Issue - meetings

That the updated Code of Corporate Governance for adoption as part of the Council’s Constitution be endorsed.

The Internal Audit Manager presented a report on the revised Code of Corporate Governance for inclusion within the Council’s Constitution.  She provided background information and explained that the updating and formatting review of the Code was initially carried out by the Corporate Governance Working Group followed by consultation with the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer, and Section 151 Officer.  The Code was endorsed by the Audit Committee at a meeting held on 29 January 2020.  Whilst the format of the Code had been simplified for 2019/20 only a small number of updates had been made to bring the document up to date.  The revised Code was appended to the report. 

The Internal Audit Manager drew attention to the seven principles for the Code as outlined in the report.  The principles were to be used by the Corporate Governance Working Group, Chief Officers, and Chairs of Overview & Scrutiny Committees to help inform the preparation of the Annual Governance Statement.  

Councillor Mike Peers asked if the Cabinet member was included in the draft documentation which was prepared by the Corporate Governance Working Group for consideration by the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer. He also referred to page 21 of the report and suggested that a link be added between the Standards Committee and the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales (PSO).

The recommendation in the report was moved by Councillor Jean Davies and seconded by Councillor David Wisinger.

RESOLVED:

That the updated Code of Corporate Governance for adoption as part of the Council’s Constitution be endorsed.