Agenda, decisions and minutes


Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee - Wednesday 19 January 2022 6.30 pm

Venue: Bodicote House, Bodicote, Banbury, Oxon OX15 4AA

Contact: Sharon Hickson, Democratic and Elections  Email: democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, 01295 221554

Media

Items
No. Item

49.

Declarations of Interest

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

50.

Petitions and Requests to Address the Meeting

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

51.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 203 KB

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 November 2021.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 17 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

52.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive communications from the Chairman.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no chairman’s announcements.

53.

Urgent Business

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

54.

Internal Audit Progress Report 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 375 KB

Report of the Director of Finance

 

Purpose of report

 

The report presents the Internal Audit Progress report for 2021/22

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

1.1         To note the progress with the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits.

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)            That the progress of the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits be noted.

Minutes:

The Director of Finance submitted a report presenting the Internal Audit Progress report for 2021/22.

 

The Chief Internal Auditor and Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer responded to questions from the Committee, regarding Appendix 3  - “Executive Summaries of finalised reports”  on the status of outstanding policies and training on Data Protection. Members were informed that there was an action plan and GDPR was a high priority within this plan.

 

In response to Members’ requests for more reassurance of progress via  an update to be circulated by the end of the month and a further update be given at the March committee meeting, the Chief Internal Auditor confirmed that a progress report setting out actions had been completed or a clear explanation why it had not from lead officers and managers would be submitted to the March meeting. 

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the progress of the 2021/22 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits be noted.

55.

Statement of Accounts Update pdf icon PDF 363 KB

Report of the Director of Finance

 

Purpose of report

 

To receive a report to ask Members to consider the following:

 

  • Changes to be incorporated to the draft statement of accounts.

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended to agree that:

 

1.1         The revised Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) in the Draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 (Appendix 1), be endorsed along with necessary changes to supporting statements and notes.

 

1.2         Once the final audit opinion is received the Director Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee (or Vice Chair in case the Chairman is unavailable), be authorised to sign the accounts.

 

1.3         It be noted that, if any material changes to the accounts are required, then an additional committee meeting would be convened to consider the changes.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That, having given due consideration the revised Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) in the Draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 along with necessary changes to supporting statements and notes be endorsed.

 

(2)          That it be agreed that on receipt of the final audit opinion, the Director of Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee (or Vice Chair in case the Chairman is unavailable), be authorised to sign the accounts.

 

(3)          That it be noted that, if any material changes to the accounts are required, then an additional committee meeting would be convened to consider the changes.

 

Minutes:

The Director of Finance submitted a report asking Members to consider changes to be incorporated to the draft statement of accounts.

 

Ernst & Young, the council's External Auditors (EY) provided an update to the committee, informing Members that evidence to questions has not been received. The Committee requested that  an item be added to the March agenda if these remained unanswered or if new questions were raised by EY.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That, having given due consideration the revised Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES) in the Draft Statement of Accounts 2020/21 along with necessary changes to supporting statements and notes be endorsed.

 

(2)          That it be agreed that on receipt of the final audit opinion, the Director of Finance (S151 Officer), in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee (or Vice Chair in case the Chairman is unavailable), be authorised to sign the accounts.

 

(3)          That it be noted that, if any material changes to the accounts are required, then an additional committee meeting would be convened to consider the changes.

 

56.

Annual Governance Statement 2020/2021 - Update on Actions pdf icon PDF 436 KB

Report of Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer

 

Purpose of report

 

To consider an update on actions from the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2020/2021. 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

1.1       To consider and comment on the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2020/2021.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That, having given due consideration the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2020/2021 be noted

Minutes:

The Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report to consider an update on actions from the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) 2020/2021.

 

The Head of Legal Services &  Deputy Monitoring Officer confirmed a list of the elements incorporated within the Social Value and Climate elements would be forwarded.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That, having given due consideration the update on the actions arising from the Annual Governance Statement 2020/2021 be noted

57.

Appointment of Independent Member to the Committee pdf icon PDF 372 KB

Report of Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer

 

Purpose of report

 

To consider and agreed the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member to s the Accounts Audit and Risk Committee.

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

1.1         To agree to recruit an Independent Member to the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee.

 

1.2         To consider and approve the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member as set out at paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2.

 

1.3         To approve the Background Information (Appendix 1) and Independent Member specification (Appendix 2) and if any amendments are required, to delegate final approval to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Committee.

 

1.4         To delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chairman of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee, to finalise the recruitment pack.  

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That the recruitment of an Independent Member to the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee be agreed.

 

(2)          That the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member be approved.

 

(3)          That the Background Information and Independent Member specification be approved, with final approval delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee,

 

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee, to finalise the recruitment pack. 

 

Minutes:

The Director of Law & Governance and Monitoring Officer submitted a report requesting the Committee consider and agree the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member.

 

In response to Members’ comments, the Head of Legal Services & Deputy Monitoring Officer to report back to the committee how and where the post will be advertised.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the recruitment of an Independent Member to the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee be agreed.

 

(2)          That the proposed arrangements for the appointment of an Independent Member be approved.

 

(3)          That the Background Information and Independent Member specification be approved, with final approval delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee,

 

(4)          That authority be delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee, to finalise the recruitment pack. 

 

58.

Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategies 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 405 KB

Report of the Director of Finance

 

Purpose of report

 

To submit the draft Capital and Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy for 2022-23.

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

1.1     To recommend the draft strategies for 2022-23 to Council.

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)               That Full Council be recommended to adopt the Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategies 2022-23

Minutes:

The Director of Finance submitted a report which presented the draft Capital and Investment Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy for 2022-23.

 

Resolved

 

(1)               That Full Council be recommended to adopt the Capital, Investment and Treasury Management Strategies 2022-23

59.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 175 KB

To consider and review the Work Programme and Committee training Schedule.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That, subject to “Update on Internal Audit of GDPR” being added to the March meeting, the work programme  and Committee training schedule be noted.

Minutes:

The Committee considered it’s work programme and proposed committee training schedule. As identified under agenda item 7, Internal Audit Progress Report 2021/22,  “Update on Internal Audit of GDPR” would be added to the March meeting.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That, subject to “Update on Internal Audit of GDPR” being added to the March meeting, the work programme  and Committee training schedule be noted.