Meeting documents

To consider this report.

The Chair invited the Council’s Monitoring Officer to present the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2020/21 and he began by explaining that the purpose of the AGS was to provide assurance that the Council has a sound governance framework in place to manage the risks that might prevent achievement of its statutory obligations and organisational objectives.

He explained that the Council was required to carry out, at least annually, a review of effectiveness of its governance framework. This review of internal controls provided additional assurance that the Statement of Accounts gave a true and fair view of the Council’s financial position at the reporting date and of its financial performance during the year.

The Committee heard that the process carried out had been in line with guidance published by CIPFA / SOLACE in the new "Delivering Good Governance in Local Government". It was stated that there were robust arrangements for effective financial control through the Council’s accounting procedures, key financial systems and the Financial Regulations. These had been reviewed and assessed against the new CIPFA Financial Management Code with improvements forming part of an action plan. The continued improvements in the Council’s Financial Management arrangements had been recognised by SWAP as part of their review of the Healthy Organisation with an improved rating from Amber to Green.

It was noted that despite the exceptional year, with many challenges for public services, the Council’s internal auditors had confirmed continued improvement and assurance with the governance framework and systems. This had been a significant achievement by the Council for a challenging year and was a testament to the good governance framework it had in place.

Throughout the majority of 2020/21, the Senior Leadership Team had met twice weekly to manage the council’s emergency response, maintain delivery of core services and prioritise resources accordingly. Regular position statements and updates were provided to elected members and reported to Cabinet meetings and other committees, including the formation of a new Member Engagement Board with partner representatives.

The Committee approved the draft Annual Governance Statement prior to it being signed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive, and members noted the AGS would form part of the 2020/21 Statement of Accounts.

The Chair invited the Council’s Monitoring Officer to present the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2020/21 and he began by explaining that the purpose of the AGS was to provide assurance that the Council has a sound governance framework in place to manage the risks that might prevent achievement of its statutory obligations and organisational objectives.

He explained that the Council was required to carry out, at least annually, a review of effectiveness of its governance framework. This review of internal controls provided additional assurance that the Statement of Accounts gave a true and fair view of the Council’s financial position at the reporting date and of its financial performance during the year.

The Committee heard that the process carried out had been in line with guidance published by CIPFA / SOLACE in the new "Delivering Good Governance in Local Government". It was stated that there were robust arrangements for effective financial control through the Council’s accounting procedures, key financial systems and the Financial Regulations. These had been reviewed and assessed against the new CIPFA Financial Management Code with improvements forming part of an action plan. The continued improvements in the Council’s Financial Management arrangements had been recognised by SWAP as part of their review of the Healthy Organisation with an improved rating from Amber to Green.

It was noted that despite the exceptional year, with many challenges for public services, the Council’s internal auditors had confirmed continued improvement and assurance with the governance framework and systems. This had been a significant achievement by the Council for a challenging year and was a testament to the good governance framework it had in place.

Throughout the majority of 2020/21, the Senior Leadership Team had met twice weekly to manage the council’s emergency response, maintain delivery of core services and prioritise resources accordingly. Regular position statements and updates were provided to elected members and reported to Cabinet meetings and other committees, including the formation of a new Member Engagement Board with partner representatives.

The Committee approved the draft Annual Governance Statement prior to it being signed by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive, and members noted the AGS would form part of the 2020/21 Statement of Accounts.