Agenda item

Report of Assistant Chief Executive and Chief Digital Officer attached

Council welcomed Colin Davies from the Wales Audit Office to present the Annual Improvement Report 2017-2018.  The report gave a summary of the work undertaken over the last year by regulators such as the WAO and ESTYN.  He also highlighted the review of scrutiny arrangements carried out by the WAO, the positive report received from ESTYN and the Annual Audit Letter which was also positive. 

Members then raised the following points:-

·        In relation to the Authority’s scrutiny function Members felt that this was still being developed as it was a process not an event.

·        The Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Culture was asked to comment on the phrase which was again within the report ‘performance in primary schools does not compare well with that of similar authorities’.  The Cabinet Member responded that there were visible and tangible improvements however the issue remained that teacher assessments were carried out differently across Wales.

·        In relation to the comment that the ‘Council should strengthen the arrangements for engaging the public in scrutiny’, Members asked whether Community Councils could assist and what other arrangements could the WAO suggest.  Mr Davies responded that perhaps taking meetings into communities or increased advertising could be used.  Items contained on the Forward Work Programmes were not generally of interest to the public.

Officers then outlined the second part of the report which gave details of the actions already taken by the Authority.

After being thanked by the Mayor Mr Davies withdrew from the meeting.

RESOLVED:        That the report be noted.