Issue - meetings

(a)       That the findings of the Corporate Self-Assessment 21/22 be noted;

(b)       That the opportunities for improvement identified in Corporate Self-Assessment 21/22 be noted; and

(c)       That the Committee notes the need to make the process more robust and resilient, including wider consultation, in order to drive improvement.

The Chief Executive presented a report on the findings and improvement plan following completion of the Council’s first Corporate Self-Assessment 2021/22.  The report set out the three-stage approach which focussed on eight key themes and concluded that the Council exercised its functions effectively, used resources efficiently and had effective governance in place, with partnership working scored as ‘very best practice’.  The report incorporated comments raised by the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

In response to a question from Allan Rainford, the Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager explained that whilst strategies were in place, some required updating to reflect current processes.  She also advised on current work to develop the new Council Plan involving links to key strategies to support the delivery of those objectives.

In providing further assurance, the Chief Executive said that the action to modernise strategies would be followed up in future years.

The Chair suggested that for future years, the document could be simplified and include more detail to demonstrate evidence behind scoring.  She also supported the view expressed by the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee for wider consultation.

The Chief Officer (Governance) acknowledged that consultation had been identified as an area for improvement and that an over-arching approach was being developed by increasing resources.  This first self-assessment was regarded as a pilot that included arrangements for 2021/22 in order to develop a process in the absence of guidance or a specific national model.  Internal consultation was via Members sense-checking the document in the same way as the Annual Governance Statement.

The Chief Executive thanked the Committee for the feedback which would be taken forward for future reports.

The Internal Audit, Performance & Risk Manager gave assurance that all feedback would inform a work plan to reinforce the process for future years.  She provided details of consultation including a Member workshop in April/May.

Following an amendment proposed by Rev Brian Harvey, the recommendations were seconded by Councillor Ted Palmer.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the findings of the Corporate Self-Assessment 21/22 be noted;

(b)       That the opportunities for improvement identified in Corporate Self-Assessment 21/22 be noted; and

(c)       That the Committee notes the need to make the process more robust and resilient, including wider consultation, in order to drive improvement.