Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 16 March and of the meeting of the Committee held on 18 May 2022 (to follow)..

The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 16 March 2022 and of the meeting of the Commiittee held on 18 May 2022 were agreed as a correct records and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

There were no chairman’s announcements.

There were no items of urgent business.

Report of the Assistant Director of Finance (S151)

Purpose of report

To ask the Committee to review and approve the Accounting Policies for inclusion in the 2021/22 Statement of Accounts.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To approve the accounting policies as approved by the Chief Finance Officer (Appendix 1).

Resolved

(1)             That having given due consideration, the accounting policies as approved by the Chief Finance Officer be approved.

The Assistant Director of Finance & S151 Officer submitted a report for the Committee to consider and approve the Accounting Policies for inclusion in the 2021/22 Statement of Accounts.

In response to questions from the Committee regarding the inflation rate currently being higher than the 6% predicted in the contingency budget for inflationary pressure throughout the medium term, the Assistant Director of Finance & S151 Officer advised that contract and services already purchased would not be affected by any increase at this time. Budget monitoring would begin in June and would be considered by the Budget Planning Committee.

The Strategic Business Finance Partner explained the asset devaluation of groups advising that the Council used a rolling 5 year asset valuation programme with 20% of different categories valued each year.

Resolved

(1)               That having given due consideration, the accounting policies as approved by the Chief Finance Officer be approved.

Report of Interim Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To inform the Committee on the Annual Governance Review process and enable the Committee to fulfil is responsibilities associated with the publication of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement 2021/22

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       to approve the Annual Governance Statement 2021/22, subject to the Monitoring Officer making any necessary amendments in the light of comments made by the Committee, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive and the Section 151 officer.

1.2       authorise the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive to sign the Annual Governance Statement on behalf of Cherwell District Council.

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed that, subject to the Monitoring Officer making any necessary amendments in the light of comments made by the Committee, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive and the Section 151 officer that the Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 be approved.

(2)          That it be agreed that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive be authorised to sign the Annual Governance Statement on behalf of Cherwell District Council.

The Interim Monitoring Officer submitted a report on the Annual Governance Review process to enable the Committee to fulfil is responsibilities associated with the publication of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement 2021/22.

The Interim Monitoring Officer highlighted an error in appendix 1 paragraph 27 “rating of compliance showing as Green for all of the 19 standards” should read “rating of compliance showing as Green for all of the 17 standards.”

Resolved

(1)          That it be agreed that, subject to the Interim Monitoring Officer making any necessary amendments in the light of comments made by the Committee, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Chief Executive and the Section 151 officer that the Annual Governance Statement 2021/22 be approved.

(2)          That it be agreed that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive be authorised to sign the Annual Governance Statement on behalf of Cherwell District Council.

Report of Interim Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To provide an opportunity for the review of the Local Code of Corporate Governance

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To approve the Local Code of Corporate Governance (Appendix 1).

Resolved

(1)            That the Local Code of Corporate Governance be approved.

The Interim Monitoring Officer submitted a report which provided an opportunity for the review of the Local Code of Corporate Governance.

The Interim Monitoring Officer confirmed that the final version would be amended to replace reference to “County” with “District” at Core Principle “E” of the Code.

Resolved

(1)          That the Local Code of Corporate Governance be approved.

Report of the Chief Internal Auditor

Purpose of report

This is the annual report of the Chief Internal Auditor, summarising the outcome of the Internal Audit work in 2021/22, and providing an opinion on the Council's System of Internal Control.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1             Consider and endorse this annual report.

Resolved

(1)            That, having given due consideration, the report be endorsed

The Chief Internal Auditor submitted a report that summarised the outcome of the Internal Audit work in 2021/22, and provided an opinion on the Council's System of Internal Control.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the report be endorsed

Report of the Assistant Director of Finance

Purpose of report

The report presents the Internal Audit Strategy and Plan for 2022/23.

Recommendations

1.1     The meeting is recommended to note and comment on the Internal Audit Strategy and Plan for 2022/23.

Resolved

(1)            That the Internal Audit Strategy and Plan for 2022/23 be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance submitted a report which presented the Internal Audit Strategy and Plan for 2022/23

Resolved

(1)          That the Internal Audit Strategy and Plan for 2022/23 be noted.

To consider and review the Work Programme.

Resolved

(1)            That the work programme be noted.

The Strategic Business Partner introduced the work programme and advised the committee that the training programme was under review.

Resolved

(1)          That the work programme be noted.