Issue - meetings

Mrs Angela Woodhouse, the Head of Policy, Communications and Governance, introduced her report setting out the Annual Governance Statement for 2017/18.

Mrs Woodhouse explained that:

·  The Annual Governance Statement was produced to accompany the Statement of Accounts.  It looked back at the governance arrangements for 2017/18 and identified areas for action for 2018/19 to ensure that good governance was maintained.  Action taken last year included:

Risk Management – A risk appetite had been agreed and changes made to the Committee report template.

Decision Making – A new report template was now in place and training had been provided for report authors and Democratic Services staff.

Information Management – Measures had been put in place to ensure compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018, including training across the Council.

·  There were not considered to be any significant governance issues arising from the review.  Actions identified for 2018/19 related to audit reviews with weak assurance and the key corporate risks.

Mrs Woodhouse advised the Committee that she wished to correct a typographical error in that the word “Sliver” on page 27 of the agenda should read “Silver”.

In response to questions, Mrs Woodhouse advised Members that:

·  The Local Code of Corporate Governance had been revised and adopted in 2017 and did not need to be refreshed this year.

·  She understood that the Employment Committee had discussed the cost of the Investors in People Assessment, including the staff time involved.  She would look into the matter, and circulate details to all Members of the Committee.

RESOLVED:  That subject to the correction of the typographical error identified by the Head of Policy, Communications and Governance, the Annual Governance Statement for 2017/18 be approved.