Social Value Ideas for Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

Unqualified audit opinion

Audit Wales reported it intends to issue an unqualified opinion on the 2024/25 financial statements. It also noted the council had corrected a number of misstatements, with one uncorrected misstatemen…

“The good news is that we intend to issue an unqualified opinion this year on the financial statements which is great news. That is outlined in appendi…”

2024/25 audited accounts approved

The committee considered the audited statement of accounts for 2024/25 and recommended them to full council for approval. The report highlighted net worth of £258 million, £33 million of earmarked res…

“Thank you chair. So as head of finance, I'm pleased to introduce item 8 on the 2425 audited statement of accounts. Uh so the main um recommendation fo…”

2024/25 accounts and reserve repurposing

The council’s audited 2024/25 accounts were presented for recommendation to full council. The report notes no change to the main statements, but highlights a decision to repurpose earmarked reserves i…

“So the main um recommendation for this uh is recommendation 2.1 which is the audited statement of accounts for 2425 which is the document in appendix …”

Accounts production improvement

Audit Wales said the council significantly improved the quality of draft accounts and working papers, but timeliness of producing draft accounts still needs work. The 2026/27 audit plan therefore buil…

“I'm really pleased to say that the council has moved on uh in this respect significantly. The work of James and Craig and the team um has been commend…”

Internal audit plan approved

The committee approved the 2026/27 internal audit strategy and annual risk-based audit plan. The plan is based on corporate risks, known problem areas, and flexibility to add work if risks change, wit…

“So um we've put together a strategy um which is how we've bit of background in terms of the internal audit team how we provide internal audit the fact…”

2026/27 risk-based audit plan

The internal audit strategy for 2026/27 sets out a risk-based plan shaped by the corporate plan, risk register, fraud intelligence, and director input. It includes flexibility to add or adjust work du…

“So um, we've put together a strategy um which is how we've bit of background in terms of the internal audit team how we provide internal audit the fac…”

Schools under sustained financial pressure

The cabinet member reported that schools remain under significant financial pressure, with budgets constrained by earlier reductions and the wider impact of falling pupil numbers. Even though 2025/26 …

“This report um provides an update on the financial position of schools across North Table focusing on school balances, budgets and schools three-year …”

Schools face structural funding pressure

Schools are under sustained financial pressure from falling pupil numbers, prior reductions embedded in budgets, and rising costs. Officers said schools improved their 2025-26 position through tight s…

“so this report um provides an update on the financial position of schools across North Table focusing on school balances, budgets and schools three-ye…”