A report by the Chief Executive served to assist the improvements under way in respect of the Council’s Corporate Governance arrangements.  

Members were informed that good governance meant:

• focussing on the purpose of the authority and on outcomes for the community and creating and implementing a vision for the local area;
• Members and officers working together to achieve a common purpose with clearly defined functions and roles;
• promoting the values for the authority and demonstrating the values of good governance through upholding high standards of conduct and behaviour;
• taking informed and transparent decisions which are subject to effective scrutiny and managing risk;
• developing the capacity and capability of members and officers to be effective; and
• engaging with local people and other stakeholders to ensure robust public accountability.

The Chief Executive’s report proposed that Corporate Governance Development and Training be reviewed and improved across the Council.  It also proposed that a Corporate Governance Amnesty to enable officers and partners to have confidential conversations and discussions with Cabinet Members.  This would allow them to air Corporate Governance concerns in confidence and without fear of reprisal.

An Improving Corporate Governance Report by AKA was attached at Appendix A to the report.  The programme outlined in Appendix A was in addition to the Key Lines of Enquiry (KLOE) work, previously considered by this Committee.  Plans in respect of each KLOE were appended to the report at Appendix B for the Committee’s consideration.

The report recommended that a Members’ development programme should run ahead of the officer programme to enable the change programme to be led by those who had the legitimacy of the electorate.  It was considered essential that this programme was shaped by Elected Members.  It was also proposed to work with the Member Training Steering Group to draft a questionnaire and carry out interviews to establish what further development Members would like.  The aim was to consult, design and commission appropriate development programmes for Members, officers and partners.

The report also proposed cross departmental activity, a Joint Cabinet and Chief Officer Discussion Forum, set out overarching timelines for the activity proposed and a list of milestones.

The Committee was concerned that the draft Protocol – Promoting Good Governance in Wirral MBC had not been included as an appendix to the report. 

Councillor S Foulkes informed that the Corporate Governance Amnesty would be presented to the work force once the draft Protocol was made available to the Committee as had been requested.  The Committee wanted clear guidelines to deal with Corporate Governance complaints quickly and systematically.

Councillor J Green highlighted, in relation to the proposed Corporate Governance Amnesty, that there were some elements of the report he had some concerns over.

It was noted that there was a confidential email address that could be used by Council staff, who wanted to raise there concerns, but were not happy doing this directly with the politicians.

The Committee had regard to its scheduled meeting dates, KLOEs, work required and timelines.  Councillor A McLachlan informed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21