Agenda item

To provide the Committee with the latest Audit Wales’ reports in respect of the Council’s services and to provide the opportunity for Members to review the progress made to date by the Council in implementing the recommendations.

The Service Director Democratic Services and Communication presented the report to Members to provide the Committee with the latest Audit Wales’ reports in respect of the Council’s services and to provide the opportunity for Members to review the progress made to date by the Council in implementing the recommendations.

In 2021/22, Audit Wales conducted an examination of each Council’s overall arrangements and approach to transforming, adapting and maintaining the delivery of services.  The review focussed on how the Council is approaching this in relation to Strategic management of its assets and the Strategic management of its workforce

For Members information, there were no matters highlighted by the Governance and Audit Committee at the 7th September 2022 meeting for referral back to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Service Director Finance and Improvement Services continued through the detail of the report which detailed the one recommendation from Audit Wales.  “The Council needs to ensure the sustainable development principle is driving and shaping its approach to all its assets.  For example, the Council should develop a longer-term approach to its assets; and the Council will need to fully integrate its workforce and digital strategies with its longer-term plans for its assets.  He referred Members to Appendix 1a which sets out how the Council is undertaking the actions that will address this recommendation.  

A Member asked which Committee the Corporate Asset Management plan is reported to.  The Service Director Finance and Improvement Services advised that it is reported to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee periodically as it is refreshed.  As it contains confidential information, it is reported as an exempt item for pre-scrutiny. 

A Member stated that the Management of the Councils assets could be reviewed, particularly in relation to hybrid working of staff and how this is being managed in relation to isolation and staff wellbeing.  Another Member added to this and stressed the importance of staying connected with staff, particularly those that run the risk of being isolated when working from home and ensuring their wellbeing is prioritised

The Service Director responded that we would expect to see principles such as best use of assets in town centres running through the Corporate Asset Management Plan to support the regeneration of our town centres.  With reference to the Wellbeing of staff he reassured Members that there is ongoing engagement of staff such as surveys on home and office working as well as local engagements within teams also undertaken.  The shared use of buildings between service areas is undertaken with regular feedback with staff to ensure it continues to provide best use of the council’s assets and staff resource.

A member asked if the Authority will review the Community profile to ensure the equitable distribution of assets, and if child poverty levels for example will be taken into consideration when reviewing this so we can best support assets for the communities that need it most.

The Service Director Finance and Improvement Services advised that the Councils approach in the management of their assets will ensure that facilities are in place to best support our communities, location will be of paramount importance and reassured Members that it will be ensured they are of sufficient quality, particularly in relation to energy efficiency and Climate Change so they are managed in a sustainable way.  The Service Director Democratic Services and Communications added that when making these decisions, as part of the Impact Equality Assessment, a Socio Economic Assessment is also undertaken, going forward a public Health impact assessment will also be undertaken which all requirements for key decisions are taken in Wales

In response to a question, the Service Director Finance and Improvement Services confirmed the timeline in place for the Strategic Asset Management Plan, the draft Corporate Asset Management plan will be drafted by 31 March 2023 and Members will be able to review from then

A Member referred to the disposal of assets and commented that the process for our Community partners to undertake this can be quite a timely and complex process and asked if the governance of this could be streamlined?

The Service Director Finance and Improvement confirmed that the Asset Transfer process is part of the Corporate Plan Action Priority Plan which is currently in the process of being reviewed and will continue to be reviewed as we receive feedback from our partners in the voluntary sector to ensure it is fit for purpose whilst ensuring due diligence is applied throughout the process

RESOLVED:

1.    Members scrutinised the progress updates (Appendix 1a – Strategic Asset Management and Appendix 2a – Workforce Planning). 

2.    Considered the progress made by Council Services to date in implementing recommendations reported by Audit Wales and determine whether further information and / or further progress updates are required. 

3.    Considered whether there are any matters of a governance, internal control or risk management nature that require referral to the Council’s Governance and Audit Committee.