Agenda and decisions

To appoint a Chairman for the remainder of the 2024/25 municipal year.

Resolved

(1)            That Councillor Alisa Russell be appointed Chairman of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee for the remainder of the 2024/2025 municipal year.

In the event of the Vice-Chairman being appointed as Chairman, the committee will be required to appoint a new Vice-Chairman.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 25 September 2024.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

Report of the Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

This report presents an update on the counter fraud work undertaken so far in 2024/25, and asks the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee to note the progress report.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1           To note and approve the counter fraud progress report.

Resolved

(1)            That the Counter Fraud Progress report be noted.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

This report presents two updated policies, regarding the Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy, and the Anti-Money Laundering Policy, and asks the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee to approve these policies.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1           To note and approve the counter fraud and corruption policy.

1.2     To note and approve the anti-money laundering policy

Resolved

(1)            That the Counter Fraud and Corruption Policy be approved.

(2)            That the Anti-money Laundering Policy be approved.

Report of the Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of Report

This report provides the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee with an update on delivery of the internal audit work programme for 2024/25, following approval of the programme at the meeting of 29 May 2024.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1           To note the progress made in delivering the 2024/25 internal audit work programme.

Resolved

(1)            That the progress made in delivering the 2024/25 internal audit work programme be noted.

Verbal update from the Head of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer).

Resolved

(1)            That the verbal update on the External Audit 2022-2023 be noted.

Report of Assistant Director – Customer Focus

Purpose of report

To update the committee on how well the council is managing its Strategic Risks.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit & Risk Committee resolves:

1.1     To note the Risk Monitoring Report for Quarter 2 2024-25.

Resolved

(1)            That the Risk Monitoring Report for Quarter 2 2024-25 be noted.

Report of Assistant Director Wellbeing and Housing

Purpose of report

To provide the Committee with an annual report on Housing Management Performance relating to the Council’s small stock holding of properties. Specifically, matters that relate to complaints performance in accordance with the Housing Ombudsman’s Complaints Handling Code and the wider Social Housing (Regulation) Act.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1     To note the content of the report and appendices. The appendices, including the Complaints Handling Code self-assessment, will be published on the Council’s website and sent to the Housing Ombudsman as the Council’s return for 2023-24.

Resolved

(1)            That the Housing Management Performance report be noted and it be also noted that the Housing Management Performance Annual Report and Complaints Handling Code self-assessment would  will be published on the Council’s website and sent to the Housing Ombudsman as the Council’s return for 2023-24.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To ask the Committee to note the final 2022/23 Statement of Accounts and the changes that have been made since the draft version which was brought to the Committee at its March 2024 meeting.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1     To note the final 2022/23 Statement of Accounts (Appendix 1) and the associated changes between draft and final version

Resolved

(1)            That the final 2022/23 Statement of Accounts and the associated changes between draft and final version be noted.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To update the Committee that the results of the Council’s forecast self-assessment position at February 2025 against the requirements of CIPFA’s Financial Management Code show continued strong compliance, demonstrating a resilient and sustainable approach to managing the Council’s funds.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1           To note the Council’s forecast self-assessment position of strong compliance at February 2025 against the requirements of CIPFA’s Financial Management Code.

Resolved

(1)            That the Council’s forecast self-assessment position of strong compliance at February 2025 against the requirements of CIPFA’s Financial Management Code be noted.

Report of Assistant Director of Finance (Section 151 Officer)

Purpose of report

To provide information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management strategy for 2024-25 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

To demonstrate that all treasury management activities undertaken during the reporting period complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice and the council’s approved Treasury Management Strategy.

Recommendations

The Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee resolves:

1.1   To note the contents of this Treasury Management mid-year review and recommend it be received by Council.

Resolved

(1)            That the Treasury Management mid-year review 2024-25 (September 2025) be noted and Council be recommended to receive the report.

To consider and review the Work Programme.

Resolved

(1)            That the work programme update be noted.