Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence submitted at the meeting.

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, the nature and existence of any relevant disclosable pecuniary or personal interests in the items on this agenda and to specify the item(s) to which they relate.

There were no declarations of interests made at the meeting.

To hear any deputations for which requests have been received from members of the public, in accordance with Standing Order 67.

There were no deputations received at the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on Monday 24 February 2025 as a correct record.

(Agenda republished to include the attached minutes on 24 March 25)

RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the previous Committee held on Monday 24 February 2025 as a correct record.

The Chair took the opportunity to formally thank the External Audit and Finance Team for their work in progressing completion of the audit and Statement of Accounts 2023-24.

To receive a report seeking approval of the changes considered at the preceding Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, to the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor’s Charity Appeal identified as part of the annual review process.

The Committee received a report from the Corporate Director of Finance & Resources seeking approval to the changes considered at the preceding meeting of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee to the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor’s Charity Appeal arising as part of the annual review process.

On the basis of the annual review undertaken at the preceding meeting of the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee, it was RESOLVED:

(1)       To note the outcome of the annual review of the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor’s Charity Appeal (as detailed within Appendix 4 of the report).

(2)       To approve the following proposed changes and additions to the financial and procedural rules governing the Mayor’s Charity Appeal arising from the review, as recommended by the Audit & Standards Advisory Committee and set out in section 10.4 of the report:

(a)       That the Mayor, or immediate Members of their family, must not be a Trustee or Chair (or an equivalent position) at a charity the Mayor is fundraising for.

(b)       If a donor decides to donate to the Mayor’s charity directly, proof of donation must be shared with the Mayor’s Office. This could be a screenshot of a donation made, a receipt from the charity, or some other equivalent proof of donation – subject to confirmation of final wording being delegated to the Corporate Director Finance & Resources in order to incorporate clarification (as recommended by Audit & Standards Advisory Committee) covering when a donor would like their donation to be counted towards the Mayors total fundraising for the year and formal proof of donation required.