Issue - meetings

To consider the Annual Governance Statement 2020/21.

The Committee considered the Annual Governance Statement 2020/21.

During the discussion of this item, the following points were made:

·       Members were reminded of the Committee’s role in relation to the Annual Governance Statement (4.4.3.2.g of the Constitution).

·       The action plan of the previous Annual Governance Statement had had six actions, five of which had been completed.  The action relating to Human Resources had been carried forwards.

·       Councillor Gee suggested that an action around the function of the Audit Committee be added to the action plan.  The Assistant Director Governance agreed that it would help to add focus.

·       Councillor Shepherd-DuBey asked if there was a service level agreement in place around the consideration of Member Code of Conduct complaints.  She went on to state that the Equalities Sector Duty work was an ongoing process.

·       With regards to Members Code of Conduct complaints, the Assistant Director Governance felt that it was important that it was part of the AGS.  A piece of work would be going through the Standards Committee regarding the quick processing of any complaints.  There had been some issues regarding capacity in the past.  Equalities had been part of the 2019 action plan and was now being carried forwards.  Following the agreement of the updated Equality Plan at Full Council in March 2021, it was time to bed in and implement the plan.

RESOLVED:  That the Audit Committee note the report and:-

1)    Considers the draft 2020/21 AGS, identifying any specific matters which should be brought to the attention of Council or Executive;

2)    Recommends the 2020/21 AGS to the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive for signature and publication with the council’s Statement of Accounts, subject to the amended action plan;

3)    Requests that update reports be provided to the Audit Committee summarising progress in achieving the governance action plan on those areas identified as requiring action in the AGS Improvement Plan.