To report progress made towards implementing the agreed action plan in response to issues identified in the 2016/17 annual governance statement; and to agree the process and timetable for undertaking the review to inform the development of the 2017/18 annual governance statement.

The head of corporate governance presented the annual governance statement progress report and highlighted the following: 

·         There is reference to Blue School House within the report to assure the committee that the issue was not being ignored.   However, the issue had come to light after the approval of last year’s annual governance statement.  

·         The time scale for next year’s statement had been brought forward. 

·         That the independent person would be consulted on issues and risks in relation to the member code of conduct as part of the information gathering exercise for the next statement.  

Following a query from a committee member, it was confirmed that the members’ code of conduct would be considered by the constitution review working group.

It was noted that concern remained over the deferment of the decision at the last audit and governance committee meeting over the naming of town and parish councils involved in code of conduct complaints.    It was felt by some members of the committee that this did not evidence the behaviour of leadership, transparency, and openness, especially as this information had been released under a Freedom of Information request. 

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.