Agenda and draft minutes

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests and conflicts of interest from Members.

There were no declarations of interest.

To answer questions, if any, asked by any resident of the Borough pursuant to Standing Orders.

There were no questions or deputations.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th January 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To inform the Governance Committee of the proposed new Fraud and Corruption Statement and Policy, for comment and endorsement.

The Counter Fraud Lead presented a proposed new Fraud and Corruption Statement and Policy and she explained that the current Counter Fraud and Corruption Strategy would be replaced by a one-page Fraud and Corruption Statement, to be endorsed by the Chief Executive and Leader of the Council, outlining the Council’s approach to fraud and corruption.  There would also be a separate Fraud and Corruption Policy outlining the roles, responsibilities and processes involved.

In drafting the policy, consultation had taken place and views sought from Human Resources, lead officers named within the Policy, the Corporate Leadership Team and the Audit Committee.

The Counter Fraud Lead responded to questions from members.

RESOLVED:

That the new Fraud and Corruption Statement and Policy be endorsed.

1.  To approve the Council’s revised Financial Regulations and associated documents.

Financial Operations review and update the Council’s Financial Regulations annually to ensure that all Members and Officers follow the strong internal controls and governance and enable effective value for money.

The Head of Financial Operations advised that the Council’s Financial Regulations had been revised and updated to ensure they provided strong internal controls and governance and enabled effective value for money.

She explained the main changes to the Regulations which were set out in paragraphs 4.5 to 4.9 of the report.  She confirmed that the Audit Committee had considered the revised Financial Regulations on 13 March 2023 and had recommended that they be endorsed for approval by Council.

RECOMMENDED:

That the revised Financial Regulations as set out in Appendix A to the report be approved by Council with the revised Regulations to be implemented with effect from April 2023.

The Head of Financial Operations presented a new policy for the Prevention of the Facilitation of Tax Evasion. She advised that governance and internal control procedures were already in place to meet the statutory requirements and there was no suggestion that the Council tolerated tax evasion or that staff engaged in such behaviour.  However by formally documenting existing policies it would help the Council to prove it had reasonable preventative measures in place in the event of instances of successful or attempted tax evasion.

RESOLVED:

That the Policy for the Prevention of the Facilitation of Tax Evasion be approved.

To consider the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and make recommendations to Council in respect of the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2023-24.

The Head of Legal & Democratic Services invited members to consider the recommendations made by the Independent Remuneration Panel following their review of the Members Allowances Scheme.

Members of the Committee questioned the differentials between the Special Responsibility Allowances payable to Political Group Spokespersons from political groups with different numbers of members and it was agreed to ask the Independent Remuneration Panel to conduct a further review of these allowances.

RECOMMENDED:

1.  That Council accepts the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in paragraph 1.3 of the report;

2.  That Council approves the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2023-24; and

3.  That the Independent Remuneration Panel be asked to carry out a further review of the Special Responsibility Allowances payable to Political Group Spokespersons.