To consider a report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Community Strategy.

The Corporate Director, Governance and Community Strategy, was in attendance to introduce the Council’s Draft 2018/19 Annual Governance Statement (AGS), prepared in order to meet the statutory requirement set out in the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. It set out detail of the Council’s arrangements for compliance with the principles established by the Corporate Governance Code (referred to in the previous Minute).

The content of the current draft AGS had been reviewed and agreed by the Corporate Leadership Team, and reflected significant changes to the governance environment identified and now set out in the Statement. It had been updated following feedback received from the Council’s Internal Audit service.

Both the Annual Governance Statement and Corporate Governance Code had been developed taking into account the updated framework and guidance on the AGS issued by CIPFA/SOLACE in April 2016. 

Members were briefed on those significant corporate issues which were likely to feature in the current year; and an opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions on the report’s content. It was noted that an updated report was to be presented to the Committee at its July meeting.

            RESOLVED –

(1)       That the content of the draft Annual Governance Statement be noted.

(2)       That it be noted that the final version of the Annual Governance Statement will be presented to this Committee for approval in July 2019 following sign off by the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council.