Governance Committee
MINUTES of a meeting of the Governance Committee held at Council Chamber, County Hall, Lewes on 15 July 2025.
PRESENT: Councillors Keith Glazier, OBE (Chair), Nick Bennett, Bob Bowdler, Chris Collier, Johnny Denis and David Tutt
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ALSO PRESENT: |
Councillors Godfrey Daniel, Paul Redstone, Stephen Shing, and Trevor Webb. |
11. Minutes of the meeting held on 24 June 2025
11.1 RESOLVED – that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Committee held on 24 June 2025 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
12. Reports
12.1 Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.
13. Assessment of the Corporate Governance Framework for 2024-25
13.1 The Committee considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive on the assessment of the Annual Corporate Governance Framework from 2024/25.
13.2 The Committee RESOLVED to:
1) approve the action plan for 2025/26 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) agree the recommended changes made by the Audit Committee to the draft Annual Governance Statement;
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 2025/26.
14. Amendment to the Constitution - Scheme of Delegation to Officers
14.1 The Committee considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive regarding proposed amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers within the Council’s Constitution to reflect recent updates to the Procurement and Contract Standing Orders.
14.2 The Committee RESOLVED to recommend the County Council to agree to amend the Constitution as set out in Appendix 1 of the report.
15. Audit Committee: Annual Report 2024/25
15.1 The Committee considered a report by the Chief Operation Officer in relation to the Annual Report of the Audit Committee.
15.2 The Committee RESOLVED to note the Audit Committee: Annual Report 2024/25.
16. East Sussex Pension Fund - Pension Board membership
16.1 The Committee considered a report by the Chief Financial Officer regarding the appointments to the East Sussex Pension Board.
16.2 The Committee RESOLVED to:
1) appoint Philippa Buckingham to the East Sussex Pension Board for a 4-year term (15 July 2025 to 14 July 2029); and
2) extend the term of Trevor Redmond for 2 years to 27 September 2027.