Issue - meetings

To consider the Annual Governance Statement that will accompany the Council’s accounts for the 2020/21 financial year.

The Committee considered a report setting out the draft Annual Corporate Governance Statement for the 2020/21 financial year.

There was a statutory requirement for the Council to produce an Annual Corporate

Governance statement that reviewed the effectiveness of the Council’s control systems.  The Statement formed part of the final accounts for each financial year and 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 a number of minor issues that might impact on the Council’s ability to operate effectively had been including the restructure of the Council’s senior management team, the redevelopment of the London Road Block, the settlement of variable invoices arising from the joint waste contract and issues with the delivery of the Capital Programme, and these would be monitored through the planned work of the Council.

The Committee noted concerns about the over running of the recent public realm works and it was questioned whether monitoring the cost and scheduling of projects is something that should be added to the Statement as an issue to keep under review.

It was noted that changes to the requirements for borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board could impact on the Council’s ability to borrow money and it was suggested that this should be added as an identified issue.

RESOLVED that, subject to the inclusion of the additional issues identified, the Annual Governance Statement be submitted to the Leader and Head of Paid Services for their signatures.