Issue - meetings

(a)       That the Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 be attached to the Statement of Accounts and recommended to Council for adoption; and

(b)       That views from all Committee Chairs will be sought for the next Annual Governance Statement.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented the Annual Government Statement (AGS) for 2021/22 which provided assurance on governance arrangements and risk management, to accompany the Statement of Accounts.  In explaining the purpose and development of the AGS, the Chief Officer said that this was a positive document reflecting the transition from the response to the recovery phase of the pandemic.  As part of the mid-year review and preparations for the 2022/23 AGS, there would be opportunities for more involvement by Committee Members.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager provided clarification on the main changes and key sections within the AGS which followed a prescribed format.

In response to a query from Councillor Andrew Parkhurst, information on the latest review of the Corporate Anti-Fraud Strategy would be shared with the Committee.

Allan Rainford asked about the impact of recent CIPFA guidance on governance and was informed that whilst this had been issued after completion of the AGS, it would help to inform the mid-year review.  It was also confirmed that governance issues identified during 2021/22 would form part of the risk management action plan.

The recommendations were moved by Allan Rainford and seconded by Councillor Glyn Banks.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 be attached to the Statement of Accounts and recommended to Council for adoption; and

(b)       That views from all Committee Chairs will be sought for the next Annual Governance Statement.