Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (and Section 151 Officer).

The report (appendix 1) is the draft version of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2022/23. The final AGS will be considered by Corporate Leadership Team and the Corporate Governance Group and, provided there has been no material in governance issues, will be issued as final alongside the Annual Accounts.

Audit Committee is requested to approve the Annual Governance Statement prior to signing by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.

Officer contact: John Pearsall on 474 4033 or email: john.pearsall@stockport.gov.uk

The Deputy Chief Executive (and Section 151 Officer) submitted a report which was the draft version of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2022/23. The final AGS would be considered by Corporate Leadership Team and the Corporate Governance Group and, provided there has been no material in governance issues, will be issued as final alongside the Annual Accounts.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         In response to a Member question, the Committee was advised that the Council has a separate whistleblowing policy which is open, robust and transparent and that all allegations were treated with the seriousness they deserved.

·         Members queried how concerned they should be relating to the system of internal control and the weaknesses in the design and inconsistent application of controls which may put the achievement of particular objectives at risk.  In response, the Committee was assured that there were degrees of commentary that were used and it was not unreasonable to expect that controls were working effectively.  But some Audits had taken place where the controls were not working as efficiently as they could. 

·         Members asked if there was any provision for people outside of the local government sector to participate in peer reviews.

·         In response to a Member question, the Committee was advised how the identified issues in the report were dealt with and progress monitored.

·         In response to a question regarding resource constraints and whether this was improving, the Committee was advised that the situation was improving, and comparisons were given.  However, challenges still remained.  It was an improving situation from a control perspective.

·         A short discussion took place on business continuity and working and communicating with residents.

·         Members were advised that if they required any further information or training on these issues, then this could be provided.

RESOLVED – That the Annual Governance Statement be approved prior to signing by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.