Issue - meetings

The Council considered the recommendation of Cabinet from its meeting held on 21 March 2018 on the review of the Code of Corporate Governance.

The Code of Corporate Governance is a standard of good governance which details the systems, processes and policies in place at Spelthorne. Following updates to the Delivering Good Governance in Local Government framework, the code was reviewed and updates proposed to reflect the new principles.

Resolved to approve the updated Code of Corporate Governance.

To consider the recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on a review of the Code of Corporate Governance.

Cabinet considered a recommendation from Overview and Scrutiny Committee to approve the updated Code of Corporate Governance and amendments to the Annual Governance Statement.  The Code explains the definition and benefits of corporate governance and the Annual Governance Statement demonstrates how the Council’s values, constitution and policies align to the Code.

Resolved that:

1.    the updated Code of Corporate Governance be approved;

2.    Cabinet recommend to Council approval of amendments to the Local Code of Corporate Governance in the Constitution.

To consider the review of the Code of Corporate Governance and recommend approval of the updated Code to Cabinet and note the required amendments to the Annual Governance Statement.

The Head of Corporate Governance explained that the Council’s Code of Corporate Governance is a standard of good governance which details the systems, processes and policies in place at Spelthorne. The Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers (SOLACE) had updated the Delivering Good Governance in Local Government framework which defines the principles that should underpin the Council’s governance structure. As a result of substantial changes to the key principles the Council was required to review its existing arrangements and develop an updated local code of corporate governance to reflect the new principles.

The updated Code would support the production of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS), reported to the November Audit Committee, which helps to demonstrate how the Council’s values, constitution and policies align to the new principles of governance.

The Head of Corporate Governance reported that as it had been found in the past that changes to the Code were not sufficient to warrant an annual review it was proposed instead to report to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee as necessary to keep the document under review.

Resolvedto:

1.    recommend approval of the updated Code of Corporate Governance to Cabinet; and

2.    note the required amendments to the Annual Governance Statement.