Issue - meetings

Report of the Director of Law and Governance is circulated.

Cllr John Brady, Cabinet member for Finance, Performance and Risk presented a report which asked Cabinet to consider a draft Annual Governance Statement for 2010/11 for preliminary comment before final approval was sought from the Audit Committee at its meeting on 28 September 2011.

The Statement had been previously considered by the Audit Committee at its meeting on 29 June and by the Standards Committee at its meeting on 20 July 2011. The relevant extracts of the minutes of these meetings were presented for Cabinet’s information.

Cabinet was asked to consider the draft Statement and to make any amendments or observations to its content. The Statement would be revised in light of any comments from Cabinet and the ongoing review work by the Assurance Group.

In order to ensure the Statement contained the most up to date information as possible, three amendments to the Statement were proposed as follows:

(a)          Paragraph 68

At the end of the paragraph add: ‘Although there were issues highlighted by KPMG in respect of IT audit work these issues have now been addressed.’

(b)          Paragraph 83:

The final sentence reads “The group will submit its application for charter status during 2011.” 

To be updated to read:

Wiltshire Council was externally assessed by South West Councils on 9 August 2011 and was subsequently awarded Charter Status for Councillor Development.  This is recognition that the Council has achieved best practice in the way it provides learning and development opportunities for its elected councillors.    The accreditation lasts for three years.”

(c)          New paragraph 106:

‘The Leader has initiated a consultation process on a proposal to achieve financial savings through a restructuring of the senior management team, involving the removal of the post of the Chief Executive and a Corporate Director post. The Cabinet will be considering this proposal in the light of the outcome of the consultation at the end of this month. The risks and governance issues associated with this proposal will be considered as part of the decision making process.’

With regards to the senior management restructuring, the Service Director, Law and Governance clarified that this was a matter for the Executive. Any dismissal of the Chief Executive as a consequence of a restructuring would require approval of Council. The Leader explained that she intended to bring the matter before Cabinet to ensure transparency.

Resolved:

That the Annual Governance Statement for 2010/11 be amended as detailed at (a), (b) and (c) above and that the Audit Committee be informed accordingly.

Reason for Decision:

To prepare the Annual Governance Statement 2010/11 for publication in accordance with the requirements of the Audit and Accounts Regulations.