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 27 July 2022.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 27 July 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive communications from the Chairman.

The Chair announced that there would be a Fraud Awareness training session directly after the conclusion of the committee meeting.

There were no items of urgent business.

Report of the Assistant Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To receive a report setting out the External Audit Planning Report for 2021/22.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1       Note the contents of the External Audit Planning Report for 2021/22 from our External Auditors, Ernst & Young (EY).

Resolved

(1)          That the External Audit Planning Report for 2021/22 from our External Auditors, Ernst & Young (EY) be noted.

The Assistant Director submitted a report which set out the External Audit Planning Report for 2021/22. The report was duly presented by the Audit Manager (External Audit).

In response to comments from the Committee regarding delays on the part of External Audit to starting the audit of the council’s accounts, the Audit Partner (Eternal Audit) explained that there had been delays with the previous year’s accounts which had an impact on scheduled. The council’s Finance Team had worked hard to respond to all queries and the timing of the audit was agreed between the External Auditor and the Assistant Director of Finance. The Audit Manager confirmed that the Committee would be kept updated on the timetable.

Resolved

(1)          That the External Audit Planning Report for 2021/22 from our External Auditors, Ernst & Young (EY) be noted.

Report of Assistant Director – Customer Focus (Interim)

Purpose of report

This report summarises the Council’s Risk monitoring position of August 2022.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To consider and comment on the Risk Monitoring.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the Risk Monitoring report be noted.

The Interim Assistant Director submitted a report which summarised the Councils Risk monitoring position of August 2022.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman thanked officers for the revised report format which separated that risk aspects of the report. In response to comments regarding the poor accessibility of the appendix, the Assistant Director Customer Focus advised that the format was under review.

In response to Members’ questions regarding Business Continuity and Graven Hill, the Assistant Director Customer Focus undertook to liaise with the lead officers and update the Committee accordingly.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the Risk Monitoring report be noted.

Report of the Director of Assistant Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To receive information on treasury management performance and compliance with treasury management policy for 2022-23 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1         To note the contents of this Treasury Management Report.

Resolved

(1)          That the Treasury Management Report be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance and the Strategic Finance Business partner submitted a report which provided an update on Treasury Management performance and compliance from April to August 2022 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice. 

In response to Members’ questions regarding whether the changes in interest rates were reflected in the report, the Strategic Finance Business Partner confirmed that a forecast had been released by the council’s treasury advisers and the plan would be adapted to minimise risk moving forward.

Resolved

(1)          That the Treasury Management Report be noted.

Report of the Director of Finance

Purpose of report

The report presents the Internal Audit Progress report for 2022/23

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To note the progress with the 2022/23 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits.

Resolved

(1)          That the progress with the 2022/23 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits be noted.

The Assistant Director presented an update on Internal Audit Progress for 2022/23.

Resolved

(1)          That the progress with the 2022/23 Internal Audit Plan and the outcome of the completed audits be noted.

Report of the Interim Monitoring Officer

Purpose of report

To provide Council with the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s annual report on Cherwell District Council for the financial year 2021/22.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1       To receive the report and comment on the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Annual Review of Cherwell District Council for 2021/22.

Resolved

(1)          That, having due consideration, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Annual Review of Cherwell District Council for 2021/22 be noted.

The Interim Monitoring Officer submitted a report which presented the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Annual Report for Cherwell District Council for the financial year 2021/22.

Resolved

(1)          That, having due consideration, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman’s Annual Review of Cherwell District Council for 2021/22 be noted.

To consider and review the Work Programme.

Resolved

(1)          That the work programme update be noted.

The Strategic Finance Business Partner provided a Work Programme update and confirmed that the Committee’s meetings with the Chief Internal Auditor and External Auditor would be held in private at the conclusion of the next meeting, 16 November 2022.

Resolved

(1)          That the work programme update be noted.