Issue - meetings

This report seeks formal approval, following its consideration by the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, to Brent Council’s 2019-20 Annual Governance Statement.

The Committee received the report from the Director of Legal, HR, Audit & Investigations setting out the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2019/20, as required under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

Members noted that the AGS had been referred on to the Committee for formal approval following its detailed consideration at the preceding meeting of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.

On the basis of the discussion and comments made at the preceding Audit & Standards Advisory Committee it was RESOLVED to approve the 2019/20 Annual Governance Statement for formal sign off.

The paper presents the Annual Governance Statement for consideration, prior to formal approval.

The Committee received a report from the Chief Finance Officer setting out the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2018/19, as required under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

In considering the report the Committee noted:

·                The seven core governance principles introduced by CIPFA upon which the review of governance arrangements and production of the AGS had been based, as detailed in section 3.4 of the report;

·                The one item identified as a significant governance issue during 2018/19 which had related to a review of Accounts Payable as a result of a fraud investigation and led to a number of management actions being taken to address the control issues identified;

·                The importance of the AGS in outlining the Council’s framework of control in relation to its Governance arrangements and in terms of managing risk.

Members were advised that they were being invited to comment on the draft AGS in advance of its formal consideration and approval by the Audit and Standards Committee.  The following issues were raised:

(a)      Members identified a need to ensure that the governance arrangements included reference to the company structure established by the Council and associated control mechanisms in place, given the specific governance requirements under which each company operated;

(b)      Members were advised that no further significant changes had been identified as part of the annual update of the AGS.  The Committee supported the increased focus on risk management and anti-fraud activity and were pleased to note the review of effectiveness as an ongoing process providing a clear oversight on governance related issues.

As no further issues were highlighted the Advisory Committee RESOLVED to endorse, subject to the comments above, the draft 2018/19 Annual Governance Statement for reference on to the Audit and Standards Committee for formal approval.

To consider and agree the Annual Governance Statement of the Brent Council.

The Committee received the report from the Chief Finance Officer setting out the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2018/19, as required under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

Members noted that the AGS had been referred on to the Committee for formal approval following its detailed consideration at the preceding meeting of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee.

On the basis of the discussion at the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee it was RESOLVED to approve the 2018/19 Annual Governance Statement for formal sign off, subject to the inclusion (as requested by the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee) of specific reference to the governance arrangements and control mechanisms in place in relation to the company structure established by the Council.