E-Learning Fraud Module updated subject to translation when completed will roll-out. · Fraud Training for Members to be rolled out as and when requested/needed but post E-Learning Fraud module completion. · Internal Audit SWAP fraud risk assessment – all tasks completed bar one. · Fraud Risk assessments – will be undertaken once SWAP has finished its work if directed/required. Planning workshops with service areas to look at areas to be considered (or have been highlighted by SWAP work) · Fraud External website – work completed. Fraud hotline established. Apparently been advised cannot have ‘fraud report button’ on the intranet – this was available on the old intranet and used frequently so may miss reports by this now not being available. · Fraud and corruption risk actions – intend to give Head of Finance bi-annual report with identified risks and issues (first report already complete and submitted). Committee asked if any items to be added to work programme for the team. · Code of Conduct for officers and Members – being reviewed by HR and Legal services.
Questions:
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Treasury Management - Quarter 3 Report PDF 65 KB To receive and consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Transformation. Additional documents: Minutes: Documents Considered: · Treasury Management Q3 Report ending 31st December 2022 in line with CIPFA guidance.
Issues Discussed: · Interest rate continues to climb, which enables the Council to earn money on surplus cash. · The Council has a significant Capital programme currently with 42% borrowing which is expected to fall by the end of the year. · £10m loans will give a discounted saving over the long-term. · Net revenue stream has increased for 2023/24 onwards due to an increased settlement from WG, however, higher interest rates have increased the financing costs. · Sundry debt update as at 19.01.23 with KPI’s and economics update provided by Link as ay 31st Dec 2022.
Questions:
Outcomes: The Committee noted: · Continuing discussion with PTHB in respect of sundry debt · Ongoing VAT recovery work and training.
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SWAP Audit Planning Report Quarter 1, 2023-24 PDF 198 KB To receive and consider the report of the Assistant Director (SWAP). Minutes: Documents Considered: · Q1 Report 2023-24
Issues Discussed: · Internal Audit Planning Report. Committee asked to approve the interim plan. · SWAP looking to build long term assurances which link to corporate priorities. · Interim plan will be replaced with longer term plan (over 12 months). This will be the start of a basis assurance map. · Interim plan includes items carried forward from Q4 to be completed and includes work identified.
Questions:
Outcomes: The Committee approved interim plan with the expectation that an annual plan for sign off will be provided in Q4 with clarity on allocated timescales for service improvements and also performance against the plan. |
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Audit Wales - Outline Audit Plans PDF 293 KB To receive and consider the Audit Wales Outline Audit Plans in respect of:
(i) Powys County Council (ii) Powys Pension Fund Additional documents: Minutes: Documents Considered: Outline Audit Plans – PCC and Powys Pension Fund
Issues Discussed:
Planning commenced later due to accounts not signed off until Jan 2023. International ISA315 standard revised, with a new process for identifying and assessing the risks of material misstatements in accounts. Audit Wales expect to have a detailed plan to Committee by July 23 with results of Risk assessment. Link to fee scheme confirmed by the Senedd. Future timetable would be to sign off accounts in November 2023, aim to return to Pre-COVID September accounts sign-off in 2-3 years. Similar timetable for the Pension Fund, end of November 2023 to meet the statutory deadline for the pension fund.
Head of Finance added that the longer timeframes are disappointing. The Council will still be aiming to meet earlier closedowns i.e., end of June.
Questions:
Outcomes: · The Audit Wales detailed plan to be added to the Forward Work Programme for July 2023
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To receive and review the Council’s debt policies. Additional documents: Minutes: Documents Considered: Sundry Debtors – Invoicing Collection and Recovery Policy Billing Collection and Recovery Framework Jan 2022
Issues Discussed: Income and Awards council tax and business rates align to the All Wales Policy. The sundry debtor’s policy is held under a separate framework and amended last year re: authorisation element of write off. Liability orders are made prior to involvement of enforcement agents. All matters are for recovery, sundry debt recovery may use enforcement agents but would be a rare occurrence.
Outcomes: Committee to be notified of Sundry Debt policy updates.
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Duplicate Payment - Winter Fuel Grant PDF 64 KB To receive and consider the report of the Head of Finance. Additional documents: Minutes: Documents Considered: Duplicate Payment – Winter Fuel Grant
Issues Discussed: The report provides an update on the duplicate payments of fuel support grant made to recipients in October 2022 Report gives breakdown of collected and amount remaining outstanding, Training to avoid repetition in future. Have sufficient measures been put in place to ensure it does not reoccur, also to consider whether a level of debt will need to be written off.
Outcomes: Noted
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Risk Deep Dives |
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Welsh Community Care Information System (WCCIS) PDF 74 KB (i) To receive and consider an extract of the Strategic Risk Register in relation to WCCIS.
(ii) To receive and consider a presentation by the Service at the meeting.
Minutes: The Committee considered an extract of the Strategic Risk Register in relation to WCCIS and a presentation by the Service with the majority of questions heard in confidential session as per the below Resolution.
RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 3 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).
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Social Care Provider Failure PDF 70 KB (i) To receive and consider an extract of the Strategic Risk Register in relation to Social Care Provider Failure.
(ii) To receive and consider a presentation by the Service at the meeting.
Minutes: The Committee in confidential session considered an extract of the Strategic Risk Register in relation to Social Care Provider failure and a presentation by the Service as per the below Resolution.
RESOLVED to exclude the public for the following item of business on the grounds that there would be disclosure to them of exempt information under category 3 of The Local Authorities (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007).
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Working Groups - Feedback Reports To receive and consider feedback reports from the following Working Groups: Minutes: Issues Discussed: Internal Working Group has not met yet scheduled April 2023 Reports will come to meetings as they move forward.
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Minutes: HOWPS Working Group: - Feedback Report received.
Outcomes: - noted
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Additional documents: Minutes: HTR Working Group: - Feedback Report received.
Outcomes: - noted
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Capital Working Group PDF 66 KB Minutes: Capital Working Group: - Feedback Report received.
Outcomes: - noted
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Finance Panel - Feedback Report To receive an oral feedback report from the Committee’s representative on the Finance Panel, Gareth Hall. Minutes: Outcomes: Gareth Hall has offered apologies for this meeting, therefore the report to be re-scheduled for the next G&A Committee meeting.
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To consider the forward work programme (attached) and consider whether any additional items should be included. Minutes: To consider the forward work programme and whether any additional items should be included.
Outcomes: - Noted
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