AUDIT, GOVERNANCE AND STANDARDS COMMITTEE

23 November 2015

Is the final decision on the recommendations in this report to be made at this meeting?

Yes

 

Annual Governance Statement 2015/16, Action Plan Update

 

Final Decision-Maker

Audit, Governance and Standards Committee

Lead Head of Service

Angela Woodhouse, Head of Policy and Communications

Lead Officer and Report Author

Angela Woodhouse

Classification

Public

Wards affected

 

 

 

This report makes the following recommendations to this Committee:

1.   The updated annual governance action plan be noted

2.   Further action if required be identified and agreed

 

 

 

This report relates to the following corporate priorities:

·         Keeping Maidstone Borough an attractive place for all

·         Securing a successful economy for Maidstone Borough

 

 

Timetable

Meeting

Date

Audit, Governance and Standards Committee

23 November 2015



Annual Governance Statement 2015/16, Action Plan Update

 

 

1.        PURPOSE OF REPORT AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 

1.1     In July 2015 the committee approved the Annual Governance Statement and Action Plan. The purpose of this report is to provide the committee with an updated action plan.

 

1.2     The report provides an update on the action that has been taken to improve governance.

 

 

2.        INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

 

2.1     The action plan attached at Appendix A was produced and published with the Annual Governance Statement.

 

2.2     The actions arose from areas identified in the governance statement as requiring additional action and assurance.

 

 

3.        AVAILABLE OPTIONS

 

3.1     The committee could decide not to consider the action plan. Considering the action plan is however a key part of the committee’s governance remit.

 

 

 

4.        PREFERRED OPTION AND REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

 

4.1     The committee is asked to consider the updated action plan attached at Appendix A, and make recommendations for further action as appropriate.

 

Areas of Action

 

4.2     A number of areas are covered by the action plan including:

 

·         Information Management

·         Corporate Governance

·         Strategic Plan

·         Resident Survey

·         Risk Register

·         Planning Support Shared Service

·         Committee System

·         Audit Reviews

·         Mayor Appointment Process

 

4.3     Action has been taken in all areas. The Data Protection and Emergency Planning audit reviews following action are now no longer rated as weak. Teams across the council have been involved in developing the corporate risk register led by the Audit Committee. Common themes have been identified across services relating to financial and staffing pressures, there will be Senior Officers and Councillors workshop in December.  The decision for Tunbridge Wells to leave the planning support shared service was taken on 5 November 2015. Arrangements are now in place to manage this process. The Democracy Committee will conduct a formal review of the committee system. The review of the Mayor appointment process has been conducted and a report will be coming to the Democracy Committee.

 

4.4     The resident survey includes budget consultation as well as consultation on the top issues for our residents, trust in the council and value for money. The results will inform the update of our Strategic Plan and new Medium term Financial Strategy.

 

 

5.       CONSULTATION RESULTS AND PREVIOUS COMMITTEE FEEDBACK

 

5.1     The updated action plan has been reported to and informed by the Corporate Governance Group. Councillor consultation is via this committee.

 

 

 

6.       NEXT STEPS: COMMUNICATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECISION

 

6.1    The Annual Governance Statement and action plan are published on the Council’s website and communicated to Corporate Leadership team

 

7.       CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES AND IMPLICATIONS

 

 

Issue

Implications

Sign-off

Impact on Corporate Priorities

High standards of corporate governance are integral to achieving our corporate priorities.

Head of Policy and Communications

Risk Management

The annual governance statement has identified

Head of Policy and Communications

Financial

Good governance is integral to good financial arrangements

Section 151 Officer

Staffing

The action plan includes ensuring staff are aware of our priorities.

[Head of Service]

Legal

Good governance arrangements are essential in ensuring robust and lawful decision-making and therefore minimising the risk of legal challenge.  The action plan focuses on specific area to ensure a programme of continuous improvement.

Team Leader Corporate Governance

Equality Impact Needs Assessment

No implications from this action plan

Policy & Information Manager

Environmental/Sustainable Development

No implications from this action plan

Head of Policy and Communications

Community Safety

No implications from this action plan

Head of Policy and Communications

Human Rights Act

No implications from this action plan

Head of Policy and Communications

Procurement

No implications from this action plan

Head of Policy and Communications

Asset Management

No implications from this action plan

Head of Policy and Communications

 

8.        REPORT APPENDICES

 

Appendix A, Annual Governance Statement Action Plan 2015-16

 

 

9.        BACKGROUND PAPERS

 

Annual Governance Statement 2014-15