Issue - meetings

The Leader of the Council submitted a report setting out the 2018/19 Annual Governance Statement and the 2019/20 Annual Governance Statement Action Plan.  The Financial Services Manager provided a summary of the report.

Members were reminded that the 2015 Accounts and Audit Regulations stipulated that all Authorities must conduct a review of the effectiveness of the system of internal controls and prepare an Annual Governance Statement each financial year.

The Financial Services Manager confirmed that the Shared Internal Audit Service had changed how recommendations were classified and that there were would be more actions points this financial year.

The Financial Services Manger responded to a number of queries from Councillor A Alder in respect of information technology and IT disaster recovery timelines.  The Interim Scrutiny Officer said that Standards Committee was intended to be a stand-alone Committee rather than falling under the remit of the Performance, Audit and Governance Oversight Committee.

Councillor A Ward-Booth commented on the introduction of public speaking at Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The Interim Scrutiny Officer stated this could prove to be difficult to manage in terms of public expectations.

Councillor A Ward-Booth said that he believed public speaking could prove to be a popular measure.  The Chief Executive commented on open engagement with the community and said that Officers could look at best practice in other Councils.

The Financial Services Manager confirmed that PMR stood for “Performance Management Regime”.  It was moved by Councillor S Bull and seconded by Councillor A Ward-Booth that the Annual Governance Statement for 2018/19 be received and that the 2019/20 Action Plan be noted.  After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the motion was declared CARRIED.

RESOLVED – that (A) the 2018/19 Annual Governance Statement be received; and

(B)   the 2019/20 Annual Governance Statement Action Plan be noted.