Agenda item

Annual Governance Statement 2015-16

Minutes:

 

The Strategic Director for Transformation & Resources presented the final draft of the Annual Governance Statement and an action plan for 2015-16.

 

The Head of Financial Services advised that the Annual Governance Statement 2015-16 covered the period from April 2015 to March 2016 and therefore the significant governance issues identified are those which relate to this period.

 

Members heard how the Council had improved its governance arrangements over recent years and that one significant governance issue remained. This related to compliance with certain Council processes and procedures, including performance appraisals, absence management, contract procedure rules and essential training.

 

An addendum to the report was then circulated to Members to outline an issue which had been identified since the publication of the report. This referred to the report from Ofsted on 20 September 2016 which rated Children’s Services in Wirral as inadequate. It was reported that an Improvement Board had been established to lead the process including identification and delivery of an Improvement Plan.

 

A Member expressed concerns regarding corporate procurement remaining to be a high priority and sought reassurance from Officers that work is ongoing to combat this matter. Further concerns were raised by a Member with reference to Performance Appraisals which remained as part of the remaining significant governance issue.

 

In response to concerns, the Strategic Director for Transformation and Resources addressed the Committee to highlight that, to date 91% of Performance Appraisals for managers had been completed, whilst 57% of all non-managerial staff had been completed. The deadline for completion had been set as 30 September 2016. Members heard how this was an improvement on figures published for the previous year.

 

Members expressed concerns regarding the significance of the addendum and there was dissatisfaction over the content of the Statement. Legal Advice was sought and it was explained that the Council is under an obligation to publish their Annual Governance Statement by 30 September.

 

Members sought an adjournment (7:35pm) so that Party Spokespersons could discuss how they wished to proceed. The meeting reconvened at 8:00pm.

 

The Committee then heard a statement produced by Party Spokespersons as follows:

 

“Subsequently, the Committee became aware of information and developments which placed the report in a context which caused Members concern and unease.

 

The comments in the additional paper supplied regarding the Ofsted inspection, be added and endorsed, it being regretted that this matter was not brought to light earlier.

 

A system of regular updates on matters of concern be introduced to satisfy the concerns of Members’’.

 

On a motion by Councillor Davies and duly seconded it was agreed that the recommendation be voted upon under two parts, as set out in the report then the amendment as specified.

 

On a motion by Councillor Davies and duly seconded it was:

 

Resolved (6:2 (one abstention) That the final draft of the Annual Governance Statement and action plan be approved and presented to Cabinet in November 2016.

 

It was then moved by Councillor Davies and duly seconded and:

 

Resolved (9:0) That the statement produced by the Party Spokespersons be endorsed and a system of regular updates on matters of concern be introduced. This would provide Members with the opportunity to highlight other areas of concern (see minute 16).

 

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