Agenda item

The Committee considered a report which invited the Committee to adopt a Local Code of Governance for Buckinghamshire Council. The report was presented by Mr Glenn Watson, Principal Governance Officer. The adoption of a code was not a statutory requirement, however was recognised as national best practice. This would be the first Local Code of Governance adopted by the council. The Code was a description of the governance already in place, itemising evidence to demonstrate how the council complied with the seven principles of good governance as outlined by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) Delivering Good Governance Framework.

The Code was a single source of information to enable the public, councillors, partners, stakeholders and officers to better understand the council’s governance arrangements.

During discussion, points raised included:

·       A Member raised that in addition to publishing the Local Code of Governance to the council’s website, as it was a key aspect of governance and was important to embed and drive improvements across the authority, having it form part of a briefing for Members would be beneficial.

ACTION: Mr G Watson to look to arrange an all Members briefing on the Local Code.

·       In terms of testing each governance arrangement, the Chief Auditor advised that the Local Code could be incorporated into the internal audit activity on a rolling programme to test areas of its effectiveness and feed into the wider assurance framework.

ACTION: Ms M Gibb to include the Local Code of Governance in the Internal Audit Activity programme.

·       It was noted that the Local Code contained several hyperlinks which directed to documents and pages contained on the council’s website and it was queried how those residents who were not IT literate could access these. The Committee was advised that where the document was deposited in council buildings it would be supported by a covering note which contained details of who to contact and how to obtain further information.

·       On page 186 of the reports pack, within section 3 – Overview of governance, under Councillors and Decision making it was requested that the reference to ‘audit’ be amended to ‘audit and governance’ and under partnership working that the unparished area of Wycombe be referenced. Further on page 198 of the reports pack under 3.1 Defining outcomes it was suggested that risk management be included to reflect that risks are reviewed and managed.  

ACTION: Mr Watson to review the above points and amend as necessary.

·       The Committee agreed that whilst approving the Local Code, a two-week period for Committee Members to contact Mr Watson with factual amendments would be granted.

RESOLVED:

1.      That the Local Code of Governance for Buckinghamshire Council, as at Annex 1 be approved.

2.      That the Service Director for Legal and Democratic Services maintain the Local Code throughout the year.

3.      That the Local Code be reviewed annually.

4.      That an all Members briefing be arranged on the Local Code of Governance.

5.      That the Chief Auditor add the Local Code of Governance to the rolling Internal Audit Plan.