This meeting considered a wide range of assurance and governance issues, including the work programme of Audit Wales, partnerships the council is involved with, counter fraud arrangements, and compliance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS).

Audit Wales Work Programme and Timetable

Audit Wales submitted a report to the committee that updated them on the status of a large number of their current and planned pieces of work.

Financial Audits

Audit Wales told the committee they had commenced their audit of the council's 2023-24 statement of accounts. The audit is anticipated to be completed in February 2025.

They also told the committee that they were undertaking audits of six of the council's grants that require annual audits. These audits are anticipated to be completed in March 2025.

Audit Wales also told the committee that they would commence an audit of Blackwood Arts Centre in early December, which would be completed by January 2025. Blackwood Arts Centre is a charity. This year they received more than £1 million in income, which requires the charity to undergo a ‘full audit’ in accordance with Charity Commission requirements.

Performance Audits

Audit Wales told the committee about a number of performance audits they have either completed or are undertaking:

• They provided the committee with a copy of the final report of their thematic review on the flow of patients out of hospital, which looked at what each of the Gwent region councils are doing to address the issue. The report, which looks at the risks of social care provision in supporting hospital discharge, preventing hospital admissions and steps being taken to provide medium to longer-term solutions, was published in September 2024.
• They told the committee they had completed their fieldwork on two thematic reviews: one on councils’ arrangements for commissioning, and how they apply value for money considerations and the sustainable development principle; the second review, on councils’ financial sustainability, focuses on the actions, plans and arrangements to bridge funding gaps and address financial pressures over the medium term. The report on commissioning will be published in March 2025, and the financial sustainability report will be published in July 2024.
• Audit Wales also told the committee that they had completed the fieldwork on their review of the council's cyber security arrangements, and that they would be issuing a draft report in Autumn 2024. The review considered the council's arrangements against the National Cyber Security Centre's '10 Steps to Cyber Security'. In particular, they looked at:
  1. Whether there is an effective approach to identifying and understanding cyber security risks
  2. Whether appropriate controls are in place to mitigate cyber resilience risks
  3. Whether the council is effectively monitoring and able to respond to cyber security incidents
• They also told the committee about three local projects they will be undertaking:
  • Scoping of a review to determine the effectiveness of the council’s scrutiny arrangements, which will run from November 2024 – April 2025
  • Scoping of a review to follow up on the recommendations they made in their July 2023 Waste Management Review report, which will begin in Spring 2025

National Studies

The report also listed a number of national studies Audit Wales have planned or are undertaking:

• A study on the costs and demand of temporary accommodation, and how services are working together to progress the response to it. This report is expected to be published in early 2025.

Other

Audit Wales' report also provided an update on the work of Estyn and Care Inspectorate Wales, as well as providing a list of all of the national reports and other outputs they have published or are working on.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The committee received a report that updated them on the way the council tracks its involvement in partnerships and collaborations. The council has kept a register of its involvement in partnerships since 2014.

The report states that the council defines partnerships and collaborations as:

“‘significant’ in that they have higher resource commitment, are longer-term, are managing joint budgets or funding, are higher risk, are ensuring cross-border co-ordination, are statutory or are delivering joint services.”

The report provided an overview of how the council defines the different types of partnership they may be involved in, and the benefits and risks of working in partnership. The report also states that the register will be updated annually, and that the Corporate Governance Panel will:

“determine the significance of partnerships and may advise Heads of Service to either add or remove entries.”

The report included an appendix that lists 41 current partnerships, which are described in detail below.

Partnerships within the Economy and Environment Directorate

Gwent Health Protection Service

The Gwent Health Protection Service is a partnership between the five Gwent councils, and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. The partnership supports public health protection measures and responds to future threats.

Cardiff Capital Region City Deal

The committee were told that the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal is a formal partnership, jointly delivered by the 10 South East Wales councils.

The report described the city deal as being:

“supported by an additional £120m committed from the 10 local authority partners.”

The report lists four regional bodies that have been established under the city deal:

1. Regional Transport Authority
2. Regional Economic Growth Partnership
3. Regional Business Organisation
4. Skills and Employment Board

The partnership, which will run until 2036, aims to:

“Improve the economic conditions of the area, improve productivity, tackle worklessness, invest in physical and digital infrastructure, and provide support to business. Deliver the South Wales Metro.”

Valleys Regional Park

The Valleys Regional Park is described as being a partnership between over 60 organisations working to deliver environmental, heritage and tourism activities across the former South Wales Coalfield.

The report explains that the partnership, which is ongoing, involves organisations from:

“environment, tourism, local government, and higher education”

It aims to:

“Change the reality and perception of the Valleys as a highly-desirable place to live, work and visit.”

South Wales Regional Waste Management Group

The committee were told about the South Wales Regional Waste Management Group, which is a collaboration between local authorities in South East and South West Wales, and involves joint funding of a regional waste coordinator.

The coordinator undertakes a range of work on behalf of member local authorities, including training, regional contract procurement, etc.

Prosiect Gwyrdd Residual Waste Contract

Prosiect Gwyrdd Residual Waste Contract is a joint delivery partnership between Caerphilly, Cardiff and Monmouthshire councils, which is part of the Welsh Government’s recycling and composting programme and strategy.

The report explains that the Welsh Government are:

“contributing year on year 25% of the gate fee for the for the 25-year programme (with option of a 5 year extension).”

Cardiff Council are the lead authority for the project, which is expected to run until 2041.

Keep Wales Tidy

The report states that the council are a formal partner in Keep Wales Tidy, which involves all of the local authorities in Wales. The partnership aims to:

“Enhance local environmental quality and biodiversity.”

SuDS Approval Body (SAB)

The report states that the council are the lead authority for a formal partnership with Torfaen Council called the SuDS Approval Body (SAB), which is a new statutory function under Schedule 3 of the Flood Water Management Act 2010.

“From January 2019 to evaluate and approve drainage applications and adopt and maintain surface water drainage systems.”

Civil Parking Enforcement

The council are involved in two other collaborations related to civil parking enforcement: one with the councils of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, in which the councils share notice processing and administration/back-office functions; the other, of which Caerphilly are the lead authority, provides front line enforcement services to Blaenau Gwent council.

Active Gwent

Active Gwent is a regional collaboration with the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen that aims to increase physical activity across the region.

Aaron Ramsey Foundation

The council have an informal collaboration with the Aaron Ramsey Foundation, which aims to increase physical and educational activity.

Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent Local Action Group

The report states that the Caerphilly and Blaenau Gwent Local Action Group is an EU funded programme that is:

“managed centrally by the Welsh Government”

The programme, which runs until 2020, aims to:

“Foster the competitiveness of agriculture. Ensure sustainable management of natural resources. Balanced territorial development of rural economies including the creation and maintenance of employment.”

Gwent Green Grid

The Gwent Green Grid is a formal partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen, Natural Resources Wales and partner agencies.

The report states that the partnership aims to:

“develop, promote and support resilient ecological nature networks and landscape level biodiversity projects.”

It lists a number of outcomes the partnership is hoping to achieve:

• Well-being benefits
• Nature-based training opportunities
• Community/voluntary action
• Habitat management

Invasive Plant Species Problem

The council leads an informal collaboration with the councils of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr, Blaenau Gwent, and Torfaen that seeks to collaborate to control invasive plant species.

Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Triangle

The Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal Triangle is a joint delivery, EU funded programme with Torfaen CBC and the Canal and Rivers Trust that runs until 2020.

The report states that the project:

“already have a joint scheme with TCBC on Mynydd Maen targeting access and the environment.”

It aims to:

“Develop outdoor recreation, tourism and leisure activity. Develop the economic potential of the canal and natural upland landscape.”

Upland Commons of South East Wales

The Upland Commons of South East Wales is a formal partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, as well as Commoners Associations and Gwent Wildlife Trust, which aims to:

“Support landscape-scale delivery projects that provide benefits to the economy and local communities.”

Gelligaer and Merthyr Commons Partnership

The committee were told that the Gelligaer and Merthyr Commons Partnership is a collaborative project between Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil councils and Gelligaer and Merthyr Commoners Association. It is funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund.

The report explains that it aims to:

“promote positive use of the upland landscape.”

South East Wales Biodiversity Record Centre

The South East Wales Biodiversity Record Centre is a collaborative project that brings together data from all of the South East Wales local authorities.

The report states that the project aims to provide:

“Collation, management and dissemination of biodiversity data for South East Wales.”

Greater Gwent Crematorium

Greater Gwent Crematorium is a joint delivery and joint committee partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire, and Torfaen that aims to:

“Joint delivery of crematory services to the five local authorities.”

Joint Working Registration Districts – Gwent

The report states that the council are party to a Memorandum of Understanding with the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, which:

“enable registration of births in local offices irrespective of place of birth within the Gwent area at the local/home registration office.”

Gwent Coroner Service

The Gwent Coroner Service is hosted by Newport City Council and is a statutory partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire and Torfaen.

Gwent Local Resilience Forum

The Gwent Local Resilience Forum is a statutory partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen.

The report states that the forum involves:

“Collaboration on emergency planning and resilience services.”

Monmouth and Brecon Canals Regeneration Group

The Monmouth and Brecon Canals Regeneration Group is an informal collaboration between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen.

Building Consultancy Services

The Building Consultancy Services is a regional collaboration between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, in which the councils share expertise by providing and receiving building design services to and from each other.

Safer Gwent

Safer Gwent is described as a formal partnership that:

“Takes a regional approach to community safety delivery across Gwent.”

The report states that it involves the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, as well as Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, Gwent Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Newport Social Services.

“Support Officers hosted by Caerphilly on behalf of the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner.”

The report explains that the partnership aims to:

“Coordination of collaborative opportunities to inform and redesign the community safety landscape on a regional basis to support local delivery.”

Gwent Violence Against Women Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Board

The Gwent Violence Against Women Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Board is described as being both a formal and a statutory partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, as well as Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, Gwent Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Newport Social Services.

The report explains that the board, which is hosted by Newport, delivers the requirements of the Violence Against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Act 2015 on behalf of the responsible authorities on a regional basis.

The report lists the following areas of work that the board is involved with:

• Needs assessment
• Development of strategic objectives
• A regional strategy and associated action plan.

Gwent Substance Misuse Area Planning Board

The Gwent Substance Misuse Area Planning Board is a formal and statutory partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, as well as Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, Gwent Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Newport Social Services.

The report states that the board commissions regional substance misuse services on behalf of a number of different organisations.

The report explains that the board, which is hosted by Newport City Council, aims to develop a strategy to reduce substance misuse, and manages Welsh Government revenue and capital funding to provide substance misuse treatment services.

Gwent CONTEST Board

The Gwent CONTEST Board oversees regional arrangements for the delivery of the Government’s Counter-Terrorism strategy.

The board, which is a formal and statutory partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, as well as Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, Gwent Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Newport Social Services, aims to:

“Prepare, Protect, Prevent/Channel and Local Profiles.”

Illegal Off-Road Biking Project

The Illegal Off-Road Biking Project is a formal partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen, as well as Gwent Police. The project, which is funded through the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund, aims to:

“tackle off-road biking.”

Provision of Public Open Space CCTV Services for Blaenau Gwent CBC

The council has a formal partnership with Blaenau Gwent CBC in which they provide CCTV services for public open spaces. These services include camera fault diagnosis and reporting, retrospective requests for footage, and live monitoring in response to Gwent Police requests.

Partnerships within the Social Services and Housing Directorate

Gwent Social Services and Well-being Regional Partnership Board and sub partnerships

The Gwent Social Services and Well-being Regional Partnership Board, which is a statutory partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, as well as Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations and Third Sector Voluntary Action, is described as having a number of collaborative sub partnerships:

• Mental Health and Learning Disability Partnership
• Gwent Adults Strategic Partnership
• Children and Families Partnership
• Carers Board
• Dementia Board

Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly Youth Offending Service

The report states that the Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly Youth Offending Service is a statutory and joint delivery partnership with Blaenau Gwent Council.

The report explains that a Gwent-wide service is under consideration.

Gwent Workforce Development Board

The Gwent Workforce Development Board is a joint delivery partnership between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, and the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, that aims to deliver collaboration on workforce development across social care in both authorities.

Deputyship Team

The Deputyship Team is a joint delivery partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr that aims to manage the finances and property of residents who are unable to manage their own affairs.

Gwent Wide Integrated Community Equipment Service

The Gwent Wide Integrated Community Equipment Service is a joint delivery partnership between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, that aims to promote independent living for people receiving short term, long term, and end of life care.

South East Wales Adoption Service (SEWAS)

The South East Wales Adoption Service (SEWAS) is a joint delivery partnership hosted by Blaenau Gwent Council that involves the councils of Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen.

South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme

The report states that the South East Wales Shared Lives Scheme is a formal partnership between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil and Rhondda Cynon Taf, that aims to support people in carers' homes and in the community.

South East Wales Emergency Duty Team

The South East Wales Emergency Duty Team is a joint delivery partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen that provides an out of hours response to emergency calls to social services.

Deprivation of Liberties Team

The Deprivation of Liberties Team is a joint delivery partnership between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, that coordinates and manages assessments related to the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards.

In One Place – Mental Health and Substance Misuse

In One Place is a formal collaboration between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Gwent Registered Social Landlords and the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, that aims to:

“Streamline the process of obtaining suitable accommodation and support for people with complex health and social care needs.”

MAPPA (Multi-agency Public Protection Arrangements)

MAPPA is a statutory partnership delivered in accordance with the provisions of sections 325 to 327B of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. The partnership involves the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, and aims to successfully manage violent and sexual offenders.

South East Wales Safeguarding Children Board

The South East Wales Safeguarding Children Board is a statutory partnership that operates as set out in the Children Act 2004. The partnership involves the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, and aims to:

“agree how relevant organisations cooperate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.”

Gwent Wide Adult Safeguarding Board

The Gwent Wide Adult Safeguarding Board is a statutory partnership that operates as set out in the Social Services and Well-being Act 2014. The partnership involves the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, and aims to:

“Actively prevent adults being abused and neglected and safeguard those who are at risk of abuse.”

Gwent Regional Collaborating Committee - Supporting People

The Gwent Regional Collaborating Committee - Supporting People is a formal partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, that aims to:

“Identify collaborative opportunities for cross-border commissioning.”

Council House Development Forum

The Council House Development Forum is a joint delivery partnership involving all of the stock holding authorities in Wales.

The report states that the forum:

“To look at collaboration opportunities to deliver new affordable homes at scale and pace.”

Affordable Homes Partnership

The Affordable Homes Partnership is a formal partnership with United Welsh Housing Association, Pobl, Linc Cymru, and Wales & West Housing Association, Bron Afon, that seeks to improve collaboration in relation to the management, operation and delivery of affordable homes and tackling homelessness.

Partnerships within the Education and Corporate Services Directorate

Education Achievement Service South East Wales

The Education Achievement Service South East Wales is a joint delivery and formal partnership between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen that aims to:

“raise standards of education across the five authorities.”

Sensory and Communication Support Service Collaboration (SENCOM)

The Sensory and Communication Support Service Collaboration (SENCOM) is a joint delivery partnership with the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen that delivers a combined sensory and communications service.

The report states that it provides:

“a seamless coordinated support service for children who are deaf, vision-impaired, and/or have communication and interaction difficulty. One Stop Shop for Families. Shared expertise. Increased efficiencies.”

The combined service is hosted by Torfaen County Borough Council.

Early Years Integration Transformation Programme

The report states that the Early Years Integration Transformation Programme is a national and regional joint delivery, formal partnership with the councils of Blaenau Gwent and Newport, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board and Public Health Wales.

The programme, which is delivered in each local area under their Public Service Board, aims to:

“Maximise investment in the early years of a child’s life to build resilience across the whole of their lives, thus helping to reduce the demand on services in the future.”

Welsh Education Forum (WEF)

The report states that the Welsh Education Forum (WEF) is a formal partnership between the council, the Welsh Government, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Mudiad Meithrin, Menter Iaith, Schools, RhAG, Urdd, Parent Network, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol, Coleg Gwent, Coleg y Cymoedd, the Education Achievement Service South East Wales and the Welsh Language Champion.

The partnership aims to:

“coordinate, oversee and deliver activity to meet the requirements of the Welsh in Education Strategic Plan (WESP)”

The WEF, which is expected to run for the next 10 years, aims to deliver the WESP action plan to meet the goal of 26% of year 1 learners attending Welsh medium primary schools by 2032.

WLGA National Procurement Network and Welsh Government Commercial Division

The report states that the council are part of the WLGA National Procurement Network and Welsh Government Commercial Division, which it describes as being a:

“cross public sector collaboration to procure common and repetitive spend for Wales.”

South East Wales Procurement Delivery Group

The South East Wales Procurement Delivery Group is a joint delivery partnership between the 11 local authorities in the region, and South Wales Fire Service.

EdTech

EdTech is a regional collaboration between the Welsh Government and all 22 local authorities.

The report explains that the partnership aims to:

“Provide strategic commercial leadership in relation to the procurement of EdTech products and services for all 22 local authorities in Wales.”

Gwent Adult Community Learning Partnership

The Gwent Adult Community Learning Partnership is a local collaboration between Coleg Gwent, Aneurin Leisure and the councils of Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, that aims to:

“To offer a wide range of adult education/ job related training courses.”

Adult Education Franchise Arrangements

The council have Adult Education Franchise Arrangements with two local further education colleges: Coleg Gwent and Coleg y Cymoedd. They aim to offer a wide range of adult education/ job related training courses.

Cardiff Capital Region Regional Skills Partnership

The report states that the council are a partner in the Cardiff Capital Region Regional Skills Partnership, which is led by Torfaen Council.

The report explains that the partnership aims to:

“Develop and deliver an employability programme to meet the needs of residents and support economically inactive participants to increase skills and meet labour market need.”

LMS Cymru

LMS Cymru is a national formal partnership between all of the Welsh local authorities. It is procured by Gwynedd CBC.

The report states that the project aims to deliver a single library management system across all of the library services in Wales.

The report lists the following potential benefits of the scheme:

• Greater collaboration and the need to deliver efficiency savings within local authorities
• Working for the benefit of all public library users in Wales
• Working together to ensure consistent reporting
• Ensuring system security and data security.

B4U

B4U is a regional inter-lending library stock platform that allows partner libraries to lend and borrow stock from each other.

All Wales Library Service Purchasing Consortia

The council are a member of the All Wales Library Service Purchasing Consortia, which includes representatives from all of the library services in Wales. The consortia oversees contracts, acquisitions and purchase of library stock and digital services. The consortia reports to the Society of Chief Librarians Wales.

WASPI Board

The council are involved in the WASPI Board, which is a national collaboration across the Welsh public sector that aims to:

“Streamline personal information sharing to assist timely service delivery”

WASPI South East Wales Regional Partnership

The WASPI South East Wales Regional Partnership is a regional collaboration between the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, as well as Gwent Police and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The report explains that:

“CCBC organises, each member reports recommendations back to their own organisation. Meets twice per year but collaborates via email when needed.”

Wales Community Care Information System (WCCIS) Information Governance Delivery Group

The Wales Community Care Information System (WCCIS) Information Governance Delivery Group is a national collaboration between representatives from all of the Welsh councils and health boards.

The report states that the group aims to:

“Ensure all partners to WCCIS are assured that system will not expose them to data protection risk and will achieve service delivery benefits.”

South Wales Information Forum

The South Wales Information Forum is a regional collaboration that brings together representatives from the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr, Pembrokeshire, Powys, Bridgend, Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff, as well as South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Gwent Police, and Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

The report explains that the partnership aims to share best practice to make best use of resources in each organisation.

Cymru Warning, Advice and Reporting Point (WARP)

The Cymru Warning, Advice and Reporting Point (WARP) is a national collaboration across the Welsh public sector that aims to:

“improve cyber security resilience across the Welsh public sector.”

The report states that the partnership:

“Ensure all partners receive and share up-to-date advice on information security threats, incidents and solutions.”

Child Protection Legal Service

The council provide a child protection legal service to Blaenau Gwent’s Social Services Department.

Gwent Archives

The report states that Gwent Archives is the:

“Official archive service for Monmouthshire/Gwent.”

The joint delivery and joint committee partnership involves the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen.

The report explains that the partnership provides custody of historic records, management of legal and administrative records, and public search and advice facilities.

Glamorgan Archives

The report states that Glamorgan Archives is the official archive service for the former Glamorgan/Mid Glamorgan and South Glamorgan authorities.

The joint delivery and joint committee partnership involves the councils of Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Bridgend, Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan.

The report explains that the partnership provides custody of historic records, management of legal and administrative records, and public search and advice facilities.

Gwent Public Services Board and collaborative sub-groups

The Gwent Public Services Board is a statutory partnership between the five Gwent councils, Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, Gwent Police, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Newport Social Services, Public Health Wales, the Welsh Government, and Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations.

The board, which is responsible for developing and delivering the Well-being Plan for the region, also has a number of collaborative sub-groups.

The report lists the following areas the partnership is involved in:

• Assessment of the well-being of the area
• Development of well-being objectives
• The regional Well-being Plan.

Gwent MOD Regional Armed Forces Support

Gwent MOD Regional Armed Forces Support provides support to the five Gwent councils. The partnership is hosted by Caerphilly.

The report states that the partnership aims to deliver improved coordination of support to serving forces, veterans and their families living in the county borough.

Community Cohesion

The report states that the council are involved in the delivery of the Welsh Government’s National Community Cohesion Strategy.

The joint delivery partnership involves the councils of Blaenau Gwent, Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen, and the coordinator is hosted by Torfaen.

The partnership aims to mainstream community cohesion and deliver the objectives of the national strategy.

Gwent Strategic Well-being Assessment Group

The Gwent Strategic Well-being Assessment Group is described as being a:

“Joint regional Well-being Assessment Group on behalf of the 5 Gwent Local Authorities.”

The collaboration involves Aneurin Bevan University Health Board, Natural Resources Wales, Gwent Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and Public Health Wales.

The report states that it aims to:

“facilitate cross border assessment and planning under the Well-being of Future Generations Act.”

Updated Anti-Fraud Action Plan

The committee considered a report on an updated anti-fraud action plan that has been developed in response to the Audit Wales report ‘Review of Counter Fraud Arrangements in Caerphilly CBC’, which was presented to the committee on 8 October 2024.

The report explained that the updated action plan also includes recommendations from the Auditor General’s report ‘Raising Our Game’ - Tackling Fraud in Wales, which was published in July 2020.

The report outlined a number of areas where new procedures and policies had been developed, as well as areas where additional counter fraud processes were being implemented.

Peer Review of Internal Audit Services Compliance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS)

The committee received a report on the outcome of the External Quality Assessment (EQA) of the Internal Audit Section, which is undertaken every five years to ensure compliance with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS).

The report explained that the last review was conducted in 2018/19, and that the latest review was undertaken in March 2024. It also explained the assessment process, which included a self-assessment and a peer review.

The report stated that the assessment:

“concluded that the Caerphilly Internal Audit Section is currently conforming with the standards with 4 areas of partial conformance noted. There were no examples of non-conformance noted.”

The report stated that an overall assessment of ‘Generally Conforms’ with the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards was applicable. The report also provided an action plan to address the areas of partial conformance.

Update on Progress Against the Internal Audit Services Annual Plan 2024/25

The committee received a report on progress being made against the Internal Audit Services Annual Plan 2024/25, and other unplanned work to 31 October 2024. The original plan was presented to the committee in April 2024.

The report explained that the plan may be flexed, and audits reprioritised, due to emerging risks and new operational risks. It also provided a detailed breakdown of the status of all current audits, as well as the risk rating of any recommendations.

Update on Internal Audit Report Recommendations

The committee received a report that provided an update on the number of recommendations arising from Internal Audit reviews and their current status.

The report explained the process of risk rating and tracking recommendations, and the following statistics were presented to the committee:

• There were 2,480 recommendations that had been raised within the Pentana MK system, which has been in use since May 2019.
• 2,090 of these had been completed.
• 390 were in progress.
• 109 recommendations in progress related to closed audits. These were broken down as follows:
  • 8 related to 2022/23 audits, but have since been completed.
  • 89 related to 2023/24 audits.
  • 12 related to 2024/25 audits.
• 21 recommendations were overdue:
  • 3 were high risk.
  • 12 were medium risk.
  • 6 were ‘merits attention’¹.