Portsmouth City Borough Council
Councillors:
42
Wards:
14
Committees:
37
Meetings (2025):
120
Meetings (2024):
154
Meeting
Governance & Audit & Standards Committee - Portsmouth City
Agenda
Published
Minutes
Pending
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Thursday, 20th February 2025
5:00 PM
Thursday, 20th February 2025
5:00 PM
End:
Thursday, 20th February 2025
9:00 PM
Thursday, 20th February 2025
9:00 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
20 Feb 2025
20 Feb 2025
Location:
The Executive Meeting Room - Third Floor, The Guildhall, Portsmouth
The Executive Meeting Room - Third Floor, The Guildhall, Portsmouth
Meeting Attendees
Standing Deputy
Lord Mayor
Standing Deputy
Group Leader
Committee Member
Councillor Richard Adair
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Councillor Spencer Gardner
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Deputy Group Leader
Agenda
1
Apologies for Absence
2
Declarations of Members' Interests
3
Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2024
RECOMMENDED that the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2024 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.
Attachments:
- Document Draft GAS Minutes 27.11.24 29 Jan 2025
4
Annual Governance Statement 2023/24
Purpose
The report seeks approval from Governance, Audit and Standards committee for the council's Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2023/24.
Recommendations
The Governance, Audit and Standards committee is asked to Agree the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24 (Appendix 1).
The report seeks approval from Governance, Audit and Standards committee for the council's Annual Governance Statement (AGS) for 2023/24.
Recommendations
The Governance, Audit and Standards committee is asked to Agree the Annual Governance Statement 2023/24 (Appendix 1).
Attachments:
- Document Final AGS report 2023-24 - unsigned 29 Jan 2025
- Document AGS 2023-24 - final for GASC Feb 2025 29 Jan 2025
5
2023/24 Audit Results Report
Purpose
The audit is designed to express an opinion on the 2023/24 financial statements and address current statutory and regulatory requirements. This report contains our findings related to the areas of audit emphasis, our views on Portsmouth City Council’s accounting policies and judgements, and material internal control findings.
This report is for noting.
The audit is designed to express an opinion on the 2023/24 financial statements and address current statutory and regulatory requirements. This report contains our findings related to the areas of audit emphasis, our views on Portsmouth City Council’s accounting policies and judgements, and material internal control findings.
This report is for noting.
Attachments:
- Document Portsmouth City Council Audit Results Report 2023-24 29 Jan 2025
5
.1
Statement of Accounts 2023-24
Standing Order 57 - the Chair has agreed the addition of this urgent item, as the decision is required to be made before the backstop date of 27 February 2025 for finalising the 23/24 accounts.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is for the committee to consider the Statement of Accounts for 2023/24.
Recommendations
It is recommended that:
(i) the Statement of Accounts be approved;
(ii) authority be delegated to the Chair of the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee to sign an amended 2023/23 Statement of Accounts after the 20 February 2025 should this be required following comments by the auditor.
Purpose
The purpose of this report is for the committee to consider the Statement of Accounts for 2023/24.
Recommendations
It is recommended that:
(i) the Statement of Accounts be approved;
(ii) authority be delegated to the Chair of the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee to sign an amended 2023/23 Statement of Accounts after the 20 February 2025 should this be required following comments by the auditor.
Attachments:
- Document Statement of Accounts 2023-2024 29 Jan 2025
- Document Statement of Accounts 2023-24 - Appendix (Non-trivial adjustments) 29 Jan 2025
- Document Statement of Accounts 2023-24 - Annual Report 29 Jan 2025
6
Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel
Purpose
The purpose of the report is to present the independent report and recommendations produced by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) 2024.
As requested by the committee at its previous meeting on 27 November 2024, the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel will be present in order to answer questions on the report and process.
The Independent Remuneration Panel have met since the 27 November meeting to discuss and agree responses to the matters raised by the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee. These have been circulated to the committee and are attached as Appendix A of the report.
Recommendations
To the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee:
(a) That the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee confirms that it is satisfied with the way the Independent Remuneration Panel undertook the review.
(b) To the City Council (via Governance & Audit & Standards Committee):
(i) That the City Council considers and decides upon the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in the panel’s report (attached as Appendix 1) when agreeing a scheme of member allowances to take effect from the 2025/26 financial year;
Note – Having fully considered the panel’s report, the Council may choose to accept, reject or amend the recommendations, or simply decide not to implement the Panel’s recommendations and retain the existing members allowance scheme
(ii) that the City Council’s Constitution be amended as applicable and appropriate;
(iii) that the Independent Review Panel be retained as a Standing Panel in the interim period, to consider any issues that arise in connection with the Scheme before the next review, either by email or in meetings; and
(iv) that Members thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work in reviewing the Members Allowance Scheme.
The purpose of the report is to present the independent report and recommendations produced by the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) 2024.
As requested by the committee at its previous meeting on 27 November 2024, the Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel will be present in order to answer questions on the report and process.
The Independent Remuneration Panel have met since the 27 November meeting to discuss and agree responses to the matters raised by the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee. These have been circulated to the committee and are attached as Appendix A of the report.
Recommendations
To the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee:
(a) That the Governance and Audit and Standards Committee confirms that it is satisfied with the way the Independent Remuneration Panel undertook the review.
(b) To the City Council (via Governance & Audit & Standards Committee):
(i) That the City Council considers and decides upon the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel as set out in the panel’s report (attached as Appendix 1) when agreeing a scheme of member allowances to take effect from the 2025/26 financial year;
Note – Having fully considered the panel’s report, the Council may choose to accept, reject or amend the recommendations, or simply decide not to implement the Panel’s recommendations and retain the existing members allowance scheme
(ii) that the City Council’s Constitution be amended as applicable and appropriate;
(iii) that the Independent Review Panel be retained as a Standing Panel in the interim period, to consider any issues that arise in connection with the Scheme before the next review, either by email or in meetings; and
(iv) that Members thank the Independent Remuneration Panel for their work in reviewing the Members Allowance Scheme.
Attachments:
- Document IRP 2024 Cover Report 29 Jan 2025
- Document IRP Report 2024 - Final Version 29 Jan 2025
- Document IRP Responses to GAS Cttee concerns 29 Jan 2025
7
Treasury Management Monitoring Report Q3
Report to follow under separate cover.
Purpose
The purpose of the report is to inform members and the wider community of the Council’s Treasury Management position, i.e., its borrowing and cash investments as of 31 December 2024 and of the risks attached to that position.
Whilst the Council has a portfolio of investment properties and some equity shares which were acquired through the capital programme; these do not in themselves form part of the treasury management function.
Recommendations
(i) That the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2024/25 in the period up to 31 December 2024 and
(ii) the actual Treasury Management indicators as at 31 December 2024 set out in Appendix A be NOTED.
Purpose
The purpose of the report is to inform members and the wider community of the Council’s Treasury Management position, i.e., its borrowing and cash investments as of 31 December 2024 and of the risks attached to that position.
Whilst the Council has a portfolio of investment properties and some equity shares which were acquired through the capital programme; these do not in themselves form part of the treasury management function.
Recommendations
(i) That the Council's Treasury Management activities have remained within the Treasury Management Policy 2024/25 in the period up to 31 December 2024 and
(ii) the actual Treasury Management indicators as at 31 December 2024 set out in Appendix A be NOTED.
Attachments:
- Document Qtr 3 Treasury Management Review 24-25 with Appendix A Final v2 29 Jan 2025
8
Report to Governance & Audit & Standards Committee on complaints received into alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by Members of the Council for the calendar year 2024
Purpose
The purpose of the report is to update Members of the Committee in relation to complaints which have been progressed within the calendar year 2024 and which allege that Councillors may have breached the Code of Conduct.
Recommendations
(i) It is recommended that Members of the Committee note the report;
(ii) It is recommended that Members of the Committee consider whether any further action is required by them; and
(iii) It is recommended that Members of the Committee place on record their thanks to the Independent Persons.
The purpose of the report is to update Members of the Committee in relation to complaints which have been progressed within the calendar year 2024 and which allege that Councillors may have breached the Code of Conduct.
Recommendations
(i) It is recommended that Members of the Committee note the report;
(ii) It is recommended that Members of the Committee consider whether any further action is required by them; and
(iii) It is recommended that Members of the Committee place on record their thanks to the Independent Persons.
Attachments:
- Document Report for Member Conduct Complaints for the year 2024 29 Jan 2025
- Document Appendix A Member Conduct Complaint Report for year 2024- Public 29 Jan 2025
- Document Local-assessment-criteria 29 Jan 2025
9
Process for the nomination of Honorary Aldermen
Purpose
The purpose of this report is to progress the actions included within the notice of motion agreed by Council on 12 November 2024 titled 'Nominations for Honorary Alderman'.
Recommendations
(i) That the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee appoints a cross-party task and finish group from its membership (including standing deputies) to undertake the requested review and submit a recommendation for consideration by the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee at a future meeting.
(ii) That the draft terms of reference of the review at appendix C of this report be agreed.
The purpose of this report is to progress the actions included within the notice of motion agreed by Council on 12 November 2024 titled 'Nominations for Honorary Alderman'.
Recommendations
(i) That the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee appoints a cross-party task and finish group from its membership (including standing deputies) to undertake the requested review and submit a recommendation for consideration by the Governance & Audit & Standards Committee at a future meeting.
(ii) That the draft terms of reference of the review at appendix C of this report be agreed.
Attachments:
- Document Honorary Aldermen GAS Report 29 Jan 2025
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