Governance Committee
MINUTES of a meeting of the Governance Committee held at Council Chamber, County Hall, Lewes on 16 July 2024.
PRESENT Councillors Keith Glazier (Chair), Nick Bennett, Bob Bowdler, Chris Collier and David Tutt
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ALSO PRESENT |
Councillors Johnny Denis (via MS Teams), Penny di Cara, Stephen Shing and Trevor Webb.
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12. Minutes of the meeting held on 25 June 2024
12.1 RESOLVED – that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 25 June 2024 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
13. Reports
13.1 Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.
14. Appointments to Outside Bodies
14.1 The Committee considered a report by the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the appointment of a councillor to the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee and South East Employers Committee.
14.2 The Committee RESOLVED to:
1) appoint Councillor Bennett and Councillor di Cara as the Council representatives on the South East Employers Committee for the period to June 2025.
2) appoint Councillor Philip Lunn as the substitute Council representative on the Gatwick Airport Consultative Committee for the period to June 2025.
15. Annual Governance Statement 2023/24
15.1 The Committee considered a report by the Assistant Chief Executive on the review of the Corporate Governance Framework for 2023/24.
15.2 The Committee RESOLVED to:
1) approve the action plan for 2024/25 as set out in Annex E of Appendix 1;
2) note that actions identified to enhance governance arrangements are reflected in Business Plans and that implementation will be monitored throughout the year;
3) confirm that Members are satisfied with the level of assurance provided to them through this report and the Council’s governance framework and processes;
4) consider any comments from the Audit Committee;
5) confirm that there were no significant governance issues that should be included in the Council’s Annual Governance Statement;
6) approve the draft Annual Governance Statement for signature by the Leader and the Chief Executive and publication within the Statement of Accounts; and
7) approve the Local Code of Corporate Governance for 2024/25.
16. Annual report of the Audit Committee
16.1 The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer on the Annual Report of the Audit Committee.
16.2 The Committee RESOLVED to note the Audit Committee: Annual Report 2023/24.
17. Flexible Retirement Policy
17.1 The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer on the proposed introduction of a flexible retirement policy.
17.2 The Committee RESOLVED recommend the
County Council to agree:
1) the implementation of a flexible retirement scheme for employees (excluding those on Teaching terms and conditions) as set out in Appendix 2 of the report; and
2) that the Local Government Pension Scheme Employer Discretions Policy is updated accordingly to allow for this.
[Councillor Tutt abstained from the vote as a member of the Pension Committee]