The Governance and Audit Committee discussed several key items, including the Treasury Management Strategy, DBS checks, and the Code of Corporate Governance. The meeting highlighted concerns and actions to be taken in various areas of council operations.

1. Treasury Management Strategy for 2024/25: The committee reviewed the strategy, noting no significant changes from the previous year. The discussion focused on ensuring prudent investment and borrowing practices amidst economic uncertainties like interest rates and fiscal policies. The strategy aims to balance short and long-term borrowing to support capital activities, emphasizing security in investments.

2. DBS Checks: A significant issue raised was the inconsistency in DBS checks across council services, which posed a potential risk to safeguarding standards. The committee expressed urgent concerns, prompting a commitment for immediate action and a detailed review by the next meeting. This discussion underscored the critical nature of robust safeguarding procedures and the need for swift resolution to prevent potential vulnerabilities in council operations.

3. Code of Corporate Governance: The committee endorsed the updated Code of Corporate Governance, ensuring it aligns with best practices and statutory requirements. The discussion affirmed the importance of a strong governance framework to guide council operations and decision-making processes effectively.

An interesting point in the meeting was the intense focus on the urgency of addressing the DBS checks issue, reflecting the committee's commitment to high standards of compliance and safeguarding across council services.