We've set out within our Annual Governance Statement (AGS) a list of key actions we've taken to strengthen the way we carry out our business.
Each year the council must produce an AGS - a statement on how we're taking responsibility and accountability for delivering our services.
Last year’s AGS highlighted areas the council has now improved including health & safety, digital data and technology, payroll and pensions, and financial processes for adult social care.
These improvements will continue to strengthen governance over the next year and make improvements to the overall audit opinion of the council, which for last year provided a partial assurance rating.
An internal organisational redesign, developing its Council Plan, launching the King’s Counsel investigation into Cityclean and improving industrial relations were also areas that will help improve our governance arrangements over the coming year.
We use a wide range of information to help inform the AGS including internal and external auditors, internal inspections like Ofsted, health and safety data, risk management, staff survey results and financial management reports.
The latest AGS report will be presented to the council’s Audit, Standards & General Purposes Committee on Tuesday 25 June.
There are 10 key actions the council needs to undertake in 2024/25 to further strengthen its governance, including:
• Actions to improve key financial systems (e.g. housing rent, housing benefits, council tax, debtors)
• Develop and deliver a more robust and sustainable service and financial plan
• Budget Management to better achieve savings targets
• Further improvements to the Payroll and Pension Service
• Continue improving financial processes for adult social care clients
• Meet building safety compliance requirements in council owned housing
We recognise the need to strengthen arrangements in all of these areas and have clear and robust plans in place to address the issues
Alison McManamon, the council’s acting corporate services director, said: “Good corporate governance is about doing the right things in the right way and ensuring we’re well-run and responsive.
“It’s also about enabling delivery of our vision to be a city to be proud of, a healthy, fair and inclusive city where everyone thrives.
“As a responsible organisation we’re always trying to develop and improve. The Annual Governance Statement sets out where we are with our governance, where we want to get to and how we achieve this.”