Issue - meetings

To note the overall assurance level for the 12 Governance Assurance Areas, which will form the new Governance Assurance Register (Appendix A) and review the following six Governance Assurance Areas (Appendix B):

·       Ensuring an inclusive and prosperous economy

·       Ensuring we address affordable housing supply and demand to meet local need

·       Ensuring the Council has robust mechanisms in place to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and business interruptions

·       Ensuring we meet our Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity duties and responsibilities

·       Ensuring the Council’s financial management and long-term planning arrangements are effective to secure financial sustainability

·       Ensuring there are effective governance arrangements in place to deliver the IRP

Lee O’Neil, Deputy Chief Executive presented the report on the development of the Governance Assurance Register and the current status of the Governance Assurance Framework. He reported that good progress continued to be made in implementing and embedding the Council's new Governance Assurance Approach to Risk Management. He advised that there had been no changes to the overall assurance levels across the 12 governance assurance areas since they were last reported to the Committee.

The Committee had previously reviewed all 12 governance assurance areas over its May and June meetings, and the reporting cycle had now recommenced with the first six areas being presented again for review.

He reported that governance assurance reporting had been introduced to service committees, beginning with the Corporate Policy and Resources Committee in July. He advised that a tailored reporting template had been developed to support the scrutiny and performance role of service committees, incorporating relevant performance indicator data. Feedback from the initial report had been positive and further governance assurance reports were planned for September.

Chris Norrington, Economic Development Manager presented the update in relation to ‘ensuring an inclusive and prosperous economy’ advising that progress against some actions had been impacted by limited Economic Development resources since May.

He reported that officers continued to engage with local businesses through a range of channels, supported by regular communications and stakeholder networks. He noted that work was underway to develop an engagement framework to support businesses and community groups through the transition to West Surrey Council.

Regarding evaluation and performance monitoring, he reported that a framework was being developed. Partner organisations had agreed to provide quarterly performance information, alongside existing key performance indicators and Department for Work and Pensions data, to support governance assurance reporting. Work had commenced on developing a shared data and intelligence approach, including analysis of the borough's economy to provide a comprehensive picture and inform future improvements. In response to a query about Spelthorne’s economic positioning within the future West Surrey authority, he confirmed that the Leader of West Surrey had been invited to visit Spelthorne to better understand its economic strengths and opportunities. He clarified that further progress would be achievable before the next update.

Ken Emerson, Housing Options Manager presented the update in relation to ‘ensuring we address affordable housing supply and demand to meet local need’. He advised that work was underway to assess new Government housing outcomes as part of the development of a future West Surrey housing strategy. In relation to housing demand, he reported that homelessness caseloads had reduced and officers were continuing to monitor the impact of legislative changes, including the Renters Rights Act, on homelessness and housing demand. He advised that the Council was increasing the proportion of social housing allocations made to homeless households to help reduce the use of temporary accommodation. In relation to housing supply, he reported that work continued on development projects, the acquisition of additional properties, and opportunities to make use of vacant accommodation across the emerging West Surrey  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43