Issue - meetings

The Committee again heard from the Corporate Governance & Policy Manager regarding the draft Annual Governance Statement for 2019/2020. He explained there had been six areas identified for possible inclusion in the action plan, those being:

·         To implement the Senior Management restructure

·         The production of the Council’s Climate and Sustainability Strategy

·         To address issues arising out of effectiveness of G&A Committee survey

·         Post-Pandemic recovery response & plans

·         A review of the effectiveness and understanding of corporate procurement procedures

·         To maintain oversight and assurance of progress of the Peer Review action plan

He added there was an extended date for sign off of the action plan as a result of the pandemic.

There was discussion regarding both the feedback from the Peer Review and whether there would be a governance review of the council’s partners in light of the potential financial changes due to covid-19. The Committee heard that the action plan from the Peer Review would be under the remit of this Committee to maintain oversight of progress. Regarding a review of the key partnerships, it was explained that these were reviewed biennially however in such unusual times, partnerships were being constantly reviewed in some manner as action continued to be recovery focussed.

A Member of the Committee queried the period covered by the draft statement, in particular why there was reference to covid-19 if the period covered ended in March 2020. It was explained that, as the final statement would be published after the outbreak of the virus, likely in July, it was important for the report to be contemporary. The full impact would be picked up next year but it was still important for it to be referenced at this point.

The was further discussion regarding partnership working and whether there had been ny new partnerships created or any cross-boundary working, Members heard that although there were no new partnerships, there had been increased and improved working with existing partners as well as close national communications. In terms of cross-boundary working, there had been detailed communications with North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire and Humberside although most work had been closely linked within Lincolnshire.

            RESOLVED that

a)    No additional governance related matters be identified for  inclusion in the draft statement; and

b)    The proposed set of issues that had arisen during the year that were intended to form the Action Plan for 2019/20 be reviewed and agreed.