The Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including the council's approach to tackling poverty and inequalities, capital investment, and health and safety. The committee approved the Annual Complaints Monitoring Report for 2024/25 and agreed to publish it on the council's website. They also agreed to appoint Councillor Gail Macgregor to the Joint Safety Committee.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussion points:

Annual Complaints Monitoring Report

The committee approved the Annual Complaints Monitoring Report 2024-25 and agreed to its publication on the council's website, as required by the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO). The report Annual Complaints Monitoring Report 2024-25 - Appendix detailed the number of complaints received, how they were handled, and the outcomes. Key findings included:

• A total of 637 complaints were received, equating to 4.4 complaints per 1,000 population.
• 84.2% of complaints at Stage One were closed within the target timescale of five working days.
• The average time to close a Stage One complaint was 5.0 working days, while Stage Two complaints took an average of 30 working days.
• The most common complaint topics related to roads and transport, waste services, and education.

The report also highlighted improvements made to council services as a result of complaints, such as revised procedures for handling internal and external mail and the creation of a new resource for parents in relation to absence management.

Review of Council Wide Risks: Tackling Poverty and Inequalities

The committee reviewed the council's approach to tackling poverty and inequalities, noting existing measures and planned actions. They agreed that these were sufficient. The report Council Wide Risk - Tackling Poverty and Inequalities - Appendix highlighted the strategic risk posed by increasing levels of poverty and inequality across the region, driven by global and national events. It acknowledged that demand on council services had risen as more residents were affected by poverty.

The council is mitigating this risk through the Poverty and Inequalities Partnership, internal controls, and targeted funding. Current responses include direct financial support for residents, proactive debt management policies, free school meals, and long-term employability support.

Review of Council Wide Risks: Capital Investment

The committee considered the implications of capital investment risk on council activities. They noted existing measures and planned actions to manage the risk and agreed that these were sufficient. The report Council Wide Risk - Capital Investment - Appendix detailed internal controls in place to mitigate the risk of failure to deliver the Capital Investment Programme to time, cost and quality. These include a four-stage gateway review approach and the establishment of the Capital Investment Programme Board (CIPB) and the Capital Investment Oversight Group (CIOG).

Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000 (RIP(S)A)

The committee noted that there had been no use of Investigatory Powers since the last report and that the council's RIPSA policies had been recently updated. The RIPSA Use of Powers and Policy Update report provided an update on activity related to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Scotland) Act 2000, as required by legislation.

Council Health and Safety Update Report

The committee considered the overall summary of activities by the council health and safety team, key health and safety operational support activities, and work-related incident and ill-health absence data. The HS Update Report provided a health and safety update, including activities by the council health and safety team, work-related incidents, and contact with health and safety enforcement authorities.

Internal Audit Reports Issued

The committee noted and commented on five finalised internal audit reports:

• External Funding for the George Hotel, Stranraer
• External Funding for Dalbeattie Rocks and Wheels
• External Funding for Stranraer Water Sports Hub
• Community Council Finances
• Impact Assessments

National Fraud Initiative Update

The committee noted progress with the National Fraud Initiative for 2024/25. The National Fraud Initiative Update report provided details of the 2024/25 exercise, which matches data between different public sector bodies to identify fraud or error.

Outside Bodies - Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee

The committee agreed that Councillor Gail Macgregor, Group Leader, Chair Audit, Risk and Scrutiny Committee be appointed to the Joint Safety Committee, filling a vacancy created by the retiral of Councillor Willie Scobie. Members recorded their appreciation for Councillor Scobie's contribution to the committee over the years.

Annual Governance Statement 2025-26 Development Timeline

The committee agreed to the arrangements for the development of the Annual Governance Statement 2025-26.

Scrutiny Reviews 2025-26 - Service Level Agreement Processes

The committee agreed to the Scrutiny Review scope as detailed in the Scrutiny Review Scope Report 2025-26 - Appendix.