Decision details

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Legal and Democratic, the purpose of which was to approve the Local Code of Corporate Governance.

The Director of Legal and Democratic presented the report and explained the purpose of the Corporate Code of Governance, which provides a public record of how the authority meets its commitment to demonstrating that it has the necessary corporate governance arrangements in place to perform effectively. The document is a framework linked to guidance issued by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) supported by the seven Principles for the Conduct of Individuals in Public Life. The Committee would ordinarily receive the Corporate Code of Governance annually.

Arising from consideration of the report and discussion, the following principal comments were made:-

i)             The following alterations be made to the Corporate Code of Governance:

·         Pages 2 and 3 – the foreword and introduction – add the word reasonable so it reads ‘highest reasonable possible standards’;

·         Page 17 – Robust Internal Control – include the Council’s Internal Audit Charter;

·         Page 21 – incorporate the Council’s sources of assurance and how we get this from Internal Audit;

·         Re-formatting of the flow chart and bullet points in the document.

ii)            Delegation be given to the Director of Legal and Democratic to make minor amendments, in accordance with the Committee’s wishes.

iii)           Going forward, Assurance Mapping be used.

RESOLVED:-

(i)        The Audit and Governance Committee approved the Code of Corporate Governance and delegation be given to the Director of Legal and Democratic to make minor amendments, in accordance with the Committee’s wishes.