3. Functions of the Corporate Governance Group - Constitution - Chapter 1, The Articles

3.1. The Corporate Governance Groupwill perform the following functions:-

3.1.1.  To ensure that the Council’s corporate governance arrangements are adequate and operating effectively in practice;

3.1.2.  To consider the Annual Governance Statement before approval by the Cabinet;

3.1.3.  To monitor the effectiveness of the Council’s risk management procedures, the internal control environment and counter fraud and corruption arrangements and report any concerns to the Cabinet;

3.1.4.  To endorse the annual Risk Management Strategy and recommend it to the Cabinet for adoption;

3.1.5.  To approve the Council’s Statement of Accounts;

3.1.6.  To consider any reports of internal or external auditors and agreeing the action to be taken from those reports including any recommendations to the Council;

3.1.7.  To consider and make recommendations on the internal audit plan;

3.1.8.  To consider a report on the effectiveness of the internal audit system at least annually; and

3.1.9.  To receive the external Auditor’s management letter and make recommendations arising from it.

3.1.10.  Promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Members and Co-opted Members of the authority;

3.1.11.  Advising and assisting Parish Council(s) and Councillors to maintain high standards of conduct and to make recommendation to Parish Councils on improving standards or actions following a finding of a failure by a Parish Councillor to comply with the Code of Conduct.

3.1.12.  Advising the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members’ Code of Conduct;

3.1.13.  Receiving reports from the Monitoring Officer and assessing the operation and effectiveness of the Members’ Code of Conduct;

3.1.14.  Advising, training or arranging to train Members and Co-Opted Members on matters relating to the Members’ Code of Conduct;

3.1.15.  Assisting Councillors and co-opted Members to observe the Members’ Code of Conduct;

3.1.16.  Advising the Council upon the contents of and requirements for codes/protocols/other procedures relating to standards of conduct throughout the Council

3.1.17.  Maintaining oversight of the Council’s arrangements for dealing with complaints

3.1.18.  Informing Council and the Chief Executive of relevant issues arising from the determination of Code of Conduct complaints.

3.1.19.  Granting exemptions to politically restricted posts.

3.1.20.  To set the allowances and expenses of the Independent Person and Reserve Independent Person.

3.1.21.  To receive referrals from the Monitoring Officer into allegations of misconduct in accordance with the authority assessment criteria;

3.1.22.  Hearing and determining complaints about Members and Co- opted Members referred to it by the Monitoring Officer;

3.1.23.  To grant dispensations after consultation with the Independent Person pursuant to S33(2) (b), (c) and (e) of the Localism Act 2011;

3.1.24.  Hear and determine appeals against refusal to grant dispensations by the Monitoring Officer pursuant to S33(2)(a) and (d) of the Localism Act 2011.