Archived decisions

At a meeting of the GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE of HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on 14 December 2007.

PRESENT:

Councillors:

112. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Maxwell who was chairing a meeting of the Basingstoke and Deane Hampshire Action Team.

113. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

All Members who believe they have a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code. The declaration should be made at the time of the relevant debate.

114 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 20 September 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

115. MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES 2008 - RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL

The Committee considered the proceedings of the meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel held on 22 November 2007 including the Panel's recommendations. The Roberts Report, referred to by the Panel, had recently been published and had included a number of recommendations. The Chairman of the Committee invited Councillors Collett and Kelly to consider the recommendations and comment with a view to the Chairman of the Committee, in his capacity as Leader of the County Council, informing the Government of the County Council's initial reaction to the recommendations.

With particular reference to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, the Committee was mindful that the findings of a review of the County Council's democratic structure in relation to the management of the River Hamble were to be the subject of a report to the Governance Committee in due course. The Committee was also aware that Government guidelines indicated that not more than 50% of the membership of the Council should be in receipt of Special Responsibility Allowances. Given that the Independent Remuneration Panel proposed to undertake a full review of all Members' allowances during 2008, it was the Committee's view that consideration of a Special Responsibility Allowance for the Chairman of the River Hamble Harbour Board should be deferred. The Committee agreed that allowances for 2008/09 should be increased in line with the local government pay award for the next financial year and that a full review of members' allowances should be carried out during 2008. Whilst the Committee did not consider that the County Council could release resource to assist research in relation to the review, the Chief Executive was asked to undertake a survey of County Councillors to ascertain their views as to the amount of time they spent on average each week on County Council business.

With regard to the question of lunch subsistence, the Committee considered that there were occasions when, in the interests of efficient and effective business management, appropriate arrangements should be made for lunch to be provided. The Chief Executive was asked to consider how best to proceed in this respect and to report to a future meeting.

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the County Council:

That Members' allowances for 2008/09 be increased in line with the Local Government pay award for that year.

116 INTERNAL AUDIT STRATEGY: 2008 - 2013

The Committee considered and approved the report of the County Treasurer (Item 6 in the Minute Book) presenting the proposed Internal Audit Strategy for 2008 - 2013 prior to the preparation of the detailed Internal Audit Plans for 2008/09 and beyond. In approving the strategy the Committee was mindful that management was responsible for developing and maintaining the internal control framework so as to ensure that the County Council's resources were properly applied. In this context the Committee considered that advice and guidance, particularly for governing bodies and head teachers, should be revisited in consultation with the Children's Services Department (Governor Services). The Committee reiterated that those making decisions on behalf of the County Council about spending the public's money should be reminded of the County Council's financial disciplines and the need to comply with them all times. In this respect the Committee considered that head teachers and governing bodies, who managed their schools at arms-length from the County Council, were most vulnerable.

RESOLVED:

a) That the Internal Audit Strategy for 2008 - 2013 be approved;

b) That, in consultation with Governor Services, advice and guidance in relation to the County Council's financial disciplines be revised and best practice reinforced in order to minimise the risk of non-compliance.

117 INTERNAL AUDIT PROGRESS REPORT

The Committee considered and approved the report of the County Treasurer (Item 7 in the Minute Book) setting out the progress of internal audit work during 2007/08.

118 PENSION FUND PANEL PROCEEDINGS

The Committee received and noted the minutes of the meetings of the Pension Fund Panel held on 2 and 16 November 2007.