Issue - meetings

To consider the Council’s Corporate Governance Statement for 2017/18.

The Committee considered a report setting out the draft Annual Corporate Governance Statement 2017/18.

There was a statutory requirement for the Council to produce an Annual Corporate Governance statement which reviewed the effectiveness of the Council’s control systems and formed part of the final accounts for each financial year. The statement set out the governance arrangements in place at the Council, highlighted any key issues identified during the year and summarised progress made towards addressing any previously identified issues.

It was reported that the Council’s Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer considered the Council’s governance arrangements to be adequate and effective. Whilst no significant governance issues had been identified in 2017/18 a number of minor issues that might impact on the Council’s ability to operate effectively had been identified, including the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation, the advancement of the London Road Block Development Project, the introduction of the new IAS 9 accounting standard and the establishment of a new contract for the Arena Leisure Centre. It was also noted that Council would be working with its new auditor, BDO, in the upcoming year. 

Members requested clarification on a number of the agreed actions on the essential issues raised by the latest Internal Audit report. It was advised communication had started to ensure staff raised purchase orders on the Council’s finance system prior to placing orders. In addition it was noted that the Council would be working with the leisure contractor to monitor income reporting from the golfing facilities at Frimley Lodge Park via regular meetings and a number of spot checks.