Agenda item

The Service Director – Finance and Improvement Services provided the Audit Committee with the Council’s draft Annual Governance Statement for the 2020/21 financial year, which had been compiled in accordance with the requirements contained within the ‘Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework (2016)’. Members were also advised that regard had also been given to the CIPFA Bulletin 06 – ‘Application of the Good Governance Framework 2020/21’ in respect of conducting the review of the Council’s governance arrangements for the 2020/21 financial year providing guidance on the impact of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic on governance in local government bodies.

The Service Director continued by advising Members that the drafting of the statement has included virtual and remote engagement with a wide range of Council Services and officers to understand and examine the governance arrangements in place. Members were referred to section 5.3 in the covering report which provides an overall conclusion for the previous financial year. The Service Director highlighted to Members from the report that it is concluded that the Council’s governance arrangements provided the basis to effectively manage service delivery, Corporate Plan priority areas and resources during an unprecedented period as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Members were referred to Appendix 1 of the report, where the draft 2020/21 Annual Governance Statement was set out.

One Member would like to see a greater emphasis on the role of scrutiny referenced in the reports to highlight the importance of the scrutiny process in the Governance arrangements. The Service Director – Finance and Improvement Services acknowledged the comments made and welcomed the opportunity to further strengthen the references to the work of Scrutiny Committees throughout the report advising Members that they will look to incorporate relevant information to reflect the comments made in an updated Governance Statement that will form part of the Councils Statement of Accounts.

One Member queried the wording in the report regarding zero tolerance in respect of fraud, bribery and corruption requesting clarity on whether the policies and procedures are there but nothing has been noted in terms or bribery / fraud or whether there were cases picked up. The Service Director confirmed to Members that in the context of the report the purpose was to reenforce the strength of the arrangements the Council has in place to thwart any potential fraudulent activity that could threaten the Councils activity.  

Another Member queried the reference to the learning and development of Governance and Audit Committee Members and queried the timeline for this as set out in Appendix 1. The Service Director confirmed to Members that the Financial Procedure Rules will be an additional session that will be brought before Members at a future Committee to give Committee an overview of the rules and what they entail to ensure that Members will have an understanding and visibility of the rules to ensure they have the appropriate tools when undertaking their role in an effective way.

The Audit Committee RESOLVED:

1.    To critically review the Annual Governance Statement (Appendix 1), suggest any material amendments and recommend its certification by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive for inclusion within the Council's 2020/21 draft certified Statement of Accounts.

2.    In the event that reports from relevant External Inspectors be provided to the Council before the Statement of Accounts are approved, authorise the Director of Finance and Digital Services to include reference within the Annual Governance Statement.