Agenda item

Draft Annual Governance Statement 2016/17

 

The Chief Executive and Director of Core Services will submit a joint report on the Draft Annual Governance Statement 2016/17.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive and Director of Core Services submitted a joint report on the Draft Annual Governance Statement 2016/17.

 

The Statement gave details of:

 

·         The purpose of the Governance Framework

·         The Governance and Internal Control Framework

·         The process of annually reviewing the effectiveness of the Governance and Internal Control Framework

·         The development and improvement opportunities arising from the Annual Governance Review to be addressed during 2017/18

 

The Draft Annual Governance Statement and Action Plan 2017/18 were appended to the report.

 

The Committee noted that the Statement was slightly different to previous years having been prepared in accordance with processes and guidance approved by the Committee on the 22nd March, 2017 and that members had been given the opportunity to comment on these arrangements prior to the AGR commencing with officers.

 

The Committee was given a brief resume of the key issues highlighted together with an overview of the various elements of the Action Plan. 

 

The annual review of the Council’s governance, risk and internal control arrangements 2016/17 had not identified any fundamental issues and had confirmed that the general level of compliance within the Council’s governance and internal control framework remained robust and effective.

 

The review process had taken into account the action taken against the control issues raised on the previous Annual Governance Statements.  The Action Plan was to be monitored during 2017/18 and would comprise issues that had been carried forward from previous years, along with issues that arose from the current review.

 

The final Statement would be prepared for consideration by this Committee in September prior to the submission to the Council on the 28th September, 2017.

 

In the ensuing discussion, and in response to detailed questioning, the following matters were highlighted:

 

·         It was noted that 11 out of 17 consultation responses had so far been received all of which had been positive.  All other responses were anticipated within the week which was within the agreed tolerances

·         Each internal control area allocated a lead officer who was involved with the AGS process.  It was noted that most lead officers were within the Core Services Directorate.  All Executive Directors deployed resources where necessary to ensure that issues identified as part of the AGS process were addressed

·         Questions were asked about and there was a discussion of the ability of Internal Audit and Finance to perform the functions required within reducing resources.  In response the Service Director of Finance and Head of Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud gave an assurance that resources were adequate to deliver what was currently required of the service.  In relation to comments about Internal Audit in particular, the Executive Director Core Services stated that the Service Director Finance and the Senior Management Team had to be mindful not to impose a disproportionate reduction of resources when looking at future savings proposals.  The Executive Director welcomed the challenge and commented on the need to ensure that resources were appropriately targeted

·         No significant issues had been identified as a result of external audit assessment and inspections by service inspectorates/regulators such as OFSTED and the Care Quality Commission

·         Whilst there had been no meetings of the Corporate Assurance Group, there had , nevertheless, been feedback where appropriate from individuals and via electronic means which, in many ways, had been less resource intensive and at the same time, more productive

·         In relation to those issues that had been ‘closed’ as detailed within the Action Plan, questions were asked as to whether or not procedures and processes had been tested prior to closure.  The Executive Director Core Services noted these comments and stated that proposals were in hand to undertake a simulated exercise at some time in the near future.  Such exercises were to be mandatory and all those involved in the processes would be required to make themselves available.  In relation to the recording of officer delegated decisions, the Head of Internal Audit and Corporate Anti-Fraud had been asked to include this as part of the Work Programme.  Guidance had been issued to ensure that the appropriate level of recording, dependent upon the circumstances, was taking place

·         The Risk and Governance Manager stated that following this committee and the receipt of any additional comments or amendments, a further draft of the document would be emailed to all Members in August prior to the submission of the final document in September, 2017

·         Given the importance of this document, various members expressed disappointment that certain Senior Officers/Members were not in attendance.  These comments were noted and would be passed on as appropriate

·         There was a discussion about the evaluation currently being undertaken into the social value (social return on investment) in a number of Area Council led activities.  Work was ongoing in this respect

·         The Council had established a Member Panel to consider allegations of misconduct where the Monitoring Officer determined there was a need to undertake formal investigations.  No issues had resulted in any investigations being undertaken by the Panel although one matter was currently under investigation

·         The Statement referred to the emerging governance arrangement for the Sheffield City Region and to the fact that the Council was in a strong position to influence these via the support provided by various Directorates and Sections.  It was stressed however that the Statement related to the position in 2016/17.  The Executive Director Core Services commented that in this context and in relation to the AGS the Authority was able to demonstrate that it was engaging with its stakeholders and was making use of resource opportunities.  The future direction of the City Region, however, was to be subject of ongoing debate

 

RESOLVED that the Draft Annual Governance Statement 2016/17 be noted.

 

 

Supporting documents:

 

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