Agenda

Purpose

This is an information report following the notice of motion agreed by Council on 12th November 2024 under 'Definitions of Sexism, Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia.' 

Recommendation

The Governance & Audit & Standards Committee is asked to note the work outlined below in relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, which includes the recent notice of motion agreed by Council.

Purpose

To report significant performance issues, arising from Q2 2024-25 performance monitoring, to Governance and Audit and Standards Committee and highlight areas for further action or analysis.

Recommendations

It is recommended that the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee:

(i)             notes the report in the revised format; and

(ii)           confirms assurance that a framework is in place to monitor and manage performance in the organization.

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to obtain the Council’s approval of the updated Treasury Management Policy Statement (attached) which includes the Annual Investment Strategy.

Recommendation

RECOMMENDED that the Committee note the recommendations in section 3 of the report that will go on to Full Council for approval.

Purpose

The purpose of this report is to update the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee on the Internal Audit Performance for 2024/25 to 7 February 2025 against the Annual Audit Plan, highlight areas of concern and areas where assurance can be given on the internal control framework.

Recommendations

It is recommended that Members note the Audit Performance for 2024-25 to 7 February 2025.

Purpose

This report is to present the proposed Internal Audit Plan for 2025/26 to the committee for approval, as set out in Appendix A along with the revised Audit Charter & Code of Ethics, as set out in Appendix B. 

Recommendation

That members approve the proposed Internal Audit Plan and Audit Charter and Code of Ethics for 2025/26.

Purpose

To update Members of this Committee on the nature and handling of any whistleblowing concerns which have been raised for the period January 2024 to December 2024. In addition to this to confirm that, following the annual review (January 2025) of the whistleblowing policy, there are no current proposed changes, since those agreed at the January 2022 committee meeting.

Recommendation

RECOMMENDED that the Committee:

(i)         Notes this report and the attached Appendix A and consider whether any further action is required; and

(ii)       Notes the whistleblowing policy, Appendix B, where there are no proposed changes. 

Purpose

Further to the report taken on 2^nd October 2024, to provide an update to the Committee on the significant changes to public sector procurement that came into effect when the Procurement Act came into force on 24^th February 2025 including an overview of the National Procurement Policy Statement which was issued by the Cabinet Office on 13^th February 2025.

To provide the Committee with an overview of the Council's preparations for these changes, focusing upon seeking endorsement of the proposed changes to the Council's Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) following the Committee's approval to proceed with revising the CPRs on 2^nd October 2024.

Recommendation

That the Committee endorses the revised CPRs as attached at Appendix A and:

To RECOMMEND that at its next meeting scheduled for 18^th March 2025, Full Council resolves to approve the revised CPRs as an amendment to Part 3A of the Council's Constitution, to be fully implemented and take effect from 1^st April 2025. 

In view of the contents of the appendices to the following item on the agenda the Committee is RECOMMENDED to adopt the following motion:

“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the press and public be excluded for the consideration of the following item on the grounds that the appendices to the report contains information defined as exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972" The public interest in maintaining the exemption must outweigh the public interest in disclosing the information. Under the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) England Regulations 2012, regulation 5, the reasons for exemption of the listed appendices are shown below. (NB The exempt/confidential committee papers on the agenda will contain information which is commercially, legally or personally sensitive and should not be divulged to third parties.

Members are reminded of standing order restrictions on the disclosure of exempt information and are asked to dispose of exempt documentation as confidential waste at the conclusion of the meeting.

Item Exemption                                                                                Para No.*

11. Procurement Management Information                                           3

(Exempt Appendices 1 &3)

*3. Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information.

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to provide procurement performance reports and supporting evidence to the committee in order that the committee may assess the council's performance in procuring contracts for goods, works and services in accordance with relevant legislation, policy, council rules and council governance structures.

The report also updates the committee on progress developing procurement performance reporting.

This report is for noting.