Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the AGS Action Plan for 2024-25.

The Head of Service: Governance, Audit & Procurement presented an update on the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) Action Plan for 2024/25.

Members were reminded that the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 requires the Council to produce an Annual Governance Statement each year, setting out how the authority ensures that its governance arrangements remain robust. The AGS Action Plan identifies areas for improvement and is monitored throughout the year by Senior Management and action owners.

The Committee was informed that significant progress had been made in implementing the actions agreed when the AGS was approved in May 2025. Updates reflected activity undertaken since that time, with improvements noted across several governance areas, including financial monitoring arrangements and internal control processes.

Members welcomed the report, noting the importance of strong governance and discussed recent national examples of councils that had encountered difficulties where governance arrangements were not prioritised.

In response to a question on how quickly issues in spending patterns would be identified, Officers explained that areas such as Adult Social Care are monitored very closely, with variances normally spotted within two weeks of month?end, and overall corporate monitoring taking place within three weeks. Formal reporting to the Senior Management Team (SMT) occurs every other month, with escalation to Cabinet or Council as required.

The Committee noted the positive progress made in delivering the AGS action plan and the continued focus on strengthening governance arrangements across the authority.

RESOLVED – that the contents of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) Action Plan for 2024/25 be noted.