Report by Director of Legal & Governance

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report setting out for approval at Appendix 1 the Annual Governance Statement 2024/25.

The report noted that Council was responsible for ensuring that financial management was adequate and effective and that the Council 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 each financial year, to accompany the authority’s financial statements.  The Annual Governance Statement reflected the latest guidance from CIPFA/SOLACE and was a record of the overall effectiveness of governance arrangements demonstrating how key requirements had been met.

The report explained that the statement covered the period up to the publication of the accounts and sought authority to make any minor amendments that might be needed before then.

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

Resolved –

(1)       That the Annual Governance Statement for 2024/25 be approved;

(2)       That the Director of Legal & 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.