Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Burke and Chamberlain.  It was noted that following receipt of the temporary resignation of Councillor Inglis from the Panel, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, acting under delegated powers, had appointed Councillor Parnell to replace him for the purposes of this meeting.

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2014 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Committee meeting on 15 December 2014 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer seeking to approve the assurance gathering process to support the development of the 2014-15 Annual Governance Statement and to note the content of the 2013-14 Action Plan, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer regarding the Annual Governance Statement 2014-15 and the Action Plan for 2013-14.

RESOLVED that:-

(i)  the assurance gathering process to support the development of the 2014-15 Annual Governance Statement be noted and approved; and

(ii)  the Annual Governance Statement 2013-14 Action Plan be noted.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer regarding the Council’s proposed treasury management strategy for the coming year in relation to the Council’s cash flow, investment and borrowing, and the management of the numerous risks related to this activity, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Financial Officer regarding treasury management activity and proposals for cash flow, investment and borrowing for the following year.

RESOLVED that:-

(i)  the Treasury Management strategy for 2015/16 as outlined in the report be endorsed;

(ii)  following recommendations in the Capital Update report to Council on 11 February 2015, the possible need to recalculate the Prudential indicators be noted; and

(iii)  following the finalisation of the capital and revenue budgets report due at Council, the possible need to make changes be noted.

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor providing a progress report on the Internal Audit Progress for the period to December 2014, attached.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding internal audit progress to the period December 2014.

To consider the report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding the External Auditor’s annual report on the Certification of Claims and Returns 2013/14, attached.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Chief Internal Auditor regarding the External Auditor’s annual report on the Certification of Claims and Returns 2013/14.

Report of Head of Legal and Democratic Services regarding the need for independent members and the appointment of Designated Independent Persons, attached.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services regarding the appointment of Designated Independent Person(s) and Governance Committee Independent Members.

RESOLVED that the following Recommendations be made to Council:-

(i)  one Designated Independent Person as required under S.28(7) Localism Act 2011 be appointed from 1July 2015 for a term of 3 years;

(ii)  the two independent member appointments to the Governance Committee cease on 20May 2015 and it be noted that the appointment of independent members will end

(iii)  the current independent members, David Blake and Geoff Wilkinson be thanked for their work during the past three years; the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to carry out all actions to give effect to this resolution.