Issue - meetings

The Annual Governance Statement (“Statement”) is an important document which provides assurance concerning the council’s governance arrangements, both financial and non-financial. It is prepared on an annual basis for inclusion in the Statement of Accounts.

The Statement was taken to Audit and Scrutiny Committee for approval in July 2025, as per its terms of reference. The Statement has been brought to Full Council to ensure all Members are conversant with its contents. Please note the information within the Statement is accurate as of 1 July 2025 (as per its production timeline).

Council received a report presenting the Annual Governance Statement 2024-25

Councillor Steven McCormick MOVED the recommendations in the report..

An amendment to the recommendations was MOVED by Councillor James Lawrence and SECONDED by Councillor Chris Ames. The proposed amendment was as follows:

“To add the following recommendation:?

·       Note that point G. of Core CIPFA governance principle be considered “Some development or areas for improvement”?”

?The amendment was not accepted by the proposer of the original motion and accordingly was debated by the Council. Upon being put to the vote the amendment was LOST with 9 votes for, 19 votes against and the Mayor not voting.

An amendment to the recommendations was MOVED by Councillor Chris Ames and SECONDED by Councillor Alex Coley. The proposed amendment was as follows:

“Add text:?

·       Note that the Statement is significantly different from the document approved by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee in July.?

·       Note that, although the Audit and Scrutiny Committee resolved at its July meeting to Approve the Statement before it, “noting the questions and comments raised by Audit and Scrutiny Members”, the document at Appendix 1 does not reflect questions and comments made by committee members.?”

The amendment was not accepted by the proposer of the original motion and accordingly was debated by the Council. Upon being put to the vote the amendment was LOST with 9 votes for, 19 votes against and the Mayor not voting.

Upon being put, the recommendations of the substantive motion were CARRIED as follows:

The Council agreed with 19 votes for, 9 votes against and the Mayor not voting to:

(1)       Note the Annual Governance Statement 2024-2025 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report.