Decision details

Purpose of the Report

To seek Executive approval of the Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22.

Decision

(1)  That the Final Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22 be approved.

(2)  It be noted that progress monitored on the significant issues identified over the coming year be completed by Audit Committee, with issues reported by exception to Executive.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

None were considered.

Reasons for the Decision

The Annual Governance Statement was completed each year, as an assessment of how the Council had complied with its Code of Corporate Governance.

Key Senior Officers had been asked to contribute to a view of how the Council was applying its Code of Corporate Governance to its activities, including necessary staff and service changes resulting from the pandemic.

Following this investigation officers had concluded that one of the two significant governance issues from 2021/22 needed to remain in the 2022/23 AGS as follows:

1. The Disaster Recovery Plan in place for IT arrangements

One of the 2021/22 significant issues was now deemed as mitigated to the extent that it was now no longer a significant issue and had already moved to Green status:

2. Vision 2025 needs to be re-profiled and communicated to a wider audience in the light of COVID-19 effects

There were no further significant issues identified.

As in previous years a small number of areas were identified as less serious, but areas that it would be wise to keep a watchful eye on progress, as detailed within the main body of the report.

The AGS was usually due for completion in May, but as an extension had been granted to the Statement of Accounts, the timescale was currently the end of July 2022.

The AGS had been considered by the Audit Committee and an extract of the minutes had been circulated with the agenda.