Issue - meetings

To consider a report on progress in implementing the action plan approved at the last meeting of the Committee.

The Committee considered progress in implementing the action plan approved at the previous meeting.

The action plan addressed the findings of the internal review to ensure that learning points were fully embedded across the Council as a whole. The Summary action plan attached at Appendix A to the report highlighted that the majority of the agreed actions had been fully implemented and that those with timescales for delivery over the next few months were on target.

With regard to Action C6, it was suggested that the action wording was ambiguous and should be reviewed. With regard to Action C10, it was noted that whilst the specific action had been completed, this would not necessarily reflect the final cost of Lyme Green to the Council.

At the previous meeting, the Committee had asked that Action C5 relating to the monitoring of project costs be amended to provide for its consideration by the relevant Policy Development Group (Minute 17). The officers clarified that the Action would be offered to the relevant PDG for consideration.

It was noted that many of the actions within the action plan would be ongoing and that in the circumstances it would be appropriate for the relevant scrutiny committee to be asked to undertake a monitoring role. The Audit and Governance Committee’s work would be complete once it was satisfied that appropriate governance arrangements, systems and procedures were in place, for instance with regard to programme and project management and approval of capital schemes. However, it was recognised that the Audit and Governance Committee had a continuing important overview monitoring and assurance role to ensure that there was proper overall corporate governance and audit as demonstrated in relation to the Lyme Green project.

The Interim Chief Executive commented that there was now a need to restore public trust and confidence in Cheshire East Council. With this in mind, he was preparing a report to Cabinet summarising the findings arising from the confidential report of the Dedicated Independent Person (DIP), and proposing sweeping changes to management roles and responsibilities in order to address cultural and behavioural aspects of the organisation. Officers were also looking at whether there were any governance issues arising from the DIP’s report.

RESOLVED

That

(1)  the progress in implementing the action plan be noted;

(2)  an update report on programme and project management be submitted to the next meeting; and

(3)  the Committee consider any further updates on programme and project management.