Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Financial Officer to inform Members about the background to the Local Code of Corporate Governance and the draft Local Code which is to be recommended to full Council in July for adoption.

The Chief Financial Officer, Gerald Almeroth, reported on the background to the Local Code of Corporate Governance and the draft Local Code. Mr Almeroth reported that, while this was the first time that the elements had been codified and incorporated into a single document, the document reflected the arrangements that were already in place at the Council.

The Chair asked if there were questions from the Committee. Cllr Gorrie expressed concern that the wording of Core Principle 2: ‘Members and Officers Working Together to Achieve a Common Purpose with Clearly Defined Functions and Roles’ did not reflect the political reality of having an opposition, and asked how this could be reflected in the document. Mr Almeroth reported that the wording was required under CIPFA and SOLACE guidance, but that further work would be carried out to see how the text could be revised for greater clarity in relation to the distinctions between the ruling party, the opposition and committees such as the Audit Committee and Pensions Committee, where all Members worked together for the best interests of taxpayers.  

There being no further comments, it was:

RESOLVED

i.                    That the draft Local Code of Corporate Governance be approved subject to the comments made during discussion of the report.

ii.         That the process and timescale for consulting Member bodies before adoption by full Council be noted.