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 records the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 19 May 2021 and 21 June 2021.

The Minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 19 May and 21 June 2021 were agreed as 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 Director of Finance

Purpose of report

This report presents the Internal Audit Charter and Internal Audit Quality Assurance Programme for 2021/22.

Recommendations

 The committee is Recommended to:

1.1         Approve the Internal Audit Charter.

1.2         Note the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the Internal Audit Charter be approved.

(2)       That the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme be noted.

The  Director of Finance submitted a report which presented the Internal Audit Charter and Internal Audit Quality Assurance Programme for 2021/22.

Resolved

(1)          That, having given due consideration, the Internal Audit Charter be approved.

(2)       That the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme be noted.

Report of Director of Finance

Purpose of report

This report presents the Annual Plan for the Counter-Fraud service at CDC for 2021/22. It provides an overview of the current Service (resources, arrangements) and the detailed Plan and actions for the current financial year. 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.

This report also presents the new set of performance indicators that will be reported to the Accounts Audit and Risk Committee going forwards.

The updated Counter-Fraud Strategy which is public on the Council’s Intranet and website, is also presented in this report.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended to:

1.1         Comment and note the Annual Counter Fraud Plan for 2021/22

1.2         Note the updated Counter Fraud Strategy and Performance Framework in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2

Resolved

(1)          That the Annual Counter Fraud Plan for 2021/22 be noted.

(2)       That the updated Counter Fraud Strategy and Performance Framework (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

The Director of Finance submitted a report presenting the Annual Plan for the Counter-Fraud service at CDC for 2021/22 and a new set of performance indicators that would  be reported to the Accounts, Audit and Risk Committee going forward.

In response to Members’ questions, the Audit Manager explained the methods available for fraud referrals. The Chief Internal Auditor confirmed that the referral cases figures would be reported by referral method received at  the November committee meeting.

Resolved

(1)          That the Annual Counter Fraud Plan for 2021/22 be noted.

(2)       That the updated Counter Fraud Strategy and Performance Framework (annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

Report of Director of Finance

Purpose of report

To inform the Committee of the overall level of support provided to the Council’s subsidiaries and how this is considered as part of the external audit.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

 1.1        To note the report and raise any queries on the exempt appendix.

Resolved

(1)          That the report be noted.

The Director of Finance submitted a report that informed the Committee of the overall level of support provided to the Council’s subsidiaries and how this is considered as part of the external audit.

Resolved

(1)          That the report be noted.

To consider and review the Work Programme.

Resolved

(1)          That the work programme be noted.

The Assistant Director of Finance informed Members that dates for the November, January and March, Account Audit & Risk Committee meetings may be changed, members will be informed once dates have been confirmed

Resolved

(1)          That the work programme be noted.

The following item contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraph of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

3– Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider each of them in private or in public. In making the decision, members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to resolve as follows:

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part I, Paragraph 3 would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.”

Resolved

That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that, if the public and press were present, it would be likely that exempt information falling under the provisions of Schedule 12A, Part I, Paragraph 3 would be disclosed to them, and that in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved

(1)          That the exempt appendix be noted.

Resolved

(1)          That the exempt appendix be noted.