To consider the recommendations of the Governance Committee held on 8 September 2020 (attached)

Council considered the Annual Governance Statement for 2019/20 (circulated previously).  The Monitoring Officer advised that the flowchart on page 11 had now been updated to reflect the committee arrangements and a copy had been published as a supplementary document.  He advised that the Governance Committee at its meeting on 8th September 2020 had recommended approval.

Councillor Roome reported the recommendations of the Governance Committee held on 8th September 2020 and advised that it had been a challenging year for all Local Authorities and in particular thanked the Finance team for its hard work in administering grants to support the economy.

It was moved by Councillor Roome and seconded by Councillor Biederman “that the Annual Governance Statement for 2019/20 be approved”.

RESOLVED that the Annual Governance Statement for 2019/20 be approved.

Report by the Senior Solicitor and Monitoring Officer (attached).

The Committee considered the Annual Governance Statement (circulated previously).

The Senior Solicitor and Monitoring Officer advised the Committee that:

• The purpose of the Annual Governance Statement was to provide assurance that the Council had conducted its business in accordance with the law and proper standards, and that public money was safeguarded. The Statement helped to provide confidence in the governance framework by recognising, recording and publishing the Council’s governance arrangements.

·         The Annual Governance Statement set out the seven core principles in the governance framework, and the arrangements which were in place to meet the core principles.

·         Reference was made to the revised Corporate Plan, with its four objectives, and the Delivery Plan setting out specific actions.

·         In Part five, there was a review of effectiveness, covering Internal Audit and External Audit, the Local Government Ombudsman, the Peer Review, the Senior Management Team, Health and Safety and Information Management and Security. 

• As to issues of concern, one significant issue and two ‘other areas’ had been identified, with no additional risk areas being identified by either External or Internal Audit.

RESOLVED  that the report be noted and proceed to Council for consideration.