Issue - meetings

That the Annual Governance Statement mid-year progress update report be accepted.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a mid-year progress report on the areas of improvement set out in the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2020/21 which demonstrated positive progress in addressing the issues identified.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager explained that whilst governance issues had been identified during the process, strategic issues from the risk register applied over the longer term.  She advised that the only remaining ‘red’ risk was due to delays in gaining regulatory approval (planning; drainage; environmental permitting) to progress key infrastructure projects and that progress was being closely monitored.

Sally Ellis thanked officers for the report which provided assurance to the Committee.  On the development of an action plan to improve consultation and engagement, the Chief Officer (Governance) provided clarification on work by the Corporate Communications team aligned with preparations on the corporate self-assessment which would be reflected in the AGS.

Allan Rainford commented on the potential for some issues to continue into 2022/23, in particular those impacted by economic pressures.  The Chief Executive shared these concerns and explained that additional resources had been allocated to a number of service areas such as rent collection where early interventions with customers helped to prevent escalation.

The recommendation was moved by Allan Rainford and seconded by Councillor Joe Johnson.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Governance Statement mid-year progress update report be accepted.