Based on the final version of the Annual Governance Statement agreed in September 2021 an action plan has been formed based on continuous improvement requirements.  This report provides a review of the actions as at the end of March 2022.

The committee received a report which reviewed progress with the action plan as at 31 March 2022.

The director of resources and assurance suggested that, in view of the deferral of the

‘Auditor’s annual report 2020/21’, the next iteration of the draft annual governance statement could be presented to the June 2022 meeting.

In response to questions from the vice-chairperson on the current action plan:

1.           The interim head of legal services confirmed that the action ‘Implement Rethinking Governance recommended changes to the constitution and oversee operational procedures’ should be marked as ‘part complete’ due to ongoing work.

2.           The director of resources and assurance would check with officers that the action ‘New CRM system for complaints and review the Unreasonable Behaviour and Complaints policies’ had been completed.

3.           The interim head of legal services confirmed that there had not been any progress by the government to date to amend the legislation to permit hybrid meetings, hence the action ‘Promotion of becoming a council member reflective of the flexibility with increased virtual meetings’ was ‘not progressing’.

4.           The interim head of legal services confirmed that the action ‘Capture number of meeting that were excluded from public meetings’ should be marked as ‘not complete’.

The chairperson requested that officers give consideration as to how actions outstanding from the previous year(s) were identified in subsequent iterations of the annual governance statement action plan.

Resolved:      That subject to the status amendments identified at the meeting, the updated actions be noted.

Based on the final version of the Annual Governance Statement agreed in September 2021 an action plan has been formed based on continuous improvement requirements.  This report provides a review of the actions as of March 2022.