Agenda item

To receive a feedback report from the Chief Executive detailing the LGA Governance Peer Challenge Feedback Report.

Executive Councillor: S Conboy

The Cabinet has

(a)  received the LGA Governance Peer Challenge report, Appendix 1 and noted the recommendations; and

(b)  noted Appendix 2, that provided an update on progress against all the proposed recommendations.

With the aid of a report prepared by the  Chief Executive Members (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) Members were reminded that HDC had invited the Local Government Association (LGA) to undertake an Audit Peer Challenge in March 2023.

By way of background the Executive Councillor for Customer Services reported that the Peers had made a number of recommendations during the review and an Action Plan had been developed to address these points.

It was noted that there is an expectation the LGA peer review team will return to HDC so as to assess progress on recommendations within six months. Following the appointment of the new Chief Executive and growing national interest in local government governance, audit and risk, the Council had invited the Peer Review team to return to assess progress and provide independent advice on questions posed by the Corporate Government Committee and to consider any new recommendations that should be implemented.

The Peer team had (1) returned on the 28th of February 2024, having reviewed a number of documents prior to their arrival and whilst on site, they had gathered more information from twelve meetings; during which they met with twenty-seven people, which included a range of elected Members and Officers, and (2) made five recommendations; the first concentrating on progress of the initial seventeen recommendations from the March 2023 visit, and the remaining four were new, having regard to wider corporate governance aspects.

Members noted that (a) there is a requirement to publish the LGA Governance Peer Challenge report within 12 weeks of receipt and HDC  would do this in any event to promote transparency and good practice may be found at Appendix 1 and the recommendations as set out within pages 6 and 7 of the report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), and (b) the report will be presented to the Corporate Governance Committee on 18th April 2024 and thereafter will oversee the progress against all recommendations. The report will also be presented to Council on 22nd May 2024.

It was noted that the peer team provided helpful insight and suggestions which has enabled officers to reinvigorate progress against the remaining 8 outstanding recommendations. As detailed in Appendix 2 provided updates against those recommendations and also referenced the new recommendations.

Cabinet was informed that one of the main issues raised by the peer team related to the Council’s internal capacity to deliver, particularly around risk and internal audit.

Members were pleased to note that the s.151 Officer (i) has identified where additional capacity can be used to support the risk management function and will be recruiting temporary support for an initial period of 9 months. Furthermore, as the annual audit plan is finalised, additional support will be obtained from Binder Djker Otte (BDO), who have also been commissioned to undertake the External Quality Assessment; (ii) is also progressing capacity issues within the procurement function of the Council. Whilst this had not been specifically referenced within any recommendations by the peer team, it was noted that the issue was raised by the Corporate Governance Committee. The Cabinet agreed that contract management and procurement can impact on wider governance of the Council, and it was recognised that the progress being made demonstrates the commitment to ensuring good practice and prioritisation of functions.

After consideration of the report the Chair Moved and Cabinet:

RESOLVED

a)  to receive the LGA Governance Peer Challenge report, Appendix 1, and note the recommendations; and

b)  to note Appendix 2, that provided an update on progress against all the proposed recommendations.