Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting and details of substitutions and for whom they are attending to the Committee membership.

Toapprovethe Minutesofthemeetingof the Committeeheld on the6^th December 2024.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Committee.

The Committee will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting. 

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

To consider the dates and times for meetings of Council for the 2025/26 municipal year.

Contact: Leigh Webb, Head of Governance.

RESOLVED- That the Dates of Council Meetings – 2025-26 Municipal Year report be noted with the request of a report setting out potential dates reflected in the discussion be submitted to the next Committee meeting.

To receive the report of the Members’ Allowances Independent Review Panel.

Contact: Leigh Webb, Head of Governance.

RESOLVED-

1) That the report of the Members’ Allowances Independent Review Panel be noted.

2) That the Committee recommends that Council approve the recommendations of the Members Allowances Independent Review Panel MAIRP (as set out in Appendix A of the report).

To receive the Treasury Management Strategy and conider the Investment Strategy 2025/26.

Contact: Rachel Firth, Finance Manager.

RESOLVED-

1)    That the Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26 incorporating (i) the borrowing strategy, (ii) the investment strategy, (iii) the policy for provision of repayment of debt (Minimum Revenue Provision) (iv) the treasury management prudential indicators and (v) the investment strategy (non-treasury investments) be recommended for consideration by Cabinet and then approval by Council. 

2)    That an explanatory paper on Minimum Revenue Provision including different methodologies be submitted to a future Committee meeting.

To consider the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24.

Contact: Simon Straker, Audit Manager.

RESOLVED- That the Annual Governance Statement be approved.

To consider the Audit Findings report 2023/24.

Contact: Grant Thornton, External Auditor.

RESOLVED – That the Audit Findings Report 2023/24 be noted.

To consider the Council’s final accounts for 2023/24.

Contact: James Anderson, Head of Accountancy.

RESOLVED –

1) That the Statement of Accounts 2023/24 incorporating the Annual Governance Statement be approved.

2) That the draft letter of Representation (Appendix C), with the Chair of Corporate Governance and Audit Committee to sign the final version on behalf of the Committee upon completion of the audit be approved.

To receive the Auditors Annual Report 2023/24.

Contact: Grant Thornton, External Auditor.

RESOLVED- That the Auditor’s Annual Report 2023/24 be noted.

To review the 2024/25 Agenda Plan.

RESOLVED- That the Agenda Plan for 2024/25 be noted.