The Governance & Standards Committee has decided to accept the assessment of the Council's high level of compliance with its Local Code of Corporate Governance.

URL: https://mansfield.moderngov.co.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=1716

Decision Maker: Governance & Standards Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose: The report details the findings from the review undertaken by the Corporate Assurance Manager of the Council’s level of compliance with its Local Code of Corporate Governance (Code). The results have informed the Council’s Annual Governance Statement (AGS).

Content: The Corporate Assurance Manager presented a summary of the Corporate Governance Review 2024/2025.   The Committee were informed that the report detailed the finding from the review undertaken by the Corporate Assurance Manager of the Council’s level of compliance with its Local Code of Corporate Governance (Code).   Members were informed that the Code was laid down by the CIPFA Solace guidance.   Members were referred to page 36 of the report which included a table that indicated the levels of compliance.  Members were informed that as per Table 1 the Council had fully achieved 84 out of 91 requirements providing a compliance scoring of 92%, therefore achieving a score of a high level of compliance.   Members were informed that there were some areas for improvement which were indicated on page 38 indicated at A7 of the report as a partial compliance. The areas of improvement indicated and actions to be taken.  The Corporate Assurance Manager also referred to E8 which had received a partial compliance with regards to the completion of PDRs for Members and Officers.  Committee.   Andrea Smith asked what the parameters were for a partial compliance score, what percentage achieved a partial compliance score, and who was responsible for ensuring that PDRS were completed.     The Corporate Assurance Manager informed the Committee that it was the responsibility of the Managers to ensure that PDRs were completed for both Officers and Members, and that the scoring was based on a yes, no or part completed along with supporting evidence.   Andrea Smith asked if there was a metric for the number of PDRs completed.   The Corporate Assurance Manager advised that the numbers were quite low.   The Corporate Assurance Manager highlighted each area of partial compliance and informed the Committee what was required to achieve full compliance.   Andrea Smith (Independent Member) offered a comment that the report was very well written and that the outcomes were positive and suggested that it might be helpful and  enrich the Committee if some key performance measures were included that the Corporate Assurance Manager could leverage in terms of scale and performance.   The Independent Member felt that this might assist the Committee to understand that the presence of a strategy does not necessarily  mean the effectiveness of that strategy in terms of its execution.   That work within the different parts of the organisation may provide some levels of performance that the Committee consistently report upon on an annual basis. This may enrich the information for the Committee.   Councillor Denness proposed that the assessment of the Council’s level of compliance with its Local Code of Governance as high be accepted.  The motion was seconded by Councillor Hughes.   On putting the motion to the vote, it was unanimously approved.   Resolved: That the assessment of the Council’s level of compliance with its Local Code of Corporate Governance as high be accepted.      

Date of Decision: July 9, 2025