To consider, in the light of comments made by the Audit & Corporate Governance Committee, the proposed framework for preparing an Annual Governance Statement.

The Director of Resources reported on proposals for preparing an Annual Governance Statement (AGS).  The AGS was essential to ensure that the Council complied with the latest regulations and guidance on the delivery of good governance within local authorities.  The Annual Governance Statement would be produced alongside the annual statement of accounts, and would replace the Statement on Internal Control. 

She outlined the criteria used to produce the AGS, and explained the three attached appendices, which depicted the six principles involved in delivering good governance, a diagrammatical representation, and a detailed table of sources of evidence and monitoring (which would be used to support the AGS).  She added that the Council's Code of Corporate Governance would need to be reviewed to ensure that it was compatible with the AGS. 

RESOLVED:   that Cabinet:

(i)                 agrees the proposed framework for preparing an Annual Governance Statement as set out in the appendices to the report; and

(ii)               requests the Monitoring Officer to carry out a review of the Council's Code of Corporate Governance to ensure it meets the new regulations and guidance on the delivery of good governance in local government.