Agenda

All Members present are required to declare, at this point in the meeting or as soon as possible thereafter:

(i)         any disclosable pecuniary interests and / or

(ii)        other interests arising under the Code of Conduct

in respect of any item(s) of business being considered at this meeting.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a true record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 06 July 2026 (attached) and to authorise the Chair to sign them.

This report presents early sight of both the Finance and the Procurement and Contract sections of the new Constitution for East Surrey and invites comments on the draft and principles, ahead of finalising and bringing back to this Committee for final consideration.

Section 9P of the Local Government Act 2000 requires every local authority to prepare, maintain, and keep up to date a formal constitution. This document controls how the local council operates, makes decisions, and handles its governance. The sections relating to Finance and to Procurement and Contracts set out:

·         How the Council governs the manner in which the financial activity is conducted and ensures its financial interests are safeguarded; and

·         How the Council authorises and manages expenditure and resulting commercial contracts with other organisations.

It is therefore essential that East Surrey Council has an agreed Constitution in place in time for vesting day on 1st April 2027, and that the detail of the finance and the procurement and contract elements of that Constitution are agreed in time to establish required process and controls ahead of vesting day.

For the Audit & Governance Committee to consider and adopt a ‘Speak Up Policy’ (to include whistleblowing arrangements) for the shadow period and for East Surrey Council beyond Vesting Day on 1 April 2027. The policy will provide a safe route for staff, contractors and others for the reporting of serious wrongdoing or risks within the organisation.

This report requests that the East Surrey Shadow Audit and Governance Committee consider and endorses the proposed process for the appointment of two Independent Co-Opted Members for the remainder of the Shadow Period and thereafter for a four-year term until 31 March 2031.

The Committee is requested to note its forward work programme for 2026-27.