Agenda item

The Head of Corporate Assurance submitted a report to provide the Committee with an update regarding the Annual Governance Review (AGR) process that had been determined and used to influence and assist in the preparation of the Council’s Statutory Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2023/24.

Members noted that the Governance and Assurance Framework and the preparation of the AGS were key responsibilities of the Committee and the proposed timescales for the Annual Governance Review Process were outlined within the report.

The process would be informed by input from the Governance and Ethics Board into the AGR process, timescales, approval of draft questionnaires and sources of assurance.

The timescales met the statutory deadlines for the publication of the Statutory Accounts and the AGS by 30th September 2024.

Member discussion arose regarding the Governance and Ethics Board and its terms of reference. It was noted that the Board was established a year ago and was designed to be an internal consultation body. The membership of the Board consisted of officers who were responsible for governance in their directorates.

RESOLVED that Members:

(i)              Considered the proposed Annual Governance Review Process for 2023/24

(ii)             Receive further reports relating to the Annual Governance Review Process for 2023/24 and how the Review will be used to inform the development of the Annual Governance Statement.