Issue - meetings

To receive the final AGS 2023-24.

The Committee received the final version of the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for the financial year 2023-24. The AGS set out the Council’s governance framework and evaluated its effectiveness in supporting service delivery and achieving strategic objectives. The AGS reflected governance activity up to the date of approval of the Council’s Statement of Accounts.

It was suggested that the going concern statement be referenced within the AGS. With the proposed wording being added at paragraph 5.8:

‘In finalising their audit work on the 2023/24 statement of accounts, the external auditors requested that the Council include an additional disclosure on going concern in recognition of the challenging landscape within which Cheshire East Council and other local authorities find themselves. This was presented to the September 2025 meeting of the Audit and Governance Committee’.

An amendment was proposed and accepted by the committee as a friendly amendment, as summarised below.

Recommendation 1 (amendment – Proposed by Cllr Beanland)

1.     Approve the Annual Governance Statement 2023-24 subject to reference to the going concern statement being included.

RESOLVED (by majority):

That the Audit and Governance Committee

1.     Approve the Annual Governance Statement 2023-24 subject to reference to the going concern statement being included.