Issue - meetings

This report provides an update against the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) Action Plan which identified actions to be taken to address the significant governance issues in 2020/21 AGS, as follows:

1)     Governance of Children’s Social Services - Delivery of the 15-point action plan has a robust governance structure. Significant improvements have been made from last year, from a weaker starting point than was first realised. All services are showing improvement, albeit with different rates of progress. In December 2021, Ofsted completed an inspection of local authority children’s services visit, the outcome of which will be known in February 2022, when the report will be published. The improvement plan is being adjusted in line with findings of this Inspection. 

2)     Governance Arrangements with External Bodies

a)     Parks, charities and trusts – two reports on the governance of public parks have been taken to Audit & Governance Committee in the year. The December 2021 report made recommendations including for a report to assess all BCP parks and open spaces trusts arrangements, including options for governance arrangements. The Internal Audit review resulted in a partial audit option, meaning there are weaknesses in the control framework which are putting service objectives at risk.

b)     Partnerships – progress has been made to develop a corporate partnership register and draft guidance, however, this has been slower than anticipated and is now due to be completed by 31/3/2022.

Progress to ensure full compliance with the Financial Management Code from 2021/22 is underway. The Council’s Finance transformation programme, along with other measures, is expected to deliver improvements, savings and efficiencies.

The Head of Audit and Management Assurance presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided an update against the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) Action Plan which identified actions to be taken to address the significant governance issues in the 2020/21 AGS. There was particular focus on ‘Governance of Children’s Social Services’ and on ‘Governance Arrangements with External Bodies’. In each case, progress since last year was set out although the items were anticipated to continue to feature in the AGS going forward.

In relation to Children’s Social Services, it was reported that a 15-point action plan was being delivered in the context of a robust governance structure and significant improvements were being made with all services showing improvement, albeit with different rates of progress. The outcome of the recently completed Ofsted inspection was expected in February 2022, when the report would be published and the improvement plan adjusted in line with findings of the Inspection. 

The Committee was reminded that two reports on Governance Arrangements with External Bodies had been submitted to the Committee and recommendations made. A consequent Internal Audit Review of governance arrangements in BCP parks and open spaces trusts had resulted in a partial audit option, identifying weaknesses in the control framework.

Progress to develop a corporate partnership register and draft guidance, was underway but slower than anticipated and was now due to be completed by March 2022. Progress to ensure full compliance with the Financial Management Code from 2021/22 was also reported to be underway and the Council’s Finance transformation programme, along with other measures, was expected to deliver improvements, savings and efficiencies.

RESOLVED that the Audit and Governance Committee notes the progress made to address the significant governance issues on the BCP Council AGS Action Plan 2020/21 and the actions required to ensure full compliance with the Financial Management Code.

Voting: Unanimous