To receive a report on the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22 for publication with the Council’s accounts.

Michael Graham, Assistant Director of Legal & Democratic Services, submitted a report setting out the updated action plan for the 2021/22 Annual Governance Statement (AGS), which was attached to the report at Appendix 1.

The report explained that the Council was required to prepare and publish an AGS each year as an accompaniment to the authority’s financial statements.  The Council was responsible for ensuring that its financial management was adequate and effective and that it had a sound system of internal control, which facilitated the effective exercise of the Council’s functions, including arrangements for the management of risk.  The AGS was a record of the overall effectiveness of governance arrangements within the Authority; it reflected the latest guidance from CIPFA/SOLACE on a strategic approach to governance and demonstrated how the key governance requirements had been met.

The report explained that, to support of the Annual Governance Statement, each directorate had completed a Directorate Governance Statement in relation to systems and processes operational within their areas during the year. These were signed off by the relevant Director. The Directorate Statements demonstrated that Directorates had evaluated and assessed their internal control environment.

Resolved:

(1)           That the Annual Governance Statement for 2021/22 be approved;

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