Agenda

RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2024 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Report to follow under separate cover.

Purpose

The report seeks approval from Governance, Audit and Standards committee for the council's Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2022/23.

Recommendations

The Governance, Audit and Standards committee is asked to Agree the Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 (Appendix 1)

Purpose

The purpose of this report is for the committee to consider the Statement of Accounts for 2022/23.

Recommendations

It is recommended that:

(i)             the Statement of Accounts be approved;

(ii)           authority be delegated to the Chair of the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee to sign an amended 2022/23 Statement of Accounts after the 27 November 2024 should this be required following comments by the auditor.

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to inform members and the wider community of the Council’s Treasury Management position, i.e. its borrowing and cash investments at 30 September 2024 and of the risks attached to that position. Whilst the Council has a portfolio of investment properties and some equity shares which were acquired through the capital programme; these do not in themselves form part of the treasury management function.

Recommendations

It is recommended that:

(i)             the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2024/25 in the period up to 30 September 2024 be noted; and

(ii)           the actual Treasury Management indicators as at 30 September 2024 set out in Appendix A be noted.

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 4 November 2024 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 4 November 2024.

Purpose of report

The purpose of the report is to present the independent report and recommendations produced by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) 2024.

Recommendations

To the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee:

(a)  That the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee confirms that it is satisfied with the way the Independent Remuneration Panel undertook the review.

(b)  To the City Council (via Governance & Audit & Standards Committee):

(i)     That the City Council considers and decides upon the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in the panel’s report (attached as Appendix 1) when agreeing a scheme of member allowances to take effect from the 2025/26 financial year;

Note – Having fully considered the panel’s report, the Council may choose to accept, reject or amend the recommendations, or simply decide not to implement the Panel’s recommendations and retain the existing members allowance scheme

(ii)    that the City Council’s Constitution be amended as applicable and appropriate;

(iii)  that the Independent Review Panel be retained as a Standing Panel in the interim period, to consider any issues that arise in connection with the Scheme before the next review, either by email or in meetings; and

(iv)  that Members thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work in reviewing the Members Allowance Scheme.

Purpose

The purpose of the report is to update Members on any issues regarding compliance with Gifts & Hospitality Protocol and to advise on remedies.

Recommendations

It is recommended that:

(i)             The Committee considers whether or not to make any recommendations for change; and

(ii)           In the absence of any changes, the report is noted.

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.*

12. Procurement Management Information                                           3

(Exempt Appendices 1, 2, 3 & 4)

*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 on a legally compliant, value for money basis.

This report is for noting.