Issue - meetings

(a)       That the updated Code of Corporate Governance be agreed; and

(b)       That the process for the preparation of the Annual Governance Statement be endorsed.

The Internal Audit Manager presented the report detailing proposed changes to the Code of Corporate Governance, as set out in paragraph 1.04 of the report, prior to consideration by the Constitution Committee.  The draft had been prepared following work by the Corporate Governance Working Group and consultation with the necessary senior officers.  The report also sought endorsement on the process for preparing the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2015/16.

Councillor Arnold Woolley highlighted the importance of reviewing job descriptions for all senior officers to ensure all employees were aware of their responsibilities.  The Chief Executive confirmed that this was the case and that one of the outcomes of Single Status was to better evaluate each job up to the most senior levels, with new job descriptions as a consequence of the restructure.

In response to a comment from Mr. Paul Williams on the resilient approach to business continuity, the Chief Executive confirmed that a review was underway following the recent bomb scare at County Hall.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the updated Code of Corporate Governance be agreed; and

(b)       That the process for the preparation of the Annual Governance Statement be endorsed.