Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 November 2025.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 19 November 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive communications from the Chair.

There were no Chair’s announcements.

The Chair to report on any requests to address the meeting.

There were no requests to address the meeting.

The Chair to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

(The Chair joined the meeting and took the Chair from the Vice-Chair). 

Report of Assistant Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To consider an update on actions from the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2024/2025.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves to:

1.1    Consider and comment on the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2024/2025.

Resolved

(1)        That the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2024/2025 be noted.

The Assistant Director Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report to consider an update on actions from the Annual Governance Statement 2024/2025.

In introducing the report, the Assistant Director Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer advised the Committee that the Annual Governance Statement was a key part of the Council’s governance framework as it helped to identify areas that required improvement and ensured transparency and compliance with good governance principles.

In response to a query regarding the status of the implementation of the strategic site management tool the Committee was informed that although the project was behind schedule good progress was now being made on this as part of the Council’s transformation plan.

The Head of Finance undertook to provide more information regarding the mid-point in the financial year forecast overspends in Property, Housing and Wellbeing and Environmental Services.

Resolved

(1)        That the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2024/2025 be noted.

Report of Assistant Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To review the Local Code of Corporate Governance. The Code is part of the overall system of internal control at the Council and supports the provision of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) which is approved annually by the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1    To approve the reviewed Local Code of Corporate Governance (Appendix 1).

Resolved

(1)    That the Council’s Local Code of Corporate Governance be approved.

The Assistant Director Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report to review the Local Code of Corporate Governance. The code was part of the overall system of internal control at the Council and supported the provision of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) which was approved annually by the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee.

In introducing the report, the Assistant Director Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer advised the Committee that although it was not a legal requirement, it was best practice for local authorities to have a Local Code of Corporate Governance based on the CIPFA / Solace Framework for Corporate Governance in Local Government

The Code set out and described the Council’s commitment to corporate governance and identified arrangements that would ensure its effective implementation and application in all aspects of the Council’s work

Resolved

(1)    That the Council’s Local Code of Corporate Governance be approved.

Report of Assistant Director of Human Resources

Purpose of report

To seek approval from the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee on the proposed Security Policy for the Castle Quay office.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1      To review and approve the Security at Castle Quay Offices Policy for implementation.

Resolved

(1)        That the Security at Castle Quay Offices Policy be approved for implementation.

The Assistant Director Human Resources submitted a report that outlined the new draft Security at Castle Quay Office policy. The policy set out the proposed response to any events occurring in or around the council office at Castle Quay and ensured compliance with current health and safety regulations along with the Terrorism Bill (Martyn’s Law).

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Services explained the policy had been drafted to reflect new legislation and good practice. It was expected that the policy would be rolled out to Council staff in early 2026.

In response to a question regarding the inclusion of committee meetings in the policy, the Health and Safety Manager agreed that procedures covering all public meetings or events the council holds would be added to the policy. Members were also assured that out of hours first aid was available at the council offices.

Resolved

(1)        That the Security at Castle Quay Offices Policy be approved for implementation.

Report of Assistant Director Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To submit the draft Capital and Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy for 2026-27 for recommendation by the committee to the Executive.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee resolves:

1.1     To recommend the draft Capital and Investment Strategy for 2026-27 (Appendix 1) and draft Treasury Management Strategy for 2026-27 (Appendix 2) to Executive.

Resolved

(1)        That the draft Capital and Investment Strategy for 2026-27 and draft Treasury Management Strategy for 2026-27 be recommended to Executive

The Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer) submitted a report for the Committee to consider the draft Capital and Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy for 2026-27 and recommend to Executive.

In introducing the report, the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Property and Regeneration advised that the Strategies were reviewed annually as part of the budget setting process and submitted to the Committee for review, comment and recommendation to the Executive. As part of the 2026-27 review, it was proposed that the operational boundary for debt be reduced from £200M to £199M to reflect a more realistic estimate of the maximum external debt. The updated Capital and Investment Strategy now included the implementation of a Carbon Impact Assessment as part of the appraisal of capital proposals.

In response to a request for an explanation of the affordability ratio, the Committee was advised that this was a comparison between the Ratio of Financing Costs (looking at how much the Council was spending on interest payable and Minimum Revenue Provision charges compared to taxation income streams) and the Ratio of Service Investment Income (which took into account the income received from investments).

In response to a question regarding the use of the Carbon Assessment Matrix in the decision making process for capital projects, the Head of Finance explained that although this was an important factor that would be taken in to account when reviewing proposals, there could potentially be scenarios where a project was given the go ahead despite having a Negative Impact Score (red) for example if a project was considered critical to the Council or its residents.

In response to a request for treasury management training to be made available to all Councillors, the Monitoring Officer agreed to review this as part of the member training programme.

Resolved

(1)        That the draft Capital and Investment Strategy for 2026-27 and draft Treasury Management Strategy for 2026-27 be recommended to Executive

To consider and review the Work Programme.

Resolved

(1) That the work programme update be noted.

The Committee considered its work plan and had no queries or additional items for the Committee Work Plan.

Resolved

(1)    That the work programme update be noted.