Agenda, decisions and minutes


Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee - Wednesday 16 November 2022 6.30 pm

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

Contact: Liam Semugabi, Democratic and Elections  Email: democracy@cherwell-dc.gov.uk, 01295 221534

Media

Items
No. Item

39.

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.

40.

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.

41.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 206 KB

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 28 September 2022.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 28 September 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

42.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive communications from the Chairman.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no Chairman’s announcements.

43.

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.

44.

Treasury Management Report - Q2 2022/23 (September 2022) pdf icon PDF 546 KB

Report of the 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.

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That the contents of this Treasury Management Report be noted

Minutes:

The Assistant Director Finance submitted a report which provided information on treasury management performance and compliance with the treasury management policy for 2022-23 as required by the Treasury Management Code of Practice.

 

In response to Members’ questions regarding the Councils net borrowing, the Strategic Finance Business Partner explained that the net borrowing of the Council had reduced by £10 million. In recognition of interest rate increases and volatility around rates, the council had achieved greater interest rate certainty by replacing short-term with medium-term borrowing.   

 

In response to Members’ questions regarding potential risk to the council’s investments, the Strategic Finance Business Partner explained that in July work had been undertaken to mitigate risk. All current investments were relatively short term with institutions that had a good credit rating.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the contents of this Treasury Management Report be noted

45.

Update on Counter Fraud Annual Plan 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 370 KB

Report of Assistant Director of Finance

 

Purpose of report

 

This report presents a summary of activity against the Annual Plan for the Counter-Fraud service at CDC for 2022/23, which was previously presented to the Accounts, Audit & Risk July 2022 meeting. The Plan supports the Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy by ensuring that the Council has in place proportionate and effective resources and controls to prevent and detect fraud as well as investigate those matters that do arise.

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended to:

 

1.1         Comment and note the summary of activity against the Annual Counter Fraud Plan for 2022/23.

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the summary of activity against the Annual Counter Fraud Plan for 2022/23 be noted.

Minutes:

The Assistant Director Finance submitted a report which presented a summary of activity against the Annual Plan for the Counter Fraud service at CDC for 2022/23, which was previously presented to the Accounts, Audit & Risk July 2022 Committee meeting. The Plan supported the council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy by ensuring that the Council has in place proportionate and effective resources and controls to prevent and detect fraud as well as investigate those matters that do arise.

 

In response to Members’ queries, the Chief Internal Auditor explained that fraud across the country was increasing which was considered largely as a result of the pandemic and cost of living crisis. Pro-active work undertaken had focussed on staff training and awareness session, with a fraud awareness and risk identification session being delivered to he Revenues and Benefits team.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the summary of activity against the Annual Counter Fraud Plan for 2022/23 be noted.

46.

September / Quarter 2 2022 - Risk Monitoring Report pdf icon PDF 562 KB

Report of Assistant Director – Customer Focus

 

Purpose of report

 

This report summarises the Council’s Risk monitoring position of September / Quarter 2 2022.

 

Recommendations

            

The meeting is recommended:

 

1.1       To note the monthly Risk Monitoring Report September / Quarter 2 2022

 

 

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)         That the monthly Risk Monitoring Report September / Quarter 2 2022 be noted.

 

Minutes:

The Assistant Director Customer Focus submitted a report which summarised the Council’s Risk monitoring position of September / Quarter 2 2022.

 

In considering the report, Members were requested to send questions to the Performance and Insight Team Leader who would respond to accordingly.

 

Resolved

 

(1)          That the monthly Risk Monitoring Report September / Quarter 2 2022 be noted.

47.

Work Programme pdf icon PDF 10 KB

To consider and review the Work Programme.

Additional documents:

Decision:

Resolved

 

(1)          That the work programme update be noted.

Minutes:

The Strategic Finance Business Partner update the Committee on their Work Programme update. The Committee was advised that their private session with the External Auditor would take place at the conclusion of the 25 January 2023 meeting rather than this meeting.

 

Resolved

 

(1)           That the work programme update be noted.