The Assistant Director: Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer introduced his report that sought the Committee’s approval in respect of the Council’s revised Code of Corporate Governance.

The Assistant Director: Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer’s report informed that the Council’s current  Code of Corporate Governance had last been reviewed in 2013  A review had been scheduled to be undertaken last year, however it was delayed following notification from CIPFA that a revised Code would be issued shortly.

CIPFA issued the new CIPFA / SOLACE Guidance / Framework for Delivering Good Governance in Local Government in April 2016 and the same was made available in June 2016. This enabled the review of the Code of Corporate Governance to be undertaken.

The Audit and Risk Management Committee was apprised of the key changes made to the Code which are:

D: Determining the interventions necessary to optimise achievement of the intended outcomes.

This aspect of the Code examined the strategic combination of legal, regulatory and practical interventions, with a view to them ensuring that the intended outcomes are achieved.

G: Implementing good practices in transparency reporting and audit to deliver effective accountability.

The purpose of this aspect of the Code is to ensure that those making decisions and delivering services are held accountable for the same. Transparency is a key driver for this Code, with both internal and external audit required to contribute to effective accountability.

Members discussed a number of areas in relation to the detail of the systems and processes contained in the Code of Corporate Governance - specifically Core Principles and intended outcomes - and feedback surveys and evidence gathering, both past (for comparison) and planned for the future.

Resolved –

1)  That COUNCIL BE RECOMMENDED to approve the revised Code of Corporate Governance at Appendix 1 to the report and the framework detailed therein; and

2)  That the Council’s Constitution be updated accordingly.