30 Annual Governance Statement (00:02:10) PDF 189 KB
To receive a report from the Head of Communities and Governance presenting the Committee with the finalised Annual Governance Statement and accompanying action plan.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Committee had before it a report * from the Head of Communities and Governance presenting it with the finalised Annual Governance Statement and accompanying action plan for 2015/16.
It was explained that the areas which needed improvement were highlighted in the action plan with reference to the lead officer for each action and the target date for completion. The Committee would receive an update on the progress made against this action plan at their meetings on 22 November 2016, 24th January 2016 and 21 March 2017.
It was further explained that an additional action had been added under ‘Performance and Risk Management’ associated with the exit from the European Union. This may include elements associated with Devolution, fluctuations in currency and also EU funding for economic development projects.
Two further minor amendments had been made since the draft version had been presented to the Committee which were as follows:
· To correct the 4th Bullet point under section 3.5.2 from ‘performance reporting on a quarterly basis in 2014/15’ to ‘2015/16’.
· Under the 7th bullet point in section 4.2, to correct ’Outturn Internal Audit report (June)’ to ‘Outturn Internal Audit report (May).
Discussion took place regarding:
· Contingency plans as a result of the EU Referendum – any kind of planning based upon various scenarios would not have been a good use of officer time. Whilst the future was uncertain as a result of Brexit, the General Fund did hold amount as a buffer against uncertainties of this nature. Likely effects of leaving the EU may have an effect on property holdings or charges made by contractors who were domicile outside of the UK.
· The Citizen Panel – it was explained that people were recruited to the Citizens Panel every two years by an outside company who were marketing specialists. They looked at the demographics of a region and tried to recruit 1000 people on the understanding that they would be required to take part in three survey’s a year.
· The Constitution – any relevant changes would be brought before full Council, for example, changes to the senior management structure.
RESOLVED that subject to the minor amendments referred to in the officers presentation the Annual Governance Statement be approved and that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive sign the Statement as per the statutory guidance.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: * Report previously circulated; copy attached to the signed Minutes.