AUDIT & GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE	20 October 2021
Report of the Director of Governance

Progress against the Action Plan prepared in response to the Public Interest Report

Summary

This report is to appraise the Audit & Governance Committee of progress being made against the Action Plan prepared in response to the Public Interest Report.

Background

The Council is required to address the recommendations set out in the Report in the Public Interest dated 19^th April 2021, and accepted by Full Council on 4^th May 2021.  An Action Plan was also approved by Full Council and Audit & Governance Committee has been asked to oversee the delivery of the Action Plan.

Work to address the various aspects of the Action Plan continues.

In response to the recommendation by the Audit & Governance Committee, the Exit Strategies guidance (as amended) will be considered by the Staffing Matters and Urgency Committee on 18^th October 2021.  The Staffing Matters and Urgency Committee is invited to adopt and immediately implement the Guidance.  Training to all senior staff is also being provided during October 2021 in respect of this Guidance.

The Local Government Association has been advised of the Audit & Governance Committee’s approval of the scoping document and they continue to be provided with all necessary updates.

The Audit & Governance Committee is now concerned with its review of the constitution with the support of a cross party working group established to meet weekly during October 2021. 

Implications

Financial – None directly arising from this report.  The Council is a member of the LGA and therefore the support from the LGA is at nil cost.

Human Resources (HR) – None directly arising from this report.

Equalities – None directly arising from this report.

Legal – As detailed within this report, the Council has received and accepted the Report in the Public Interest dated 19^th April 2021, and therefore is required to undertake necessary steps to address the highlighted recommendations.  The various individual steps required in addressing these recommendations may in themselves require legal advice.   

Crime and Disorder, Information Technology and Property - None directly arising from this report.

Recommendations

The Audit & Governance Committee is invited to note the progress being made against the Action Plan prepared in support of the Public Interest Report.

Reasons for the Recommendation

The Audit & Governance Committee is required by Full Council to monitor the delivery of the Action Plan prepared in response to the Public Interest Report.

Options

There are no other options for the Committee to consider on this occasion.

Author &  Chief Officer responsible for the report:	Janie Berry, Director of Governance & Monitoring Officer
	Report Approved	ü	Date	5 October 2021
Specialist Implications Officer(s):  Debbie Mitchell, Chief Finance Officer and Section 151 Trudy Forster, Head of HR
Wards Affected:  List wards or tick box to indicate all					All	ü
For further information please contact the author of the report

Background Papers:

Agenda, Reports and Minutes of the meeting of Full Council dated 4^th May 2021

Agenda, Reports and Minutes of the Audit & Governance Committee