Agenda item

The Committee received an update report on improving governance at Doncaster’s Internal Drainage Boards as follows:-

Danum Drainage Board

It was reported that following original concerns in 2014 and the follow-up review in 2015, it was pleasing to note that considerable progress had been made in implementing the actions agreed by the Board and that no further action has been undertaken by Internal Audit as it was considered that the Board was now sufficiently well placed to operate in accordance with good governance.

Black Drain

Members were advised that although problems in good governance were around appointing appropriate persons to the Board and poor attendance records, these had been dealt with on an on-going, predominantly through the Council’s Democratic Services Team and ultimately through the Elected Mayor of Doncaster using her powers of appointment.

Doncaster East Drainage Board

It was reported that following Internal Audits review, initial governance arrangements over a major project were inadequate. Concerns centred around potential/perceived conflicts of interest, project award, access payments and the justification for project management fee increases. It was noted that whilst arrangements were improved following a Board audit, they still did not provided an appropriate level of governance. A series of recommendations were presented to the Board which were unanimously agreed. The two fundamental actions were agreed as follows:-

·         To engage consultants to provide an independent technical assessment of the work undertaken and of the management of the project; and

·         To look further at the access payments made by the Board.

Kathryn Smart expressed her thanks to the team for carrying out this work and asked whether the time and effort put into the review can be recharged to the Drainage Board. It was reported that investigations had taken place in pursuing recharging the drainage board for the work audit had carried out which have been discussed with the Chair of the Board.

In response, to questions raised by Councillor David Nevett, it was reported that the external Independent Technical Consultant appointed to carry out the review had not been involved prior to their appointment. In respect of accountability and on-going work, it was advised that from a national perspective there seemed to be very little accountability. The issues have been subject to conversations with the National Audit Office (NAO) and these consultations would continue. It was advised that locally it falls to the Council to hold boards to account. In respect of the conflict of interest identified, it was noted that it couldn’t be certain that work had been of best value to the Board and this was why the Independent Technical expert had been brought in.

The Chair, Councillor Austen White asked whether there were any risks to the authority and any issues the Committee needed to be aware of. Members were advised that risks would mainly rest with the Drainage Board and not fall with the authority.

            RESOLVED that:-

(1)        the progress made to date and the further actions proposed to          improve governance at Doncaster’s Internal Drainage Boards be     noted; and

(2)        Internal Audit’s influential involvement in the National Audit             Office’s work and NAO’s report on drainage boards governance;        be noted.