Agenda item

To submit the following, as presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 7 December 2023 :-

·         The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer – Statement of Accounts 2022/2023.

·         The report of the Head of Profession (Human Resources) and Transformation – Annual Governance Statement 2022/2023.

·         The report of External Audit on the audit of the 2022/2023 financial statement.

(ISA 260 report).

Submitted – the report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer as presented to the Governance and Audit Committee on 7 December, 2023.

The Portfolio Member for Finance said that the Statement of the Accounts for 2022/2023 and ISA 260 Report has been discussed through the scrutiny process and was presented to the Governance and Audit Committee. The Wales Audit Office have accepted the reports without the requirement for any amendments.

Councillor Robert Ll Jones referred that the Statement of Accounts needed to be available for the residents to view as to how the financial resources of the Council is spent. He referred to the Pensions Scheme of the Council and ascertained whether a separate report could be afforded due to the complexity of the scheme. He further referred that the housing arrears have risen as people are having difficulties due to the cost-of-living crisis. He further referred to environmental issues and ascertained as to how the financial resources addresses the need within each service of the Council. He considered that the Environmental Champion needs to afford an annual report on the environmental strategy of the Council and the other 12 Champions should also afford an annual report on the areas of responsibility they are responsible for to demonstrate their efforts in promoting the services the represent. 4

In addressing the comments by Councillor R Ll Jones, the Portfolio Member for Finance said that Statement of Accounts are available on the Council’s website so that residents can view as to how the financial resources of the Council is spent and quarterly reports are submitted to the Executive. He noted that the Pension Scheme is administered by Gwynedd Council and regular reports and webcasting of the Pensions Committee is available on their website and is also open for the public to attend. The Portfolio Member for Children, Youth and Housing Services referred to comment made regards the increase in rent arrears and said that there is a Financial Inclusion Team within Housing Services who are available to provide advice and support to tenants if they are facing financial difficulties. He noted that the matter was discussed recently at the Executive, and it was emphasised as to the importance that tenants who are currently not eligible for housing benefits and financial support should be encouraged to contact the Council if they are suffering any financial hardship. In response to the comments as regards to the environment the Leader of the Council said that the Council has a corporate programme to reduce carbon footprint within each service of the Council and it is reported annually as regards to the progress made. She referred to the services Champions and noted that the work they undertake are included within reports afforded to the Council and she agreed that the role of the services Champions may need to be more apparent within services annual reports.

Councillor Aled M Jones referred that historical anomalies were experienced by some teachers as regards to their Teachers’ Pensions fund and he questioned whether this matter has now been resolved. He further referred as to whether Welsh Government will afford financial resources to rectify the RACC concrete issues within two secondary schools on the island. He referred also to the Wales Audit Office fee which has seen a rise of 20% which equates to £75k and he ascertained whether the WLGA could put pressure on Wales Audit Office as all local authorities are facing financial pressures on their budgets. Councillor Jones further ascertained as to whether part of the figure of £625k allocated towards Horizon’s archaeological studies within the Wylfa site can be refunded as the studies have now ceased on the site and the resources could be used to promote the site for development.

In response to the comments by Councillor Aled M Jones the Portfolio Member for Finance responded that the Teachers Pension fund is dealt with separately from the Gwynedd Pension Fund and teachers have been advised to view their pension fund and their record of employment. He further responded to the Wales Audit Office fee and noted that the Council is restricted in having to undertake the services of the Wales Audit Office and they can set their fees for the service provided. He said that he agreed with the comments that the WLGA could put pressure on Wales Audit Office and that he would raise the matter when attending future meetings of the WLGA. The Leader of the Council responded to the comments as regards to the RACC concrete issues within the two secondary schools affected and noted that negotiations are still ongoing with Welsh Government as to the financial assistance to rectify the situation. She further responded as to the comments made as to the sum of £625k allocated towards Horizon’s archaeological studies within the Wylfa Site and noted that the funding was part of a planning policy agreement with Horizon to develop the site. The Chief Executive said that archaeological items have been found on the site and statutory 5

duties will need to be conducted to treat those items and thereafter is hoped that they will be able to be displayed locally for public view.

Councillor Derek Owen highlighted that his name had been omitted from the list of Elected Members on the Wylfa Site Stakeholder Group as noted in Appendix 1 (Related Party Disclosure – Stakeholder Representation with Third Party Organisations) within the report.

It was RESOLVED:-

•                  To accept the Statement of Accounts for 2022/2023 and to authorise the Chair of the County Council and the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer to sign the accounts;

•                  • To note the increase in the Council Fund, underspend by £72k for the financial year 2022/2023, due to an amendment made during the audit period which impacted on the Council Fund. This increases the underspend for the year from £1.212m to £1.284m.