Contact: Gary Smith, ext 7691 e-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

· That Cabinet welcomes the comments by the District Auditor and approves the approach laid out in appendix one as the County Council's formal response to the Annual Audit and Inspection Letter.


· That the Executive Member for Communication, External Relationships and Efficiency be full involved in the development and implementation of the performance management process.

2 Reason

2.1 This decision will strengthen the Council's overall ability to perform but supports mostly Aim five (Improving Services) and Aim six (Developing Councillors and Staff) of the Corporate Strategy.

2.2 Aim five will be supported by developing Member scrutiny arrangements; integrated service planning, financial planning and performance reporting; additional service planning guidance; a detailed performance management framework; additional officer performance scrutiny; financial systems; and financial controls.

2.3 Aim six will be supported by developing Member scrutiny arrangements; a political skills pilot; a detailed performance management framework; and links between the Corporate Strategy and performance development reviews.

2.4 This paper outlines the Council's formal response to the District Auditor's 2004 Annual Audit and Inspection Letter and highlights the main recommendations. It then identifies how the Council is reacting to the findings in terms of actions, lead officers and timescales.

3 Other options considered and rejected - None.

4 Conflicts of interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted -None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee - None.

6 Reason(s) for the matter being dealt with if urgent - Not applicable.

Approved by: .......................................... Date: ..............................

Councillor T K Thornber, CBE