Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

There were no declarations.

Minutes of the last meeting are attached to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the last meeting held Tuesday, 30 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Report of the External Auditors attached.

The committee considered a report of the Council’s External Auditor, Grant Thornton which sought to provide a general sector update and information for members on various reports of interest.

The External Auditors advised that the housing benefit certification work was progressing and an extension had been requested for approximately two weeks past the deadline of 31 January 2022. The External Auditors would shortly be issuing the annual audit, and the value for money opinion to Senior Management and Governance Committee.

Members noted that the remainder of the report contained a summary of key sector updates.

In response to a member enquiry, the External Auditors confirmed that they had enough resource to deliver audits. Across the county only 10% of audits were delivered to the deadline of 30 September 2021. The housing benefit audit was delayed not as a result of staffing levels but due to issues accessing the information remotely.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive attached.

Members considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive which provided an updated Strategic Risk Register, including 16 strategic risks to the council, actions in progress and new actions intended to further mitigate identified risks.

The Service Lead (Transformation and Partnerships) explained that the document is used by the Council to identify risks to the organisation and service delivery. The register is a live document and frequently reviewed by Senior Management Team and included on GRACE. Members noted that risks have remained similar to last year, with three risks identified as increasing in risk level and two have decreased since the last review. Additionally, one new risk had been identified for 2021/22, alongside one risk being removed from the register.

Members referred to Risk R06 – Lack of Staff Capacity and Skills and were surprised the residual and target risk were green. The Service Lead (Transformation and Partnerships) explained that there was a high number of controls in place, the vast majority of roles can be recruited successfully and recruitment policies and training for managers were in place. Development processes were in place for new talent, however it was accepted that there was gaps in high demand areas such as Planning and Audit but controls were in place.

Members explained that they had concern about R10, low staff morale and satisfaction and requested further information on the staff survey. The Service Lead (Transformation and Partnerships) explained that a staff survey had been undertaken and the risk rating was based on the current national context and the impact of COVID on morale in general. The survey had recently been completed and officers were still in the process of analysing the results. The report overall suggests that satisfaction is around 80-90% in terms of line management, although there are some areas which received low scores.

Members were advised that a report including the staff survey results would follow due process and be provided to Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet for consideration.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer attached.

The committee received the report from the Monitoring Officer which provided members with an update on the progress of the agreed actions within the Annual Governance Statement action plan.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer explained that good progress had been made with some actions completed in full. It was anticipated that the full plan would be completed by the end of the year. Key themes within the plan included recruitment and induction, governance and management, risk management and GDPR.

Members noted that significant work had been done in relation to recruitment, with a new e-learning platform launched and a management development programme.

Members requested a copy of the approved Transformation Strategy and it was agreed, once the strategy was finalised and approved, it would be provided outside of the meeting.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer attached.

The committee received a report from the Director of Governance and Monitoring Officer which provided a brief update on the Council’s use of its powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

Members were advised that in 2020 the council was inspected by the Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office and no issues of concern had been raised. In 2021 the RIPA policy was amended and updated to reflect changes in the management structure of the council. Officers had received RIPA training in January 2022 by an external supplier to refresh knowledge and understanding.

Members noted that no RIPA investigations had occurred in the last twelve months.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the report be noted.