Agenda item

The Head of Law introduced a report setting out proposals to adopt a new Code of Corporate Governance to reflect the new framework issued by CIPFA/SOLACE. The Authority’s existing code had to be replaced to reflect a shift in emphasis on the attainment of sustainable economic, societal and environmental outcomes as a key focus of governance processes and structures.

It was noted that the new Code would be used to prepare the Annual Governance Statement by examining how the Authority had performed against the Code. It was confirmed that the Chair of the Audit, Resources and Performance Committee was actively involved in the annual review due to take place in May and the review process would help to identify any gaps in the Authority’s governance arrangements for the new Code.

As before, it was proposed that the Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to make minor amendments to the Code following the annual review.

During the discussion, the following issues were suggested as amendments to the Code:

·         A review of the document to remove acronyms

·         Clarification that exemptions under Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act would only be used where justified

·         Clarification that the Authority would engage with bodies representative of different voices inside and outside of the National Park

·         Recording the Authority’s commitment to using plain English

The officer recommendation  was moved, seconded, put to the vote and carried.

Resolved:

1.    To approve the Code of Corporate Governance set out in Appendix 1 of the report.

2.    To authorise the Monitoring Officer, following consultation with the Chair of Audit, Resources and Performance Committee to make minor changes to the code each year following the publication of the Annual Governance Statement.