TO:     GOVERNANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE  22 JUNE 2022

ANNUAL GOVERNance STATEMENT

Executive Director of Delivery– Legal

1          PURPOSE OF REPORT

1.1       To present the Committee with the Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22, update the Committee on progress against the Action Plan agreed in June 2021and to make recommendations for further actions arising from the contents of this report. 

2          RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1       That the draft Annual Governance Statement (“AGS”) and Action plan appended to this report be approved.

3          REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1       To ensure the Council complies with the statutory requirements to produce an Annual Governance Statement.

4          ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

4.1       It is a statutory requirement for the Council to approve an AGS and Action Plan and therefore no alternative options have been considered.

5          SUPPORTING INFORMATION

5.1 In England, the preparation and publication of an AGS is necessary to meet the statutory obligation set out in Regulation 4(3) of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2011. This requires authorities to prepare a statement in accordance with “proper practices” and the guidance in the Framework recommending an AGS constitutes “proper practice”.  The AGS will be signed by the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council.

5.2 The CIPFA/SOLACE publication “Delivering Good Governance in Local Government: Framework 2016” recommends that authorities produce an AGS to report publicly on the key elements of the governance framework the authority has in place, to review the effectiveness of the governance framework and the steps which will be taken over the next year to enhance governance arrangements.  The AGS and Action Plan were prepared in accordance with the revised CIPFA/SOLACE Guidance Note 2016 and subsequent addendum. These provide that the AGS should include a brief description of the key elements of the governance framework the authority has in place. 

5.3  An Action Plan has been drawn up to address the issues highlighted in the AGS and this is attached as Appendix 2 to the AGS

6          ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS

Borough Solicitor

6.1       Good governance is critical to the Authority achieving its objectives as set out in the Council Plan. High profile governance failures in Slough, Birmingham, Northamptonshire, Doncaster, Tower Hamlets, Bristol, Rotherham, Derby, Croydon and York in recent years have illustrated the need to ensure governance structures, and processes are fit for purpose and kept under constant review. 

Borough Treasurer

6.2       The Annual Governance Statement is a statutory requirement under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2011 and will be incorporated within the Council’s annual Statement of Accounts.

Equalities Impact Assessment

6.3       Not applicable.

Strategic Risk Management Issues

6.4       Risk management is a key part of good governance as outlined in the  draft AGS.

Other Officers

6.5       None.

7          CONSULTATION

7.1       Principal Groups Consulted

See Paragraph 5.4 above.

7.2 Method of Consultation

Completion of compliance assessments and consideration at Corporate Management Team

Contact for further information

Sanjay Prashar – 01344 355679