Issue details

The Mayor and Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health submitted a report for Executive’s consideration.

The intent of the report was to provide assurance to the Executive that the existing Programme and Project Management governance arrangements and those which were proposed specifically for oversight of the Transformation Portfolio and delivery of intended benefits were sufficient and robust.

The Council was currently mid-way through a corporate governance improvement journey, following the report and findings of the Council’s external auditor, Ernst and Young LLP in July 2022 which reported significant areas of concerns in governance, including relations between members and officers.

Following communication of the findings of the external auditor, the Council brought in external support (CIPFA and the LGA) to support with the development of the corporate governance improvement plan, alongside undertaking a review of the organisation’s financial resilience.

Despite progress made, in January 2023, the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), issued a Best Value Notice. To respond effectively to the wider governance challenges facing the Council, the corporate governance improvement plan was refreshed in September 2023 around two specific themes: cultural transformation and financial resilience. Simultaneously, the external auditor escalated concerns via statutory recommendations, under Section 24 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act, which the Council responded to with an action plan of improvements, aligning with the Corporate Governance Improvement Plan intentions.