Issue - meetings

This report sets out the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2023-24 as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

Members are asked to note that the AGS is being presented to the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee for consideration, in advance of referral on to the Audit and Standards Committee for formal approval.

Debra Norman, Corporate Director Law & Governance, introduced a report that set out the draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2023-24 as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015.

In presenting 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 3.5 of the report.

·             That no significant governance issues had been identified relating to 2023-24, however some areas of improvement had been identified, as detailed in section 3.10 of the report.  Details were also provided in relation to progress made in delivery of the Improvement Plan from 2022-23, as set out in section 3.11 of the report.

·             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, with the review of effectiveness in relation to governance related issues and ongoing process.

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. As a result, the following issues were highlighted:

·             In noting the assurance included relating to the role of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, the Committee were pleased to note that no significant governance issues had been identified within the AGS.

·             Given the focus identified during consideration of the Internal Audit Plan Annual Report (item 8 above refers) on action to improve the level and rate of audit actions being implemented within original timescales, members felt it would also be appropriate to reflect and recommend this as an additional improvement area within the AGS, on which members advised they would also be keen to keep progress under review.

As there were no further comments raised, the Chair thanked officers for the report and it was RESOLVED to recommend the Annual Governance Statement to the Audit & Standards Committee for formal approval, subject to inclusion of the following additional improvement action for 2023-24 within Table 1 of the Annual Governance Statement:

“To improve the level and rate of audit actions implemented within original timescales.”