The Head of Governance and Corporate Services presented Item 8 regarding governance and regulatory issues currently affecting SYPA including details of the Independent Governance Review being undertaken by AON, the imminent appointment of the Chief Finance Officer of South Yorkshire Police as an Employer Representative to the Board and succession planning for Union Representative and Independent Advisor vacancies and Chair and Vice Chair positions.

Members stated that they needed clarity on succession planning regarding the Chair and Vice Chair and were clear that these positions should be voted on by the Board each year rather than succession from Vice Chair to Chair being assumed or written into the Constitution.

The Head of Governance clarified that the Board could shape its own arrangements and no changes had been made to the Constitution regarding Chair and Vice Chair provision and election; the Board will continue to need to vote on these positions annually.

Members questioned whether they would be shown feedback from the final version of the Corporate Assurance Plan 2024-25 contained in Appendix A on Item 8 particularly the Performance Management Framework and the Pentana Risk System.

Senior Officers assured Members that the Board will be updated on the Corporate Assurance Plan 2024-25 and that there are plans to present the Pentana Risk System to Authority and Board Members as soon as practicably possible.

Members requested officers review the term and rotation arrangements for Board membership due to the lack of synchronisation with Board and Council terms of office resulting in the increased need for succession planning.

The Director expressed understanding of the situation and noted the issue for future review.

The Chairman queried how the Board would be supported in the period between the current Independent Advisor leaving and a new appointment being made.

The Director stated that the planned timeline for the appointment of a new Independent Advisor was intended to minimise time the Board was without an Advisor. The Director, the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Authority are scheduled to interview candidates ahead of the next Board meeting and, if a suitable candidate is found, appoint them as soon as possible in line with the Constitution.

RESOLVED: Members noted the updates included in the report and verbal update.