Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 26^th September 2022 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Committee meeting on 26^th September 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive detailing the independent review of the Council’s broad governance framework undertaken by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny commissioned by the Council and the associated action plan as a result.

Councillor Fitzhenry, Opposition Leader who was the Leader of the Council at the time the review was commissioned was in attendance and with the consent of the Chair addressed the meeting.

The Committee was re-assured that the report did not highlight any fundamental issues or flaws in the decision-making framework or anything unlawful had taken place, however it was noted that delivery of it needed development particularly when a new administration took control of the Council.

The Committee also noted that the Political Awareness Training Course for Officers had re-started post Covid, early discussions would be taking place before the all-out Elections in May 2023 with Group Leaders on what they would like to see in the first 30, 60, 90, 120 days of becoming the administration in order to better support the period of transition or change.

The 10-point action plan was noted but did need further development going forward and the Committee requested a progress report on the implementation plan prior to the pre-election period and purdah.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the Committee noted the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny independent report on Governance detailed in appendix 1 of the report;

(ii)  That the 10-point action plan be endorsed; and

(iii)  That ta progress report on the implementation of the action plan is presented to Committee ahead of the pre-election period and purdah.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Director of Commissioning, Integrated Health and Care detailing the Annual Review of the Health and Social Care Contracts managed by the Integrated Commissioning Unit (ICU).  The report provided a summary of the current arrangements for management of these contracts, including mechanisms for assurance of quality, performance and governance.  In addition the report provided a detailed overview of the ICU’s strategic contracts and their performance over the last 12months.

The Committee requested further detail outside of the meeting in order to understand all of the information and if it should be going to Scrutiny in addition to Governance Committee, particular reference regarding this was made to Northlands House and Oak Lodge.  

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor detailing the Internal Audit Progress report for 2022-2023.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Internal Auditor detailing the Internal Audit Progress Report for the period 1^st April to 26^th October 2022.

The Committee noted that there was nothing significant to be flagged in any of the audits that had taken place.  In addition it was noted that the School Budgets Deficit Audit detailed on page 60 of the report should not be detailed in the report as it was a hangover from a previous report and could be deleted.

Report of the Director of Legal and Business Services.  Under the Local Government (Members Allowance) (England) Regulations 2003, local authorities are required to have Independent Remuneration Panels for the purpose of reviewing their schemes of Members' allowances. Southampton City Council is required to review its scheme by 19 November 2022 at the latest and have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel before adoption of a new one.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Director Legal and Business Services detailing the Members’ Allowance Scheme and the requirement to review the scheme by 21^st November 2022 and have regard to the recommendations of the Independent Renumeration Panel before the adoption of a new scheme.

The Committee noted that the Lord Mayor’s Role did not come with a special responsibility allowance under the regulations, however given the magnitude of the role and it not just being a ceremonial one, but the role also chaired Full Council and acted as arbitrator on decision making regarding questions, motions etc that it should receive renumeration in the form of a special responsibility allowance.

The Committee noted the report would be considered by Full Council on 16^th November 2022 and that all political groups would be reflecting on the discussions of the Committee at their group meeting ahead of Full Council where the decision regarding Members’ Allowances would be taken.

Report of the Executive Director of Finance and Commercialisation (S151 Officer) informing the Committee of the Treasury Management activities and performance for 2022/23 to date against the approved Prudential Indicators for External Debt and Treasury Management.

The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Finance and Commercialisation (S151 Officer) detailing the review of the Prudential Limits and Treasury Management Midyear 2022/23.

The Committee noted that the report highlighted the increasingly difficult economic climate being operated in, with record hight levels of inflation and rising interest rates.  In addition, the Committee noted that ethical policies of investments were not taken into consideration it was about the Government market and where those investments were.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That the Treasury Management (TM) activities for 2022/23 and

    performance against Prudential Indicators be noted;

(ii)  That the continued proactive approach to TM had led to

    reductions in borrowing costs and safeguarded investment income

    during the year be noted; and

(iii)  That authority continued to be delegated to the S151 Officer to make any future changes which benefit the authority and to report back at the next Treasury update.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Director Legal and Business Services detailing the Annual Review of Complaints for 2021/22 and summarising the type and number of complaints received from 1^st April 2021 to 31^st March 2022. 

The Committee noted that overall complaints registered with the Council had increased this year to 537 from 432 the previous year which was thought to be a result of the post pandemic recovery plan.

The Committee deferred this item to the next meeting due to insufficient time remaining in the meeting for the report to receive due consideration.