Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive

The Chief Executive submitted a report (previously circulated) seeking approval of the Council’s draft Annual Governance Statement (AGS) (also previously circulated).

It was reported that the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 as amended by the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) Regulations 2021 require local authorities to prepare, approve and publish, each year an AGS.  These regulations also determine the timetable for approval and publication and the Council must publish its draft AGS no later than 31 July and its final audited version no later than 30 September of the financial year immediately following the end of the financial year to which the statement relates.

It was also reported that although the Council did publish its draft AGS before 31 July 2021, delays in the external audit process have meant the Council has been unable to publish its final AGS in accordance with the timetable set in the Regulations. 

The Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21 outlined the Council’s responsibilities, explained the purpose of the governance framework; set out the key elements; detailed the review of its effectiveness; highlighted any significant governance issues;  and included a commitment by the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to ensure the continuous improvement of the system in place.  

RESOLVED – That the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21, as appended to the submitted report, be approved.