Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Corporate Director, Resources which presented the draft Annual Governance Statement and a list of significant governance improvements (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Risk, Insurance and Governance Manager highlighted how the Council complied with providing assurances on corporate governance and the key actions in place to help deliver the Annual Governance Statement.

The Committee raised concerns that impact of austerity measures and strategic risk of not delivering the MTFP had not been given enough emphasis in the Annual Governance Strategy. It was suggested that the wording of action 2 on page 58 be amended to incorporate something on this. 

Mr Waddell, Mazars, suggested that a conclusion would help to strengthen the statement.

The Risk, Insurance and Governance Manager asked that action 3 from the Action Plan relating to localities be removed.

Resolved:

(i)                       That the first draft of the Annual Governance Statement for 2012/13 be agreed subject to;

·         The deletion of Action Plan Ref 3  and corresponding relevant text from the statement

·         The addition of a conclusion

·         The inclusion of some reference to the strategic risk of not delivering the MTFP and the rewording of Action 2 relating to VFM to reflect this

(ii)                     That the revised draft Annual Governance Statement be presented to County Council for information.