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

The Head of Governance was in attendance to introduce a report of the Corporate Director, Governance and Community Strategy which presented the final version of the 2019/20 Annual Governance Statement (AGS), whose preparation and publication is necessary to meet the statutory requirement set out in the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015. It was noted that the Committee had previously received a report setting out the Draft AGS, of which versions had also previously been shared and reviewed by the Corporate Leadership Team. Members were advised that since the draft version was presented on 15^th July 2020 a number of significant issues for 2020/21 had been updated, as highlighted within the document. Any further issues arising in 2020/21 impacting on governance and developments in relation to governance issues reported to date would be considered as part of the process for compiling the 2021/22 AGS.

In response to issues raised in the Committee’s previous consideration of the draft Statement, the Head of Governance provided Members with a summary update on current issues in the area of information governance, and measures in place or planned to address them. It was agreed that, in developing further training, the specific needs of elected Members would be taken into account; and that a summary note on data breaches would be circulated to this Committee’s Members after the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the 2019/20 Annual Governance Statement be approved.