Agenda item - Chair's Communications

17.1    The Chair provided the following communications:

“First of all, while we don’t normally take apologies for absence, as most members will arrange a substitute, I have received apologies from Independent councillor Peter Atkinson. Peter is having a challenging kitchen refit experience which has left him without a kitchen for 3 weeks and this afternoon is the only time he has pinned the builder down to meet with him. Peter is quite distressed to be missing the committee as he does take his member responsibilities seriously. Peter, I hope you get a good result today!

May I welcome a number of new members to the committee. And, I hope the recent session, which forms part of our on-going member training, was helpful to all able to attend.

There is an undoubted complexity and heavy technical nature to much of the committee's audit business - it can take a while for members to get their eye in - so don’t be daunted by this. Officers are always more than ready to help build understanding, and as Chair I’m keen to ensure members have the time they need to explore questions about our business in meetings.

We take a positive approach to our oversight of internal audit and anti-fraud - activities that strive to help the organisation maintain and improve performance and reduce financial loss through dishonesty.

Our work also aims to help maintain and improve standards in public life - and as members of this committee we act as ambassadors for this as well as giving oversight. We have a regular report on progress with member standards complaints, and will be considering draft improvements to the initial assessment process that Cllr Guilmant and myself have been working on with officers.

Since May the committee has also taken on responsibilities for considering policy developments that would be inappropriate for the cabinet or other committees to set. I’m pleased to say we have our first taste of this new work before us today as we will be considering the draft new anti-bullying, harassment and victimisation policy - an important development in the Council’s support for staff.

Our work is important to the good governance of the city council, and I hope you all find our work fulfilling, if not always that exciting! Finally, I’d like to welcome Cllr Taylor, lead Cabinet Member for finance, who is attending today and will be available to help answer our questions when we discuss our first two reports. Thank you.”