Statement of Accounts 2011/2012 - Blackburn with Darwen Borough ...

ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT
Foreword by the Strategic Director Resources and Transformation – Chair of the Primary
Assurance Group
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council recognises that there always will be risks that it must manage
effectively. Whilst it recognises that due diligence will not always ensure that it gets things right first time,
it continues to put in place assurance frameworks and enhance existing arrangements that are intended
to ensure that its system of governance is fit for purpose and has flexibility to meet the challenges that the
change agenda brings.
The Resources Directorate has continued to promote the Council’s strategic approach to governance and
assurance. The developments in governance, continuing from those in 2010/11, include:
- Further development of the Management Accountabilities Framework (MAF) to reduce duplication
and more closely link risk management and MAF reporting.
- A review of arrangements and systems in place to ensure compliance with the Bribery Act 2010.
- Continuing the promotion of a culture of zero tolerance towards fraud via the roll out of an e-
learning fraud awareness package for all staff and the ongoing participation in the National Fraud
Initiative.
- Continuing embedding of information security awareness through an e-learning toolkit, training for
staff, the publication of guidance via the intranet and revision of the Acceptable Use Policy.
- Ongoing work to implement the information governance strategy and related policies and
procedures.
- Completion of annual Directors certificates to support the Governance Statement.
- Continuing review and amendments (if necessary) to the Constitution.
- Development of Business Continuity and Risk Management including an independent health check
by Zurich Municipal and review of Corporate Risk Register.
- Strengthening of the insurance claims system through acquisition of specialist claims management
software.
- Revision of the Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Programme.
- Innovative and participative budget consultation.
- Scrutiny of the transformation programme by the Transformation Board.
- Development of a Partnership Governance Toolkit.
- Development and implementation of an Equality Impact Assessment Toolkit and Training
Programme.
1. Scope of responsibility
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is responsible for ensuring that its business is conducted in
accordance with the law and proper standards, and that public money is safeguarded, properly accounted
for and used economically and effectively. It also has a duty under the Local Government Act 1999 to
make arrangements to secure continuous improvement in the way in which its functions are exercised,
having regard to a combination of economy, efficiency and effectiveness.
In discharging this overall responsibility, the Council is responsible for putting in place proper
arrangements for the governance of its affairs and facilitating the effective exercise of its functions, which
includes arrangements for the management of risk.
The Audit Committee fulfils the core functions of an audit committee, as identified in CIPFA’s Audit
Committees - Practical Guidance for Local Authorities. It monitors and responds to the work of internal
and external audit and has overall responsibility for reviewing the framework of corporate governance.
The authority has approved and adopted a code of corporate governance, which is consistent with the
principles of the CIPFA/SOLACE Framework Delivering Good Governance in Local Government. A copy
of the code is on our website at www.blackburn.gov.uk; it is contained within the Constitution. This
statement explains how Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has complied with the code and it meets
the requirements of regulation 4 of the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2011 in relation to the preparation
and publication of an Annual Governance Statement.
2. The purpose of the governance framework
The governance framework comprises the systems, processes, culture and values by which the authority
is directed and controlled and its activities through which it accounts to, engages with and leads the
community. It enables the authority to monitor the achievement of its strategic objectives and to consider
whether those objectives have led to the delivery of appropriate cost effective services.
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