Report by Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services

The Executive Director of Resources submitted a report on the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24.  The Council was responsible for ensuring that financial management was adequate and effective and had a sound system of internal control, which facilitated the effective exercise of the Council’s functions and included arrangements for the management of risk.  The Accounts and Audit Regulations required local authorities to prepare and publish an Annual Governance Statement (AGS) each financial year to accompany the authority’s financial statements.  The Annual Governance Statement was a key record of the overall effectiveness of governance arrangements within the Authority. The statement reflected the latest guidance from CIPFA/SOLACE on a strategic approach to governance and demonstrated how the key governance requirements had been met.  The AGS had to be agreed prior to the Annual Statement of Accounts being approved (see Minute 50 below).

The following motion was moved by Councillor Emberson and seconded by Councillor Terry and CARRIED:

Resolved –

(1)           That the Annual Governance Statement for 2023/2024, as attached to the report, be approved.

(2)           That the Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make minor amendments to the Statement, in consultation with the Leader and Chief Executive, prior to signature by the Leader and Chief Executive.