5.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were reminded that any personal interest in an agenda item, report or recommendation should be declared. There were NIL declarations of interest. 6.
GUESTS, VISITORS, OBSERVERS Stuart Beattie, CT External Auditors, attended in person for Item 7 and left the meeting following that item. Gillian Campbell, Consultant, GCC, attended in person for Item 15 and remained for the full meeting.
7.
AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The CEO introduced Stuart Beattie, CT Audit Director for RSLs, who proceeded to present the draft 2026 Annual Financial Statements, Audit Summary Report, Management Letter of Representation and associated audit documents. (Appendices 1A thru 1D) Committee noted its role in receiving and accepting the independent audit report and considered the going concern assessment, statutory publication requirements and submissions to the FCA and SHR by 30th September 2026. •
Governing Body / Committee considered recommendations and agreed to: accept the draft 2026 Financial Statements, accept the Audit Summary Report, confirm the Management Letter of Representation, confirm WGHC’s ability to continue as a going concern, sign the Financial Statements and Management Letter, re-appointed CT as Financial Auditor for 2027, confirmed attendance at the AGM on 5th September 2026. and formally thank CT for their work
8.
CASH IN BANK, INFLATION & INTEREST RATES
The CEO presented the monthly cash in bank report. Committee noted that, WGHC held total cash in bank of £1,255,823. This represented an increase of approximately £6k from the previous month. Committee noted the Bank of England inflation and interest rate context. It was noted that a total cash balance approaching or falling below £850k should act as a prompt for discussion on financial performance, expected cash movement, risk and mitigation. • 9.
Governing Body / Committee noted the report. GOVERNANCE, COMPLIANCE, RISK, HEALTH & SAFETY
The COO presented the monthly governance, compliance, risk and health and safety report. Committee noted that the previous governance notifiable event had been closed by SHR, although updates from the Governance Action Plan would continue until completion. Committee further noted that quarterly statistics had been provided to OSIC and the organisation had received One Freedom of Information Request and One Subject Access Request, both of which, had been answered in full by the DPO within statutory timescales. •
Governing Body / Committee of Management noted the report Minutes of Governing Body Meeting, 22nd July 2026 – Unrestricted - Page 2
10.
MEMBERSHIP AND USE OF THE COMPANY SEAL
The COO reported that there had been no amendments to the WGHC Membership Register since the last Committee meeting. •
11.
Governing Body / Committee of Management noted Nil changes to the WGHC Membership Register since the last meeting. KITCHEN REPLACEMENT PROGRAMME – UPDATE #2
The COO provided the second update on the planned kitchen replacement programme for Summer/Autumn 2026. Committee noted that McGregors Projects is delivering the programme over two years, with 67 kitchens scheduled for replacement in 2026 and 69 kitchens in 2027. Committee noted that 58 of the 67 kitchens had been surveyed, 9 remained to be surveyed, and Housing Management staff would assist where tenants were resisting survey or access. It was further noted that 14 kitchens had been fully completed with relevant compliance certificates and satisfied tenant recipients. • 12.
Governing Body / Committee of Management noted the report PAINTERWORK CONTRACT PROGRAMME – UPDATE #2
The COO provided the second update on the planned painterworks programme for Summer 2026. Committee noted that Bell Group is delivering external painting works to 72 properties, covering external windows, doors, cills and soffit boards. The painting to Ferry Road Avenue and West Pilton Park were complete, leaving only Craigmuir Place. • 13.
Governing Body / Committee of Management noted the report ANNUAL DATA PROTECTION COMPLIANCE STATEMENT
The COO presented the Annual Data Protection Compliance Statement giving assurance to the Governing Body that the organisation was compliant in the areas of FOISA / DPA2018 and the PCI-DSS annual attestation. • 13.
Governing Body / Committee of Management noted the report CAF BANK – LOAN APPLICATION UPDATE
The CEO updated Committee on WGHC’s application to CAF Bank for borrowing in accordance with the 30 Year Financial Projections approved by Committee on 15th April 2026. Committee noted that CAF Bank approved WGHC’s credit application on 9th July 2026 for an initial £500k drawdown in April 2027, with the option of a further £500k drawdown within years 1–5 of the loan if required. Committee were made aware that they will be required to sign of the final binding load agreement when the time comes. •
Governing Body / Committee of Management noted the report
Minutes of Governing Body Meeting, 22nd July 2026 – Unrestricted - Page 3
19.
REVISED I.C.T. (INCLUDING CARDHOLDER DATA) POLICY
The COO presented the revised Information Security, Communications and Technology, including Cardholder Data, Policy (appendix 6) for approval. Committee noted that the policy sets out WGHC’s requirements for secure and appropriate use of ICT systems, personal data, confidential business information and cardholder data. •
20.
Governing Body / Committee of Management approved the revised I.C.T, including Cardholder Data, Policy. DRAFT BUSINESS CONTINUITY / DISASTER RECOVERY POLICY
The COO presented the draft Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Policy (appendix 7) for approval. Committee noted that the policy explains how WGHC will prepare for, respond to and recover from serious disruption while protecting tenants, staff, services, data and assets. Committee further noted that the policy sets clear responsibilities, recovery priorities and communication arrangements, supported by testing, review and lessons learned. •
21.
Governing Body / Committee of Management approved the draft Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery Policy. ANNUAL REVIEWS 2026 & DRAFT GOVERNING BODY MEMBER ANNUAL APPRAISALS POLICY
The CEO presented the Annual Review Policy (appendix 8). Committee noted that seven of the eight Committee Members had completed their Annual Review forms at individual pre-meetings with the former Governance Consultant. Committee members agreed dates for their individual appraisals with the Chair. The Chair’s appraisal was also organised with the sub-committee (AL / LJ / LS) • 22.
Governing Body / Committee approved the draft Governing Body Member Annual Appraisals Policy ELECTION PROCESS FOR OFFICE BEARERS AND REFORMING THE STAFFING SUB-COMMITTEE
The CEO advised Committee that an additional Committee Member was required to reform the Staffing Sub-Committee. Committee noted that LJ would stand down as Vice Chair after the August 2026 meeting, before the AGM, and that the election process for appointing a new Vice Chair would take place at the August meeting. Committee noted that nomination forms and the Vice Chair role description had been issued. Members wishing to stand for Vice Chair were asked to submit nomination forms to the CEO/Company Secretary by Friday 7th August 2026. •
Governing Body / Committee discussed the requirements and approved:
LJ joining the sub-committee alongside CF and LS LJ stepping down as Vice-Chair prior to the AGM The election process for appointment of a new Vice-Chair in August
Minutes of Governing Body Meeting, 22nd July 2026 – Unrestricted - Page 5